Comments on: The Simple Dollar Weekly Roundup: Sleepy Days Edition http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:08:33 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Tina http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-482508 Tina Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:51:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-482508 Hi Trent, I love your blog. There's always something original here, and I also love how you make it so personal. So I'm not going to bash you here! But maybe you could address this in a future post: The thing that jumped out at me here was that you send your kids to daycare! I have to agree with Lenore above, if you were a woman, you'd be working at home SO THAT you could look after your kids all day! ...and I add, you would also somehow, miraculously, find time and energy to put in a full day's work -- or at least be expected to! Can you comment on this double standard of expectations for women? If your wife, for example, were able to work from home, would she be putting the kids in daycare??? Hi Trent, I love your blog. There’s always something original here, and I also love how you make it so personal. So I’m not going to bash you here! But maybe you could address this in a future post:
The thing that jumped out at me here was that you send your kids to daycare!
I have to agree with Lenore above, if you were a woman, you’d be working at home SO THAT you could look after your kids all day! …and I add, you would also somehow, miraculously, find time and energy to put in a full day’s work — or at least be expected to! Can you comment on this double standard of expectations for women? If your wife, for example, were able to work from home, would she be putting the kids in daycare???

]]> By: JanB http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-479787 JanB Thu, 15 Jan 2009 21:23:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-479787 I agree with Steve, you need to get outside no matter what. Invest in the proper gear if you have to but do it. I work from home and homeschool my kids. Sometimes we will not leave the house for days or weeks on end. We all (the kids and I) start to feel the way you do if we do not head out for our 2 mile hike everyday. You actually may be causing yourself to have a vitamin D deficiency by not going out and having some sun exposure (not much is needed, 10min. on hands and face usually does it). We live at 8500 feet in the mountains of Colorado, it is really cold some days and beautiful others. Don't let the cold ones stop you. If my 8 & 9 year olds can do it (and they have since they were both 3) you can too!:) JanB I agree with Steve, you need to get outside no matter what. Invest in the proper gear if you have to but do it. I work from home and homeschool my kids. Sometimes we will not leave the house for days or weeks on end. We all (the kids and I) start to feel the way you do if we do not head out for our 2 mile hike everyday. You actually may be causing yourself to have a vitamin D deficiency by not going out and having some sun exposure (not much is needed, 10min. on hands and face usually does it). We live at 8500 feet in the mountains of Colorado, it is really cold some days and beautiful others. Don’t let the cold ones stop you. If my 8 & 9 year olds can do it (and they have since they were both 3) you can too!:)

JanB

]]> By: SS http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-479621 SS Thu, 15 Jan 2009 17:04:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-479621 I live in the mountains. Having food, heat, computer, T.V., pets, kid(s). Relax, don't get worried. Start your seedings inside to get a head start for spring. I want to to this. It will be here. Take your dog for a walk. Even it is just out front to get fresh air. As long as your at home and don't have to drive you are pretty much safe. Driving is taking a risk I think. Go snow shoeing with a group of people who know the trails. Enjoy!!!! I live in the mountains. Having food, heat,
computer, T.V., pets, kid(s). Relax, don’t get
worried. Start your seedings inside to get a head start for spring. I want to to this. It will be here. Take your dog for a walk. Even it is just out front to get fresh air. As long as your at home and don’t have to drive you are pretty much safe. Driving is taking a risk I think. Go snow shoeing with a group of people who know the trails. Enjoy!!!!

]]> By: Mark http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-479114 Mark Thu, 15 Jan 2009 07:46:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-479114 I work from home office too and the winter blues has started to get to me too; everything is so black and white, no greenery anywhere, it's wicked cold, there's no sun... arghhh... keeping busy is the only thing that keeps me going. So you're not alone Trent! but we'll get through... I work from home office too and the winter blues has started to get to me too; everything is so black and white, no greenery anywhere, it’s wicked cold, there’s no sun… arghhh… keeping busy is the only thing that keeps me going. So you’re not alone Trent! but we’ll get through…

]]> By: Deborah http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478927 Deborah Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:50:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478927 I've been reading your blog for a little while now, and this is the first time I've noticed you mentioning taking your children to daycare. I thought that saving money on childcare was one of your arguments in favor of one parent staying at home. Are you sending them off for socialization, or is this just temporary until you get out of your blues? Just curious. I don't have any children, nor am I a writer; I have no idea what your daily life is like. I’ve been reading your blog for a little while now, and this is the first time I’ve noticed you mentioning taking your children to daycare. I thought that saving money on childcare was one of your arguments in favor of one parent staying at home. Are you sending them off for socialization, or is this just temporary until you get out of your blues? Just curious. I don’t have any children, nor am I a writer; I have no idea what your daily life is like.

]]> By: steve http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478804 steve Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:36:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478804 Far from the cold causing you to feel down and not want to go out, your symptoms might be due to *staying in* excessively and not getting a good enough shot of fresh air and sunshine and activity. Particularly because when you do go out to bring the kids to school, you do it in a car and aren't really spending much time outside. I think it might be a good idea to try going out for a bike ride or a run or at least a walk in the morning after you drop the kids off, or do it in the afternoon. Getting out in the fresh air and sunshine is very important in the winter. Unless it's below 10 degrees F, doing active stuff outside in the winter is very invigorating, and the light has a really nice quality as well. The main obstacle to this is the idea that it's "too cold". But really, in my own experience, it isn't true and I ALWAYS feel better once I've gone out and done something active outside. And if anyone wants to complain that "you don't know what it's like where i live, it's cold", feel free. However, I live in Massachusetts where we get some pretty decent winters and I also ride my bike (with studded tires in the winter) year round to commute. So I am tone deaf to that complaint. Nothing makes me feel better than my daily ride to and from work, or out to do shopping or errands. (typically coordinated with the commute, except on days off). I commonly get comments when I am dismounting my bike or parking it to the effect of "you're brave doing that in this cold!" which I smile and nod at to be friendly, but the truth is that after going out on a (properly equipped) ride, you don't feel cold at all but invigorated. It sounds like you may be predisposed to Seasonal Affective Disorder, and if so, all the more reason to try getting out in the light for a half hour or more each day. Far from the cold causing you to feel down and not want to go out, your symptoms might be due to *staying in* excessively and not getting a good enough shot of fresh air and sunshine and activity. Particularly because when you do go out to bring the kids to school, you do it in a car and aren’t really spending much time outside. I think it might be a good idea to try going out for a bike ride or a run or at least a walk in the morning after you drop the kids off, or do it in the afternoon. Getting out in the fresh air and sunshine is very important in the winter. Unless it’s below 10 degrees F, doing active stuff outside in the winter is very invigorating, and the light has a really nice quality as well.

The main obstacle to this is the idea that it’s “too cold”. But really, in my own experience, it isn’t true and I ALWAYS feel better once I’ve gone out and done something active outside.

And if anyone wants to complain that “you don’t know what it’s like where i live, it’s cold”, feel free. However, I live in Massachusetts where we get some pretty decent winters and I also ride my bike (with studded tires in the winter) year round to commute. So I am tone deaf to that complaint. Nothing makes me feel better than my daily ride to and from work, or out to do shopping or errands. (typically coordinated with the commute, except on days off). I commonly get comments when I am dismounting my bike or parking it to the effect of “you’re brave doing that in this cold!” which I smile and nod at to be friendly, but the truth is that after going out on a (properly equipped) ride, you don’t feel cold at all but invigorated.

It sounds like you may be predisposed to Seasonal Affective Disorder, and if so, all the more reason to try getting out in the light for a half hour or more each day.

]]> By: Lenore http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478624 Lenore Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:57:57 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478624 Now there's a perfect example of the different expectations for men versus women when it comes to careers. If a woman were writing this blog and trying to live as frugally as possible, her kids might not be in daycare at all. It might be assumed that she could juggle writing with taking care of them and keeping house. She might also define herself as a stay-at-home mom who writes, not a stay-at-home writer who parents. Not that her writing wouldn't suffer for it. As Virginia Woolf so famously noted, the reason more men than women become successful authors is probably because a writer needs A Room of One's Own. (Just an observation in relation to the earlier book review, not a criticism or condemnation. Heck, if I had kids, I'd send them away for no reason whatsoever.) Now Trent, about this SAD state of affairs. I mean that it sounds like you might have a mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder, something I know all too much about. If you increase your intake of vitamin D and try to get at least 15-30 minutes of sunlight on a few square inches of your skin a day, even through a window, it might make you feel much better. You could also buy a lightbox or one of the other UV light products that simulate sunlight indoors and help boost endorphins. Good luck, and keep up the good work! Now there’s a perfect example of the different expectations for men versus women when it comes to careers. If a woman were writing this blog and trying to live as frugally as possible, her kids might not be in daycare at all. It might be assumed that she could juggle writing with taking care of them and keeping house. She might also define herself as a stay-at-home mom who writes, not a stay-at-home writer who parents. Not that her writing wouldn’t suffer for it. As Virginia Woolf so famously noted, the reason more men than women become successful authors is probably because a writer needs A Room of One’s Own. (Just an observation in relation to the earlier book review, not a criticism or condemnation. Heck, if I had kids, I’d send them away for no reason whatsoever.)

Now Trent, about this SAD state of affairs. I mean that it sounds like you might have a mild case of Seasonal Affective Disorder, something I know all too much about. If you increase your intake of vitamin D and try to get at least 15-30 minutes of sunlight on a few square inches of your skin a day, even through a window, it might make you feel much better. You could also buy a lightbox or one of the other UV light products that simulate sunlight indoors and help boost endorphins. Good luck, and keep up the good work!

]]> By: Michael http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478444 Michael Wed, 14 Jan 2009 23:36:28 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478444 I'd like to comment on the scratch beginnings post. I hope everyone keeps in mind that this country is made up of people who came here with nothing. To this day people from other countries come here just for the "opportunity" to be successful. Obviously nothing is guaranteed. I meet folks all the time who can only speak a few words of english, but they are breaking their backs for the "opportunity". I’d like to comment on the scratch beginnings post. I hope everyone keeps in mind that this country is made up of people who came here with nothing. To this day people from other countries come here just for the “opportunity” to be successful. Obviously nothing is guaranteed. I meet folks all the time who can only speak a few words of english, but they are breaking their backs for the “opportunity”.

]]> By: Anna http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478253 Anna Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:00:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478253 Trent - it sounds like a case of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I get it too and started to take St. John's Wort tablets for the second winter in a row. They really help and I feel less lethargic. Also, I force myself to go outside and be as energetic as the weather allows, that usually changes my energy very quickly. Trent – it sounds like a case of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I get it too and started to take St. John’s Wort tablets for the second winter in a row. They really help and I feel less lethargic. Also, I force myself to go outside and be as energetic as the weather allows, that usually changes my energy very quickly.

]]> By: Kristen@The Frugal Girl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478237 Kristen@The Frugal Girl Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:51:40 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478237 I am SO tired of the cold, too! I'm counting down the days until March, when we should have some warmer days. I am SO tired of the cold, too! I’m counting down the days until March, when we should have some warmer days.

]]> By: oneofnine http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478219 oneofnine Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:27:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478219 Hi Trent...I am with you all the way. I also work at home and days like today I just wanted to crawl back in bed after my husband took our son to preschool! However, I made myself (with great effort) get out of bed, have a cup of tea, and do a half hour of yoga stretches. Afterwards I felt much more prepared and motivated for work. Have you thought about putting your workouts in the middle of the day when you get bored? It would ramp up your energy a bit. What about going to a local Starbucks or other place where free wi-fi is available? (You don't have to buy a coffee to sit there!) Sometimes, when I really need inspiration, I go to a local cafe and do my online work, and I'll buy a cup of tea instead of coffee which is usually only $1.50 or so. I say it's worth the investment for a productive afternoon of work! At least I am in North Carolina, where the daffodils will be blooming in March. I know you've got a lot more winter ahead of you in Iowa. Good luck! Hi Trent…I am with you all the way. I also work at home and days like today I just wanted to crawl back in bed after my husband took our son to preschool! However, I made myself (with great effort) get out of bed, have a cup of tea, and do a half hour of yoga stretches. Afterwards I felt much more prepared and motivated for work.

Have you thought about putting your workouts in the middle of the day when you get bored? It would ramp up your energy a bit. What about going to a local Starbucks or other place where free wi-fi is available? (You don’t have to buy a coffee to sit there!) Sometimes, when I really need inspiration, I go to a local cafe and do my online work, and I’ll buy a cup of tea instead of coffee which is usually only $1.50 or so. I say it’s worth the investment for a productive afternoon of work!

At least I am in North Carolina, where the daffodils will be blooming in March. I know you’ve got a lot more winter ahead of you in Iowa. Good luck!

]]> By: matt http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478119 matt Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:42:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478119 Stay at home writer and you take the kids to daycare? Wasted money if you ask me....just my 2 cents Stay at home writer and you take the kids to daycare? Wasted money if you ask me….just my 2 cents

]]> By: luvleftovers http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478085 luvleftovers Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:42:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478085 "where I’d be happy to just spend the whole day curled up on the couch reading a good book and taking a nap or two." That's my ideal day!!! Really, it's not a bad idea - on occasion - to recharge like that. But if you feel really guilty, and you're not writing, commit to half a day cleaning out a closet or something, read or watch a favorite movie, and then a little nap. It's the best of both worlds. “where I’d be happy to just spend the whole day curled up on the couch reading a good book and taking a nap or two.”

That’s my ideal day!!!

Really, it’s not a bad idea – on occasion – to recharge like that. But if you feel really guilty, and you’re not writing, commit to half a day cleaning out a closet or something, read or watch a favorite movie, and then a little nap. It’s the best of both worlds.

]]> By: Lana http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478077 Lana Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:33:32 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478077 Trent, I'm in Michigan and working a full-time job in an office, and it's no different. We're all yawning and struggling to make it through the day. We've already gotten twice as much snow this season as we normally do in an entire winter, and there's very little sunshine. I spend all day dreaming about getting back into bed! But I think it's probably just instinct to sleep through the worst of winter. Trent, I’m in Michigan and working a full-time job in an office, and it’s no different. We’re all yawning and struggling to make it through the day. We’ve already gotten twice as much snow this season as we normally do in an entire winter, and there’s very little sunshine. I spend all day dreaming about getting back into bed! But I think it’s probably just instinct to sleep through the worst of winter.

]]> By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478075 Sara Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:30:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478075 Trent, I live in chilly Western New York state. My husband and I love to downhill ski, and it makes the winter a) pass by faster and b) much more enjoyable. I realize that Iowa is much more flat, have you thought of trying to snow show or cross country ski? I hope you get a warmer, sunnier day soon! :) Trent,

I live in chilly Western New York state. My husband and I love to downhill ski, and it makes the winter a) pass by faster and b) much more enjoyable. I realize that Iowa is much more flat, have you thought of trying to snow show or cross country ski?

I hope you get a warmer, sunnier day soon! :)

]]> By: CPA Kevin http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478061 CPA Kevin Wed, 14 Jan 2009 17:01:30 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478061 Trent, I'm with you on the winter blues. My wife tells me I get like this every year (right before tax season when I get really busy and work a lot), but for some reason this year feels different to me. Trent, I’m with you on the winter blues. My wife tells me I get like this every year (right before tax season when I get really busy and work a lot), but for some reason this year feels different to me.

]]> By: Mister E http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478056 Mister E Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:54:43 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478056 I'm in Toronto and we're freezing here too. I absolutely loath the cold and snow and very, very rarely have any alone time at home. For me it would a great pleasure to be able to stay home nice and warm, all by myself for a day or two. I’m in Toronto and we’re freezing here too.

I absolutely loath the cold and snow and very, very rarely have any alone time at home. For me it would a great pleasure to be able to stay home nice and warm, all by myself for a day or two.

]]> By: PT Money http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478044 PT Money Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:34:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478044 Thanks, Trent. I hope your day goes well and the weather warms up for you. I love that first sign of Spring too. Thanks, Trent. I hope your day goes well and the weather warms up for you. I love that first sign of Spring too.

]]> By: Ken Deboy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478037 Ken Deboy Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:24:02 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478037 >> Many days, after taking the kids to daycare, >> I’m trapped at home for most of the day >> completely by myself. This is a problem???!!! Man, I would almost kill to have some days at home all to myself. I'm thinking of all the stuff I could actually get done... clean the garage, paint the kitchen and living room, fix the bad light switch in one of the bedrooms, clean out the pantry, relax with a nice cup of Baileys and coffee, do my tax return... Cheers, Ken >> Many days, after taking the kids to daycare,
>> I’m trapped at home for most of the day
>> completely by myself.

This is a problem???!!! Man, I would almost kill to have some days at home all to myself. I’m thinking of all the stuff I could actually get done… clean the garage, paint the kitchen and living room, fix the bad light switch in one of the bedrooms, clean out the pantry, relax with a nice cup of Baileys and coffee, do my tax return…

Cheers,
Ken

]]> By: Laura http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2009/01/14/the-simple-dollar-weekly-roundup-sleepy-days-edition/comment-page-1/#comment-478025 Laura Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:04:50 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/?p=3020#comment-478025 Trent, As a former stay-at-home Mom I can relate to your winter blues. I finally started making myself go OUTSIDE regardless of the weather. It helps. Nothing like frigid air smacking you in the face and sneaking down the back of your neck to wake you right up. I'm a newcomer to your site, I really appreciate and enjoy the articles I've read. Take care! Trent,
As a former stay-at-home Mom I can relate to your winter blues. I finally started making myself go OUTSIDE regardless of the weather. It helps. Nothing like frigid air smacking you in the face and sneaking down the back of your neck to wake you right up.
I’m a newcomer to your site, I really appreciate and enjoy the articles I’ve read.
Take care!

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