Loosing one's business due to lack of personal control is a sad thing. I've watched many people do just exactly that. Recently, a friend told me that her only money is in her business account and she's been using it rather freely. The business is losing money. It's going under, because it can't support itself. She has another income, but she's not living within her means.
So, what is she buying with 'her money'? Frivolities, unnecessary trivialities, and 'bargains'. She and I have discussed the 'bargains' she buys. She's got more STUFF than any ten people NEED, and she still buys because it makes her 'feel good'. The fact of the matter is, she owns a big old building completely full of 'STUFF' she refuses to 'sell' because it's got personal value, and it's important to her, but the roof is falling in on the building, pigeons are in the building pooping on all of her prized possessions, so she buys more 'STUFF' to solve the problem. Ten dollar swimming pools to keep the rain from dripping onto her antique furniture and collectibles, plastic to cover them. Meanwhile the mice are eating through the upholstery and gnawing through the antique woods.
The reason she does this - is it provides her with emotional 'security'. As long as she has 'STUFF' she has 'security', she thinks. In the mean while, she's working at a job to support her 'STUFF' habit, and loosing her business, because she's wasting the money from her 'business', instead of using it to build a business that would eventually support her - if she didn't have all that 'STUFF' draining her income. She doesn't have security; she has 'STUFF' being ruined by the frivolous manner in which she is spending her money.
To say she is eccentric, actually only gives credence to her behavior. The fact of the manner is, she doesn't have the money to be eccentric. She has 'STUFF' which isn't going to get her anywhere, because her 'STUFF' is not appreciating, it's getting ruined. She has friends, but she doesn't listen to them, she has to have her 'STUFF'. I'm actually afraid my friend is going to be a lonely old person taking care of her 'STUFF' because she just can't quite realize that she needs to build relationships with people, and let go of her 'STUFF'.
One time, I even ask her about 'friends' and she responded she doesn't have anyone she can trust. I can understand why. She's worked her entire life to develop a relationship with her 'STUFF'. I consider her a friend, and I have gone the extra mile to make our friendship work. I wonder sometimes at my dedication to the friendship - because sometimes I feel like I'm working toward a dead end. Particularly when it comes to her business. I worked for nothing at times while I attempted to help her get her business up and running. I felt eventually it would be worth something to her. But, she feels if she buys me 'stuff' she's somehow making it worth my time to help her. Her values are misplaced, and her priorities are dysfunctional.
The saddest thing is, she's filling up her business with her 'STUFF' and when she looses the business, and she will loose her 'STUFF' too. Then what will she do? Her 'STUFF' isn't taken care of, it's just stashed there, taking up space and loosing value.
Every time I see her, I want to scream, "Holy Shenanigans, MORE STUFF!" But, I don't think she would understand the problem - EVEN then!!!
Copyright (c) 2005 - Jan Verhoeff
Got a problem planning your business expenditures? Personal finance doing you in? Consider a FREE consultation with one of our consultants at eBiz Brand Performance.
Personal Finance: Booking Bamboozle Washington Post If you are making travel arrangements online, be sure to keep an eye out for a questionable but growing trend on booking Web sites: 'pre-checked' boxes that ...
PersonalFinance: Your guide to Coverdells FOXBusiness (Linda Stern is a freelance writer. Any opinions in the column are hers. You can follow Linda Stern's financial notes on Twitter at ...
The week's 10 best Personal Finance stories MarketWatch By MarketWatch With no federal tax credit to entice buyers, today's home sellers have to get even more serious about making a deal. ...
Pet insurance is no laughing matter Telegraph.co.uk Having made four claims in four years, The Telegraph's Personal Finance Editor decides the time has come to write about pet insurance. ...
Google News
RELATED ARTICLESWant Your Savings to Earn a Higher Rate of Return? Try Internet Banking
Doesn't it seem like the only impressive numbers we've seen this summer are the digits on the thermostat and the unaffordable prices of homes? Real estate has been excruciatingly hot for the past few years, but getting in the market now puts you in the high-risk category for a heat stroke if the market decides to cool off this year.So if a real estate induced stroke doesn't appeal to you and the stock market's roller coaster ride gives you motion sickness, it's very likely that you as a health-conscious investor are sitting on a stash of cash collecting an anemic rate of interest.
The Wonderful World Of Address Labels
Ever wonder where address labels come from? AveryŽ is perhaps one of the most well-known manufacturers of address labels. Rightly so in some respects.
Honor Those Who Serve with Checking Account Supplies
Our global society has had a wake up call in the last five years regarding our safety. But there are those in our communities that fight to keep us safe from day to day.
More Money? My Cup Runneth Over...But Im Still Thirsty
Most of us, especially those of us who have debtor's disease (if you have it you know what it is!), have commented or at least thought, "If I could just win the lottery, or sweepstakes, everything would be better." Unfortunately, even if that big dream did come true things probably would get worse instead of better.
Simple Ways to Save Money
Things are so expensive these days. We seem to be hearing, and saying, that a lot lately at the gas pump, in the grocery store and especially when paying bills.
Budgeting Your Way to Financial Freedom
Financial freedom cannot be achieved without budgeting. Budgeting involves tracking your sources of income and more importantly tracking your expenses.
Take Control and Master Your Kitchen
Those who keep a watchful eye on where their money is spent, have long conquered the kitchen woes. No last minute panic trips to the market.
The Magic Of Compound Interest
Christians are called to be good stewards of God's resources. A steward can be described as someone who manages the resources of another.
Personal Finance - Why You Should Compare, not Despair
Sorting out your personal finances can be a tricky and exasperating time. Whether you are looking to obtain money through a loan, protect your finances with life insurance, medical, travel or car insurance, save some money through an individual savings account (ISA), apply for a credit card or a mortgage, change a telephone or fuel utility supplier, or simply decide what the best current account is for your needs, the choices are seemingly endless as well as being extremely complicated.
Money Saving Tips. Maximize Savings on Everyday Items!
Frugal living is more than a lifestyle. It's a passion.
When do You Need a Financial Management Company on Your Side?
We live in a crazy world. Someone ought to sell tickets.
How to Save for A Down Payment
Saving for a Down Payment is hard work, so it's a good idea to really want to own your own home by the time you begin your Savings Account. It's difficult to turn down a weekend in the Bahamas (or Downtown at the Clubs!) when you don't have a definite goal.
Credit Card Debt - Watch Your Credit Report and Your Bill
Most consumers are aware of the importance of their credit report. This document, offered to consumers and lenders by the three major credit bureaus, offers a fairly complete list of financial transactions and debts incurred by a consumer.
Save Money on Gas
Gas prices have soared to unimaginable heights of late. Since most of us are not likely to turn to bikes or horse-drawn buggies we will have to learn to get the most from our gas dollars.
Roth IRA Contributions - IRS Rules
Confused about whether you can contribute to a Roth IRA? Try using these simple rules:IncomeTo contribute to a Roth IRA, you must have compensation (e.g.
Top 10+ Ways to Jumpstart your New Year's Finances!
Of course, these don't have to be done in any particular order! Just pick one or two that particularly apply to your situation. * Create your 2005 filing system.
10 Quick And Cheap Ways To Cut Your Heating Bill
When you received an energy (heating) bill last winter, were you afraid to open it? Granted that we have a home with a lot of really big windows, but we saw energy bills last winter in the hundreds of dollars. Your bill probably wasn't that bad but I'm guessing that it was a lot higher than you would have liked.
Improving Your Financial Position
If you want money you need to learn how to control it. You need to improve your financial education and build your discipline.
Budgeting Made Easy
Well, dang! From what I've heard and read, it looks like we've reached an all-time world-class new record in the amount of personal debt on the books. Now it's probably not quite as bad as we've been led to believe, however many of us have managed to tromp further than we should have into the financial swamp.
Affording a Home
Can you really afford a house? If so, how much house can you afford? To determine this answer will take serious financial planning, and the best time to start is at least six months before buying the home.Although buying a new home may seem like an American Dream or romantic venture, the reality is that the house you can afford depends on your current income and debt obligations.
