With the word officially out about having another kid on the way, I can’t tell you how many people have asked Michelle and I…

Have you started looking for a bigger house?

Or…

What kind of minivan or three-row SUV are you going to get?

Look, I get it. Chapter 5 of the official adulting manual says this life event calls for a bigger house and larger vehicle. No one would bat an eye if we did both of those things.

But this, in my opinion, brings us to the silent but deadly creator of most money issues...

Social expectation and acceptance.

It is SO easy to unintentionally stumble into living beyond your means when your financial decisions are driven by what’s expected and accepted.

Here’s the thing: we don’t need a bigger house or car. People might expect us to get them. Maybe we want them. Maybe we’ll even get them (ok, probably not.) But we don’t need them.

Just being aware of the impact social expectations can have on our financial decision making process can help stop a lot of money issues before they ever get started.

Before increasing two rather large fixed expenses - and that’s not including daycare! - I asked myself the following questions...

Would a bigger house mean we need to cut back our spending on the things we enjoy most?

Would it mean working more, which means less family time together?

And the most important question:

Is this what we really want? Or is it just what’s expected of us?

There are no right or wrong answers here. The only ones that matter are the ones that work best for you and your family.

The important part?

START any decision-making process with questions like these. Then you can find the answers that work best for you. Not your neighbor.

Having trouble balancing between your wants and needs? Finding what works best financially and emotionally for you and your family? You’re not alone. Let’s talk about it.

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