Where did money superstitions come from, and are they true? Many money superstitions have been passed down from generation to generation; for some, the superstition may come true through sheer luck. Others may get discouraged and give up believing in money superstitions altogether. Have you ever had a money superstition come true? If so, you may be one of the lucky few. Here are a few money superstitions and the meaning behind them.
Unbelievable Money Superstitions
Don't Put Your Purse On the Floor, or You'll Lose Your Money
I'm not sure where this money superstition came from, but generally, floors are dirty, and you don't want to put your most valued possessions there. If you place your purse on the floor, it's seen as a sign of disrespect. Most say if you don't value your money, you'll lose it by putting your bag on a dirty floor. So, if you're in a restaurant, sit your purse in a chair or by a purse hanger where you can hang your bag on the edge of the table. You'll have a clean purse and reduce the risk of losing your money.
When Your Palms Itch, You Have Money Coming To You
I've heard this all my life. Typically, I'm standing next to someone, and they begin scratching their hand. The next words out of their mouth are, "I must have some money coming to me." Or, I'm about to hit the lottery numbers today. Personally, when my palms itch, I've always had to wait until payday. So, I guess it could come to fruition if you don't have a problem waiting until you receive your next paycheck.
Eating Greens On New Year's Day
Every year I have a tradition of cooking black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year's Day. My daughter always asks me why I do this. Cooking black-eyed peas on New Year's means you will have a prosperous year. The combination of cooking collards, mustard, or turnip greens also symbolizes that you will have a financially prosperous year as well. The greens represent the color of money, so as long as the color of money doesn't change, it may mean a prosperous financial year for you. Year over year following this superstition has been fruitful for me, so it may be for you too.
See a Penny Pick it Up, and You'll Have Good Luck
Finding money on the ground is like an unexpected cash bonus. If it's a quarter, a dollar, or even twenty dollars, it's highly unlikely that you'll pass it up. What if it was a penny? Would you take the time to bend down and pick up a penny? Finding a penny with Abraham Lincoln's face showing is said to bring good luck if you stop and pick it up. The flip side of that coin is that if the penny is face down, it can bring bad fortune. I've seen many pennies on the ground face down, but I haven't been tempted to press my luck. Have you?
Getting Pooped on By a Bird - It's a Good Sign
We were on a road trip when I was younger, and my sister rolled down the car window. My mom had the a/c on, so she told her to roll the window back up. Seconds later, a bird pooped on the window. My mom said, if you had been pooped on, that would have brought you good luck and money. My sister was happier that we only had to wash off the window and not her.
Banks Can't Keep Your Money Safe During a Recession
Depending on how much money you have in a bank, your money will be protected if a recession occurs. The FDIC protects the money that you deposit in a bank up to $250,000. If you have more than $250,000 in your account, it's important to diversify your funds into different categories of accounts or with joint account holders so that your money is not spread amongst various financial institutions.
Putting Money Face Down is Bad Luck
There is a superstition that putting money face down is bad luck. This superstition is believed to have originated in China, where it is said that putting money face down is a sign of disrespect for money. The term most often used when money is placed face down is "sleeping." When money is sleeping, it won't bring you any wealth. If you believe this superstition, always make sure your money is facing up when you put it away in your wallet or use a money clip.
Here are some other money superstitions from around the world:
In China, it is considered bad luck to lend money on New Year's Day.
In Japan, it is considered bad luck to give someone a wallet as a gift.
In Italy and Russia, it is considered bad luck to count money after dark.
In Russia and Brazil, it is considered bad luck to step on money.
What's Next?
Work hard towards your financial goals so you don't have to lean on money superstitions to help you get ahead. Mapping out a financial plan can help ensure you have a solid and secure financial future.
Many money superstitions have been passed down through the generations. Some people believe in them, and some don't. Do you have a favorite money superstition?
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