Duncan Ville

What does money represent to you and your loved ones? For some of you it means success. For others it may signify independence, freedom, security, or something else entirely. To find out Dr. James Cottfurch, principal of Psychology of Money Consultants, a Los Angeles—based company, suggests in his workshops that you try and think of a single symbol that encapsulates how you feel about money. It could be anything from a soft, warm, furry bunny to a runaway train. One of my friends sees money as the sun, because of its ability to make
things grow. Actually, the sun s not a bad metaphor, as it can also burn you if not treated with a certain amount of respect and restraint.) This friend even surrounds herself with sun images, from a decorative tile in her kitchen to a copper and brass sculpture on her desk, to remind her of the positive role that money plays in her life. It’s her way of staying focused on what she’s trying to achieve and of keeping some of her more negative and self-defeating money attitudes at bay.
What you adopt as your money symbol may surprise you and may reveal attitudes about money that you didn’t even know you had. Or not. Either way, comparing notes with those close to you, or even brainstorming about financial symbols together, might prove to be very insightful.