5 Reasons Why Money Is Like Sex

If I had to pick two of the most defining moments of growing up, I would say my first job and my first kiss. What do those two things have in common? Well, the first day of work is a lot like the first kiss. You’re not really sure what to do or whether you’re doing it right, but it’s exciting and new. I can still remember the nervousness and awkwardness of it all.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize this continues to happen throughout our lives — your first day at a new job or the first time you have sex. In fact, it made me wonder if maybe money and sex have more in common than I had initially thought. It turns out that they do, and here are five reasons why.

Photo by Annie Ominous

1. Everybody does it.

Sex and power are two of our most primal instincts, and we all know that money equals power. Money is like sex, because everybody ends up doing it. No matter who we are, we eventually have to deal with earning/managing/saving money, just like we have to deal with finding/having/enjoying sex. While each person may have a unique approach, the point is there’s simply no way to avoid money and sex. These two things are part of the human experience.

2. Few people talk about it.

For two things that are such a big part of our lives, it’s kind of strange that very few people are open to talking about sex and money. From my experiences, most people only talk about these things with their closest friends (or after they’ve had a couple drinks). While sex and money are personal topics, one of the best ways to get better at something is to talk to people who have more knowledge and experience. Money and sex are no exceptions.

3. Some people are better at it than others.

While I believe that everyone should be treated equal, everyone is definitely not equally skilled at everything. Just like sex, some people are better than others when it comes to handling money. Why? Maybe it’s hereditary, maybe it’s learned, or maybe it’s a little of both. Whatever it is, we all need practice to get better. Some people take classes. Others read books. Some just jump right in and learn from their mistakes as they go.

4. It feels better without protection.

I think I speak for the majority of the population when I say that sex feels better without protection. Sure, it’s definitely not the smart thing to do, but as far as pleasure is concerned, it’s the best thing to do. Responsibly managing your money is like putting a condom on your wallet. It’s the smart thing to do, but as far as pleasure goes, it kind of kills the mood.

Photo by Scarlet O.

5. It’s complicated.

I think we’ve all heard this one — sex makes a relationship more complicated. Well, it should come as no surprise that money makes things more complicated too. It turns out our brains lust after money with the same neurons that they crave sex. In fact, these neurons can, and often do, override the functioning of the brain’s frontal cortex which governs rational thoughts. Well, that explains a lot of the illogical decisions we make when it comes to money and sex. Or does it mean we can’t explain it? Sigh. It’s complicated.

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