Financial education programs often highlight financial literacy skills such as budgeting and managing credit card debt; however, these skills do not tap into the emotional and practical issues that cause people to react irrationally with money. Financial decisions are most often motivated by emotional need as opposed to logical knowledge. To address this concern, the Christian County Cooperative Extension Service utilized the Money Habitudes program to emphasize the importance of developing a healthy relationship with money. Assisting an individual in discovering his or her habits and attitudes toward money can provide insights that can change the way an individual manages money, approaches career and relationships, and reaches life goals. 

The Christian County Extension Office offered the program “Money Habitudes Online” as a part of the Money Sense for Graduates program at local schools in March 2025. Nearly 230 students utilized a special code to participate in Money Habitudes Online. Of those, 116 completed an evaluation survey in Qualtrics XM following the activity.

Of the 116 survey respondents, 44% indicated they learned how habits and attitudes trigger spending; 41% better know how to manage money to reach financial goals; and 34% had increased confidence in handling money issues or specific financial matters. 

Of the survey respondents, 92% indicated they plan to adjust at least one spending habit toward financial stability; 88% plan to be more aware of how money affects relationships; and 93% plan to implement at least one strategy to reduce expenses or manage money.

Up to 84% of respondents agreed they were able to use the Money Habitudes solitaire to better understand their spending and saving behaviors. The most significant things this group plans to apply as a result of this workshop, include: spending (22 respondents), saving (18 respondents), money management (17 respondents), budgeting (5 respondents), and understanding their habitude/score (5 respondents). Others noted learning about planning, security, income, and how to change their habitude. 

One attendee said, “I will apply money Habitudes to better my understanding of spending and saving behaviors.” Others noted things like handling money better for the future and being aware of how money affects relationships. Another attendee said, “I will apply at least one strategy to reduce expenses and manage my money.”