The root of all evil - what's your take on it?
They say you learn your attitudes toward money from your parents. Well, that sure explains it. My father was a depression-era, work hard and you'll earn a decent living kind of guy. He never took risks, neither in business nor investments. He saved relatively little and basically lived for the day. Pretty interesting for a public accountant with six kids, ha?.
My mother, on the other hand, was the traditional good wife. She never held money in her pocket of her own; never learned how to use a checkbook. My father made all the big money decisions. She was (supposedly) happy to be taken care of.
So where does that put me? I'm my father all the way. I've earned a nice middle, sometimes upper-middle kind of life, but always way too short a distance from getting over my head. I invest little and conservatively, and have no business sense whatsoever.
So what's the deal? When I really get down to it, it's all about fear. Stocks, bonds, investments, business, sales, marketing - they all intimidate the hell out of me. And guess what? I've finally come to the point where that very fact ticks me off.
I know I need to open my mind - loosen up and see the benefits of being money wise. Cultivate a business attitude. I've been dealing in human services for so long - getting a secure paycheck and health coverage - but now I don't have that security anymore. What if I want to start a new career? Make some money for the long future ahead? At this rate, I wouldn't know where to begin. But one thing's for sure - I know it has to start in my head.
And what about you? Are you money wise? Do you have any advice to foster a new attitude? Help!
Friday, June 25, 2010
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About Me
- Trish
- Costa Rica
- 50's and Fabulous - that's the way it's supposed to be, right? I have to admit, being here is not such a bad deal. A few years ago we sold the farm (literally) and moved to the jungle. Who knew that I'd be spending life with monkeys, scarlet macaws and sloths? It's actually pretty awesome, though I have learned that no Paradise is perfect. I'll tell you more about that sometime... But for now, come share all the savvy and sparkle we've grown into over the years. Speak your heart, tell your stories. Here's to us ~ Cheers!
For years I referred to myself as a "financial wasteland". I had the good fortune of growing up in a small town where my uncle was the mayor, my father the fire chief, my mother deputy clerk of the court... you get the picture. Now I have worked since I was 15, but being able to get a job did not equate to knowing what to do with the money made. I made a little money, but the tender I used to make purchases at the local clothing, florist, and drug stores was "who" I was. I had 2 drugstore credit accounts, 2 florist accounts, and one clothing store account. That didn't include the pro shop/food counter at the golf course. When it was time to go off to college I made an attempt to settle up with the clothing store. The owner gave me a big hug and said, "That can wait honey, you go on off and make us proud. You can pay that off after you graduate and get a job..." I got it. Lesson learned. So in college when the credit card companies set up incentive booths with cups and pitchers and various and sundry gifts I didn't miss a chance to sign up (sometimes laughing out loud saying that I was so sure they wouldn't give me another credit card - but they did). All that to say that when the light came on, I was shocked. I was articulate, intelligent, and had always been very active in community organizations. A good citizen. How had this happened to me? Once I got a grip, I learned a lot - fast. It has been a long time since I was that wasteland, but I have not forgotten how intimidated that learning was. I still struggle with financial planning, but I at least don't have to struggle with financial spending. I have only one credit card and it is also my debit card. Now I've really got it...
ReplyDeleteWow - what a great story - such a unique experience and perspective, Becky! The credit card thing pretty much put me under, even when I was earning a decent income I couldn't keep up. I'd see things and say, "I work hard-I deserve this!" It took the sale of the house and paying them all off at once to finally get out from under. Thankfully my new husband is a "pay cash or don't buy it" person, which is extra protection against myself (not that I didn't learn the lesson). But like you said - even being an intelligent, articulate, good citizen doesn't keep us from going against all logic sometimes. Thanks for writing!
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