Comments on: Goals and Plans for 2008 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:06:21 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Michelle http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-150968 Michelle Wed, 09 Jan 2008 01:45:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-150968 You are one subscriber closer to reaching your goal. I love your site and appreciate your work!! You are one subscriber closer to reaching your goal. I love your site and appreciate your work!!

]]> By: Colleen Costello http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-134436 Colleen Costello Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:16:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-134436 Your goals for 2008 inspired me to make some! I most love your idea of spending 5 days with each of your kids. I so enjoy the site. Your goals for 2008 inspired me to make some! I most love your idea of spending 5 days with each of your kids.

I so enjoy the site.

]]> By: Amy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-134302 Amy Mon, 17 Dec 2007 19:49:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-134302 Hi. I enjoy reading your daily writings. I received them in email form and pass them on quite often. I wanted to share story about my Sunday. I have "adopted" a family of four for Christmas (single mom with 3 children). No they won't be coming to live with me. A community program announced they had families in need for Christmas gifts (specifically children). If one decided to participate, they could write a check or give actual gifts. I decided on shopping for the family. I contacted the Mom of the family to get some idea of needs, sizes, interest, etc. With my list in hand, I spent Sunday shopping strategically for the best (quality gifts/low prices) deals I could find. At the end of the day I had bags and bags of clothing, bedding, toys, etc. However, the reason for me writing to share is a common observation of mine when shopping. I visited a local chain store Goody's for some deals. As I entered the store I noticed store a large stack of flyers sitting right by the entrance door. I picked one up and noticed on the back page was a coupon for 25% one item good for Sunday. As I made my around the store I noticed that no one had the flyer. No one was taking advantage of the coupon (free money). As I approached the cashier line, I observed the customers ahead of me in line. There were 3 lines with 5 to 6 customers in each line. No one used a coupon. Why? Finally my turn came, I used the coupon. Maybe the first person of the day but I would not be the last. I asked my 13 year old daughter to walk to the entrance, pick up a stack of flyers, and offer them to those customers in line that were obviously clueless. She handed out about 30 flyers. As I observed the people when she offered the coupon many looked clueless as though the coupon was some unknown never seen before object written in a foreign language. Everyone was appreciative. Who knows how much money was saved but more importantly I hope that maybe one person will look the next time they enter a store for free money. I picked up 4 flyers and used each one separately to receive the 25% off each item not just one single item. It did take longer as I had to pay 4 times but it was worth it. By not picking up a flyer at the entrance would have been the same as walking past a $20 bill on the floor. Thanks. Hi. I enjoy reading your daily writings. I received them in email form and pass them on quite often.

I wanted to share story about my Sunday. I have “adopted” a family of four for Christmas (single mom with 3 children). No they won’t be coming to live with me. A community program announced they had families in need for Christmas gifts (specifically children). If one decided to participate, they could write a check or give actual gifts. I decided on shopping for the family. I contacted the Mom of the family to get some idea of needs, sizes, interest, etc. With my list in hand, I spent Sunday shopping strategically for the best (quality gifts/low prices) deals I could find. At the end of the day I had bags and bags of clothing, bedding, toys, etc.

However, the reason for me writing to share is a common observation of mine when shopping. I visited a local chain store Goody’s for some deals. As I entered the store I noticed store a large stack of flyers sitting right by the entrance door. I picked one up and noticed on the back page was a coupon for 25% one item good for Sunday. As I made my around the store I noticed that no one had the flyer. No one was taking advantage of the coupon (free money). As I approached the cashier line, I observed the customers ahead of me in line. There were 3 lines with 5 to 6 customers in each line. No one used a coupon. Why? Finally my turn came, I used the coupon. Maybe the first person of the day but I would not be the last. I asked my 13 year old daughter to walk to the entrance, pick up a stack of flyers, and offer them to those customers in line that were obviously clueless. She handed out about 30 flyers. As I observed the people when she offered the coupon many looked clueless as though the coupon was some unknown never seen before object written in a foreign language. Everyone was appreciative. Who knows how much money was saved but more importantly I hope that maybe one person will look the next time they enter a store for free money. I picked up 4 flyers and used each one separately to receive the 25% off each item not just one single item. It did take longer as I had to pay 4 times but it was worth it. By not picking up a flyer at the entrance would have been the same as walking past a $20 bill on the floor. Thanks.

]]> By: Jaime http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-132309 Jaime Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:55:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-132309 After months of reading your site i've finally subscribed.....good luck with your goals for '08! After months of reading your site i’ve finally subscribed…..good luck with your goals for ‘08!

]]> By: Benelli http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-132154 Benelli Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:06:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-132154 I am a casual reader of the Simple Dollar and enjoy your views very much. I use some of your ideas to keep myself in check and open discussion with my husband and mentally argue some of my points with yours and other readers. He (my husband) is a spender and I am a saver, I handle the finances in the family and we are very comfortable with investments, 529’s and our debt (mortgage only which I have no desire to pay off before the next 25 years, I am a believer of low price debt when my portfolio is still performing well and I have enough in investment accounts to cover my mortgage if need be). I think your 2008 goals are commendable but something I share with you and ask your readers to think about is this; if your life or your spouses ended tomorrow would the memories of paying off your debt and not taking the opportunity to do something else with SOME of your money or life energy be enough to carry you for the rest of your life or theirs? We faced that question this year and I am happy to say that every family vacation that took us around the world or item we bought for us or our children that brought a smile along with the moments I shared with them was what I thought about when I went in for heart surgery (I am 32) never did it cross my mind that I didn’t care for what I did for a living or that I didn’t have debt. It was the comfort of knowing that we spent it, shared it and saved it while we have it. I am a casual reader of the Simple Dollar and enjoy your views very much. I use some of your ideas to keep myself in check and open discussion with my husband and mentally argue some of my points with yours and other readers. He (my husband) is a spender and I am a saver, I handle the finances in the family and we are very comfortable with investments, 529’s and our debt (mortgage only which I have no desire to pay off before the next 25 years, I am a believer of low price debt when my portfolio is still performing well and I have enough in investment accounts to cover my mortgage if need be). I think your 2008 goals are commendable but something I share with you and ask your readers to think about is this; if your life or your spouses ended tomorrow would the memories of paying off your debt and not taking the opportunity to do something else with SOME of your money or life energy be enough to carry you for the rest of your life or theirs? We faced that question this year and I am happy to say that every family vacation that took us around the world or item we bought for us or our children that brought a smile along with the moments I shared with them was what I thought about when I went in for heart surgery (I am 32) never did it cross my mind that I didn’t care for what I did for a living or that I didn’t have debt. It was the comfort of knowing that we spent it, shared it and saved it while we have it.

]]> By: lynn http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-132050 lynn Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:20:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-132050 I read a few times per week... and have sent some articles on to friends, so I hope to help you reach your goal of increasing your readership. BTW, I also agree that the changes in posting haven't affected the value of your blog. Good luck, Trent, and thanks for the frequent doses of inspiration! I read a few times per week… and have sent some articles on to friends, so I hope to help you reach your goal of increasing your readership. BTW, I also agree that the changes in posting haven’t affected the value of your blog. Good luck, Trent, and thanks for the frequent doses of inspiration!

]]> By: Jen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131761 Jen Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:59:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131761 I just started reading The Simple Dollar last week, but I am excited to check out your upcoming cooking blog! Judging by the quality of what I've seen so far on the Simple Dollar, I'm sure it will be great. Bring it on! I just started reading The Simple Dollar last week, but I am excited to check out your upcoming cooking blog! Judging by the quality of what I’ve seen so far on the Simple Dollar, I’m sure it will be great. Bring it on!

]]> By: SingleGuyMoney http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131751 SingleGuyMoney Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:36:58 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131751 Great goals there Trent! I too am planning to get rid of my non-mortgage debt although I probably won't be able to get rid of all of it in 2008. I did pay off all my credit card debt this year so I am happy about that. Great goals there Trent! I too am planning to get rid of my non-mortgage debt although I probably won’t be able to get rid of all of it in 2008. I did pay off all my credit card debt this year so I am happy about that.

]]> By: Adam http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131649 Adam Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:51:19 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131649 I agree with Trent on this one. My blog is also "monetized," but at a very low level. When I go to a blog and see a zillion ads, I don't even read what's there. Admittedly, I don't make much at all from the blog, but any money I do make is just "gravy" for doing something I enjoy. I agree with Trent on this one. My blog is also “monetized,” but at a very low level.

When I go to a blog and see a zillion ads, I don’t even read what’s there.

Admittedly, I don’t make much at all from the blog, but any money I do make is just “gravy” for doing something I enjoy.

]]> By: Trent http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131641 Trent Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:37:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131641 Almost every effort a person can take to monetize their blog interferes with readers. I don't monetize nearly as much as other blogs because my primary focus is to attract readers and community participants, not eyeballs for my ads. Almost every effort a person can take to monetize their blog interferes with readers. I don’t monetize nearly as much as other blogs because my primary focus is to attract readers and community participants, not eyeballs for my ads.

]]> By: Brian http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131636 Brian Thu, 13 Dec 2007 20:22:54 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131636 Hi Trent, I'm sure you get this a lot, but with people like John Chow making $18K plus per month with their blog (with less readership and subscribers than you), I think its a very realistic goal to become a full time writer. I notice you don't focus much on monetizing the blog, is there a specific reason for this? Hi Trent, I’m sure you get this a lot, but with people like John Chow making $18K plus per month with their blog (with less readership and subscribers than you), I think its a very realistic goal to become a full time writer. I notice you don’t focus much on monetizing the blog, is there a specific reason for this?

]]> By: michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131607 michael Thu, 13 Dec 2007 19:23:13 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131607 personal goal...write a book...a short one. personal goal…write a book…a short one.

]]> By: Marjorie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131570 Marjorie Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:22:41 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131570 Dear Trent, I only discovered your blog about 3-4 weeks ago but read it religiously. I really enjoy your writing and have found lots of great insights and ideas just from perusing your archives. You've also inspired me to create my own goal list for my various activities, including two blogs that I currently write and manage. I'm especially impressed that you've been able to keep up with what I can only imagine is a grueling schedule of a full-time job, a family with children, and all the work you do to maintain this blog (including the research!). If you can do it, I can as well, and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future. Salut, Marjorie Dear Trent,

I only discovered your blog about 3-4 weeks ago but read it religiously. I really enjoy your writing and have found lots of great insights and ideas just from perusing your archives. You’ve also inspired me to create my own goal list for my various activities, including two blogs that I currently write and manage. I’m especially impressed that you’ve been able to keep up with what I can only imagine is a grueling schedule of a full-time job, a family with children, and all the work you do to maintain this blog (including the research!). If you can do it, I can as well, and I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future.

Salut,
Marjorie

]]> By: Geron http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131568 Geron Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:19:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131568 MVP: I think Trent means he's going to take 5 days off work to spend totally with his kids. This is in addition to the weekends, evenings, holidays and any other time spent with kids. MVP: I think Trent means he’s going to take 5 days off work to spend totally with his kids. This is in addition to the weekends, evenings, holidays and any other time spent with kids.

]]> By: ShootDawg http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131562 ShootDawg Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:59:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131562 @MVP: I don't think he means spending only 5 days with his kids. I think he means in addition to the normal time he spends with his kids, he is taking off 5 days from work, just to spend the entire day/time with them. @MVP:
I don’t think he means spending only 5 days with his kids. I think he means in addition to the normal time he spends with his kids, he is taking off 5 days from work, just to spend the entire day/time with them.

]]> By: Joe http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131554 Joe Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:43:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131554 Great goals Trent! Just imagine how nice life will be without that debt over your head! I think I'll go update my 2008 goals now... Great goals Trent!

Just imagine how nice life will be without that debt over your head!

I think I’ll go update my 2008 goals now…

]]> By: dave d http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131553 dave d Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:42:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131553 It's rare that I, or my friends, spent ANY days with their parents from the moment they got up until they went to sleep, which is what I believe Trent is going to do. Good goals, Trent. I am also curious as to how your 101 Goals in 1001 Days is progressing. I've written my own and am starting them on 1 January (when things wind down after the holiday season, I get back from London, etc) It’s rare that I, or my friends, spent ANY days with their parents from the moment they got up until they went to sleep, which is what I believe Trent is going to do.

Good goals, Trent. I am also curious as to how your 101 Goals in 1001 Days is progressing. I’ve written my own and am starting them on 1 January (when things wind down after the holiday season, I get back from London, etc)

]]> By: Millionaire Money Habits http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131550 Millionaire Money Habits Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:36:38 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131550 Great goals, Trent. I look forward to seeing your readership increase that much, and knwo you can do it. Great goals, Trent. I look forward to seeing your readership increase that much, and knwo you can do it.

]]> By: MVP http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131548 MVP Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:34:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131548 Only five days in an entire year to spend with each of your kids?! Maybe I misinterpreted, and that's going to be in addition to the loads of time you already spend with them. You should make spending time with your family a habit that happens on a regular basis. Sorry if I misunderstood, but five days out of a year just sounds really measly to me. Only five days in an entire year to spend with each of your kids?! Maybe I misinterpreted, and that’s going to be in addition to the loads of time you already spend with them. You should make spending time with your family a habit that happens on a regular basis. Sorry if I misunderstood, but five days out of a year just sounds really measly to me.

]]> By: Dan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/comment-page-1/#comment-131516 Dan Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:41:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/12/13/goals-and-plans-for-2008/#comment-131516 Great idea to take a few days for you and each of your children! It's a helpful reminder for me to do the same. Great idea to take a few days for you and each of your children! It’s a helpful reminder for me to do the same.

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