Today, on Friday the 13th people everywhere are avoiding black cats, walking under ladders, throwing salt over their shoulder and knocking on wood.
People are always looking for a “reason” something has happened or will happen, and believing in superstitions is a common way to feel like we are a bit more in control. It also can be comforting to think that a superstition will help you predict the future, and how much money you’ll have down the road.
Let’s take a look at some common financial superstitions.
“Don’t put your purse on the floor or you’ll stay broke.”
Do you think dropping your handbag on the floor is bad luck? Well, this could be true if important information such as your wallet filled with identification and credit cards fall out, and into the hands of an identity thief. Every 3 seconds a person becomes victim to identity fraud. Instead of worrying about the superstition of where you put your purse, focus on keeping all of your financial information safe and secure.
If you do happen to have your identity stolen make sure to take the proper steps with your creditors and the bureaus as quickly as possible.
“Bubbles floating on top of your morning coffee signify money is on the way to you.”
Who would think that your morning cup of java can predict your financial future? Of course, it can’t, but for decades people have thought that the tiny bubbles in their coffee may mean that money is on the way.
Tomorrow morning, try swapping counting bubbles in your coffee for counting how much you’ve saved in your retirement fund or the points you could tack onto your credit score by reducing your debt. That’s a more solid means to predict your financial long- and short-term future.
“Find a penny, pick it up, and all the day you’ll have good luck.”
Would you walk past a penny lying in the street that’s not heads-up and risk jinxing yourself with loads of tails-up bad luck?
The roots of this superstition have been traced back to our 17th president, good old Honest Abe. Legend states that a face down penny represents Abraham’s Lincoln ill-fated night at the theatre, so you think you’ll somehow suffer similar ‘bad luck’ if you handle a penny the wrong way.
Don’t worry about encountering bad luck if you pick up a penny—no matter which end is up. Instead, let the penny be a reminder of the steps you can take to control your debt and improve your credit score. And then pick up the penny. It’s silly to walk past free money.
Tuck that penny in your wallet or purse for a constant reminder that no matter how superstitious you are, you—and not luck, fear or tiny bubbles—are the one in control of your financial destiny.
Best of luck, I mean…..break a leg.
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