There are two types of people.

In my young life, I remember several short phrases that my parents would be proud to know I have absorbed. Many of these tokens of wisdom have helped me understand co-workers and people in general. Let me share a token with you, "There are two types of people, people who do things, and people who pay people to do things for them." At my age, I've not had the opportunity to know many born within the same decade as me to be able to "pay people to do things for them" but as I forge ahead in my career, it becomes more apparent that some men and women in their 40s and 50s have this option. For example, I am not an accountant, therefore I have two choices, I can learn how to balance a budget, or I must pay someone who is a professional to do it for me. However, I strongly believe that, a "jack of all trades" really is a master of none. So, of course - I leave important things to the professionals.

So, to the heart of this post. I know a woman who apparently - is so well off financially, that she simply pays people to do quite a bit of what needs to be done in her professional life and in her home life. She, like me - works with a non-profit organization. In her work life, she is appalled at the adjustments staff is willing to do make in order to save the company money. Please note, the tasks are not in any means dangerous, immoral or illegal. But the staff are understanding and they realize that if they chip in a little extra with a project - that it's money the organization can keep for the programs.

In learning more about this woman, I realized that - she has always been one of the "haves." She's always had the money to simply pay for services that others could not have. So, the idea of reusing reusable items, donating perfectly decent objects, completing physical tasks, and stretching a dollar - are all unfamiliar concepts to her.

The danger of her thoughtlessness regarding money? Well, it would be that she is just as careless with the money of the organization when given the opportunity. She would instruct the staff to purchase new equipment to replace the machines that were already there, (which were in good working condition) and would literally throw working items into the garbage if they were not up to her standards.

Once I learned that she was not actually conscience of her actions, it made our interactions clearer. I began to understand that she had no understanding of how to be budget or environmentally conscience. The moral, however is this - be careful that the negative financial habits of your personal life do not make their way into your professional life. Use your head, be aware of the priorities of the organization, and work to practice their good financial habits.