Life has been super busy lately and I’ve also been tired. When I’m exhausted, I lose what little creativity I have. I tried to write something for today, but my heart wasn’t in it. So today, I give you a Greatest Hits post. Wait, don’t click away!
I agree that whenever an artist puts out a greatest hits album, it’s a lazy money grab. Bah! I don’t want to completely sell out, so, I added some embellishment. Today, I present you with my favorite posts, but I also added backstory.
My Philosophy on Money
When I started this blog, I was running away from a bad situation. My resolution was to run towards a big pile of money. And that’s it. How vapid. How shallow.
What I have since realized is that money is just a facilitator. A big pile of cash doesn’t lead to happiness. In some cases, it leads to ruin.
While my journey started out as a superficial experiment to accumulate a certain amount of money and quit my job, I soon realized that a million dollars wasn’t the real goal at all. My Philosophy on Money has completely changed…
Enough
I am far from perfectly adjusted. Sometimes, I talk all high and mighty, but I still have stupid desires. Like a high-school boy, I still drool a little when I see certain cars. Hello Acura NSX!
Realizing and accepting your level of Enough is powerful. I know that I have Enough now, but I still can’t quite quash the silly desires. I haven’t succumbed to them either though.
4% Rule
I received a nasty email a while ago from some dude telling me that my life would end in disaster if I dared follow the 4% Rule. I disagreed, so I wrote a post about it. There have been no fewer than a zillion posts about the 4% Rule, but how many include Komodo Dragons, sexually transmitted diseases and the awful rock band KISS? Only here at 1500 Days baby.
Frugalwoodstock
When I first discovered the Frugalwoods, they had a tiny audience. This was the first post I read from them and it has less than ten comments. However the post was great and so were the pictures. I knew that they were going to be huge someday. And now they are.
I’ve been thrilled to work with the Frugalwoods on more than one occasion. While writing a post for them, I came up with the idea of Frugalwoodstock. I have no idea if there will ever actually be a Frugalwoodstock, but if there is, I’ll be first in line to buy a ticket.
See you soon?
Writing is tricky business. On a very good day, I can come with five post ideas in twenty minutes. Other days; nothing. Other weeks; nothing.
There is one thing that I know deep down and it is this; I’ll never force it. I could, but what fun is that? Not for me or for you.
I’m sure this will pass. That’s all for now though.
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Kudos for pushing through the fatigue! I’ve been struggling a bit lately, too. But I’m hoping it will pass after the holidays. At least I have my gift-free Christmas to look forward to 😉 Oh, and I’m still down to help produce Frugalstock.
Frugalwoodstock would be awesome! Can you sign U2 or Pantera to play it? OK, the latter may not be a good fit…
I love a greatest hits album! But you provide value even on your B side. Happy holidays and here’s to a happier 2017.
My B side, ha! I have so many unreleased posts…
Nothing wrong with slowing down a bit in the last few weeks of the year. A few of the bigger blogs have even taken a hiatus. My guess is after the holidays the ideas will start flooding. The holiday tends to be such a distraction. For now a greatest hits post with a great summary is not a bad way to go. I’ve never viewed them as a cash grab, I see at as more of keeping a schedule of publish while writers can spend the extra time making other items that much better.
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I’ve had a similar feeling recently. The combo of the busyness of work and the holiday activities has kept me from focusing. Enjoy the time away.
Brian @ Debt Discipline recently posted…What You Need to Know About Reverse Mortgages
Maybe that is it; just too much going on…
Take a good break and enjoy the holidays and spend time with your family. All the best wishes for 2017!
Thanks RocDoc! Same right back at ya’ for 2017!
I think we all have days/weeks/months like that. We still love reading the ol’ blog, Mr. 1500. 🙂 OMG Frugalwoodstock should be a thing! I read their blog as well, so that’s pretty neat!
Mrs. Picky Pincher recently posted…What A Frugal Weekend!
I’ve been feeling the crunch of the business of the season too, lately. Enjoy the end of the year!
P.S. I can play a mean (and be mean I mean moderate) ukulele! Put me on the roster at Frugalwoodstock!
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Ukelele! I like Eddie Vedder’s album! You’ll be opening for U2. Cool?
Nothing wrong with slowing down a bit, especially around the holidays! Thanks for sharing the posts, some good stuff to check out!
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Nice collection of greatest hits Carl! The 4% rule post has to be my favorite!
Enjoy your break! In the meantime, all your readers should come over to my site. 😉
Take it easy for a few days. I’m sure you’ll be back in no time. I was having a hard time coming up with ideas earlier this year too. Revamping and reposting an old post works too. Happy holidays!
Hope you get more time and ideas to write again soon. Don’t end up like me and take several month breaks.
Ha ha, how about several years? 🙂
I remember Tim Ferriss talking about how depression rates are higher with those who work in creativity, because there’s an inevitable difficulty in looking at a blank page every day and realizing you have to create, create, create. The process is both inspiring and deflating, because no matter what, when you finish, there’s that blank page again.
A break, especially around the holiday season, is a good thing. Never force yourself (unless you are in a workout) when there is no motivation. There simply is no point.
Still love that “come of your high horse”, very funny.
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Nice taste in cars. I still remember as a teenager in the 90s watching a former Washington Redskins player drive the car and thinking that is the hottest car. So like you I’d love to get one but unfortunately it’s a little out of the budget 🙂
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…aaaand we’ll be waiting for you Mr 🙂
I have the opposite problem, too much I want to write about and too little time. First half of 2017 looks already uber-busy so even less time to write 🙁
Mr. RIP recently posted…80%
Thanks! I just wasted half of my lunch hour watching videos about komodo dragons on YouTube! 🙂
They are badasses!
Ah good old writer’s block. Some days there is verbal diarrhea gushing out at a rate that would make Old Faithful jealous. Other days, oh those other days. Anyone who thinks that a blank sheet of paper could not star in a horror movie has never suffered a moment of writer’s block. On those dark days when words abandon me I remember what Douglas Adams said “Writing is easy. You only need to stare at a piece of blank paper until a drop of blood forms on your forehead.”
I had not read your 4% post before. It was a most excellent read. Chuckles on a Monday morning? Yes please and thank you.
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Hard to explain, but it isn’t just writers block. Lately, I feel like I should be moving on to something else entirely. No matter what, I’d keep the blog going until my 50/50 update. I owe everyone that. However, I everything should have an end date. It just makes the project better. I’d rather leave something on the table than be clawing the floor for crumbs.
Or maybe, I’m just exhausted and I’ll return to normal form after a couple nights of good rest.
I’m rooting for the exhaustion hypothesis. The other one makes me sad. I understand, but it makes me sad and it _is_ the season to be f-ing jolly.
Way to many blogs end up stopping once they reach FIRE. We need more blogs about the joy of life afterwards, so I hope you keep going, even if it’s less regular.
I really have enjoyed writing. While it was my plan to quit once I hit the 1500 day mark, now I’m not sure. I actually wrote what I thought was going to be my last post over a year ago. I’ll publish it, but after that…
Awe, thanks Mrs. BITA. I need to take a couple good hikes over the holiday and do some thinking.
You just wrote your “Start Here” page! Copy and paste into your nav, pal! 🙂 Sending lots of warm holiday wishes to you guys! Here’s to a restful and relaxing holiday.
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I personally prefer when bloggers write what they want, when they are inspired, rather than just try to stick to a regular schedule and churn out less than heartfelt posts, or get repetitive.
You have great talent and blogs are supposed to be fun and art, not a job or a chore.
No one will unsubscribe.
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As Frankie says, RELAX
‘Enough’ applies to your creative output too you know – understand when you need to recharge your batteries
Enjoy the holidays and the snow in CO with you’re family
Loving your honesty here! I think time away makes for better posts in the upcoming weeks. You’re not losing any readers – doesn’t matter when you post, we’ll be back. Off to fight with the hubby about the thermostat setting 😉
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I think the Half Frugal Prince was one of the first posts I read on here. I could never ever pay for cable ever again. I thought I was going to die laughing. And Sponge Sister pants something or other, you are so clever. This was the first personal finance blog I found/read and the only one I still follow. Happy Christmas! Merry New Year!
Awe, thanks Karen. I’m glad you stuck around; especially since there are many more worthy blogs out there. Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you and yours.
You absolutely deserve a well-earned break.
But …… I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE YOUR EPIPHANY POST!
I know that the Chaquatua series was supposed to be a 3-parter … I hope this isn’t like one of those movies that sets up for a sequel that never happens and we’re just left wondering ….
Have a great holiday season – everyone will still be here when you feel passionate about writing again
Awe, thanks man. The epiphany post (part 3) and hte other one are coming. Maybe before the year is up…
Agreed! I was hoping the posts were scheduled and keep checking back.
Well another vote for at least posting every once in a while after you FIRE. There is Hope in seeing people get there. There is also hope in seeing them enjoy it. I enjoyed the 4% rule post. And yes, Komodo Dragons are bad to the bone.
I enjoy your site, and at the same time, I’d say that if it’s coming to a natural end, that’s not a bad thing. You started 1500days.com to meet a specific internal need, and as a result of it, maybe you’ve cultivated other ways to meet that need.
Don’t let this site become bad wolf food. 🙂
It seems like after I retired, I have should have more time, but my day gets filled with ‘life’ very quickly. It is a lot mor efun than work.