I was sent quite an email in regard to the post I made about the secret of becoming rich:
If we already know everything and you can't teach us anything new, then you're worthless. Why should we waste out time reading your drivel? You should be ashamed at making your living doing something that isn't worthwhile to anyone...
While the email was a bit harsh in my humble opinion (I certainly hope that my writing isn't considered "drivel" by most), it does bring up a valid point. If everyone already knows what they need to do to become wealthy, what is the role of personal finance sites and bloggers? Here is my answer to that question:
Different Perspective: I think that it is important to present information in different forms and from different angles. The way I look at money and the way that you look at money are probably not the same. If I can write about a subject from a different perspective than you thought about before, maybe that will be the seed to help you do the things that you already know you should be doing.
Motivation: Just because you know something doesn't mean that it is easy to do. Personal finance writers can help remind you about what you already know in a way that helps to motivate you to actually take the steps needed to place the financial knowledge into motion. Just like with exercise, even when you know what you should be doing, it helps when you have a trainer or a workout partner to help motivate you to keep up the training.
Support: While people know what they should be doing, they often don't begin to do so until they have spent a lot of time not doing what they should have. That means that they have money obstacles to overcome. Once someone begins taking the steps to get their finances in order, it's not always an easy road due to the past mistakes. It helps to have the support of others who are going through the same issues or who have already gone through them to keep on the correct financial path.
Detailed Knowledge: While many know what they should be doing, they may not always know how to go about doing it or that there may be a variety of ways of doing it. In the form of a blog and websites, the detailed knowledge of how to go about acting upon what you already know can be passed along.
Confirmation: While people know what they should be doing, there often isn't a place where they can confirm the information they have. Unfortunately, money is still a subject that is often a taboo subject among family and friends, so some people need to find an alternative source to confirm they are on the correct financial path.
Entertainment: While entertainment isn't usually a word associated with personal finances, I hope that the subjects I write about and discuss make you think and are enjoyable to read (at least that is what I'm striving toward). Hopefully I can pass along information while also making you think a bit and also bring a smile to your face every once in awhile.
Are personal finance writers worthless? I don't believe so (although I wouldn't mind it if there was a day when they were - I would gladly look for another job), but if you happen to be one of those that do, you are always free to not read what I write 
Worthless or Not?
December 9th, 2006 at 12:08 am
December 9th, 2006 at 01:21 am 1165627274
I hope you know how much we appreciate your so called 'drivel'....I find your information all of the above...motivating, new perspective, etc.
Thank goodness there are folks like you who provide a place for people like me to learn.
Phooey on the naysayer....IMO.
December 9th, 2006 at 01:40 am 1165628436
December 9th, 2006 at 01:41 am 1165628489
I don't think your writings are a drivel. Quite the opposite, they are generally very well thought-out and comprehensive. Such as this one.
I wouldn't lose any sleep over people like that.
December 9th, 2006 at 01:58 am 1165629485
Opps, corrected.
December 9th, 2006 at 03:24 am 1165634675
December 9th, 2006 at 03:35 am 1165635348
December 9th, 2006 at 04:10 am 1165637459
December 9th, 2006 at 05:27 am 1165642075
I think that the bloggers themselves get most of the benefit of blogging this stuff. I would add yet another benefit - accountability. I, and most of the bloggers here, have stopped spending in certain situations because we would have to 'fess up in our journals.
December 9th, 2006 at 05:49 am 1165643386
December 9th, 2006 at 07:23 am 1165649018
don't worry about that person... you simply can't please everybody and finances are a sensitive topic... people don't always like it when you point out the truth...
December 9th, 2006 at 01:23 pm 1165670603
December 9th, 2006 at 03:03 pm 1165676588
How rude!
Well I think what you do is quite worthwhile...
December 9th, 2006 at 03:54 pm 1165679641
December 9th, 2006 at 04:56 pm 1165683369
I also believe that everyone learns at different times and levels. What I call a "LIGHT BULB" moment is when I get an idea or answer when not necessarily looking for it at that time. Also, there are times that we aren't receptive because of various reasons. It could be sickness, stress, businessiness, or you name it.
The other day I was at my DIL's house; opened up a cupboard, and viola had an orgaizational problem solved that I had pondered on for quite some time. She doesn't consider herself an organized person at all, but there it was - another person's idea. So, even though we know what to do, sometimes we don't. It's stuck in the middle between our ears.
I also like the other sites frequented. That's a whole new area to explore and it contains a certain amount of safety because others have gone there.
So, anyway, you're where you are with this website and the person (Opinions) are where they are. You're doing a great job! Thanks!
December 10th, 2006 at 12:48 am 1165711701
It's not hard to go out and just... spend money. However, on nights like this, this site is helping me soothe the spending itch. That's translates to real dollars, dude! And it can add up too.
So, thanks for the help and keep on writing!
December 11th, 2006 at 02:29 pm 1165847379
December 13th, 2006 at 02:29 pm 1166020158
(thanks, by the way, I would have already sunk -financially- if it hadn't been for all your "obvious" advice!)
December 13th, 2006 at 03:10 pm 1166022628
December 15th, 2006 at 04:07 am 1166155634
not only do i get great information--i receive empathy from others who are learning Just Like Me. your information helps me stay on track and it is the one e-mail i never delete before reading.
do not have any advice for the nasty emailer, but i have never read any drivel here