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 3/15/25 Travis Shelton 3/15/25

The Superpower of Humility

The paradox of this situation is that both realities simultaneously exist. Unlimited income is a few clicks away, but at the same time, so many people are struggling with a problem that is only solvable by making more income.

Travis Shelton 3/14/25 Travis Shelton 3/14/25

To Kill or Not to Kill….Their Dreams

Here's the problem. In our effort to protect our kids from failure, struggle, and disappointment, we methodically kill their dreams as they grow up.

Travis Shelton 3/13/25 Travis Shelton 3/13/25

Crazy Friend Update

A few years ago, I wrote an article about my crazy friend. He's a mess with money. Longtime readers might remember this friend, but if not, I'll summarize their financial situation.

Travis Shelton 3/12/25 Travis Shelton 3/12/25

But Not All the Fun Things

We can (and should) have fun things, but we can't have ALL the fun things. The coffee alone isn't killing us. We can choose to have the coffee. The clothes alone aren't killing us. We can choose to have the clothes. The problem arises when we decide we want ALL the fun things.

Travis Shelton 3/11/25 Travis Shelton 3/11/25

Micro Losses, Macro Wins

One of my clients felt frustrated. When I asked her how the most recent monthly budget went, she confessed that she didn't do so hot; she overshot four categories. Curious about this, I told her I would check her numbers quickly.

Travis Shelton 3/10/25 Travis Shelton 3/10/25

Cost, Value, and Your Gut

I've eaten $10 meals that were absolute ripoffs. I've eaten $300 meals that were bargains.

Travis Shelton 3/9/25 Travis Shelton 3/9/25

Fleeting

The entire experience shined a glaring light on a reality that haunts us all: time is fleeting. It seems like just two years ago I was playing high school ball, and just like that, I'm playing against grown men who are the children of my classmates. Time is funny like that.

Travis Shelton 3/8/25 Travis Shelton 3/8/25

On the Other Side of Fear

I'm about to face one of my biggest fears in a few hours.

Travis Shelton 3/7/25 Travis Shelton 3/7/25

Yes, Too Simple

Here's my beef. Personal finance is typically treated like some sort of above-people's-heads, MBA-level rocket science. In fact, the entire financial industry is constructed that way to convince people they need to hire outside help (you know, the experts!).

Travis Shelton 3/6/25 Travis Shelton 3/6/25

Taking Timing Off the Table

Have you ever stressed out about the timing of your finances? For instance, your mortgage payment is about to get pulled from your account, and you have a paycheck also arriving soon, and you're crossing your fingers and toes, hoping the paycheck happens first.

Travis Shelton 3/5/25 Travis Shelton 3/5/25

Learning vs. Doing

I'm witnessing a problem develop in our current culture. With unlimited resources at our disposal - often for low or no cost - we're becoming so fixated on learning that we're not actually doing.

Travis Shelton 3/4/25 Travis Shelton 3/4/25

I See Dead People

I knew my post would generate such a response, as the idea of spending $10/day on wants may feel over the top. After all, that's $10 today, tomorrow, the next day, for weeks, for months, for years. I think most would agree that this idea sounds excessive.

Travis Shelton 3/3/25 Travis Shelton 3/3/25

Ten Buck Challenge

Today, I want to explore a different angle about spending. Let's say, in a normal month, you spend $300 on things you want (i.e. not a need). This is money strictly to add value to your life, and "adding value" can mean almost anything. This equates to roughly $10 per day, on average.

Travis Shelton 3/2/25 Travis Shelton 3/2/25

The Tale of Two Women

Due to our own (multiple) failings, my family found ourselves in a precarious position a few days ago.

Travis Shelton 3/1/25 Travis Shelton 3/1/25

Too Too Much of a Good Thing

Yesterday was a very harsh reminder that too much of a good thing is never a good thing. The sun was amazing, but seven hours of constant sunlight while hanging right next to the Equator is not a good thing. I got punished for my overzealousness.

Travis Shelton 2/28/25 Travis Shelton 2/28/25

Trigger. Trigger. What Is the Trigger?

One of my favorite conversations with young people (under 25 years old) is asking them what they want to do when they're adults, and why. I say under 25 because that's typically when people start allowing their dreams to die.

Travis Shelton 2/27/25 Travis Shelton 2/27/25

When In Honduras

Have you ever played with a sloth? I haven't even seen a sloth in real life. Do they even exist? Are they really that slow? Are they as cute as I picture them? There was only one way to find out. When in Honduras, as they say.

Travis Shelton 2/26/25 Travis Shelton 2/26/25

A Pretty Pathetic Life

As you can imagine, that sort of idea can set this world ablaze. I received a storm of backlash from that Tweet, ranging from text messages, to DMs, to in-person disagreements. However, my favorite response to date is this: "You must have a pretty pathetic life to prefer working."

Travis Shelton 2/25/25 Travis Shelton 2/25/25

This Could All Be Yours, For Only…..

As I explained to my confused friend, a large house purchase isn't a sign of wealth, but rather a sign of a high cost of living.

Travis Shelton 2/24/25 Travis Shelton 2/24/25

The Power of Uncomfortable Memories

Some memories are easy to say "yes" to. They are appealing, instantly satisfying no-brainers. They ooze with awesomeness, and we can't wait to reach for them. Then, there are the others.

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!"