The Big Bluff - what cards are you holding?

If you find yourself envious of your next door neighbor, a close friend, relative, or perhaps a coworker, you might want to consider if that person truly has a winning hand or if they bluffing their way through the game. They might be bluffing and “fake it, until you make it” like a good many of us are doing in our everyday lives.

It really seems that the majority of us are playing the hugest game of liar’s poker and we all have pretty crappy cards. However, we of course want to keep up with our neighbors and friends so we look like we are doing great. But be careful with this! It is one thing to look busy so you can attract more business so you do start succeeding.

But if you start buying huge flat screen TV’s on credit cards, taking out cash advances to dine out like a king, and start deleting your equity in your home in order to appear that things are fine… then things are spiraling down.

I would, at least suggest to be honest with yourself if not to anyone else. Don’t let your neighbors “stuff” spiral your life down the rabbit hole...that will become a living hell to climb out of. This direction is a one way ticket to Alice's rabbit hole. And that is not the way to Kansas. So at least be true to yourself and be kind to yourself. Don't spend your way into poverty simply to impress the neighbors or other family members for that matter.

Avoid paying for all of this stuff on credit cards all together if you can. I would suggest getting a second debit card in place of the credit card and use that as your “back-up” card. Cash is King! Try to add $50.00 a month to it or whatever amount you can. And that way, when “life happens” and when you want to purchase those things in life, you can use this back-up debit card to pay for these occasions or emergencies. Then instead of going into further debt, you have the money, it is yours, and you don’t have to worry about paying interest to anyone. It is a small step but it might make a HUGE difference down the road.

So what is your poker hand? Are you bluffing like so many of us??? Be careful! I think if we all starting getting a little more realistic, at least with ourselves, we would have a little less headache and hopefully a little more cash in our pockets as a result.

Do you have a story to share? Love to hear it.