Site Information
- May 31, 2008
Welcome To 99 Changes
I’m NCN and for the past three years, I’ve been writing about personal finance, producing a personal finance podcast, organizing an online personal finance community, and tracking my attempts at weight loss.
After spending a lot of time writing about personal finance, I’ve come to the following conclusion - I need to apply the lessons I’ve learned about personal finance to the rest of my life. Thus, 99 Changes was born.
The Concept:
99 Changes will chronicle my progress as I work to improve several areas of my life. I’ve created a list of changes - 99 in fact - that I would like to make.
Each day, I’ll write about a new change. If all goes well, in a little over 3 months, I’ll have made some very substantial progress and radically improved several areas of my life.
The Plan:
The 99 Changes concept will span all five of my sites. When I make a personal finance change, I’ll write about it over at No Credit Needed. When I make a change involving my health, I’ll write about it over at No. Calories Needed. But, I’ll also write about all of the changes, here, at 99 Changes. And, I have several changes that I want to make that have nothing to do with personal finances or weight loss. Those changes will be written about, exclusively, here at 99 Changes.
The Goals:
Clearly, my primary goal is to change several areas of my life. But, I also hope to connect with other readers and bloggers who are looking to change their lives. And, before anyone reads too much into the concept, I’m a basically happy guy. I like my life, I love my wife and kids, and I’m happy with my job. But, there are certain areas of my life that need a little - or a lot - of work. Here at 99 Changes, I can go beyond the scope of my personal finance blog and I can, quite literally, write about any topics that are important to me.
I hope that you will feel free to leave comments, with suggestions, thoughts or questions. And, it would be awesome if you would subscribe to the 99 Changes RSS Feed.
I’m really excited about 99 Changes. I’ve been thinking about this concept for a long time. Some of the areas I’ll focus on will include, but will not be limited to - diet, exercise, finances, education, spiritual growth, networking, and organization. Some of the changes will be minor but a few will be very, very major. I hope you’ll stay tuned to see how well I do!
15 Responses to “Welcome To 99 Changes”
Very cool concept. I’ll be watching! Good luck.
By fivecentnickel.com on Jun 1, 2008
Wow, I’m impressed! I can’t imagine setting off with such a huge set of goals! I think the reason it’s so hard for me to change is that I try to do too much at once and end up unable to focus on any one thing. Good luck to you! I’ll be following your progress and looking for just a few things I can try!
By Wendy on Jun 2, 2008
I’m impressed. I’ve tried to give up soda several times, and I’m getting ready to try again. It’s tough, though!
Best of luck. I’ll be watching (and hopefully gaining lots of inspiration from) your progress!
By Lynnae on Jun 2, 2008
What a fantastic idea! I can’t wait to see all your changes come to pass over time, good luck!
By DebtDieter on Jun 2, 2008
Friendly suggestion. I believe that it takes 3 months to make a change a habit. Maybe in your writings you can speak about the changes, the struggles to stay true to the changes and the habits that have been created from your determination.
Good Luck - Great Idea!
By Dedicated on Jun 2, 2008
I’ve been reading NCN for months now. I enjoy and recommend it highly to everyone who spends any time at the computer, as well as our ezine.
You’ve been a fine example of the rhetorical question, “How do you eat and elephant?”. For those of you who haven’t heard it, it’s “One bite at a time.” There’s no other way to achieve confidence in your ability to change than one victory at a time. What a stupid system! However, that’s the way it works.
Your inspiration and positive attitude have helped me start working towards some goals I had but had trouble tackling. I’ve started to get up early, am learning more about web design (have designed 5 sites now), begun a consistent exercise routine, and lost 10 pounds with 5 more to go.
As you say, my life is good, now I want to do some refining. The great thing about having something approaching a well-ordered life is; when there’s an emergency, you can drop everything and handle it, your world won’t fall apart if you have to take 2 days off. It’s great mental insurance if your finances are stable, your health and outlook are good, your home is in relatively good order, etc.
Good for you, and good for us we have you.
Lisa
By Lisa on Jun 2, 2008
You’ve inspired me! I am officially removing the word “like” from my vocabulary, except when describing comparisons! It’s annoying and low-brow, and I refuse to do it anymore!
By Nicole on Jun 2, 2008
Wow! I’m a huge fan of NCN, and this sounds like a really exciting project! I also love the concept of making major changes in increments! Can’t wait to see how this pans out!
By otherdeb (Deb Wunder) on Jun 2, 2008
Great idea for a site! I wanted to take a second to share something else I think is a great idea.
I just finished reading James Arthur Ray’s newest book, Harmonic Wealth, and I had to share this concept he has that I think makes so much sense: LIVING FROM THE OUTCOME (Page 322). James says that most people live toward the outcome, meaning you are living like you don’t have it yet. He says you should shift your thinking so that you are LIVING FROM THE OUTCOME and thus sending out the energy to the world that you already have it. Think, feel, and act like you’ve already made it and the universe will say “Your wish is my command.”
For me, that meant acting like I was more valuable as an individual – acting like a $500 a day earner instead of a $150 a day earner (no more reality TV marathons!) and acting like a thin and fit woman instead of a slightly overweight and sometimes lazy woman (goodbye Ranch Doritos!). Honestly, in the two weeks since I put down the book, things have started changing. And I think it really comes down to that one concept.
Check out the Harmonic Wealth site and link to the book: harmonicwealth.com/read
- A James Ray Fan
By James Ray Fan on Jun 3, 2008
Just finished listening to the podcast and heard about the new site.
I gave up soda a while ago for health reasons and found out that it was a struggle at first, but now I do not miss it. I have one every once in a while, but I had to come to the point where I did not want it or miss it before I could drink one again.
I drink more water now than ever before.
You can do it, just like you did when you got out of debt!
By tlange on Jun 11, 2008
This is a great idea. Now coming up with the will power may be another thing. I have made good progress at my financial changes, but I still can’t kick the coke/pepsi habit even though I know good an well it is sabotaging my diet.
I wish you luck!
By madsow on Jun 11, 2008
Love this idea! And what a great way to keep yourself on track towards accomplishing your goals!
I wish you the best!!!
By Susan on Jun 11, 2008
NCN, great idea for a site! Sort of reminds me of the 43things.com website, but why use them when you can build your own community around your own site.
Good luck, I’ll be checking in to see how you’re getting on.
By William Stewart on Jun 14, 2008