You’ve probably noticed: More money doesn’t fix money patterns, it magnifies them!
As coaches and service providers, we’re told to focus on “bigger months,” but if you don’t understand your wiring, more cash just turns up the volume on the same old money stress. In this post, we’ll unpack money habit archetypes for coaches and how to work with yours so business feels calmer, growth becomes sustainable, and your nervous system can finally exhale.
Why more money isn’t the fix:
If you’ve ever thought, “Once I hit $X, I’ll finally feel safe,” you’re not alone. But safety isn’t created by a number; it’s created by a feeling – and that is determined by the story underneath your habits.
Recognizing your pattern is step one.
Step two is seeing the deeper belief that keeps it running, then gently rewiring it so your strategy and your subconscious are rowing in the same direction.
The 3 Money Habit Archetypes:
1) The Accumulator:
Motivated by security, you love a buffer. You might have plenty in savings yet still feel on edge. This is the “billionaire arguing about toilet paper” energy Gay Hendricks talks about in the Big Leap – proof that without a SHIFT in your shift, no amount of money ever feels like ‘enough’.
Watch out for: Hoarding time/cash “just in case” – this can choke growth and joy.
Work with it: Automate “enough,” then allocate a clear % for expansion (team, ads, mentorship) so your brain sees safety and growth.
2) The Spender:
Money in = money out. You adore momentum and instant upgrades, but budgets and spending “rules” make you rebel harder.
Watch out for: Surges of cash can trigger even bigger surges of spending.
Work with it: Create a “Fun Money Account” – so spending is not just allowed, but encouraged. At the same time, build up a “Wealth Builder” – so your net worth rises even on celebration days.
3) The Overextender:
If I give you $10k, you’ll leverage it into a $60k commitment. You love possibilities, don’t mind risk (in fact, you LOVE the buzz) and you’re always scheming to get future returns.
Watch out for: Tying today’s cash to tomorrow’s debt keeps you stuck on a never ending treadmill. Cashflow crunches can become a major issue for you.
Work with it: Set up milestone gates. Then extend only when revenue or reserves hit specific markers. This satisfies your drive while protecting your cash flow.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Don’t push against your wiring, partner with it instead!
Trying to “budget harder” when your archetype reads that as punishment is like crash-dieting before a holiday. This always backfires (helloooo pastry binges..).
Instead, design systems that soothe your innate pattern WHILE you also do the deeper belief work. That’s where lasting change lives.
Practical tweaks by archetype
- Accumulator:
- Automate a “Safety First” transfer on payday.
- Pre-decide a monthly amount to invest in growth without guilt.
- Practice micro-celebrations (yes, you HAVE to actually spend that celebration line item!).
- Spender:
- Use 3 buckets for every payment: Fun money, Wealth creation & an Emergency BUFFER
- Delay purchases above a certain $ amount by 24 hours; if you still love it, want it & have decided you actually also NEED it, buy from the Fun bucket. guilt-free.
- Track your net worth monthly for a dopamine hit that isn’t tied to shopping!
- Overextender:
- “Gate” commitments: unlock the next level only after hitting a revenue or savings milestone.
- Cap new subscriptions/financing at a fixed % of MRR.
- Celebrate completion, not just initiation (your brain loves new!).
The deeper shift
Patterns are powered by identity-level beliefs: “I’m only safe if…”, “Money disappears on me…”, “I have to grab opportunities or I’ll miss out…”.
When you identify and update that script, the habit shifts almost effortlessly.
Until then, design your money system to co-regulate your archetype—like rails for a train. It still moves fast, but it stays on track.
WHERE TO START:
Don’t guess – take the 5-question Money Habit Archetypes Quiz and get tailored steps for your wiring.
Then implement one tiny from the above list this week. Micro-shifts compound fast when your strategy finally matches your subconscious wiring.
So which archetype are you?
👉 Click here to take the quiz: https://miriamcastilla.com/quiz
Then share your Archetype with me in the comments!
