By Syble Soloman, columnist and creator of Money Habitudes

One day, when I was eight years old, my mom sent me to the corner grocery store to buy a few things. On the way home I managed to lose a 10 dollar bill. We retraced my steps but the money was nowhere to be found. My mother just sat down and wept. It was the first time I had seen her cry. That was all the money we had until her next payday and this was a disaster. I clearly got the message that money was very important and powerful since it could upset my mother. I also learned that money was something to be treated with great care and respect, definitely not something to let slip through your fingers. No one told me that - the experience created clear money messages that would be reinforced as I grew up.

I got a very different message that related to payday. My dad worked the night shift at a factory and got paid every Thursday. Each payday was a celebration of sorts, he would stop on his way home and buy a sack of White Castle hamburgers. It was thrilling to be allowed to break the normal rules and get up in the middle of the night to share this wonderful "feast" with our parents. I always associated getting paid with feeling special and doing things that would be impossible at any other time. I also got the message that even when there wasn't much money, spending a little to create a happy memory with your family is a good thing.

What were some of your early money messages?

Andrea says one of her messages was that talking about money was scary - very scary. Whenever money was mentioned in her family she knew her parents would inevitably start fighting. Her father would accuse her mother of spending too much and her mother would retaliate by yelling that he should earn more. Andrea hid in her room with the pillow over her head and never wanted to hear anyone talk about money again - ever.

Rod learned that people with money had power. When his dad would miss his baseball games he would tell Rod he was afraid he would lose his job if he didn't stay when his boss wanted him to do extra work. This message was reinforced when his mom would warn him and his sisters to be extra nice to Granny and Pops or they might not help them out when they needed extra money.

Donna grew up hearing that money, or rather the lack of it, was to blame for everything. She couldn't have a birthday party because there wasn't any money. Aunt Maddy couldn't leave her abusive husband and start a new life because she didn't have any money. Donna heard the message so often in so many ways she didn't realize there was more than one way to overcome obstacles.

Glen always saved his money but his mother would routinely "borrow" some. After a while, it didn't seem that saving paid off so he got in the habit of spending his money as as soon as possible. Conversely, Cherelle saved to pay for a class trip that was a wonderful experience. Her positive consequences resulted in the message that planning and saving was worth it so it became a habit for her.

Lastly, Frank remembered the time when he realized that it's worth sacrificing to reach a goal. Having his own room was his dream, so when his parents said they were saving to buy a bigger house, he decided he would do anything he could to help them. He didn't ask his parents for any extras that year and gave up a lot of things. He did get his own room when they moved and felt his sacrifices helped make it happen.

What money messages did you get from home?





© 2006 Syble Soloman. All rights reserved.

Back To Top

Discuss this topic in the Spouse Forums