Ever play that game Taboo?
You know, the game where you’re trying to get your friends and family to guess a particular word, but you’re not allowed to say the most common words associated with it? If you do, you get…the buzzer. The most annoying noise I’ve heard outside of this weird cat noise my daughter makes periodically.
There are topics that are traditionally taboo to talk about even outside of the kitchen table on game night too.
Like, politics. Eew. I’m not a fan of politics; talking about them, listening to others talk about them. I exercise my right to vote, and get informed prior to doing so – but I’d rather not be depressed the rest of the time.
How about religion? I don’t mind sharing my beliefs but I’m cautious about knowing my audience. Besides, I don’t do religion – I do relationship.
Then there’s @#$. This is an off limits blog topic per my husband. Actually, I would probably blush right through this computer screen and turn this black text shades of grey, if I said much more. Kidding, kidding. Now my Mom just blushed too. Moving on.
Last, but not least – and as you may have guessed it, the focus of this blog post…money. Why is money such a taboo topic? Is it because we assign our own worth to the dollar figures that we make? Well, that’s silly.
Don’t assign your value to your income. You’re worth WAY more than the amount of money you have in your checking account.
Is it out of embarrassment that we avoid the topic?Maybe we haven’t been ‘the best’ at managing our pocketbooks in the past – and we have some tidying up to do.
Or on the opposite end, maybe you’ve been a Rockstar money manager and you don’t want to talk about it for fear that you’d be considered gloating or boasting.
Fact is money is just a single form of currency. I’d argue that it isn’t even the most precious form of currency, time is. We money it to buy things. There are varying amounts of it. Having it is essential in this day and age to cover your basics.
There are many of us, myself included – that have found ourselves in less than ideal financial situations. And you know what, it’s okay. Well, it’s okay as long as you don’t stay and wallow in that same predicament. Get yourself up, make yourself some goals, and start the process of fixing it up.
Here’s how you start.
- Have a heart to heart with yourself. You probably know where you need to start making an adjustment.
- Start following finance friends and experts with words of encouraging advice for you.
- Fill up your knowledge gap. Friend – we were not taught about personal finance much growing up. It’s time to hit the books and learn about what you should be doing moving forward to take control of your finances.
- Make a friggin’ plan. For real. Write a goal, do a budget – call it a “spending plan” if it makes you feel better, and get to working it.
- Breathe easier knowing that you’re headed in the right direction. You’re doing it!
Imperfect action beats perfect inaction every time.
Harry S. Truman
Money talk.
Do you ever share with your friends and family about the new book you read, or give details about a podcast you got some great insight from? Share a recipe or rave about that new kitchen gadget? You’re sharing what you’ve learned.
You can do the same with money talk! It can look like an old fashioned telephone call, a text, or a convo over a glass of wine. Let me give you a preview.
- Hey Mom, I just read this book on finance – it blew my mind. What do you think about credit card use? I’m on the fence about if I should have them or not…
- Hey Aubs, you should start following this gal’s podcast that I’ve been listening to – super insightful about launching a business while staying debt free, and she’s real and messy. I love it.
- Hey Jill, I’m super stoked to start following a new budget plan. I really want to get this debt paid off before my next big birthday. Let’s celebrate with a trip to Vegas when I’m done!
Join me in removing money talk from the list of taboo topics.
Granted, I’m now earning an income talking about money – but I’m going to encourage all of us to start making it okay to chat cash.
Not because you or I want to gloat or whine about our money situation – but rather because we need to create awareness and educate each other.
No money shaming. Only increasing our knowledge and understanding to help a sister out.
Thank you for joining me on my journey to influence.
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