It's OK to Talk About Loved Ones' Finances
By Dayana Yochim
Prying into people's financial affairs is gauche. Ignoring money issues -- those of your pals, parents, or offspring -- is an even bigger faux pas.
But we pay a high price when we keep mum about money. Kids repeat the credit-card sins of their parents. Co-workers settle for lesser raises than they might be entitled to. And heartache and unanswered questions come up when relatives pass without vocalizing their final wishes.
Sometimes you simply have to put it all on the table.
Prod your parents
Do you know what your parents make (or made when they were working)? What was their monthly mortgage payment? What financial and professional sacrifices did they make to have kids or to keep the family business in the family?
This stuff just doesn't just come up during your regular every-other-Sunday dinner. But why not bring it up when it's time for you to buy your first (or third) home or decide on public or private school for your kids? You may learn something.
In the future, talking about long-term care insurance and living on a fixed income won't seem as awkward. It gives you a chance to hear your parents' wishes and for them to learn about yours.
Teach your kids
Do your kids know what it costs to put a roof over their heads and macaroni and cheese in their tummies? Why not?
When your tykes are old enough and start to realize that the green stuff equals more toys, start talking about what it means to budget. Tell them how you make your money decisions -- why they can't have an Xbox and how come Leif gets more lunch money than Lisa. (The lunches at his school cost more!)
Consider an open-checkbook policy, and find ways to expose your little lovelies to some of the financial products -- particularly the siren song of credit cards on their college campuses -- that will be hurled at them the moment they reach the age of consent.
Chat with your pals
How do your friends and peers spend their paychecks? Do they max out contributions to their 401(k) accounts? What does their weekly grocery bill come to? Where did Jenny get that fabulous sweater?
When my extremely frugal neighbors moved out of their apartment into a dream mid-century modern home in a tony neighborhood, it became crystal-clear why we always had cocktails at their apartment instead of at the corner bar. (So that's what it takes to amass a decent-size down payment.)
The whole salary issue is too touchy for many, but my close friends in the biz have long shared with each other what we're paid. Our open salary exchange gives us a good barometer of what's happening in our industry -- all around the country -- and whether our employers are keeping pace.
Reveal your deepest, darkest money secrets to strangers
There's nothing like the safety of a made-up screen name and a bunch of money-savvy strangers. If you're a little too squeamish to talk finances with your circle of friends, consider asking questions on the Fool Discussion Boards.
Someday, money won't be a conversational third rail. In the meantime, try a little bit of financial openness with close friends and family. Talk about your next major purchase and how long it's taking you to save for it. See what you learn when you're open about money issues. Don't feel obligated to broach the topic in hush-hush tones just because it's the polite thing to do.
Prying into people's financial affairs is gauche. Ignoring money issues -- those of your pals, parents, or offspring -- is an even bigger faux pas.
But we pay a high price when we keep mum about money. Kids repeat the credit-card sins of their parents. Co-workers settle for lesser raises than they might be entitled to. And heartache and unanswered questions come up when relatives pass without vocalizing their final wishes.
Sometimes you simply have to put it all on the table.
Prod your parents
Do you know what your parents make (or made when they were working)? What was their monthly mortgage payment? What financial and professional sacrifices did they make to have kids or to keep the family business in the family?
This stuff just doesn't just come up during your regular every-other-Sunday dinner. But why not bring it up when it's time for you to buy your first (or third) home or decide on public or private school for your kids? You may learn something.
In the future, talking about long-term care insurance and living on a fixed income won't seem as awkward. It gives you a chance to hear your parents' wishes and for them to learn about yours.
Teach your kids
Do your kids know what it costs to put a roof over their heads and macaroni and cheese in their tummies? Why not?
When your tykes are old enough and start to realize that the green stuff equals more toys, start talking about what it means to budget. Tell them how you make your money decisions -- why they can't have an Xbox and how come Leif gets more lunch money than Lisa. (The lunches at his school cost more!)
Consider an open-checkbook policy, and find ways to expose your little lovelies to some of the financial products -- particularly the siren song of credit cards on their college campuses -- that will be hurled at them the moment they reach the age of consent.
Chat with your pals
How do your friends and peers spend their paychecks? Do they max out contributions to their 401(k) accounts? What does their weekly grocery bill come to? Where did Jenny get that fabulous sweater?
When my extremely frugal neighbors moved out of their apartment into a dream mid-century modern home in a tony neighborhood, it became crystal-clear why we always had cocktails at their apartment instead of at the corner bar. (So that's what it takes to amass a decent-size down payment.)
The whole salary issue is too touchy for many, but my close friends in the biz have long shared with each other what we're paid. Our open salary exchange gives us a good barometer of what's happening in our industry -- all around the country -- and whether our employers are keeping pace.
Reveal your deepest, darkest money secrets to strangers
There's nothing like the safety of a made-up screen name and a bunch of money-savvy strangers. If you're a little too squeamish to talk finances with your circle of friends, consider asking questions on the Fool Discussion Boards.
Someday, money won't be a conversational third rail. In the meantime, try a little bit of financial openness with close friends and family. Talk about your next major purchase and how long it's taking you to save for it. See what you learn when you're open about money issues. Don't feel obligated to broach the topic in hush-hush tones just because it's the polite thing to do.
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