A Tribute to George Carlin: His Seven Best Money Jokes
By Mellissa Seecharan

George Carlin was what every comedian wished they could be – outspoken, funny, respected, and successful. He was a counter-culture comedian who, at the age of 71, died late Sunday afternoon of heart failure.

Carlin rose to iconic status in the 1970s, and even hosted the very first episode of Saturday Night Live (GE) in 1975. Known for his wit and anti-authoritarian ways, Carlin not only changed comedy but this high school dropout from New York City also shook-up the broadcasting world. His infamous skit, Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV, resulted in a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court — a decision which defined the FCC’s power over broadcasting indecent material.

Click here to read The Seven Money Jokes George Carlin Said on TV.

Who wants to be a millionaire? Just about everybody. But only a small percentage of people ever get there. You’ll find out why in Seth Godin’s book ‘The Dip’, a fabulous read for entrepreneurs and intrapeneurs. ‘The Dip’ is written from a business perspective but the concepts Godin writes about can be applied to any area of your life to help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. A Dip can occur in business, relationships, a fitness routine, a diet, school, your career, and your finances.

The Dip is the place we all reach when our project, job, or relationship stops being fun and we can no longer coast forward on the energy of enthusiasm. The Dip is when it’s time to dig deep and work through the pain or boredom so we can reach the goals we’ve set for ourselves. The Dip is the point in time we are most likely to quit the journey. Although, according to Godin, quitting is a good thing if we learn to quit the right things at the right time.

He also talks about the dreaded Cul-de-sac. You’re in a Cul-de-sac when you work very hard only to end up in the same place again and again.

So what kinds of Dips do we face when trying to reach our financial goals? What’s the difference between those who beat the Dip and those who end up in a financial Cul-de-sac? And when is it a good idea to quit your current strategy when it comes to managing your money?

Clearly for most Americans living within our means is hard. If it was easy then the national savings rate would be high and 60% of us wouldn’t have credit card debt. Putting together a plan to save money and get out of debt can feel exciting and empowering in the beginning. Once reality sinks in though, reaching your goal can feel like chipping away at a glacier with an ice pick. That feeling of overwhelm is what makes us vulnerable to giving up. In fact there are whole industries built around telling you to spend more than you’ve earned. We’ve been very conditioned to think that whatever our problem, spending is the answer.

Beating the Dip financially means keeping your mind focused on a larger goal and avoiding behaviors that will put you in the Cul-de-sac. Have you ever rewarded yourself for saving with a new gadget or expensive shoes? Think it’s alright to charge a few things here and there since your balances are low again? If you answered yes to either then you might be on your way to a house in the Cul-de-sac. Assuming of course you can afford one.

Did you make a bad investment or a dumb move with your credit? Have the courage to face that and quit before it costs you too much. According to Godin, quitting when you’re on the wrong path allows you to free up time and money for finding the right path. If you know you’ve landed in a Cul-de-sac then quitting is absolutely vital. The critical lesson of the book however is recognizing when you’re in a Dip and not letting the pressure cause you to quit something of value. If you can keep the big picture in mind and not be distracted by temptation or ego then you can eventually achieve your goals, financial and otherwise.

Being a Geezeo user already gives you an edge over those who haven’t chosen to make their money a priority. We’ve got free tools and a whole community of people to help you get through your Dip. And we’ll all be here to applaud you on your first million so don’t quit!

Commit to your financial goals! Declare and share on the Geezeo goals page.

What can a community of like-minded people do for your finances? How does Geezeo help you “get a grip” on your money? Geezeo user Andrew Young asked, and posted the results on his blog. But who is Andy?

Andy is a student at University of Dubuque. He’s a double major in Flight Operations and Aviation Management. His interest in trading stock lead him to Zecco.com, and eventually Geezeo. Congrats, Andy, for getting a grip on your personal finances early in life!

Says Andy of using Geezeo: “What I like the most, my life is just a little more simple now that I can have all of my financial stuff in one place.” Cool. That’s one of our favorite parts, too.

Read the article here. Check out Andy’s personal site or join the active group of Zecco/Geezeo users, here.

Are you trying to manage your money during a major life change? Life changes can be stressful. Life changes can be positive (marriage, new baby, graduation) as well as negative (death, divorce, etc).

And think: all of those events are also tied to personal finance. Your money!

So how can you cope? A lot of it depends on your approach to your life as well as your wallet. I spoke with Rebecca Rodskog of Rodskog Change Consulting about the intersection of life changes and money pressures.

Becky, you specialize in helping people make life transitions. You’ve discovered that almost all clients have some degree of fear. And frequently, these fears are tied to money.

Without breaking client confidentiality, what are some broad examples of lifestyle changes dampered by money fears?

Example #1: Highly skilled, well-compensated executives who become “trapped� – they fear they will never make as much money doing what they love. So they stay where they are: stuck and sad.

Example #2: Moms who had a career or job pre-children who have wrapped identity around financial contribution to the family. Even if they are not happy in their job and don’t necessarily “need� to work, many continue working and sacrifice time with their children not only to contribute financially, but also because they don’t want to lose their identity as part of the workforce. They have a hard time valuing the role of a stay at home mother – what Oprah, and many others including myself, call the “hardest job in the world!� They fear that they will lose their sense of self if they are not making money.

Example #3: Ambitious individuals who believe in the “work hard now, play hard later� mentality. They don’t believe they can enjoy the journey AND make money AND be successful, so they sacrifice now so they can enjoy life “later�. They fear that if they enjoy life now, they won’t make as much and/or won’t be able to retire later.

Some common financial fears include: fear of not having enough, fear of exposure, fear of losing social/family standing if your financial situation changes. Do you think these fears are justified?

First of all, all fears are “justified� – they are what they are. We all have fears and money can bring out the worst! Fear can do two things – it can propel us into action or it can cause us to stagnate. In all of these cases, people may use fear as an excuse to not change and take control. What I believe is that once you’ve identified your fear, and done some research into where the fear comes from, the next step is “what are you going to do about it?!� You need to take control. If you have a fear of not having enough money, what are you doing about it? I find many people, unfortunately, are not doing anything – they have become stagnant. I help people create an action plan to break through the fear and take control. Track your expenses! Make a budget! Start a 401K! Whatever it takes to expose the fear and stomp it out.

Why do you think people latch onto finances as a reason/excuse not to change?

One of the first things I do with my clients is talk about their values. What makes them tick? What makes them “humâ€?? After the blank look fades from their face (many have never even considered this question), the answer is almost never “money”. But unfortunately, so much of what we are told is that money is the answer to everything…money is happiness. People start to believe that without money, they cannot be happy. They end up forgoing things that they value in order to pursue financial security, vs. believing that if they pursue what makes them happy, the money will come. They use money as an excuse to not pursue their passions because they don’t even understand their values or what makes them happy. Their choices and decisions are based on what people/society has told them they “shouldâ€? do. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a very practical person. You can’t blow your trust fund partying because it makes you “happyâ€? and then wonder why you’re broke. I’m talking about TRUE passions and values – it’s amazing how hard you’ll work if it’s something you love. You might not even realize you’re working!

What is an example of a financial fear hindering a client’s change or personal progress?

I had a client who was an experienced marketing executive who wanted to start her own business. She was extremely passionate about it. However, she continued to do her old work because of fear. She didn’t believe that people would really pay her to do the things she loved. She had a lot of identity tied into who she was at her old job. She even created a budget that would support her through the change. But she wasn’t willing to give up the identity and the lifestyle to pursue her dream. Yet, she wanted to contribute in a way that she thought other people would find “valuable.” This fear disabled her ability to find her true joy. Happily, however, we made a plan together and worked on overcoming both her social and financial fears. Now she does what she loves, and makes money doing it!

What are some ways to mentally “re-frame” how your finances will impact a life decision?

I always go back to values. What do you love??? Where is the love? Where is the joy? And then I get down to brass tacks. Make A Plan. Using your values as your guide for ALL decisions, create your goals. Make them measurable. I don’t want to see “make more money� or “be happier� – what does that MEAN? Then comes the baby steps. Don’t focus on the big change all the time, focus on this week. Then celebrate the successes along the way! It will take time to get to the end of the trip, so make sure you’re enjoying the ride! Every week should be filled with celebrations. Finally, don’t be hard on yourself if you don’t get everything done every week – that’s totally normal! Even the best goal setters only achieve their goals 80% of the time. Life moves and changes and shifts and the best thing you can do is enjoy the journey.

Thanks, Rebecca! If you’re feeling overwhelming by life changes and need some coaching Rebecca is the person to contact. Find her at her website, Rodskog Change Consulting.

Need to discuss how money influences your life? Want to see what’s bothering others? Join a Group or browse Money Confessions.

“…my wife and I have come up with a plan to be retired at age 38…”

During a war it might seem inappropriate to discuss personal finance issues that concern soldiers. However, soldiers are people, too, and they have financial concerns just like everyone else.

I’m proud to introduce Taurean Washington, a Geezeo user and military professional. He was kind enough to answer some questions for us and offer a peek into military life. You can find Taurean in the Geezeo group “Combat Investors”.

Taurean, how are you involved in the military? What is your job?

I am a second generation Soldier. Before me, my grandmother’s four sons (my uncles) served one in each of the combative military services so one in the Marines, Army, Navy, and Air Force. My wife’s father serves in the Army as well, he retires later this year. Before I joined, my eldest brother served in the Navy before becoming an officer in the Air Force. I serve in the Army as an officer. I manage maintenance operations for engineer units.

Who manages your finances while you’re in a war zone?

I manage my finances regardless of where I am because I am rarely at home. To keep things simple, my wife and I maintain and manage our finances separately. I handle all of the non-recurring bills (credit, etc.) and investments while she handles the everyday and the recurring bills (phone, internet, etc.).

Most civilians can’t appreciate the myriad of sacrifices military people make in service to our country. Beyond the patriotism required to serve, would you say that some of the financial benefits of service influenced your decision to join the military?

The main financial benefit for me at this point is stability. The possibility of being fired, or laid off, or any of the things that exist in the real world I am afforded oblivion.

What are some financial incentives to serve? For example, GI bill gives soldiers a way to afford college, some for the first time. VA home loans give favorable interest rates so soldiers can build wealth through home ownership. And finally, all military personnel can choose to shop at the “PX”, which has highly discounted prices on items like food. What are some others?

The things that you mentioned plus tax benefits. For example, some of my pay is received as allowances that are not viewed as taxable income. There are other benefits as well including retirement, legal services, medical insurance, deployments, and even fitness. Specifically, I can retire after only 20 years of service and begin receiving my pension immediately. Legally I am afforded law services and counsel at no cost. My medical healthcare is free and my family’s is inexpensive. Deployment benefits include federal tax exemption and family separation pay. Finally, the fitness benefit is that there are gymnasiums and recreational services available at no cost wherever we are stationed. On a separate retirement note, my wife and I have come up with a plan to be retired at age 38 for both of us and it is achievable without ever having to work again.

Do you think these financial incentives are generous enough relative to what is asked of our service people? What would you change?

I would honestly only ask that some of the same problems being discussed at the federal level be repaired for us as well. Social Security is my biggest gripe. Many military members feel that their pay is inefficient and to an extent it is but to consider the life value, there is no compensation that the average person would accept for death (in the most extreme case). There are many hardships endured in this life that many can’t begin to identify with and I am incapable of explaining. In recent months, I was given the opportunity to spend more of my time in the world as you know it and I felt like an alien; I didn’t speak the same language, value the same things, etc.

What are your plans for life after service? Or do you intend to make this your career?

This is my career and I would like to buy a set of town houses or apartments to manage and dwell in. Beyond that I plan to walk around the house in my underwear and Burberry goulashes after sleeping until I no longer feel like it.

Any other thoughts?

I dream of being rich now but I have a thorough understanding of how that could ruin my life. I try and wait patiently but darn it if I could get there already!

Thanks, Taurean! We wish you the best of luck in your financial pursuits and thank you for your service to our country. The fact remains that our servicemen and servicewomen put a tremendous amount on the line — more than many of us can appreciate. Thanks for sharing a bit about your life and wallet.

What are your thoughts? We aren’t shy from discussing the intersection of money and politics here at Geezeo. Discover what other members think of a variety of issues in Groups such as Iraq Contractors or say hello in Taurean’s group, Combat Investors. Or browse our other money and politics articles such as “Name Your Biggest Issues for World and Wallet”.

Does your mind control your money habits? Or do you let your emotions do that? Have your considered how your emotions play a role in your money decisions? Here are some examples:

Anger
Have you ever be so angry with someone that you spent money just to get even with them?

Guilt
Have you ever felt guilty about doing or even not doing something so you bought that person a gift to make yourself feel better about the situation?

Jealousy and Competition
Have you ever bought something just because someone else had it, even though you didn’t really need it?

Depression
Do you go shopping when you are feeling down? Have you spent money that you didn’t really have just because you thought that buying yourself something would help make you feel better?

Joy
Have you decided that you should celebrate for some reason by buying something that you want but don’t really need?

Loneliness and Boredom
Have you ever gotten off work and avoided going home because no one was there? Did you go shopping so you wouldn’t have to be alone?

Can you see how your emotions can sometimes play a large role in the way or reasons that you spend your money? Why not sit down and take a closer look at your recent purchases and decide why you “had to have it”.

Have you made some emotional decisions that you want to confess or get advice on? Confess here, or you can talk about it in Emotional Spenders or Shopaholics.

And what better way to keep track of your spending habits than by uploading all of your accounts into Geezeo? Take control, let your mind do the spending, and leave your heart to the loving.

“I’m also a big fan of the iRobot Vacuum cleaners.”

Does managing money take a lot of effort? Well, that depends on you. Some are satisfied with cranking things on auto-pilot. Others manage every detail down to the color of their accountant’s tie. (Note to Sam: yes, blue really is your color!)

But the largest vote is this: being lazy with your money.

That sounds negative, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Being “lazy” can actually mean that you maximize your time and resources. And in a world where time is money, that’s good. I spoke with the man behind the blog “Lazy Man and Money” to see how he does it.

Lazy Man, how did you come to start a finance blog?

Like many good things, it all happened by chance. I was at the
dentist’s office and I picked up a Business Week magazine. I found an
article featuring personal finance blogs… and one in particular
caught my eye. Since I lived in Boston, Boston Gal’s Open
Wallet caught my attention. When I got back home, I started
reading her blog. I got hooked on it and some other blogs she linked
to. A few months later, I decided that I had some unique views that
couldn’t be expressed commenting on blogs, so I decided to write about
my experiences with money.

You say that you are “lazy” but I’m guessing not in the strict sense. You seem to emphasize working smarter for the largest potential payback of time/resources/energy.

What’s a good example of this laziness in action? (Wait… lazy but in action… that’s an oxymoron, right?)

You are right about the “lazy” part. I’m really only lazy when it
comes to repetitive household chores. The shower cleaning post is a
good one. I’m also a big fan of the iRobot Vacuum cleaners.

[Editor’s Note: Me, too. We bought an iRobot for our grandmother. Works perfectly, but, she thinks it sends spy messages to the KGB…]

I’ve always believed in trying to work smarter before settling on working
harder as a last resort. It’s helped me in every aspect of life.

What aspects of your financial life have you automated to make it as
simple as possible?

Sadly, not as many as I would like. I work on several side businesses
now, but when I had a full-time job, I’d max out my 401K plan. I’d
have direct deposit of my paycheck into my main bank account. I have
my cable, land line, and cell phone bills charge a credit card. I pay
my mortgage each month through online banking. I write a check and
use snail mail every month to pay off the credit card in full. I
should do it electronically (and occasionally I do), but I haven’t
done it with the consistency that I should.

In your opinion, what are some of the ways people complicate their
financial lives?

I think most people complicate their financial lives by being afraid.
Some people feel that they don’t know how to invest and stay away out
of fear. People hate losing money and when the stock market goes
down, they sell instead of buying more at a discount. There are other
circumstances where a couple simply won’t have the same financial
philosophies. That leads to some complicated compromises.

Some people think being frugal is a waste of time if time equals money. What do you think?

For example, is it worth a lazy person’s efforts to check Craigslist for weeks to find a second-hand washing machine?

I think there’s often a smarter way to do things. I don’t check
Craigslist for cheap items… Craigslist tells me as soon as my item
is available at a price that I’m willing to pay. Explaining how I do
it is a little long for this interview, but you can read how to save
money with Craigslist on my blog.

Final thoughts as you see it from the intersection of Lazy Avenue and Money Way?

I see too many people work extremely hard for their money and then not
think about how they spend and invest it. I would encourage people to
think of money as a key to freedom. Having money opens up a lot of
doors that are closed to people that don’t have money. You might want
to think how much you are pushing back your retirement the next time
you think about buying the next ultra-cool iGadget or your 30th pair of shoes.

Yes, I agree. So many people work hard… but then drop the ball when it comes to really maximizing their hard-won money with budgeting and investing. What a shame! That’s why everyone on our small team here at Geezeo works so hard to build out easy-to-use budgeting and investing tools. We’re not lazy but we like using our time and resources wisely, too.

Awesome idea about using the RSS feeds on Craigslist! I never noticed the RSS feature before and that’s a great time/money management idea. I’ll set one today to find my very own iRobot…!

Feeling not-so-lazy? Then mosey over to Lazy Man’s blog, Lazy Man and Money and discover more lazy-man-money-behavior in action. Thanks for participating, Lazy Man!

“We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like.”

Are you a stay-at-home parent? Managing the family’s finances frequently falls into overall household management. We spoke with Geezeo member Amber Jones about what it’s like to balance the books. How does she do it juggling all the other important tasks of managing a household? What are some challenges?

Whether or not you are a stay-at-home parent, many of us can relate to the myriad of other life distractions that can keep us from being focused on our budgets.

Amber, where do you live?

I live in the little town of Selma, North Carolina.

I understand you have two sons. How old are they?

Hayden is a 3 year old and Braxton is a year old.

You must have your hands full! Are you the primary bookkeeper at your home?

Yes, I take care most of it (like budgeting where money should go and then actually making the payments),and then my husband, well, he is in on it. I show him what the plan is for the paycheck, and then after pay day, I show him what we have left and why.

Was that a decision you and your husband planned, or did it just happen?

When we were dating, I made it very clear to him that I would not allow us to have the same…â€?issuesâ€? that he was having on his own (e.g, bounced checks). So once we were married, it was kind of a “plannedâ€? thing that I would take over, meaning, he knew it was an inevitable consequence of marrying me. LOL.

What’s been the biggest adjustment managing your own finances compared to when you were single or childless?

Well, before I married my husband, I lived at home, so I didn’t have many bills (car payment, insurance). So I blew most of my money on just “thingsâ€? – non-essentials. So I guess I didn’t really think about it. Before the boys were around, we could go out and eat, and do “extrasâ€? – like bowling, or going to the movies, even paying for others, like my husband’s little brother and sister, and let them tag along. It was fun. But once the boys were here, that all changed. We couldn’t be as “socialâ€?.

What are some financial challenges stay-at-home parents face?

Well, for us, the big thing is that we are trying to stay balanced. We want to give the boys what they need. You know, not running out there trying to buy them the best name-brand clothes, or high tech gadgets. We are currently a one income family and that means that we may not be able to splurge as much as we like. So we have to stay as frugal as possible with some things.

We know that if I were to go outside of our home to try to find a job, the income may be just enough to cover child-care for the two boys, so I couldn’t imagine spending that much time away from them if it isn’t really going to benefit us that much. I posted in a group not too long ago either about how it is hard dealing with friends who don’t have to be as frugal since they are just a couple, both working.

What’s some advice or coping mechanisms you’d recommend to other stay-at-home parents who manage kids and the household cashflow?

Well, I recommend not trying to “buy� your kids happiness, for sure! They are just happy that mommy and daddy are taking care of them. As long as the family is happy and healthy, and you have a roof over your head, and clothes on your back, and your belly’s full, then money doesn’t matter anyway. Money really can’t buy happiness.

But outside of that, you have the real world to pay for, and here recently, one of the best things I have come across is learning to be a “coupon mom�. It takes time and patience. You have to be willing to sit down and read the sales papers. But it all pays off in the end. I have been able to find some really good deals.

Anything else?

I love, love, love Geezeo, and I think it is a great tool to help keep everyone - from single, to married, to parents - on top of what’s going on. It’s a great way to help keep yourself focused and aware of where you are. Things happen, and changes may come your way. But I read somewhere once that you should keep your goals the same, because the road to getting there is where there should be flexibility because of the unexpected road blocks.

Amber, great closing statement. You can’t predict life but you can make the best adjustments given your options. Planning ahead can help and clearly you’re on the path to doing just that. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us and share your personal experience.

I encourage all of you out there to join Amber in her group, Financially Frugal Families. Drop her a line with your own suggestions on managing the dual challenges of a running a family household and a family’s budget.

“Money is simple: it’s a currency, a unit of choice…”

This is Part 2 of yesterday’s discussion about money with my friend Allah Jesus Ali, founder of the community website and radio show, Real Talk. If you missed it, here’s the link.

Why is it important to pay attention and possibly change your attitudes toward money?

Well for some it may not be important. We can ask ourselves one question to see if it is something that may be important to us, and that question is: “Am I satisfied with my current financial position?” If the answer is “yes”, then it isn’t important to change our attitude toward money. If the answer is “no”, then it’s extremely important to change our attitude toward money. It’s only important to change if you want something to change. If you want your money to change, then pay attention, because as my mentor always says, “if you don’t pay attention, you’re going to pay somebody.”

How can people use money for the “greater good”?

Tithe, donate, use it to educate those that do not know how to mange it, and so on. More importantly, if you have a passion, fund it… and fund it heavily. Nothing else helps the “greater good” like healthy, happy people who can then spread that joy and knowledge of success to others.

What’s your favorite money management tip?

A simple one from Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad). Pay yourself first. If you’re employed, by the time you get your check Uncle Sam has already taken his cut. So don’t give everyone else their cut as well before you get yours.

Create three funds — it can be cookie jars, or bank accounts — where you save an equal amount each week or month. One fund is for your savings, the second for your tithing/donations, and the last for your investments. Do this more to create the habit, rather than worry about the amount of money. These three funds should be collectively 30% of your take home pay. Then use the other 70% to manage your life. After some time and consistency, you’ll notice that you’ve learned to take care of you, before you take care of everyone else.

Final thoughts when it comes to real talk about money?

Money is simple: it’s a currency, a unit of choice. If we think of money as simply what it is, then everything else falls into perspective. It’s like everything else — managed correctly you can enjoy the benefits of its presence, and incorrectly managed it will make you a slave. Your choice. You choose. Real Talk. This IS about you.

Well said, Allah! I like the idea of money as “unit of choice”. (I think you could market that!) I agree that every bit of money in your life (in whatever amount) presents a “unit of choice”. Spend wisely or spend foolishly and the results will show up in your life. I also like what you said about giving — it’s probably our biggest choice we can make with money and our lives!

Thanks for your participation, Allah, and thanks for taking the time to offer us some “Real Talk”. Folks, if you’re seeking a good place to discuss your specific money concerns or goals, check out Geezeo’s Groups and Goals. As always, you can use Geezeo to manage your money no matter where you are - for free. Yes, some of the best things in life are free!

“Of course we talk about sex more than money. I’ve probably thought about it 1 or 2 times since the beginning of this interview…”

How many friends do you have with whom you can engage thoughtful, meaningful conversation? For many of us, friends like these are few. First, you have to have a certain level of trust. And hey, it’s usually a lot easier to have superficial conversation about superficial topics.

Thankfully, there are alternatives if you’re craving deeper conversations. In fact, my friend Allah Jesus Ali is building a community called “Real Talk” on this very concept: meaningful conversation. He hosts regular salon-format discussion groups on a number of topics as well as hosts an internet radio show.

So, how can people get real when it comes to talking about money? Here’s the first part of our discussion.

Allah, what’s Real Talk?

Real Talk is mainly a discussion group and a community. Ultimately it’s a lifestyle (being a Real Talker) by which you choose to live — the lifestyle of going beyond the superficial stuff, and really getting to the authentic root of things. A couple of friends and I started it back in June of 2006 because our business wasn’t doing to well, we were focused too much on money; so to bring some heart back into the picture, we started having weekly discussions to dismantle our drama. Soon we opened it up to our peers. Now Real Talk is an event that hosts over 500 people a month in multiple countries. In it’s entirety, Real Talk consists of three components: first the heart of Real Talk, the one-on-one conversation, or group discussion, then the large events where you learn how to have Real conversations with others and strangers, and lastly the website, www.talking4real.com, designed to keep Real Talkers up to date with useful tips, topics, and the happenings.

Why do you think people have difficulty discussing money? Don’t we talk about our sex lives more easily than our finances?

Smiles! Of course we talk about sex more than money, I’ve probably thought about it 1 or 2 times since the beginning of this interview, but money — I think I’ve thought about that more. About the money thing though, we attach to much to it, so we have difficulty talking about it. Think about it, if you go out and ask 100 people what money is to them, they’ll all give you a different answer. We tie it to our livelihood, it’s our measure of success, it’s our piece of mind, it’s our health, etc. So when someone brings up the topic of money, they bring up all those other discussions too. Not to mention traditional opinions of money, such as “it’s the root of evil.” I don’t like that one, but some people believe it. We always equate it mentally and emotionally to more than just the piece of paper or fabric in our hands. As a result it’s always committed to being a touchy subject.

How can you start having an honest discussion about money?

First things first, get to the real deal about it. We have to take a look at our bank accounts, check our stashes, get a pen and paper and write down all of what we have, then sit there and observe ourself. Chances are, if we don’t have enough we’ll be mentally disgusted and cursing ourself out in our head. If we have what we need or more, we’ll be praising ourself. Either way it really isn’t who we are. Once we take an earnest shot at realizing that the numbers are just the numbers, and what is just is, then we can move forward.

What are some common “lies” people tell themselves when it comes to money? How can these attitudes be changed?

Some of the common lies are that there’s never enough, or that we can’t have as much as we want, it’s the “root of evil,” etc. The attitudes can be changed the same way they were created, simply create a positive affirmation and continuously say that instead of what you usually say. If you’re always saying “I don’t have enough,” instead say, “I always have enough and always when I need it.”

Stay tuned tomorrow when Allah offers some words: “if you don’t pay attention, you’re going to pay somebody.” So true. That’s one of the benefits of changing your internal dialogue about money — start paying attention and you can find the courage to change. Thanks, Allah!

Stay tuned for tomorrow. And if you can’t wait to hear more, head over to Real Talk’s website and listen to a show: http://www.talking4real.com/