Enneagram Test Types: Your Guide to Self Awareness

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I first learned about the enneagram test types from our marriage counselor, Roberta. As someone who’s always claimed to be completely self-aware, I was surprised I hadn’t heard of the enneagram test. When Roberta suggested my husband and I take the test, I wondered how different it would be from the Myers-Briggs personality test, of which I’m an ENTP. A few months ago, a new blogging friend, Catherine Treme, reached out to me and mentioned that my free-spirited nerd personality type sounded exactly like ENTP and that she totally understood the struggle between knowing what needs to be done (the logical, nerdy side) versus wanting to be free and spontaneous (the free-spirited side).

So my husband and I took the test and determined each of our enneagram test types. The results were incredible. But before I share the results, I want to first give a quick summary of each of the nine enneagram test types and how they can help you be more successful with money. By being aware of your own personality, you will be able to recognize and change impulsive behaviors, or negative behaviors resulting in more positive outcomes.

This post may contain affiliate links. You can find my full disclosure here. 

Enneagram Test Types

Type 1: The Reformer

Type 1’s are perfectionists. They’re principled, purposeful, and self-controlled. They are very hard on themselves and very critical of others who don’t follow the rules. Type 1 enneagram types believe that being early means being on time. Ones are very “bottom line” focused and are great at creating and following a budget, or plan.

Type 2:  The Helper

Type 2’s are caring and helpful. Their empathetic and warm-hearted demeanor makes them people pleasers. They have a strong desire of being loved and cared for, and they fear being unloved or unwanted. Twos have the tendency to overspend on gift-giving due to the want to “buy” someone’s affection.

Type 3: The Achiever

Type 3’s aren’t just goal-oriented. Success-oriented winners, they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals! They’re outgoing and charismatic, and they have a tendency to compete for attention and praise. Enneagram type 3’s will buy a $100 bottle of wine at dinner just to impress friends or colleagues (even if they’re more of a beer drinker).

Type 4: The Individualist

Type 4’s are the sensitive, introspective type. They are extremely self-conscious and reserved. Fours recognize their unique talents but see themselves as not good enough, or flawed. Fours might tend to emotional spend when feeling down or depressed.

Type 5: The Investigator

Type 5’s are perceptive, innovative, and secretive. They can sometimes become lost in their thought processes, and they have a tendency to be hyperactive and scatter-brained. Type 5 Investigators want to know why things are the way they are. They’re likely to analyze an invoice and call the utility company to ask for a breakdown of specific charges before agreeing to pay the bill.

Type 6: The Loyalist

Type 6’s are the committed, security-oriented enneagram type. Responsible and trustworthy, type 6’s are loyal in relationships and loyal to their own beliefs. The reason for their loyalty is simple: they don’t want to be left alone in life, so they remain committed and faithful to others. You’ll likely not find a type 6 that will hide money from his or her spouse. They believe in open, honest communication.

Type 7: The Enthusiast

Spontaneous, adventure-seeking, and scattered are the best words to describe enneagram type 7’s. Sevens are optimistic and high-spirited. They are constantly looking for the next big thing to dream about but have trouble staying focused and finishing one task before moving on to the next. Type 7’s might start paying off debt with a written plan but easily become distracted by other things that they want, derailing their plans.

Type 8: The Challenger

Eights are powerful and dominating, self-confident, decisive, and confrontational. They’re the strongest of the enneagram test types. They can’t stand someone telling them what to do or feeling out of control. Eights have incredible willpower, and when they set out to do something, for instance, to build an emergency fund savings to 6 months of expenses, they will work hard to achieve those goals. Type 8’s take control of the household finances and don’t want to be indebted to anyone.

Type 9: The Peacemaker

Enneagram type 9’s are easy-going and agreeable. They don’t like conflict, so they’ll likely put their own wishes aside to “keep the peace” with others. Nines thrive in a peaceful, harmonious environment and can adapt to almost any situation. Nines are generous and caring and would give you the shirt off their back.

The Results of My Enneagram Test Type

I bet it’s no surprise that I’m a type 7 enthusiast/adventurer! I do try to look for the positive in any situation. By knowing and understanding that I’m a type 7, I can now put together many pieces of a puzzle that explain why I am the way I am. I’ve always been what I called a free-spirited nerd: someone who is logical and practical (analytical) and can easily create goals and work towards achieving them but easily becomes distracted and moves on to the next big thing. Now when I start to jump ship, I can tell myself to push forward and don’t stop until I’ve finished one project or goal before moving on!

My husband is a type 1 perfectionist. So we are complete, polar opposites, and it helps us to know each other’s enneagram test types so that we can recognize how we will react to different situations. As someone who’s always handled the budget, I now realize that maybe my husband would be even better at it and could relieve some of my responsibility! (maybe ;))

Find Your Enneagram Test Type Free

I encourage you and your partner to each take the enneagram test and the Myers-Briggs personality test. Self-awareness is the key to overcoming obstacles that are holding you back from achieving the goals you so desperately want to achieve!

Digging Deeper into your Money Psychology

If you want to dig deeper into your own personality type, I encourage you to check out The Money Psychology Approach by Catherine Treme. By being self-aware of your own personality, you can hone in on your best attributes and try to manage those behaviors that have been sabotaging your financial goals.