Comments on: What Squirrels Can Teach Us About Investing http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 19:53:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Mac http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-189901 Mac Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:02:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-189901 Of course it was unintentional - I did not mean to imply otherwise. Besides, Gung Ho, like many of Blanchard's books, is a management tome, heavy on the metaphors; not an investment guide. I'm sure the squirrel metaphor has been applied to many situations. Congratulations on your success, Paul! Of course it was unintentional – I did not mean to imply otherwise. Besides, Gung Ho, like many of Blanchard’s books, is a management tome, heavy on the metaphors; not an investment guide.

I’m sure the squirrel metaphor has been applied to many situations.

Congratulations on your success, Paul!

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]]> By: Paul Puckett http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-189880 Paul Puckett Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:01:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-189880 Mac, if it is similar to "Gung Ho", it was not intentional. I have read a few Blanchard books, but Gung Ho wasn't one of them. I'm flattered that I wrote anything that could be compared to Ken and I'll make sure to get a copy of Gung Ho to see his squirrel story. To the extent they are similar, must have been inspired by the same muse... Best regards, Paul Mac, if it is similar to “Gung Ho”, it was not intentional. I have read a few Blanchard books, but Gung Ho wasn’t one of them. I’m flattered that I wrote anything that could be compared to Ken and I’ll make sure to get a copy of Gung Ho to see his squirrel story.

To the extent they are similar, must have been inspired by the same muse…

Best regards, Paul

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]]> By: Mac http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-189780 Mac Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:07:39 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-189780 Isn't this cribbed from the book "Gung Ho" by Ken Blanchard - specifically, The Spirit of the Squirrel? Isn’t this cribbed from the book “Gung Ho” by Ken Blanchard – specifically, The Spirit of the Squirrel?

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]]> By: Justin http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188595 Justin Tue, 28 Jul 2009 03:54:59 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188595 Squirrels really are a great example. They are always working on putting away for those rainy days. Interesting post. Squirrels really are a great example. They are always working on putting away for those rainy days. Interesting post.

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]]> By: Paul Puckett http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188571 Paul Puckett Mon, 27 Jul 2009 19:55:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188571 JD, Thanks for sharing my post about squirrels. Love the comments, you have great people on your site. I hadn't heard the crickets and ants story, and I love the musical Fiddler on the Roof (although I had forgotten that line), and many commented about how money should not be the goal. The only addition I want to make is about the difference between dividends and food. I'm not sure there is a difference! Dividends pay for our needs as well as our wants. Right now, I want a gyro. If only I had the dividends to pay for it! Thanks again, Paul And if it wasn't in the post, remember, Money is not your life. It is simply the means to the life that you want! (Whatever that life, and however much money it takes, it's your life to choose!) JD,

Thanks for sharing my post about squirrels. Love the comments, you have great people on your site. I hadn’t heard the crickets and ants story, and I love the musical Fiddler on the Roof (although I had forgotten that line), and many commented about how money should not be the goal. The only addition I want to make is about the difference between dividends and food.

I’m not sure there is a difference! Dividends pay for our needs as well as our wants. Right now, I want a gyro. If only I had the dividends to pay for it!

Thanks again, Paul

And if it wasn’t in the post, remember, Money is not your life. It is simply the means to the life that you want! (Whatever that life, and however much money it takes, it’s your life to choose!)

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]]> By: Facets of Nature http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188559 Facets of Nature Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:29:40 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188559 In my case, the Cricket comes along and takes all the acorns I have harvested throughout the year in the form of higher utility, phone, cable, etc. bills... But, if I had taken some acorns out of my tree on Wall Street before fall, I might have had more acorns to pay those bills with. In my case, the Cricket comes along and takes all the acorns I have harvested throughout the year in the form of higher utility, phone, cable, etc. bills…
But, if I had taken some acorns out of my tree on Wall Street before fall, I might have had more acorns to pay those bills with.

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]]> By: Kevin@OutOfYourRut http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188533 Kevin@OutOfYourRut Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:07:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188533 Like squirrels, we also need to save to survive, and to even out the rough patches in life. I think we start to lose something though when saving becomes the pursuit of wealth, often for it's own sake, as if we couldn't possibly be happy if we didn't have it. The last paragraph of the post speaks volumes, that we should enjoy life and have fun while we go about our business, even if that's planning for a future that hasn't happened yet. Like squirrels, we also need to save to survive, and to even out the rough patches in life. I think we start to lose something though when saving becomes the pursuit of wealth, often for it’s own sake, as if we couldn’t possibly be happy if we didn’t have it.

The last paragraph of the post speaks volumes, that we should enjoy life and have fun while we go about our business, even if that’s planning for a future that hasn’t happened yet.

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]]> By: UnderstatementJones http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188511 UnderstatementJones Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:32:56 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188511 Blarg. Blarg.

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]]> By: Chickybeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188497 Chickybeth Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:40:27 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188497 Loved this post! Loved this post!

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]]> By: Karen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188492 Karen Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:22:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188492 The squirrels in my back yard also often bury rocks from the path instead of acorns. Sorry, squirrel = not a very bright role model. :) The squirrels in my back yard also often bury rocks from the path instead of acorns. Sorry, squirrel = not a very bright role model. :)

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]]> By: Mark http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188489 Mark Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:12:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188489 If we would be more like squirrels we would live more like farmers or hunter-gatherers. Acorns are more like food, than dividens. So maybe instead of playing the market, we could all learn how to garden and stock food? Now that would be a nicer way to live :) If we would be more like squirrels we would live more like farmers or hunter-gatherers. Acorns are more like food, than dividens. So maybe instead of playing the market, we could all learn how to garden and stock food? Now that would be a nicer way to live :)

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]]> By: kk http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188485 kk Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:05:28 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188485 Loved the post. However, all metaphors break down somewhere, and as I recall, squirrels are rather frenetic, as depicted so smashingly in the animated film, Over the Hedge. :-) Loved the post. However, all metaphors break down somewhere, and as I recall, squirrels are rather frenetic, as depicted so smashingly in the animated film, Over the Hedge. :-)

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]]> By: Austin http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188482 Austin Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:34:10 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188482 Haha! Does this remind anyone else of Scrat? :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci144OUw-fI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGAnIr9Pqw Haha! Does this remind anyone else of Scrat? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ci144OUw-fI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILGAnIr9Pqw

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]]> By: Gale http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188453 Gale Mon, 27 Jul 2009 01:38:35 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188453 Unfortunately, before I finished my cup of coffee, the squirrels carried off my last 3 tomatos and the eggplant that was going to be picked in the next few days... I don't think I took away the same message as the author! :) Unfortunately, before I finished my cup of coffee, the squirrels carried off my last 3 tomatos and the eggplant that was going to be picked in the next few days…

I don’t think I took away the same message as the author! :)

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]]> By: Allyson http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188448 Allyson Sun, 26 Jul 2009 23:57:55 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188448 I loved this. It is helpful getting any clear perspective on investing and money, especially if it comes from a squirrel. I loved this. It is helpful getting any clear perspective on investing and money, especially if it comes from a squirrel.

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]]> By: Beth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188444 Beth Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:26:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188444 This is cute! I loved the line about "Fox news". It reminds me of an article I read this week about preserving food. The author said that preserving fruit, vegetables and herbs should be part of our weekly gardening routines rather than a "chore" to be done all at once. I thought that strategy works well whether you're building a food store for the winter or dealing with your finances :) This is cute! I loved the line about “Fox news”.

It reminds me of an article I read this week about preserving food. The author said that preserving fruit, vegetables and herbs should be part of our weekly gardening routines rather than a “chore” to be done all at once. I thought that strategy works well whether you’re building a food store for the winter or dealing with your finances :)

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]]> By: Jay http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188443 Jay Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:15:01 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188443 Is it just me or did anyone else read this and think of Tevye from 'Fiddler on the Roof' when he says... "[to God] Anyway, Motel and Tzeitel have been married for some time now. They work very hard, and they're as poor as squirrels in winter. But, they're so happy, they don't know how miserable they are. " It just made me smile, and it is my favorite musical of all time. Is it just me or did anyone else read this and think of Tevye from ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ when he says…

“[to God] Anyway, Motel and Tzeitel have been married for some time now. They work very hard, and they’re as poor as squirrels in winter. But, they’re so happy, they don’t know how miserable they are. ”

It just made me smile, and it is my favorite musical of all time.

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]]> By: Mark Foo | TheBigDreamer.com http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188442 Mark Foo | TheBigDreamer.com Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:06:13 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188442 It's really interesting how we humans have so much to learn from animals - be it investing or life lessons. Here's a wonderful article about what we can learn from another very lovely animal - dogs. <a href="http://richgrad.com/what-dogs-can-teach-you-about-life/" rel="nofollow">What Dogs Can Teach You About Life</a> Enjoy! Cheers~ Mark It’s really interesting how we humans have so much to learn from animals – be it investing or life lessons. Here’s a wonderful article about what we can learn from another very lovely animal – dogs.

What Dogs Can Teach You About Life

Enjoy!

Cheers~

Mark

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]]> By: RB @ RichBy30RetireBy40 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188439 RB @ RichBy30RetireBy40 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:38:07 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188439 That's a funny title JD, but alas, I don't think we can learn much from squirrels. They gather and conserve or else they die. Humans on the other hand, are fantastic destructive forces who know how to eat ourselves into oblivion :) Rgds, RB Rich By 30 Retire By 40 That’s a funny title JD, but alas, I don’t think we can learn much from squirrels. They gather and conserve or else they die. Humans on the other hand, are fantastic destructive forces who know how to eat ourselves into oblivion :)

Rgds,

RB

Rich By 30 Retire By 40

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]]> By: Kent @ The Financial Philosopher http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188432 Kent @ The Financial Philosopher Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:08:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188432 The acorn is an outstanding metaphor for money. If you plant (save) it, the acorn is enabled to grow over time into something much larger, which may eventually produce more acorns (money, dividends). If you do not plant (save) it, the acorn remains an acorn. The acorn is an outstanding metaphor for money. If you plant (save) it, the acorn is enabled to grow over time into something much larger, which may eventually produce more acorns (money, dividends).

If you do not plant (save) it, the acorn remains an acorn.

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]]> By: Rob Bennett http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188428 Rob Bennett Sun, 26 Jul 2009 19:01:29 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188428 If you listen closely to what at first impression might sound like mindless chattering, you will hear the boy squirrels arguing with the girl squirrels as to whether it makes sense to climb the really high trees just to be able to bring home a few extra acorns. (The is intended as a lighthearted joke reference to a "controversial" blog post that appeared here earlier this week.) Rob If you listen closely to what at first impression might sound like mindless chattering, you will hear the boy squirrels arguing with the girl squirrels as to whether it makes sense to climb the really high trees just to be able to bring home a few extra acorns.

(The is intended as a lighthearted joke reference to a “controversial” blog post that appeared here earlier this week.)

Rob

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]]> By: Josh@MillennialMind http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188422 Josh@MillennialMind Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:28:20 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188422 Very interesting post. You make a very good analogy. Squirrels are always collecting harvest for their winters. It's like the story about the cricket and the ant. The cricket is sitting in the shade in the summer singing songs while the ants are harvesting away so they don't starve in the winter. Weeks turn into months and the Cricket is still procrastinating while the ants are still working tirelessly to get their harvest for the winter. Then winter came, and the cricket had no food, while the ants enjoyed the fruits of their labor. We can learn a lot from this story when it comes to saving and investing. You make excellent points. A lot of us are like the cricket, procrastinating and spending money on things that hold no value. We wait till the last minute when everything is in chaos to think about what we did. If you hold the 80/20 rule to this, 80% procrastinate and spend endlessly, while the ants or 20% spend wisely and save for the future. We may not enjoy the fruits of our labor now, but the future holds much prosperity. Thank you for this. Very thought provoking! :) Very interesting post. You make a very good analogy. Squirrels are always collecting harvest for their winters. It’s like the story about the cricket and the ant. The cricket is sitting in the shade in the summer singing songs while the ants are harvesting away so they don’t starve in the winter. Weeks turn into months and the Cricket is still procrastinating while the ants are still working tirelessly to get their harvest for the winter. Then winter came, and the cricket had no food, while the ants enjoyed the fruits of their labor.

We can learn a lot from this story when it comes to saving and investing. You make excellent points. A lot of us are like the cricket, procrastinating and spending money on things that hold no value. We wait till the last minute when everything is in chaos to think about what we did. If you hold the 80/20 rule to this, 80% procrastinate and spend endlessly, while the ants or 20% spend wisely and save for the future. We may not enjoy the fruits of our labor now, but the future holds much prosperity.

Thank you for this. Very thought provoking! :)

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]]> By: Tyler@FrugallyGreen http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2009/07/26/what-squirrels-can-teach-us-about-investing/comment-page-1/#comment-188415 Tyler@FrugallyGreen Sun, 26 Jul 2009 16:21:16 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=4967#comment-188415 I never really thought about the sprouting acorn trees from that perspective. I always thought they were just forgetful, burying their nuts all over the yard and leaving me to pull the new spouts up come Spring. Touché squirrel, touché. What do I symbolize in their squirrel economy, heartlessly destroying their investments every year? One thing we cannot learn from squirrels: how to safely cross the street. I'll be in my backyard today with the video camera trying to end my money worries. I never really thought about the sprouting acorn trees from that perspective. I always thought they were just forgetful, burying their nuts all over the yard and leaving me to pull the new spouts up come Spring. Touché squirrel, touché. What do I symbolize in their squirrel economy, heartlessly destroying their investments every year?

One thing we cannot learn from squirrels: how to safely cross the street.

I’ll be in my backyard today with the video camera trying to end my money worries.

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