Money is awesome, but sometimes it can make things super awkward, especially with friends or even people you barely know. Here’s a story about a money situation that got weird and dragged on way too long, which really opened my eyes to how unique personal finance buffs can be and the risks of sharing your financial opinions if you’re after a smoother life.
So, a few months back, I was dropping my kid off at school and parked by the curb. Out of nowhere, even though there was a ton of space, another driver clipped my right tire while parking. The tire got a big gash, which could have been disastrous if it blew out while I was driving. I was a bit relieved though because the damage could have been much worse—like the time a laundry truck smashed into my car in Lake Tahoe causing a whopping $13,000 in damage and a three-month repair headache.
The driver was really sorry, and I ended up telling her I’d need to change both front tires, which would cost about $900. Eventually, we agreed she’d just pay for the one damaged tire because my other tires were fairly new.
After I got the new tires, which cost $873.80, I sent her the bill for half. She promised to drop off a check at the school. A week passed—no check. We bumped into each other a few times after that, and still, no check. It was pretty awkward.
Weeks went by, and I almost forgot about it until I saw her again, and she said she’d been busy but would sort it out. Time kept passing, and there was still no check, not at the school or in my mail. Finally, I suggested she could just Venmo the money to my wife’s account. Turns out, that made it easier for her, and she finally sent the money.
Throughout this whole ordeal, I felt a bit bad for even asking her to pay. But really, car repairs are a pain, and it wasn’t like I wanted any of this. It struck me as odd how she clipped my tire when there was so much room to avoid it, which made me wonder if she was just having a rough day.
Also, when she texted about having to adjust her budget, it got me thinking about how differently people handle their finances. Some surveys say most Americans can’t cough up $1,000 for an emergency, which I’ve always been skeptical about, but maybe there’s some truth in that after all.
In the end, I might have let the whole payment thing slide until the end of the school year if she hadn’t come through. It’s just money, after all. But it does show how people can have such different priorities when it comes to finances.
Talking money can be super tricky, especially face-to-face. You never know how others view money, which can lead to unexpected reactions. It’s probably wiser to keep those opinions to yourself to avoid conflict.
If you ever find yourself in a similar money pickle, maybe take a page out of this story. Sometimes, offering an easy electronic payment option right off the bat can save a lot of awkward run-ins and hassle.
