Relationship with Money

    Cheap, frugal, thrifty, penny pincher, these are all terms one may hear when they try to save every dollar they make. I’m very cheap and I hear those terms all the time, after a while you shrug it off and begin to embrace it as part of your personality. However I often ask myself and others what is wrong with being cheap? Unfortunately no one has an honest clear cut answer.

   When it comes to money and how to spend and manage it, there are two different ends of the spectrum. There are those who use the frequent sayings “I work hard for my money so I’m going to spend it”, or “You can’t take it with you, live everyday like it’s your last”. Then there are folks such as myself on other side, always looking for the best deal. Saving money in case some shit goes down, doesn’t see the need in paying for certain items because a “name” is attached to it, “I work too hard for my money to just give it away” or quite simply the thought of “my money is better with me”. 

    These opinions raise a good question, are people’s relationship with money built only by their upbringing and environment or are other factors in play? I’ve heard people say they didn’t have a lot growing up, so they get what they want now. I’ve also met people who had good middle class lives and they spend for the sake of spending. I’ve also met people from comfortable backgrounds who are as cheap as they come and sometimes ashamed they came from money. Hard to believe some people think that way but it’s true.

    Upbringing is another factor, if you have cheap parents who always managed and budgeted their money chances are you’ll pick up those habits. If you saw members of your family enjoy their money and still sustain their lifestyle, one may think hell why not. Teachings during ones youth definitely plays a part in someone’s relationship with money.

    Next to environment and upbringing, media of course plays a role in people’s relationship with money. When watching TV and seeing name brand and luxury products everywhere, people want to attain that. Having a luxury product provides an image of a baller, high maintenance, “My situation good”, or whatever to give the illusion you’re eating good and more.

   Or is it an unexplainable factor that makes someone cheap with their money or use money for its intention, to spend it? I honestly believe I came out the womb cheap as I have always been stingy with my money. When I was a kid and I would receive Christmas or Birthday money, I would hold onto it as long as I could. Funny thing is I’m not sure where I get that habit from, both of my parents have cheap quirks depending on what it is, I had grandparents at both end of the table spenders and savers, and other relatives who had different opinions on money. Here I am today a very frugal individual. 

   Money is what makes the world rotate, it’s how people pay for goods and services, and access to it is a factor in a person’s lifestyle. Just like anything else individuals relationship’s with money is different and works for that individual. Which means it may not necessarily be a good or bad thing that they are spenders or savers, and it may not be any particular reason why they lean one way or another. It’s just who they are, for now I’ll keep taking the cheap jokes.