Dear Mark Zuckerberg: Ignore Kanye West and his desperate plea for money

Long story short he says he’s $53 million dollars in debt and is literally begging Mark Zuckerberg (via Twitter and not Facebook!) to give him one BILLION dollars for his “ideas.”

I couldn’t make up something this ridiculous if I tried.

But let’s extract some financial wisdom from this ridiculousness while we’re on the subject, shall we?

First, this goes to show that no amount of money will ever seem to be enough unless you’re financially fit. Everybody needs to be organized, clarify their values, have a plan, and maintain a healthy relationship with money.

These basics cannot be outsourced, even if you can afford the finest financial experts in the world. Financial fitness, and the peace and freedom that comes with it, is an inside job.

You’re not “welcome to the good liiiife” upon making a lot of money. All the good stuff you want from money comes from managing it well, not from making a ton of it.

No person is a bank. No person is too big to fail. Not Mark Zuckerberg and his billions. And not you and your thousands or millions (or even hundreds). Lending money to someone that can’t handle their own finances is not healthy for you or a wise way to help someone. Actually, it’s debilitating.

In loaning money you unconsciously communicate to that person that they aren’t a smart or capable person who can be expected to competently handle money. In a sense you plant the idea in their mind that they need a hero like you to save them.

By declining to take someone up on their request or demand for money (including co-signing a loan), you show the person that you believe in them even if they don’t believe in themselves.

Most people who know that someone will bail them out if they get themselves into a financial bind have a hard time developing the discipline to make smart spending decisions, save, and think long-term.

I have seen “helpful” parents create instant gratification monsters out of their kids. Mark Zuckerberg would be doing much the same. What’s more, he would contribute to Kanye’s insatiable hunger for money and likely not end up helping Kanye achieve his goals. I can already see the day when Kanye blames Mark Zuckerberg when his “ideas” don’t work out or fail to provide him the fulfillment he expects they will.

And finally, this story goes to show that you can’t tell how well someone is doing financially just by looking at where they live, what they drive, and what they wear.  So do yourself a favor and stop trying to keep up with Jones’/ Kardashians, even if you are married to one.