It's the end of the month and around our city, that means spending is usually down at stores and restaurants. I think it is because so many folks receive checks the first of the month and it is running low by now.
We know some folks who would rather put their expenses on credit cards than admit their money is running low. I am not sure why they think it is taboo to just admit they don't have the money for something. I guess they view it as something to be ashamed of. I don't know why unless they spent recklessly to begin with.
I've been kind of studying some of the people we know and how they are playing the keeping up appearances game. They will never admit that they don't have the cash for something. Some even go so far as to hit a home equity line of credit to get money for things, and I'm not talking for home improvements either.
One friend admitted they couldn't afford something to me the other day and how she didn't want to tell the person that invited her to go shopping that. I told her it was no shame, but actually showed wisdom that she knew she couldn't afford it and with so many people having money issues, it wasn't anything to be ashamed of.
I guess I grew up differently. I remember in high school one of the teachers planned a trip to Europe during the summer for students and she asked if I wanted to go. I told her that although I would love to, it wasn't financially possible. She said she understood and nothing more was said. I wasn't ashamed of that and she didn't belittle me for that either. It was a fact of life and we went on.
With all the "open" conversations about everything from sex to diseases, why talking money is such a secret still astounds me.
Talking Finances
October 29th, 2011 at 02:35 pm
October 29th, 2011 at 05:43 pm 1319910229
I guess I am quite lucky that I have a friend I can discuss anything financial with! We live very different lives, but we were both math majors and can discuss all aspects of finance for hours on end. It's rather fun for us. The good and the bad, we have no reason to judge each other. I feel I could tell her anything I want to.
October 29th, 2011 at 05:56 pm 1319911007
November 6th, 2011 at 08:53 pm 1320612811