[conductr]

$2k is massive sum for most US households. Many are a flat tire away from bankruptcy, they lean on cash advances and their communities to help them through simple things like a flat tire.

I grew up kinda poor and lived this as a kid, my family was always helping or being helped by a neighbor or something. Through my friends and some extended family I knew these things were like a sign of our “class” and even slightly more secure people would never do them, it would even be a social faux pas to even ask for help. Now, at middle aged, I’ve done pretty well for myself and sometimes make other types of faux pas statements like “just buy a new car instead of dealing with that”. I have to be somewhat mindful that even a 10 year old used car is a huge purchase for many people. Even if it’s in good shape and can get another 5-10 years out of it, and would technically be the best move, it’s not viable if they can’t afford it or have to subject to some usurious loan.

TBH I generally like to just take the “it’s impolite to talk about money” approach unless I know the person well enough. Although I’m a financial professional so people tend to like asking my opinion/advice on a lot of things, even if I barely know them, I have found that I prefer to avoid those types of conversations altogether until I know you pretty well.