Psychology answers: Why does a person become stingy?

A stingy person has attitudes that have been consolidated since childhood, according to specialists. In this sense, many psychologists are investigating the reasons why people excessively scrimp on spending , which impairs their ability to enjoy themselves, whether in company or alone. Why does a person develop this personality type, according to experts?

The specialized website Psicólogo de Cabecera argued that the reason an individual engages in this behavior is related to an attachment to material things, rather than experiences or relationships that don't involve money.

"They pour their love into toys or anything they can get with money. Accumulating objects was their way of feeling secure, hence their love of saving. On the other hand, it's also true that it can be an acquired habit," they pointed out.

"Something they've seen since they were little at home, and something they've grown accustomed to doing as something normal. A mechanical behavior that happens like breathing, and it's not discussed," they added.

Finally, it was noted that stinginess may be a symptom of "some type of undiagnosed personality disorder."

What's the difference between saving and being stingy?

A stingy individual will be stingy not only financially, but experts also assure that they can be stingy in other areas of their lives. When it comes to showing affection or emotions, they withdraw and tend to keep it to themselves or to someone they consider worthy of sharing it. "In the financial sphere, they quickly draw attention to their excessive efforts to avoid spending too much money, since doing so causes them great suffering," they point out. (See more: Citizen Income and VAT Refund: When do beneficiaries receive their money?) In this sense, these types of individuals don't build an investment to enjoy in the future. They only accumulate money in the event of an unexpected situation or to purchase an item they won't use or aren't really interested in.

Is it possible to stop being stingy?

This psychological source points out that a miser is truly unaware of this situation. Therefore, people around them rarely tell them this, out of fear of causing radical changes in their actions. (See more: It's already confirmed: this will be the price of a Bogotá Metro ticket.) If this individual realizes this behavior, they may not know the tools to use to change these behaviors.

"It's advisable to see a psychologist so they can evaluate your problem and provide you with guidelines. This will help you distinguish between positive savings and stinginess with money , and help you pay more attention to your feelings than to material things. Change isn't easy, but it's not impossible. With willpower and commitment, you can make great progress," they concluded.