The other day one of my close family members came over and saw my expense tracking worksheets laying on my kitchen table.
“I need to start doing that too” she said.
“Yeah I think you’d be completely surprised at just how much money you spend in certain areas.” I said in a general type of way – mostly meaning that I am completely surprised at how much money *I* spend in certain areas when I take the time to track it.
Defensiveness ensued.
She went on to tell me she *knows* how much money she spends in certain areas and that she’s not willing to cut back on anything. To top it off she just found out she’s getting the largest income tax refund she’s ever received. Yet, instead of using it to pay off her debt that keeps on climbing, she instead decides that she’s going to buy new furniture.
Come, again?
Why Do People Do This?
I know how important it is to bite my tongue in situations like these but when you watch your family make dumb decisions it’s hard not to want to shake them into clear thinking.
But if someone doesn’t want help there’s nothing you can do.
And so, explaining basic financial principles isn’t worth your breath. Because these people know the basics of money and choose to turn a blind eye.
And Here’s The Problem
And I am 100% convinced the problem is people are not willing to make sacrifices. They know what needs to be done but they also know what’s required to get there. That sounds uncomfortable and no fun. No way they would never do that.
If they’d give it a chance they’d soon find out that the rewards that come a long with sacrifice are far superior to any material possession they’ll ever have. And to top it off they’d see that the rewards of being debt free are far better than anything money can buy.
It’s Not Going to Happen
I think at some point you’ve just got to accept the fact that not everyone in your life is going to make the sacrifices needed for financial stability. Unfortunately they want to be like the rest of America, spend more than they make and compare their possessions to everyone else’s.
For me (and hopefully for you!) I’ll keep being different. I’ll keep making myself uncomfortable and make the sacrifices I need to get to where I want to be. Because quite frankly sacrifices are about what you’re gaining not what you’re giving up. Sacrifices require self-discipline. Self-discipline leads to self-confidence and self-confidence leads to a happier life.
What could be better than that?