Have you ever walked through a mall or convenience store and watched the people who are shopping in groups? Typically, one will begin to look at something and one or more of the group will come over and give some sort of opinion, and if a consensus is reached the item inevitably ends up at the register for checkout.

But if you stop and watch someone who is shopping alone, one of two scenarios tends to play out: They will either use the "get in angst out" mentality or they will linger but not really buy. 

Now, I am not saying that I am a stalker by any means, but I do find people watching at a mall to be fun and rewarding source of learning.

The lesson here is, group thinking usually ends up with group spending.

Who's That You're With?



While it is normal to want to enjoy some time out with friends, it is something to think about when you consider which ones you want to go with if you are trying to control your spending.

In short, try thinking about those people that you are most likely to hit the mall with and see what you know about them when it comes to their money habits. It is important to recognize these tendencies because without even realizing it, their actions, attitudes, and behaviors could be influencing yours and derailing your from your own financial goals.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Which one of your friends are savers?
• Which one spenders?
• Who is the quickest to pull out a credit card?
• Who usually suggests "grabbing a bite to eat"?
• Who buys the most?  The least?
• Which one seems to have the most cards in their wallet?

By looking at our friends, not critically, but with critical thinking, hopefully we can begin to see how those with whom we spend our time could be inadvertently affecting our own success. These wonderful people may just not have the same goals that you do, and you should bear that in mind as you work on your own money habits.

In short, spenders like to hang out with spenders and savers with other savers. So if the group that you are hanging out with tends to be spenders, chances are good you will spend more than you intended the next time you are out.

Who Do You Want To Be With?




For many, we are already connected with someone who has opposing money beliefs. We call them "spouses" or "significant others".

I am convinced that God intended for each of us to have an opposite in this area just so that He could watch us writhe in mental anguish as we watch the other behave in ways that we consider one step short of the insanity.  It's called divine humor. What can you do?

Outside of them, though, for those who are interested in developing stronger stewardship skills, it may be something to look at in regards to the company that we are keeping and the situations that we put ourselves into. We have to use a little bit of wisdom and forethought to help keep us out of trouble.

So my suggestion is this:  Unless you are typically seen as the leader of your group ( and if you are, more power to you. Keep them on the straight and narrow !! ), try and position the time that you are in an arena where likely you will be encouraged to spend money, to doing so with people who are more inclined to being how YOU want to be.

It doesn't mean that you have to hang out with people who root through trash cans looking for castoffs in the name of frugality.  Rather, it just means considering those with whom you are hanging out to see if they will be more or less inclined to help hold YOU accountable and vice-versa.

Try thinking over your "gang" with questions like these:

• Who is most likely to help you keep to your budget?
• Who can you feel comfortable saying, "no, I don't need that" to?
• Who is most inclined to see your working on good money habits as a good thing?
• Who will respect you for the decisions that you are making and encourage you?
• Who cares more about seeing you do well than seeing you dressed well?

It is often said, bad company corrupts good morals.  With money it could be said, bad spenders corrupt good savers.

What do you think?