If you run with the dogs, you’ll end up with fleas.
I’m sure we’ve all heard this sage advice from parents, grandparents, or teachers. We’ve always been told that we will become more like the people we surround ourselves with. But have you ever thought about this statement from a financial standpoint? Have you caught any financial fleas?
Think about your friends.
I’m sure that some of them have incomes that are similar to your own. Maybe some make more and some make less. Now think about their spending habits. Do you have any friends who are spend-a-holics? Have any who use their credit cards for everything? Have any who don’t spend a dime if it’s not in the budget?
Now consider your spending habits when you’re with your friends. Do you spend money more freely with some than with others? Do you feel obligated to go out to dinner when it’s not really in the budget?
I’ve found it helpful to surround myself with like-minded friends. I try to spend time with people who share my faith, my family values, and my financial goals. If I don’t, I spend more time explaining myself than enjoying myself. It’s oh-so easy to get drawn into the trap of spending the way that your friends spend. At the very least, I end up comparing what I have with what they have, no matter how much debt they’ve put themselves in to get it! Doing this steals my contentment and my joy.
It’s just not worth it to me.
Of course, I wouldn’t choose my friends based solely on their financial point-of-view. I just find myself drawn to those who share my values, and I find myself drained when I spend time with people who don’t.
So who do you surround yourself with? Do you run with the dogs and catch their financial fleas? Or do you surround yourself with like-minded friends who share your goals and values?
This post is linked to:
:: Thrifty Thursday hosted by Coupon Teacher
:: Frugal Friday hosted by Life As MOM
:: Making Dollars Out of Change hosted by Madame Deals
Photo Credit: Sam Howzit
SO true! Thanks for the inspiration. 🙂
I not only feel this way about financial friends, but spiritual friends too. What a great reminder to surround ourselves with people with similar visions in life.
I don’t agree. I think everyone needs diversity in their lives, otherwise we become less and less accepting of those who differ from us.
Diversity is great, and I have a lot of acquaintances who are VERY different from me. But my close friends tend to reflect who I am. Of course, we’re not cookie cutter replicas of each other. That would be boring! But our core values are similar.
This is SO true! I am also drawn to like-minded friends (and bloggers) who share my values.
My acquaintances who love to spend, use credit cards, and buy new cars drive me batty. I find it difficult to keep my mouth shut at times. 🙂
It is much safer to surround myself with frugal friends, and use my blog as a platform for inspiring others to be better stewards.
I’m glad it’s not just me who struggles to keep my mouth shut! 🙂
It’s important to make decisions for you that you feel comfortable with. Saving money always feels great, though!
First of all I just can’t even afford to hang out with people that have similar feelings of being money conscious. I also really appreciate having friends that are supportive and uplifting and this includes the finances.
Hanging out with people with the same financial values as well as spiritual values can be truly rewarding. Being able to share among friends is truly a blessing