Money Talk

“Financial matters will come to you, for better or for worse. If we’re going to be in denial and will avoid talking about it now, we’re going to be less equip to handle the issues that might pop-up later.” -Mr. Berns

Admit it, most of us are afraid or have no interest of talking about money, and yet we backbreak over it. We work day-in day-out, on the extreme there’s even the term “Karoshi” (death from overwork). What for? "For the money I guess, for the security that money gives."

We don’t like money talks with friends. It’s like some kind of taboo that spoils the fun and the mood. But observe a conversation on things that most of us think is "the" deal of a lifetime. We excitedly utter:“I bought a nice laptop for just P20,000(a little under $500). It’s a grab!" Even buying a nice dress, 50% off from regular price is a joy worth celebrating. In a serious relationship, we also have the belief, talking about money spoils the romance and intimacy. We get to hear “ang panget pag-usapan ang pera”(Filipino words. In English: "It's ugly to talk about money")

Money myths are deeply entrenched in our thoughts that we view money as the root of all evil, that money corrupts, changes people, and that it can’t buy happiness. The truth is, money is neutral, and the problem lies with the LOVE of money. As some people turn sour focusing on the money, the smarter ones treat people ahead of money”.

Our psychology with money can be summed up by this quote: “One of the reasons we are secretive about our own money is that we want to present ourselves to the world as being very sensible and rational about money, when in fact we are not.” – Dorothy Rowe, author of The Real Meaning of Money

Ok, we discussed about how we avoid money talk, now what? “If you, or with your partner haven’t walked carefully through all the money matters that might come up in time, I promise you that money will one day become an obstacle for you and your relationship” – Suze Orman


Final Words

Financial matters will come to you, for better or worse. If we’re going to be in denial and will avoid talking about it now, we’re going to be less equip to handle the issues that might pop-up later. Aside from talking and dealing with money, we also need to plan ahead. You might be thinking that the future holds much uncertainties and that planning is way beyond you. Well, think again!. We can actually plan to at least a certain extent---our future, for having a blunt weapon by our side is better than having nothing at all.