If you've been watching the popular series "House of Cards," you no doubt think it is about politics. However, it also can shed some light on how people get into money problems. In the series, lead character Frank Underwood maneuvers his way from Congress to the Vice Presidency to the top job, so you could argue that he got what he wanted. However, success is not always about what you can get -- it's about what you can keep. Frank found himself constantly struggling to hold onto the White House and people may relate with their finances.
6 signs your finances are a house of cards
Are you handling your finances the way Frank handled his political career? Appearing to get what you wanted but then going through a series of ordeals to hang onto it?
Here are six signs your finances are as fragile as a house of cards:
1. Have you lied about money?
Of course people lie when money is at stake. They lie to their own families about how much is in their checking accounts, they might fudge a little on a credit application, or they might mislead an employer to get a better job. The problem is, anything you might obtain by such means isn't really yours, and it can easily be taken away at any time.
2. Are you just trying to make it to tomorrow?
While a succession of crises might be great for keeping a television plot moving, it does not make for a very pleasant lifestyle. It is hard to enjoy your things if you have to constantly worry about having them repossessed or live paycheck to paycheck.
3. Are you only thinking about the short-term?
The problem with this crisis-to-crisis lifestyle is that it does not allow for any long-term thinking about how to actually solve the underlying problems. In effect, Frank's focus is forced to become shorter and shorter. Far from governing, his time as president quickly becomes an exercise in damage control. You might be doing the same thing with handling bills. As tough as it may be when you are just trying to pay this month's bills, coming up with a long-term plan is the only way next month is going to be any better for you and your savings accounts.
4. Is your lifestyle borrowed?
The key to shifting from damage control to a viable plan is to assess how much of your lifestyle you can really afford. Frank was ruthless about turning his back on people who were no longer an asset. Be equally ruthless about turning your back on luxuries that you can't readily pay for because they won't stay assets for long.
5. Is your spouse on board?
Claire Underwood proved to her husband that she could be both a formidable ally and a dangerous foe. Similarly, household finances work much more smoothly when both spouses are on the same page. If you are not upfront with your spouse about what you can afford, or if your spouse is not on board with living within a sustainable budget, you will find out how destructive working against each other can be.
6. Can you trust your advisors?
It's not just his wife Frank has to worry about. Other advisors also show shifting loyalties. The main lesson here is be careful who you trust, especially when it comes to your finances. Remember that when you choose financial advisors, make sure you know who they are really serving: you or themselves. Financial fraud could be a risk if you're unaware how your money is being handled.
If any of the above apply to how you handle your finances, you might find yourself with essentially the same problem Frank Underwood had: struggling full time to hold onto your house.
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