My Personal Finance Odyssey

In a bit of a departure from personal finance, I’d like to share with you an article of sorts from the March edition of US News & World Report. If you don’t currently read it (or something similar to it), I strongly recommend it as a way to keep up to date on what’s going on. In it, there is a one page section entitled “Q&A:” that has one guest or another discussing various topics of interest.

In this issue, they spoke with author Susan Jacoby whose new book is entitled “The Age of American Unreason”. The link is here:

Q&A: Susan Jacoby (by Kent Garber)

Undoubtedly, a large portion of the American population is woefully ignorant about personal finances. This discussion contained in the link just further emphasizes the point…we are getting dumber all the time…about a lot of things…not just personal finance. The evidence is everywhere, even in our popular culture. Ever seen one of those bits on Jay Leno where they ask Americans on the street who the President is, etc and they haven’t a clue? Granted, it’s a bit rigged for entertainment…but still, a lot of people really don’t know!

So, do I have a point to make? I don’t think my intent is really to make any kind of point here. Rather, it’s an attempt to create some awareness, and maybe get some people to think about it a bit? Who knows, maybe some will even act. The good news is that the solution is fairly simple. READ. Also, it helps to have some intellectual curiosity. If not for you, then for your children…it’s vitally important to our future.