Did You Know Money is an Emotional Issue For Most of Us?

Someone I know told me this story.  She went through a fast food drive-through and was short-changed by the cashier.  She had given her a $20 and the cashier said she gave her a $10.  She knew she was correct because she only had a $20 bill with her.  The manager said "I believe it was $10, would you like me to close the drawer and recount it?"  

There was a long line of cars behind her.  She was intimidated, took the change for the $10 and left.  What would you do?  It's one thing to stand up for yourself one on one. It's another thing to stand up for yourself in front of a crowd, making bystanders wait for 10 minutes.

I was in a retail store a few weeks ago and the man in front of me in line indicated his purchase was supposed to be 30% off.  The manager got involved and she mumbled something about a coworker applying the stickers making a mistake.  She said they could honor the discount but would have to start the entire sale over, making me wait.  I mentioned that was fine with me, I wasn't in a hurry, but the customer told them to forget about it and he left, paying the higher price.

In both instances, I believe the stores were incorrect in their handling of the situations.  There had to be an easier way to make things work.  Neither consumer was trying to take advantage.  

Money is an emotional issue.  Worthiness issues come out often when money is involved.  Sometimes I have valuable coupons I can't use and offer them to people in line.  Most of the time, they say "no".  Do you pass up free money?  Do you respect money?  Do you count your change and check receipts?

Sometimes it's a better choice to leave a situation, even knowing you were correct, based on the circumstances.  It is worthwhile to understand your personal money patterns.  If you have a situation that comes up over and over again for you, it helps to begin to pay attention to the patterns.

Money patterns are developed.  Your current standard of living doesn't always dictate how you react.  It is usually childhood conditioning, in addition to what you have in the bank now, that affects how we handle money today.  The underlying feelings about a situation give you the best information.  

Dr. Brad Klontz talks about money disorders in the article "Mind Over Money" in Psychology Today.  "Money Disorders are persistent patterns of self-destructive and self-limiting financial behaviors. They result from distorted beliefs about money we develop from our financial flashpoint experiences. Financial flashpoints are painful, distressing, and/or dramatic life events associated with money that are so emotionally powerful, they leave an imprint that lasts into adulthood. Financial flashpoints become the foundation of our financial struggles.

Whether it's a childhood of poverty or want, a message about money subconsciously internalized from a parent, a nest egg lost to an economic downturn later in life, or someone rushing in at the last moment to save the economic day, everyone has experienced a financial flashpoint in their lives. Recognizing them is the first step in stripping them of their power, and overcoming our money disorders. Then we can learn to identify our money beliefs, spot them when they are creeping into our minds, and revise them into healthier, more productive ones."

As Dr. Klontz states, awareness of our money triggers is the first step to breaking a cycle. Since most of us have had a negative experience with money, the experience starts a pattern of a negative outlook with money, if it's not processed in a healthy way when it originally happens.  If you don't have an emotional reaction to stressful money situations, consider yourself one of the lucky ones:)

Have a wonderful day!
Xo
Conni

Today's Mantra:  I choose to be aware of my emotional reaction to stressful money situations.

Mantra for Every Day: I choose to send love to all; receiving love back multiplied in infinite proportions, creating and nurturing pathways of love.