Rewrite Your Money Story: Understanding Your Financial Personality
July 30, 2026 •
Welcome back to the Dollar Wise Podcast. In this episode, Catherine Allen-Carlozo, CFP®, RICP®, RSSA®, shares ideas from her book, The Money Stories That Shaped Us: Awareness, Action, and the Story You Get to Choose Next. Catherine explains how emotions, identity, childhood experiences, and beliefs about scarcity or abundance can influence financial decisions. She also introduces five money personalities—the saver, spender, avoider, planner, and giver—and examines the strengths and blind spots associated with each. Listeners will learn how recognizing the story behind their financial behavior can help them make more intentional choices that support the life they have built.
Tune into this episode to also learn:
● Why financial decisions are often driven by emotion, identity, fear, and self-worth rather than math.
● How childhood experiences and family attitudes can shape adult financial behavior.
● The strengths and blind spots of the saver, spender, avoider, planner, and giver money personalities.
● How greater awareness of your money story can lead to more intentional financial choices.
What we discussed
● [00:00:48] Catherine introduces her book, The Money Stories That Shaped Us, and explains why she wrote it for women.
● [00:01:18] How emotions, relationships, money personalities, and scarcity or abundance mindsets influence financial behavior.
● [00:02:09] Why smart and successful women may continue making financial decisions they later regret.
● [00:02:25] How money stories are shaped by emotion, identity, fear, self-worth, and early family experiences.
● [00:03:28] The difference between having financial knowledge and acting with intention.
● [00:04:07] Catherine introduces five money personalities: the saver, spender, avoider, planner, and giver.
● [00:04:54] How the saver and giver personalities can experience financial blind spots.
● [00:05:15] Why generosity toward children should not come at the expense of retirement security.
● [00:05:37] The avoider personality and the importance of understanding the story driving financial decisions.
● [00:06:23] How recognizing financial strengths and blind spots can support more empowering choices.
● [00:06:51] Why honoring the life you have built can be a meaningful part of your financial story.
3 Things To Remember
- Your financial behavior is influenced not only by knowledge and numbers, but also by emotions, identity, childhood experiences, and personal beliefs.
- Every money personality has valuable strengths as well as blind spots that can affect long-term financial well-being.
- Understanding the story behind your financial decisions can help you make more intentional choices without trying to become someone else.
Memorable moments:
(00:02:09) “Money decisions are rarely about math.”
(00:03:28) “Knowing what to do and actually doing it are two different things.”
(00:05:37) “The goal is to understand the story that’s been driving your financial decisions so you can begin writing a better next chapter.”
Useful Links
Connect with Catherine @callencarlozo@hfmadvisors.com | LinkedIn
Check out The Money Stories That Shaped Us: Awareness, Action, and the Story You Get to Choose Next HERE
Like what you’ve heard…
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HFM Investment Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. All statements and opinions expressed are based upon information considered reliable although it should not be relied upon as such. Any statements or opinions are subject to change without notice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. All investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Information expressed does not take into account your specific situation or objectives and is not intended as a recommendation appropriate for any individual. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from a qualified tax, legal, or investment advisor to determine whether any information presented may be suitable for their specific situation. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.
