Probably the worst part of personal finance is having to handle issues surrounding misrepresentation.  Misrepresentation, as I see it, is being presented information in an unsatisfactory or false manner.  Because some people are so slick and cunning, deceit can come in many different variations. 

There is no specific color, shape, size, or height of dishonest people, but I would like to give you some common actions to look for:

• Rushing you to sign paperwork.  Ever heard this? “Sign here, here, here and here..” 
• Hiding the terms.  Only focusing on payment and not the actual terms of the contract.
• Devaluing disclosures.  Not fully explaining your rights as a consumer if something goes wrong.
• Speaking in terminology you don’t understand.
• Dodging your important questions.

Not paying attention to these critical signs could definitely lead to you becoming their latest victim.  So, how can we have great shopping experiences and protect ourselves at the same time?

Be aware.  You know that old saying, “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”  Do your research and be prepared.  Alan Greenspan says it like this…“An informed borrower is simply less vulnerable to fraud and abuse.”

Ask questions.  Asking questions is a sign of strength, not weakness.  Many times we are embarrassed or afraid to ask for fear of how it will make us look.  But the truth is that we look far worse when we don’t. 

Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new.  – Og Mandino

Pay attention to your intuition.  You know that gut feeling that tells you something is not right.

To me, it’s kind of like having an “angel” in one ear and the “devil” in the other.  We want to make the right decision and listen to the right voice, but it’s difficult.  Especially when emotions are involved.

Start by creating your line in the sand moment.  If a salesperson at any time crosses that line…end the conversation.  I don’t care if it’s at the end of a long and outdrawn process.  Your feelings as the buyer must be heard.  It’s your time and your money.  Refuse to let anyone abuse it. 

This is so important.  Feeling empowered is helping people be courageous enough to walk away.  Think about it, walking away initially makes for a lot less pain later.  I’m not saying that you should be hard core, but just know that you should respect and be respected.

The key here is to have a watchful eye.  Don’t be too trusting.  Everyone does not have your best interest at heart.  Many times befriending you and making the sale is the only goal the salesperson has set out to achieve.  Once you’ve been conquered…it’s on to the next victim.

Remember, the goal is for you to come out at the end of the process knowing that you have made a great decision.  Don’t be afraid to say…“This is where I draw the line!”

So, how about you…have you dealt with salespeople that misrepresented products, terms, etc?  How did you deal with them?

This is where I draw the line Image by Eva Blue

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I appreciate you for taking the time to read this article today!  If you can relate, feel free to share your experience.  I’d love to hear from you!

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“Managing your finances in real life – the fun way – is very much like earning gold in a computer role-playing game.  Earning money is play.  Spending money is also play.  If you aren’t having fun, you’re missing the whole point”  -Steve Pavlina.

How far you get, in almost anything, is connected to your ability to balance. 

The problem is that financially we tend to live more within one category.  We’re either great savers, awesome givers, or frivolous spenders.

Within this series, I am introducing consciously having a financial balance with all three.  I believe that this balance can and will lead to financial happiness. Let’s take look at a couple of scenarios.

1. If you are a great saver, do you ever spend money on fun things?
2. If you are an awesome giver, do you give until it hurts and expect a miraculous blessing to pay your bills?
3. If you are a frivolous spender, do you spend you money without thought and don’t have enough to take care of your basic needs?

Balance is defined as an equal distribution of weight.  So to be financially successful, we have to live somewhere in the middle – balanced.  Preparing for our future, helping those in need and enjoying our lives as we live it. 

There are two extremes with spending.  The first is to save and not spend.  The second is to spend and not save.  From the definition above, we can see that they are both out of balance.  To create the balance that we need we must learn to spend money wisely. 

I had to learn the lesson of balance the hard way.  I tend to be more of a goal oriented person.  If there is a challenge,  I step up to the plate and give it all I’ve got.  You may ask, “How is that a bad thing?”  Well, it’s bad when you have tunnel vision.  You’re so focused on the goal that you’re really not having lots of fun during the journey.  Constantly looking forward to the next payday and playing with the payoff numbers creating anxiety.  I had to always remind myself to take this process one day at a time. 

How do we have balance with spending money?

To change the thought process of spending requires a shift in our awareness and behaviors.  At first it will seem a little difficult, but once you start making smart choices financial balance is sure to follow.  We can have (most) anything in life that we want, but it requires planning.  I know we love to live on impulse, but impulse only leads to some form of regret.  I’m sure you can look around your home and see things that you purchased unnecessarily.  Hindsight is always 20/20, right.  It is important that we pay attention to our spending habits and correct them for the future. 

I’d like to share with you a few tips I believe will help us to spend money wisely and prevent the anxiety of spending what we don’t have:

1. Define your wants. There is nothing wrong with wanting to purchase every new item you see.  But you have to be realistic about what you can afford.  Take a step back, examine what you want and determine how this want aligns with your goals.  Is it reasonable at this time?
2. Use the 24 hour rule.  This is the best way to avoid impulse buying.   Urges to purchase..NOW..are going to come.  But they are very temporary and beatable.  The urge can usually last for a few minutes to a few hours.  You just have to stay calm, sleep on it and it will probably go away.  If not,  continue to step 3 to prepare for the purchase. 
3. Shop and compare prices.  The internet and telephone are powerful resources for comparison shopping.  If you’re going to purchase the item you would like to get the best deal possible, right.
4. Fit Your Budget.  Determine how much you can realistically save monthly, along with achieving your other financial goals (saving and giving), to purchase this product.    This will ensure that your are really prepared to make this purchase without hardship. 
5. Negotiate. Is the product negotiable?  You don’t know unless you ask.  Be reasonable and find the optimum win-win situation for you and the other party.

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If you aren’t where you want to be financially, you have a few options.  You can continue on your same path, try to make changes somehow, or just give up.  The choice is yours. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!  I wish you all the best as you take time to spend with your families on tomorrow, Enjoy!!!

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