Hello dear readers! I'm sorry it has been so long! The Holidays happened, then two cases of laryngitis happened, then an Upper Respiratory Infection happened (Yes I stayed home), and then Carnival Season got started in New Orleans. Whew! I hope your new year is off to an amazing start!
Speaking of the New Year, I know a lot of people make New Years Resolutions. Maybe you want to lose weight, find love, or be smarter with money. If you have made any resolutions, I hope you are having luck sticking to them! I decided my resolution was to drink more champagne. So far, it's going swimmingly.
Money tends to be the root of a lot of resolutions, and lately I have heard lots of conversations about the subject. It's a big part of life. "Money, if it does not bring you happiness, will at least help you be miserable in comfort." - Helen Gurley Brown. But are we too comfortable in telling others our money woes? I've always been of the opinion that it's no one's business how much I make, spend or owe. However, people these days will post anything and everything for the world to see. I recently "hid" a "friend" on Facebook, because every post was about not having the money to pay rent, wishing she could take a trip but she's broke, and how in the world is she supposed to get ahead with a crap-paying job. I don't know about y'all, but people telling me things like that makes me uncomfortable. What is she trying to accomplish? Does she want me to hand her a $20 bill, or maybe she wants a stranger to fall upon her posts and unload his millions on her? I'm not filthy rich by any means, and chances are you aren't either (If you are, holla at your girl). I have some months were I keep a stricter budget than others, and some months where I can have a little more fun. But all in all, it's my business.
I rode up the elevator this morning with a lady I work with. We are not social friends, and I rarely have conversations with her. But she started blabbing about how she really looked at her finances this weekend, and noticed that she spent 80% of her pay check on eating out and going to bars. Damn. That's a lotta cheese fries and booze. But seriously, why in the hell would she tell me that? Chances are, she's just an over-sharer. Maybe she wanted me to say, "Oh my gosh I do the same thing." How she decides to spend her money is up to her. I've worked with numerous women who've disclosed their credit card debt with me. That's none of my business, and frankly I don't want to know! Every time I see them, I think, "She owes Mastercard over $15,000." "She maxed out a Victoria's Secret card, and the bank shut it down." Stop it people! And maybe quit spending money you don't have?
Now I definitely think there are times when it's acceptable to discuss money. Say you are getting married and thinking about having a joint bank account. Now would be the time to sit down with your honey boo boo and talk about money made and money owed. Also, it's appropriate and extremely wise to discuss budgets when planning a trip with friends or family. You can even discuss budgets when planning dinner with a friend. If it's the end of the pay period, and your girlfriend wants fine dining and you were thinking $2 tacos and bottomless margaritas, speak up! Like most awkward situations, these money problems can be solved by minding your manners, y'all. If it's a conversation you can't get out of (on the elevator) just smile and nod politely. If prodded to join the conversation, simply say, "I'm not comfortable discussing this." Simple as that. What do you think? Is discussing money ok these days, or does it make you uncomfortable?
