This afternoon I did a very non-J.D. thing. I drove to Duniway Park here in Portland, and I timed myself to see how fast I can run a mile. After nearly six months of Crossfit and nearly 40 pounds lost, I decided it was time to see where things stood.
As an adult, I’ve been a non-athlete. Mostly, I’ve been a fat slug, sitting behind the computer all day long. (I spent nine hours in front of the computer yesterday, and that’s typical.) But as a kid, I was active. I played games with my friends, and when I was older, I played soccer and tennis and tried out for track. I had fun, but I never considered myself an athlete.
Lately, though, I’ve been surprised — in a good way — at some of the numbers I’ve put up when running at Crossfit. They’re not great numbers, but they’re much better than I ever thought I could achieve. I ran 5,000 meters in 25:25 recently, for example. So, I decided to see how fast I could run one mile.
According to my Garmin Forerunner 305 (which every runner in Portland seems to own), I finished one mile in 6:36.86. According to my stopwatch, my time was 6:47.12. The stopwatch is probably correct.
That’s not a world-class time by any means, but it’s not bad for a guy who weighed 213 at the start of the year, and who would get out of breath just walking up the hill to his office. (Plus, yesterday I did seven sets of 15 pushups without having to use my knees. And over the past two weeks, I’ve actually been lifting weights. Real weights! Will wonders never cease?)
Enough about my physical fitness! Let’s take a look at some personal-finance articles from around the web.
To start, here’s something light from The Economist. For those unfamiliar, The Economist is a weekly news mag with a global perspective (instead of being U.S.-centric) and a focus on financial stories. I think Trent at The Simple Dollar subscribes to The Economist, and after our trip to Europe, I subscribed too. Anyhow, their PR department contacted me today to mention their Economist magazine caption contest. There’s no great financial lesson here, but if you can come up with a silly caption for a silly photo, you may get your name in the next issue.
In actual personal-finance news, Kiplinger has a fascinating article from associate editor Elizabeth Ody, who asks, “Whose investment advice can you trust?” For those who aren’t aware, brokers have no fiduciary responsibility to their clients. That is, the advice they give you doesn’t have to be in your best interest. But Certified Financial Planners, for example, have a fiduciary requirement. Ody’s article explores all of the grey areas involved with financial advice. To me, it’s yet another reminder that nobody cares more about your money than you do.
And now some quick hits:
- Wise Bread has an article about how to never pay for another book. Their title is misleading, though. This is a fine intro to places you can buy free digital books, but you’re still going to have to pay for other books, especially recent releases.
- Free Money Finance runs down the reasons why he buys new cars. I’m generally an advocate of buying used. I bought my Mini used, and when I replace it, I’ll probably buy used again. However, as with the rent vs. buy debate, I don’t think there’s a clear answer here, and FMF makes good arguments for buying new.
- The Dough Roller has a nice guide to the best side-money gigs on Craigslist. This is a fine complement to my recent article on ways to make more money.
That’s it for now! Don’t forget that if you want to read more about physical fitness, you can always stop by Get Fit Slowly. I don’t post there as often as I should, but my friend Mac offers plenty of tips on diet and exercise.
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Oops. Accidentally deleted a short comment that had been routed to spam. As near as I can remember it: “It’s great that you’ve lost 40 pounds, J.D., but perhaps your fitness boasting can be done in another forum.”
Point taken. Kris thinks I talk way too much about my fitness here at home. Way too much. But the fact is, it’s the most dominant part of my life this year!
I’ll try not to make GRS into a fitness blog.
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JD, get it down to 6 minutes then add 2 more miles for a total of 3 miles in 18 minutes and you’ll have a perfect run score for the USMC’s physical fitness test.
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I, for one, don’t mind hearing about your fitness accomplishments. Geez, people. Besides, I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s any correlation between fiscal and bodily fitness.
That buying new cars article is kinda dumb. He rationalizes buying new cars because “he can afford it”. Terrible reason. Leave buying new to the terminally poor, take the money you save, and go on an awesome vacation, if you must spend it.
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Way to go, JD!!! It is NEVER enough to talk about one’s fitness, never, so go ahead, boast, you deserve it. In fact, this morning I took a group to the track, and I had a break of full 3 months away from speedwork. It shows, but we all are determined to get our paces back up.
I enjoyed your last post as well. Yes, you are human – aren’t we all. A good reminder. Also, finally came to my senses about spouses allowences, otherwise I am way too strict to my DH. So, thanks:)
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I think it’s great that you boast about your fitness. I find it inspiring. You are bragging cause you are proud of yourself – that’s fine. I’m athletic, play competitive tennis everyday – but I’m a few pounds overweight. If a self-professed couch potato such as yourself can get in that great of shape I ought to do better myself.
Did you read the article about buying new cars? No facts, just rationale for spending too much money.
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I borrowed a Garmin Edge 305 and tried it out today. I’d imagine it’s similar to your ForeRunner 305, except it’s bike-centric. It didn’t *quite* do what I wanted. Part of my bike rides tends to be on narrow roads through dense redwood forest, and so the GPS tends to lose its signal. At the end of my ride, it indicated I’d done 15.97 miles in 48 minutes while I was moving, over an elapsed time of 1 hour 16 minutes, on a 19.3 mile route. It seems to have lost about 3 miles and half an hour or so somewhere.
I’m considering getting a newer model that also has a more traditional odometer in it along with the GPS.
One thing not mentioned on that post about craigslist that I’ve noticed recently: lots of people sell firewood on Craigslist. Around here it goes for about $250-$300/chord, which isn’t nothing. But if you live on forested land, seems like it could literally be money growing on trees. Sure, you have to put in some manual labor cutting, splitting and hauling it, but it seems like people around here are willing to do it? That list seems biased against actual, manual-labor type work, though.
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@Tyler (#6)
Yeah, the GPS watches don’t do well in wooded areas. I remember from marathon training that when we’d run, say, 10 miles in a forest park, the watch would only clock about six because it kept losing the signal…
RE: FMF’s car post
Huh. When I first read it, I only noticed his actual reasons for choosing new, and not the rationalizations. Re-reading it after you guys pointed the rationalizations out, I see those instead.
As I said, I’m a used-car kind of guy. I do think there are some convincing arguments for buying new, depending on who you are. Kris, for example, should buy a new car when she gets one. Like FMF, she wants no hassles, she can afford it, she’ll buy carefully, and then she’ll drive her car into the ground. She’s had her current car for fifteen years, and it shows no signs of stopping. If you hold a car that long, the depreciation, well, depreciates.
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JD-
Way to go on the mile and on the pushups! I’m jealous, and I do run regularly.
It’s complement, not compliment, in the last paragraph.
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The Economist is the best newspaper in the world, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for intelligent and largely objective coverage of current events. Do not be mislead by the title, it isn’t all high finance–there is science, arts, and more than 150 years of global political perspective. Basically everything you need to know that you aren’t going to see on the local 10 o’clock news. And their business model is, I feel, the future of journalism. Don’t want to pay for journalism? That’s fine, you’ll always have ‘Time’ and ‘Newsweek’ and 100,000 blogs. It’s money well spent. ANYWAY, I don’t work for them. (I promise!) Just a champion of free and independent press, which is something that is and will be increasingly hard to find, at least here stateside. Moreover, in one year of subscribing, I’m sure you’ll have a better understanding of macroeconomics, which can only help you put the lessons you have learned here at Get Rich Slowly into perspective. I speak from experience, of course!
Sorry for the rant! I’ve been a loyal reader of GRS for about two years. This is one of the maybe 5 blogs I wouldn’t do without. This is my little 2 cents to all of you out there.
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Discussions about JD boasting aside – you spend $200 a *month* on the gym – If you weren’t seeing progress, you should be worried!
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Although I commend you on your physical fitness milestones, I am a bit weary perhaps your losing the weight pretty fast. Losing weight is one thing but maintaining it is another. Congrats on the weight loss its not easy!
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J.D., congrats. I, for one, enjoy hearing about your physical fitness progress right here. To me physical fitness and fiscal fitness are quite similar. Losing 40 lbs is like paying off your debt. Now you have got to maintain your fitness by maintaining your habits and routines and I expect you’ll find that maintaining your weight is not nearly as fun as losing it (which I find to be the case post debt).
Regarding FMF’s car post. I have a very astute financial person in my family and when he bought a new car I was shocked! How could he buy a new car when he is so smart with his money and investments. He explained, similarly, that he will keep the car 10+ and if you do so that initial depreciation hit doesn’t really matter.
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I think getting fit physically is a natural off-shoot of getting fit financially. What’s the point of saving for the future if you won’t be around to enjoy it? I for one don’t mind at all you talking about your fitness, and frankly a little surprised that Kris would make the comment you talk way too much about it.
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That run might not be a “world-class” time, but I get so excited when I manage an 11-minute mile. I couldn’t imagine flying along that fast.
And I don’t mind the physical fitness mentions at all – your progress this year has been inspiring.
On the other hand, I visit Get Fit Slowly from time to time, so maybe you should just post more often over there? Whatever works.
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The best way to get free books is to go to the library.
I agree with others – there is a case for buying a new car, but the FMF article doesn’t make it (at least not strongly). Still, all those people with their knee-jerk “buying new is for suckers” have blinders on.
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RE: JD #7
I’m not trying to be a pest, but I don’t understand the logic behind this statement:
“…she wants no hassles, she can afford it, she’ll buy carefully, and then she’ll drive her car into the ground. She’s had her current car for fifteen years, and it shows no signs of stopping.”
If she wants no hassles, why is she driving a 15 year old car? If she is perfectly comfortable driving a 15 year old car, shouldn’t she be at least as comfortable driving a two year old used car (with maintenance records, of course)?
I’m fine if people want to spend their own money on new cars, but when this topic comes up it just never seems like the new-car logic adds up. If one is so concerned about never having to repair their car that they won’t feel comfortable driving a two year old used car, then logically they should be replacing their own vehicle every two years.
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I think buying used is still a better idea. What happens if your new car does not last the 10+ years you intended to keep it for? Car accidents are hard to plan for, but are a reality.
I think you should keep us all posted on your physical fitness! I agree that physical fitness and fiscal fitness are similar. Plus, I would say that most americans, need to increase their physical activity. A little reminder in the form of your recent accomplishments is a great way to increase consciousness about fitness. Also, I’m a huge running enthusiast! If you are interested in seeing some more improvement in your run times, I would recommend signing up for a race. There are tons of races offered in the Portland area, in various distances (5k, 10k, etc.). Plus most races give you a t-shirt and food afterward
Keep up the great work!!
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WTG!
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I love running and can never talk enough about it! My PR for a mile is about 8:30 (at least in a 5K race, I’ve never timed myself on just a mile), but I’m a woman. There is a woman in my running group who can do sub-7 minute miles. She is my hero.
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I’m surprised by the anti fitness comments. I for one want to hear MORE about your fitness accomplishments. You’re spending a lot of time, money and energy toward a goal that is important to you and it’s inspiring to see that the hard work is paying off. Way to go JD!
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This is totally contrary to the popular vote, I realize, but I would also prefer to hear less about your weight loss. It seems to come up *very* frequently. And you do have Get Fit Slowly to post on, don’t you?
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As one who has been exercising regularly since my early 20′s, I was struck by the similarity between this post and your “about” page. Many of the basic personal finance truisms apply to fitness as well. ie practice not perfect, bit by bit etc. I’m not crazy about working out regularly, but it’s a habit that makes overall life really good!
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I actually am in the process of writing a post for another site about the use of mint. It has been amazing to see where my money goes and how to alter my trends.
The suggestion I will make you is to actually take the time to file all the transactions and make “rules” within mint, it then allows you to smoothly search and audit everything.
I use this as one entity for my business and personal finances and I’m sure it’s going to save me thousands in lost money to credit car bills and unneeded spending throughout the year.
The goals section really puts things into perspective and I would recommend you take advantage of that.
As with the linking account errors… Some of mine are always there, I’ve learned to deal with as it only effects my investment portion of mint.
Hope that helps!
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I don’t mind if you talk about fitness sporadically, its nice that you share your other challenges in life other than finances. You taught me that its never too late to change
As for buying new, I’ve had friends who bought used and ended up with a bunch of problems. Nothing wrong with buying new. My parents always bought new cars but they keep theirs until the cars die and buy new again.
As for the books, I’m getting tired of reading articles about getting books for free. There are good reasons for buying books, I don’t think its foolish to buy new. I hate being on a library’s waiting lists, I often reread my books, and I don’t have to worry about other peoples germs especially around flu season.
With a library’s books sometimes you don’t know if its water someone spilled on a book or a bodily fluid. And I like supporting writers that I like. Sometimes I find it hypocritical when PF writers write that we should use libraries and then they themselves publish a book about PF.
Not saying that you do this but its definitely a trend I notice among PF blogs. The best thing about buying any book is you can take it with you anywhere, you don’t have to worry about batteries running out, you can reread it and get something new from each reading.
Your imagination makes a world for the characters and a book can keep you entertained for hours, longer than a movie does. My version of harry potter is different from the movie version. And with your own books you can dog-ear your pages or keep the pages pristine with a bookmark.
Oh and with a book I don’t have to worry about kindle’s DRM or if Amazon might delete my notes of 1984. Sometimes there are good reasons to buy books and support artists.
I think there needs to be a post at GRS for why buying books can be a savvy decision.
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Holy crap, I’m in the Army and I can’t even run a mile that fast. Nice work!
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