When is it Your Turn to Pay Bills? 5 Questions Help You Learn when to Say "Check Please"!

Most people are not in tune with what others think about them. Others just don't care. But it never hurts to recalibrate one's own life every now and then just to see where we are and how we can improve the little things so we can bring ourselves to the next level in life.

For example, if you earn over $40,000 combined income and are over the age of 25, giving group gifts valued in the amount that should be for one person is considered Cheap! Just because you sign your name to a group gift, doesn't give you the authority to minimize on the value of the gift. You don't think it's noticed by the recipient that you are all being cheap? If you give a group gift, make sure you multiply your gift value by the amount of people giving it. Or do yourself a favor, no one likes group gifts, it says only one of you cared to buy it and the other names just piggy backed onto that one gift.

Here are 5 quick questions. Please don't look at the answers until you are done. :

1. You and your guest are invited to a wedding. You don't know what to give as a wedding gift :

a. You find out where the reception is and how much each "plate" (typical per person meal) is and give the 'per plate' cost plus $25.00-100.00 for each of you.

b. You wait until you get there and see what you are eating and drinking, then before the end of the night you go into the bathroom stall and write a check for $100.00 for each of you.

c. You find out what's on their bridal registry and buy something off the registry that would cost at least $200.00 and above.

d. You buy the usual toaster for cheap and give it to them.

e. You bring nothing or give an IOU. You figure they are your family or friends and don't expect a gift from you.

2. You are invited to dinner either by yourself or with your guest or family. What do you bring them if anything?

a. You want to show appreciation, so you buy a gift basket at Stew Leonard's, Whole Foods or a great deli with a bottle of wine.

b. You buy a bottle of wine and buy a cake.

c. You bring nothing, but the day after the dinner, you send the host and hostess a basket of flowers, fruit or gourmet food and a thank you card.

d. You make a cake and bring some wine, which you end up drinking and ask to take the leftover cake home.

e. You bring nothing.

3. Someone you see often, family, friends, etc. gives your child (ren) a gift for their birthday, holiday, etc. What do you do?

a. You buy a gift "from your child (ren)" to give this person on the next holiday.

b. You keep "emergency" gifts on hand for these occasions and present this person with a gift on the next holiday.

c. You find out when this persons birthday is and send them flowers or gourmet food basket with a card on that day from your child (ren) only.

d. You send them a thank you card.

e. You thank them and never give them a gift. You feel that people can give all they want to your kids; it's not you after all. You don't feel you owe that person anything; it's your kids they gave to not you.

4. It's your Father, Mother, friend, family's Birthday. You ask them "what do you want for your Birthday"? They may be modest or don't know at the time and just say, "I don't want anything".

a. You find out where they like to shop or go or eat and give them a gift certificate there for at least the amount they spent on your last gift.

b. You send them a gift basket of gourmet foods or fruit.

c. You go to the mall and do your best buying them a gift, but attach the receipt so they can exchange it if they don't like it.

d. You take them out for a reduced price 'lunch special' Birthday lunch and give them just a card.

e. You actually give him/her nothing.

5. You have a friend or family member ask you if you want to get something to eat, go to the movies, come over for a drink, etc. and you always let this person pay. You

a. Make sure you pay the next time you go out. So you alternate on who pays.

b. Make plans and Invite him/her over or out somewhere before you leave and you pay the bill.

c. You learn to say "no" sometimes. You realize that you don't need to always say "yes".

d. You ask him/her out but to a free place that costs you nothing and you buy your own drink and food before they get there.

e. You eat and drink whatever they offer you and you never put your hands in your pockets to pay or give them ever anything of monetary value or favors.

Answer key: If your answers are primarily "a's" I salute you! You are a very thoughtful and a Generous person!
If your answers are primarily 'b's' and above, you are a Generous person!
If your answers are 'c's" you are sensible, conservative and thoughtful. But not generous.
If your answers are primarily 'd's" you are a Cheapskate and stingy and your lazy lack of reciprocation shows that you are unappreciative too; you have lost respect from those people who were generous to you. You are self centered. You wont likely get anymore generosity from at least 75% or more of these people who have been generous to you ever again. If your answers are primarily 'd's" then you are a deadbeat, a tightwad, stingy and a cheap stake. You are also self centered and Needy. You take advantage of other people's generosity and are ungrateful. You look gift horses in the mouth and are not worthy to be on the receiving end anymore because you don't reciprocate. In other words...Any'd' and 'e' answers are also considered "moochers". You should work on this 'c' and 'd' people...this is not something you want to prolong, now that you know the truth about yourself. You can change and should change. pay back and change your cheap selves and "treat" those who have been generous to you and your family with a big payback...just keep it coming. it's not a one time deal.