Are You Obsessed With Money? 你沉迷于金钱吗？

 Nǐ chénmí yú jīnqián ma

 你   沉   迷  于 金  钱    吗？

 Invest 10 minutes reading time (1953 words)

Are You Obsessed With Money?

Am I obsessed with money , yes and no.

Money touches everything in our lives, but it doesn’t need to be the focal point of everything we do. Scrutinizing your money habits is a good thing, but you don’t want to constantly worry about each tiny detail of your spending. A full understanding of your money is good, so you don’t get carried away either – just don’t go overboard.

We want to strike a healthy balance between awareness and core financial principles. As with anything, anything done to excess can be harmful. Money obsession is no different.

Signs You’re Obsessed With Money

For many people, even though money is a regular part of daily life, they don’t think about it constantly. You might regularly check your bank account or bills for discrepancies, but not multiple times in a day.

For the money-obsessed, however, much of their daily life revolves around money and its impact on their life. You should be aware of possible warning signs you may be too invested in your money habits.

Haggling Over Small Expenses

Unless you’re really struggling to make ends meet, you probably don’t need to worry about saving every penny possible. Does it make sense to drive all the way across town to save five or ten cents? Probably not.

While these savings might add up, obsessing over them all the time will only lead to anxiety and worry. If you find yourself scrutinizing the smallest amount and regretting those purchases later, you might need to reassess your relationship with money.

Denying Basic Essentials

No matter what, we all have needs. Toiletries, food, water, and shelter are all crucial expenses for your survival. While you shouldn’t be wasting cash on frivolous expenses, you also shouldn’t be forgoing essential items because of the cost.

If you avoid paying for basic necessities even though you could afford them, this could be trouble. Skipping meals or trying to save on small items like toothbrushes and floss can be a sign of a money-based disorder.

In this case, the expenses don’t even have to be small. For many people, forgoing health insurance is a way to cut down on monthly costs. After all, if you’re relatively healthy, why pay for something you’re not using?

Unfortunately, you never know what the future holds, and one trip to the emergency room can set you back hundreds or even thousands of dollars. It may seem like a smart move right now, but you’re trading short-term benefits for a long-term loss.

Avoiding Social Interactions

For many of us, throwing around a couple grand to go out every weekend is financially irresponsible. However, going out to eat or having dinner with a friend or partner is a great way to relax and have fun. If you find yourself avoiding these interactions because of the dollar value associated with them, you might need to make some adjustments. Consider creating a specific budget category so you don’t miss out, but don’t feel you’re overspending either.

The real danger is when you’re avoiding these social situations because you’re afraid or uncomfortable parting with a few dollars. If you can afford dinner and a movie but still choose to stay home, this could be a warning sign.

Transition From Saving To Spending (Some) Money

Saving money regularly is a good habit to have. As a matter of fact, it’s probably what gave you the financial ability to retire in the first place. However, once you’ve reached retirement, it’s okay to dial back the focus on saving. It’s now time to transition toward using the money – which is why you saved it in the first place. Right?

You shouldn’t just go crazy on spending sprees, but it’s okay and expected for you to spend some of the cash you worked so hard to save.

Replacing Cheap Items Regularly

Ever heard the saying, “you get what you pay for”? For the money-obsessed, the quality of a particular product is not as critical as the price. In most situations, a cheaper alternative is seen as a better value, even if it doesn’t last as long.

If you find yourself having to replace the same products regularly because they keep breaking or wearing down, it’s far better to upgrade to a higher-quality version. Even though it costs more initially, you’ll save money in the long run.

On the flip side, reusing products well after they’re worn out is another sign of money obsession. For example, saving single-use packaging or reusing disposable products because you don’t want to pay for new ones can become detrimental over time.

Again, think about how much you’re saving compared to the value or convenience of buying a replacement. Is a few quarters or dollars really worth the hassle?

Types Of Money Disorders

While we’ve discussed some of the broad strokes of money obsession, some real psychological factors can be at play. Typically speaking, if you are obsessed with money, you likely suffer from one of three different disorders. Let’s dive deeper into each one so you can see how they can impact your life.

Money Aversion

金钱厌恶 Jīnqián yànwù

 Money Avoidance 💰

The concept of having or spending money is too painful, so you try to avoid it as much as possible. Rather than facing your financial troubles or bills, you ignore them until they start to take over your life.

In most cases, money aversion comes from having too much debt or high bills without enough cash to cover it. Looking at your credit card bill causes too much anxiety, so you don’t look at it at all.

Another form of money aversion can be when you feel bad about having or earning money. In these instances, you believe money itself creates negative energy, so you don’t want anything to do with it. Often, those with low self-esteem can suffer from this disorder, as they believe they are not worthy enough to have excess money. 

Money Worship

On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have individuals who love money more than is healthy. In many cases, these people want to accrue as much wealth as possible, with no end in sight. Additionally, those who worship money may be willing to go to great lengths, including exploiting themselves or others, to obtain even more cash.

Another form of money worship can be excessive overspending. The thrill of buying flashy or high-end products becomes addictive, so you obsess over getting more money to maintain a buyer’s high.

Finally, obsessive gambling can be a sign of money worship. The rush of winning a payout is so intoxicating you’ll continue to gamble to feel it over and over again. Even when your losses far outweigh your winnings, the excitement of gambling feels like too much to allow you to stop.

Relational Spending

With this disorder, the money itself is not as important as the relationship you have with others. For example, giving money to family members, even if you can’t afford to do so. You feel compelled to “help” by giving money (i.e., guilt), so you put yourself in a bad financial situation as a result. 

Another example of relational spending can be lying to a spouse or family member about your money habits. The driving factor could be the thrill of not getting caught, or it could be a symptom of a toxic relationship where money affects how you interact with each other. 

Finally, financial dependence can be a sign of relational spending and money obsession. Valuing your relationship to another person based on the money they can provide is a dangerous path leading to arguments, lies, and even emotional abuse.

The Dangers Of A Money Obsession

Hopefully, understanding warning signs of money obsessions can give you an idea of when you need to get outside help with your finances. Let’s look at some of the dangers of unchecked money obsession or disorders.

Harmful To Your Health

If you avoid going to the doctor because you don’t want to pay for medicine or a copay, you could get even more ill. Eventually, you’ll have to go no matter what, but the issue may have festered into a much larger (and expensive) problem. 

Beyond the typical aversion to hospitals and clinics, money obsession could cause you to buy cheaper products and food, which can lead to poorer health. If you’re only eating the most inexpensive meals possible, chances are you’ll be facing a variety of problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Harmful To Your Relationships

For most people, money can be a relatively touchy subject. Discussions about how much someone makes and what they spend their paycheck on are usually off-limits. For the money-obsessed, many conversations can center on money, which can lead to strained relationships. 

If your money obsession is directly correlated to a particular person (i.e., significant other), you could be ruining your relationship by lying about money or withholding funds for personal reasons. 

Added Stress

For those suffering from money aversion, their obsession can cause severe depression and/or anxiety. Worrying about your financial situation or scrutinizing every aspect of it will only lead to problems down the road. High amounts of stress can have damaging effects on your health, so money obsession could be more damaging than you realize. 

Financial Insecurity

If your money obsession is causing you to buy things you don’t need, give money to friends when you don’t have it, or gamble too much, these habits will catch up with you eventually. Money obsession can lead to massive debt, which causes many problems. If your life is just one missed paycheck away from financial ruin, you need to figure out how to bring yourself back from the brink.

How To Get Over Your Obsession With Money

Depending on your situation, overcoming an obsession with money is easier said than done. In some cases, you may be able to change your mindset and start thinking of money more positively. In other instances, you may have to get professional help. Here are a few of our top suggestions. 

Talk With A Friend Or Partner

Because money is such a sensitive subject for many people, many people might avoid discussing the problem altogether. In most cases, talking to someone you trust about the situation can provide some fresh perspective. Also, opening up about it can help you alleviate the pressure and stress associated with money obsession. 

Seek Counseling

If you’re suffering from compulsive behaviors (i.e., excessive gambling), then reaching out to a professional is probably the best solution. Fortunately, there are many hotlines and resources available to help you get back on track. Best of all, you can research them online and reach out whenever you feel comfortable.

Have Someone Else Manage Your Finances

In some cases, you may not be able to handle money decisions at all, or at least until you figure out how to manage your obsession. In these situations, finding a trustworthy partner to manage your finances can give you the breathing room you need and help you avoid your worst impulses.

投入10分钟阅读时间（1953字）

 你沉迷于金钱吗？

 我是否对金钱着迷，是的，也不是。

 金钱涉及我们生活中的一切，但它不一定是我们所做的一切的焦点。 审视你的金钱习惯是件好事，但你不想一直担心支出的每一个微小细节。 对你的钱有充分的了解是有好处的，这样你也不会得意忘形——只是不要太过分了。

 我们希望在意识和核心财务原则之间取得健康的平衡。 与任何事情一样，任何事情做得过度都可能有害。 对金钱的痴迷也不例外。

 迹象表明你对金钱着迷

 对于很多人来说，尽管金钱是日常生活的一部分，但他们并不会经常思考它。 您可以定期检查您的银行帐户或账单是否存在差异，但不要一天多次。

 然而，对于那些痴迷于金钱的人来说，他们日常生活的大部分内容都围绕着金钱及其对他们生活的影响。 您应该意识到可能的警告信号，您可能对金钱习惯投入过多。

 为小额开支讨价还价

 除非你真的很难维持收支平衡，否则你可能不需要担心节省每一分钱。 为了节省五美分或十美分而开车穿过整个城镇有意义吗？ 可能不会。

 虽然这些节省下来的钱可能会增加，但一直沉迷于它们只会导致焦虑和担忧。 如果您发现自己仔细检查了最小的金额，然后后悔这些购买，您可能需要重新评估您与金钱的关系。

 否认基本要素

 无论如何，我们都有需求。 洗漱用品、食物、水和住所都是您生存的重要开支。 虽然您不应该在无意义的开支上浪费现金，但您也不应该因为成本而放弃必需品。

 如果你在负担得起基本必需品的情况下却避免支付这些费用，这可能会带来麻烦。 不吃饭或试图节省牙刷和牙线等小件物品可能是金钱障碍的征兆。

 在这种情况下，费用就不能小了。 对于许多人来说，放弃健康保险是减少每月费用的一种方式。 毕竟，如果你相对健康，为什么要为你不使用的东西付费呢？

 不幸的是，你永远不知道未来会怎样，一次去急诊室可能会让你损失数百甚至数千美元。 现在看来这似乎是明智之举，但你正在用短期利益换取长期损失。

避免社交互动

 对于我们许多人来说，每个周末花几英镑出去玩在经济上是不负责任的。 然而，出去吃饭或与朋友或伴侣共进晚餐是放松和享受乐趣的好方法。 如果您发现自己因为与美元价值相关而避免这些交互，则可能需要进行一些调整。 考虑创建一个特定的预算类别，这样您就不会错过，但也不会觉得自己超支。

 真正的危险是当你因为害怕或不舒服而放弃这些社交场合时。 如果您能负担得起晚餐和电影，但仍然选择呆在家里，这可能是一个警告信号。

 从储蓄到花（一些）钱的转变

 定期存钱是一个好习惯。 事实上，这可能是您最初有经济能力退休的原因。 然而，一旦您退休了，就可以不再关注储蓄了。 现在是时候转向使用这笔钱了——这就是您首先存钱的原因。 正确的？

 你不应该疯狂地花钱，但花掉你辛辛苦苦攒下的一些钱是可以的，也是正常的。

 定期更换廉价物品

 听说过“一分钱一分货”这句话吗？ 对于注重金钱的人来说，特定产品的质量并不像价格那么重要。 在大多数情况下，更便宜的替代品被认为具有更好的价值，即使它的使用寿命不长。

 如果您发现自己必须定期更换相同的产品，因为它们不断损坏或磨损，那么最好升级到更高质量的版本。 尽管最初的成本更高，但从长远来看，你会省钱。

 另一方面，在产品磨损后重新使用它们是金钱迷恋的另一个标志。 例如，因为您不想花钱购买新产品而节省一次性包装或重复使用一次性产品，随着时间的推移可能会变得有害。

 再次考虑一下，与购买替代品的价值或便利性相比，您可以节省多少钱。 几个季度或几美元真的值得这么麻烦吗？

金钱障碍的类型

 虽然我们已经讨论了金钱痴迷的一些大体情况，但一些真正的心理因素可能在起作用。 一般来说，如果您沉迷于金钱，您可能会患有三种不同的疾病之一。 让我们更深入地研究每一个，以便您了解它们如何影响您的生活。

金钱厌恶 Jīnqián yànwù Money Avoidance 💰 Money Aversion 

 拥有或花钱的概念太痛苦了，所以你尽量避免它。 你不会去面对你的财务问题或账单，而是忽略它们，直到它们开始占据你的生活。

 在大多数情况下，厌恶金钱是因为负债过多或账单过高而没有足够的现金来支付。 查看你的信用卡账单会引起太多焦虑，所以你根本不看它。

 另一种形式的金钱厌恶可能是当你对拥有或赚钱感到难过时。 在这些情况下，你相信金钱本身会产生负能量，所以你不想与它有任何关系。 通常，那些自卑的人可能会患有这种疾病，因为他们认为自己不值得拥有多余的钱。

关系支出 Guānxì zhīchū 

Relational Spending

 对于这种疾病，金钱本身并不像你与他人的关系那么重要。 例如，给家人钱，即使你负担不起。 您觉得有必要通过捐钱来“帮助”（即内疚），因此您将自己置于财务状况不佳的境地。

 关系支出的另一个例子可能是向配偶或家庭成员谎报你的金钱习惯。 驱动因素可能是没有被抓住的兴奋感，也可能是有毒关系的症状，金钱影响了你们彼此的互动方式。

 最后，经济依赖可能是关系性支出和金钱迷恋的表现。 根据他人能提供的金钱来评价你与他人的关系是一条危险的道路，会导致争论、谎言，甚至情感虐待。

沉迷于金钱的危险

 希望了解金钱迷恋的警告信号可以让您了解何时需要获得外部财务帮助。 让我们看看不受控制的金钱迷恋或混乱的一些危险。

 对您的健康有害

 如果您因为不想支付药费或自付额而避免去看医生，您可能会病情加重。 最终，无论如何你都必须离开，但问题可能会恶化成一个更大（而且昂贵）的问题。

 除了对医院和诊所的典型厌恶之外，对金钱的痴迷可能会导致您购买更便宜的产品和食品，从而导致健康状况恶化。 如果你只吃尽可能便宜的饭菜，你很可能会面临各种问题，包括糖尿病、高血压和肥胖。

对你的人际关系有害

 对于大多数人来说，金钱可能是一个相对敏感的话题。 关于某人赚多少钱以及他们的薪水花在什么方面的讨论通常是禁止的。 对于痴迷于金钱的人来说，许多谈话都会以金钱为中心，这可能会导致关系紧张。

 如果你对金钱的痴迷与某个特定的人（即重要的其他人）直接相关，那么你可能会因在金钱问题上撒谎或出于个人原因扣留资金而破坏你们的关系。

 增加压力

 对于那些厌恶金钱的人来说，他们的痴迷可能会导致严重的抑郁和/或焦虑。 担心你的财务状况或仔细审查它的各个方面只会导致未来出现问题。 巨大的压力会对您的健康产生破坏性影响，因此对金钱的痴迷可能比您意识到的更具破坏性。

 财务不安全感

 如果你对金钱的痴迷导致你买不需要的东西，在你没有钱的时候给朋友钱，或者赌博太多，这些习惯最终会追上你。 对金钱的痴迷可能会导致巨额债务，从而引发许多问题。 如果你的生活距离财务破产仅差一张薪水，那么你需要弄清楚如何将自己从崩溃的边缘拉回来。

如何克服对金钱的痴迷

 根据您的具体情况，克服对金钱的痴迷说起来容易做起来难。 在某些情况下，您也许可以改变心态并开始更积极地看待金钱。 在其他情况下，您可能需要寻求专业帮助。 以下是我们的一些重要建议。

 与朋友或合作伙伴交谈

 因为金钱对很多人来说都是一个敏感话题，很多人可能会完全避免讨论这个问题。 在大多数情况下，与您信任的人谈论这种情况可以提供一些新的视角。 此外，公开谈论它可以帮助您减轻与金钱痴迷相关的压力和压力。

 寻求咨询

 如果您患有强迫行为（即过度赌博），那么寻求专业人士的帮助可能是最好的解决方案。 幸运的是，有许多热线电话和资源可以帮助您重回正轨。 最重要的是，您可以在线研究它们，并在您觉得方便的时候与他们联系。

 让其他人管理您的财务

 在某些情况下，你可能根本无法处理金钱决定，或者至少在你弄清楚如何管理你的痴迷之前。 在这些情况下，找到一个值得信赖的合作伙伴来管理您的财务可以为您提供所需的喘息空间，并帮助您避免最糟糕的冲动。