I’ve commented in the past how some personal finance bloggers can across smug. However, given the audience, this smugness is not a big deal. The fact is the writers of personal finance blogs reflect the attitudes of the readers. I’m both a writer and reader, and I can personally attest to the fact that I probably too often fall victim to a “holier than thou” attitude. This isn’t really a problem in the blogsphere where we cavort amongst ourselves. The greater problem is in the real world. Despite, my self effacing shell, I am rather self satisfied.However, I do feel very strongly about spreading the wisdom of prudent finances. A “I know better than you” attitude often gets in the way of that. Nobody wants to listen to a know it all. I certainly don’t. I think if we are to give advice to family and friends, we should first admit our own financial shortcomings. I know some of mine are:

1) I’m less careful than I should be - I get more parking tickets, and other fines than I should

2) I spend alot of money of food and vacations

3) I enjoy expensive hobbies like skiing and golf

Telling somone that every life choice that they make is wrong isn’t a way to gain influence and win friends. We shouldn’t be telling people what they’re doing wrong, but rather working with them on doing things better. Criticicsm is healthly, but in small manageable chunks.

Just as important as being able to impart wisdom upon friends is also keeping an open mind for oneself. Just because your plan works today doesn’t mean it’ll work tomorrow. I find it useful to get off my high horse at least on occasion and revevaluate some of my beliefs. It’s the only way to keep on learning. For example, I used to be much more dismissive of commodity investing than I am today. I realize in the current market there’s really nothing else like commodities as much as I wish there were.