Where do we draw the line in terms of who's responsible for protection? Do we expect the government to protect us from everything? 

Life is risky, and to an extent, each person is responsible for the risks they choose to subject themselves to. This brings up the question that at what point is the government overstepping or overreaching their authority in the name of “protecting the public.”

In today's episode, Virginia and I talk through the concerns I have with the status of the stock market, interest rates, inflation, and general economic climate of the US right now. It’s all accumulating to a point that’s making me feel very on edge. 

I have strong concerns about the stimulus payments that were sent to Americans because, as we express, some of us didn’t necessarily need the money and we feel it could have been applied differently to really help those who actually needed it. It all comes down to access, education, and the privilege to have those things.

Now, we’re collectively facing the repercussions of rates being too low for too long in combination with the infusion of trillions of dollars as stimulus - recession. 

The public will always spend money, although we may see a shift in purchasing trends. However, when seemingly excessive restrictions and regulations result in the suppression of free market will, we have a problem.

In this episode, listen for:

• My frustration around when good companies get destroyed by government overreach
• Looking back at the mid-pandemic market peaks
• “Is there ever a point where we hit zero?”

I’m constantly trying to find the balance between remaining informed and being oblivious. For now, it seems that watching the news is making me feel frazzled which is a signal that I do need to step away and get a fresh perspective. Thank goodness for the beach!

www.unlearningproject.org

“Why does it have to be that so much of your energetic years are committed to earning income or saving or working? ”

Society has ingrained in us that we have to work 50 weeks out of the year and only get two weeks off, but when you really think about it, that puts you on a path toward spending all your valuable time working, saving, and hustling instead of enjoying your life. 

In today’s episode, Virginia and I talk about Bill Perkins’s book, Die with Zero. In summary, Bill’s book operates off the premise that we work like dogs during the best years of our lives to accumulate a great deal of money but then never really spend it. 

We live in a fear-based society where productivity, packed schedules, and accumulation of wealth are valued above all else. Well, guess what - they don’t put your net worth on your tombstone, so what’s all that worry on building a nest egg actually worth?

Even if we reach retirement age with a healthy nest egg, we may find that we lack the physical and mental stamina to enjoy our newfound freedom. So, it’s time we all focus on enjoying the prime years of our lives a little more so and worry less about accumulating a random number in our investment portfolio. 

In this episode, listen for:

• Money is a tool for creating joy and happiness in our lives and in the lives of others 
• Your mind thinks of life as limitless and our years are numbered. You won’t be as able and agile 10 years from now as you are today.
• Why it makes sense to front load your money and resources now

There is no need to let the prospect of making and spending money frighten us into a state of financial restraint. Time is of the utmost value. Make the most of the time you have and steer clear of the all work & no play mentality. When you make a purchase of something, reveal that purchase, enjoy it to the max, and show guilt the door. 

Is your wealth going to outlive you? If so, what can you do to create joy in the lives of those you love right now, making the best use of your money possible while you’re here to take part in the memories. 

www.unlearningproject.org

 Bill Perkins’s book, Die with Zero

There are seasons of life in which all your energy, time, and mental space is taken up by your circumstances. The thing is, you probably don’t even realize you were in a bubble until you come out of it. One major “bubble” of life is the 20 year period in which you have kids, are driving your career forward, and are likely caring for or at least keeping an eye on your aging parents. 

Prior to having kids, we had a social life, ambitions, and even hobbies. But inside the bubble, our priorities are different and our own desires often get shuffled to the side. Sometimes the bubble consumes you so completely that it’s tough to keep up with world events, pop culture, or anything that doesn’t relate directly to our immediate family’s needs and wants.   

Comedian Bill Burr provided the inspiration for this conversation with his skit about The Bubble. Today, Virginia and I discuss our different phases of being in the bubble.

The common rhetoric of practicing gratefulness directly conflicts with our natural desire to compare ourselves with others. Who has it worse? Does it depend on income, the number of kids, the grandparents’ ability to help, working parents vs stay at home parents? Everything’s a comparison. 

The truth is, comparison and seemingly selfish thoughts are your brain’s natural tendency toward survival mode. It’s natural to look toward others as a gauge - are you doing better or worse?  

Only your scenario is occupying your brain’s attention. It’s natural to think you’d handle a situation better than someone else. Our ability to understand what someone else is going through is limited by our own experience and true sympathy typically doesn’t surface until we experience something equally as tough. 

In this episode, listen for:

• It does not diminish the impact your condition is having on your life and mental health, even if someone else in the world is in a worse situation [13:38] 

• It's a natural instinct to keep moving forward and believe that things will get better to keep you from going down the rabbit hole of despair [27:32]

• You must be aware of where you are in your life's journey and of your personal ambitions [38:31] 

“The Bubble” concept becomes most apparent at the mid-life point. Once your kids are grown, it’s possible you find yourself looking back, wondering what happened to the original goals you set for yourself in your 20s. 

At this point, it’s useful to redefine what some call a mid-life crisis. Although some go about it the wrong way, mid-life is often a great time to reevaluate your lifestyle, goals, and ambitions. This is typically the point at which you’re exiting the bubble and finally have the mental space and energy to refocus on your desires in life. Are those things from your 20’s still important? It’s okay for goals to fade away, become irrelevant, or change. 

www.unlearningproject.org