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Just realized my friends all lie about their credit card debt
At a dinner last month, everyone said they pay off their cards each month, but I saw three of them carrying big balances when we checked our scores on an app. It matters because it makes people feel alone if they're struggling, and they might not ask for help. I know because my own $8,000 debt felt huge until I found out others hide it too. How do you even start a real talk about money without it getting weird?
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josephl671mo ago
Why do you think money is the last thing people will be honest about? It's crazy how normal it is to lie about debt while we'll admit to way more personal stuff. Maybe start by sharing your own number first next time, like just say you're working on paying off your card, and see if that makes them feel safe to open up. It shouldn't be this hard to talk about something that affects everyone.
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the_troy1mo ago
You know, it's also about how we link money to our worth as people. If I say I'm bad at cooking, that's just a skill. But saying I'm bad with money feels like saying I'm a failure at adult life. That shame is so deep we'd rather just not talk numbers at all.
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the_lee1mo ago
Yeah, money talk is weirdly secret. It's like the last big lie we all agree to keep up, like pretending you're fine when you're not. @josephl67 is right about sharing your own number first. I've found that admitting a small money stress, like a car repair wiping out savings, can open the door for others to admit bigger things without feeling judged.
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