This is interesting. Liz Pulliam Weston says that if you're having financial troubles, it's your fault. She's a highly read financial columnist, and she's listed the many excuses she's been given by people in financial binds. Less overtime, higher unplanned expenses, divorce, bad economy, credit cards, mortgage, bad parenting, or you're just plain bad with numbers. She's heard them all and she's having none of it.
Ultimately, it's up to you to spend less than you earn.
Ms. Weston lists a few fairly common and fairly easy to follow ideas to identify, fix, and leave behind your financial problems. While she does say that your problems are of your own doing, she does understand the various difficulties people face. Those issues, whether caused by government, corporations, credit card companies or health care, can and should be discussed and improved. However, Ms. Weston writes, "But first make sure your own house is in order. Don't leave your financial well-being to the whims of others. Taking charge, taking responsibility and finding solutions is what empowers us and what ultimately lead to financial freedom."
11 comments:
You're in fine form Cameron.
What if you earn less than it costs you to feed and clothe your family and put a roof over your heads? Is that your fault too?
I think its your fault when you dont inherit millions from your parents.
Just as good.. Its your fault when you get hurt on/off the job.
I thought you two might appreciate this column. I assume you read it.
The point she makes is that at some point in time the reasons for misfortune turn into excuses for misfortune, none of which actually helps to change the situation.
"Taking charge, taking responsibility and finding solutions is what empowers us and what ultimately lead to financial freedom."
We read it Cameron. What we're saying is that in spite of taking responsibility and looking for solutions, one may not find financial freedom. In fact, the statistics clearly show that "financial freedom" is not attainable for a large percentage of Americans. This kind of rhetoric seeks to blame the victim for their economic fate rather than acknowledge the huge role that conservative government policy has played in the stagnation of family incomes and the prevalence of usury.
>> In fact, the statistics clearly show that "financial freedom" is not attainable for a large percentage of Americans.
What's that I hear? Excuses? Attempts Legitmize your poor money managment? What, you didn't plan to have kids? What, you NEEDED a new car? What, you HAD to buy your kid that new video game?
Try these simple steps ... get a job & keep it, plan ahead (yes that means both with your money and with when you're gonna have kids), try saving money instead of spending it, try not splurging. You can control your own finances, and you're not being held back because of George W. Bush.
I assume Neon will never become disabled, or suffer discrimination, and that he is assuming a decent education in our public schools, and a set of parents that taught him the work ethic.
"you're not being held back because of George W. Bush."
Unless of course you fight in a war he sends you to and come back injured in some way. Then, its your fault. Lazy vets.
or...
Bush signs into law a new BK bill that doesn't allow exceptions for things like a HURRICANE. Then he fails to do little things like give fed. funds to the damaged areas. Lazy poor people.
PS: See... it always is GW's fault.
From the column:
There's certainly plenty of blame to go around. But if that's as far as you get, you'll never get ahead.
That's the point. If all you do is assign blame, you will never get ahead. You. Personally.
Yes, there are bad things that can happen. They might not even be your fault. But there are ways out. There are helps out there. Simply assigning blame will not help you. Ultimately, it is up to you to get ahead.
I agree that assigning blame is not enough, but neither is simply taking individual action when collective action is required to solve the problem.
That's why it's necessary to work for political solutions that will help every American have an opportunity to get a good education, a good job, decent housing, and remove the health care Sword of Damocles that hangs over us all.
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