Comments on: The Choices You Make, The Dollars You Make http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Kelsey http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-289998 Kelsey Thu, 29 May 2008 16:39:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-289998 I'm in the middle of "Your Money Or Your Life" right now which I know was a life changing book for you. Obviously, you know that money is simply a tool to reach the goals and values we set in our lives. Being a full time blogger/writer allows you the freedom to put the laptop away and go to the park with your son. You're a great example of how to set up your finances in such a way that you can focus on life! It's awesome. I’m in the middle of “Your Money Or Your Life” right now which I know was a life changing book for you. Obviously, you know that money is simply a tool to reach the goals and values we set in our lives. Being a full time blogger/writer allows you the freedom to put the laptop away and go to the park with your son. You’re a great example of how to set up your finances in such a way that you can focus on life! It’s awesome.

]]> By: reulte http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-121960 reulte Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:00:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-121960 Minimum Wage - its a choice, and if I had to go hungry or eat ramen noodles for the next week to spend an hour at the park with my boy, I would do it. As it is, I have categorically refused all overtime for the past 5-going-on-6 years and made it plain to my supervisors that I religiously obey the clocked work hours. I do not volunteer my time for anything that takes me away from my primary value - which is the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health and well being of my son. Minimum Wage – its a choice, and if I had to go hungry or eat ramen noodles for the next week to spend an hour at the park with my boy, I would do it. As it is, I have categorically refused all overtime for the past 5-going-on-6 years and made it plain to my supervisors that I religiously obey the clocked work hours. I do not volunteer my time for anything that takes me away from my primary value – which is the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health and well being of my son.

]]> By: yong lim foo http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30845 yong lim foo Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:18:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30845 I am from Singapore. This blog seems to cater towards the US resident. Nevertheless this particular entry is universal truth to me. Thank you for opening up my inner self. I am from Singapore. This blog seems to cater towards the US resident. Nevertheless this particular entry is universal truth to me.

Thank you for opening up my inner self.

]]> By: Thoglette http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30649 Thoglette Thu, 31 May 2007 12:48:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30649 Ah, little grasshopper:-) Going further, nothing will buy back time with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins when growing up. I've dashed several careers agaist the rocks to keep the family close and regret none of that (though, by my age, there are plenty of other things to regret). Ah, little grasshopper:-)

Going further, nothing will buy back time with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins when growing up.

I’ve dashed several careers agaist the rocks to keep the family close and regret none of that (though, by my age, there are plenty of other things to regret).

]]> By: The Digerati Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30582 The Digerati Life Thu, 31 May 2007 06:14:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30582 Looks like we share the same thoughts. I too juggle many things, including and most especially: life with 2 young children. And nothing else is more fulfilling than seeing them happy and growing up healthy. Looks like we share the same thoughts. I too juggle many things, including and most especially: life with 2 young children. And nothing else is more fulfilling than seeing them happy and growing up healthy.

]]> By: Steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30550 Steve Thu, 31 May 2007 02:36:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30550 Hi Trent! I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I will know what to do. I guess it is applicable to a few other things/situation - not just kids. Thought-provoking. Lucky kid, your son! Hi Trent! I don’t have kids yet, but when I do, I will know what to do. I guess it is applicable to a few other things/situation – not just kids. Thought-provoking. Lucky kid, your son!

]]> By: Dy (www.dyphan.com) http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30443 Dy (www.dyphan.com) Wed, 30 May 2007 18:12:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30443 Excellent post Trent. Values before money... always. Excellent post Trent. Values before money… always.

]]> By: David http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30417 David Wed, 30 May 2007 16:26:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30417 You gained a new reader here because someone passed this along to me. You gained a new reader here because someone passed this along to me.

]]> By: Tracee Sioux http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30399 Tracee Sioux Wed, 30 May 2007 15:22:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30399 Hi, I enjoyed your blog. I too am a blogger. We're on the Dave Ramsey plan and just bought a mini-van outright. I've blogged about the evil of credit cards and how debt effects marriages at my website So Sioux Me to empower girls at http://traceesioux.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-saw-satan-on-tv-and-hes-little-dork.html . I think I'll link your site to mine. Lots of common themes, working vs. kids, etc. Tracee Sioux Hi,

I enjoyed your blog. I too am a blogger. We’re on the Dave Ramsey plan and just bought a mini-van outright. I’ve blogged about the evil of credit cards and how debt effects marriages at my website So Sioux Me to empower girls at http://traceesioux.blogspot.com/2007/01/i-saw-satan-on-tv-and-hes-little-dork.html .

I think I’ll link your site to mine. Lots of common themes, working vs. kids, etc.

Tracee Sioux

]]> By: Tim http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30369 Tim Wed, 30 May 2007 13:02:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30369 Great choice, Trent. You invested into your most important investment, so to speak. My son is 13 months, but he already doesn't like being hugged as much as I like to hug him, and if he's as independent as I was, then I've got a tough road ahead. :) Long gone are the cuddly infant days. On the upside, I've come up with a new form of discipline. Whenever he's bad, he'll have to give me a hug in public. If he's really bad, have to endure a kiss on the cheek in front of his friends. Great choice, Trent. You invested into your most important investment, so to speak. My son is 13 months, but he already doesn’t like being hugged as much as I like to hug him, and if he’s as independent as I was, then I’ve got a tough road ahead. :) Long gone are the cuddly infant days.

On the upside, I’ve come up with a new form of discipline. Whenever he’s bad, he’ll have to give me a hug in public. If he’s really bad, have to endure a kiss on the cheek in front of his friends.

]]> By: Mardee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30346 Mardee Wed, 30 May 2007 11:33:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30346 I wish more people felt as you did - I honestly feel that one of the major problems with our country is that too many people rush past their children's growing years. There's a poem that I used to read when I was the single mother of a small baby. The message always helped me with my choice to keep my income low but spent time with my daughter. it's been commercialized a good bit over the years, but the basic message still rings true. It's a longish poem, but the last stanza goes like this: The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep. Congratulations on your choice, Trent - believe me, the time you spend now with your child will reap rewards in the years to come. I wish more people felt as you did – I honestly feel that one of the major problems with our country is that too many people rush past their children’s growing years. There’s a poem that I used to read when I was the single mother of a small baby. The message always helped me with my choice to keep my income low but spent time with my daughter. it’s been commercialized a good bit over the years, but the basic message still rings true. It’s a longish poem, but the last stanza goes like this:

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.

Congratulations on your choice, Trent – believe me, the time you spend now with your child will reap rewards in the years to come.

]]> By: Kai http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30337 Kai Wed, 30 May 2007 10:24:10 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30337 I have been lurking around here for some time and have been enjoying your writing a lot (though not everything is applicable in Germany) I think with this article you kind of did both: because the resulting piece actually adds to the value of your site. Just as HappyRock has noted above. I have been lurking around here for some time and have been enjoying your writing a lot (though not everything is applicable in Germany)

I think with this article you kind of did both: because the resulting piece actually adds to the value of your site. Just as HappyRock has noted above.

]]> By: K http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30323 K Wed, 30 May 2007 08:11:04 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30323 A good post, Trent. I'm in a similar place in life to you (my son is 18 months, we are moving into our new home in July, and I'm just shy of 28 years old), and I too miss those days where he would just curl up in my arms and go to sleep -- and your post reminded me that every single moment with him today is one that I will miss tomorrow. You feared your choice would lose your a reader or two. Au contraire, I suspect you will find the opposite is true. A good post, Trent. I’m in a similar place in life to you (my son is 18 months, we are moving into our new home in July, and I’m just shy of 28 years old), and I too miss those days where he would just curl up in my arms and go to sleep — and your post reminded me that every single moment with him today is one that I will miss tomorrow.

You feared your choice would lose your a reader or two. Au contraire, I suspect you will find the opposite is true.

]]> By: Minimum Wage http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30224 Minimum Wage Tue, 29 May 2007 21:43:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30224 If you make minimum wage, can you afford to leave money on the table? If you make minimum wage, can you afford to leave money on the table?

]]> By: HappyRock http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30210 HappyRock Tue, 29 May 2007 20:20:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30210 Yep, I think making that choice added to your fulfillment and helped you write a great piece! Yep, I think making that choice added to your fulfillment and helped you write a great piece!

]]> By: Ogden http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30200 Ogden Tue, 29 May 2007 19:31:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30200 Kind of building on (and agreeing with) what Laura posted above, I think that perhaps you could re-frame the choices that you outlined. Instead of (very simplified) choice "A" will attract more readers and choice "B" will give me more time with family, you could think of it as this: My choices regarding lifestyle and what is important to me will attract readers to my blog. Choice "A" will attract a one sort of reader and choice "B" will attract a different sort of reader, and there is likely to be some cross-over between the two. So your choice to spend time with your family doesn't cost you any readers, if people who also value time spent with family are the people you hope to attract to your blog. In fact it might (and probably does) gain you readers who are also trying to find that balance of family, work, and financial freedom. There are a hundreds of personal finance and lifestyle blogs out there that will provide some kernel of wisdom, good or bad, for their readers every single day just to get something out there each day. If someone wants a daily financial quick-fix, they can find it many places. But I suspect you, and many of your readers, prefer quality over quantity. So if you spend a day away and it leads you to some experience or realization that you can the share with the blog, (even if it's just that time-off is a good thing) it's time well spent, IMO, and an experience that we all can share and learn from. Kind of building on (and agreeing with) what Laura posted above, I think that perhaps you could re-frame the choices that you outlined. Instead of (very simplified) choice “A” will attract more readers and choice “B” will give me more time with family, you could think of it as this:

My choices regarding lifestyle and what is important to me will attract readers to my blog. Choice “A” will attract a one sort of reader and choice “B” will attract a different sort of reader, and there is likely to be some cross-over between the two.

So your choice to spend time with your family doesn’t cost you any readers, if people who also value time spent with family are the people you hope to attract to your blog. In fact it might (and probably does) gain you readers who are also trying to find that balance of family, work, and financial freedom.

There are a hundreds of personal finance and lifestyle blogs out there that will provide some kernel of wisdom, good or bad, for their readers every single day just to get something out there each day. If someone wants a daily financial quick-fix, they can find it many places.

But I suspect you, and many of your readers, prefer quality over quantity. So if you spend a day away and it leads you to some experience or realization that you can the share with the blog, (even if it’s just that time-off is a good thing) it’s time well spent, IMO, and an experience that we all can share and learn from.

]]> By: Giancarlo Angulo http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30195 Giancarlo Angulo Tue, 29 May 2007 19:24:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30195 Great Post! I believe what you wrote about is exactly the reason one would even strive for financial security! To have time to enjoy the real substance of living! Once again great post! Great Post!

I believe what you wrote about is exactly the reason one would even strive for financial security! To have time to enjoy the real substance of living!

Once again great post!

]]> By: Laura http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30186 Laura Tue, 29 May 2007 18:54:17 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30186 "Maybe my choice means that I won’t be able to post a great piece today..." To the contrary - this was beautiful and thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing such wisdom. “Maybe my choice means that I won’t be able to post a great piece today…”

To the contrary – this was beautiful and thought-provoking. Thank you for sharing such wisdom.

]]> By: Rob in Madrid http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30174 Rob in Madrid Tue, 29 May 2007 18:08:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30174 Most blogs post max 2-3 times a week so posting daily is (and top quality posts at that) is quite an accomplishment. So take a well deserved day or weekend off once in a while. It's Un American I know but sometimes you need a holiday to clear the brain. Taking a few days to refresh can do wonders for your thinking. Most blogs post max 2-3 times a week so posting daily is (and top quality posts at that) is quite an accomplishment. So take a well deserved day or weekend off once in a while. It’s Un American I know but sometimes you need a holiday to clear the brain. Taking a few days to refresh can do wonders for your thinking.

]]> By: GHoosdum http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/comment-page-1/#comment-30153 GHoosdum Tue, 29 May 2007 16:50:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/05/29/the-choices-you-make-the-dollars-you-make/#comment-30153 I don't consider this out of place. Our personal finance choices are ultimately made to put us in a position to spend time on the things we value in life. Family is something that you can enjoy now without having to scrimp and save to get there. Seems pretty natural to me. I don’t consider this out of place. Our personal finance choices are ultimately made to put us in a position to spend time on the things we value in life. Family is something that you can enjoy now without having to scrimp and save to get there. Seems pretty natural to me.

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