Are You A Mooch?

No one appreciates a mooch. You know that person who never tries to pay their own way and is always looking for hand-outs. We try to avoid them at all costs. They drain your emotion, energy, spirit and oftentimes your pockets. It becomes increasingly difficult when that mooch is someone you love like family or a close friend.

One question: What would you do if you found out that you are a freeloader? It would take some introspection to determine whether your actions are mooching and decide to change your behaviour.

How do I know I am a moocher?

This phase calls for self-reflection and honesty. There are several signs that you could look for.

1. You want everything for free or for others to pay your way – Wanting things to be free or inexpensive is not wrong. However, if you never expect to pay for even the essentials in life or want others to pay your way without you contributing to your own survival, you are a freeloader.

2. You take and never seek to give – Your friends are giving you food, gifts, attention and even money but when it is their turn to receive you disappear or offer an excuse as to why you can’t give. This is a classic sign that you are a moocher.

3. You are freeloader – You often show up at friends and family’s homes uninvited and overstay your welcome. After staying for a while you don’t offer to contribute money or help out around the house to offset the cost of the food, electricity, water or any utilities you may have used.

4. You expect others to do the work for which you get the credit – You watch others do all the hard work whether at your job or otherwise but are quick to claim that it was your idea or creation.

You can alienate loved ones with your feeloading ways

Is freeloading such a bad thing?

In a word: Yes! It is unfair, selfish and does not endear you to any of your family, friends or associates.

1. You show those in your life that you do not consider the impact of your actions on them. Should you hurt them emotionally, physically or otherwise, that is not a concern for you. This is insulting and will cause you to grow into an old person with little or no close friends.

2. You reap what you sow – If you sow laziness and show no drive, your chances for exponential success diminish.

3. You lose or never gain the respect of others – Those around you, some of whom could help you achieve great success or happiness, either lose any respect for you or never gain any in the first place.

How do I stop being a parasite?

You do not have to finish the way you started. If you find that you are a moocher, simply implement a plan to change. Change is not going to happen overnight but it will be rewarding.

1. Create a plan for your life. Develop an ambition whether career-wise, charity-wise etc that gives your life direction. Identify skills and competencies that you can create a career or a couple of occupations off of or even start your own business.

2. If you mooch because you are financially strapped, find ways to spend less. Cut off cable, dine out less, go out to parties less and save your finances for the essentials. Also identify ways that you may legally be able to pick up extra cash.

3. Think about how your activities impact others and whether you want others to mooch off of you the way you do to them. Then go to others house when invited and leave at an appropriate time. Should you stay a while, offer to help out around the house or pay some money to offset the cost of food and utilities you would have used.

4. Form relationships based on two-way responsibilities; this means you are not constantly the one taking but there is mutual respect as well as give and take.

Making changes can be challenging and sometimes discouraging but never give up until you have achieved the goal of being more self-sufficient and less of a freeloader on your friends and family.