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How To Deal With Friends Who Are Big Spenders

With about 183,737 millionaires and over a thousand of insanely rich people in Singapore, you will come across some big spenders in your lifetime. Some of these people may be considered as your friends. How can you socialize with these people, if you cannot spend money as freely as they can?

KEEPING UP WITH THE NEIGHBORS

When you are surrounded with rich friends who love to splurge, it is understandable to feel envious at times. However, you must not linger excessively on this thought. The mere act of comparison can exhaust your energy. Constantly comparing what you have or what you do not have can contribute to your attitude towards money.

You must accept the fact that you are not as wealthy as your friends. What’s more? Keeping up with them can be detrimental to your finances. Apply the Negative Visualization exercise instead. Negative visualization entails imagining what will happen to your life if you have nothing. How can you survive without a job or without a spouse to support you? Doing this exercise will make you realize how blessed you truly are.

SOCIALIZING WITHOUT SPENDING

While your friends may be fulfilled with every swipe of their plastic cards, this may not be the case for you. Resist overspending by avoiding temptations. Opt for entertaining activities that do not require you to break the bank.

Outdoor activities such as cycling or hiking require little money to release some happy hormones (i.e., endorphins). You may also book a yoga class or a trip to the museum. Have a cup of coffee or tea afterwards.

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Do your best to enjoy intimate and inexpensive settings that will take spending off the table. Indulging in fancy restaurants or spa appointments occasionally is perfectly fine. These are some of life’s pleasures that are worth paying for, anyway.

SAYING NO TO FREELOADERS

Economically speaking, there is a considerable division between you and your affluent friends. They may be capable to cover your expenses but, you should never ask them to do so. Only accept their help during special occasions.

If they offer to lend you some cash, contemplate on whether you can pay them back or not. Discuss the payment procedures and terms surrounding it. Do not feel bad if your friend suddenly takes back the offer. Ultimately, you must not take advantage of someone’s generosity.

When all is said and done, try to give something simple in return. You may present a token of your gratitude or treat him or her out to a delicious meal.

COMMUNICATING IN AN OPEN MANNER

If you are constantly hanging out with big spenders, you need to be transparent with them. It is easy to talk about current events or Korean bands, but it is challenging to discuss about money. Even the best of friends can be drive apart due to money matters. Few people can openly admit that they cannot afford something. Feelings of shame can take over.

While spending money is typically associated with power, your wallet will thank you after being open to your affluent friends. Tell them that you cannot afford another hundred-dollar dinner two nights in a row. Genuine friends will back off once you let them know that you cannot spend money as freely as they can.

FOCUSING ON FRIENDSHIPS ALONE

Genuine friendships focus on the relationships between people rather than their net worth. Your income or capacity to generate money does not define your identity. If your friends belittle you because of your financial limitations, then you must reconsider your relationships with them. Is it healthier to disconnect? Is it better find friends who are more accepting of your financial situation? Ponder on these. Remember that genuine friends will help you rise up, and not drag you down!

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It may be difficult to rebuild your relationships at first, but you are always better off hanging out with friends who do not rub their wealth in your face. Surround yourself with people who will serve as your financial inspirations. Learn and ask tips from them regarding management of cash flow, investment portfolio, and business.

Do You Have A Financially Toxic Friend?

Whether you notice it or not, the people whom you interact the most with are likely to shape your financial decisions. Some outcomes are less positive than others. The truth is, you may not be able to change the personalities of the people around. The only thing you can change is your exposure to these people.

Filter out toxic financial relationships by distinguishing these people from the rest:

The Dollar-Pincher

There is a huge difference between prioritizing your spending and conserving because you do not want to spend your wealth! “Dollar-Pinchers” see money as a tool that they must conserve at all cost. They aim to spend a little money as possible (i.e., synonymous to a cheapskate or a miser).

Let us be realistic. Many of us have encountered a friend who seemingly dissolves when the bill arrives. To save you from an embarrassing moment with the waiter and to keep your Dollar-Pincher quiet, you opt for paying his or her share. Doing so entails that you will spend more than your allotted budget.

The Investigator

As the name suggests, the “Investigator” digs deeper into your life to reap information that you would normally share with your trusted financial planner. He or she desires to know how much you made, saved, and spend. You need to be especially careful if the Investigator is a co-worker. You see, this type of friend is least likely to be concerned with your well being. Anything you say may be used against you.

When it comes to painting my future, I am not afraid to test the waters. I have had several occupations and there was one thing that I noticed. My Investigator friend would constantly pry into my professional life. He would ask me how much my current job offer was and how much my monthly salary is. He goes even further by asking if what was offered was higher than my previous job. Needless to say, we are no longer friends.

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The Show-Off

If you are a frequenter of various social media platforms, you probably came across a friend who has a seemingly successful life. The “Show-Off” brags about his or her financial capacity by sharing his or her local and international endeavors. It is especially hard when you are roughly the same age as your friend and you find yourself making comparisons between each other’s progress.

Regularly bombarding yourself with friends who display or tell you how great they are doing with their finances can trigger unhealthy emotional responses. You may start doubting your monetary choices or start feeling depressed with your career. Please realize that you do not need to keep up with the Show-Off! Simply focus on what you are doing right with your finances.

The Wheedler

Be careful! You do not want to be misguided by the “Wheedler”. This type of friend uses flattering words and thoughts to entice you to spend beyond the bounds of your financial capability.

To put things into perspective, let us say that you are shopping with your chum Atiqah. You wanted to buy an expensive dress that you do not really need. Instead of politely suggesting to skip on the dress, Atiqah encourages you to purchase it immediately. She continues to shower you with exaggerated pleasantry until you give in. If you cannot change the Wheedler’s ways, you must only bring the amount of cash that you are willing to spend with him or her.

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It is time to turn the tables around. Search within yourself and examine whether you have been financially toxic to others. Are you willing to change for the better?

Sources: 1 & 2

6 Kinds Of Friends Who Can Positively Influence Your Finances

Thomas Monson once said: “Choose your friends with caution, plan your future with purpose, and frame your life with faith.”

What if you can plan a financial future with a purpose by choosing your friends carefully? Yes! That is possible.

You may not be able to change the personalities of the people around you but you can change the people whom you choose to be around all the time. Filter out toxic financial relationships and know the 6 Kinds Of Friends Who Can Positively Influence Your Finances…

1. OBJECTIVE ADVISOR

A friend who can give objective monetary advice is the one who is unbiased, unemotional, unprejudiced, and fair-minded. This friend can have a hearty chat with you to point out your financial flaws and give you feasible solutions. An objective advice is something all of us need to hear, especially when it comes to financial and spending habits.

2. CHEERLEADER FRIEND

A cheerleader friend does not exactly need pompoms or shout chants. This type of friend is the one who supports and encourages you even if they do not share the same financial situation. After talking to the objective advisor, you can ask this friend to help you keep track of your financial goals. Having a supportive confidant who will boost your self-esteem can be beneficial for your discomforting situation.

3. FRIEND CARRYING SIMILAR BURDEN

Are you feeling hesitant to decline a group trip offer because of the fear that you are the only left out in the group? Not anymore. If you have a friend who carries the same loads or the same financial situation as you then, the both of you can find ways together. You can either cancel the trip or help each other to build a travel fund. This friend will understand and support your monetary decisions.

4. GENEROUS FRIEND

If you have a friend who will lend you money in a heartbeat then, consider yourself very lucky! However, you must not abuse this generous gesture and pay the sum back as soon as possible. Do not turn into a friend who never repays instead, you must take care to not burn any bridges with your generous friend.

5. RESOURCEFUL FRIEND

There was an American series once called “MacGyver” wherein a top agent defeats his enemies by using his vast scientific knowledge in creating weapons out of the things available in the room such as paper clips or duct tapes. Like MacGyver, a resourceful friend maximizes the use of what he or she has. With his or her resources in money and people, this trusted friend could help solve your financial problem. Although, being resourceful is not easy, it takes a combination of handwork, social skills, experience, talent, and luck.

6. FINANCIAL EXPERT

A financial expert may be the best kind of friend to positively influence your finances. With a background in finance, this friend can help you improve your financial accounts or help you cut down your spending.

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If you do not have many financial expert friends right now, fret not. Money Digest has your back. 🙂

Sources:1,2, & 3

Why It Is Essential To Surround Yourself With Financially Savvy Friends

As the Mexican Proverb once said: “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.”

It is no secret that your friends influence your life in one-way or the other. This influence can either be small such as picking an outfit to work or huge such as choosing which bank to invest on. Either way, being surround by financially responsible friends is always a good idea.

Here are the reasons why:

1. THEY CAN TELL YOU WHEN TO STOP

When you are trying to eliminate an unhealthy habit such as overspending, you must first recognize that the problem exists. Financially savvy friends who care deeply about you can tell you when your spending goes overboard. Because sometimes, all it takes is a little nudging from your friends. Having a friend who will make you realize that you have a problem can make you think harder about your spending weaknesses.

2. THEY CAN STEER YOU TO BETTER FINANCIAL DECISIONS

The time spent with peers increases as the child ages. As the time increases, the power of peer pressure tends to increase as well. Using peer pressure to your advantage, you can make friends with people who are thrifty as they lead you to better financial decisions. For instance, instead of going to a fancy restaurant, they will opt for having a fun dinner at your place while splitting the expenses for pizzas and beverages.

3. THEY CAN HELP YOU DEAL WITH A FINANCIAL CRISIS

The reality manifests that layoffs, bankruptcies, and closings happen around us. Having friends who understand how important money is can help you deal with these unforeseen financial crises. They can help by listening to your dilemma, by connecting you to the resources of the community, and by the power of small deeds (e.g., cooking food or calling to catch up).

4. THEY CAN HELP YOU GROW

Your friend does not have to be as monetarily wise as Warren Buffet to guide you to better finances. You can be both starting from the bottom as long as you are responsible for each other’s financial growth. Do this by reminding yourselves about the monetary goals you set. And, if you have no financially responsible friends, you can always introduce them to the idea. Start by introducing the basics of budgeting such as knowing the envelope budgeting technique.

Image Credits: Riza Nugraha via Flickr With Creative Commons License

Truly, money matters get easier when you have financially savvy friends to support you along the way! 🙂

How to maximize your relationships with $300

Most of us know the immense power a strong social relationship can unleash. Social ties can have a colossal impact on our thinking, experiences and behaviors and they form a pivotal social support for our physical and mental health. Nonetheless, in the course of building a relationship, ensuring its sustainability is key where we do not overstrain our financial resources.

This article – the second in a five-part series that continues from “How to maximize your life with a $3,000 paycheck”- will thus be looking at the different ways to optimize a $300 monthly “bonding budget”.

Image credit: diet.gtatoplay.com

Offering inexpensive treats in office

Spending at least 8 hours every workday in the office is not an exactly enjoyable and eventful affair. Every initiative to keep your colleagues’ chins up – no matter how insignificant in your opinion – is in fact a great form of encouragement. And it does not cost much, probably 10% of the $300 “bonding budget” or $30? Offering to pay for drinks or buying your co-workers snacks or sandwiches could be your first crowning move. It kick-starts the culture of reciprocity and good things will naturally come your way.

Image credit: greatdeals.com.sg

Play a sport

Studies have shown that exercise may play a therapeutic role in addressing psychological disorders such as depression and prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases. But that is not all. Sports can also yield vast social benefits and help to strengthen interpersonal relationships through the myriad of fun-filled interactions. Allocating $100 to the booking of courts, admission tickets to sport facilities, participation in running events and energy drinks and bars should be more than sufficient. Taking part in the POSB PAssion Run for Kids 2015 could be your first step to embarking on a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle while contributing to the fund-raising efforts for the less fortunate children.

A free ActiveSG membership is an icing on the cake. All Singaporeans and Permanent Residents who sign up for it are credited with ActiveSG$100 to be used for sports programmes and entrance fees for the swimming pools and gyms at various Sports Centres island-wide.

Image credit: amazon.com

Invest in get-together meals and games

Weekends are perhaps the perfect time for friends and families to relax and unwind by indulging in a food and drink galore while playing the popular board games. Classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble and UNO are still great fun. But the number of new games has exploded in recent years as a community of independent designers and publishers has been steadily producing innovative, intriguing and alluring games offering experiences emulating the most sophisticated gaming hardware. So put the remaining $170 to good use by purchasing board games which possess enduring benefits and inviting friends over for a potluck.

In reality, there are many more ways to create special and lasting memories with the people you love and care about. What is more important is often not the means to do it, but the willingness to do it.

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