With RSP deadlines approaching, saving and investing for the future preoccupies many, especially those about to enter their second half of life. While you may be wondering if you’ll have enough when “retirement” shows up on your horizon, you would also wise to look past the numbers and reflect on your attitude towards money. Perhaps you have observed that for some, there simply is never enough even if their coffers are overflowing. Others may dwell in a rich frame of mind and seem to live in gratefulness for always having enough, no matter the numbers on their accounts. These varied perceptions result from the fact that our subjective attitudes towards money and financial security are largely based on the totality of our perceptions, our past experiences, and our subconscious beliefs – limiting or expansive as they may be.
These various attitudinal habits towards money have been cleverly identified by financial advisors Spencer Sherman and Brent Kessel who are also founders of Abacus Wealth. Based on two decades of experience in their field, they have summed up the ways people relate to money by identifying 8 types or archetypes. These include:
– Guardian
– Pleasure Seeker
– Idealist
– Saver
– Star
– Innocent
– Caretaker
– Empire Builder
Each of these represents a spectrum that sums up one’s tendencies, habits of behaviors and attitudes toward financial matters. Most people find themselves to be a combination of 2 or 3 archetypes and you can take the quiz on www.abacuswealth.com to become better aware of how you relate to money; spend, invest or save it. (Once on that site, click on the Education tab, then on Quiz, then on Take the Quiz to Find Out.)
Regardless of your attitude towards money or if you believe that you have not been able to save enough for your future, taking on a more self-disciplined, vigilant and optimist attitude will help you gain more peace of mind. And remember that nowadays, an increasingly large amount of companies are offering part-time and flexible work hours to accommodate mature people who want to be “semi-retired”. Moreover, statistics show that more and more boomers are successfully launching their own enterprises in their 50’s or even 60’s. So the possibilities are numerous. Make sure that you liberate your mind and expand its horizons enough to really see, assess, and courageously step forward to turn a desirable possibility into a life-affirming reality; one that will make your heart sing and your mind at ease!
