Money Scripts—Part 1: The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Money
When it comes to money, we’re all human. We make good decisions, we make mistakes, and—whether we realize it or not—we carry unconscious beliefs about money that shape our financial choices. These beliefs influence how we save, spend, and invest, often in ways we don’t fully recognize.
Psychologist Dr. Brad Klontz calls these ingrained beliefs “money scripts”—the unwritten financial rules we absorb, often from childhood, that quietly guide our behaviors. Some money scripts serve us well, like the value of saving for a rainy day. Others, however, can create financial roadblocks. For example, one study in Britain found that children raised in households where money was a secretive topic were more likely to develop compulsive saving or spending habits as adults.
“The problem is that we take these beliefs for granted as adults, and we rarely go back and examine them, let alone decide to change them,” Klontz explains. “Instead, they’re kind of like an actor’s script in a movie; we just continue to read the lines in our heads…and believe that they’re true, when in fact, they are often quite distorted and limit our success.”
Not all money scripts are harmful. But when negative money scripts dominate, they can quietly work against us, steering us away from our financial goals. The good news? By recognizing these patterns, we can challenge and reshape them, putting ourselves in control of our financial futures.
In this two-part series, we’ll explore the most common money scripts—and in Part 2, we’ll dive into strategies for rewriting the ones that no longer serve you.
The Four Common Money Scripts
While money beliefs come in many forms, Klontz and his research team have identified four main money scripts.
1. Money Status: Self-Worth = Net Worth
People in this category tend to tie their self-esteem to how much money they have—or at least, how much they appear to have. This belief can fuel impulse spending, overspending, and the drive to “keep up with the Joneses.”
For someone with a money status script, wealth is a symbol of success. They might feel pressure to buy luxury items, round up when talking about their salary, or even hide financial struggles from their partners. Their perception of others can also be skewed—assuming that wealthy people must be happy and that those with less must simply not be working hard enough.
2. Money Worship: The Myth That More Money = Fewer Problems
Money worshippers believe that having more money is the key to happiness, freedom, and security. The problem? The finish line keeps moving. No matter how much they earn, it never feels like enough.
This script often leads to chronic spending in pursuit of fulfillment—buying things to fill an emotional void. It can also create deep-seated distrust around money, making it hard to feel financially secure, even with a healthy bank account.
3. Money Avoidance: The Fear of Wealth
For some, money itself feels uncomfortable, even shameful. Those with a money avoidance script often see wealth as corrupting and believe that accumulating money is greedy. They may feel guilty about financial success or struggle to manage their money because of an ingrained belief that discussing it is taboo.
This mindset can create an internal conflict—wanting financial stability but subconsciously pushing it away. It can also lead to avoidance behaviors, like neglecting savings, resisting financial planning, or feeling undeserving of wealth.
4. Money Vigilance: The Fear of Spending
At the other end of the spectrum, money vigilance is the belief that money is a tool that must be protected. Those with this mindset are often disciplined savers, but their financial caution can sometimes go too far.
For money-vigilant individuals, spending—even on necessities—can feel uncomfortable. They may downplay their earnings, keep financial matters private, and struggle to enjoy their money, even when it’s in their best interest. While financial prudence is valuable, excessive vigilance can prevent people from fully experiencing the benefits of their financial success.
Recognizing Your Own Money Scripts
These money scripts represent the extremes, and no one fits neatly into just one category. Most of us have a mix of these beliefs, with some influencing us more than others. Even scripts that seem negative can have upsides—a little bit of money vigilance can be healthy, just as an occasional indulgence can be perfectly reasonable.
The key is awareness. Understanding your money scripts allows you to identify patterns that may be helping—or hindering—your financial well-being. With this awareness, you can start making intentional choices rather than letting unconscious beliefs steer the ship.
In Part 2 of this series, we’ll explore practical strategies for rewriting unhelpful money scripts, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and building a mindset that supports your financial success.
And as always, if you have questions or want to discuss your own financial path, we’re here to help.