A Dream Disclosed

We were nominated for the Liebster award, a gesture of goodwill for new bloggers. Hannah at Unplanned Finance so graciously nominated us, saying “I appreciate the advice that they give on intentional living, and I think it’s pretty cool that we both read a book by Randy Alcorn (a not that famous author) that has influenced our view of money and financial management.” We think that’s a pretty cool connection, too. Many thanks for the nomination, Hannah!

The nomination comes with a list of questions to answer, which is fun because we might not normally share some of these random facts otherwise. Be sure to check out the last question for the disclosure of our little known dream. And then we give our nomination at the end. 

#1: How did you decide on the name of your blog?

Neil plucked the phrase from Proverbs 13:7: “There is one who pretends to be poor, but has nothing. Another pretends to be poor, but has great wealth.” This describes the financial options available to most people well. We love the idea of living below our means, a.k.a pretending to be poor, so we can do something more useful with our money than inflating our lifestyle.

#2: Where does your blogging inspiration come from?

We started the blog because people kept asking us personal finance questions, and a friend encouraged us to start making our tips available in a blog. We felt we had something unique to offer because our motivation is not simply monetary. Our goal isn’t to retire early or get rich, but to have the flexibility to spend our resources on what is most valuable and enjoyable to us, and helpful to others. The wisdom about money found in the Bible also inspires us. Its principles aren’t about following religious rules, but about “being rich in every way” (2 Corinthians 9:11), living a fulfilled, well-rounded life that is more about people than money.

#3: What is it that you love most about blogging?

We love interacting with others who are interested in making good use of their money & time, whether they are very like-minded or have different views or goals. Also, writing is a great outlet that helps us better formulate our ideas and methods, while hopefully helping others do the same. The very best is when someone shares with us how the blog has helped them in a real way.

#4:  What is your favorite food?

We both love Thai & Indian food.

#5: What is your favorite thing to drink?

Fresh carrot juice (Neil) or mango lassi (both).

#6: What is an item you cannot live without?

Kalie: Chapstick. I’m a total addict.

Neil: I’m ashamed to say, my iPhone.

#7: What are eleven random facts about yourself?

1. We both subscribed to Zillions magazine (Consumer Reports for kids) as children.
2. We both teach Bible studies regularly (Which is one reason we don’t write about “side hustling.” We’re too busy volunteering!)
3. We lived in our friends’ basement for a year to save money, then bought a home on their street.
4. Our Ford Focus has 180,000 miles on the original clutch. (Don’t worry, we have a car fund.)
5. We turned our 2 backyard maple trees into a sugar bush.
6. We raise backyard chickens.
7. Neil’s seen the inside of a nuclear reactor.
8. Neil went on a short-term missions trip to India 2 years ago and Kalie is going next week!
9. Kalie loves dancing.
10. Neil loves biking.
11. Neil saw the Northern Lights for the first time this summer.

#8. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

We really want to stay near our friends and family, though it’d be fun to live somewhere exotic. But we do hope to someday own more land with some woods.

#9. If you could meet anyone from history, alive or dead, who would it be?

Kalie: Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Neil: Louis Zamperini.

#10. What is your favorite outdoor activity?

Kalie: Sitting around a camp fire with friends.

Neil: Backpacking.

#11. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

We’d love to someday buy a shared home with our best friends, own more land, and set up a kind of farm co-op where we’d have at-risk students work as interns and receive spiritual mentoring. But that’s just a dream right now, so for the next 5 years we’ll be working to prepare for such a goal, or whatever else God may have for us.

And the nominee!

I nominate Ohio Farm Girl from the blog Adventures in the Good Land. She left the corporate world early on to become a farmer and gives a knee-slapping, rip-roaring account of her farming experiences. Check out her story about leaving her fancy, boring city life for “The Good Land” here.