Comments on: Has 2009 Changed You?

By: James - The Forex Articles

James - The Forex Articles — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:52:47 +0000

Well on a personal note, in all the years I’ve been working for myself as a trader and investor, this has been my most profitable year.

Nevertheless I’m still quite tight with my money, and indeed one of the most important things I’ve learned this year is that I don’t need to be spending so much money on things I don’t really need.

For example subscriptions to magazines I don’t really read, downloading songs that I may only listen to once or twice, web hosting accounts for websites that I’ve lost interest in, etc, etc.

By: marci

marci — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:53:42 +0000

I can’t say that the year changed me much at all – except to reinforce my beliefs that I have been on the right track, to increase my thankfulness for the natural bounty of this area I live in, and to increase my appreciation in what are the most valuable assets I have… My Time, My Health, My Family and Friends, and my Ability to Do For Myself all that I am able to.

Like you mentioned, those who want little materially came thru the year relatively Happy

Happy New Year, too.

By: Christie

Christie — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 01:37:44 +0000

I’m surprised that no one actually talked about health, which is far more important than ANYTHING ELSE. Money, fame, power, and everything else is useless if you aren’t healthy.

By: LeanLifeCoach

LeanLifeCoach — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:00:01 +0000

In the moment money means nothing. In the big picture of a lifetime, money makes the difference. I appreciate the perspective of earning the $5 so that you can afford the coffee, but every cup of coffee is that much left that goes towards true financial freedom.

We have been continually improving our finances for years. The impact of 2008-9 have forced us to look at our expenses with a fresh perspective and we found that there is always more that can be saved without a negative impact on quality of life.

Great coffee is good but does it really matter that much? After all, it’s just hot water with some flavoring.

By: John DeFlumeri Jr

John DeFlumeri Jr — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:50:10 +0000

When you have enough money, it’s not the most important thing anymore. But be broke for a while and it goes to the top of the list, or maybe it’s the Only thing you care about.

John DeFlumeri Jr

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:45:29 +0000

What a tumultuous, eye opening year.

I do appreciate more the things i have. I’m glad the meltdown happened this year, rather than when I’m older.

But, as I look around my house, my life, my family and friends, nothing has really changed. We’re still trying to live every day to the fullest.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:39:52 +0000

This year I have learned a lot more about balance. I am a self proclaimed workaholic, working one job (w/ benefits) 32 hours a week and having my own business as well. Thanks to the wonderful man I’ve been with, I have spent the year learning to balance work and play and not hyper focus on the money aspect quite as much. I’m learning to enjoy life a little more and RELAX… while I still have a ways to go, I’m looking forward to 2010.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:17:43 +0000

2009 made me grow up a lot both as a person and financially. I began starting to concentrate on my financial future and started investing accounts and retirement accounts. Also began a new side project for fun. Looking forward to continuuing things in 2010.

By: George

George — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:56:14 +0000

I can see how the arrival of a baby is a big event. Congratulations.

I totally agree with #3 – Saving vs. Making. (Besides that, I am addicted to Starbucks.) It is so easy to deprive ourselves of the $3 latte for a single day, but doing so makes us less, not more. When we find ways to make an extra $5 (or even $30), then we become more. Deprivation makes us become less, while earning more makes us become more.

Also, I agree that money is the wrong goal. I think money is not a good goal at all. It is merely a means. A means to achieve things that are more important in life, like freedom or fulfillment or giving.

Now is definitely a great time to think about our whole year, and to plan to make 2010 even better.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:26:44 +0000

What I learned in 2009 is that we all want money, which is no surprise, but we all have different ideas about what to do with it, and this is what separates us. Some people like spending it when they are young, and some people prefer to save it for later when they think they’ll want it. There’s no right way of doing things, but I learned how much I value my money and started to realize what my goals are and what I am willing to splurge for.

There’s no doubt the lessons I learned in 2009 will carry over. Thanks for the post, for some reason it REALLY made me think.