A few of us handle our money flawlessly. Sadly, the majority of us do not. Most of us make mistakes here and there. We make some mistakes more than others, because of our personalities, our upbringing… or sometimes even our gender.
Ridiculous? Perhaps, but true nonetheless.
Let me start with a brief disclaimer; not all women make these mistakes. Not all men avoid them. It just seems that a lady is more likely to commit them than a gentleman.
We’ll show you the top seven mistakes women make — and what to do instead.
Feeling Guilty
The majority of women have felt guilty about a purchase. But that’s not the only opportunity for guilt. There’s also staying in a job you feel guilty about abandoning or giving someone money because you feel guilty about their situation. This guilt effect might not be limited to finances, either. It’s just that women are naturally more compassionate and empathetic than men, ergo, more inclined to feel any kind of guilt.
Saving Others
It’s long been said that women are more empathetic than men — they’re instinctively attuned to what others are thinking and feeling, whereas male empathy is conditional on a moral judgment. In other words, they empathize only if the other person is worthy. So when women are actively trying to be understanding and naturally not judging, you get saviors.
The savior lends money to her mother/sister/friend/boyfriend/neighbor to alleviate their burdens by taking on that burden herself. Lending money is a lovely gesture, but it’s even nicer to help them set up a long-term financial plan.
Not Advocating for Yourself
Women can have trouble saying no. Whether in the office or at home, some women have a hard time advocating for themselves, especially when it means turning down a request. And it’s understandable. Although women who advocate for themselves in the workplace are rewarded with due promotion, such behavior is often perceived as “aggressive” and “unlikeable” when it’s from someone wearing heels. But you can do more than just ask nicely to get your money back. It’s important that you sign a contract or agreement when borrowing or lending a considerable amount of money.
Retail Therapy
Retail therapy, or shopping to influence your mood, is both common and unwise. A number of women shop to “cheer themselves up.” Bad spending habits and emotional spending is one of the main culprits that lead to retail therapy.
Hopefully, with your help, we at pesatalk can come up with solutions to these mistakes. Let us know on our Twitter and Facebook profiles.
(Adapted from The Huffington Post)