You might not remember much from your Psych 101 class, but you may be familiar with your Myers-Briggs personality type. Hint: Mother-daughter duo Isabel Briggs Myers and Katharine Briggs developed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in the 40s to identify different personality types and help people choose jobs that vibe well with them.
Needless to say, a lot has changed since then, but many people still use the Myers-Briggs personalities to better understand how they make decisions and navigate life, from their career choices to their dating habits. And figuring out your personality type can help you find a budget that suits you, aka one you’ll stick to.
Find your personality type here, then scroll on to see which budgeting style makes the most sense for you.
Analysts: Skip a traditional budget.
Analyst personalities include: Architects (INTJ), Logicians (INTP), Commanders (ENTJ), and Debaters (ENTP)
What drives their money habits: Personalities who fall into the Analyst category are generally innovators. They like intellectual challenges and coming up with creative solutions. While analysts are typically careful planners, their ideal budgeting strategy should also take into account their big dreams and desire to level up. Hi, dream home.
The best budgeting style for Analysts: The anti-budget budget (aka “pay yourself first”) can help Analysts tap into their creative energy by leaving part of their budget open-ended. On the anti-budget plan, bills and savings come first. (Bonus points if you automate payments and contributions.) Once those are covered, the rest of your paycheck is yours to play around with. Maybe this week you buy dinner with friends but next week you invest in a career workshop. Analysts can also use their problem-solving skills to tweak this budget as needed if they run into trouble or need to focus on a specific goal.
Diplomats: Use your words.
Diplomat personalities include: Advocates (INFJ), Mediators (INFP), Protagonists (ENFJ), and Campaigners (ENFP)
What drives their money habits: Diplomats do it for the plot. They’re storytellers who know how to lead by inspiring others and motivating them with their positive energy. They can be idealistic and free-spirited which can translate to letting their emotions influence financial decisions.
The best budgeting style for Diplomats: Their money mindset needs to have a ‘why.’ Think: values-based budgeting, impact banking, etc. In their daily budgets, Diplomats could benefit from a cash envelopes budgeting strategy. That entails writing categories like “groceries” or “clothes” on envelopes and filling them with corresponding stacks of cash. The envelopes help you track spending while also tapping into your psyche. And research shows naming your money goals can help them feel more attainable.
Sentinels: Make it make cents.
Sentinel personalities include: Logisticians (ISTJ), Defenders (ISFJ), Executives (ESTJ), and Consuls (ESFJ)
What drives their money habits: Are you the designated party planner in your friend group? You might be a Sentinel. Because they relish in taking care of others and ironing out the details. Whether it’s managing plans or people, Sentinels take care of business. Which also might make them more likely to already have a budget due to their knack for planning ahead and being prepared for the unexpected.
The best budgeting style for Sentinels: A no-nonsense, zero-based budget may work best for those in this category. Every dollar has a job in this budget plan. It might go toward rent or a debt payment plan, savings, or necessities, but every dollar from your take-home pay will work toward one of your money goals.
Explorers: Save room for fun.
Explorer personalities include: Virtuosos (ISTP), Adventurers (ISFP), Entrepreneurs (ESTP), and Entertainers (ESFP)
What drives their money habits: As the name suggests, Explorers are not the faint of heart. They love taking risks and living life to the fullest. But that doesn’t (and shouldn’t) mean they can’t keep their money on track.
The best budgeting style for Explorers: A 50/30/20 budget can help Explorers put aside enough of their paychecks to have all the adventures they want. It’s a basic budget that breaks out your take-home pay into three categories: Needs, wants, and future savings. Then 50% of your net pay goes to your needs like rent and bills, 30% to wants (that can be skydiving…orrr trying a new restaurant), and 20% goes to emergency savings and retirement. Because even daredevils have to slow down eventually.
theSkimm
Personality types and budgets aren’t one-size-fits-all. But understanding how your personality can impact your decision-making can help you find a budget that fits your lifestyle.
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