I feel like everyone has that friend who can’t manage their own finances, even when they’re offered good advice on better practices.
- I know I’ve had plenty of friends like that, especially young women who are obsessed with shopping online and trying out the latest beauty crazes seem to fall victim to this trap.
That perfectly describes my friend Sara, who despite being quite booksmart, has no idea how to put her intelligence to practical use. She’s buying junk off the internet all the time and always has the newest accessories, but can’t afford to pay her energy bill each month. I know this for a fact because I’ve had to lend her the money for her electricity on several occasions already. Every time I go over to her house she has a bunch of new swag she wants to show off, but the air temperature is well over 85 degrees. I’ve asked her why she keeps it so warm, trying to hint at her poor money management, but she’ll loftily state that she doesn’t have the cash to run her air conditioner right now, without getting the point. Sometimes she will operate a box fan for a little while, pushing hot air all around the room rather than cooling it down at all. It’s miserable to hang out at her apartment, and I always leave early to get back to my own AC at home. I don’t know how she survives like that, surrounded by hot and muggy air, along with piles of new clothing and brand new home decor.