Free Money Finance Top 10 Most Hated Posts/Themes: #6 The Need for Discipline

Ok, now we're really getting to issues people hate!!! ;-)

The "need for discipline" isn't found in one post or category here at Free Money Finance, but is usually a part of my other posts on a regular basis. It's usually stuck in towards the end where I say something like "if these people only had some discipline" or "but to make this work, you need discipline -- something most people don't have." Then in the comments I hear about how it's not really discipline that's the issue, but that it's just some people simply make too little to afford all the necessities of life (like cable TV, high-speed internet, and weekly manicures.) Ok, so maybe I am a bit over-the-top sometimes, but you have to allow me a little fun, don't ya? ;-)

My main points are these:

1. Discipline is a vital ingredient in anyone's financial plans. Without it, you can read, study, and understand all you want to about personal finances, but it won't do you any good. The undisciplined part of your life will keep you from growing (or at least maximizing) your net worth.

2. Most people don't want to hear #1. Yes, they understand that it's true, but they don't want to hear it -- from me or from anyone else. That's why it's #6 on the list of most hated topics.

Comments

[CJ]

I think people hate hearing they need discipline without also getting some guidance on how to GET disciplined. And to me, that's the great thing about automatic payrolls deduction for 401(k) accounts, automatic transfers from checking to a money market account, etc. Discipline without thinking! It works! Yeah!

-CJ

http://coinjar.blogspot.com

[Finance Buff]

Automatic deductions are nice but you still need discipline to control your spending. Otherwise the bills will turn into debt.

[Binary Dollar]

It's tough. Especially if you're used to a certain lifestyle level.

Luckily, I'm used to being broke so my lifestyle is coming in handy.

[Dr. Art]

Discipline is indispensable in managing one's life or business activities. As a reiteration, I would just want to pinpoint the two supreme principles in governing a business: 1. It is the realization that a business is governed by strict disciplines, dogmas, principles, theories, good practices and empirical science. ( historical business transactions and events)and 2. Such strict disciplines, dogmas, principles, theories, good practices and empirical science science must be adhered to the letter.
I think it's quite a tall order but that's how a business should be managed to make it really financially independent.

[Dr. Art]

Discipline is indispensable in managing one's life or business activities. As a reiteration, I would just want to pinpoint the two supreme principles in governing a business: 1. It is the realization that a business is governed by strict disciplines, dogmas, principles, theories, good practices and empirical science. ( historical business transactions and events)and 2. Such strict disciplines, dogmas, principles, theories, good practices and empirical science must be adhered to the letter.
I think it's quite a tall order but that's how a business should be managed to make it really financially independent.