When I’m driving by myself, I drive like Speed Racer.

I throttle it like no tomorrow. Pedal to the metal. CHP be damn.

The only reason why I haven’t die yet from the horrid driving, is because even if I drive like a maniac - my econobox won’t go over 43 mph (stupid 4 cylinder piece of junk).

Things change drastically though when I have a passenger.
If my passenger happens to be my mom, I drive like a grandma.

I use my turn signals. I stop at stop signs. I don’t try to beat the light, or the punk in his stupid Ferrari Enzo.

If my passenger happens to be a fellow Speed Racer. Then it’s race time! Because that extra 15 mph is going to get me to my destination three seconds faster.

This is the lovely Passenger Effect.

It can be dangerous, but it can also be helpful. Life has many passenger effects, especially when it comes to the world of buying crap. If you’re shopping with a buddy that just can’t stop spending… there’s a good chance you’ll be influenced to go crazy with the spending too.

Spendaholic Buddy: Come on Cap, you’ve got to buy that pair of pants. It brings out your behind beautifully.

Cap: Ah… I don’t know. My credit card debt is getting a bit high. Plus the pants seem a bit tight.

Spendaholic Buddy: STFU and buy the sexy pants!

Cap: Okay I’ll buy it! You’ve convinced me with your insightful argument!

See how easy it is to be influenced?

We all know that the people we surround ourselves with will have a significant impact in our life. You spend time with positive people, you might become more positive. You spend time with negative people, you might become more negative. This is also true when the issue concerns financial matters.

It’s a whole lot easier sticking to a frugal budget when you’re surrounded by a group of like-minded individuals. They can give you support and help reinforce your goals. When you surround yourself with people that have an exact opposite mindset, things can get a bit rough.

Even if you’re the world’s best driver, you can still be influenced by your passengers. Maybe they won’t change your mindset completely, but their constant backseat driving can still distract you. It’s a whole lot easier to carry out a goal when you don’t have a group of naysayers around you.

It’s true that sometimes you can’t choose who you’re surrounded with. It’s tough when that happens. But you do have some choices in the type of people you can seek out. Will you seek out other like minded individuals? Or will you surround yourself with more of the same?

When you’re in that car with that very special passenger, you’re the world’s safest driver. Your little sister. Your little cousin. Your child.

You buckle up. You check the rear view mirror. You keep to the speed limit and you drive defensively.

You make a choice.