Comments on: The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Family Surprise Edition

By: Glblguy

Glblguy — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:48:16 +0000

Thanks for including my article Trent. Great story, and reminds me of a few relatives I should probably hook up with again.

By: dug

dug — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:51:00 +0000

Joanna is wierd…every time…

By: Frugal Dad

Frugal Dad — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:39:46 +0000

Trent, thanks for the link. I’m glad you enjoyed the article.

It was great that you reconnected with your cousin. A couple years ago we received word that my cousin, who I was close with growing up, had died at the ripe old age of 31. I was obviously upset at the news, but even more upset that I never had a chance to reconnect with him as an adult.

By: Joanna

Joanna — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:59:36 +0000

I know exactly what you mean, Trent! I have recently developed an adult relationship w/ a cousin who grew up thousands of miles away from me, who I saw once every 3 – 4 years. It has been a real pleasure for me to get to know his heart now that we’re both grown and has also given me a window into my mother’s family.

I’m blessed that you have enjoyed this experience as well.

By: Lola

Lola — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:54:39 +0000

Just last month, a second-degree cousin I didn’t even know I had contacted me by email. It’s been great writing to her, and I hope we can meet someday, even though we live in different countries.
http://www.escrevalolaescreva.blogspot.com

By: Randy Peterman

Randy Peterman — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:31:31 +0000

Thanks for the link, Trent. I’m a sucker for animation as well. I don’t buy a lot of movies for many reasons, but I own every Pixar movie – bought with cash, but purchased for the collection.

By: Flea

Flea — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:27:37 +0000

I had a similiar experience with a cousin of mine. We saw each other at a wedding after years of no contact. We hit it off and now have a great friendship!

By: Pinyo

Pinyo — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:07:13 +0000

@Trent – That’s sound like a great experience. I’m glad you are able to reconnect with your cousin. I wish I have more time to do the same. And thank you for linking to my article, I’d love to hear your thought on the other two stages.

@Jeff – Sorry it didn’t meet your expectation, but the post is meant to be a framework and not exhaustive discussion of each point. Personally, I am against bankruptcy, but there are legitimate reasons to utilize it.

By: Trent

Trent — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:47:46 +0000

The area where I grew up had very little in the way of career opportunities beyond foreman at a factory or working as a law enforcement officer. I was also concerned about some aspects of the culture.

By: Outsaving the Joneses

Outsaving the Joneses — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:03:45 +0000

That’s great to reconnect with family.

Just wondering, what’s the deal with moving “far away from where [one] grew up”? I hear this a lot, I guess because after college I returned to where I grew up, and I plan to build a house here. I like being near my parents. They’re awesome people, and a life where I lived so far away I saw them once or twice a year wouldn’t make me very happy.

I guess I’m old school. I love the way families used to live near each other and take care of one another. If my mom is sick, I’m right there to help. If my dad is working on the house, my husband drops in to lend a hand. People who moved two hours away act like they “made it,” when really they just live two hours away from where they used to live.

(This isn’t just in response to Trent’s post, more a general question I’ve had since moving home and hearing similar comments>)

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:36:02 +0000

In “Stage 1″ of “Are You Financially Healthy? The 5 Stages” it states two options: fight or give up. I certainly don’t think bankruptcy is done justice in a paragraph that uses less than 50 words! Someone reading that article who feels so defeated and is seeking help/advice could easily see step one, and think “OK, bankruptcy it is.” At least they provide a link, but even then the information is lacking. Thumbs down!

By: DivaJean

DivaJean — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:18:51 +0000

It is odd how things turn out, Trent. A few years back, I had my high school reunion and people I had been looking forward to seeing and catching up with, I had nothing in common with anymore. And other folks I had never gotten along with or understood- were now people I had more in common with.

Glad you reconnected with a family member.