This stuff affects everyone differently, but for me it gets me super sentimental and mushy. I get so caught up in the day to day activities in life and I forget to *truly* appreciate what’s happening right this instant. I literally just held a baby for 20 mins right now and almost missed out completely because I was so determined to write this comment… what’s more important – my baby niece or this comment at this *exact* second, you know?

Anyways, I tell you guys this all the time, but thank you again for being so open here and supportive. To me, to the guest post’ers, to the stories we feature here – it’s wonderful.

@Joe – Putting this stuff out like you do inspires me. Keep being YOU.
@Carrie – My heart goes out to you! I had no idea… as cheesy as it sounds, I feel closer to you :) And also not in a stalkerish kind of way, haha… I think it’s awesome you’re improving your quality life the way you wish like that. AND still saving, wow.
@brewcitybabe4 – I’m sorry to hear your situation too :( I think the best thing for you to do re: the money is to speak with a financial planner and set up a 2-3 year game plan. There are so many ways you can make your money work best for you, and a planner could help you with the pros and cons and suggest the best route based on your situation. Or, you can follow what feels the best for you and what would make you emotionally content. There are always 2 sides to these things – the financially smart way, and the emotional one. Sometimes they both align together, and others not. But if you always choose the one that helps you to sleep at night better, I say you’re on the right track :) This doesn’t directly answer your question, but hopefully it helps a little bit.

Guys — Thank you.

I think the key to life is living like every day as though it’s your last. This doesn’t mean you should spend all your money, but rather that you live in the every day moments of your life. That you truly experience the moments during the time you’re given.

I just finished reading a great book called ‘The Untethered Soul’. It probably wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it talks a lot about living each and every moment to the fullest so that you do not fear death once it comes. The author points out that you don’t need a bucket list to say you’ve lived a full life.

One of my favorite passages reads, “Don’t be afraid of death. Let it free you. You should be experiencing life that’s happening to you, not the one you wish was happening. Don’t waste a moment of your life trying to make other things happen; appreciate the moments you are given. Don’t you understand that every minute you’re a step closer to death? This is how to live your life. You live it as though you were on the verge of death, because you are.”

I would also say that this is a good opportunity to, as they say, put money in its place. Sometimes as people who are very focused on personal finance it consumes us. Maybe your reader should look at this as an opportunity to readjust the role that money plays in his life. Is it really the MOST important thing?