Comments on: The real reason it is so easy/hard to get ahead http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html Financial independence, frugality, self-sufficiency, ecology, capitalism, and voluntary simplicity Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:46:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Hannah http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html/comment-page-1#comment-843 Hannah Tue, 25 Mar 2008 06:35:06 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html#comment-843 A great analogy. FI is the destination we all desire, for various and personal reasons, but the journey there can seem excruciating at times. For one, the future can seem a somewhat surreal concept for many. And just like with a diet, it is easy to lose sight of your principles and "slip up" during moments of apathy, i.e. "one purchase won't diminish my goal, etc." But I like how you reframe the issue as a linear path, with us in control of when we break and when we accelerate. We are fully in control, for better or worse. After all, FI is just a numbers game (or mileage game) and this analogy keeps the issue conceptually simple. Our oprahfied culture is obsessed with the minutiae of details, planning, steps, and "feel good" psycho-babble esque validations. This keeps you in a state of what I call preparation suspension. Simplifying the issue like you did, back to its concrete reality (yes to assets, no to liabilities) is the only way to keep one's goal in sharp focus. A great analogy. FI is the destination we all desire, for various and personal reasons, but the journey there can seem excruciating at times. For one, the future can seem a somewhat surreal concept for many. And just like with a diet, it is easy to lose sight of your principles and “slip up” during moments of apathy, i.e. “one purchase won’t diminish my goal, etc.”
But I like how you reframe the issue as a linear path, with us in control of when we break and when we accelerate. We are fully in control, for better or worse. After all, FI is just a numbers game (or mileage game) and this analogy keeps the issue conceptually simple.

Our oprahfied culture is obsessed with the minutiae of details, planning, steps, and “feel good” psycho-babble esque validations. This keeps you in a state of what I call preparation suspension. Simplifying the issue like you did, back to its concrete reality (yes to assets, no to liabilities) is the only way to keep one’s goal in sharp focus.

]]> By: Moneymonk http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html/comment-page-1#comment-826 Moneymonk Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:14:50 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html#comment-826 "The problem is that the motivation is not aligned with the actions" well said. I also touch on this subject on my blog. Most people do not have a reason to get ahead, there are in a comfort zone. I think it all boils down to your income and lifestyle “The problem is that the motivation is not aligned with the actions”

well said.

I also touch on this subject on my blog. Most people do not have a reason to get ahead, there are in a comfort zone.

I think it all boils down to your income and lifestyle

]]> By: Kathryn http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html/comment-page-1#comment-815 Kathryn Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:46:40 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html#comment-815 I love the fact that you pointed out that you can either brake more or accelerate less. I think that's an important point to make because not everyone is going to be interested in approaching their debt one way but they may be willing to deal with it the opposite way. Taking a look at how these things balance out in the big scheme of getting where you're going can really put things into perspective for you. Thanks! I love the fact that you pointed out that you can either brake more or accelerate less. I think that’s an important point to make because not everyone is going to be interested in approaching their debt one way but they may be willing to deal with it the opposite way. Taking a look at how these things balance out in the big scheme of getting where you’re going can really put things into perspective for you. Thanks!

]]> By: Adfecto http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html/comment-page-1#comment-812 Adfecto Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:15:30 +0000 http://earlyretirementextreme.com/2008/03/the-real-reason-it-is-so-easyhard-to-get-ahead.html#comment-812 I like how you framed the issue. Equally holding the brake and the accelerator is the exactly how most people live. Earn money and then spend until it is gone (and sometimes a little more). I recognized that I do have a tendency to push the brake so I tied the accelerator halfway down (automatic savings) and most of the time that is enough to overcome the occasional braking. I have started to see all of my possessions and purchases in the same light, but I still have some hurdles to overcome in that regard. The trappings of "the good life" are certainly holding me back financially but they are also adding to my enjoyment of life so that battle is always ongoing. I like how you framed the issue. Equally holding the brake and the accelerator is the exactly how most people live. Earn money and then spend until it is gone (and sometimes a little more). I recognized that I do have a tendency to push the brake so I tied the accelerator halfway down (automatic savings) and most of the time that is enough to overcome the occasional braking. I have started to see all of my possessions and purchases in the same light, but I still have some hurdles to overcome in that regard. The trappings of “the good life” are certainly holding me back financially but they are also adding to my enjoyment of life so that battle is always ongoing.

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