Smart spending: Learn your financial disposition.

According to financial planner and author Diane McCurdy, people have “financial attitudes” unique to them, and these attitudes shape how we should go about planning for retirement. “There are strengths and weaknesses in each; the problem is that if you take that weakness of the financial personality too far, you could get into financial trouble,” McCurdy said. McCurdy compiled her expertise in a book called How Much Is Enough? In her book, McCurdy includes a 14-question quiz to help determine if you are a builder, saver, giver or spender.

BUILDER
Entrepreneurs; creative-types; use money as a tool; become bored easily; sometimes don’t complete business projects before moving on to the next best thing. Tip: Builders should leave a little extra than they planned, so that they can complete their project, and if they don’t complete it, at least they can pay someone who will.

SAVER
Lives on a very small income without any trouble; love watching their money pile up, as it’s a form of security, but often save for too long and wait until they’re too old to enjoy their money. Tip: Savers should calculate their number and see it in black and white, and that way when they know they have enough to spend and can enjoy their money along the way.

SPENDER
Knows all about the latest and greatest in consumer goods but sometimes carries debt on credit cards or have there credit line creeping up.
Tip: If spenders take money off the top, call it their “never-never fund,” like with a 401K or IRA, they can ensure their money is tied up tight and won’t touch it.

GIVER
Takes care of everyone except herself, but after giving their time, energy and financial resources so much to others, they and their own families can suffer. Tip: Plan on how much you can give in your budget — and then you’re done giving. And if you can’t afford to give money, give your time instead.