Buddha44
Dryer sheet aficionado
Anyone try this test?
When couples clash over class - MSN Money
[Edit: the test is in the multimedia slide near the top. You may need to scroll a bit]
I took it, thinking I would be bemused by some well meaning platitudes at the end of the test but I found their inferences very offensive. There are only 8 questions, which I have abbreviated below. I include them because I thought my responses were rather reasonable and I was shocked at my "evaluation". Here are the questions:
1) Did your family a) belong to; b) lived near; or c) work at a country club?
I didn't really have an answer that fit but thought (c) was an attempt at a joke or somewhat perjorative so I chose (b)
2) Who cooked dinner at home? a) chef; b) parents; or c) self
My mother was a SAHM so I chose (b)
3) How did you get your first brand new car? a) from parents at 16; b) bought it myself; or c) never owned a new car
I've never owned a new car, although when I was 6 my mother and father let me choose between one of those cars that looked like a boat and a 67 bolero red Camaro -- restoring it is one of my retirement hobbies when I get there
. I've only had two cars, both old, used up cars, but currently own none since its not useful living in Manhattan.
4) What is your attitude about money? a) can't take it with you; b) I spend it when I see value; or c) why buy new when used is fine
I chose (b) because I research something to death and buy what I think is the best for the value
5) If you suddenly inherit $20,000 what would you do with it? a) spend it at Neiman Marcus; b) buy a $10,000 mutual fund and spend the rest on a vacation; or c) put it all into a savings account because investments lose value
I chose (c) because they didn't have a choice for a $20,000 mutual fund and I don't need any extra money to be able to go on vacation. This question made me think about the attitude of the person who framed these questions because $20,000 is too small of a sum to change anything I would do.
6) How do you select new luggage? a) buy what I like most; b) buy what is on sale; or c) tape up the old one
I chose (a) because whatever I decide has the most value is what I like the most, ie, it always has all the features I want
7) How do you feel about your job? a) it gets me out of the house; b) I love my profession; or c) who cares, I gotta eat.
I chose (b) because I actually like what I do
8) Your sibling has lost his job and wants to borrow money. Do you say a) I'll help you get a job but you need to stand on your own feet; b) stay with us so you don't need to pay for food or rent; or c) how much do you need?
I chose (c) since I would just give my sister what she needed, rather than loan it.
After answering these questions, here is the response:
You're a blue-collar penny-pincher
You didn't have much money growing, and you still don't. Your financial decisions are fueled by fear that it will all be taken away from you. You stretch a penny farther than anyone you know because you've vowed that you'll never let yourself or your family go hungry. Even if you become successful, you never leave the fear of poverty behind, and a spouse who doesn't share your background may view your parsimony as a form of punishment. Allow yourself and your family a nice treat once in a while.
I was incredulous when I read this. It seemed that being rational and fiscally responsible was equivalent to being a cheapskate who used money to punish loved ones. I was appalled because almost all of the drivel is completely untrue [it's true that I didn't have much money growing up since my father started out as a private in the army]. I also hate the false innuendos -- you still don't have money -- or IF you become successful. What pisses me off is that a person trying to better his financial situation is going to take this test and think he is some kind of pecuniary monster. Okay, now I'm ranting. Sorry about the long post.
When couples clash over class - MSN Money
[Edit: the test is in the multimedia slide near the top. You may need to scroll a bit]
I took it, thinking I would be bemused by some well meaning platitudes at the end of the test but I found their inferences very offensive. There are only 8 questions, which I have abbreviated below. I include them because I thought my responses were rather reasonable and I was shocked at my "evaluation". Here are the questions:
1) Did your family a) belong to; b) lived near; or c) work at a country club?
I didn't really have an answer that fit but thought (c) was an attempt at a joke or somewhat perjorative so I chose (b)
2) Who cooked dinner at home? a) chef; b) parents; or c) self
My mother was a SAHM so I chose (b)
3) How did you get your first brand new car? a) from parents at 16; b) bought it myself; or c) never owned a new car
I've never owned a new car, although when I was 6 my mother and father let me choose between one of those cars that looked like a boat and a 67 bolero red Camaro -- restoring it is one of my retirement hobbies when I get there
. I've only had two cars, both old, used up cars, but currently own none since its not useful living in Manhattan.4) What is your attitude about money? a) can't take it with you; b) I spend it when I see value; or c) why buy new when used is fine
I chose (b) because I research something to death and buy what I think is the best for the value
5) If you suddenly inherit $20,000 what would you do with it? a) spend it at Neiman Marcus; b) buy a $10,000 mutual fund and spend the rest on a vacation; or c) put it all into a savings account because investments lose value
I chose (c) because they didn't have a choice for a $20,000 mutual fund and I don't need any extra money to be able to go on vacation. This question made me think about the attitude of the person who framed these questions because $20,000 is too small of a sum to change anything I would do.
6) How do you select new luggage? a) buy what I like most; b) buy what is on sale; or c) tape up the old one
I chose (a) because whatever I decide has the most value is what I like the most, ie, it always has all the features I want
7) How do you feel about your job? a) it gets me out of the house; b) I love my profession; or c) who cares, I gotta eat.
I chose (b) because I actually like what I do
8) Your sibling has lost his job and wants to borrow money. Do you say a) I'll help you get a job but you need to stand on your own feet; b) stay with us so you don't need to pay for food or rent; or c) how much do you need?
I chose (c) since I would just give my sister what she needed, rather than loan it.
After answering these questions, here is the response:
You're a blue-collar penny-pincher
You didn't have much money growing, and you still don't. Your financial decisions are fueled by fear that it will all be taken away from you. You stretch a penny farther than anyone you know because you've vowed that you'll never let yourself or your family go hungry. Even if you become successful, you never leave the fear of poverty behind, and a spouse who doesn't share your background may view your parsimony as a form of punishment. Allow yourself and your family a nice treat once in a while.
I was incredulous when I read this. It seemed that being rational and fiscally responsible was equivalent to being a cheapskate who used money to punish loved ones. I was appalled because almost all of the drivel is completely untrue [it's true that I didn't have much money growing up since my father started out as a private in the army]. I also hate the false innuendos -- you still don't have money -- or IF you become successful. What pisses me off is that a person trying to better his financial situation is going to take this test and think he is some kind of pecuniary monster. Okay, now I'm ranting. Sorry about the long post.
I think they are assuming a severe lack of mobility within the (wealth based) class structure.
