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.”
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Daily Meaning Reader

Travis Shelton 2/9/24 Travis Shelton 2/9/24

Lessons From Archie (Moonlight) Graham

Last night, I began embarking on a new, exciting, and terrifying journey. I'm beyond pumped for it, but it's excruciatingly uncomfortable. So much so that I didn't really sleep last night. Ideas, fears, and what-ifs were spinning around my head, and I couldn't turn it off. My anxiety and fear were in full force.

Travis Shelton 2/8/24 Travis Shelton 2/8/24

Important to Her, Important to Me

The real issue wasn't the debt, or a lack of resources. Instead, it was the fact he viewed his desired purchase as being important, and hers not. This is a toxic slippery slope, which needed to be immediately addressed.

Travis Shelton 2/7/24 Travis Shelton 2/7/24

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

I've had quite the run in the last two days. In a matter of 48 hours, here's who I had the privilege of spending time with: ……..

Travis Shelton 2/6/24 Travis Shelton 2/6/24

The Cost of Want

A woman recently reached out and asked for a meeting. She made it clear she wasn't interested in hiring me, but wondered if I'd be willing to give her some insights anyway. Of course!

Travis Shelton 2/5/24 Travis Shelton 2/5/24

Here to Serve

We are here to serve. Simply put, this is the base calling in our life. We can, of course, choose to ignore it, refuse it, or turn our back on it. From the moment we wake up until we go back to bed, our day is a never-ending string of serving opportunities.

Travis Shelton 2/4/24 Travis Shelton 2/4/24

The 3-Bucket E-Fund Approach

On the heels of publishing a podcast episode about this topic, a few readers suggested I share the same advice on the blog. It was an episode about my variation on the traditional emergency fund concept.

Travis Shelton 2/3/24 Travis Shelton 2/3/24

“Wow, That’s Embarrassing”

As we worked our way out the door and into the parking lot, we shared a few more pleasantries before parting ways. We were standing next to an older Nissan Altima with a massive ugly dent on the driver-side doors. As it caught his eye, he pointed and quipped, "Wow, that's embarrassing."

Travis Shelton 2/2/24 Travis Shelton 2/2/24

The Randomness of Impact

Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don't forget your booties, 'cause it's cold out there today. It's cold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?...............That's right, woodchuck-chuckers - it's GROUNDHOG DAY!

Travis Shelton 2/1/24 Travis Shelton 2/1/24

A Different Kind of Scorecard

Only you get to decide what success is. It can be money, but it doesn't have to be. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, "Why?" The answer to that question matters. When we're playing a different kind of game, we should be using a different kind of scorecard.

Travis Shelton 1/31/24 Travis Shelton 1/31/24

You Are Where You Are

When I’m sitting with someone and begin talking about their finances, one of the first things they reveal is a regret they haven’t done better. This usually comes out as frustration from past mistakes, a track record of unintentionality, a comparison to someone doing better financially, or an acknowledgment that they have some knowledge gaps regarding money. We all carry some combination of this. Money is a deeply personal topic, and most of us have some wounds (or scars).

Travis Shelton 1/30/24 Travis Shelton 1/30/24

A Glimpse Under the (Cruise) Hood

I've shared bits and pieces about our family's recent cruise vacation. Some of the finer details must have perked people's interest, as at least a half-dozen readers asked if I would be sharing more about the economics of the trip. There's a voyeuristic side in each of us, where we like hearing the details of other people's situations.

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.

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!"