About

What is My Life ROI?

My Life ROI is a blog written for those of us who feel that we are being bombarded with messages that bear expectations that are often times unattainable or not viable. These expectations relate to every aspect of our life. This blog will mainly revolve around:

Personal Finance
Education
Career
Traveling
Social Interaction
Personal Relationships
& Comics!

As you can see from the clear emphasis above, I mainly consider this blog one in the personal finance arena. However, I also consider it a fusion of many different principles that effect our finances. My goal is to promote the core tenets of responsible personal finance while not overlooking all of the other factors. The main goal of having our finances in order is to attain happiness, thus we must have an all-encompassing viewpoint.

As a community, we can discuss any topics which impede or promote happiness, though.

Why the name?

ROI is typically looked at in terms of business. What is the return on investment? Many people fall into this trap and look at everything through ROI goggles (much like beer goggles… except much more depressing). I once had a friend in high school who opted to not go tubing down the river one nice summer day because of the opportunity cost (of a highschool job?!). He is the definition of falling into this trap as he assessed the situation in only monetary terms. What did he miss out on? A group of friends towards the end of their high school days spending the whole day together before heading off in different directions. Years later I still have not seen a few of them and I am happy we got that last day of fun in.

ROIE, a Return on your Invested Effort
ROIT, a Return on your Invested Time
ROIF, a Return on your Invested Feelings
ROIC, and of course, a Return on your Invested Capital

Just ROI_, what is the return on your total life? When you are 80 will you be able to quantify the return of half your decisions? I hope not.

Who am I?

I am a male who is still in my 20′s living in the North East United States. I am a graduate of a top 25 business program. I graduated with a Supply Chain & Marketing double degree with a GPA of 3.8. I was an officer of the club for my major. I worked throughout college except for 1 semester to ensure that I would graduate with $0 debt as I wanted to ease the burden on my parents.

I interviewed with Fortune 100 companies, consulting companies, small companies, etc. Factors that came into play: Industry, Relocation, Expected Hours/week, Responsibility, Benefits, Vicinity to my family and friends.

In the end I chose to work for a Fortune 500 company that is a consumer goods manufacturer and distributor. This job was the right fit for me. I have a location I enjoy, the ability to see my family and friends all the time, a lot of responsibility, a dynamic environment, and the pay is right. I also am looking at going back for my MBA now that I have been out of school for some time and they have a good education assistance program. Did I turn down a lot of money by not going with some other offers? You betcha!

BALANCE.

How do you handle the conflicting expectations?

A lot of contemplation. That’s pretty much it. I read a lot of career blogs and personal finance blogs, and unfortunately, a lot preach extreme measures sometimes. Do you really want to take a date to a buffet WITH a coupon to save $30 on a real date (yes, I know compounded yearly this winds up being $100′s ya frugal extemist!)? My first thought is always “wow if I follow this advice I will save $100′s per year!” But then after contemplating the idea and reasoning it out I realize that the happiness I derive from that item is worth far more than that. What you will not see on this blog: Entertainment/Spontaneous budgets of $15/month.

…Why comics?

Good question. My girlfriend draws them and I always get a good chuckle at them for their play on words or light-hearted view on stereotypes. Hopefully you too will get a good laugh every Friday morning! Because she makes the comics I have watermarked them with this sites information. Leave some comments to let her/myself know if you like them!