[HeyLaughingBoy]

I was dead serious and I may have gotten a bit emotional because it's a pet peeve of mine.

I was the child of a single mother who didn't have a high school diploma. Somehow I managed to graduate high school without falling into crime as did so many of my classmates. Somehow I managed to get through college, barely able to pay for it and always wondering if this was the semester we wouldn't have enough money for what scholarships and loans/grants wouldn't cover. And yes, I willingly acknowledge that it was much easier to do that 30 years ago. The cost of education these days is nothing short of criminal.

But then I got into the workplace and I was surrounded by people who did nothing but make excuses for where they were in life.

I knew nothing about money other than I should have a bank account and save. So I got books and learned how to invest, how money worked to make more money, that there were better options than savings accounts, that I was better off buying a reliable used car instead of the most expensive thing I could afford, etc. I learned that by starting a simple Sole Proprietorship business, I could essentially be paid to learn because my business expenses would be tax deductible and I could make a little cash on the side.

I learned about systems and how to use them to my advantage. I also learned to keep my mouth shut because although anyone could learn the same things that I did, people would rather bitch about how everything is stacked against them and they could never get ahead.

<rant off>

[bruce511]

I understand and completely get where you are coming from. People seldom thank you for pointing out their poor life choices :)

Through your own efforts and experience you have acquired a useful block of knowledge. I encourage you to share it in cases where that knowledge can make a difference to someone else.

But yeah, in the wrong context it can hurt more than help.