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!"

Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 1/29/24 Travis Shelton 1/29/24

Why Not You?

Not many people (me included) believed in Brock Purdy. Yet, here he is. Here's the question I have today. Why not Brock Purdy? Better yet, why not me? Or better still, why not you?

Travis Shelton 1/28/24 Travis Shelton 1/28/24

Keeping Emotions at Bay

Welcome to the time of year when Sarah and I grumble about our vehicle situation. With the recent 25 inches of snow that blasted our town in a matter of four days, we received another harsh reminder that her mid-size front-wheel drive SUV with 175,000 miles isn't the most ideal winter ride. To top it off, we've started to experience some minor maintenance setbacks.

Travis Shelton 1/27/24 Travis Shelton 1/27/24

Capitalist Pigs

That's the entire point of capitalism. Someone creates a product, sets the price, and either people buy it or they don't.

Travis Shelton 1/26/24 Travis Shelton 1/26/24

The Powerful Undercurrent of Culture

Much of our culture has been established, passed down, and slowly evolved for generations. In other situations, however, culture must be created.

Travis Shelton 1/25/24 Travis Shelton 1/25/24

This Can’t Be Everything

As I was in the hot tub yesterday afternoon, I overheard a group of twenty-somethings next to me. They, too, were thoroughly enjoying their cruise. One asked the others, "Wouldn't it be great just to live like this all the time?" They all agreed and started fantasizing about a life of perpetual relaxation, endless drinks, and a non-stop flow of delicious food.

Travis Shelton 1/24/24 Travis Shelton 1/24/24

One Fear at a Time

Confession: I like encouraging my kids into uncomfortable and scary positions. Instead of trying to ensure their comfort, I find ways to make them uncomfortable.

Travis Shelton 1/23/24 Travis Shelton 1/23/24

There’s Only One Way to Find Out

Travis Shelton 1/22/24 Travis Shelton 1/22/24

Fun, But Measured

Similar to the power of saying "no," the opposite is also true. There's power in being able to say "yes." When we intentionally set aside money for a specific purpose (travel in this case), we've already said yes. By definition, that money has already been spent on travel. However, the who, what, when, where, and how haven't yet been defined. That's where the fun begins.

Travis Shelton 1/21/24 Travis Shelton 1/21/24

Saying “No” to Yourself

The willingness (er, commitment) to say "no" to important and alluring things is a life-changing endeavor. If we have the discipline to say no to ourselves when we haven't earned the right to say yes, a few things happen.

Travis Shelton 1/20/24 Travis Shelton 1/20/24

That’s What It’s For!

They excitedly and somewhat confusingly texted me, saying their investment account shows they made $9,000 just yesterday. They couldn't believe it. $9,000 in one day!?!? Yes, correct.

Travis Shelton 1/19/24 Travis Shelton 1/19/24

Current You vs. Future You

We humans have a fantastic ability to disassociate our current selves from our future selves.

Travis Shelton 1/18/24 Travis Shelton 1/18/24

The Undercurrent of Culture

One thing separates my normal dining out experience from this one-off $88 breakfast experience: intentionality.

Travis Shelton 1/17/24 Travis Shelton 1/17/24

The Wisdom of Joker

What does Heath Ledger's Joker have to do with investing? Well, I'm glad you asked!

Travis Shelton 1/16/24 Travis Shelton 1/16/24

Pigs Over Money

While scanning the various port options/excursions, one caught my eye: Pig Island!

Travis Shelton 1/15/24 Travis Shelton 1/15/24

Preparing for the (Winter) Storm

One such consequence that's becoming increasingly apparent is the stress on businesses. Simply put, people mostly stay home with these harsh conditions. That means less business for retailers, restaurants, coffee shops, and entertainment venues. In other words, business came to a screeching halt for many entrepreneurs.

Travis Shelton 1/14/24 Travis Shelton 1/14/24

Small Gestures, Big Impact

When we think about impactful giving, we typically think about profound, massive, staggeringly generous gifts. A five-figure check. Giving someone a car. Forgiving someone's loan. The list goes on and on. Think about an example of a profoundly impactful gift. I bet you're thinking of something big.

Travis Shelton 1/13/24 Travis Shelton 1/13/24

You Can’t Control What You Can’t Control

Instead of obsessing about everything I can't control (like blizzards, frigid temps, canceled flights, and a backlog of people trying to get home), I try to focus on what I can control. And today, that's very little.

Travis Shelton 1/12/24 Travis Shelton 1/12/24

Perhaps My Wife Should Leave Me

I recently stumbled into an online message board where people submit their monthly budgets for the broader group to provide feedback. One person's budget included investing 55% of his monthly take-home income to "build wealth." The group loved it! "Way to go!" "Keep up the good work." "Your future is bright." He was lauded and applauded.

Travis Shelton 1/11/24 Travis Shelton 1/11/24

Never Waste a Perfectly Good Mistake

In a sobering coaching moment, I recently explained to a client that their investing decisions have cost them handily. They asked me how much we're talking about, so I did some calculations. Though it's a rough estimation, it's safe to say they've lost at least $25,000 so far.

Travis Shelton 1/10/24 Travis Shelton 1/10/24

“You’re Being Stupid”

People's opinions matter. Their wisdom is valuable. We should seek out the insight of those we trust. Yes, all of those things. But ultimately, we need to make the best decision for our family......even if it's the opposite of what culture says is right.

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!"