Comments on: The Ten Most Important Things I’ve Learned About Money and Life In The Last Year http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/ 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: Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-352632 Money Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:36:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-352632 Its really important to track your expenses and make sure you dont over spend Its really important to track your expenses and make sure you dont over spend

]]> By: Maura http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-99905 Maura Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:23:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-99905 Every time you spend a dollar, you sacrifice a bit of your future My husband and I recently kicked the daily Starbucks habit and saved $230 last month. $230! It was time to get real with ourselves and calculate how much we were wasting...and how much we could be investing. Happy Birthday! Every time you spend a dollar, you sacrifice a bit of your future

My husband and I recently kicked the daily Starbucks habit and saved $230 last month. $230!

It was time to get real with ourselves and calculate how much we were wasting…and how much we could be investing.

Happy Birthday!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-99053 Jeff Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:43:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-99053 I've got to say that I'm similar to you. I recently woke up to the fact that my financial situation is/was in total shambles. I had no direction and no idea of what to do with money. Part of it may have been due to the fact that I am afraid of dealing with money matters. I've subconsciously always thought such things are beneath me. Well, I've been regularly reading this blog and the "Get Rich Slowly" blog and I've gotten a lot of inspiration to turn things around. My wife and I have now built up a small emergency fund, an even smaller (but growing!) long-term savings fund and last month we bought our first home! I actually have a plan for my financial future instead of simply shuffling that "unpleasant" part of life under the ol' rug. Thank you more than I can say. And happy anniversary! I’ve got to say that I’m similar to you. I recently woke up to the fact that my financial situation is/was in total shambles. I had no direction and no idea of what to do with money. Part of it may have been due to the fact that I am afraid of dealing with money matters. I’ve subconsciously always thought such things are beneath me.

Well, I’ve been regularly reading this blog and the “Get Rich Slowly” blog and I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration to turn things around. My wife and I have now built up a small emergency fund, an even smaller (but growing!) long-term savings fund and last month we bought our first home! I actually have a plan for my financial future instead of simply shuffling that “unpleasant” part of life under the ol’ rug.

Thank you more than I can say. And happy anniversary!

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98417 Elizabeth Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:22:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98417 Trent, I was floored to see you've only been going for a year. I think I discovered this site around February and have been checking in periodically ever since -- really the only blog that I regularly read. Good work, and happy anniversary! Trent, I was floored to see you’ve only been going for a year. I think I discovered this site around February and have been checking in periodically ever since — really the only blog that I regularly read. Good work, and happy anniversary!

]]> By: SouthernbytheGraceofGod http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98401 SouthernbytheGraceofGod Thu, 01 Nov 2007 13:56:34 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98401 Doing what one is passionate about and forgetting the paycheck can be risky! But what a ride! One thing that all of the sucessful entreprenurs (sp) have said emphatically is that you should LOVE WHAT YOU DO! I agree! Best wishes for the next years! Doing what one is passionate about and forgetting the paycheck can be risky! But what a ride! One thing that all of the sucessful entreprenurs (sp) have said emphatically is that you should LOVE WHAT YOU DO! I agree!

Best wishes for the next years!

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98359 Rebecca Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:44:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98359 Happy Birthday! What a wonderful job you do. I especially like that you share your life with us in relation to what you're learning. I, too, feel like I've known you for more than a year. I was so curious about everything related to the new house you bought and the birth of your daughter. Best wishes for your future and dreams, you deserve the best! I don't know if you are aware of the website mint.com. I just learned of it a few hours ago. And when I read just now your comment, "Make yourself look at your financial situation at least once a month, if not once a week." I remembered what a pain that can be. Checking the various websites for checking and charge accounts. It made me realize what a valuable tool this new website could be. It is partnered with many bank and credit card companies and, when you put in all of your information - which I've read can be done in just minutes - you are able to instantly see where your money is going. The website downloads all of your account information from each institution every night and categorizes all of the expenditures. The only thing, from what I've read so far, that it doesn't cover is investment accounts. Anyway, I thought this might be something you would be interested in. I know you that use a spreadsheet for most things instead of Quicken or other financial software, but this is a free service and you don't seem to need to do anything except enter in your account information one time. You can even set alerts for it to remind you when things are coming due. I'd really like to get your opinion about this website, so please take a look at it when you get the chance and let us know what you think. Again, thanks for all you've done for us and the very best of luck to you in the future. Happy Birthday! What a wonderful job you do. I especially like that you share your life with us in relation to what you’re learning. I, too, feel like I’ve known you for more than a year. I was so curious about everything related to the new house you bought and the birth of your daughter. Best wishes for your future and dreams, you deserve the best!

I don’t know if you are aware of the website mint.com. I just learned of it a few hours ago. And when I read just now your comment, “Make yourself look at your financial situation at least once a month, if not once a week.” I remembered what a pain that can be. Checking the various websites for checking and charge accounts. It made me realize what a valuable tool this new website could be.

It is partnered with many bank and credit card companies and, when you put in all of your information – which I’ve read can be done in just minutes – you are able to instantly see where your money is going. The website downloads all of your account information from each institution every night and categorizes all of the expenditures. The only thing, from what I’ve read so far, that it doesn’t cover is investment accounts.

Anyway, I thought this might be something you would be interested in. I know you that use a spreadsheet for most things instead of Quicken or other financial software, but this is a free service and you don’t seem to need to do anything except enter in your account information one time. You can even set alerts for it to remind you when things are coming due.

I’d really like to get your opinion about this website, so please take a look at it when you get the chance and let us know what you think.

Again, thanks for all you’ve done for us and the very best of luck to you in the future.

]]> By: Daily Roundup: Bringing Home the Bacon Edition ∞ Get Rich Slowly http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98256 Daily Roundup: Bringing Home the Bacon Edition ∞ Get Rich Slowly Thu, 01 Nov 2007 08:01:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98256 [...] He and I share similar backgrounds, similar philosophies, and similar goals. I enjoyed his piece on the ten most important things I’ve learned about money and life in the past year. It’s [...] [...] He and I share similar backgrounds, similar philosophies, and similar goals. I enjoyed his piece on the ten most important things I’ve learned about money and life in the past year. It’s [...]

]]> By: vandana arora http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98245 vandana arora Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:20:48 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98245 Highly motivating, Well this is my first visit to your site and that's what i was looking for,from years. There should always be a person with whom you can discuss and share things like money.Which in real life we miss. Articles like this always motivate us. Thanks a lot Highly motivating,

Well this is my first visit to your site and that’s what i was looking for,from years.

There should always be a person with whom you can discuss and share things like money.Which in real life we miss.

Articles like this always motivate us.

Thanks a lot

]]> By: The Digerati Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98193 The Digerati Life Thu, 01 Nov 2007 04:12:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98193 I love all these points. The last one really hit home for me as well. I've been going back and forth (and it's been excruciating at times) about moving into a new chapter of my "work" life where I decide to choose the type of work I do rather than be driven by a job that only puts food on our table. What you say about passion is very assuring to me. Your other points: (1) you can't get back time (which I also think of as "life is short"), (2) keep your investments simple and (3) find time to recharge are also some of my favorite truisms. I love all these points. The last one really hit home for me as well. I’ve been going back and forth (and it’s been excruciating at times) about moving into a new chapter of my “work” life where I decide to choose the type of work I do rather than be driven by a job that only puts food on our table. What you say about passion is very assuring to me. Your other points: (1) you can’t get back time (which I also think of as “life is short”), (2) keep your investments simple and (3) find time to recharge are also some of my favorite truisms.

]]> By: Mrs. Micah http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-98045 Mrs. Micah Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:03:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-98045 Happy anniversary! That last point really resonated with me. Happy anniversary!

That last point really resonated with me.

]]> By: Issac'sBride http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97884 Issac'sBride Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:55:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97884 Your website has been of great inspiration to me. I'm in my early twenties, have a small credit card debit and then on top of that I recently bought tickets to go back home (home=australia) to visit on credit. Paying it back before I leave has put in me in a reality check, that next time I need to plan, save and to not spend in the 'good' times. So coming across this site has come at a timely matter, where I have started to put my finances back into perspective - to help plan for my future. So homemade lunches have become a favourite of mine, going to the grocery store once a fortnight and shopping around for doing price checks on top grocery items and checking the internet for deals/coupons. One thing I would like you to cover and prehaps you have and I have not come across it yet - Buying individual stocks, I have a few that am I watching but how doi go about making the purchases for them? Thank you, for your writing and not acting as a know it all - attitude is everything in commucating your ideas. I really have enjoyed reading your learning progress, it has been great encouragment Your website has been of great inspiration to me.
I’m in my early twenties, have a small credit card debit and then on top of that I recently bought tickets to go back home (home=australia) to visit on credit. Paying it back before I leave has put in me in a reality check, that next time I need to plan, save and to not spend in the ‘good’ times.
So coming across this site has come at a timely matter, where I have started to put my finances back into perspective – to help plan for my future.
So homemade lunches have become a favourite of mine, going to the grocery store once a fortnight and shopping around for doing price checks on top grocery items and checking the internet for deals/coupons.

One thing I would like you to cover and prehaps you have and I have not come across it yet – Buying individual stocks, I have a few that am I watching but how doi go about making the purchases for them?

Thank you, for your writing and not acting as a know it all – attitude is everything in commucating your ideas. I really have enjoyed reading your learning progress, it has been great encouragment

]]> By: Chief Family Officer http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97861 Chief Family Officer Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:40:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97861 Happy Blogoversary! Wishing you even greater success in the years to come :D Happy Blogoversary! Wishing you even greater success in the years to come :D

]]> By: wealthy_1 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97851 wealthy_1 Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:14:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97851 Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! Yours was the first blog I had ever read. Your story is amazing. Your blog led me to so many others and inspired me to focus on my finances through blogging. It really helps to share my experiences with others. I feel as though I'm being held accountable. Continued success! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!

Yours was the first blog I had ever read. Your story is amazing. Your blog led me to so many others and inspired me to focus on my finances through blogging. It really helps to share my experiences with others. I feel as though I’m being held accountable.

Continued success!

]]> By: Jeni http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97824 Jeni Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:25:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97824 "Do what you love and the money will follow" is my favorite quote. I have been trying to follow this quote my entire life, but have yet to make a real living at what I love, but I keep trying. “Do what you love and the money will follow” is my favorite quote. I have been trying to follow this quote my entire life, but have yet to make a real living at what I love, but I keep trying.

]]> By: KMC http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97820 KMC Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:09:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97820 Congratulations Trent. I'm with Lynnae - it seems like more than a year. Congratulations Trent. I’m with Lynnae – it seems like more than a year.

]]> By: Pinyo http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97806 Pinyo Wed, 31 Oct 2007 11:32:45 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97806 Trent, great reflection. You certainly have done an amazing job with The Simple Dollar. Trent, great reflection. You certainly have done an amazing job with The Simple Dollar.

]]> By: Lynnae @ Being Frugal http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97708 Lynnae @ Being Frugal Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:16:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97708 You've only been at this a year? I always figured your blog was one of those that had been around for much longer! You've accomplished a lot in the last year. Congratulations!!! This post has given me a lot to think about. Thanks! You’ve only been at this a year? I always figured your blog was one of those that had been around for much longer! You’ve accomplished a lot in the last year. Congratulations!!!

This post has given me a lot to think about. Thanks!

]]> By: kristin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97670 kristin Wed, 31 Oct 2007 01:43:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97670 Congratulations on having the Simple Dollar for a year! It was recently listed in the Seattle PI as a website to check out! You have learned a lot this year as have I through reading your posts and the reader comments. Keep up the good work. Congratulations on having the Simple Dollar for a year! It was recently listed in the Seattle PI as a website to check out! You have learned a lot this year as have I through reading your posts and the reader comments. Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Jeremy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97653 Jeremy Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:54:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97653 Trent, your last comment really hits home - doing what you are passionate about is important for so many reasons, including the simple one of really living your life =) Trent, your last comment really hits home – doing what you are passionate about is important for so many reasons, including the simple one of really living your life =)

]]> By: Dawn http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/comment-page-1/#comment-97606 Dawn Tue, 30 Oct 2007 22:42:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/10/30/the-ten-most-important-things-ive-learned-about-money-and-life-in-the-last-year/#comment-97606 You really grew up this past year and you should be proud of the accomplishments you have realized. I come from a background of early childhood education and I am most proud of your dedication to your children's childhood. It goes by so quickly and you can never reclaim those moments. My boys are now in their twenties and it seems like yesterday they were your children's age. It really does boil down to finding the balance that works for our individual families. You really grew up this past year and you should be proud of the accomplishments you have realized.
I come from a background of early childhood education and I am most proud of your dedication to your children’s childhood.
It goes by so quickly and you can never reclaim those moments.
My boys are now in their twenties and it seems like yesterday they were your children’s age.
It really does boil down to finding the balance that works for our individual families.

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