If Money is Taboo, Why Do You Have It?

So it hit me as to why people don't like to discuss their own personal finances as opposed to the finances of others, or money in general. Of course, you have your wealthy who don't like to speak of their wealth for other various reasons, being consideration of others who aren't as fortunate, and simply for the sake of tactfulness and not to be crass.

Who I am addressing are the plain jane, middle to lower class, everyday, average joe and jane, citizen. First we must understand that money is an extension and representation of our livelihood. Also, it is a representation of our status and accomplishment. Hence forth, many people, who don't know any better, determine the self-esteem and self-worth based on their net worth due to these extensions.

If these people, who don't know any better, have low bank accounts, or high debt, or both; more than likely, they'll have low, or jaded self esteems and insecurities. Now, if these people don't know any better, that brings us to asking, what do they know?

Many people's perceptions on the extensions of money come from a variety of things. Parental upbringing, environment, and media are just to name a few. But many people view their money as things. Let me explain. When some people see a dollar bill, they see a house, a car, clothes, etc. So when these people get paid, what's the first thing they do? SPEND IT! :(

People gravitate towards retail simply because they think that if they make a purchase, they should have something to show for it...or just show off, period.  This is so they can feel "they've arrived", or better yet, actualize their self-esteem and self worth.

Of course there is nothing wrong with spending money.  Common sensibly, you have to spend money to live, duuuuuh.  But it's not what you spend, it's how you spend it.  These people who are trying to actualize their self worth by the acquisition of things fail to realize that the novelty of their purchases will eventually fade and it's right back to their low self-esteems again.  So the purchases they make would seem continual, senseless, and futile.

However, if you were to ask these people as to why they consistently make such senseless purchases, they would tell you things like they worked hard for the money, and they deserve it.  They'll say they should "enjoy" their money.  Now with so much "just cause" they've built up, any rule of thumb contrary to their opinion would seem highly refutable.

Therefore, for you to come along and tell them what they need to do with their money as opposed to what they want to do, it's as if you were telling them that they cannot actualize their self esteem.  As if they don't "deserve" those things simply because they don't have as much money as they think or would like to have.  A person with low self esteem is insulted by you telling them they can't afford something, because it's as if you're taking a stance of control upon them; telling them what they "deserve" or don't.  Which will elicit those insecure emotions of them "not being good enough".  Then they're prone to being defensive, asking, "Who do you think you are?"

In regards to the concept of deserving or entitlement, let's pose the argument, if these people are so irresponsible with money because of the poor perception of money, do they deserve it in the first place?  YES and NO...

If you work, you should get paid right?, of course!  But if you don't have the savvy, wisdom, and discipline to manage money, should you have it?, NO!  Many of these people do work, and yes, they work hard.  But their habits are careless and wasteful.  Therefore, a perpetual cycle exist, whereas, no matter how hard they work, they're always broke.

I've always believed that managing money comes from managing your heart.  So before you talk about money, let's talk about your heart.  Let's talk about what your perceptions on money are, more so, what are your perceptions of yourself?  What do you deserve, and what do you need, as opposed to what you want?  And last but not least, how are you going to acquire the things that you need?

Sober up with Prosperity Unlimited, LLC.  We'll fill you up...and never let you down.

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