I have a financial advisor, but she doesn’t manage my investments or know anything about my retirement account. Mostly, she tells me when something I want to buy looks like sh*t.
Her qualifications? She’s my bluntest friend.
Everyone needs a financial advisor friend (FAF). This is the person you text when you’re dangerously close to buying something you probably don’t need and require an unbiased third party to intervene. And unlike the friend who will tell you, “It’s cute!” or “You can always return it,” a financial advisor friend understands the assignment: talk me out of it of this. (Or talk me into it if it really is cute.)
Mine happens to be exceptionally good at her job because she doesn’t stop at “don’t buy it.” She gives me a reason to never want it again. Take, for example, the vintage sunglasses I wanted from Reformation last week. Not only did my FAF tell me I didn’t need them, she also told me they made my forehead look huge. And just like that, I saved $350.
I imagine siblings provide this service naturally, but as an only child, I’ve had to outsource to my most blunt friend. It might sound harsh, but I’d much rather have a friend who hurts my feelings for 30 seconds than one who lets me spend hundreds of dollars on something that makes me look less hot. She saves me money and keeps me honest. And that’s probably better financial advice than most people are getting.
Double Dog Dare You: Before you buy something you probably don’t need, send it to your bluntest friend and ask for their honest opinion. Just don’t ask unless you’re prepared for the answer.
