Mr. Bling
Mr. Bling makes a production out of the trappings of success, and he/she is the star in their own emotional movie. Generally they are the biggest spenders and “Top of the line in everything” is their mantra because they are what is called “prestige” spenders. No big ticket item is too big. Treating themselves to a lavishly life is second nature to them.

Mr. Bling enjoys the attention of friends, family and anyone else who might happen to walk by and notice them. You can expect them to be early adopters of trends because their purchases are designed to make them the center of attention and they view this as their reward.

Behind all the trappings of “expensive things” is a sense of shame and feelings of inferiority. Their purchases are the armor that is designed to protect them. The expensive things he shows to the world are how he defines success. One young man worked his way up from a poor family and despite all of his accomplishments such as getting a Masters Degree and a high profile job, he at times feels he is a failure. “If I’m so successful then how come I have not purchased my first Mercedes?” You see the look of success is the prime requirement for someone like a Mr. Bling. A good number of Rap artists fall into this category with over the top jewelry and very showy expensive cars. It is not unusual for them to carry large sums of cash, especially big bills, so that there is a major production when they pick up the tab for something. These outward symbols shout success for them so that others will see and envy all that they have.

A Mr. Bling can be extremely competitive and is constantly comparing himself to outshine those around him with his purchases. He exudes charisma and has a degree of personal flair that he feels puts him on a pedestal. However, he can be brutally snobbish if anyone attempts to join him on that pedestal. He and he alone is the dictator of if you are in or out of fashion.

The difficulty for Mr. Bling is so much money is invested in his presentation that he invariably cannot afford to continue the purchase arms race. He is not one to keep track of his spending so he always has a distorted view of just how much money he actually has. He has a vague sense that there is always more money which allows him to remain in denial. For example, it was reported that following the death of Michael Jackson his estate actually increased in value because he was no longer alive to keep spending royalties faster than they were accumulating.

Ironically, Mr. Bling’s behavior in being the center of attention creates a great deal of negative reaction which is really the opposite of what he wants. He is always the one to point out your possession is last years model and he has the latest version. Assessment flows from his pores and no one likes to be so obviously judged.

Blings Belief traits
Mr. Blings belief system is shaped by feelings that his possessions give him power and the more expensive the item the more power he has. The overt display of cars and designer clothes is his interpretation that others will view him as successful only if he is wrapped in his expensive armor. Taking his friends out for lavish dinners and picking up the tab demonstrates his superiority and reassures him that he will get his way. When spending a Bling will indicate feelings of increased power and self-esteem, and conversely report feelings of powerlessness and depression when budget curbs are put in place.

Helping Bling unravel the mystery
Before any change can become a part of Bling’s behavior he has to acknowledge those portions of his history that started him down the road to overspending. Recalling his early money memories begins to shine a light on his interpretation of money. Often it will involve reflecting on a family history where money was in short supply and feelings of deprivation that made him feel ashamed and powerless.

The major point Mr. Bling has to realize is that even without his purchases he is someone who attracts a following. Generally this person has a great deal of charisma and flair that would exist even without the expensive toys. Looking at their histories, they also have a good deal of drive because in most instances they have risen above fairly humble origins. If you are a Mr. Bling, stop for a moment and take a long look back at how far you have traveled in your personal life. YOU are your greatest asset and accepting that fact is one of the first steps in reclaiming your financial life.