Identifying Problematic Financial Behaviors and Money Disorders

Abstract

Money is the number one source of stress in the lives of Americans. Financial stress drives many clients to seek the assistance of financial counselors. In some cases, financial stress is not the sole result of a lack of financial resources or poor financial literacy and traditional financial counseling tools do not help clients change their behaviors. When financial counseling is not successful in helping improve a client’s financial behaviors, counselors may want to consider whether the client may be exhibiting signs of a money disorder. This chapter introduces the signs and symptoms of problematic money behaviors and money disorders, including hoarding disorder, gambling disorder, compulsive buying disorder, financial enabling, financial dependence, financial denial, and financial enmeshment. It examines the beliefs driving these behaviors and offers suggestions for financial counselors who encounter clients struggling with problematic financial behaviors and money disorders.