Spending Personality Test: how it works and how to enjoy your result

What the test is about

The test looks at everyday behavior, not at how much money you have. Each of the twelve moments could happen to anyone: a payday, a sale, a group dinner, a subscription you forgot about. The four answers in every moment reflect four familiar money habits. One is saving first, one is comparing and hunting for value, one is treating yourself and one is following the impulse of the moment.

Nobody is only one of these. Most people lean toward one or two, and the lean can change with the season of life. Students, new parents, people changing jobs and people planning a trip all answer differently. That is why the result is a playful snapshot and not a permanent label.

How your result is calculated

Every choice you make adds a point to one of the four habits. At the end, the test looks at which habits collected the most points and how close they were. A big lead for one habit gives a pure style. Two habits that are close give a blended style. When all four habits are nearly even, you get the balanced result.

The scoring is fixed, so the same answers always give the same result. We also checked every possible combination of answers, more than sixteen million of them, to make sure all of the results can come up and none of them dominates. After the test, a small bar chart shows how your own answers split between the four habits. Those percentages are calculated only from your answers.

• Twelve short everyday situations with four choices each.
• A breakdown of your own answers by habit.
• A result with a description, strengths, something to watch out for and a fun idea.
• About two minutes, on any phone, with no sign-up.

Answering honestly

The most accurate results come from first reactions. Imagine the last time something similar actually happened, and pick what you really did, not what you wish you had done or what looks most responsible. There are no good or bad answers here, and nobody is grading you.

If two answers both feel right, choose the one you would pick on an ordinary, slightly tired Tuesday. That is usually the more honest one. You can also take the test twice: once as you are today, and once as you imagine yourself in a better financial mood. Comparing the two can be surprisingly funny.

Why every style has good and tricky sides

Savers build calm and security, but may skip joy that would have been worth it. Value hunters get great deals, but can spend more time than something deserves. Flexers create unforgettable moments, but may forget the quiet future. Impulse buyers bring spontaneity and color, but may meet some surprises at the end of the month.

The descriptions in your result try to be kind and a little humorous about this. They are not predictions and they are not advice. Think of the fun idea at the end as a small game to try, not a rule to follow.

Entertainment only, and ideas for friends

This test is for entertainment. It does not look at your income, your debts, your goals or anything else that matters to real financial decisions, and it cannot tell you what to buy, save or invest in. If you have real questions about money, a qualified professional is the right place to start.

It is great in a group. Try guessing each friend’s result before they take it, then compare. Couples and roommates often discover that the saver and the flexer balance each other well. After your result you can share a link that shows only your own style, so friends can take the test without spoilers.