Comments on: A Public Failure to Walk the Money Talk

By: AnnJo, Seattle

AnnJo, Seattle — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:50:49 +0000

I read the original NYT article, and also a follow-up piece (don’t remember who wrote it) that told a number of details that the NYT writer carefully omitted, like the fact that his wife had already declared bankruptcy twice. As entertaining as Mr. Andrews’ article was, in light of some of the other details that have come out since, it is obvious he has carefully edited his story, to the point of dishonesty. Sadly, most of his deception seems to have worked best on himself.

By: katy

katy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:23:47 +0000

The Times guy is a real dingus! (LOL)

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:39:32 +0000

I read this article and I agree w/ kitty above in that it sounded like fiction. I read the whole thing dumbfounded thinking *NO ONE* can be this stupid. Like Mr. Toughmoneylove, I’ve made mistakes in my time of managing my own finances but the things that this guy did were beyond the pale. Hindsight is 20/20 I suppose and with the hype of the housing bubble, I can appreciate people getting carried away with the risk they could carry and maybe doing 1 of the things he did wrong but *ALL* of them? Forget Joe Cassano. *THIS* guy is patient zero of the financial crisis.

BTW: “Mr Rubio”–your comment made my day. Priceless.

By: kitty

kitty — Sun, 17 May 2009 21:39:53 +0000

The guy may not be a financial genius, but he can write. The story reads like fiction, it’s easy to read and you “can’t put it down” wondering what comes next. Would I take his financial advice – no way. But if he were to write fiction, I’d check it out. Not that I know much about this stuff, just go by first impression.

As FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com said, this type of story is “exciting”. You want to know what will happen next – will they lose their home at the end? will they not lose it? It also makes you feel better and smarter. You read and think “oh, I haven’t made this mistakes, I must be so smart”. The fact that the author has some amount of writing talent is a bonus.

Asking why people read him rather than some boring story about a family living within their means, buying stuff they can afford and saving money is akin to asking question why soap operas don’t show “normal” families where people stay married, everyone knows who the father of the baby is and everyone goes to work every day. Back when I was in college and every female student watched daytime soap opera, one girl said “I like watching people who have more problems than I do”. This guy’s story invokes the same sentiment.

By: TStrump

TStrump — Sat, 16 May 2009 23:13:49 +0000

It’s amazing how many financial experts don’t know anything at all.
The irony is they depend on the income from their advice columns or blogs, because they can’t seem to manage their own money.

By: Rick Beagle

Rick Beagle — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:30:26 +0000

Wayyyyyyyyyy back in High School, I had the honor of working on the school newspaper. During my stint with this organization I managed to create a popular little horoscope under the byline of Mr. Rubio. These little blurbs were written between classes, and to be honest, it was great fun to watch school mates read these when the issues came out (they were very colorful, and relevant to the school).

In one issue, my real name was accidentally placed in the byline (instead of my fictional character). Resultantly, that very day a young woman of casual acquaintance caught me in the halls alone and with unabashed adoration stared into my eyes wide and awed, “I didn’t know you were a psychic.”

Peace.
Mr. Rubio

By: Matt SF

Matt SF — Fri, 15 May 2009 21:33:45 +0000

For whatever reason, stories like Andrews do very well. For the “less proactive” crowd, they like to read about someone screw ups so they don’t step on the same land mine.

Human nature is a funny thing.