While some people loose millions and do fine, I cannot take losses well. Even as little losses & unexpected bills as $50 (and often even less) make my heart pounce and I have a hard time recovering from it. When the unexpected bill or loss is larger than $200 or so that triggers a panic response in me. Then a feeling of anger over whoever caused my loss and/or myself for being a sucker.
Today my HMO screwed up for the third time this year. And I have to fight a bill that will total close to a thousand dollars. Per my understanding - they should have covered the bill - but they did not ! Of course can a human being navigate the maze of healthcare bureaucracy !
Because unexpected bills and losses have potential to bring me to my grave, I've been avoiding situations when I will get into this situation. I've been avoiding owing a car, so I don't end up with a big unexpected bill for car expense. I am reluctant to start a family or having kids because of all the money that can be potentially be lost over it.
I never invested into stock market, and that's good, since a 50% or so decline in my portfolio would be deadly for me. When I buy expensive electronics I always buy extended warranty since if my HDTV dies one month after my warranty, I might die with it too ! (Of course then I have to fight with my extended warranty provider who is trying to not cover my item)
My maternal grandfather felt sick over money. And I believe I've inherited that from him. While I can be extremely frugal with my money, and save nearly half of my small income, I tend to get into a severe depression, panic and suicide when my savings are about to take a hit. Especially when I feel that I was a victim of someones deceit or incompetence.
While I know that stuff happens in life, and now and then everybody got to pay a bill or two for something they haven't expected. I have hard time to adjust to this reality. I feel strong urge to fight unfair billings, contact Better Business Bureau, Consumer Protection etc... Even for a hundred bucks or so. I even had an idea to picket my HMO's hospital denouncing it's careless billing practices.
But the fight I tend to engage in over trivial bills, and even not-so trivial bills, comes with too high of the price to my physical and emotional well-being. I feel that if a relatively minor monetary loss can translate into suicidal thoughts, a truly severe financial loss will undoubtedly result into a suicide.
Today my HMO screwed up for the third time this year. And I have to fight a bill that will total close to a thousand dollars. Per my understanding - they should have covered the bill - but they did not ! Of course can a human being navigate the maze of healthcare bureaucracy !
Because unexpected bills and losses have potential to bring me to my grave, I've been avoiding situations when I will get into this situation. I've been avoiding owing a car, so I don't end up with a big unexpected bill for car expense. I am reluctant to start a family or having kids because of all the money that can be potentially be lost over it.
I never invested into stock market, and that's good, since a 50% or so decline in my portfolio would be deadly for me. When I buy expensive electronics I always buy extended warranty since if my HDTV dies one month after my warranty, I might die with it too ! (Of course then I have to fight with my extended warranty provider who is trying to not cover my item)
My maternal grandfather felt sick over money. And I believe I've inherited that from him. While I can be extremely frugal with my money, and save nearly half of my small income, I tend to get into a severe depression, panic and suicide when my savings are about to take a hit. Especially when I feel that I was a victim of someones deceit or incompetence.
While I know that stuff happens in life, and now and then everybody got to pay a bill or two for something they haven't expected. I have hard time to adjust to this reality. I feel strong urge to fight unfair billings, contact Better Business Bureau, Consumer Protection etc... Even for a hundred bucks or so. I even had an idea to picket my HMO's hospital denouncing it's careless billing practices.
But the fight I tend to engage in over trivial bills, and even not-so trivial bills, comes with too high of the price to my physical and emotional well-being. I feel that if a relatively minor monetary loss can translate into suicidal thoughts, a truly severe financial loss will undoubtedly result into a suicide.
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