Dreaming of Money

Money typically symbolizes power, wealth, prosperity, self-worth, success, and self-confidence. Money can symbolize material gain and be a very concrete symbol for many while money can also symbolize more abstract ideals such as richness in spirituality, love, life pursuits and wisdom. Since money can have often almost opposite meanings from person to person (i.e. material wealth versus matters of the heart) the meaning of money in dreams is often confused.

Money not only symbolizes material wealth but relates to the overall energy and well-being related to a person's health, psyche, heart, intellet, and spirit.  While one person may be "rich" in one area, that same person may be depleted and insecure in another area.

 Receiving money in a dream is often a very positive symbol for the dreamer.  This is a dream of gaining something.  Depending on the context of the dream, what the dreamer is gaining can range from actual fortunate or wealth to spiritual energy and love and support from friends or family.

Dreams of receiving money typically leave the dreamer feeling content and satisfied with their life and current decisions.  These dreams leave an impression of overall wealth, power and richness of life.

Although many hope dreams of receiving money indicate a future prediction of the dreamer receiving money, these dreams are more likely to indicate the wishes of the dreamer or all the dreamer's own expectation of receiving money.

 Losing money in a dream is often anxiety-provoking for the dreamer.  These dreams leave the dreamer anxious with feelings of depletion and general loss.  Money in these dreams could have a material meaning although it is likely the money is symbolizing the dreamer's lack of energy and symbolizing a general sense of loss and emptiness. 

These dreams of typical of a person who has "run out of steam recently."  Perhaps this type of dream is an indication that the dreamer needs to take a step back, rest, and recharge his/her batteries.

Losing money demonstrates a lack of balance in one's life.  Energy in relationships whether they are business or casual are based on give and take.  When relationships are unbalanced, the dynamic of giving without reciprocation can take on many symbols in dreams including loss of money.

Losing money in a dream often creates fear of possible loss in the future.  This dream is likely reflecting a current fear and not predicting a future event.  As a dreamer, you are attune to your own life- perhaps you have realized you are leaving yourself open to losing money.  Have you been careless with your money?  Perhaps it is time to concentrate on protecting what you have.

 Stealing money in a dream has mixed meanings mostly because the values of dreamers vary so much.  Do you believe stealing is always wrong?  Are you traditional or do you find yourself at odds with authority?  The answers to these questions may help you determine if your dream is reflecting a feeling of something something wrong and feeling guilt or shame versus doing what you think you need to do despite rules, laws, or authority.

Stealing money could have positive meanings. This could mean you are taking and getting what you need-- even if it is in an unconventional way.  This could relate to material goods, a cut-throat business attitude, or relate to relationships.

Stealing could also have negative meanings.  The dreamer may find themselves feeling greedy, selfish or have found their actions have been self-serving and in disregard for how these actions affect others.  The context of the dream is important.  Is the dreamer experiencing a gain at someone else's expense?  This may reflect what is occurring in real life in respect to a relationship, a job, etc.

Stealing money in dreams could symbolize the dreamer feels he/she cannot get what he/she needs or wants through conventional means.  This may be a dream of lack of options and a survivalist way of thinking.

 Saving money in a dream, as in all dream symbols, could have negative or positive interpretations.  Usually, saving money indicates to the dreamer that they are secure, have been responsible, have more than they need, have plentiful resources, and have a wealth of happiness.

On the contrary, saving money can turn into hoarding money.  The extreme version of any positive attribute is trouble.  Hoarding money or extreme saving does not allow the dream to enjoy what they have or share with others.  If hoarding money is indicated in the dream, the dreamer may need to let go, begin to share with others, let others in, and "spend" what they have in order to gain what they truly need.  Just like in every day life, we need to spend money to obtain what we need- food, clothing, shelter, etc.  If we do not use our money for what we need, it becomes meaningless.  Likewise, if we are not using our personal "wealth" when it comes to matters of the heart, we will find we do not have what we need.  This dream may indicate an unhealthy sense of taking without giving and feelings of insecurity that are preventing the dreamer from trusting others and developing healthy and balanced relationships.

Spending money in a dream is often a positive symbol although what the dreamer is actually purchasing heavily influences the overall meaning of the dream. Spending money often means the dreamer is obtaining goals and seizing opportunities.

Purchasing necessary items is one thing, but what if the dreamer is purchasing frivilous items? If the dreamer feels as though they are wasting money in the dream, this may mean the dreamer is wasting their energy on something. The need to reprioritize their life may be important at this time.

The act of spending money is also very important to the interpretation of the dream. Shopping and feeling as though you can buy whatever you want or need is a positive symbol whereas shopping and feeling as though you do not have enough to buy what you need or the feeling of not being able to find what you need tends to mean you are feeling insecure, depleted, and unsuccessful.  It is possible the dreamer may need to re-evaluate goals.  If a goal is currently unattainable-- what small step towards the goal could the dreamer attend now?  We often set our goals to far and too high without addressing the smaller steps necessary to achieve the final goal.

Watching others exchange money in a dream is a rather passive dream. This dream tends to mean the dreamer is experiencing feelings of envy and jealousy. The dreamer may also find himself/herself feeling left out, neglected, and not getting attention from those around him/her.

On a positive note, this maybe a dream demonstrating a level of learning currently going on for the dreamer. Perhaps the dreamer is watching how others exchange money, love, etc. in order to learn how to apply what they have learned to their own lives.

Borrowing money in a dream usually means the dreamer has overextended themselves either concretely or metaphorically. The dreamer may need to analyze how they spread themselves too thin and how to regain their footing in the world again. The need to recharge and re-evaluate presses heavy on the dreamer when this symbol is present. Borrowing money in a dream may show the dreamer that a lesson is to be learned-- while the dreamer is able to achieve their goals, there is a realistic need to continue to access current resources and not spend beyond them. Attempting to make gains to large and too quick does not result in overall success.

The idiom "slow and steady wins the race" applies to the dreamer with this dream.

Looking to gain further insight into yourself and cannot recall any more dreams? Try eliciting more content from your unconscious by taking a Rorschach Inkblot test.