If your cell phone bill has reached the stratosphere it’s likely because your teenager is addicted to text messaging.  Thanks to texts we’re not only paying astronomical fees to communicate we’re regrettably learning new “words.”  Our kids have introduced us to a new language – one where we are happy to LOL, ROFL and LMAO at a moment’s notice.  (If you want to see truly how far we’ve degraded our language go here.)

In the adult world we have our own shorthand.  Take NIMBY – sure, we need more prisons and landfills but Not in My Backyard.

Today we propose adding NMF to the lexicon.  That’s NMF as in Not My Fault.  We might as well.  Assigning blame (usually elsewhere) is as American as the lawsuit.  When I put a scalding hot cup of coffee between my legs while driving it’s NMF.  McDonalds must be to blame.  (We’re having a little fun to make a point.  The now famous “McDonald’s coffee case” has been blown out of proportion.  A bit of truth to balance the fiction can be found here, here and here.)

NMF is a huge problem.  On individual and institutional levels we’re so busy looking for culprits and scapegoats that we lack the time (and sometimes desire) to resolve issues.  At the governmental level we’re becoming more and more paternalistic.  No doubt you’ve heard the refrain as we’ve cried it from atop our soap box time and again but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless:  the welfare state destroys personal responsibility!

A recent survey by Northwestern Mutual Life found that roughly 75% of the 1,000 adults surveyed blame “the pace of society” for their inability to achieve their long-term financial goals.  Is it truly a case of societal pressure and influence or is it another NMF excuse?  Here’s some interesting evidence:

Travel insurer Mondial Assistance USA surveyed another 1,000 people about their summer vacation plans.  Americans will spend $86.4 billion this year.  That’s roughly 23% more than in 2010.  The average family will spend about $1,704 this year up about 9% from last year.

Vacations are fine.  So is prioritizing.  Self-control’s a good idea too.  I’ll get out there and enjoy the summer but I won’t bemoan my financial plight while doing so…unless it’s NMF.

It’s acceptable to LOL now.