Are voices telling you to put exorbitant charges on your credit card? Do you wake up in night sweats afraid that your kids have day traded away your retirement savings? Do you see dollar signs in paint splotches and reflections of your mother in rain puddles?
Don't schedule shock therapy just yet. Consider the seven attitudes -- courtesy of WIFE.org (The Women's Institute for Financial Education) -- that show a healthy approach towards money matters:
- You feel in control of money rather than being controlled by it.
- You use money in positive ways to enhance your life, not only as a means for providing necessities.
- You consider money a reward for an accomplishment, not an end in itself.
- You can use money spontaneously on occasion without feeling guilty.
- You realize that money cannot solve all your problems.
- In dealing with money, you adhere to your own general moral standards.
- You are aware of what money means to you and how you use it.
Have you not achieved Zen-like oneness with your inner spendthrift quite yet? Consider our 13-step program to Foolishly managing your finances. If you need a helping hand, we recommend group therapy (to be had for less than it costs to meet 15 minutes with a real shrink!) via our discussion boards. And for a private money reality check, nothing beats the shrink -- er, make that advisor -- on call, which is part of the TMF Money Advisor service.
