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I am 21 years old, I make roughly $50k, I definitely lean towards the frugal side. I live well below my means and invest and accumlate liquid savings into an interest bearing account with intentions of having a 20% down payment on a house three years from now. I have no debt besides a year left on a auto lease, I use credit cards as debit cards to earn cash back, to have fraud protection and to build credit, I have never paid interest on a credit card.
I try very hard to avoid being involved in financial conversations with co-workers because nearly everyone I work with is just beyond terrible with their finances, however I also want to help. So I try and offer advice, however my advice isn't valid due to being a 21 year old kid who doesn't have a clue... ok.... well according to the information above I'm doing okay. Or people will ask me how much money I have and I never throw numbers, I just say enough for what I need it for and then I start getting grilled about how saving is important, then I assure that I have plenty saved, then it's "oh must be nice"... ok.... I guess I really want to help people with improving their finances if I can, but then I end up looking like a bad person or that I am LUCKY because I am financially sound, when in reality I earned it... thoughts???
Something I've learned along the way is to never give advice unless somebody specfically asks for it, and they really want to listen and learn from you, or at least consider what you have to say. Most people's questions are rhetorical in nature -- they don't really care what you have to say, they already have their own opinion.
Money is one of those personal things that's really up to you and your spouse and those involved in your personal finances -- like your boss or investment adviser or your banker.
Seriously, how people handle money and their many opinions on the topic are similar to discussions about your sex life or your religion or your politics. You will almost always find 50% of the people who see things differently than you do and you are unlikely to change their view unless they come to you and ask for help.
Good for you doing all this at age 21. When you're 35 and own a decent house that's mostly paid for, drive a five year old economy car that's paid for, and you have established and funded college funds for your kids and have fully invested in your retirement accounts and personal investment accounts, those friends will come back and want to know how the heck you did it.
Just tell them, "I'm happy with the choices I'm making. I hope you're happy with your choices too." And then change the subject to something else.
Boom, perfect thank you very much. That was a very helpful answer!
@Anonymous wrote:
Haters gonna hate.
Shrink your circle of acquaintances.
I heard a quote: Look for the GOOD in people because good or bad, you will always find what you're looking for.
Some people seek to elevate themselves standing (with cleats) on the backs of others. If they can't find a reason to look down on you then it can make them angry and or suspicious.
Shrink your circle of acquaintances.
When dealing with idiots, just pretend to be fascinated by everything they say and then walk away.
I love this, I am very stubborn when it comes to people making dumb decisions. i.e; a guy I work with is 26 married with a kid and makes the same money I do, finances EVERYTHING, looks at everything in life as a payment. Still lives with his parents and is confused on why he can't get a loan for a house and I used to say oh ya you shouldn't have a $55k truck and a $15k ATV and go out gambling twice a month and he would endlessly justify all his unnecesary spending and I'm like okay this conversation is going no where and neither is this guy. I am going to have to keep repeating this quote to myself from now on
...and good for you for "getting it" at 21 years old!
@800who wrote:
...I am very stubborn when it comes to people making dumb decisions. i.e; a guy I work with is 26 married with a kid and makes the same money I do, finances EVERYTHING, looks at everything in life as a payment. Still lives with his parents and is confused on why he can't get a loan for a house and I used to say oh ya you shouldn't have a $55k truck and a $15k ATV and go out gambling twice a month and he would endlessly justify all his unnecesary spending ...
Hmmm. The title of your OP is: "Re: How do I deal with people shaming me for being financially sound" (the underline added by me)
Yet in this post you cite an example of you shaming a coworker.
So are you just looking for forum members to validate your sense of superiority towards others you work with?
mainemade you ask a really good life question. The posters in this thread shared information that applies to the bigger world of life.
Something you may not hear often and that is living in the circle of life, you can only control yourself! It took me way to long to learn this and once I accepted that fact, things became easier.
Not everyone thinks or acts the same. So what may be really simple for one person is a whole 'nother issue for someone else. Biting my tongue was difficult but it was required.
Think about this as your life will be much easier and you may have to "live and let live". Like a parent practicing "tough love" and letting their child fail.
Wish you the best on this as it is not easy to do.