1. Activity Sheet:
Your Relationship With Money
NAME: Jelani Cameronn
Your Relationship with Money
Getting a handle on money anxiety starts with an honest examination of how you relate to it.
BUILD BASIC SKILLS. Analyze yourself as a money manager. Look back to Key 11.1 on page
297 for a description of what influences how people handle money. Make notes about your
personal specifics in the following areas.
I most value spending money on . . . Sneakers and clothes.
As a money manager, I would describe myself as . . . Good at leaving myself with at least $100.
My culture tends to view money as . . . The root of all evil.
In handling money, my family and friends tend to . . . Not help me make as much as I can.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL. Generate ideas about what you want to do with your money. If you had
enough money for your expenses and then some, what would you do with the extra? Would you save it,
spend it, or do a little of both? Imagine what you would do if you had an extra $10,000 to spend this
year. Describe your plan here:
I‘d save a little and spend a little. If I had an extra $10,000 this I would start my clothing line
company.
MOVE TOWARD MASTERY. Look for practical ways to move toward the scenario you
imagined. Realistically, how can you make that $10,000 a reality? You may need to change how
you operate as a money manager. You may need to make some sacrifices in the short term.
Come up with two specific plans here about changes and sacrifices that will move you toward
your goal.
1. I can work the same way I am now, but not buy sneakers and clothes anymore.
2. I can live in parents house rent-free instead of getting my place.
Part II
Answer the Following Questions:
2. 1. Nearly 3 out of 4 people in the U.S. cite money as the top stressor in their lives.
Do you spend now or save for the future? I plan to spend my money on things that I know
will be worth 10 times more than when I bought it in the future. Therefore, its sort of an
investment.
2. How good are you at differentiating between needs and wants and on prioritizing needs? I
am very good at prioritizing needs and wants. For example, if I am starving and I only have
money to buy these sneakers I want I would take that money to purchase groceries.
3. Everyone has a weak spot; some people like new clothes, others like fancy restaurants.
What can you do to make financial sacrifices seem worth your feelings of deprivation? I can
sacrifice going out because I really don’t have time and I would rather stay home.
When you put these ideas to work, save or invest the money to reach for your goal.
