TeenHelp - View Single Post - Attitude towards finances/constant feeling of guilt

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Hey Sue, thanks for reaching out!

I get how you can feel self-conscious about how well-off you are, and how you were fortunate enough to grow up in a financially secure home, always having food on your plate, and presentable clothes to wear. This time of year can make that self-consciousness especially worse, when all you hear about are those who are less fortunate and can't afford to buy holiday presents or put out a fancy meal on the table for their family. We add another layer where we're now constantly blaming corporate greed and the politicians for having billions of dollars and abusing their powers, evading taxes, etc etc etc. It goes on.

I think you need to remind yourself that you are fortunate where you are, no more and no less. You have a decent relationship with your parents, you are working a decent job, you have a good relationship right now. Your boyfriend probably doesn't say a whole lot either because he doesn't want to make you feel bad like you're saying here. If you want to do something about any excess money you have left over, either from income or your parents, then it's entirely up to you. Nobody can ever force you to do anything with your money.

Other than pay taxes, but that's a whole other thing.

Feel free to reach out again if you need to!