This is the week in 2018, when we Indians will celebrate my second favorite festival, after Diwali. In 2 days, it is the time to celebrate Holi, the beautiful festival of colors.

Just like Diwali, it is also a celebration of good over evil, said evil being an aunt in the protagonist’s own family. However, the celebration is vastly different. While Diwali is about lighting a dark moonless night with earthen lamps (and firecrackers), Holi is about wishing others with colored powder in the morning, following a bonfire on the previous night (full-moon this time).

In most parts of the country, you can see people smearing color on each other and eating yummy food and sweets like samosa, gujiya etc.

When I started thinking about the different colors which will be on display on Friday, I realized that money also has different hues to it. Money being such an emotional aspect of our lives brings out all those colors in all its’ vividness.

Green of envy

This is one of the most commonly known emotions around money. We sure do envy the neighbor who has the bigger house, the better car and the likes. In our bid to keep up with the Joneses, we often start measuring people solely on the basis of money earned and the display of wealth.

This is one color you can do without in your money palette. We all know the comparison is the thief of joy. So why not just compete only with yourself and attempt to better your own record in all aspects of life, including money?

Yellow of cheer

Money can make you feel cheerful

What are the first words that come to your mind when you think of the color yellow? Bright, cheerful and happy?

The thought of money, when translated to buy things and experiences we like, can often bring happiness.

Pink of embarrassment

Yes, money has the ability to embarrass us as well. If you go out with friends who might be of a higher economic standard, there is a possibility that you might end up feeling embarrassed. Or consider a time when your card is declined on a swipe. Money and its’ ways of making you feel embarrassed.

Another dimension which we often miss out on is the other extreme of the ostentatious displays of wealth. Some displays of wealth defy any logic and are downright embarrassing, whatever way you look at it. In that context, this Reddit thread had some pretty fine examples.

Red of anger

Has money ever made you red with fury? What about the times when someone tries to cheat you? Even if it is a service brand where you felt you did not get enough value for your money or a faulty product, the feeling of being cheated of our money is enough to make us see red.

For a lot of people, being broke also elicits a feeling of anger – towards oneself. Anger is known to be a very common feeling when it comes to money.

Feeling the blues

Mismanagement and dearth of money elicit only one feeling or emotion in us – the blues. All of us aspire to be comfortable when it comes to money and anytime we are not, the blues hit us.

When people get in the vicious circle of the inability to pay off debts, the blues go darker to a black of suicide. Suicides due to bankruptcy and a feeling of helplessness are not unheard of.

Silver

In Holi, a rare color seen is a streak of silver. You can see it lighting up some of the faces darkened by a mix of colors.

Just like that, with money also, it is important to remember every dark cloud has a silver lining. There are times when money matters seem hopeless but with will and determination, any money problem can be resolved.

So, which colors of money are you feeling right now? Can you make the switch from blue to yellow? Let me know in the comments or email me at aparna@elementummoney.com

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