Comments on: You Can’t Wing It

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 03:43:54 +0000

This is so true. I’ve been a financial analyst for almost 6 years now and when it came to my personal finances I was totally winging it. Recently I decided to take my financial life seriously and create an actionable plan to save $100,000.

Fortunately, I don’t have any debt and I already know more about finance than most people. The only problem was that I didn’t have a plan. Now that I have one, there is nothing to stop me from reach my goal buy myself.

By: michael

michael — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 23:05:20 +0000

Unexpected emergencies are only unexpected if you haven’t prepared for them. If you have a budget in place and nowhere all your money should be going, you should be well prepared for most emergencies that come your way. It simply the people don’t take the time to prepare that causes the problems.

By: Gail

Gail — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:44:01 +0000

I know a woman whose whole life was full of unexpected ‘emergencies’ which really weren’t but a total lack of planning and something else. I think no matter what she may have said about it, I think she revelled in the attention it got her and all the ‘poor you’s’ that she heard. She had a desperate need for attention. When I finally realized that, it was at a point I wouldn’t be seeing much of her any more due to a move, but I would suggest to those close to you with this problem, to not feed the beast. Give them attention yes, but for the things that they do manage to pull off well, or that their kid made Honor Roll or whatever. Anything but that lack of preparation and craziness. And no I’m not trying to be judgemental, but at this point I have lived a fairly long life and have had my own amount of calamities in my life and yet somehow I can’t make them sounds so delightful or enthralling, or quite as bad as some of these people do. Maybe it is because I know emergencies will happen which is why there are certain things I stock up for in the winter. Or other things that you know will come, like Christmas and birthdays–I can never understand the news interviews at Christmas and how so and so has no money for Christmas. No one ever said you had to spend oodles of money for this holiday, but you can plan for it, even with minimal amounts of cash. For my son’s birthday last week one of the gifts I gave him was a $10 gas card I got through what I bought at CVS a month prior and his other gift was a DVD bought with reward points. Simple presents but he just raved about the gas card as money was tight that week for him and he needed gas to finish off the week so he was especially grateful.

By: deana

deana — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 22:00:23 +0000

Preparation and organization are two of the biggest keys to getting your personal finances in order. It’s easy to train wing it, but it’ll come back to bite you in the ass more often than not.

By: Dee in RI

Dee in RI — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 17:53:57 +0000

I totally agree with you.
Even when there’s no logical reason to believe your life will improve, you must plan, otherwise you’re stuck.

Also, living alone on a small disability check requires making plans or you’ll go crazy. Even if you just plan what you’re going to do tomorrow or next week, you give yourself a goal to work toward. And, planning has other benefits, such as keeping depression at bay and the knowlege that you won’t leave your loved ones with a mess to clean up.
You can be independent longer if you plan.
You’ll feel better if you plan.
You’re life will just be better if you plan.

By: Thad P @ thadthoughts.com

Thad P @ thadthoughts.com — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 11:44:44 +0000

Well said. I think sometimes people actually believe you can live like the people you see on television shows — totally random and unplanned. The problem isn’t spontaneity; it’s lack of realistic thinking Even the animals in nature know to prepare for what’s coming.

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 03:42:19 +0000

Excellent article, Jennifer. Most people learn this eventually – but the difference between learning early vs. late can be enormous.

By: Yin

Yin — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 04:32:29 +0000

Yes, totally agree with your article. We do need to plan or start something. Even if we do not achieve our goals, we will end up somewhere in between. Like you say, it is better to have something than nothing.
I’ve lived 1 year when I was barely earning enough to live by. While overall it was quite alright, but it is stressful to have to freak out when unexpected expenses crop up.