LIFE

My friend is getting a new iPod touch soon. She always brags about it and everything else that she has – money, designer clothes, house on lake, etc. I just got a new phone and I'm really excited about it!

The thing is, I know that really soon after I show my new phone to my friends, she will have her new iPod touch and everyone will love it. This girl always one-ups me! It's not that I'm jealous, I don't even want the iPod touch. Anyway, my mom says my friend is a bad influence because her morals are different than my family's and she only cares about materialistic things.

How do I get her to stop bragging about everything she has?

It's hard to have a friend who's such a material girl. Good for you for realizing that possessions like your new phone, iPod, those fab new jeans, don't make you any better of a person. You're totally right-it's really the things that money can't buy-like your ability to make your BFF laugh when she's upset, your major math smarts and the way you feel after a great soccer match-that make you awesome.

But what to do about this bragging pal? Every time she brings up stuff like her iPod, her house on the lake, her designer clothes, you could try to change the subject. If you keep re-directing the convo every time she pipes up about her material stuff maybe she'll get the hint that you and your pals don't wanna hear it.

You could try taking her aside and telling her how it makes you feel when she's super competitive. Point out the things about her personality that you love and the reasons why you're friends with her. Make sure she knows that you value her as a friend NOT because of her money or status. Tell her that you think these are the things that really count and make her a great person. Tell her that it makes you feel competitive and labeled when you guys talk about money. Hopefully she'll get the hint.

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by Cait Rohan | 2/1/2016