The Daily Meaning

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Growth, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton Growth, Meaning, Impact Travis Shelton

Creativity is a Renewable Resource

Today is my 500th article published in 500 days. It feels weird even typing that. 238,000 words sent into cyberspace, hoping to move the needle in someone's life. It started with a handful of people already subscribed to my previous blog (plus a few new pity follows from friends and family). Fast forward 500 days and the addition of many new faces, and The Daily Meaning has been e-mailed 62,000 times.

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Meaning, Impact, Behavioral Science, Generosity, Career Travis Shelton Meaning, Impact, Behavioral Science, Generosity, Career Travis Shelton

The Drink That Satiates

When I was a kid, I distinctly remember an advertising battle between Coke and Pepsi. The rivalry ran so deep that they would openly bash one another in their TV and print ads (at least that's how my questionable childhood brain remembers it). Anyway, one of the nuances I remember playing out was this back-and-forth debate about taste tests. Despite Coke being the overwhelmingly favorite drink of consumers, Pepsi continually (and oddly) produced studies showing they were preferred in taste tests.

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Budgeting, Saving, Spending Travis Shelton Budgeting, Saving, Spending Travis Shelton

Smooth Out Your Lumpy Stuff

First, what's the purpose of a sinking fund? A sinking fund is another name for an account funded over time for a specific future expense. These expenses don't happen every month, but you know they will happen at some point. It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN (and how much). I call them "lumpy" expenses.

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Career, Parenting Travis Shelton Career, Parenting Travis Shelton

The Kids Feel It

There's one statistic that lives rent-free in my head. I've mentioned it multiple times on this blog, in the podcast, and in my keynote talk. According to a Gallup poll, 70% of Americans dislike or hate their job. It's actually higher than 70% since they recommissioned the study post-COVID, but 70% is a nice round number and rolls off the tongue.

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Budgeting, Saving Travis Shelton Budgeting, Saving Travis Shelton

Not All Roses and Sunshine

I'm sad to report it's not been all roses and sunshine here in Nissan 350Z-ville. I wish I could tell you I've been happily cruising around in my sweet new (to me) ride for the last few weeks, but that hasn't been the case. 

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Behavioral Science Travis Shelton Behavioral Science Travis Shelton

“Never Tell Me the Odds”

"Never tell me the odds," quipped Han Solo after C-3PO warned him about the ultra-low probability of surviving an asteroid field. This is one of my all-time favorite Star Wars quotes, and it's one of the things I like most about Han Solo. He didn't care if the cards were stacked against him; he was just crazy enough to believe he would succeed.....and he did.

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Spending, Debt, Budgeting Travis Shelton Spending, Debt, Budgeting Travis Shelton

Catch That Breather

Warning: I'm about to share some financial advice that will deeply offend some financial people. If you're still reading this, you've been warned. I take no responsibility for any level of annoyance or disgust you're about to experience.

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Spending, Debt Travis Shelton Spending, Debt Travis Shelton

The Tension Brings Clarity

When we refuse to use debt to purchase vehicles, it creates a very palpable tension. It's hard to save a big chunk of money for vehicles. It's a long, thankless, and often unrewarding task. That's precisely the point, though. That process brings with it a tension that must be reckoned with.

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Spending, Behavioral Science Travis Shelton Spending, Behavioral Science Travis Shelton

Pot, Meet Kettle

After learning about my recent 2006 Nissan 350Z purchase, my friend shared his less-than-savory opinion about it. Specifically, he called it a "boujee move" and added, "It's a bad look for you, Travis." Translation: I'm a hypocrite for buying such a fancy luxury, and it feels a bit over the top.

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Debt, Career, Meaning Travis Shelton Debt, Career, Meaning Travis Shelton

Have To vs. Get To

I'm still thinking about the conversation I shared with the young woman I mentioned in yesterday's post. One of the things that struck me about her story is how much meaning and impact she's making in her work. She's a legit hero. Her eyes lit up when she talked about her work, yet at the same time, she admitted the utter frustration she feels when her income immediately goes toward debt payments.

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Spending Travis Shelton Spending Travis Shelton

The 17-Year Wait

It's 2007. I am out to breakfast with my new-ish girlfriend (now wife), Sarah. I'm decently arrogant, think I have life figured out, and most certainly want to impress this girl. I start sharing how I'm planning to buy a new car. It's a 2006 Nissan 350Z. It's a convertible stick-shift, of course. It also has a $40,000 price tag.

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Meaning Travis Shelton Meaning Travis Shelton

It Sure Is Lucky to Be Lucky

As I was recently sitting down with a couple, one of the spouses said something that struck me as interesting. "We've just been really lucky." Frankly, I couldn't have disagreed more. Fortunate? Yes. Blessed? Absolutely. But lucky? I don't think so.

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