Want to be a Financial Rockstar? Reject the Status Quo

by Melanie

It’s a marketer’s world, we only live in it.

Think about how true those words are.

Every single day we are processing an over abundance of advertisements and imagery. Our desires and interests are merely pawns in the game. Our insecurities are preyed upon.

It’s easy to understand why we have so many financial issues, when we think we can buy our way to happiness through new shoes and buy status in the form of cars or houses.

It’s easy to succumb to temptation, consumerism, and the like, because “everyone is doing it.”

But whose life is this anyway? Who signed me up for this?

I don’t know about you, but my version of happiness and the American Dream does not mean going into (more) debt to buy a house, have kids, or buy cars, that quite frankly I can’t afford.

Except the world we live in tells us that everything we want is at our fingertips. It’s so close you can almost taste it. Everything you want, you can have. For a price.

If there is one thing I’ve learned about personal finance, is that if you want to be a financial rockstar, you have to reject the status quo.

You have to reject the “shoulds”. You have to reject the scornful looks of judgement. You have to say “no” while everyone is saying “yes”. You have to play odd man out, in a sea of sheep.

Because let’s face it. Being in debt is normal. Having a car payment, or a mortgage is normal. Working until you are 65, or until you die, is normal.

For so long we grow up and never question any of it, until one day the blindfold is ripped off and we can see everything clearly.

Everything is not as it seems.

It can be a bit unsettling once you realize that in order to live the life you want, you have to go against the grain. But to stay the same is to be a prisoner of consumerism — soon, you too will be a commodity.

Companies want you to be in debt. They are only interested in you for your interest.

By choosing to pay off my student loans early, I am imposing an act of rebellion.

I am rejecting the status quo. I am breaking through the barriers and the beliefs that you have to make a lot of money to do this.

There are others paving the way and showing people that you don’t have to work until you die.

Showing people that maybe there is a better way.

But to find that way — to truly be a financial rockstar — you need to reject the status quo.

Melanie
Latest posts by Melanie (see all)

24 comments

Shannon @ Financially Blonde November 24, 2014 - 4:48 am

Love this Melanie!! I was definitely a marketer’s dream in my previous life and now that I make smarter money choices, I do feel like I am not living a “normal” life, but I am okay with that because I know I am living a financial rockstar’s life. 🙂

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:37 am

You are the ultimate financial rockstar, Shannon!

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moneystepper November 24, 2014 - 5:55 am

I’m with you on this Melanie – NORMAL SUCKS!!! 🙂

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:34 am

Not only does it suck, but it is boring as f#c%. 🙂

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Natalie @ Financegirl November 24, 2014 - 6:02 am

“By choosing to pay off my student loans early, I am imposing an act of rebellion.” LOL! YES! This is exactly how I think. It’s too bad that this isn’t how everyone thinks, but for now, I’m fine being the weirdo who rejects the status quo. It’ll be awesome when I’m debt free – that’s for sure!

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:32 am

It’s true though — most people are okay with just paying the minimum. Student loans are “good debt.” So we are the rebels that will enjoy being debt free sooner rather than later, and make our money work for us.

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Michelle November 24, 2014 - 7:32 am

Preach it!

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:29 am

Hehe thanks 🙂

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Kirsten November 24, 2014 - 8:21 am

Love this. Hubs is coming around on his motivation with getting our debt under control. He is not necessarily in the mindset of “live like no one else” though. I’ve noticed that, even though we don’t have cable and we see no TV ads, he’s seeing them online, and the marketing just lures him in!

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:28 am

The online ads are potent these days too. You can install AdBlock plus to help out.

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kay ~ lifestylevoices.com November 24, 2014 - 10:00 am

That’s why I love the PF community so much. Everyone is so generous with their time and info. It’s a friendly, happy learning atmosphere! Perfect post, Melanie. I just love it! 🙂

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:26 am

Thanks, Kay! Glad you enjoyed. The PF community is awesome! It’s why after almost 2 years, I can’t walk away. I just love it so much!

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Brian @ Debt Discipline November 24, 2014 - 10:12 am

So true! I fell into the trap too, mortgage, credit cards etc. I’m teaching my kids differently!

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:22 am

That’s awesome you are teaching your kids a new way. Sometimes we have to experience the mistakes ourselves in order to teach others differently.

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Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life November 24, 2014 - 10:44 am

I’m all about redefining the status quo. Living fabulously doesn’t mean what the marketers tell us.

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:20 am

Exactly! I totally agree with you.

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Kassandra November 24, 2014 - 11:17 am

I’ve been marching to my own beat in many ways throughout life but it took me a long time before I railed against the consumerist status quo. I am SO glad I did because the life I can now live is extremely rewarding! Nice post, fellow rebel. 🙂

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Melanie November 24, 2014 - 11:19 am

I can’t wait to get where you are at, Kassandra! You are such an inspiration.

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Erin @ Journey to Saving November 24, 2014 - 3:20 pm

I’m with you on this! It is seriously disgusting how many ads we are hammered with, day in and day out, to buy, buy, buy. By having AdBlocker installed, not watching TV, and not listening to the radio, there’s a lot less temptation around. Bonus is, by ridding ourselves of those things, we can make time for reading things like this. =)

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Tonya@Budget and the Beach November 24, 2014 - 4:07 pm

Great post Melanie! Ugh man I’m going crazy every time I see Christmas commercial right now because all I keep saying out loud to the TV is, “you don’t need it.” lol! I sound like a crazy person, but I feel better about being the way I am than someone who buys butt loads of stuff they don’t need.

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Holly@ClubThrifty November 25, 2014 - 6:22 am

Yep, normal in the U.S. means spending more than you make and working until you die. Sad, but true. I am happy that I am not pursuing that path. I don’t just want to survive…I want to live!

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Myles Money November 25, 2014 - 5:58 pm

Where’s the fun in “normal”?! :0

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Even Steven November 25, 2014 - 6:24 pm

I just had a conversation with someone talking about how they only pay $135/month for cell phone plan, like it was a badge of honor, that’s the status quo and I’m out.

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Lisa November 26, 2014 - 11:32 am

YES!

Reminds me of lyrics I just heard this morning: “Everyday people do everyday things but I can’t be one of them”.

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