Comments on: Personal Finance and the Bucket List http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:03:21 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tall Bill http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-755424 Tall Bill Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:43:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-755424 Well put Tyler. Keep on Keeping up Trent. You're an inspiration for many of us. When will the do it yourself cooking website launch?? Well put Tyler.

Keep on Keeping up Trent.

You’re an inspiration for many of us.

When will the do it yourself cooking website launch??

]]> By: Tyler Karaszewski http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-754817 Tyler Karaszewski Sat, 15 Aug 2009 23:49:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-754817 You should be able to do most of that stuff in the next three years, Trent. You've got office different vacations in there, one per year should be easy, two per year is feasible. The wine you could do tomorrow if you really wanted to. Yeah, it's a $2000 bottle of wine, but if you're willing to drop $2000 on it *ever* then tomorrow's as good as any other time. You could start training for the marathon *right now* and run it in 2010 no problem. The dancing is a gimme, you'll get it by default on your daughter's wedding day. That only leaves the novel, which seems something that shouldn't be too hard to get started on, as you're already a writer, and the political office, which is probably the most challenging one here. What are you going to add to your list in 2012 when this one's done? You should be able to do most of that stuff in the next three years, Trent. You’ve got office different vacations in there, one per year should be easy, two per year is feasible. The wine you could do tomorrow if you really wanted to. Yeah, it’s a $2000 bottle of wine, but if you’re willing to drop $2000 on it *ever* then tomorrow’s as good as any other time. You could start training for the marathon *right now* and run it in 2010 no problem. The dancing is a gimme, you’ll get it by default on your daughter’s wedding day. That only leaves the novel, which seems something that shouldn’t be too hard to get started on, as you’re already a writer, and the political office, which is probably the most challenging one here.

What are you going to add to your list in 2012 when this one’s done?

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-754722 Elizabeth Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:53:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-754722 I actually started a blog after seeing the movie. The blog and my list of goals are here: http://thetravellingadventurer.wordpress.com/my-100-life-goals/ I actually started a blog after seeing the movie. The blog and my list of goals are here: http://thetravellingadventurer.wordpress.com/my-100-life-goals/

]]> By: susan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-354454 susan Fri, 15 Aug 2008 02:26:24 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-354454 How can you, a writer, characterize as a "cute movie"? Surely you can do better than that. How can you, a writer, characterize as a “cute movie”? Surely you can do better than that.

]]> By: Liz http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-353396 Liz Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:29:18 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-353396 I haven't got as far as a bucket list yet, but there is one thing I like to do and intend to repeat at regular intervals, and that is to have family holidays. Now my son's on his mid-teens I probably don't have too many left, but we have all enjoyed the ones we've had. Two years ago, as I sat by a lazy French river at the beginning of a holiday I nearly had to cancel on doctors orders, I read this article by Libby Purves, a well-known British journalist. Her son had committed suicide the month before and she found the courage to write this: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/libby_purves/article692210.ece She's right, the free time we get to spend with the people we love is the best, the very best life has to offer. We go camping in France every year, we all love it and don't want to do anything else. They have fantastic campsites of every kind. I haven’t got as far as a bucket list yet, but there is one thing I like to do and intend to repeat at regular intervals, and that is to have family holidays. Now my son’s on his mid-teens I probably don’t have too many left, but we have all enjoyed the ones we’ve had. Two years ago, as I sat by a lazy French river at the beginning of a holiday I nearly had to cancel on doctors orders, I read this article by Libby Purves, a well-known British journalist. Her son had committed suicide the month before and she found the courage to write this: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/libby_purves/article692210.ece
She’s right, the free time we get to spend with the people we love is the best, the very best life has to offer.

We go camping in France every year, we all love it and don’t want to do anything else. They have fantastic campsites of every kind.

]]> By: Dylan http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352886 Dylan Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:45:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352886 I've got a way for you to knock off three from your list in one week - run the Medoc Marathon. It takes place every September in Pauillac just outside of Bordeaux. There are 20 or so wine tastings throughout including a stop at Chateau Latour (ok they probably aren't tasting the '82 - but you can come back the next day and get a bottle). I'm running it this September. I’ve got a way for you to knock off three from your list in one week – run the Medoc Marathon. It takes place every September in Pauillac just outside of Bordeaux. There are 20 or so wine tastings throughout including a stop at Chateau Latour (ok they probably aren’t tasting the ‘82 – but you can come back the next day and get a bottle). I’m running it this September.

]]> By: Lynne http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352755 Lynne Wed, 13 Aug 2008 01:22:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352755 I don't have a "bucket list" per se, but I do keep a list of yearly goals, and what I don't do bumps to the following year. I loved the movie, but have had my lists for a number of years. My brother-in-law's wife wrote such a list before her death, and they did darned near all of them before she passed! Aside from traveling the world, I'd really like to visit all 50 states & territories of the USA. Then all the Canadian provinces, then.....in other words I like to travel, have no $$$ at this time to do so, but I can still keep it as a goal. My simpler more immediate ones are things like: attend 2 local parades, visit 2 or more museums, go to art galleries, go wine tasting, ride a train, go to a movie by myself, and many others. These are more easily accomplished and enrich my life in many ways. I didn't mention my family, because they are woven throughout my daily life and usually are with me on my various pursuits. I don’t have a “bucket list” per se, but I do keep a list of yearly goals, and what I don’t do bumps to the following year. I loved the movie, but have had my lists for a number of years. My brother-in-law’s wife wrote such a list before her death, and they did darned near all of them before she passed! Aside from traveling the world, I’d really like to visit all 50 states & territories of the USA. Then all the Canadian provinces, then…..in other words I like to travel, have no $$$ at this time to do so, but I can still keep it as a goal. My simpler more immediate ones are things like: attend 2 local parades, visit 2 or more museums, go to art galleries, go wine tasting, ride a train, go to a movie by myself, and many others. These are more easily accomplished and enrich my life in many ways. I didn’t mention my family, because they are woven throughout my daily life and usually are with me on my various pursuits.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352686 Sandy Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:57:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352686 If you want to stay in a rural part of France for a week or more (or just a weekend ), check out gitesdefrance.com . A gites is usually a farmhouse of some kind, or older home with older residents who have space to rent for the night, a weekend, or a week or a month. Both times we lived in France, we utilized this wonderful service. While poor grad students, my husband, our daughter and I stayed in a "1 Corncob" a number of times. On a 2 year corporate relocation to France, we stayed at more "3 or 4 corncob" (as opposed to 3 star) places. But they are always quaint, charming, and there is usually a happy dog on the premises, happy to keep the kids occupied. Last year, we stayed at a 3 corncob for 7 days in Provence. Picnics were the overwhelming majority of our meals, as the markets in France have everything you need for an amazing meal. Maybe even the bottle of wine you desire can be had for a lesser amount there! If you want to stay in a rural part of France for a week or more (or just a weekend ), check out gitesdefrance.com . A gites is usually a farmhouse of some kind, or older home with older residents who have space to rent for the night, a weekend, or a week or a month. Both times we lived in France, we utilized this wonderful service. While poor grad students, my husband, our daughter and I stayed in a “1 Corncob” a number of times. On a 2 year corporate relocation to France, we stayed at more “3 or 4 corncob” (as opposed to 3 star) places. But they are always quaint, charming, and there is usually a happy dog on the premises, happy to keep the kids occupied. Last year, we stayed at a 3 corncob for 7 days in Provence. Picnics were the overwhelming majority of our meals, as the markets in France have everything you need for an amazing meal. Maybe even the bottle of wine you desire can be had for a lesser amount there!

]]> By: Scott @ The Passive Dad http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352683 Scott @ The Passive Dad Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:55:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352683 Wow! I realized that I need to come up with a few more items for my bucket list as I just survived #1. Visit Disneyland with my 4 and 2 year-old by myself for a week. I really did it! Wow! I realized that I need to come up with a few more items for my bucket list as I just survived #1.

Visit Disneyland with my 4 and 2 year-old by myself for a week. I really did it!

]]> By: Red http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352673 Red Tue, 12 Aug 2008 23:49:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352673 Thanks for this post, specifically the advice to "Make those little steps a priority." As a direct result of reading this I signed up for an open mic I would probably have missed, just because work is busy. Work is always busy, comedy is important to me and I need to make it a priority. Thanks for this post, specifically the advice to “Make those little steps a priority.”

As a direct result of reading this I signed up for an open mic I would probably have missed, just because work is busy.

Work is always busy, comedy is important to me and I need to make it a priority.

]]> By: Meg http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352627 Meg Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:23:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352627 Wow, I think I must be way too old to keep reading this blog, which is, I suppose, why it has begun to seem like a duty. Wow, I think I must be way too old to keep reading this blog, which is, I suppose, why it has begun to seem like a duty.

]]> By: Alyson http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352604 Alyson Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:47:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352604 I was going to comment on the wine thing too - isn't it funny that so many people are commenting on THAT specific item? Anywho, this post reminded me of a conversation I had with the guy at a wine store (Does he count as a sommelier? have a different fancypants name?). He had a tasting and was trying to get my husband and I to buy whatever it was that we were tasting. Now, we pretty much have a $10 rule - if it's less than $10, has a cool name and a catchy label, we'll buy it. We're not big winos and admit to not being able to taste the chocolate and the essence of blackberry or whatever. I told that to this guy and he agreed with me, except on my price point (too cheap, obviously). And told a story, which I will attempt to quickly paraphrase here. Wine guy has a rich friend with quite the wine collection - numerous bottles for which he paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Wine and Rich (oohh, country band name) were sitting around drinking and wine said to rich - when are you going to drink the $$$$$ wine?? Long story short, rich opened one of the bottles - crap - another -crap and ended up throwing out a couple thousand dollars worth of wine. The point being - sometimes it's better to be cheap! Seriously though, who knows how the wine was stored since it was bottled? Who knows if it's real - because counterfeit wine is possible. So, think before you spend and if you spend - may it knock your socks off! And let me know so I can get myself an Hermes Kelly Bag, which will certainly last longer than the bottle of wine and is, therefore, justified. I was going to comment on the wine thing too – isn’t it funny that so many people are commenting on THAT specific item?

Anywho, this post reminded me of a conversation I had with the guy at a wine store (Does he count as a sommelier? have a different fancypants name?). He had a tasting and was trying to get my husband and I to buy whatever it was that we were tasting. Now, we pretty much have a $10 rule – if it’s less than $10, has a cool name and a catchy label, we’ll buy it. We’re not big winos and admit to not being able to taste the chocolate and the essence of blackberry or whatever. I told that to this guy and he agreed with me, except on my price point (too cheap, obviously). And told a story, which I will attempt to quickly paraphrase here. Wine guy has a rich friend with quite the wine collection – numerous bottles for which he paid hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Wine and Rich (oohh, country band name) were sitting around drinking and wine said to rich – when are you going to drink the $$$$$ wine?? Long story short, rich opened one of the bottles – crap – another -crap and ended up throwing out a couple thousand dollars worth of wine. The point being – sometimes it’s better to be cheap!

Seriously though, who knows how the wine was stored since it was bottled? Who knows if it’s real – because counterfeit wine is possible. So, think before you spend and if you spend – may it knock your socks off! And let me know so I can get myself an Hermes Kelly Bag, which will certainly last longer than the bottle of wine and is, therefore, justified.

]]> By: Lee Hall http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352598 Lee Hall Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:41:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352598 Bucket lists are a great idea. But we could look at them in a different light. Once you have your bucket list down, search for any commonalities. Sometimes, these occurrences will become trigger points for what you may want to do on a more permanent basis instead of what you are doing now. -Cheaplee Bucket lists are a great idea. But we could look at them in a different light. Once you have your bucket list down, search for any commonalities. Sometimes, these occurrences will become trigger points for what you may want to do on a more permanent basis instead of what you are doing now. -Cheaplee

]]> By: Karen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352558 Karen Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:59:49 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352558 I had a short Bucket List and did all before I hit the big 4-0 (skydive, ride in a glider and hot air ballon)!! I now am making out a new list - tops on my list is seeing the Grand Canyon and walking on the glass sidewalk over it. I had a short Bucket List and did all before I hit the big 4-0 (skydive, ride in a glider and hot air ballon)!! I now am making out a new list – tops on my list is seeing the Grand Canyon and walking on the glass sidewalk over it.

]]> By: guinness416 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352554 guinness416 Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:51:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352554 I have a similar list but consider them medium-term things I want to do, or short-term should the opportunity arise. I haven't seen the film but "before I die" seems setting the bar a bit low, no? Especially for such achievable items (well, except maybe the book and the local politics). These are all young-person things! I'd hate to think of you at 80 never having gone to Italy. I have a similar list but consider them medium-term things I want to do, or short-term should the opportunity arise. I haven’t seen the film but “before I die” seems setting the bar a bit low, no? Especially for such achievable items (well, except maybe the book and the local politics). These are all young-person things! I’d hate to think of you at 80 never having gone to Italy.

]]> By: Shoji http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352538 Shoji Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:33:56 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352538 Trent, If you are going to write a short story every week, you should consider starting another blog. Maybe "The Simple Short Story"? I, for one, would be interested in reading it. It wouldn't have to be much work either. One post a week and you could have lots of feedback. After all, you're going to be writing them either way. Plus, when you pitch your fiction book in five years you can say "My short story blog attracts X people each month". It sounds like a win-win to me. Trent,

If you are going to write a short story every week, you should consider starting another blog. Maybe “The Simple Short Story”? I, for one, would be interested in reading it.

It wouldn’t have to be much work either. One post a week and you could have lots of feedback. After all, you’re going to be writing them either way. Plus, when you pitch your fiction book in five years you can say “My short story blog attracts X people each month”.

It sounds like a win-win to me.

]]> By: berra http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352528 berra Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:24:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352528 I have got your email for some time now - I save them and read when I have the time. And I always is amazed - your write great stuff! it is a pleasure to read you; keep going! greetings from Finland I have got your email for some time now – I save them and read when I have the time. And I always is amazed – your write great stuff!

it is a pleasure to read you; keep going!

greetings from Finland

]]> By: BritishAlanna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352523 BritishAlanna Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:11:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352523 I honestly think the easiest thing on your list (aside from the dancing) is to run a marathon. It's one of the cheapest things too. If I can do it - anyone can do it. I recommend "Four Months to a Four-Hour Marathon" by D. Kuehls. Love this post - I often lie awake regretting all the things I haven't done and the pressure of not living life to its fullest. I guess that's what comes from having a grandmother whose daily mantra is, "Life is not a dress rehearsal!" I honestly think the easiest thing on your list (aside from the dancing) is to run a marathon. It’s one of the cheapest things too. If I can do it – anyone can do it. I recommend “Four Months to a Four-Hour Marathon” by D. Kuehls. Love this post – I often lie awake regretting all the things I haven’t done and the pressure of not living life to its fullest. I guess that’s what comes from having a grandmother whose daily mantra is, “Life is not a dress rehearsal!”

]]> By: Silverbolt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352521 Silverbolt Tue, 12 Aug 2008 20:06:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352521 Trent: Your articles just keep getting better and better. Glad you quit your office job! Trent: Your articles just keep getting better and better. Glad you quit your office job!

]]> By: scatterhaiku http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/comment-page-1/#comment-352502 scatterhaiku Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:17:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/08/12/personal-finance-and-the-bucket-list/#comment-352502 i like that it's noted that what we remember are the experiences, as opposed to the stuff. it's easy to get caught up, thinking about stuff, wanting it, watching out for the next great new piece of it. and the great thing about experiences, as pointed out, is that you can start on them today. some are clearly expensive, but others are almost, if not completely, free, and just as meaningful. i like that it’s noted that what we remember are the experiences, as opposed to the stuff. it’s easy to get caught up, thinking about stuff, wanting it, watching out for the next great new piece of it.

and the great thing about experiences, as pointed out, is that you can start on them today. some are clearly expensive, but others are almost, if not completely, free, and just as meaningful.

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