We use - and think about - money every day. It can be a source of joy, stress, or frustration. People do kind and humane things with it, funding charities and medical research. Some also steal it, lie about it, and even kill for it.
How personal finances are handled can tell a lot about someone's personality. Perhaps your character is deeply in debt because of poor life choices; alternately, they may be successful, wealthy and of a philanthropic bent. Maybe bills are paid late because he is so disorganized that he can't find the damn things. A wealthy woman may live in penury because she is terrified of spending what she's got and ending up homeless. Or, an otherwise close relationship unravels when a large sum of money (lottery, inheritance) comes into the picture.
Just about everyone has a particular "money personality". There are various models and quizzes available which break down money acquisition and spending habits into anywhere from 5 to 10 different types.
- What's your character's money personality?
- How does money (or lack of it) affect your character's day-to-day life?
- Is money a prime motivator in any of your stories?
Bonus: Take the Financial personality quiz click
Adjectives of the day: facinorous, farctate, finical, foudroyant, fulsome, furacious
Perfect timing as April is Financial Literacy Month as well.
ReplyDeleteAh, I didn't know that. It always amazes me how many people devote huge amounts of time and energy to sports, video games, hobbies which require specialized knowledge and even research...but can't or won't bother learning about mortgages, investments, annuities, trusts, etc.
DeleteMoney is the root of all evil. grrrr
ReplyDeleteThe LOVE of money is the root of all evil, Stu. Money is material, not inherently good or bad. :-)
DeleteI haven't paid much attention to my characters' money. One character was rich, but the story (a supernatural-thriller) had nothing to do with money. Another character I'm writing now also has quite a bit of money and I actually did let him flaunt it just a smidge, but I don't think I'll talk about his money again. I guess it's because, in real life, I don't really care about having a lot of money so my characters don't either.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post!
It doesn't always feature in my stories, but I always have an idea of my character's account balances. I suppose it's because I've had relatives and friends across all strata - from the nearly destitute to the fairly wealthy. Financial status doesn't necessarily influence happiness or contentment in life, but I believe that it usually has at least some impact on where a person lives, how they dress, and the social circles to which they belong.
DeleteStopping by on the 7th day of the #Challenge. Congratulations on a well presented blog and content. Know you are going to make new blogging friends. I am particularly interest in your E post because I have been trained in the method and have used it in a 2nd novel I'm working on to determine personalities of the characters. It was a lot of fun. If you have time or interest, I am writing about gardening and related topics this month. Stop by.
ReplyDeleteMoney wasn't much of a factor in my first three books. In my current manuscript though, it does have influence.
ReplyDeleteAlthough in my current WIP I have a character from a rich background and a character from a poor background, I didn't think about it from the aspect of my characters who are more middle class. But how they choose to spend or not spend money really would be an enlightening thing to think about.
ReplyDeleteHope you’re having fun with the A to Z challenge,
Jocelyn