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• The sucker factor: The cost of being unable to say no

  Posted Jun 27 2008, 05:57 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Giving, Simple Dollar, Budgeting
  Rating:

  This post comes from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.

  Alan wrote in with an interesting situation:

  My problem is that I can't say no to people. I am a sucker for Girl Scouts selling cookies. I am a sucker for salesmen at stores. I am a sucker for my church when they need money for something. I am a sucker for friends and family who need to borrow money. I am a sucker for the Green Party or Green Peace when they call and ask for money all the time. I have heard it called "the disease to please" before, and I just wanted you to know how much it affects me not only with a lot of stress and anxiety, but also financially. I don't think I am alone either. ... I am trying to empower myself by saying no to at least one person a day. It is not easy though. I always fear hurting people's feelings or making them angry. Your article today about the left and right brain was fascinating. It got me thinking about other parts of a person's psychological makeup that could potentially affect their spending habits. For me, if I could grow a backbone and say no to people, I would probably save $100 or $200 a month. Sometimes more.   Read More...

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• Superman syndrome: You don't need to be a financial hero

  Posted May 16 2008, 05:32 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Dining, Giving, Simple Dollar

  This post comes from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.

  When I was fresh out of college with my first high-paying job, I would insist on paying for everything -- meals out with friends, lattes at the coffee shop, even sometimes shopping purchases. I felt this deep need to step in, bust out my plastic and say, "I'll take care of it."

  The burning desire to always save the day led me down a path to a lot of debt.   Read More...

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• The costs of having children

  Posted Mar 14 2008, 06:20 AM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Spending, Family, Giving, Simple Dollar
  Rating:

  This post is from Trent Hamm at partner blog The Simple Dollar.

  Recently, I had coffee with an old friend who was torn over the decision to have a child. His spouse wants a child, as do his parents, but he doesn't feel ready to take that leap.

  I told him I thought he should stick to his guns on the subject, and he looked at me with a mix of shock and relief. He was sure I was going to try to talk him into having a child, given the value I've found in being a parent.

  But I made it very clear to him that there are a lot of deep costs to being a parent, and you need to be fully sure of your choice before stepping up to the plate.   Read More...

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