Sarah Wells: The Athlete, the Coach, or the Enthusiast ... which money type are you (and your friends)?
We all tackle money matters differently — avid savers, big spenders, or something in the middle. But most of us can be placed in one of three categories. So, which type are you?
It started over a steak dinner. One friend was keen to order a bottle while nursing a beer; another (the birthday boy) was happy with just one glass; while I sipped my sparkling water with lime and a smile.
That’s when it hit me that we all drink differently, and nobody judges anyone for it in 2026. So, when it comes to money, it would make sense that we all have a “money type”.
We started talking about it at dinner and realised we were the perfect example of the three money types.
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This person goes hard. We’re talking meal-prepping their finances, tracking every dollar, and likely wincing when someone suggests splitting the bill evenly.
The Athletic Saver is disciplined, committed, and genuinely impressive, but sometimes this rigidity comes at a cost. They miss out on life experiences, moments that are left on the table simply because the spreadsheet said “no”.
In a cost-of-living crisis, The Athletic Saver tightens further, saves harder, and quietly struggles with the guilt of spending anything at all. They sometimes need reminding that a life fully lived is also part of the financial plan.
The Enthusiast
Ah, The Enthusiast. They’re not obsessive about saving, but they’re genuinely good at it. Some months they save a lot, other months a little less, yet somehow, they make it work.
Why? Because they’ve mastered the art of adjusting their spending without losing their sanity over it.
Rising fuel prices? They adapt. Interest rate hikes? They shuffle things around. The Enthusiast has a natural fluency with money that makes them surprisingly resilient in tough times. They’re not following a rigid system; they’re following their instincts, and those instincts are well-trained.
The Coach
The Coach isn’t the richest person in the room, nor are they saving the most aggressively. But they’ve found something arguably more valuable — balance.
They save intentionally for the future and live meaningfully in the present. They understand financial wellbeing isn’t just about the number in your account; it’s also about the quality of your today.
Here’s the truth: when interest rates climb, fuel prices sting, and the weekly shop feels like a small mortgage, we all feel it differently. The Athlete might spiral. The Enthusiast might pivot. The Coach might quietly reassure everyone else.
And that’s OK.
The goal isn’t to be the same type. It’s to understand your type, respect others, learn from them when you can, and ensure that the cost of living, home loan and fuel crisis don’t cost you your friendships too.
Because some things are worth more than your savings. Friends, good health, and enjoying your life are all things that are affected when your relationship with money is more toxic than optimistic.
Here are five ways to learn money habits from your friends.
1. Get curious, not critical
Next time a friend makes a financial decision that raises your eyebrows, pause. Instead of judging, get curious.
Ask how they think about money. You might discover a strategy, mindset or perspective that genuinely helps you.
The Athlete might teach you a discipline you didn’t know you needed. The Enthusiast might show you how to step back and breathe a little. The Coach might help you find your own version of balance.
Curiosity is free, and the returns are surprisingly good.
2. Watch what works, not what you’d do
You don’t have to copy someone’s approach to learn from it.
Pay attention to the outcomes your friends are achieving and the habits driving them. Maybe your Enthusiast friend never stresses about money because they’ve automated their savings. Or your Athletic friend has zero debt because they’ve always lived below their means.
Observation is one of the most underrated financial tools available to you.
3. Go on a money date
Cost-of-living pressures often make people go quiet about money just when they should be talking about it more.
Create space with your friends to discuss how you’re all navigating the challenges right now — not to compare or compete, but to connect.
You might find someone who appears financially bulletproof is struggling, while someone you assumed was drowning has cleverly stayed afloat.
4. Borrow a habit, not a whole identity
You don’t need to become the Athletic Saver to benefit from their discipline. Try adopting just one of their habits — a weekly money check-in, a no-spend day, or a savings goal with a deadline.
Equally, if you’re the Athlete, consider loosening up a bit and allowing yourself some flexibility.
5. Celebrate each other’s wins and differences
Recognise and celebrate your friends’ financial victories, no matter how small. Whether it’s paying off a debt, reaching a savings milestone, or simply sticking to a budget for a month, acknowledging these wins fosters a supportive environment.
And this encouragement can help you feel more connected than competitive.
Your friendships don’t need to become another casualty of economic uncertainty. Understand and learn from each other, because while money might make you wealthy, it’s your friends who make you rich.
Sarah Wells is a Perth-based money and finance commentator
