Before a couple can address the issues surrounding their financial state of affairs and set a course for a prosperous future, both partners need to determine what their individual money "personalities" are. Financial advisor Bambi Holzer - author of the new book Financial Bliss- believes that all Americans fall into one of seven financial temperament profiles, and that the first step in any successful financial plan is first acknowledging how you view your money, and how you tend to spend it.

SPENDING PERSONALITIES
» Econo Lodgers: Econo Lodgers are frugal and self-sufficient - they won't pick up the check, but they won't stick you with it either. Having items be of use that serve their purpose well is more important than having the finer things in life. They have simple needs and wants and avoid any hint of ostentation.

» Ritz-Carltons: Ritz-Carltons view money as a way to enjoy life now - they tend to spend today and let tomorrow take care of itself. They will spend large percentages of their income on "bling" as opposed to practical items. Unfortunately, some Ritz-Carltons only have the income of an Econo Lodger, so they amass mountains of credit card debt to buy the things they want.

RISK TOLERANCE
» Texas Slims: Texas Slims thrive on risk. These gambling types feel that they need to take big risks to make big gains, and the risk is always worth it. They see the opportunity and stay blind to the risks, thinking the downside only happens to other people.

» Worst-Case Scenarists: People with this type of personality see risk in everything. Unless something is guaranteed, then it's too risky for them. Safety and security are more important than return on investment.

DECISION MAKING
» Data Darlings: Data Darlings employ pure rationality when making money decisions. If they can't reduce a choice to numbers it shouldn't be part of the decision process, and if the numbers don't work, they won't do it. Unfortunately, some Data Darlings suffer paralysis from analysis, meaning sometimes by the time they've done their research the opportunity to invest has passed them by.

» Drama Queens/ Kings: These types let emotion trump rationality. Their feelings and the feelings of those around them dictate their decisions. These are the types who use shopping as a tonic to be applied to hurt feelings - so-called "retail therapy."

» Ostriches: Ostriches have simply decided to completely avoid getting into the game. They feel so overwhelmed by the financial process that they just defer control to someone else. They just want to be done with it and let someone else worry about it because they can't.