This Valentine’s Day, Date Your Money

Like any romantic union, your relationship with money probably started out in a passionate state of

euphoria. Maybe you met when you were young, and Money was your childhood friend Allowance. Or maybe you didn’t get together until that summer after high school when you met at your very first job. Every love story is unique, but in every case Money was like a missing piece that made you whole. You should date your money.

Money was always by your side, and you enjoyed everything from morning coffee to vacations together. It felt like you could accomplish anything. However, as time passed you got used to having money around. Your relationship began to get a little stale. Occasionally, fights even broke out. It felt like Money wasn’t putting enough into the relationship. Didn’t Money want you to be happy? Why didn’t they support you in reaching all your goals? You found that as you got older, Money wasn’t always keeping up. You worried that the relationship might be doomed if Money didn’t start bringing more to the table.

Maybe things got so bad you started cheating on Money with Credit. Credit was so much less demanding, and they always let you have anything you wanted. It seemed like Credit never passed any judgements or said no, they just accepted you for who you were. If all you could give was the minimum payment of $10, Credit acted pleased, even grateful because it meant they could keep seeing you and didn’t have to call Collections.

Eventually, Money started to get suspicious and you found you couldn’t keep Credit secret any longer. You were in a mess and you needed Money’s help to get out of it. Thankfully, Money was understanding. Now it might take a long time to heal old wounds, but both you and Money want to work things out. In addition to getting rid of credit, you and Money have started setting long term goals together as a couple. Your future looks bright, if you just stick together.

This Valentine’s Day when everyone is professing their love for their significant other or proclaiming their happiness in singledom, I encourage you to spend some quality time with your money. Find out where it’s

doing well and where it needs a boost. Talk about your struggles and ask for help. If this is going to be the first time you tell Money about Credit, be gentle. Always make sure your money is getting the love and support it needs to grow. Now might even be the time to make a lifelong promise to your money by putting it in a retirement fund. Just like love, RRSP is a four-letter word! In any case, I wish you and your money a very Happy Valentine’s Day together — may you show your love & affection for one another every day of the year.

Are you going to date your money this year?