31 Days Towards Financial Freedom ~ Day 18 *BE CAREFUL WHO YOUR FRIENDS ARE*

Yes, I know I sound like your mother here...but you know your mom was right when she told you, "now honey be careful who your friends are..."

Don't worry I'm not going to tell you that you can only have broke friends.  I am however, going to tell you to be careful that you don't let your friends with or without money influence your decision to win with your finances.

In reality if you have wealthy friends (not pretend wealthy, but truly financial fit friends) they are most likely the best influence.  They are usually financially fit for a reason. 

One the other side of the coin, we all know those who try to keep up with the Jones and spend their money on frivolous things to either look good or just because they have no self discipline {not that any of us have ever been guilty of that ;-)}

Hopefully through this series you have learned to get rid of some of your nasty habits and have changed your mindset a little bit.  However, if you have a long way to go before you are financial free you need to make sure that you have people encouraging you and motivating you. 

Plan wisely when friends ask you out for dinners or to the movies.  We don't want to totally alienate ourselves from our friends so we have an entertainment budget each month so that we can still try to hang out and go to dinner now and then, but we do so within our budget. 

Just because you don't have the money doesn't mean you have to say no.  Just get a little creative...if your friends ask you and your spouse out for dinner and you only have a little cash to spare then split a meal or let them know that you can't make it for dinner but will join them after. 

Let people in on what you are working towards.  Don't be ashamed for budgeting.  Be proud of the journey you are on and excited and your friends and family will hopefully be excited for you. 

However, be careful not to make them feel guilty.  Don't condemn your sister for her shopping trip or your friend for his new car purchase, this will only make them look at you like you have a "holier than thou" attitude. 

Lead by example and remember to think about the long term rewards.  Don't look enviously at what other's have.  Remember instant gratification will only satisfy you for so long.  When you work hard and reap your reward, the payoff will be much bigger.