Comments on: Getting Out of Debt: Reductionism and Holism

By: brianahasmoney

brianahasmoney — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 01:10:02 +0000

I’m most focused on seeing how fast I can get out of debt by seeing what I can cut out and put towards it.

By: Sandy L

Sandy L — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:42:40 +0000

I’m with Financial Samurai. Negative reinforcement seems to work better for me than positive reinforcement. Nothing motivates me more than calculating how much interest is going out the door every month.

That’s also probably why I always have a few pounds to lose. I’m most motivated when I look my worst. When I get down to my goal weight, I don’t stay there for long. I soon fall off the wagon. Feeling physically fit doesn’t motivate me as much as feeling terrible.

I realize this is a character flaw that needs work…but am not sure if it’s really changeable.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 10:04:02 +0000

Thanks for the updated bank list!

By: Flexo

Flexo — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:20:18 +0000

You’ll have to come back and let me know what you think of the book.

By: LeanLifeCoach

LeanLifeCoach — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 03:47:14 +0000

Now I’ve got another book to buy which goes against my reductionist ways, but the holistic side of me want to grow, learn and develop into a more knowledgeable and capable father and husband.

Thanks for providing the link to Amazon, just ordered it….

The reductionist side of me made me buy a used copy though!

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:09:00 +0000

I’m a little bit of both. I am working to get rid of excess things in my life I don’t need, while trying to figure out how all the pieces work together. Very interesting article!

By: Lulu

Lulu — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:14:52 +0000

I follow the reductionism school when it comes to getting rid of my debt. I made a (too) detailed budget and tweaked it as time went on. I use the snowflaking method to pay off debts AND build up savings at the same time. I cut expenses where I could but still allocated some fun money so that I could have a blowout if I wanted to.

By: Neal@wealthpilgrim

Neal@wealthpilgrim — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:36:21 +0000

Debt has never been a “character” issue here. I grew up in so much financial fear, I never went near that water.

I am, by default, a reductionist. But it’s tough to live in a world where others (my family) are not. If anything, I’ve learned from them not to be an irrational reductionist.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:32:27 +0000

The irony is that getting INTO debt has made me a much stronger, more motivated person. Life was too easy just working and saving money. Going into debt gave work a bigger purpose, as now I knew I had something to pay off.

If I didn’t buy a piece of property 7 years ago, I really don’t think I would have been this focused in work. I probably wouldn’t have gone to grad school too, to try and further my career. 6-7 more years, the property is paid off, and it goes from debt funding, to 100% income giving since it’s a rental now.

I’m on a path of reductionism now, which I find very fun. Getting into debt could really be one of the best things that has ever happened to me!