Money Sense 102: Lesson 2 - Your Money Style: River, Sponge, Volcano, or Ice.

Forget Personality Tests. This Is Real Life.

Your money style is how you actually behave with money, not how you wish you did.

The Four Money Styles

River — Money Comes, Money Goes

Pattern: Beautiful flow, zero safety.

Money arrives, and it leaves just as fast. You're generous, spontaneous, and trusting that more will come.

Strength: You don't hoard or stress.
Challenge: Emergencies hit hard because there's no cushion.

Sponge — You Hold Onto Money…Until Someone Squeezes It Out of You

Pattern: You save, but others drain you.

You try to hold money, but family, friends, or guilt squeeze it out. You can't say no.

Strength: You're caring and loyal.
Challenge: You collapse from giving too much.

Volcano — You Save and Save…Then Explode with Spending

Pattern: Pressure builds, then erupts.

You deprive yourself for weeks or months, then suddenly spend everything in one emotional explosion.

Strength: You have discipline.
Challenge: The explosion undoes all your progress.

Ice — You Freeze Your Money to Feel Safe, But Can't Enjoy Anything

Pattern: Paralyzed by fear.

You save obsessively, but you can't enjoy life or take any risks. Money sits frozen, unused.

Strength: You're secure.
Challenge: Life passes you by.

Everyone Is a Combo of Two

Most people are:

• River + Sponge (generous but drained)
• Volcano + Ice (saving extremes)
• Sponge + Volcano (give too much, then explode)

Your money habits aren't sins. They're survival tricks.

Practice: Spot Your Style and Get One Balancing Tip

Which style(s) sound like you?

Balancing Tips:

• River: Set aside 5% before the flow starts
• Sponge: Practice one small "no" this week
• Volcano: Allow yourself one small joy purchase to release pressure
• Ice: Spend 1% on something that makes you smile

The Micro-Win

You feel normal, not broken.

Your style isn't wrong—it just needs a little balance.