How much does your family discuss money?

**Greebo** · 09-17-2009, 10:19 AM

Little survey here to check a statement I read recently.

I've heard it said that the wealthy talk about money a lot, while the middle class and the less prosperous don't talk about money nearly as much.

What is it in your house hold? How much time does your family spend talking about money - including household budgeting and spending, investment planning, and if you have kids, teaching them about the same?

**Greebo** · 09-17-2009, 10:21 AM

Ceashels and I pretty much talk money on a daily basis. It may be budget based, or discussing plans for the future, but we almost border on the More than daily vote.

**a.nonymous** · 09-17-2009, 10:35 AM

We hardly ever talked about money at my parents' home.
We basically had simple paradigms: (Almost) no money for free. Never, ever ask anyone how much they're worth/earning - it's none of your business.

This obviously meant that I had to work jobs around the house to earn pocket money on top of the "basic" amount (which was a rather symbolic amount).
If I wanted to go on vacation in summer, I had to work to pay for it myself. Drivers' license? Work for it. First car? Work for it. Cell phone? Show me you can make the monthly payments, and you're allowed to buy one with your own money.
We also never got money for birthdays, confirmations, christmas, or anything like that.

During the younger years that was challenging at times, as almost all of my friends would have their parents pay them their vacation abroad every summer, their drivers' licenses and, of course, their first cars. But by the time I hit 16+, I started to appreciate the wisdom in their point of view.

My parents are well off. I wouldn't put them in the wealthy category, although, I couldn't know for sure as private money matters stay private.
They probably could have bought as cars, vacations and what not else with ease, but they stated (rightfully in my opinion) that you enjoy and take far more care of your belongings when you've spent some blood, sweat and tears obtaining it.

My wife and I have a far more communicative aproach. We talk about finances regularly. But still, I won't disclose to anyone else how much I earn or how much my car cost, etc. It still is personal.

**Nishu** · 09-17-2009, 10:57 AM

We talk about it all the time, but we're still kinda working out the details of our budget and deciding on our longterm goals. We still haven't decided how we're going to approach teaching the kids about money and that takes up prolly 50% of our money talk.

**TigerGirl1226** · 09-17-2009, 11:00 AM

We talk about money a ton around here. I just wished it was was more like "Wow, look at what we've got in savings" instead of "Man, we're broke again!", lol.

**justpeachy92** · 09-17-2009, 11:56 AM

Honestly we are a less than one a month couple. My husband for whatever reasons he has won't become active in our financial planning. I really wish he would, it is alot of stress for one person to deal with. A couple times a year he may ask how we are doing, and after almost 18 years of marriage I have learned he only wants to here fine. He doesn't like me to go into great details. I do have more money talks with the kids, talks that I wish my parents had with me. I had to learn through making it through some very struggling times the importance of saving for a rainy day.

**Telephus44** · 09-17-2009, 12:04 PM

I went with more than weekly, but not daily. We talk about it often, but not to the point of obsessing over it.

Growing up, my parents never discussed our overall financial situation, but my dad taught me a lot about investing and the personal finance basics (how to save, balance a checkbook, etc). My parents do the "his money / her money" system, so it would have been tough for them to teach us a total household budget.

**Palooka** · 09-17-2009, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by greebs

I've heard it said that the wealthy talk about money a lot, while the middle class and the less prosperous don't talk about money nearly as much.

My parents was total middle class and never ever discussed money with us, unless it had to do with our banking account as a teen. They acted total secrative.

They are well off more than they want to admit!

**Cricket1** · 09-17-2009, 01:29 PM

We're always talking about money. The kids are always trying to take on extra chores to make more money and my husband and I are always talking about where it's going!

**ri*smom** · 09-17-2009, 01:35 PM

We talk about it numerous times daily . . . and with the kids. No doomsday stuff, just "If you want candy, you should have your wallet with you." And if he doesn't have enough money: "You need to do some extra chores so you can get candy next time." He left a 50 cent garage sale PS2 game on the floor yesterday and his 2yo sister stepped on it. He is now asking what extra chores he can do to help save up for a new copy. Dh and I always update each other on what we've spent during the day so we know where we are standing. Just how we do things.

**jlaporte** · 09-17-2009, 01:38 PM

my husband and i discuss our money regularly. we incourage the kids to talk with us about money. my kids have learned to save cash and make due with what they have. they actually like to think of ways to save with us. we have made a budget and r sticking to it.when the bills come in we know exactly how much and when it gets paid. so when a need comes up like tires for the car(happened last month) we know we can manage it.i recently brought to dh's attention just how much he does spend on his newports every week. that opened his eyes. i myself rearly spend a dime not on budget cuz i cut up my debit card so i wouldnt be tempted. now when we need something we all go to the store once we need it. it has opened our eyes to spending. but qwe stick to our bottom line now.

**danni** · 09-17-2009, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by ri*smom

We talk about it numerous times daily . . . and with the kids. No doomsday stuff, just "If you want candy, you should have your wallet with you." And if he doesn't have enough money: "You need to do some extra chores so you can get candy next time." He left a 50 cent garage sale PS2 game on the floor yesterday and his 2yo sister stepped on it. He is now asking what extra chores he can do to help save up for a new copy. Dh and I always update each other on what we've spent during the day so we know where we are standing. Just how we do things.

That's us too. With 5 kids, dh and I we end up talking about money quite a bit.

**zakity** · 09-17-2009, 02:06 PM

There really is never a discussion. I just inform him of things. He doesn't really want to discuss anything.

**frugalfranny** · 09-17-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Palooka

They are well off more than they want to admit!

I agree Palooka. I am guessing it was 'that era' of parenting. My dad would help us with any of OUR money questions or advise us on things but you never knew about his situation. Nothing was said. But I was educated from them.....in their subtle way.

Without telling my child what I actually had, I tried to teach her about money and how to 'handle' it responsibly.

Being single I don't discuss it with anyone. I have a very well off sister and to listen to her you would think that she is one thin dime away from the poor house!!! (even drives her hubby nuts!)

Would like to know more about this survey and 'what' was discussed. Their investments? Money in the general sense?

**C@rol** · 09-17-2009, 02:50 PM

Daily. We discuss any and everything that may affect our financial goals. Even if we are just going to the movies we discuss whether if fits into the budget. Constantly.