What’s Your Monthly Money Management Style?

Are you a financial planner, a paycheck juggler, or a go-with-the-flow spender? Let’s find out how you really handle your money each month.

Instructions: Pick the answer that best describes how you manage your finances each month. Tally your points and check your result at the end!

1. When your paycheck hits, what’s the first thing you do?

A. Check my budget and move money into savings and bills. (5 points)

B. Pay my bills and grab a little treat—I earned it. (3 points)

C. Scroll Amazon or hit the group chat—it’s go time. (1 point)

D. I don’t really have a system—I just hope it stretches. (0 points)

2. How do you handle your monthly bills?

A. I use auto-pay or schedule everything in advance. (5 points)

B. I pay most on time but sometimes shuffle things around. (3 points)

C. It’s hit or miss—some get paid late or with late fees. (1 point)

D. I don’t keep track. I just pay when I get reminders. (0 points)

3. What’s your approach to budgeting?

A. I have a monthly budget and I stick to it. (5 points)

B. I loosely track expenses but I’m not strict. (3 points)

C. I tried budgeting but gave up—it felt overwhelming. (1 point)

D. I don’t budget at all. I just try not to overspend. (0 points)

4. Do you track where your money goes each month?

A. Yes, down to the categories—groceries, gas, fun, etc. (5 points)

B. I check my bank statements now and then. (3 points)

C. I know when things feel tight, but I don’t track. (1 point)

D. Nope—I just hope there’s money left by the end of the month. (0 points)

5. How do you handle unexpected expenses?

A. I use my emergency fund or savings. (5 points)

B. I move some things around or dip into savings. (3 points)

C. Credit cards or borrowing from someone. (1 point)

D. I stress out and hope the problem goes away. (0 points)

6. Do you save a portion of your income each month?

A. Yes—saving is part of my monthly routine. (5 points)

B. I save when there’s extra left over. (3 points)

C. Not really—there’s never enough to save. (1 point)

D. Save? I can barely pay bills. (0 points)

7. How confident do you feel about your monthly financial routine?

A. Very confident—I have a system that works for me. (5 points)

B. I’m doing okay, but I know I can do better. (3 points)

C. I feel a little anxious about it every month. (1 point)

D. What routine? It’s chaos over here. (0 points)

SCORE BREAKDOWN

30–35 Points: The Monthly Money Pro

You’ve mastered the art of budgeting, tracking, and planning ahead. You know where every dollar goes and you make it work for you. Keep leading the way!

22–29 Points: The Balanced Baller

You’ve got a decent system and you’re doing better than most. A little more structure or discipline could take you from good to great—your next level is one tweak away.

13–21 Points: The Budget Bouncer

You’re trying, but money management still feels reactive instead of proactive. With a bit more planning and clarity, you can stop bouncing between paychecks and start building consistency.

Below 13 Points: The Financial Freestyler

You’re out here doing your best—but your monthly money routine might be costing you peace (and coins). Don’t stress—start small with a simple plan, and build from there. You got this!