Simple, Meaningful Success

If you’re reading these words, once upon a time you subscribed to this blog. But that may have been several years ago, so I’ll understand if you don’t remember!

I stopped adding new content in the spring of 2012 when I joined the staff of Sound Mind Investing. I’m still with SMI and loving it. And there are some topics I’d like to explore that are better suited to this platform, so today I’m relaunching this blog.

Here’s what you can expect.

Simplicity

Money often feels anything but simple. Just thinking about terms like asset allocation, credit utilization, and fiduciary can make you want to flop down on the couch and grab the remote. But there are many aspects of money management that can be simplified.

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Sometimes simplicity is found in automation or using the right apps. Sometimes it’s about making money more objective. Don’t know how much a family like yours can afford to spend on this or that? There are guidelines, and they’re available through this blog.

Meaning

This blog isn’t just about making the numbers work. It’s about making our lives work.

What I’m interested in are ways of using money that express our highest values and reflect our life purpose.

“When your values are clear, making decisions becomes easier.” – Roy Disney

The study of what makes for a meaningful life has become quite a science, and the research points to three key elements: Living for something bigger than ourselves, building strong relationships, and using our gifts and passions to make a difference.

For me, that “something bigger” is really someone bigger: God. My Christian faith is at the center of my life, and therefore at the center of my work. So woven throughout this blog you’ll find real-world applications of biblical financial principles.

Success

Each week, there will be plenty of practical guidance. I’ll write about simple, effective strategies for building and managing savings, using a budget (I’m an unashamed fan of using a budget, which I consider the most powerful tool anyone can use for effective money management), living generously, getting and staying out of debt (something I haven’t just read about, but have done), investing, teaching kids about money, spending smart (a phrase I prefer over frugality since the smart choice is often not the lowest cost choice), and more.

Two Posts Per Week

I plan to write an original post once a week and a roundup post on Friday. I’m constantly reading personal finance articles, so in the roundup post, I’ll share some of the best articles I’ve come across recently.

I certainly don’t have it all figured out. I’m a fellow traveler, someone exploring ways to get the money thing right within the context of being a person of faith, husband, and dad to three young kids. I’ve made some mistakes with money, which I now count as some of my greatest blessings because of how they shaped me.

Financially, what I’m pursuing is simple, meaningful success. If that’s what you’re after, I’d consider it an honor to have you join me on the journey.