By 2 Cents on January 8th, 2010 | Category: Life Balance | In theory one is aware that the earth revolves, but in practice one does not perceive it. The ground upon which one treads seems not to move, and one can live undisturbed. So it is with Time in one’s life.
~ Marcel Proust, The Past Recaptured, 1927
Yesterday I posted Part I of Our Money Story. I would have preferred to keep the story to one post, and maybe I could have if I were 25 years old. But alas, I am 4 weeks away from my 40th birthday. When I left off, Mr. Cents and I were nearing the end of our first decade together. Next, the ground on which we tread began to move.
Mr. Cents was still working in a retail store, although he did not like it as much as he had liked his job as a buyer for the same company. An [...]
Read on and enjoy … Our Money Story: Part II
By 2 Cents on January 7th, 2010 | Category: Life Balance | History never looks like history when you are living through it.
~ John W. Gardner
When I began writing this blog just a bit over a month ago, it was my intention to keep my personal life out of it. But the more I write and read, the harder it is to separate my money story from my life story. Many of my thoughts on personal finance and balance in life are a direct result of my life experiences, so I thought it might be useful to sketch out a summary so that readers will know where I’m coming from and perhaps learn from my mistakes.
I assumed that no one would be remotely interested in my comparatively boring life. I don’t do any of the really neat, adventurous stuff that I read about elsewhere like traveling the world or running a really interesting business, etc.. I’m just a mom [...]
Read on and enjoy … Our Money Story: Part I
By 2 Cents on January 6th, 2010 | Category: Money Psychology | Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.
~ Andre Gide (1869-1951)
Yesterday we talked about the abundance of advice available, especially at this time of year. Experts and gurus are prolific sources of this “noise“. So what’s the difference? In my mind, an expert is someone with above average knowledge about something, whereas a guru is someone who is perceived by many to have a higher, usually more inspired knowledge. For me a guru is an expert with charisma, and they may or may not possess the skills to back up their reputation. Gurus and experts can both be helpful, but like any other source of information, caution is warranted.
Many experts and gurus have only the best intentions. They want to help people solve problems. But there are those who are more interested in personal gain. Most provide information that is [...]
Read on and enjoy … Gurus & Experts: Should You Listen?
By 2 Cents on January 5th, 2010 | Category: Money Psychology |  And then! Oh, the noise! Oh, the noise! Oh the noise! Noise! Noise! Noise! That’s one thing he hated! The NOISE! NOISE! NOISE! NOISE!
~ Dr. Seuss, from How the Grinch Stole Christmas
How the Grinch Stole Christmas is one of my favourite holiday classics – both the book and the animated version. I know. Christmas is over. Still, I thought about the quote above because the New Year seems to bring with it even more noise than the day to day hum of advice, analysis and marketing that surround us throughout the year.
Every form of media from T.V. to print to, yes, the blogosphere is buzzing with predictions, recommendations, and information for us to use in 2010. Balance Junkie has been no different, although I hope you find the information useful.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t listen to anyone. [...]
Read on and enjoy … How To Sample Wisely From the Noise Buffet
By 2 Cents on January 4th, 2010 | Category: Debt |  Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.
~ Oprah Winfrey
OK, so you overindulged. You read all of those articles warning about moderation or complete avoidance. You intended to follow that prudent advice. But you didn’t. I could easily be talking about alcohol consumption or debt consumption. Either way, over-consumption will put you in a precarious position.
If you’re not in that position on either front, congratulations. If you are, you’re not alone. Debt has been in the news a lot lately and if you read my post on 2010 What Ifs, you know that I think it will be a big topic this year. Sovereign debt problems are simmering in many parts of the globe and are coming to a full boil in others, particularly the PIIGS countries. This has led many to ask the question: Read on and enjoy … 6 Remedies For a Debt Hangover
By 2 Cents on January 1st, 2010 | Category: BJ News | We will open the book. It’s pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.
~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce
Wishing you and yours happiness and health in 2010!
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