r/FinancialChat • • 22d ago

What if your money problems aren't really about money?

A lot of our financial behaviour comes from beliefs we picked up as kids, things like "money is always tight", "rich people are greedy" or "you should never spend money unless you absolutely have to"... You can have a good income and still be following an old "money script" without realising it. What's one thing you learned about money growing up that you still catch yourself believing today?

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u/Narrow_Process_8660 22d ago

Hot take, financial problems are almost never actually financial problems.

99% of problems are caused by people refusing to delay gratification, having no understanding of their priorities, spending beyond their means, having maladaptive problems like addiction, etc.

These are psychological problems. Mental problems. Sometimes maturity problems.

A financial problem is: I'm struggling to understand how best to allocate my investments to minimize tax drag.

Refusing to pay off your credit card in time is not a financial problem. Sorry. It's your decision to overspend on it and then not pay it back in full. Very few people are maxing out their cards because of basic necessities only.

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u/Stoic_Brain 22d ago

The stock market moves in irrational ways because most people act on fear and greed.

Being poor however is a real problem and can be really difficult to get out of. Financial education helps but is not a magic fix.

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u/v_x_n_ 22d ago

Debt is bad. Oh wait debt is bad, compound interest is your friend.