Money worship
A little more money, and then things will finally be good.
Want to know your money script? Twenty statements, about four minutes.
In this script, money looks like the answer to almost everything: anxiety, boredom, the feeling that life is passing you by. Happiness seems to start with the next sum, but when it arrives, the bar has already moved. Klontz found that people with this script more often have credit card debt and make impulse purchases: money comes and goes, and the feeling of “not enough” stays.
How it sounds inside
- “Money means happiness”
- “There's never enough money”
- “Money is freedom”
- “Once I've earned it, I'll start living”
- “If I buy it, I'll feel better”
Where it helps
- You can dream big and set big goals
- Money is a strong motivation for you to act
- You aren't afraid to want more
Where it gets in the way
- The joy of a purchase fades quickly, but the urge for the next one stays
- Life is put off until the right amount arrives
- Money stands in for rest, closeness and self-care
- It's easy to fall into debt for things that should make you happy
Where it comes from
Behind this script there is often an experience of scarcity: a childhood where there wasn't enough money for essentials, or where love and attention were replaced with presents. Money then becomes a symbol of the safety and care that were in short supply. In our work we look for what you really want when you want money, and learn to get it directly.
What to try
- Before a purchase, wait a day and ask yourself: what do I want to feel?
- Make a list of things that make you happy and cost almost nothing.
- Decide how much is “enough” for you and write down the exact figure.
In a couple
To a partner with a “vigilance” script your spending may look dangerous, and their caution may look stingy to you. Agree on an amount each of you spends without reporting, and a shared reserve you both leave alone. Then freedom and security stop fighting.
Work through your script
Money is one of the themes I work with most often, including through financial constellations. If you want to understand where your script comes from and how to stop obeying it, message me.
This questionnaire is based on Brad Klontz's research on money scripts (Klontz et al., 2011). It is not the official Klontz Money Script Inventory and not a scientifically validated test, but a tool for self-reflection. A script is not a sentence: it formed once, and it can change.