Thank you!

Best of thoughts. Radman

Here’s what happens: You own Stock A, Stock B, Bond C, Other Investment D, having one quarter of your money in each. Over the course of a year, Stock A goes through the roof; stock B lags; Bond C stays the same and OID goes up a little. Now your balance is messed up; you have 50% of your money in Stock A, 30% in D, and only 20% in everything else. When you rebalance, you sell some of the hot stuff (sell high) and buy some of the not so hot (buy low) so that your overall allocation returns to 25%ea. This protects you if A crashes down the road; you’re only 25% invested instead of 50% or more. It also helps you out when B recovers, since you bought a bunch while it was cheap. Basically, it keeps you from having too many eggs in one basket should the worst happen, assuming you’re sufficiently diversified in your investments.

1. Have you read ‘Leaving Microsoft to change the world’? By the founder of Room to Read, and a fantastic book.

2. If you haven’t bought Rosetta Stone yet, don’t bother — Livemocha.com is essentially the same thing, and completely free. (at least check it out and compare!)

3. On taking off your shoes: I moved to Japan last year and this has become second nature to me. It really makes ZERO sense to wear shoes indoors. I don’t know if Kris does most of the cleaning? But not wearing shoes inside dramatically reduces the amount you need to wash floors. Hint: here in Japan, everyone wears slip-on shoes to make life easier, since you have to take shoes off EVERYWHERE (schools, offices, temples, homes, etc).

4. Travel to SE Asia: I think a lot of old people travel to SE Asia if they are in good health, and they get a real kick out of it. I kind of think maybe they need the excitement of exotic destinations more than younger people do.

5. Skydiving: do it!!! I did it last year after wanting to for nearly my whole life. I hated it, but I’m glad it’s done.

Good luck, and happy birthday!!!

And happy belated!

Yes, that’s right, pick up that broom, mop and Dyson to keep it clean. You will understand why it is important to remove your shoes

Either way, Good Luck!

Re: learning Spanish, this time. Have you ever tried the Pimsleur method? I taught myself basic Dutch using this method, and it worked really well. I found the CDs at the library, so learning was free for me.

I also really like Coffee Break Spanish. I used to speak Spanish well, but years of not practicing have me rusty. The podcast seems fabulous for beginning learners and is pretty decent for me to practice and acquire a bit of new vocabulary.

Anyway, my solution is this. I take off my shoes when I come in the house (less dirt and less need to vacuum/sweep). Then, I put on a pair of house shoes/slippers. These are slip ons so that I don’t have to worry about too much tieing and untieing. My feet stay warm, the floors stay much cleaner, and we’re all happier for it.

I’m inclined to side with Pamela on this. There’s value of letting of goals. Or at least some kinds of goals.

I also think it’s odd to equate throwing a dinner party with learning a new language.

I try not to set goals that have nothing to do with who I am at this moment. If I can’t make the time this week to enroll in a language class, I don’t see a desire to learn a new language as something that can be considered a goal. Wants always outstrip resources. Whether the resource is money or time.

I make new year’s resolutions for goals I can achieve over the next year but start right away. I try not to think further ahead than one year (except my professional life and my finances). Even my financial goals are usually based on things I am doing right now. Overpaying my mortgage etc…. Personal desires aren’t goals until I put something on my calendar and start.

This is why I always end up starting my new years resolutions in December or November. Because if you really want to do something, start doing it! If you want to go whitewater rafting, call a company and book it. If you want to throw a dinner party, start calling your friends.

If you can’t prioritize the time or the money, is that really a goal?

J.D.’s note: I see the differentiation you’re making, and understand how it might be useful in your life. But to me, this is drawing and unnecessary distinction. Yes, it’s still my goal to learn Spanish, even if I don’t have a concrete plan for it at this very moment. It’s not any less of a goal just because the time horizon is further out than, say, running a marathon. I don’t have any concrete details about how I’m going to volunteer, either, but it’s absolutely a goal for me right now. Maybe one of my top goals. In fact, just last night I grilled a woman over the work she’d done overseas. I’m gathering information. I’m deciding my priorities. Just because I don’t have an action plan, doesn’t mean it’s not a goal!

I really think if you fill up your life with wishes for some day, even if that some day is in two years, you miss the chance to be completely happy today.

In regards to Taking a hot air balloon ride, if you crew for a local company a few times you should be able to get a free ride (as opposed to $200 or whatever the going rate in Portland is). crewing is lot of fun and you get to meet lots of awesome people. Hot-air balloonists are known for being a bit crazy…though not as crazy as skydivers!

To change the topic completely…if you want to consolidate all of your data in one place, check out Drobo (datarobotics.com). They are a bit pricey but they give you lots of room to expand how much space you need. They also serve as a back up (as long as you have multiple drives installed).

http://marianne-elliott.com/courses/30-days-of-yoga/

She’s awesome, low-stress, not judgey or gimmicky.