Money conversation
starters guide
A practical guide to talking about what money really means to you
This guide is built on real data from real people
Through the Go Fund Yourself platform, we analysed 333 anonymous Instagram responses to a question exploring people's emotional relationship with money. We weren't asking about income, savings, or budgeting ability. We wanted to understand how money makes people feel in real life, beyond the surface behaviours.
The most commonly felt negative emotions were:
Guilt
23.2%
Shame
14.1%
Fear
11.9%
Anxiety
6.8%
The most commonly felt positive emotions were:
Pride
12.8%
Security
12.2%
Freedom
9%
Gratitude
9%
What became immediately clear is that everyone experiences emotional complexity around money. People who felt deep pride in their financial achievements also felt guilt about having more than their family. Those who felt secure also felt fear that it wouldn't last. Negative and positive emotions seemingly exist side by side, and they're all valid.
The eight emotions in this guide aren't the only emotions people feel about money, but they’re the most common. If you recognise yourself in more than one, that's completely normal. Start with whichever feels strongest right now.