Dearest Gentle Reader, do you wish to be named the diamond of the season? Or do you prefer to speak your mind with parchment and a quill? Whatever your personality type, these unique characteristics also affect one very important aspect of life: your relationship with money.
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Understanding some of the different money personalities is a great way to become self-aware of your own saving and spending habits. Because I still burn for Netflix’s Regency series Bridgerton, I’m pairing different types of money managers with a character from the ton.
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1. Anthony Bridgerton – The Frugal Saver
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Responsible to a fault, this type of money manager is very particular about their purchases. They don’t like spending frivolously, as they see their finances as a safety net for unexpected emergencies. If needed, they would loan money to loved ones without hesitation to ensure the recipient is comfortable and secure.
They are excellent at being intentional with every dollar earned but may need the reminder to treat themselves from time to time. The eldest Bridgerton sibling fits this mold, as he is always striving to do the right thing and care for his family members before himself.
2. Kate Sharma – The Competitive Moneymaker
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This type of money manager is extremely ambitious. They are unlikely to accept help from others — financially or otherwise — and are usually fiercely independent in all facets of life. When it comes to finances, they may struggle to share assets with a partner due to their lone-wolf mentality or become passionate about achieving a goal like paying off debt.
Kate wears this badge of honor as a strong-willed character determined to find success all on her own. She is intelligent, competitive, and won’t let just anyone into her life without knowing their true intentions (even a Bridgerton babe!).
3. Eloise Bridgerton – The Financial Free Spirit
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Down with the patriarchy and down with budgeting spreadsheets! Free spirits like Eloise march to the beat of their own drum and pay no mind to societal expectations. They aren’t too concerned with following a strict budget or obsessing over the state of their finances, and would much prefer to simply live in the moment.
Like the most unconventional Bridgerton, a free spirit doesn’t pay mind to whatever milestone society says they should be preparing for next (i.e., a big wedding or buying a house). Eloise knows who she is and what she wants and is content to focus on those pursuits.
4. Penelope Featherington – The Investor
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Right off the bat, it’s clear that Penelope doesn’t quite fit in with the other Featheringtons. Unlike her materialistic mother and shallow sisters, she’s creative, observant, and quick-witted. She uses these strengths to her advantage and begins writing gossip pamphlets as Lady Whistledown.
Business-minded individuals like Penelope are willing to take risks and invest in ventures that may lead to greater success. They know there is a possibility of failure, but prefer to invest time and money into something that has the potential to take off. For Pen, this investor’s mindset comes into play as she continues to build Lady Whistledown’s empire, despite the consequences that would come her way should her identity be revealed.
5. Benedict Bridgerton – The Passionate Dreamer
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While Benedict’s well-to-do upbringing provides him with the luxury of being indifferent to finances, it’s worth noting that the second Bridgerton son is very driven by passion and emotion. As the resident family artist, we see him pursuing art school (a dream that comes crashing down at the end of Season 2), despite it being considered a non-lucrative career path.
At this point in the series, Benedict leaves most of the family’s financial matters to Anthony and seems content to follow his passions over making money. Those who share this mindset might choose a career path that won’t make them “wealthy” (or may take on a side hustle to pay the bills), as they place a higher value on fulfilling their dreams. This personality type lives by the motto “Money can’t buy happiness” and views income as something used to fund necessities.
6. Simon Basset – The Perfectionist
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From an early age, The Duke of Hastings must work hard to earn his titles. Though he is the only son and heir in his family, his father cruelly disowns him as a child, which drives Simon to strive for perfection in all he does. As a young boy, he works with Lady Danbury to correct his stutter in hopes to impress his father, and as an adult, he strives for perfection in his role as the duke.
When Simon and Daphne form their plan to act as though they are in love, he calculates every move to make it a believable ruse — a perfectionist at their finest! When it comes to finances, this personality is obsessed with making all the right moves. They are probably great at managing their money but may have trouble accepting any unforeseen challenges that come their way.
7. Daphne – The Self-Advocate
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If you are a devout budgeter who religiously tracks your spending, you really are the talk of the ton. At the beginning of her story, Daphne might be timid and naive, but we quickly see her grow into a well-rounded duchess who knows what she wants.
The biggest element in Daphne’s character arch is that she begins to take control of her own life, which is why she embodies a financial self-advocate. This type of personality is eager to learn from their mistakes, organized, and always willing to advocate for their needs (i.e., seeking advice from a financial advisor or communicating when something is not in their budget.)
8. Lady Danbury – The Status-Driven Spender
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This matchmaking baddie pretty much runs high society. Lady Danbury is fierce, fabulous, and starkly aware of how the world works. In her eyes (and due to being a woman in the 1800s), money makes the world go round, which is why she places value on outward appearance and one’s ability to move upward.
A modern-day status-driven spender might equate material items to success. They may strive to have the nicest home or fanciest car or be pickier about name brands. Being able to spend money on certain items or experiences is of great importance to this personality type, but it’s wise to remember that your purchases do not define you!
Which personality type aligns with how you manage money? Tell us in the comments below! It will be the talk of the ton…
And for more on life and money, like how in the heck an $855 rent increase is even legal, check out the rest of our personal finance posts.