This article discusses meanings of money, both concrete and symbolic, based on cultural differences between Roman Catholic, working class Latino (Mexicans, Cubans, etc.) and White, middle-class, Protestant Anglo-American ideals. The differences are discussed within several themes. These topical themes are: individualism and collectivism; focusing on family rituals; spending on gifts, favors and interest-free loans; culture, money and social class as tied to cash and credit economies; cultural balance of work and leisure; religious beliefs, locus of control and obligations towards self or others; traditional and egalitarian marital gender roles. These cultural constructions and preferences influence perceptions, attitudes, and uses of money in these ethnic and socioeconomic groups.
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