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Overview
3 "Taboo" Money Topics We Should Be Discussing
Talking openly about money has been seen as taboo for years. But it seems that millennials are now trying to buck the trend. A recent Wall Street Journal article noted that young adults are more open to talking about their finances than older generations — and this might be a good thing. Here are three money topics that you might come across.
- Debt
Having debt from student loans, credit cards, car loans, etc. is very common, but it’s a topic that many people shy away from discussing.
Many people try to downplay their debt because it makes them face the reality of potentially living beyond their means. Being more open about this can open potential ways to deal with it and find solutions rather than keeping it away. It is so important to discuss because, oftentimes, there are people that have gone through similar situations that could potentially share some advice to help out. - Budgeting & Spending
Because we tend to keep the basics of our financial lives very quiet, it can be challenging to gauge how your financial situation compares to others.
Pressures from social media make it easy to feel like you are not on pace with your peers when it comes to finances. Without open discussions, we make assumptions and jump to conclusions about how successful other people are or are not. Talking about money with your close family or friends can clear up the uncertainty and help you set realistic expectations with your own budgeting and spending plan. - Your financial goals
Money can be a taboo topic amongst couples, but it’s essential to make sure that you and your partner are aligned with your finances. Please discuss with your significant other regularly to talk about your financial goals and strategies to reach them. Talk openly about your attitudes and beliefs about money. Topics can include “What could you absolutely not live without if we made less money?” Tackling these topics head-on in advance instead of avoiding them can help you have those values discussions constructively and prepare you for the tactical decisions you’ll need to make if and when those events occur.
- Debt