Is Greed a Sign of Selfishness, or the Broken Trust of a Child?

We all have money beliefs, formed during childhood.  We didn’t choose them. They just grew as we processed, experienced, and observed our small world. Often, they came from our parents, or a close role model. We may have adopted similar beliefs, or rebelled.  So here we are today, with our money beliefs.

Greed

Greedy people exist, and some of us associate money with the word.  This is a money belief, and can influence our behavior toward money.  We may not want to talk about it, because we may appear greedy. We may think that if we want or need more money, we will be perceived as greedy.  So, we just don’t talk about it – even when we’re in trouble.  But if we never talk about it, we never learn.  Associating money directly with greed gets in our way of managing our cash well.

What if Money is the Only Thing You Can Trust?

Fewer greedy people exist than I used to think. Some people constantly need more money and may not share with others – because they experienced a life-threatening breach of trust as a child.  Somehow, they learned they could only rely on themselves.  They develop a Survivor mentality and associate money with extreme independence from everyone and everything that could let them down, or break their heart.  It can be a very lonely and fearful place to be. 

Peter is an executive of a major corporation. He has 3 homes, undisclosed to most people, each with a safe holding a sizable amount of cash.  The homes are 100% owned with no mortgage. And yet, he still works long hours climbing the corporate ladder, for more.  Peter finally took his son to a baseball game. Peter thought the popcorn and candy were ridiculously expensive, and he refused to be held hostage.  So, he allowed his son only 2 hot dogs.

The Need to Survive Overrides All Logic

In Peter’s childhood, he learned mistrust. His father left him, his mother often didn’t show up. Peter rarely got 3 meals a day, and wore used, outdated clothing to school.  Peter learned to survive, and take care of himself.  He vowed he would never let this happen when he grew up.  Is Peter greedy? Or is Peter so badly afraid of losing everything, that he continues to accumulate – just in case the world is pulled out from under him.

Money beliefs come from the emotional Heart, not the logical Head.  They are not rational. And because we don’t openly talk about money beliefs, we don’t know how differently we think from other people. Peter’s fear from his challenging childhood is so imprinted that he doesn’t even see how he is depriving his own son.

To his friends, Peter looks ambitious and greedy – a tight wad. And yet, with all of his money he does not experience life’s simplest joys. Greed isn’t always greed. Money is sometimes just a visual symptom of so much more. Don’t let the perception of greed get in your way of learning, talking about, and getting on top of your cash.

Please Join Me at Women’s Group B.I.G. Monday March 14 NYC

**Take this !@#$% and Shove It: How to Build Independence and a B.I.G. Voice in the World**Do you Dream of Having the Independence to leave a Job, Relationship, Client?Do You Simply Want to be Treated on Equal Terms?Join us as Carrie teaches us how to build a foundation to get us to the next stage by figuring out what makes us happy and how to use our money to support that happiness.  Monday, March 13, 2017 6:30pm – 8:00pm Parsons The New School **63 5th Avenue ROOM 304**

Information shown is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as investment, legal or tax planning advice. Please consult a financial adviser, attorney or tax specialist for advice specific to your financial situation. Behavioral Cents, LLC and any third parties listed, linked to or otherwise appearing in this message are separate and unaffiliated and are not responsible for each other’s products, services or policies.

Carrie Rattle is Founder of Behavioral Cents and a 30-year veteran executive of financial services. Behavioral Cents helps women build money confidence, gain control of their finances, and feel comfortable making their money decisions. We work one on one in a private, non-judgmental atmosphere with a program tailored to the individual. We help women assess their financial situation and change their money behaviors for the better – without deprivation. Thoughts always welcome: carrierattle@behavioralcents.com.