Why is Buying Something Always a Good Thing?
When you tell someone you are buying a car, a house or even a new pair of shoes, do they ever express worry?
Or do they say they’re “so happy for you,” “jealous” or offer, “congratulations!” (that must be one great pair of shoes, by the way…).
Now that I’ve become a personal finance geek, what I really want to say is, “Are you financing that car?,” “How much of a down payment do you have?” and “Do you have any credit card debt?”
But those are not things a polite person says.
So instead, we confirm each other’s stupidity, encourage it even.
“Oh, wow! Did you get a new car?!”
“Is that a new top? I love that! Where did you get it?”
“Life’s too short to clean your own house!”
Right…
I guess I’m weird. Just don’t expect me to feign interest in the vacation you’re taking with your economic stimulus check.
Photo Credit: Consumerism by Daniel Hoye, used under Creative Commons licensing
2 responses so far
I have been reading PF blogs for a few months now (got totally addicted!), and I agree with you. When a friend tells me they just bought this or that, my first reaction is “can you really afford that? Weren’t you just complaining about your credit card debt last week?” I obviously would never say this, because it’s rude… but it defintely pops in my head!
That’s too funny! I’ve been doing the same thing lately!
I know someone who has $15,000 in student loans and her b/f just got a decent job within the last month, they have two kids 2 and 10 mths, and instead of putting money away to pay the loan they are planning a trip to disney world!
i want to tell them to be more responsible, and save some money to pay off the loan, but i know everyone will just say i’m being a funsucker…so i say nothing
they wonder why i’m not happy for them like everyone else…but i can’t encourage financial irresponsiblility…