As a capitalist society, we base our self worth upon our material goods. Some women won't buy anything without first mentioning the label, justifying this by saying that the label represents best quality, even if truth be told that it doesn't. We like our material goods.
In many developing nations, self worth is based upon material possessions, like livestock or crops. Even nomads like their material goods.
So, when we suffer a setback or loss, it's emotionally devastating and the sense of failure, and failing our loved ones, can be overwhelming. The embarrassment that financial failure carries is a tough bullet to take.
The reality is that stuff happens, and sometimes beyond our control. Financial woes should not be hung out like dirty laundry, but should definitely be discussed with your family. There are graceful ways to let your friends know that you can't go out to dinner, everyone understands the word "budget" (even if we don't practice it).
You need to be very careful about how you tell your children that things are tough. Be honest, but don't scare them. When things are tough is the time when the family needs to come together and find ways to conserve, preserve, get creative and survive.
Face financial trouble head on so that you can deal with it. I once had to counsel someone through foreclosure that could have been avoided, had he been honest with his family and asked for help at the first sign of trouble.
With the holidays fast upon us, don't focus on the spending. Buying the "big gift" is the least of your worries and shouldn't even factor in the equation. Get spending out of your vocabulary and replace it with saving. Do not go into bigger debt, deal with debt you have. Get the family on board to be creative in celebrating the holidays, and make the holidays a celebration of being together, not a fearful and sad event.
There's something very unique about the human mind: we can be at our best when pushed up against the wall.
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As a capitalist society, we base our self worth upon our material goods. Some women won't buy anything without first mentioning the label, justifying this by saying that the label represents best quality, even if truth be told that it doesn't. We like our material goods.
In many developing nations, self worth is based upon material possessions, like livestock or crops. Even nomads like their material goods.
So, when we suffer a setback or loss, it's emotionally devastating and the sense of failure, and failing our loved ones, can be overwhelming. The embarrassment that financial failure carries is a tough bullet to take.
The reality is that stuff happens, and sometimes beyond our control. Financial woes should not be hung out like dirty laundry, but should definitely be discussed with your family. There are graceful ways to let your friends know that you can't go out to dinner, everyone understands the word "budget" (even if we don't practice it).
You need to be very careful about how you tell your children that things are tough. Be honest, but don't scare them. When things are tough is the time when the family needs to come together and find ways to conserve, preserve, get creative and survive.
Face financial trouble head on so that you can deal with it. I once had to counsel someone through foreclosure that could have been avoided, had he been honest with his family and asked for help at the first sign of trouble.
With the holidays fast upon us, don't focus on the spending. Buying the "big gift" is the least of your worries and shouldn't even factor in the equation. Get spending out of your vocabulary and replace it with saving. Do not go into bigger debt, deal with debt you have. Get the family on board to be creative in celebrating the holidays, and make the holidays a celebration of being together, not a fearful and sad event.
There's something very unique about the human mind: we can be at our best when pushed up against the wall.
October 17, 2008 - 5:29pmThis Comment
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