What Your Love Language Says About Your Financial Habits

It's no secret that money plays a big role in relationships. Whether you're single, married, or somewhere in between, understanding how your love language affects your finances can help you make smarter decisions with your money. Here's what your love language says about you and how love languages affect your finances.

What is Financial Love Language? 

Financial love language is a concept that describes the unique way each person processes and manages money. It suggests that similar to body language or verbal communication, couples can find a common ‘language’ when it comes to their finances – which effectively lets them guide each other in understanding how to approach spending and saving. Ultimately, this ‘language’ builds trust by increasing levels of financial transparency, allowing spouses to support each other financially as well as emotionally.

What are the Different Love Languages? 

Words of Affirmation 

If verbal expressions of praise, appreciation, and love drive you forward, why not take that same feeling and apply it to your finances? Take a day each week to check in on where your money is going. 

If you feel comfortable doing so, bring an accountability partner or friend into the conversation - two heads are usually better than one! Even if you don't think you need one, consider finding a financial advisor to talk through any financial decisions with. That's the kind of person who knows the ins and outs of money management and can set you on the best path forward. 

To stay motivated while making better money choices, explore entertaining content that's created by people who have committed themselves to help others understand how to save and invest their money.

Acts of Service 

Individuals whose primary love language is acts of service often feel most appreciated when others do things for them (or when they do things for others). If you're the type of person who loves giving and performing acts of service for their loved ones, you're probably used to seeing a lot of your cash go towards practical goods or services. With this in mind, why not work on saving money by investing in some meal preps and DIY projects instead? It's an easy way to stretch your funds without skimping on quality. 

Good financial decisions are important, and they can be time-consuming, but you should also make sure to leave time for actually enjoying the benefits of your hard work. Setting up automated transfers for rent, bills, savings, and investments can help free up more of your schedule so that you don't need to worry about budgeting constantly.

If you’re the type of person that likes to always be on the move and enjoys taking initiative through acts of service, investing might be a great opportunity for you. Taking control of your financial situation can offer a feeling of accomplishment and greater security for the future. When making decisions about where to give your money, it’s important to do your research so that you feel confident and prepared before diving in. 

There is an array of helpful resources available both online and offline, so try leveraging them to arm yourself with information so that you can make smart financial decisions that ultimately benefit you and your family.

Receiving Gifts 

For some people, nothing makes them feel more appreciated than receiving gifts, whether it's something material like a new car or something immaterial like a surprise dinner out on the town. The same goes for their finances; those who speak this love language may be motivated by rewards and tangible evidence of success (like seeing their savings account balance grow). They might even find joy in buying themselves small gifts as a reward for achieving their financial goals. 

Shopping for the perfect present doesn't need to be a budget-breaking burden. Being savvy means having the knowledge to shop smartly, and this can start from sourcing sales, thrifted items, and even reselling gifts you might not use or want. No matter what your approach is to find the right gift, it can still be done without breaking the bank. The key is to focus on feelings rather than finances: when you really care about someone it doesn't take a lot of money to emphasize that you do.

Quality Time 

Those who prioritize quality time as their primary love language are always looking for meaningful connections with others. In terms of finances, they may prefer to talk through their decisions with a trusted friend or family member and look for advice from mentors or other knowledgeable individuals. They might also make an effort to set aside time each week to review their budget and stay on track. 

Physical Touch 

People who speak this language often find comfort in physical contact with those they care about. The same can be said for their financial habits; these individuals may enjoy the hands-on approach of budgeting and tracking expenses, as it helps them stay organized and focused on their goals. They might also find satisfaction in seeing their hard work pay off in terms of tangible results. 

Keeping an eye on what you're spending can be a daunting responsibility, but it's essential if you want to make sure that you're living within your means. A great way to get on track within this department is by physically writing out all of your expenses. It might be tough in the moment, but it's important for you to have a clear understanding of where your money goes so you can set and keep realistic budgets. 

We recommend using the 50/30/20 solution, which divides your income between needs, wants, and future goals. If budgeting digitally seems overwhelming, why not go for something tangible like piggy banking? Having that physical representation of your funds may give you an extra boost of security and comfort when facing those financial decisions.

No matter what your love language is, understanding how it affects your financial habits can help you make smart decisions with your money. With a clearer picture of how your love language impacts your finances, you'll be able to better plan for the future and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from achieving your financial goals.