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 2/15/24 Travis Shelton 2/15/24

The Release Valve of Meaningful Work

In a recent talk, I commented about how I don't believe in retirement. I could see faces in the audience shift in real-time. When we got to my favorite part of the talk, the Q&A, someone asked a question that delighted me. "Don't you ever want to actually enjoy your life?"

Travis Shelton 2/14/24 Travis Shelton 2/14/24

Finding Fulfillment in an Unfulfilling Job

70% of Americans dislike or hate their job. Think about that! If you put 10,000 people in a stadium, the odds are that 7,000 of them despise or merely tolerate their job. It's easy to dismiss that as not a big deal, but that's where we spend half our waking hours. That's sad!

Travis Shelton 2/13/24 Travis Shelton 2/13/24

You Don’t Have to Buy That Car

As I was scrolling through Twitter yesterday, I stumbled upon a Tweet about the latest auto loan statistics. What I saw astounded me (but not really). It's unfortunately the way of the world, and I've long ago conceded we as a culture will continue to let vehicles steal our dreams and sabotage our finances. I sound dramatic, don't I? I'll share the numbers with you, then let you decide for yourself.

Travis Shelton 2/12/24 Travis Shelton 2/12/24

It’s Not Meaning OR Money

Last night, more than 100 million people tuned in to watch a bunch of grown men play a game. Further, these grown men get paid millions of dollars to play their game. They drive fast cars, wear stylish clothes, take exotic trips, and their faces are plastered on billboards and TV screens all around the country. We idolize these athletes, yet at the same time, label them as only caring about money.

Travis Shelton 2/11/24 Travis Shelton 2/11/24

The Contagiousness of Sharing

As you know, I'm a connoisseur of culinary delights. For that reason, I'm excited to report that I took my family to Taco Bell yesterday. Maybe it's nostalgia from my childhood (Cinnamon Twists were my first love), but I always get a little giddy when Taco Bell hits the daily itinerary.

Travis Shelton 2/10/24 Travis Shelton 2/10/24

Let Splurges Remain Splurges

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.

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!"