The Real Reason I Stopped Giving Financial Planning Advice: I Don't Deal with 'Unmotivated People'

Why did you stop giving financial advice?

I've been asked this same question by several people recently. Today, I will answer it frankly.

Up until now, I have provided financial consultations and asset-building advice for free. The reason is simple: it was a hobby, not a job. A hobby is only worth continuing if it's fun. Conversely, it's only natural to stop when it stops being fun.

However, because the behavior of some of the people I consulted with was truly beyond the pale, I have decided to write honestly and sharply about why I quit.

If you think this might be about you, I hope you won't be offended... actually, you will definitely be offended. The people in question aren't reading this anyway, and I think it will be helpful for everyone else, so I'm going to write it.

There is no value in spending time on unmotivated people

The main reason I stopped giving advice is, simply put, because there were people who lacked ambition.

For example, I have always taught that the foundation of asset building is to distinguish between what you can control and what you cannot.

• Things you can control:
  Increasing income / Reducing expenses / Investing assets
  

• Things you cannot control:
  The economy, stock prices, exchange rates, taxes, social insurance premiums, pension systems, rising prices, etc.

However, many people I consulted with would talk endlessly about things they couldn't control—things they couldn't do anything about. They would just complain about the bad economy, high social insurance premiums, or the rising price of rice, without ever taking any action.

By the way, 'low salary' is not something you cannot control; it reflects your own capabilities, so it is something you can control. Being able to control something means you can take measures against it.

Having a low salary is no excuse; it's simply like loudly declaring, 'I am incompetent.'

While you can take measures against social insurance premiums and employee pension contributions by becoming a sole proprietor or establishing a micro-corporation, since I am targeting people with low initiative, I generally classify these as things you cannot control.

Honestly, when it came to things they couldn't control, I often had the words 'What do you expect me to do about that?' stuck in my throat. Besides, I am not a counselor, so I am not here to listen to your personal problems.

I might pretend to empathize by saying, 'Hmm, I see, that must be tough,' but it is not my place to provide comfort through such things.

I dislike sharing the anxieties of the world and finding comfort in some inexplicable negative bonding like, 'I'm anxious too, but everyone is anxious, right?'

I will provide financial advice and information, answer questions sincerely, and share my opinions and experiences. However, I state clearly: 'I will not help push people who are hesitant to take action.'

No matter how many times I say it, people beg me, 'Please motivate me.' You need to find your own motivation; it shouldn't come from someone else.

There is no future for people whose catchphrase is 'I can't'.

Let me give you a concrete example.
When I talk about the need to increase income, this is the standard response I get.

No, before you say it's impossible, have you actually tried? People who decide they 'can't' before even trying have no business building wealth.

Side hustles, changing jobs, skill development—there are countless ways. We live in an era where you can easily earn money on social media. Complaining that you 'don't have money' without doing any of that is exactly like someone who has no intention of dieting, eats chocolate cake all day, doesn't exercise, and then says, 'I want to lose weight!'

I Don't Recommend 'Sacrificial Spending Cuts' That Wear Down Your Life

There is another common misunderstanding.

Even people who insist that increasing their income is impossible tend to start cutting expenses immediately. It is certainly very important to review your spending. However, I do not recommend a 'frugal life full of sacrifices'.

• Cutting children's education expenses

• Stopping all dining out

• Cutting off hobbies and pleasures

Isn't this putting the cart before the horse? The goal of wealth building is to 'live a rich and fulfilling life,' not just to 'survive'.

If you are the one saying you should reduce expenses, then start by changing your mobile contract as a fixed cost. Review your insurance.

However, they never take action on important money-saving techniques. Even though they pay 5,000 to 8,000 yen a month to a major carrier, they won't switch to a budget SIM. They also refuse to change or cancel their insurance policies.

Yet, this excessive frugality manifests in behaviors like turning off every light in the house or lowering the bath temperature by one degree to save money. Seriously, how many yen have you actually saved with that pointless penny-pinching?

If you're going to ride your bike to a distant supermarket just to buy eggs that are 10 yen cheaper, you should be using that time to improve your skills or study taxes instead.

Don't complain about high resident taxes if you aren't even utilizing the hometown tax donation program. I worry about the future of anyone who remains a person of zero action and all talk. And frankly, I don't want to have a second meeting with someone like that.

Asset formation is a means, not an end.

Asset formation is a means, not an end. And the goal is to live a fulfilling and satisfying life that is true to yourself.

My stance doesn't align with people who are swayed only by short-term gains and losses, complaining that 'stock prices have fallen' or 'I don't feel like I've made a profit.' I even get requests from people who bare their greed, asking me to 'teach them a way to make money without losing anything at all.' Interacting with people who refuse to acquire knowledge drains my energy, so I don't want to meet with them.

If I were working as a professional financial planner, I suppose there would be no easier business than just telling people what they want to hear, providing no real results, and still collecting a consultation fee.

However, since I do this purely as a hobby, I provide it for free. Please come to meet me with that understanding.

The people I am currently meeting with on an ongoing basis, as well as members of my study groups and the Mako Finance Cafe, do not fall into the category described in this article. Those I reply to via email inquiries are also not included. I believe this is fine since it's not the first time you've heard this. Regarding the future: From now on, I will be like a high-end Kyoto restaurant and refuse new customers. However, I will continue to work with those who meet the following conditions.

• Those who have the will to take action themselves

• Those who follow through with proactive actions

• Those who continue to improve their knowledge

I intend to continue my hobby-based activities in a 'low-key but long-term' manner.

Conclusion: Hobbies change, and values change too.

I have started taking up new hobbies now. As the phases of life change, so do one's interests. That is perfectly natural.

I run an asset management company, but the time for 'giving advice to just anyone' is over.

There is no value in giving advice to people who do not take action. This is the reason why I am suspending financial consultations.

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