I Don’t Have Time To Learn All This!

by bigcajunman on December 20, 2012

Many folks complain that they just do not have time to learn more about their finances and investing and to that I say, Hog Wash (apologies for the salty words).

If you want to learn about investing, frugality or personal finance in general there are so many ways to get good information you are kidding yourself if you say you don’t have time to learn (and you are doing yourself damage financially as well).

The good news is you already have started, because you are reading this blog (and hopefully many other Financial Blogs (look in the right column on this page if you are reading it in a browser). Good for you, you get a gold star for this, but there is so much more you can be doing to get your financial IQ up.

There are financial podcasts all over the place, our friend Preet has a great one, which you should listen to and there are countless other ones. There are financial E-Books everywhere so you can read or listen to so much information, that will enrich your understanding of the world of finances.

You don’t have time, you say? Mule Muffins! If you commute to work, there is your time right there.

If you drive, can you connect your listening device to your car’s radio system? If so, you are in, simply put all the audio financial info you can find on that device and listen away. That is where I listen to podcasts, and interesting financial books.
If you take the bus, you have many options: You can either read using an e-reader, or your tablet (or even a printed book (how old school is that)); or listen with your favorite audio device. When I was taking the bus downtown I listened to countless books during the commute. Reading the paper is fine for the commute, but you can do more

This all sounds expensive does it? Horse Fritters! Remember your library is your friend and in Ottawa we have a wonderful collection of all kinds of e-books, audio books and written books to fill your educational gap. If you are in Ottawa and you don’t use the library (and maybe donate some money if you are), you are not taking advantage of this valuable resource. You can download audio books and listen to them straight from there.

In the New Year, your resolutions about losing weight, working harder and not kicking the dog so much, while important, pale in comparison to learning more about your finances, go do that now (don’t wait for the new year).

{ 5 comments }

{ 5 comments… add one }

southern soul music December 27, 2012 at 4:25 am edit
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it
I may return yet again since i have book marked it.
Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

Reply
krantcents December 20, 2012 at 11:14 am edit
“Time” has nothing to do with it. People find time for the things they want to do. They do not understand the subject or are afraid of it, but they are not motivated to overcome that obstacle.

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- bigcajunman December 20, 2012 at 11:36 am edit
  I think not having time is the rationalization about the fear of learning.
  
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  - Denis December 21, 2012 at 11:34 am edit
    Agreed about the fear of learning. There is more to it though. people are used to getting things handed to them on a silver plate.
    
    I am 51 years old and in college. This semester my grades were an average of an A. My job right now is to go to school and graduate so that I can get a job. That to me is my job so I bust my backside to get the best marks I can
    
    Many of the younger students just don’t show up for class, don’t hand in assignments, and think because they are pretty the instructor will just give them bonus marks on the assignments they do hand in. That is what happened in high school and it worked then didn’t it? So when they fail, they are shocked. Just like pennies adding up to dollars, those 1% assignments along with exams and quizzes add up to 100%. Don’t do them at your own peril.
    
    It is up to US to learn what we need to accomplish our goals. Be it in college or in life. Don’t expect it to be served on a silver plate!
    
    Reply
    - bigcajunman December 21, 2012 at 11:42 am edit
      Yup, my Dad commented that when he went to College in the early 50′s the most dedicated students were the ones who had been soldiers or had done their selected services (this was in the UK). I’d LOVE to find time to get back to college, but right now, I kinda got a career I have to keep doing.