This week we conclude our exploration of themes from Guided Autobiography, or “GAB” for short, the reminiscence writing method developed by Dr. James Birren to help individuals explore and document their life stories. The process involves small-group workshops where participants do structured, thematic writing assignments on significant life experiences. Each session focuses on a different theme.

Throughout August, I’ve been sharing mini-lessons from the GAB curriculum and thematic prompts that Dr. Birren called “Sensitizing Questions.” These prompts are designed to spark reflection and memory recall. They are not meant to all be answered like questions in a survey, but rather, to get you thinking. After reflection, choose just one prompt to write on.

When I began teaching Guided Autobiography in 2004, I wrote on each of the themes myself, along with my students. Here’s how my essay on The Role of Money began.

“I’m having trouble with this week’s assignment,” I said to Jim. “We’re supposed to write about Money.”

“Then why don’t you write about the Vespa?” he said. He is still angry about the Vespa.

He is angry because the Vespa Situation brings up a mismatch in our values. I have just spent money he thinks I should have saved, and for the life of him, he can’t figure out why.

The essay went on to examine my occasionally reckless attitude about money. I find it fascinating to look back on now, twenty years later, realizing how that attitude has evolved in the intervening years.

Role of Money: Sensitizing Questions

Money and how we feel about it can influence our lives in both obvious and subtle ways. Family life, health, relationships, self-esteem and where we live, learn, work or play can reflect our relationship with money. Our attitudes toward money can be shaped both positively and negatively by our histories, peers and the commercial and natural world.

Probing Questions: These questions are designed to help reflect on your life and forgotten memories. They will help get you thinking and are not meant to all be answered. Some questions will bring more thoughts or memories to your mind than others. Write what comes to mind. Choose two pages to share.

1. What role did money play in your family? Was it scarce or plentiful? How did your family’s financial situation compare to other people you knew? Did your family think of itself as wealthy, middle-class or poor? What were the challenges and implications of being in a particular economic bracket?
2. Who earned the money in your childhood family? Who was in charge of the money flow? Who paid the bills, balanced the checkbook, decided how to spend the money?
3. Did anyone make sacrifices to help you financially? How has this influenced your decisions about money as an adult?
4. How did you learn about money? Who gave you your ideas about it? Were you given an allowance? How were you taught to save, spend and share? Regardless of whether or not you were paid, how were you expected to contribute to your family? How did that change over time?
5. Has a financial windfall or major loss changed your life? Have you ever inherited money? What were the circumstances? How did it impact your life? What was your best financial decision? Your worst mistake? Did you ever experience a win or loss from a gamble you took?
6. Was money tied to affection and love in your family? Did money help your family bond or did it cause conflict?
7. Describe the first time you earned money. How did it influence your ideas or choices? How have your ideas about spending changed over time?
8. Have you ever felt embarrassed or lied about your financial situation? If so, why? What was the result? Have you ever stolen money? What was the situation? How did this make you feel?
9. What is the history of wealth in your family? How have government policies and programs influenced your family’s wealth acquisition? What roles have social preferences or prejudices, such as gender, race or ethnicity, played in your ability or inability to earn, spend and acquire money?
10. How do you spend money? What are your main expenses? Your “guilty pleasures”? Do you budget and plan carefully or spend freely and spontaneously? Describe an uncharacteristic splurge or a time you worked hard to pay for something you really wanted. How did that feel?
11. What are your thoughts and feelings about debt? Do you use credit cards? Have you ever had to borrow money? What were the circumstances?
12. How important has money been to you in life? Has it come to mean power, position, comfort, security or something else?

Note, these probing questions were updated from Dr. Birren’s original set in 2021 by a curriculum development group of certified Guided Autobiography instructors.

© 2021 The Birren Center