What drives a miser?

True
False
I enjoy holding on to my money.

True
False
I find it difficult to spend on myself.

True
False
I find it difficult to give to others.

True
False
I seldom give to charity.

True
False
I'm afraid I won't have enough money.

True
False
I often put off buying because I'm sure I can get it cheaper elsewhere.

True
False
My family often gets angry with me because I refuse to spend money.

True
False
I could never trust anyone else with my money.

True
False
I often say, "I can't afford it."





What drives the Miser? It's not really meanness, although it may appear that way to others. It is fear; fear of not having enough, fear of being poor, fear of catastrophe. In order to protect themselves, misers make sure they never run out of money. The best way to have money is to not spend any. These people have no confidence in their ability to make more money. They think the gravy train is about to end and they'll be left destitute.

What the Miser has to learn is that money is just a symbol of security. And she has to learn to stop imagining all those worst-case scenarios that make her feel even more fearful.

If you fear poverty so much that you create poverty in your daily life, you are living your worst nightmare. Stop. Instead of focusing so much on the future, live each day as if you have enough money. Remember, it's not money that makes you rich. It is what you choose to do with your money that will determine the richness of your life.