Comments on: The Eternal Question: Am I Doing The Right Thing? http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/ 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: Katy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-409323 Katy Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:08:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-409323 Spend less than you earn - to that end, my husband and I are doing a 2-week experiment, trying not to spend ANY money beyond regular bills. As our decision to try this out was spontaneous, we have also pre-approved spending on toilet paper if needed! For us, it's just a reminder of how to live within our means. I'm happy to have anyone check out our two weeks - we're only on Day 2 (Nov 4). Spend less than you earn – to that end, my husband and I are doing a 2-week experiment, trying not to spend ANY money beyond regular bills. As our decision to try this out was spontaneous, we have also pre-approved spending on toilet paper if needed! For us, it’s just a reminder of how to live within our means. I’m happy to have anyone check out our two weeks – we’re only on Day 2 (Nov 4).

]]> By: Peter http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-97405 Peter Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:45:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-97405 The first thing to do is 'something.' So many people get frozen by inaction wondering if they are doing the 'best' thing possible. The key is to start with 'anything' and then work from there. You'll get the hang of it in no time and then you'll start tweaking your plan to what is best for you. The first thing to do is ’something.’ So many people get frozen by inaction wondering if they are doing the ‘best’ thing possible. The key is to start with ‘anything’ and then work from there. You’ll get the hang of it in no time and then you’ll start tweaking your plan to what is best for you.

]]> By: 144mph http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-97370 144mph Tue, 30 Oct 2007 11:54:00 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-97370 The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. - Bertrand Russell The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. – Bertrand Russell

]]> By: 60 in 3 - Fitness and Health http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-97086 60 in 3 - Fitness and Health Tue, 30 Oct 2007 01:15:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-97086 It's odd, but the people who are most concerned about doing the right thing are the ones usually on the best course. I run a little fitness blog and I get similar emails from readers asking me about health, exercise and such. The odd thing is that they all have the lives in good order. They're in shape and doing the right things. It's the one who don't send in questions that I worry about. Essentially, once you get to the point of reading these blogs, you're already on the right track. You know you're doing something wrong and you want to improve it. That's the most important step right there. Everything else is just fine tuning your strategy. Gal It’s odd, but the people who are most concerned about doing the right thing are the ones usually on the best course. I run a little fitness blog and I get similar emails from readers asking me about health, exercise and such. The odd thing is that they all have the lives in good order. They’re in shape and doing the right things. It’s the one who don’t send in questions that I worry about.

Essentially, once you get to the point of reading these blogs, you’re already on the right track. You know you’re doing something wrong and you want to improve it. That’s the most important step right there. Everything else is just fine tuning your strategy.

Gal

]]> By: Chris http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96990 Chris Mon, 29 Oct 2007 22:36:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96990 The reason I think most people are unsure of what they are doing even though it's good is a combination of 1) you are you own worst critic, and 2) you can not see the forest for the trees. I know in my life, I often times need someone from the outside to look at my situation and offer some unbiased insight. The reason I think most people are unsure of what they are doing even though it’s good is a combination of 1) you are you own worst critic, and 2) you can not see the forest for the trees. I know in my life, I often times need someone from the outside to look at my situation and offer some unbiased insight.

]]> By: debtdieter http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96904 debtdieter Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:09:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96904 I one of those 'am I doing the right thing?' people too. The question that's running through my mind at the moment is when do I save for a home of my own? Post debt payaff obviously, but before or after fully funding my emergency account, before or after fully funding my superannuation (retirement)accounts? There always seems to be an assumtpion in the PF world that ou already have a mortgage, but I don't? I do smile though as I'm 3 years from my debt payoff, but I'm already worrying! :-) I one of those ‘am I doing the right thing?’ people too.

The question that’s running through my mind at the moment is when do I save for a home of my own? Post debt payaff obviously, but before or after fully funding my emergency account, before or after fully funding my superannuation (retirement)accounts?

There always seems to be an assumtpion in the PF world that ou already have a mortgage, but I don’t?

I do smile though as I’m 3 years from my debt payoff, but I’m already worrying! :-)

]]> By: rstlne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96880 rstlne Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:37:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96880 I think it's good to have doubt. There is more than one way to manage your financial affairs and what works now may not work as well in the future. Keep checking your assumptions. That's the way to ensure that your financial plan remains sound. I think it’s good to have doubt. There is more than one way to manage your financial affairs and what works now may not work as well in the future. Keep checking your assumptions. That’s the way to ensure that your financial plan remains sound.

]]> By: Toxic http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96860 Toxic Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:03:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96860 I also made some BIG financial miscues in my life. I am not proud of them, but they have made me open my eyes and realize that I cannot live like that forever. My husband and I are battling debt for almost five months now, and it feels great to know that we're not alone in this. We have learned A LOT in these five months, and we're eager to learn more and be financially more responsible. Your blog is a true inspiration, and I will add you to my blog as soon as I find out how :) Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and letting us learn along the way! I also made some BIG financial miscues in my life. I am not proud of them, but they have made me open my eyes and realize that I cannot live like that forever. My husband and I are battling debt for almost five months now, and it feels great to know that we’re not alone in this. We have learned A LOT in these five months, and we’re eager to learn more and be financially more responsible.

Your blog is a true inspiration, and I will add you to my blog as soon as I find out how :)

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us and letting us learn along the way!

]]> By: Tyler http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96858 Tyler Mon, 29 Oct 2007 19:00:26 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96858 What good is The Simple Dollar now? You just gave your readership away since these are the answers to it all. Just kidding! Great article. What good is The Simple Dollar now? You just gave your readership away since these are the answers to it all. Just kidding! Great article.

]]> By: whatwuzIthinking http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96845 whatwuzIthinking Mon, 29 Oct 2007 18:29:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96845 I think we also like someone else to look at what we are doing, as they may see something that we don't. It's like proof-reading and important document - you want someone else to check for stupid spelling mistakes. I will often show my plans to my Mom for a second opinion. Sometimes she sees things that I don't because I am too close to the situation, and/or too tired from going over it over and over and over... I think that's also why so many people contact you - you are neutral and can see it with 'fresh eyes'. I think we also like someone else to look at what we are doing, as they may see something that we don’t. It’s like proof-reading and important document – you want someone else to check for stupid spelling mistakes.

I will often show my plans to my Mom for a second opinion. Sometimes she sees things that I don’t because I am too close to the situation, and/or too tired from going over it over and over and over… I think that’s also why so many people contact you – you are neutral and can see it with ‘fresh eyes’.

]]> By: wealthy_1 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/comment-page-1/#comment-96768 wealthy_1 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:15:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/29/the-eternal-question-am-i-doing-the-right-thing/#comment-96768 Great post! I worry all the time. I think you're right. We often look at others thinking they have it all together. I'm going to post those questions in a prominent place in my home as a reminder when I'm feeling unsure. Great post! I worry all the time. I think you’re right. We often look at others thinking they have it all together.

I’m going to post those questions in a prominent place in my home as a reminder when I’m feeling unsure.

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