@Mike, I would also add that in addition to hard work, Smart work is also needed. Hard work alone can result in a monumental waste of time.

This post really struck a chord with me. A lot of people are always looking for a secret to success. It took me about 20 years to figure out that there is no secret – just hard work.

When looking at people who have done successful things, I used to credit their success to genius; I know realize that that’s just an excuse for not being to accomplish similar things. Time for me to get on it!
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Life Style Inflation: Why Your Savings Is Not Growing as Fast as Your Income =-.

Good stuff Daniel.
.-= Matt Jabs´s last blog ..DFA Weekly Link Rally: What is your favorite bank? =-.

I am getting so much pleasure out of blogging and being a part of the blogging community, that right now I can’t even imagine making money from my site- I’m enjoying just creating something that I have a passion for and enjoy learning about!
.-= MyFinancialObjectives´s last blog ..Yakezie Challenge Carnival =-.

Agreed. While an adult is responsible for their actions, that is still dependent on the “training” you receive as a youth.

I can’t tell you the number (actually, probably only 3 ;) )of videos I’ve watched were kids talk about how credit cards are the devil, thinking debit/credit are the same, and just general “Mommy and Daddy said…”
.-= FinEngr´s last blog ..Maximizing Value, The Opposite of Earn More Spend Less =-.

I think it’s more than just willing to work hard for a limited amount of time. I think values change. When you have no life, you realize that you miss it. People realize that who cares if you have money if you have no time to spend it and nobody to spend it with.

The instant gratification generation thing is a joke. I have friends who are all mixed. Some take the traditional path and have good-paying jobs and some aren’t worried about the future. I have always been about delaying gratification, and I definitely don’t feel out of place amongst my peers.

I appreciate that you keep your site “clean”. The amount (or lack thereof) of ads speaks volumes to me as far as how serious the blogger is about providing quality content.

Something I’ve also noticed is many people are willing to work hard, but only for a limited amount of time. Particularly with friends who went into iBanking in the hayday – the logic was have no life and work ridiculous hours for 2-3yrs then get the hell out. Same even with online blogs and media. Work hard to produce *enough* content to start getting paid, then just sit back and eat cake.

Refreshing that you have a long term outlook. So many judge us as the “instant gratification” generation, but I feel quite the opposite. Plus, if you think about it – our impulse needs are only a byproduct of our upbringings anyway, so we’re not really to blame.
.-= FinEngr´s last blog ..Maximizing Value, The Opposite of Earn More Spend Less =-.

Remember when I first started out? You told me something to the effect of “good luck, most bloggers burn out after 3 months.”
.-= FinEngr´s last blog ..Maximizing Value, The Opposite of Earn More Spend Less =-.

I didn’t realize that you started a month before I did!

You can’t fake making connections with people, having them respect you, and them linking to your site!

I was planning to make $0 FOREVER, so 5 cents is awesome! I just wanted a place to put my financial thoughts and some of my humor. The fact that anybody is reading it just makes my day!

As someone who just “discovered” your site in the last month or so, I’m so happy you stuck with it!
.-= Budgeting in the Fun Stuff´s last blog ..Let’s Get Controversial – Hiring Help =-.

We can speed up time with more effort, but you can’t fake work which is shown through results… and a wonderful alexa rank, lol. Keep it up!
.-= Ryan @ Planting Dollars´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm =-.

It just so happens that the “business model” of blogging (assuming you are in it for the money) is one that requires giving away your product for free.
.-= LeanLifeCoach´s last blog ..Ban Antibiotics and Save Money =-.