When it comes to managing your finances, are you more likely to be spontaneous and optimistic or stick to a formal plan? Understanding your financial personality can be important on the journey to reaching your financial goals, whether it’s something short-term like buying a home or longer term like your dream retirement. For some of us it’s simply about finding a better balance between spending and saving.

According to Charles Schwab’s Modern Wealth Quiz, designed to help people get a better grasp on their saving, spending and investing habits, about 43 percent of Americans are “Dreamers” when it comes to their finances — they tend to live in the moment but can also feel unprepared for certain life events.

Only 10 percent are considered financial “Architects” — they not only imagine the future but take pen to paper and map out a plan to make it a reality. Other personality types, according to the quiz, are Improvisers (18 percent), Organizers (11 percent), Mavericks (10 percent) and Philosophers (8 percent).

Here are some key themes the quiz explores to determine your money personality and provide tips to help you achieve your goals:

1) Is juggling your monthly bills a breeze or a tornado?

Half of Americans say they’re able to pay their monthly bills on time and even put money into savings regularly, according to Schwab’s 2019 Modern Wealth Survey, but a third of Americans say they typically don’t have any extra cash to put into savings after their basic expenses. The remainder say they even struggle to pay those expected monthly bills and often end up with unpaid balances.

Terri Kallsen, CFP^®, head of Schwab Investor Services, said that automatically depositing part of your income into a savings account each month can help make it a habit.

“Our survey shows about 40 percent of Americans set up an automatic transfer into their savings or investment accounts each month,” she said. “That way, they don’t have to make a decision to ‘spend or save’ each month — they’ve already made it.”

2) Do you set goals or go with the flow?

While most Americans say they’ve thought about their financial goals, only 28 percent have taken the time to put their goals in writing, the survey shows. Another 25 percent say they don’t have any plan at all.

“Planning can be a key indicator of your money personality, because how much you engage with your finances is often closely tied to how confident you feel about reaching your goals,” Kallsen said.

3) Are you an engaged investor or a sideline saver?

Most Americans have a traditional checking and savings account, according to the survey, but only about half have some kind of investing account.

“Savings accounts are often seen as a safe place to put your money, but to keep up with inflation and the rising cost of living, it’s also critical to invest,” Kallsen said. “The sooner you start investing, the longer your money has time to gain from rises in the market and the power of compounding and to recover from any downturns.”

Once you’re invested, it’s important to stay engaged to stay on track. Keep an eye on your investment fees and make sure to rebalance about once a year, added Kallsen.

Take Charles Schwab’s Modern Wealth Quiz and learn more about your money personality and tips and tricks to help reach your financial goals.

With a name that literally translates to “the masses” Hoy Polloy’s desire to truly reach all kinds of people seems to be the easiest way to describe the group’s core identity. As a group that infuses rock, hip hop and soul, they have fine-tuned the science of making sure every performance is different from the last making it difficult to possibly ever get bored with the group’s sound. In a recent Q&A with Worthy Magazine, The group’s lead singer  K SOS discussed the group’s latest upcoming album and the signature sound. 

I know the group is passionate about a well-rounded performance. How would you describe the standard Hoy Polloy performance?

First off, every Hoy Polloy show is different. We have never repeated a setlist in over 200 shows, and if you don’t believe us, each show is logged on our website so that people can go back and see what songs they heard the night they saw us. When we open for a more genre-specific artist we curtail our set to be more in the genre that particular artist performs in, however when we are booked to do shows on our own we do a cross between Rock and Hip Hop with sprinkles of Jazz, Dance, and other musical tones. Before you know it, you may even be lost in a 7-minute cover of Van Morrison’s “Madame George.”

 

What is the group dynamic like? What do you love about being in a group? What is the hardest part?

A band is like a relationship without the sexual component. Everyone brings a unique personality to the table. Some personalities are loud; some are quiet. Some are pushy, while some are submissive. Too much of any can tip the scales of balance either way. Like a relationship, it’s something you always got to work at to make sure you and your bandmates are on the same page. It is amazing what you can create on your own, but it is even more amazing when individuals come together and make something collectively. The chemistry between players is so important, and sometimes a bandmate is right for a certain era, but you all grow apart overtime on ideas of sound and vision, and that is ok too. This band has had 11 members, with only Francisco Padilla, the bands talented and humble keys player carrying the dream with frontman, K Sos, the whole way. Most of all, understanding your brand is a living organism is essential to succeeding and keeping the music at the forefront of what’s important is vital to evolving and staying engaged in what you are doing.

 

What are some of the greatest obstacles that you have had to overcome either personally or professionally?

Personally, is another conversation, although I will say what you go through in your personal life does shape the music you make it so many ways. I have dealt with a lot of loss, personal changes, and heartbreak, and it surely presents itself in the music in different ways. Professionally you have to acknowledge at the end of it all you’re selling a product, sometimes you get to play for 1,000 people, and sometimes it seems like you’re playing to a wall. It is the tough moments where you have to keep your vision clear and persevere to the next gig, and the next opportunity to share what you do. That is why loving what you do is especially important in the arts. There is a lot more let down than moments of success, but if you can internalize the hardships and move through them then the success become much sweeter, and you can share them with the people that helped get you there which is the best part of all.

 

What details can you share about Valkyrie? What can your listeners expect?  Do you already have a favorite song from the album why or why not?

Valkyrie is our latest hip hop effort due out this fall with awesome collaborations from Jadakiss, AZ, Les Nubians, Scotty ATL, as well as a slew of amazing local talent, some of which we have worked with for years. The awesome thing about making an album is a favorite doesn’t always appear early; sometimes the track that moves you the most comes alive towards the end. There are also a lot of different moods on this album, so once again depending on how your feeling you may want to listen to different songs. It’s an exciting record, one that I hope people will take the time to explore all the way through.

Ever feel like the days just get away from you, and you don’t have time to do the things you need to do, much less want to do? Often wish you could just spend your evenings or weekends on your personal goals, practicing self-care or just relaxing? There are many ways you can take control of your time and take better care of yourself. Sometimes it’s a question of prioritizing what you want to do — and outsourcing the rest.

Simplify meal prep and cooking. Unless cooking is enjoyable and relaxing for you, chances are you get home from work stressed and hungry — and tired of takeout. Fortunately, there are dozens of options for letting yourself off the hook when it comes to cooking from scratch without sacrificing good, healthy meals. Today many plans exist for ordering pre-packaged ingredients and recipes in a manageable form for you to prepare at home, with minimum fuss. Not only are they delicious, but you can find services that cater to particular health plans or your specific dietary needs.

Get help with pet care. Unless you have kids old enough to take care of Fido, or you enjoy taking him for his walks, it’s easy to find pet care services, or even a reliable neighborhood teenager, to help walk the dog or check on the cat, particularly if you work long hours or travel for work. Doggy day care services, boarding and grooming experts also help lift some of the burden of caring for your furry friends.

Outsource house cleaning. While we all wish we had beautifully organized, clean homes, it’s almost impossible to do everything we’d like to keep our houses in great shape. Merry Maids offers a variety of cleaning services that allow you to choose which tasks or rooms you most need help with. Merry Maids home cleaning services are available weekly, every other week, monthly or one-time, so you can pick the service that best suits your lifestyle. On every visit, the team from your local Merry Maids franchise dusts, vacuums, washes and sanitizes each room. Imagine the hours of reclaimed time and peace of mind you’ll have, knowing you’re coming home to a beautifully clean home every night.

Prioritize health and exercise. You try your best to exercise, so why not give yourself the most help you can to meet your wellness goals, and a reward when you achieve them? Hiring a personal trainer or signing up for a class that will inspire you to keep up your fitness level is an investment in yourself that will pay dividends in your future, and make you feel great right now. Whether it’s Zumba, spin class, yoga or Pilates, any activity that helps you build strength, flexibility and fitness is worth the cost. Then be sure to treat yourself with an occasional massage, sauna or spa visit — whatever helps you relax and feel good.

Take a time-out. When you are able, plan your next vacation for a location that will be fun and relaxing. If a long vacation is not in the cards, plan a mini-break, even just for a weekend, to get away from the daily routine and let you focus on yourself, your significant other or your family. Something as simple as spending a night in a local hotel — with as many amenities as you can enjoy — will leave you feeling refreshed and invigorated. You’ve earned it.

The next time you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, choose to outsource those tasks that can take over your life, and give yourself the best gift — the gift of time.