The Daily Meaning

Take your mornings to the next level with a daily dose of perspective and encouragement to start your day off right. Sign-up for a free, short-form blog delivered to your inbox each morning, 7 days per week. Some days we talk about money, but usually not. We believe you’ll take away something valuable to help you on your journey. Sign up to join the hundreds of people who read Travis’s blog each morning.

“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”
"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"

Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 11/15/24 Travis Shelton 11/15/24

When Our Brains Deceive Us

Our brains are an amazing thing. They allow us to think, remember, problem-solve, create, and dream. They are truly one of the most remarkable feats in this world. Yet, at the same time, our brains are quite fallible. Even when we feel strongly convicted about something, our brains sometimes deceive us. Scientists have done many notable studies on this phenomenon, which always blows my mind.

Travis Shelton 11/4/24 Travis Shelton 11/4/24

One Madness Ends, Another Begins

Here's our problem. We often postpone the things we need to do - and want to do - until after the madness ends. The timing isn't ideal; there are too many unknowns.

Travis Shelton 10/31/24 Travis Shelton 10/31/24

Respecting Younger You

There's a lot to be learned from this story. It's a story of entitlement, ownership, personal responsibility, and cause and effect.

Travis Shelton 10/28/24 Travis Shelton 10/28/24

What It’s Really About

A friend recently shared that he occasionally forwards my blog posts to his wife, encouraging her to sign up. But she's not one to care much about reading a daily money blog. Eventually, she relented and signed up, which I'm assuming was so she wouldn't have to listen to him talk about it anymore. My friend's recent feedback: "She likes it because it's not always about money!"

Travis Shelton 10/26/24 Travis Shelton 10/26/24

First, Do It Poorly

Here's a concept that applies to all areas of life: First, we must do it poorly. Then, we get to do it ok. Later, we get to become good. Eventually, we have the opportunity to be great. But it all starts with our willingness to be terrible.

Travis Shelton 10/24/24 Travis Shelton 10/24/24

Always Be Unreasonable

Regardless of your vocation or industry, whether an employee or an owner, unreasonable hospitality is always the right approach. Generosity always wins.

Travis Shelton 10/21/24 Travis Shelton 10/21/24

Parsing Needs Wisely

I was chatting with a friend about the upcoming football game, which was supposed to be a blackout (all-black uniforms and fans also wearing black). Amidst our conversation, my friend lamented, "Ugh, we need to buy black ISU gear for the game. That's gonna cost at least a few hundred dollars."

Travis Shelton 10/19/24 Travis Shelton 10/19/24

Exposing the Secrets

As I was chatting with a friend yesterday, I noticed, in real-time, that the stock market hit a new all-time 155-year high (since 1870). Curious, my friend asked me a few questions.

Travis Shelton 10/18/24 Travis Shelton 10/18/24

What if It Were Life or Death?

Many people struggle to save. There are many contributing factors to this type of wiring, spanning from nature to nurture.

Travis Shelton 10/16/24 Travis Shelton 10/16/24

Beware the Shadow Side

After discussing the mechanics of how it would work and whether it could be a viable option for them, he asked the question I was dying to answer: "What's the shadow side of using a HELOC?" He knows me well, and he knows I'm constantly thinking about the behavioral science of things. In short, there are three psychological traps to using a HELOC.

Travis Shelton 9/17/24 Travis Shelton 9/17/24

Kicking In the Door

If there's one thing that never ceases to amazing me, it's our human instinct to justify our desires. We'll use just about anything to squint, twist, and sell ourselves into a decision we probably shouldn't make.

Travis Shelton 9/14/24 Travis Shelton 9/14/24

When NOT to Push the Button

Travis Shelton 9/13/24 Travis Shelton 9/13/24

To Press or Not to Press (the Button)

They aren't alone in this sentiment; it's all too common! The perceived sense of security always emotionally outweighs the benefit of actual relief.

Travis Shelton 9/10/24 Travis Shelton 9/10/24

More Expensive, But Cheaper

My friend Ryan swears by Helm Boots. Whenever he talks about them, or I see him wearing them, I want to buy a pair.....until I see the $300 price tag. Ouch!

Travis Shelton 9/3/24 Travis Shelton 9/3/24

Quality is Quality

By nearly every measure, we have a higher standard of living today than at any time in the history of our civilized world. More people have access to medical care, internet, cars, cell phones, internet, air conditioning, and indoor heating than ever. Houses are bigger, transportation more prominent, technology progressively better and cheaper. Our standard of living continues to skyrocket.

Travis Shelton 8/27/24 Travis Shelton 8/27/24

The Poison Looks Tasty

It's like your friend who goes to the casino. Notice how you only hear about it when they win big? We all know they are probably getting crushed most nights, but if we only hear about those huge payouts, we might start to believe going to the casino is a reliable path to riches.

Travis Shelton 8/23/24 Travis Shelton 8/23/24

K.I.S.S.

We recorded an episode reacting to ChatGPT's criticisms of our show. It was a great time! One of the criticisms stood out: "Simplified Solutions: Complex financial problems are sometimes presented with overly simplified solutions, which might not address the nuances of individual financial situations."

Travis Shelton 8/20/24 Travis Shelton 8/20/24

Let Blessings Remain Blessings

What do you typically do if you receive unexpected extra money? If you're a human (and I suspect you are), there are two typical outcomes.

Travis Shelton 8/10/24 Travis Shelton 8/10/24

The Night Test

Do you sleep well at night?

Travis Shelton 8/6/24 Travis Shelton 8/6/24

Keep Zooming Out

As of yesterday's market closing, the U.S. stock market (S&P 500) is down 8.5% in less than three weeks. In a world that's supposed to provide a positive 8%-10% annual return, that recent development feels scary—very scary.

The Daily Meaning

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“Your daily blog posts have become a great part of my morning routine, waking up and reading your posts challenge me to reflect on something that matters in my life or view something from a different perspective.”

"Love starting my morning with a daily dose of positivity or perspective!"