Pete the Planner gets hate mail!

I love discussion. I love when people tell me that I'm wrong, and then intelligently prove why. I love saying "You're right!" There was a point in time that I loved to win arguments, but now I'd much rather lose to someone that knows what the hell they are talking about.

I received this email today after my segment on WISH-TV. I have copied as it was received. I'll post the clip of the segment later today. You decide.

Apparently she's not influenced by the fourth most influential personal finance expert in America.

Greetings,

You Suck!

While doing my homework for my Managerial Accounting, I caught your segment regarding student loans. How much does WISH-TV pay you for your sucky segments? Please spare us all your negativity, it's trite, narrow-minded and not relevant to the real world, with real people, trying and obtaining college degrees. I would rather be unemployed with a college degree, than employed making minimum-wage with a high-school diploma.

I respectfully disagree with you and I am glad my lazy 20year sold was not watching your segment, which would validate his non-motivation to attend school and work a part-time, minimum-wage paying job, instead of obtaining a college education with the help of student loans if that what it takes.

As an Accounting student I try to rationalize in my mind some of your advise when I see your segments on IndyStyle, but I find you very mizerly (you get the picture).

What better way for you to promote your book than to discourage people from attending college. Not every one has money to put away in 401K's and college funds. Most of us just get by on very little. And kids should never be discourage from attending college.

What do you spend your money on? And why are so necessary for you to suck the joy out life, I will attend college as long as can to obtain the education I deserve. I get grants and loans, and I could not attend school without them.

You are a money hoard and a scrooge, I hate your segments and your advise lacks purposeful reasoning and reality. Thanks for letting me share, now go and check your bank balance, because that is probably the only joy you have in life.

From a former IndyStyle fan, that will start watching Judge Mathis

Denise M.

Here was my response.

Denise,

The book doesn't discourage going to college. It encourages going to college and graduating without debt. I welcome your difference of opinion. But you didn't "respectfully" disagree. You rudely disagreed.

I see by your email address that you go to Ivy Tech. I'm a huge fan of Ivy Tech, and think it's the best value for education in Indiana.

I'm sorry you reacted so negatively to a positive topic.

Pete

*****UPDATE**** This post did not go as planned for several reasons. I posted this email from the emailer for two very distinct reasons, and two reasons alone.

Reason #1: I think her sentiment is shared by many. No, not that I'm a moron (although I'm sure that sentiment is shared as well), but that debt is the only way. The crazy thing is that the emailer is attending a type of school that I highly encourage people to attend. She is living the Avoid Student Loans mission.

Reason #2: I'm sick of rude behavior by commenters and emailers. Not just to me, but to your local media outlets and social media networks. We would get a hell of a lot more done in this country without all the hate. Now, I realize that several commenters today wanted to vilify her for her grammar. Look, my grammar really sucks. I didn't really care about her poorly written letter. I cared about its spirit.

The emailer and I have since exchanged emails. She admitted that she took the segment wrong. I WASN'T looking for an apology from her for opinion. I honestly want her to understand the financial aspects of my assertion about student loans. She is a single mom putting herself through school to better her life. I respect the hell out of that. Here are my take aways for today. Rudeness sucks. Differing opinions are great. Always wait a day to send an email when you are pissed. The sun will come up tomorrow, and it will be a better day. Be well.