Dr. Mikel Brown

How can people account for mindlessly spending money, earmarking funds for big-ticket items such as a big screen television or other such items when they complain about being so deeply in debt? On the other hand, let us strongly consider the person who spends money without the thought of how much they actually have to spend. Both of these individuals are robotically controlled by their impulsion to selfishness.

I can respect the person who owes a debt and pays it before they splurge money on themselves, especially when that debt has to do with God, a relative or a friend. I am not undermining the importance of debt owed to department stores or credit card companies as though they should be lastly considered.

Pay Day! Yippee!
Usually when married couples are experiencing financial problems, it is because one of the spouses is looking to spend money just because it’s payday. Payday does not suggest that money is available before bills and needs are taken into consideration. If spouses have this impulse, they are usually in denial.

Who’s to Blame?
They will blame their spouse, their IRS income tax refund for not coming by a certain time; the dog ate their checkbook, and a list of other ridiculous excuses. However, one thing is certain among people that are debt-ridden from their lack of control; they will not fully accept the blame for their problem. Although a person is single and in debt, this characteristic is pervasive with people that continue to repeat the same financially destructive habits. Here are a few indicators that may help you assess if you are one of these people:

7 Financially Destructive Habits

1. You become unusually happy when you have money.
2. You start spending money before you get your hands on it.
3. You become protective and defensive when money is the focus of discussion.
4. You look at family income as your portion.
5. You seldom ask about the family bills.
6. You inwardly think that your spouse is hiding money from you.
7. You are judgmental on how others manage their money.

These are just seven markers, but I can name more. Some people may periodically slip back into a state of sanity just long enough to get a glimpse of their problem, but not long enough to do something about it. This is when you need to cry out for help without bashfulness.

Now What?
What if you can understand and change 10 of your most common, annoying, puzzling, self-defeating behaviors and habits? If you were unconscious, you would not feel the pain of a cut or the insult of a naysayer. However, if you were completely conscious, you would feel the discomfort and seek to stop the cause immediately.

It is not that you want to cause yourself pain, you just are not always aware of the significance and detriment of your actions. When you are no longer in the dark about your behaviors, thoughts, and beliefs, you will no longer act out of habit. Do not be afraid to examine yourself on a daily basis. If you are fair and honest with yourself, you will not only help yourself, but you may possibly save your marriage or friendships.

Related Posts:

• What is Your Attitude Toward Making Money?
• Developing a Healthy Money Mentality
• The U.S. economy and your family
• Change is inevitable
• Money Struggles

Tags: budgeting, debt management, Finances, money, money management

This entry was posted by Dr. Mikel Brown on Friday, October 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm and is filed under Finances. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.