guacamolefoo's Journal: Friends, Foes, and Freaks

I never really fooled much with the friends, foes, fans, and freaks stuff -- just basically ignored it. As it turns out, I have a few of each now. Just one "freak" though -- have to work on that.

I have no idea why I have been named friend, foe, freak, or fan by someone else, but to everyone: thanks for at least reading my comments. I generally try to avoid trolling, but because I almost never post as AC, I sometimes get modded that way. I have karma to burn, so there's no reason to hide from my opinions.

In any case, thanks for being interested enough one way or the other to mark me friend, foe, fan, or freak. If you think I'm an insufferable ass, please feel free to visit the journal from time to time to let me know.

guac-foo.

Re:Thanks

[guacamolefoo]

> I wanted to thank you for the insight dispensed
> in your finance posting.

Thanks -- I've trolled on occasion, so I guess I owe it to /. to post something that's worthwhile. Guess I got lucky.

> I've printed it out and plan to use it as a
> guidebook.

Some additional places to pick up some advice along the vein of what I posted:

http://www.daveramsey.com/ (financial planning) (the show is available for free from his site)

http://clarkhoward.com/ (consumer issues and saving cash in general)

If I had to go with a book, I'd go for a Dave Ramsey book like:
Financial Peace [amazon.com]. He's got a little religion in him, and that rubbed me the wrong way at first, but the advice is really sound, IMHO. Don't pay retail for the book -- get it used.

> Wish you posted an email address as I'd enjoy
> an exchange.

No self-respecting /. reader likes Exchange!

Seriously, I'd like to, but time is the limiting factor in my life -- wife, kid, job, clients, dog, cats, CGI programming habit, books I'd like to read, music to play, exercise, etc. Honestly, if you flip through Dave Ramsey's book and listen to his show for a week or two, you'll hear everything I have to say. It's useful to listen to him talk to people, too. The application of the structure to different life circumstances is something good to hear.

Also, I don't have all the answers -- just a basic framework to try to apply to my own life (which is a struggle for me as it is). Pick up the book, or something by Mary Hunt.

The main thing is not really the "guru" to listen to -- it is to begin the process of thinking about finances and plannign for the future. Money is a game, and a damn important one. If you don't develop a strategy and try to learn the rules, you'll get ground up.

I wish you luck.

guac-foo