DNA (Do Not Assume)

The Office of Disability Services at the institution I work gives away buttons with the acronym "dna". It stands for "do not assume". They use it to inform faculty that they should not assume a student doesn't have a disability just because one isn't visible. As a person of mixed-race I immediately liked the idea of dna, though for a different reason. You shouldn't assume a person's background from their looks or name alone. Today I attended a voluntary training event for allies of LGBTQ, where once again I was struck by the theme of not assuming.

This got me thinking. When it comes to personal finance it is again important not to assume. Just because you have a friend who always has the newest gadget, throws around money or has a well paying job doesn't mean that friend is doing well financially. And it works both ways, just because a neighbor has been driving the same car for years, or a relative lives in a small house doesn't mean they don't have millions stocked away. What do we really know about people before we sit down and talk to them? Very little.

So every time I get jealous because a friend can just splurge on an $80 haircut, or of another friends shopping spree, or even when I find out someones salary - I'm going to think DNA. Do Not Assume. Just because people have nice things, or get paid well doesn't mean they are rich or saving their money.

Sometimes it's good to remind yourself you never really know.