Other Voices: Links for 3/28/08

Filed in archive Other Voices on March 28, 2008

© Modified Enzyme

Thoughts coming out of others' heads...

Selena Maranjian:

I happened upon the website of the Telegraph, heralding itself as "Britain's No.1 quality newspaper website." I read there that 37-year-old Cheryl Johnson underwent a kidney transplant, only to find herself somewhat transformed afterward. Not only was she healthier, but she was also a more refined reader. Whereas she used to read thrillers and pop-star biographies, she now opts for the likes of jane austen and Fyodor Dostoevsky. She explains: "You pick up your characteristics from your donor."

I've read of such changes before, but some may be apocryphal. The article noted a woman from America who used to be afraid of heights but ended up climbing mountains after a transplant, as well as a chocolate-hating lawyer who ended up eating Snickers bars.

So what can we investors do with this information? Well, it makes me imagine becoming a better investor - via a transplant.

Kara McGuire:

Behold, the Redbox. Initially I thought renting movies from a kiosk at McDonalds or a grocery story like Cub Foods was odd. Then I rented the Bee Movie and best picture, best director-winning No Country for Old Men for $1 each plus tax. Two new movies in my hands for cheap with only the punch of a few buttons? This is a fabulous invention.

Can I Get Rich on a Salary:

I'm a lot more willing and a lot better able to add things that are good for me than to subtract things that are bad for me. So in our personal finance, I'd much rather work on increasing our revenue than work on cutting our expenses.

That's probably why my concentration on the topic of frugality will probably always be less here than many other personal-finance blogs. I'm interested in it; I'll try; but I just won't pull it off at the same level.

This is too bad for me, because frugal is clearly hot.

Single Ma:

When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself...

Going backwards in rank and responsibility, even for more pay, is career suicide.

Thanks but no thanks.