When I was at the beginning of my relationship with my now-husband, I had him take the Love Language Quiz. Intrigued by what I learned about my own love language, I wanted to see how we could use this knowledge to strengthen our bond. It was no surprise to us when we found out that we shared the same love language – quality time. Since then, we’ve used this insight to improve how we show and receive love from each other.
As we went through different milestones in our relationship like getting married, buying a home, paying off debt, and starting a family, we realized the significant financial responsibilities that came with them. To navigate this part of our adult life, I started diving into personal finance, wondering if the concepts of love languages in relationships could apply to financial interactions. This got me thinking about how we could use this knowledge to build a healthier relationship with money.
With over 27 million views of #financialwellbeing on TikTok, it’s clear that many others share my desire for a better financial future. Understanding your love language might just be the missing piece in achieving financial well-being.
Achieving financial well-being is no easy feat, but aligning your love language with your finances could be a valuable strategy. In the upcoming sections, I will explore how you can rethink and improve your financial habits and routines by incorporating your love language, paving the way for a stronger financial relationship and a more stable and fulfilling financial future.
If your love language is words of affirmation…
People who resonate with words of affirmation as their love language appreciate verbal declarations of love. This can include phrases like “I love you,” “You’re amazing,” and “You’re beautiful.” When it comes to finances, words of affirmation involve positive self-talk and encouragement.
Finance expert Georgia Galway from Finbri suggests honoring financial milestones, such as achieving a savings goal or paying off debt, by recognizing your accomplishments with statements like “I’m proud of hitting this financial milestone” or “I deserve financial success.” Galway highlights the significance of being kind to yourself in times of overspending or budgeting missteps. Using affirmations like “I did my best given the information I had” or “I am constantly improving and learning” can be beneficial in these situations.
You can incorporate money affirmations into your daily life by repeating them to yourself or writing them down in a visible place for regular reminders. Here are a few examples:
- I deserve financial abundance.
- I am grateful for the wealth in my life.
- I welcome prosperity in all its forms.
- I trust my financial management skills.
- I attract wealth and abundance.
- I handle money responsibly.
- I effortlessly attract prosperity.
- I release any limiting beliefs about money.
- My wealth continues to grow.
If your love language is quality time…
Individuals who resonate with quality time as their love language enjoy giving undivided attention to their loved ones and savoring dedicated moments together. In terms of finances, this means setting aside quality time to understand and appreciate your financial status.
Elevate your weekly budget reviews by creating a soothing atmosphere with music and a glass of wine before reflecting on your finances in a journal. Make routine financial tasks more enjoyable by listening to your favorite music or treating yourself while handling money matters. Just like any relationship, dedicating quality time to nurture your financial connection can turn mundane money tasks into pleasant rituals that you might even look forward to.
If your love language is acts of service…
Those who resonate with acts of service as their love language express and receive love through meaningful actions. When it comes to finances, this involves engaging in activities that positively affect your financial well-being.
Simple gestures like regularly monitoring your bank accounts to track your earnings and expenses or establishing a routine for budget reviews can be considered acts of service towards yourself. Whether it’s finding a deal on something you want, cooking at home instead of ordering out, or setting up automatic transfers for savings, there are numerous ways to fulfill your love language through financial actions. Here are a few more ideas:
- Open a high-interest savings account for effortless growth.
- Eliminate credit card debt to reduce financial pressure.
- Consistently contribute to financial goals to enhance progress.
- Opt for second-hand purchases to save money.
- Create a targeted shopping list for intentional spending.
- Use credit card perks for travel and accommodation savings.
If your love language is gifts…
People who value gifts as their love language find joy in giving and receiving tokens of affection. While this may seem counterintuitive to financial stability, you can shift this perspective by investing in items that contribute to your future well-being.
Empowering yourself through financial education can be one of the most valuable gifts you can give. Enhancing your knowledge about money gives you the confidence to make informed financial choices, helping you reach your money-related goals. Whether it’s reading about finances, exploring money-focused podcasts, or engaging with #FinTok, dedicating time to educate yourself can be a rewarding gift.
If you feel well-informed about finances, explore other ways to invest in yourself financially. Automated savings, round-up accounts, or periodic reviews of your retirement plan are all ways to invest in your future self. No matter which path you choose, embracing these practices will lead to gratitude from your future self.
If your love language is physical touch…
Individuals who favor physical touch as their love language prioritize physical closeness and connection in showing and receiving affection. While this may not directly translate into money-related actions like giving your wallet a hug, integrating tactile experiences with your finances can enhance your financial well-being.
Galway suggests tactile practices such as keeping a money journal or employing hands-on budgeting methods like cash envelopes (dividing money into categories for specific expenses) to physically engage with your finances. Investing in tangible assets like property rather than intangible assets like stocks can also cater to your love language. By physically connecting with your finances, you establish a tangible relationship that promotes a sense of control and understanding.
