Be Careful Reading FIRE Blogs, or You Might Get Burned

It’s kind of fun when no one gives a fuck about what you write.  You can just sound off on whatever you feel like that day.  Throw out a couple jabs and then wait for the crickets chirping.  Silence… 

So here we go. 

I think the title of this post sums it up.  This is something that we all know, yet rarely talk about.  So let’s get it out in the open… 

Here are my questions for longtime FI bloggers: 

What happens when a blogger is caught lying?  Are they called out?  Do people even give a shit?  Or does everyone look the other way, sweep it under the carpet and sing Kumbaya together? 

I’m asking because I’d like to know. 

Onto the actual post… 

— 

I’m disappointed. 

Let’s just leave it at that.  Really disappointed. 

This one’s been simmering for a while and I don’t usually like to do this, but I’m going on a fucking rant.  Because I’m pissed. 

There really aren’t that many things that get under my skin in life, but inauthenticity and misleading people is one of them. 

Don’t do it… just don’t do it man.  There’s no fucking need for that. 

So here goes my blogger rant: 

I believe, that if you’re going to write about your life on a blog, you have a certain responsibility to be truthful to your readers.  In PF, this isn’t a game where we get to make shit up.  People are going to use our advice/suggestions and implement life changes in their personal lives.  Because of this, you have a responsibility to them… to not lie… to not mislead… and to be honest. 

Since they are giving you their trust, do not fuck them over. 

How hard is that? 

Sure, all due diligence is on the reader to determine they are informed when they make their own decisions, but if you’re a blogger and you’re claiming things that aren’t true. 

Shame on you. 

You owe it to your readers to tell them when things change in your life.  If you are no longer doing what you have previously claimed in your posts, then fucking tell them. 

What’s the big deal? 

Being a new blogger, I’ll admit it here and for public scrutiny.  I have been fucking Naïve!  When I read blogs, I thought I was consuming integrity, but the joke was on me.   

So why am I so pissed off about this truth thing? 

Well, I’ve been reading and listening to some disturbing interviews/podcasts lately, in which FI bloggers openly admit to changing their current strategy and don’t tell anyone, or even write about it on their blog?  And I’m not talking about a small alteration or modification, I’m talking about a fucking 180-degree change that’s been going on for a long time. 

Which, that seems like a really fucking weird thing to do? 

As far as their readers are concerned, they’re still doing what they are saying with their online persona, while in real life, that blogger’s doing the opposite of what they are telling you. 

How shady is that?  Why?  Why be such a chicken shit?  If something changes in your life plan, then tell people. 

I usually don’t write something like this until it has happened a few times, and yes, it unfortunately has happened a few times now.  Which blew my mind and why I decided to even write this post. 

Pride can be a hell of a blinder sometimes. 

Being a blogger myself, who puts my truth out there.  This really ticks me off. 

It’s one thing to lie and say whatever you want on your blog for entertainment or what-the-fuck-ever is going on in your twisted head. 

But when innocent people are using your suggestions to make changes in their lives, and you’re lying about them, I have a problem with that.  Don’t fucking lead people astray!  Don’t do it.  It’s as simple as that. 

So the more I think about it, I’m asking myself, why would someone do this?  Most of these blogs are semi-anonymous anyway, there’s really no need to lie at all. 

And then it hit me.  Their ego had taken control and the shame of admitting they had to change their FI plan was too much. 

But why? 

This is a good thing!  This is the most important part of FI, that you can change your journey at any time.  What is better than this as a learning experience and to be a great example for others out there that might experience the same thing? 

Show them by living it, that one of the greatest aspects of FI is that flexibility exists. 

So suck it up, flush that ego down the toilet, and when you change your plan admit it, and educate your readers with the “why” so that they can learn with you. 

It’s kind of like that old saying you always heard when you were a kid, “it only takes a few to ruin it for the rest of us.” 

Unfortunately, those that need the kick in their ass will never read this.  So if you come across some rather offensive inauthenticity, drop a link to good ol’ Q-FI and let them know that I’m chambering the cartridge.  Hahahaha. 

Alright, I’ve taken a deep breath, time for rant #2: 

Maybe this is obvious, but I need to spell it out for my own sanity.  Here is my warning to any new readers in the FI field… 

The more I have investigated on “The Twitter”, there is some fucking terrible personal finance advice on blogs. 

Be forewarned, there’s no more excuses now.  You need to do your homework and be skeptical of FI advice out there.  Keep in the back of your mind that these bloggers might not be actually doing what they’re saying and embellishing other aspects of their lives.  I’d personally be wary of coaching and consulting services charging you money.  Look into their background and what credibility they have to talk about these topics and take everything with a grain of salt. 

And that goes for me as well.  Don’t take what I say as fact.  Research and make sure I’m backing my shit up, and if I’m not, call it out in the comments.  I’m changing my views all the time so I have no problem updating something if someone can sway me. 

I’ve seen some math on blogs where 1+1 doesn’t equal 2.  So be careful what you read.  The internet is a free place where anyone can type anything. 

Hence, I’m the perfect example.  Six months ago this blog didn’t exist and now I have over 51 posts spewing my bullshit out into the world.  How scary is that?  Ah ha! 

I know there seems to be a code among FI bloggers out there, that we all live in glass houses so don’t throw stones.  But this shit needs to stop.  They need to be called out if they’re peddling misrepresentations like the pied piper. 

And maybe other bloggers might read this and be saying, fuck that Q-FI guy, who is he to say that our readers should double check what we are preaching? 

And I have a response to that as well: 

Fuck you too!  Hahahaha. 

Rant complete.  The mind is better at ease. 

-Q-FI 

P.S.  Have you ever come across this same thing?  Tell me about it. You think I’m full of shit, blast a rant right back at me in the comments.