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MONEY
Let’s start talking about finances!
No matter what you call it, there often seems to be not enough of it. And there seems to be a stigma that surrounds all aspects of it. In my family growing up, it was never spoken of except in terms of scarcity. You couldn’t have things because there wasn’t enough money and there were bills that needed paid. I didn’t dare ask my parents how much money they made an hour. And if the rumors I heard were true (that they made $10 an hour 😳) then I couldn’t understand why we weren’t rich and able to have every toy I wanted! I grew up not asking questions. I knew that if I asked for something, I would or wouldn’t get it based upon the availability of it within my family’s bank account.
Does this scenario sound familiar to anyone else? I’ve talked to a number of people lately who have said the same thing. That money was off-limits as a discussion piece when they were young. Don’t take what I’m saying as disrespect. Even though money wasn’t a topic of conversation unless one of us kids got a bad case of the gimmes, it also wasn’t a topic that I was burdened with. I never knew when my parents were stressed about it. That burden was never placed upon me. That allows for a child to grow up without the financial woes of their parents.
It also can make finances a bit taboo and make the reality of adulthood for many a new and overwhelming world. It’s the excuse I’ve heard from many in my generation for why they have gotten into trouble with credit cards and into extreme debt. It’s my goal to make those excuses a moot point. I want a world that’s wise with money. I want to begin talking about finances.
Believe me when I say that I have not been immune to using similar tactics as my parents with my kids when they want things and haven’t always kept my mouth shut when finances were tight. But you can also bet your bottom dollar that I am working to change this. Money is essential for living and there is no reason we should be tightlipped about it. It’s not shameful and all of us are prone to make mistakes with it in one shape or form. Admitting, growing, and moving forward is essential in almost every aspect of our life, money should be on the tip of our tongue, not avoided in conversations like a bad penny.
I am not advocating that we sit around and be boastful with what we have done, but I think conversations are beneficial when we have found good solutions, reached major milestones, have run into a roadblock, or just need a listening ear.
Stigmas and taboos be damned, we all have bills to pay. We all need money to survive. Similarly, we all need to eat food and we most definitely need it to survive. Scroll down any Facebook feed and you will find photographs of the food people are eating including the recipes of how to make it. No one thinks about being judged because they eat or are sharing how they made that food. There is- after all- more than enough food to go around for everyone. Do you see the parallel there?
We all need money. We all need it to survive. There is more than enough to go around for everybody. Sharing how we made it or how we succeeded with it should not be a secret. We can give each other a hand by making it less taboo and asking others who have the recipe for a little help and guidance.
I’m not expecting you to post a picture of your check on your Facebook feed nor do I want to see you taking money bags to the bank on Instagram, but I do want to see you having conversations with your friends and family. Sharing your struggles and your successes and asking those that you know are successful how they did it or for a little help can only move us forward. Not asking for handouts but asking for wisdom. Not wanting to take people’s fish but wanting to learn how to fish.
Don’t be afraid to start the conversation. Start out with your children or your friends. Start small and help others to know that it’s okay to share their victories and their struggles with finances. Break the taboos by making talking about finances 💵 as common as food posts on social media. 💛