It’s Weird But Adult to Talk Money With Strangers

by Ester Bloom and Meaghano

Meaghan: So YOU had an exciting morning, eh? You visited a financial advisor!

Ester: Yes! It was very adult. Our advisor lady did our taxes for us this year which was the FIRST TIME that’s ever happened, but she was so smart and nice that we decided to ask her to Counsel us. To give us Counsel. Because we’ve never gotten that before either.

Meaghan: Yeah! I have never done it, though it has always seemed like a good idea. I guess almost like therapy the key is finding someone who you trust/respect.

Ester: She came recommended from a Billfold pal, actually! (And a real-life friend.)

Meaghan: Amazing. I guess also having her help you with taxes was a nice way to get to know her and see how she works and stuff?

Ester: Yes, and vice versa — she got to know us pretty well by doing our taxes too. 🙂 We figured that would give her a pretty clear picture of who and where we are, and it did. The big change is that the fella, who is currently a full-time corporate lawyer, will not be one for long, so there is much Mystery and Complexity about what happens next.

Meaghan: So exciting! And seems like a good reason to sit down with someone and feel all adult-y and stuff.

Ester: Is there a moment where you’ve felt like you’ve crossed the Rubicon and become an Adult? Or does it happen for you by stages?

Meaghan: Getting an accountant and talking to him about my financial situation for the first time was definitely a moment. Also getting health insurance through the ACA thing!

Ester: Oh yes! Very responsible. What was that like?

Meaghan: Yeah! Well it was a nightmare. Ha! But I used the website’s resource thing where you can go meet with someone IRL to help walk you through it, which actually did the trick. And I had to hand over my recent tax returns to this lady and it was such a funny experience, explaining my financial situation to this insurance broker. I guess a lot like the accountant, and a lot like your woman today. It’s like okay we’re gonna talk about this I guess! And you just spout numbers. It is kind of liberating!

Ester: As invasive but not quite as uncomfortable as a pelvic exam. Mostly I close my eyes and think of England. But yeah, depending on what happens with my fella, we might end up enrolling in ACA insurance, or Freelancers’ Union insurance. We have to do some research on what will work best. Or perhaps one of us will get a job with benefits! It’s weird to have a lot up in the air. I am a person that likes — craves? — stability. But we’ve both been very responsible in the past and it’s time to try Going After Our Dreams a bit, which is intense. If not now, when? and all that, but still. A little scary.

Meaghan: Yes!!! A lot of stuff is up in the air for us, too, which doesn’t bother me that much — or doesn’t bother me as much as it does say, my concerned mother.

Ester: Concerned mothers everywhere, unite! But I guess that’s a mother’s job, to worry.

Meaghan: I think knowing that you do have insurance options, or that at the end of the day, you do have job opportunities you can look into if need be, helps a ton, even if you don’t know how everything will play out. I can take risk as long as I know what I would do in my worst-case scenario.

Ester: Exactly, and that’s what the financial lady told us today. She had very good advice and told us we’re in a pretty strong position, so that was nice to hear. And she pointed out that, worst comes to worst, we could take out an Equity Loan on our apartment! Which had never occurred to me.

Meaghan: Totally! You guys are in great shape. That is an adult moment, too, I think, where you expect someone to tell you you’re being irresponsible and they’re like, No!

Ester: Ha. Yes! I’m always waiting for someone to tell me I’m doing things wrong but when I trace the voice back it comes from my own head and not anyone else’s. Everyone else seems to shrug and say, “What? You’re doing fine. Keep going.”

Meaghan: WE ARE OUR OWN CONCERNED MOTHERS.

Ester: IT’S SO TRUE. Well, I may have to quit therapy because it’s a considerable expense. I wonder whether it’s worth just cutting back to one meeting a month or something instead?

Meaghan: Ester we just figured it out you no longer need therapy!

Ester: Yeah! Shut up, brain, or I’ll stab you with a Q-tip.

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