The getting paid once a month thing was a huge point of worry for me while I was going through all of that. However, I knew exactly how much I was going to have and I already knew exactly how much I needed. I sat down on pay day and simply wrote out checks (or did automatic payments from my account) and paid everything that was going to be due for the month. For utilities, I simply paid a little more than what the bill was the last month. I typically don’t even receive the bill until the middle of the month, however, it’s always paid as soon as I am. Never late. If there’s a huge difference in what the bill says I owe and what I know I already sent in, then I pay the difference, but it hasn’t happened often. I usually end up with a small credit on my bill for the next month.

Of course, other people just know that their 9 to 5 job isn’t doing anything for their health, so they exercise, and they might also be financially responsible. I think we need a scientific methodology here

Bottom line – get out of debt and get that emergency fund set up because you never know what’s coming up next.

worrying accomplished nada

On what basis can you be doubtful of results of an experiment if you haven’t looked into it? It is almost like saying: “I haven’t looked into the details of this new-fangled idea of compound interest. Regardless, I am doubtful of the results”…..

The marshmallow experiment is a well known and often repeated experiment, with the same results. Its results are generally accepted by psychologists. For more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanford_marshmallow_experiment

http://aspartame.mercola.com/

Aspartame has been shown to cause metabolic syndrome, an irony for all the soda drinkers thinking that it will help them to lose – or at least not to gain – weight.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_4969734_why-diet-pop-bad.html

I maintain that it’s evil and has no redeeming social value. Total judgement on my part.

If you want something fizzy to drink, try carbonated spring water with a just splash of real fruit juice.

If you’re fixated with soda, there are ones on the market now that use stevia. Costs more, for sure, but isn’t that what saving money is for; to make informed choices?

Whatever the cause of the kids’ inability to delay gratification, they lacked that willpower. And it’s entirely possible that the results followed them through life.

I agree with you that delaying gratification is a learned skill. I just don’t see how that impacts the results of this experiment at all.

Point being – most people make incremental changes in their lives. Most actions have a synergistic and cumulative effect. JD may have diet soda at breakfast. This is definitely offset by hours of exercise on most days and other healthy food choices. Everyone has a food vice. What moves some people does not move others. The ideal goal is to remove all food vices. In reality, most people would do well to just limit their intake, don’t keep a lot in the house for easy accesss, etc.

And now I feel motivated to go for a walk!

Thank you for all the great posts and all the great info everyone shares in the comments.