Pundits: How do you get your parents to listen?

[Josh_LA]

When I said people like Paul predicted a recession or depression, they say
"That's not news, inflation always happens, and it's not as if you benefited from this warning"
(true, because I have nothing, I have nothing to lose)

When I tell them there are better places than CD & IRA to keep money, they ask
"You don't know how hard it is to make and save money, leave it to professionals"
(true, I have virtually no money, nor a finance degree)

When I tell them my savings are in metals, they say
"That's not cash, how do I know you're earning money if you keep sitting on it"
(and of course, we're at a low, so I can't say I'm winning now, nor will I sell)

I feel like I need to show I can make money better than they do in order to convince them I know what I'm talking about. And it's not that I want any recognition or respect, I really want the best for them and my family. It's not about being right, it's about being prepared for worse cases.

They're like many people (I try not to say "most"), who carefully save up. I think all they need is to learn to put some eggs in a different basket.

I AM surprised though, they recently asked me if I know anything about stocks, I said no, but if we can afford to lose some money, I might consider playing to scottrade. (I don't think they're doing this to see who's right or put me in a spot, but simply to toy when they think it's safeR)

 

[Kludge]

Hold a gun to their head and tell them it's for their own good?

Your cause would be noble, of course.

I keep out of political discussions in my family. They're usually weird baseless arguments that everyone "agrees with" but can't explain or justify.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Buy them Thomas Woods' new book, "Meltdown".

 

[Met Income]

Survival of the fittest.

 

[Truth Warrior]

They probably wonder the same thing about you, and where exactly they went wrong.

 

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

Make them go to their room until they can tell you what the government did wrong.

 

[ghengis86]

Hold a gun to their head and tell them it's for their own good?

Your cause would be noble, of course.

I keep out of political discussions in my family. They're usually weird baseless arguments that everyone "agrees with" but can't explain or justify.

I pretty much do the same and have the same experiences. i'm occasionally asked what my views are and i give them, but try not to make them look like idiots (as best i can). if they want a political discussion, i'd be more than happy to oblige; most suffer from cognitive dissonance, so it is mostly an uncomfortable experience for them.

 

[Knighted]

The best way to get your parents to listen to you would be to gain some credibility in their eyes by moving out of the basement and getting a job.

 

[heavenlyboy34]

I pretty much do the same and have the same experiences. i'm occasionally asked what my views are and i give them, but try not to make them look like idiots (as best i can). if they want a political discussion, i'd be more than happy to oblige; most suffer from cognitive dissonance, so it is mostly an uncomfortable experience for them.

+1 Nowadays I just refer people to well known books and authors such as "The Road To Serfdom" and RP's stuff. OP, your folks are probably just talking to you to get some positive feedback rather than constructive criticism. It's a curious phenomenon I've noticed in my folks too. Just play nice-it seems to make the old folks feel better. Other than that, it seems to me that you are better off leading by example. When they ask you why you did better, use that as a teaching moment.

 

[rancher89]

Well, mine are communists with a capitalistic streak when it affects them

Talking to them, mostly my Dad, is an exercise in futility. He says he's supportive of my efforts to "be the new GOP" but the rampant socialism is just too much to take sometimes. After the last phone call I told him that the price for listening to him anymore on how wonderful Obama is was he had to watch "The Obama Deception."

That led to a half hour explaination (from both of them) of how no politician can ever fulfill all of their political promises.

They are getting "TOD" and I will make them watch it before we have another conversation about Obama, seriously.

 

[RCA]

are we brothers?

 

[Josh_LA]

The best way to get your parents to listen to you would be to gain some credibility in their eyes by moving out of the basement and getting a job.

already done

 

[Josh_LA]

Buy them Thomas Woods' new book, "Meltdown".

that's part of the trivia, I don't think they like to read what they don't believe already, except fiction.

 

[satchelmcqueen]

cant help ya. mine think im a nut job that talks about the "bad government".

 

[Josh_LA]

cant help ya. mine think im a nut job that talks about the "bad government".

thought so, thanks for trying!

 

[Josh_LA]

They probably wonder the same thing about you, and where exactly they went wrong.

yes, they are a bit concerned as to why I think and talk differently than others.

What they SHOULD be surprised about is why their child is not worrying about debt, future and savings. That doesn't seem to impress them yet.

 

[MrNick]

I gave up on my parents, they are too hardcore Republican.

 

[raiha]

Well Josh,
Heavenly Boy comes closest so far IMHO. As an 'old' person with kids probably your age, when my beloved children consistently think their parents are old-fashioned, ill-informed, stupid, guilable etc etc, I feel defensive as opposed to receptive to their ideas/passions. If you start finding out really fantastic things that they do right IYHO then tell them. Make them feel good about the things they have provided for you and some of their ideas. Make them feel that without them you would never have developed such individuality and political nouse. Taint rocket science!

If you start appreciating them in many ways, they will appreciate you. There is nothing more irritating than a young person who knows it all! Older people have a wealth of experience (even if the conclusions they reach are faulty)
Commend them when they make good points. Get alongside them in the things you agree on and they'll start getting along side things you espouse.

Love from Aunt Agony

 

[JeNNiF00F00]

cant help ya. mine think im a nut job that talks about the "bad government".

lol This used to be the case for me. They still I'm a bit off the wall, but I have always been "out there" with ideas so they accept it and try to understand. We have had our arguments, and I have told them the implications of whats to come. Now they are seeing some of those things happening with the economy and are opening up to what I have been talking about all along. I have started paying off a lot of my debt, and they are seeing this and actually following my example. I think my parents are in a lot of denial, but they are coming around thanks to other Patriots they know, and surprisingly Glenn Beck who my mom has started following in the evenings and is actually starting to connect the dots on what I have been trying to tell them for the past 2 years.

The only thing you can really do is work on yourself, and prepare for the worst. Hopefully they will see that you are doing this and will eventually wake up before its too late.

 

[misericordia]

the scariest moment of my life came when my family asked me if they should go all in - pm's.

I went from 'crazy' to investment advisor in the blink of an eye....after 2 years of warning them.

Jim Sinclair's mineset website probably convinced them. www.jsmineset.com