Comments on: Some Thoughts About Thinking

By: Credit Card Chaser

Credit Card Chaser — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 01:35:25 +0000

One of the best tools that I use to help clarify my thinking and keep me focused on my long term goals is to actually write my goals down on a piece of paper and then keep those goals in plain view (in my office, desk, by the bed, etc.).

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:18:10 +0000

This kind of reminds me of The Power of Now. The whole philosophy in that book is that the only thing “real” is the current moment; the past is always being destroyed and future hasn’t happened yet. It’s basically a manual on how to turn off all those inner thoughts and ramblings about the past and future and live life in the present.

Take breakfast for example. You have already made a decision about it, but even then it isn’t set in stone- someone else might eat the last apple. You might not have enough almonds. Even though you have a good idea of what the future will hold, it’s never actually foreseeable. Does it really matter if you make the decision about what to eat for breakfast now or when it’s time to actually take action? How much thought power and energy do we waste thinking about things that have already happened or countless different scenarios that we have no real control over?

It’s still important to plan and make goals. But sometimes it’s nice just to turn off our brains and really *experience* what life around us actually is.

By: Golfing Girl

Golfing Girl — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:10:16 +0000

“Compare that laser-like focus with where I am today. Debt free with an established emergency fund, I am able to consider a whole world of opportunities. The difference between where I am, mentally and emotionally, and where I was five years ago – it’s like night and day.”

I just spent 5 minutes composing a wonderful reply to this, only to have the verification not work and my reply was deleted. AHHHHHH.

So I guess I’ll just say “ditto.” Being out of debt gives you more freedom to imagine and options to choose from. I’ll be taking off 6 paid and 6 unpaid weeks instead of just 6 paid weeks for maternity leave this time because I CAN now. 5 years ago when my daughter was born that was a luxury we couldn’t afford because of our debt.

By: Golfing Girl

Golfing Girl — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:56:47 +0000

Those are my thoughts exactly. Thoughts of financial goals were so nebulous 5 years ago I didn’t really have an idea of what I wanted my future to look like. Now, due to a solid emergency fund and no debt (except a 15-year mortgage) I can contemplate several positive scenarios after our next child is born at the end of this year. I can imagine staying at home and making ends meet, and I can also imagine going back to work and paying off that mortgage in 5 years or less. Both are possible now and it’s invigorating to have choices.

Even my maternity leave is a choice this time (unlike 5 years ago when we were stuck with an extra home we couldn’t sell, 2 mortgages on the current home, a car loan, and a 401K loan). I can take the paid 6 weeks and immediately go back (like last time) but I’ll likely take the additional 6 unpaid weeks because I CAN.

I am also much more educated on personal finance and investing. It’s scary to look back and realize how little I knew then, just 5 years ago. Of course, I’ll probably think the same thing in another 5 years…