In order to better understand the psychology of money, Kent Yamauchi and Donald Templer developed the “Money Attitude Scale.” To get an idea of your own attitudes about money, consider how much each of the following statements adapted from their scale applies to you.

• Although I should judge people’s success by their deeds, I am more influenced by how much money they have.

• I hesitate to spend money, even on necessities.

• I use money to influence other people and get them to do things for me.

• When I make a major purchase, I always suspect that I’ve been taken advantage of.

• It’s hard for me to pass up a bargain.

• I own nice things in order to impress others.

• I do financial planning for the future.

• I spend money to make myself feel better.

• I become nervous when I feel that I don’t have enough money.

• I try to find out if other people make more money than I do.

• I worry that I will not be financially secure.

How much these statements apply to you reflects your level of anxiety about money, your thoughtfulness about financial matters, and how much you view money as a form of prestige.