Originally posted on Money with Merne’s Facebook Page on May 10, 2017:
I had a great lunch catching up with a financial friend recently and it prompted me to remind you all of a Suze Orman saying that I probably haven’t promoted too much on this page but I wholeheartedly believe. She closed every show with this:
“People first, then money, then things”
What does people first mean? It means if you have some financial setbacks to be able to spend time with a terminally-ill family member, THAT comes first. A trip for a family reunion, wedding or a funeral. (Within reason on the first two – if you’re asked to be a bridesmaid and spend over $1000 in that role and you can’t afford it, figure out how to dial that back or get out of it!) People can also mean YOURSELF. You can’t take care of everyone else at the expense of taking care of yourself and YOUR finances. You shouldn’t be helping others (financially) if it’s hurting you.
So when an expenditure comes up, ask yourself which category it falls into and what your priorities are!