What your favourite Halloween candy might say about your money management style

Spooky season is here. And along with the costumes, candy, 12-foot-tall skeletons, and horror movie marathons might just come some financial literacy.

When you think about it, how you approached trick-or-treating as a child might have given you a glimpse into your future money management style. Did you race through your neighbourhood trying to hoard as much candy as possible or were you more methodical, targeting the unicorns, or the houses with full-size chocolate bars? Did you gorge on candy on Halloween or savour your treats over weeks, or months?

And what might your favourite Halloween candy say about your money mindset?

Read below, if you dare.

As you slink through this story, remember: these Halloween-themed confectionary horoscopes are just for fun (we’re personal finance writers, not astrologists).

You’re likely a planner who’s in it for the long haul. When it comes to investments, you don't chase quick wins or trendy stocks; you're probably content watching your balanced, diversified portfolio grow over time.

You're probably more frugal when it comes to day-to-day expenses and prefer to save for big goals and major purchases instead of impulsive little treats that beckon from shop windows.

Advice: While it can be tempting to set it and forget it when it comes to your money, check in on your savings and investments periodically — especially at big life moments — to evaluate if what you’re doing is still working for your long-term goals, be it home ownership or retirement.

If you're constantly reading about money and personal finance and love to chew on what you've learned, you're probably the person who's always sharing financial knowledge with friends and loved ones and encouraging them to become more financially literate.

You likely see money as a means to freedom and security; the more you know about how to manage it, the more you feel you can have fun today… and down the road.

Advice: Be mindful of where you're sourcing your information. While advice on social media can be entertaining, it's best to stick to verified resources when learning and sharing personal finance tips.

When it comes to money, you're likely all about balance. When your paycheque hits your account, you take a bit-of-everything approach to building financial security: some for saving, some for investing, some for covering fixed expenses, and some for having a bit of fun.

Every little bit counts and you probably feel confident in your approach to saving for the future while still funding some of your needs and wants in the moment.

Advice: You're most likely making admirable progress toward meeting your financial goals, but if something different should feel right, remember it's OK to mix up your strategy and try something new. Consider making an appointment with a TD Personal Banker to chat about your goals, your accounts, and your investing options.

When it comes to money, you likely don’t overthink it. Or think about it at all. Your account balance is probably a surprise to you every time you open your bank’s mobile app, you aren’t sure what TFSA stands for, and your emergency fund is more of a theoretical concept than a real thing.

On a whim, you tried investing money in the stock market, but you needed those funds for an adventure vacation, so you sold your investment at a loss.

Advice: It’s never too late to improve your financial knowledge, set some goals, and feel empowered to reach them. Refusing to stress about money is a noble idea — but taking the time to understand the lingo (TFSA stands for Tax-Free Savings Account) so you can make informed decisions about how to invest, can help you feel more in control of your money (and hopefully fund even more fun).

You’re likely practical when it comes to your finances, and your budget is your top priority. When you see your peers overspending on impulse purchases, you take comfort in checking the balance of your savings account and seeing how much interest you earned last month.

Advice: Like the fibre in an apple, a budget is important. But it’s not the only thing that matters (in a meal and in a balanced approach to personal finance). It’s OK to add some fun funds to your budget or to boost your knowledge of different investing strategies.

Your idea of a perfect Halloween treat is an assortment of mini chip bags; you know that perfect crunch is just a chip away. So, when it comes to your money, you’re likely fairly risk tolerant. You probably think that taking a few risks today might pay off in the long run. You’re likely the consummate self-directed investor and regularly check your portfolio to see how your investments are performing.

Advice: As you navigate direct investing, make sure you’re taking advantage of any educational investment tools available, such as those on the TD Easy Trade app for TD Direct Investing clients.

You should also regularly check the contribution rules around registered accounts available in Canada so you’re not overcontributing to registered accounts like a TFSA, which can result in tax-related penalties.

You likely live for sweet moments of togetherness with family and friends and love to host gatherings for any and all occasions — be it Halloween, Thanksgiving, or your dog’s third birthday. Your financial goals are most likely centred around planning for holidays, and upgrading your home.

For as long as you’ve remembered, you’ve dreamed of owning a home — or renovating your current place to turn it into your ideal space. Your approach to saving, spending, and investing is filtered through this vision of home ownership and/or renovation.

If you’re a first-time home buyer, you likely work to max out your FHSA every year. Despite your progress, you sometimes feel stuck when other expenses arise, or you feel you’re not making as much progress towards your goal as you had hoped. But, your sweet dream remains.

Advice: If you’re a TD client, a TD Personal Banker can use TD Goal Builder to help create an action plan and roadmap to reflect your specific home ownership/renovation goals. You’ll get access to a dashboard where you can keep tabs on your progress towards each goal to help maintain your progress towards achieving home ownership/renovation bliss.