Your title caught my eye because we are currently struggling to potty train my 3 year old Son . However you drew the parallel to personal finance very nicely. It is absolutely true that saving money must be second nature. As you put it, people should not even think there is an option not to save, because in most cases their really isn’t.

It is unfortunate, but it seems to be ingrained in most of the people in this country that they can start saving tomorrow. I see it all too often at the other end. Since I focus on helping clients get out of debt, I hear stories every day of lives ruined and families ripped apart over bad money management and no savings. Sometimes, unfortunately, situations are so bad, that there is absolutely no money left for the families to even try and dig themselves out. Had they just had a little more saved up, they could have turned the corner and made it out.

Great post, I recently found your blog and am now following you on twitter as well as my RSS Reader.

marci: You are right. We should start expecting and rewarding the good and punishing bad behavior! Not just in our family but with companies as well!

Kelly: If paying back your credit card bill each month is tough, I would suggest that you not use the credit card for that purchase until you actually have the cash! It’s very easy to just buy something with the plastic because you can but the consequences are sometimes too big!

Craig: I will keep that in mind if I do write a book! I too wish that one day, someone will add the personal finance curriculum to the education system!

Though I have committed to eliminating my debt and growing my savings. Thanks for the motivation!

I think in many cases that expectation to succeed is not there anymore.
Nor the punishment/censure when it does not happen.

While one person at a time can continue to change themself, and hopefully their family/offspring by example, until society as a whole gets past this lack of self-responsibility and this sense of entitlement, some people are never going to feel any need to succeed! Too many handouts, too many bailouts, too little self-esteem. And mainly, no expectations to succeed!