About You #7


39 Comments
Hello My Name Is Beowulf

Monday greetings!… two words that should probably never appear together. Hope your weekend was swell. Joanna and I had a half-weekend getaway that consisted of 34 hours away sans Baby Girl, 16 hours driving, and 3 hours of glorious live music. We’ll tell you all about it and the juicy financial details later this week.

I know this is About You, but give me a couple more sentences and then I’ll shut up. We’ve been typing words for AOL’s DailyFinance, so if you’re interested, you can check out our most recent articles here:

Here. We. GO!

  1. What was your high school mascot? And could it kill a bear?
  2. What’s your desktop background image?
  3. Define your personal finance experience: rookie, novice, graduate, veteran.
  4. Choose one: Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves.
  5. What topic(s) would you like to see covered on OFB?

We’ll start.

Johnny

  1. Panther. I’m pretty sure one of those black cats could deliver a bear beat-down.
  2. It’s a photo of me and my mini-elephant.
  3. Graduate from the School of Hard Knocks. Cue mashup of Jay Z rapping and Dave Ramsey ranting about credit cards.
  4. Shooot. What’s the criteria? Acting skills? Hair? Fake southern accent? Terrible question. I’m just going to assume that by choosing one, the other would no longer be able to grace us with another award-winning acting performance, effective immediately. In which case… I go with Keanu.
  5. A great question that deserves answering by someone other than its author.

Joanna

  1. It was a Husky, which I didn’t realize was a type of dog until rival students barked at me my sophomore year. And bear wins.
  2. This photo from April… which reminds me, I’ve gotta update that.
  3. Graduate, but only because I’m riding Johnny’s coattails and holding on for dear life.
  4. Nicolas Cage, of course! Because even his most serious roles are unintentionally hilarious.
  5. Organization topics. Because if it’s on the blog, that means maybe I’ve finally figured it out.

There are your Q’s. Now give us some A’s.

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39 Comments

  • Reply Gin November 11, 2013 at 8:08 am

    1. Marauders (ugh)…. And hmmm…I think they could handle a bear
    2. Peaceful blue water….boring maybe, but can keeps everything neat and orderly 😉
    3. Novice…..but should be expert! I won’t reveal my age, but let’s just say not old enough to be your Mom, more like a much older big sister…. Never too late to finally get a grip on finances though….right?!
    4. Keanu….. He’s cuter.
    5. Would LOVE to see you each channel Oprah and do some FAVORITE THINGS lists!

    • Reply Johnny November 11, 2013 at 11:45 pm

      3. No reason to fret much older big sister! There’s never a bad time to get finances in order.
      5. Great idea, thanks!

  • Reply Kali @ CommonSenseMillennial November 11, 2013 at 8:51 am

    1. What was your high school mascot? And could it kill a bear?
    Yellow Jackets. And I guess, if there were enough of them, they could kill anything.
    2. What’s your desktop background image?
    Right now, a symbol of the Tree of Gondor. From Lord of the Rings. Because I am a HUGE NERD.
    3. Define your personal finance experience: rookie, novice, graduate, veteran.
    I believe I could be considered a graduate. Need more time livin’ life until I can be considered a vet.
    4. Choose one: Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves.
    Yikes. Uh. Nic Cage, I reckon. He’d be more entertaining.
    5. What topic(s) would you like to see covered on OFB?
    You guys already cover it all! I really enjoy the 50 States posts, though – I’m looking forward to more of those.

    Hope you guys have a great week!

    • Reply Johnny November 11, 2013 at 11:55 pm

      1. Heck yeah they could.
      2. I never got around to the LOTR books. But Joanna approves big time.

      And a swell week to you, too!

  • Reply Kasey @ Debt Perception November 11, 2013 at 9:23 am

    1. Demon. Hell yes it could kill a bear!
    2. An image that came with my computer…golden/brown metallic-y panels?
    3. I’m going to add myself to a level between novice and graduate. I can’t consider myself a graduate until I’m credit card debt free but I’m definitely not a novice.
    4. Keanu Reeves. Nicolas Cage is like Nickelback of the movie industry, sorry Joanna.
    5. I like Joanna’s idea of organization. I’m at a loss for my own ideas.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:00 am

      2. Sounds… metallic-y.
      4. Hahaha. Yes, yes, YES! Couldn’t have said it better.

  • Reply J.Mill November 11, 2013 at 9:24 am

    First of all, thanks again for using my answers in your 50 States/Indiana post. My dad and husband both said they enjoyed visiting your blog to see what people say about our home state! Can’t wait for Illinois 🙂

    1) A warrior could probably kill a bear. Vikings, The Huns, Tom Hardy…
    2) It used to be all black and then IT gave me a new computer with a leaf background. I guess I stop scroogin’ and keep it.
    3) Probably graduate.
    4) Keanu. Better hair.
    5) I’m with Kali and Gin. I love everything you guys post, but maybe some Fav Things would be fun to read!

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:10 am

      Absolutely! And thank you for contributing. We’ve had a blast learning about everyone’s homes.

      1. Yeah, I’d feel pretty good about my chances against a bear if I was traveling with a Warrior. Especially if it was Xena: Warrior Princess.
      4. It’s all about the hair.

  • Reply Miranda November 11, 2013 at 9:56 am

    1) The Bullfrogs. School is near a lake and “Lake” is in the town’s name. Lots-o-frogs around. Pretty sure we were/are the only Bullfrogs in the country. The bear will live to see another day.
    2) Generic black and gray swirly things.
    3) Between novice and graduate; About a month away from being debt free (woo hoo!) and getting closer to doing some of those “grown-up” things like buying life insurance and investing. Oh the days of frosted cereal and Saturday morning cartoons!
    4) Keanu. The Matrix. The One. Sorry Nic. No contest.
    5) I love your He Says/She Says posts. Also gifs. I love a good gif. Lists (with or without bullet points). Photos of kittens. The recipe for calorie free vegetable juice that tastes just like a Pumpkin Spice Latte. But for realsies, maybe a post about more in-depth stuff like what to expect when setting up a mutual fund/401k/IRA. Foreign territory for me but it’s right around the corner so I’d love a preview and maybe some tips about what to watch out for/avoid/run screaming from?

    P.S. Love y’alls stuff. Also I regularly swoon over your baby’s cheeks. Every time I read one of your posts, I pull my husband over and tell him we better have a baby with cheeks like that, or else….

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:16 am

      3. Soo close! Soo awesome!
      4. Yeah, Neo totally factored into my decision, too. Also Speed.
      5. I’m actually cool with all of your not-realsies suggestions. Joanna will probably need to cover the Pumpkin Spice Latte one, but I could probably handle the rest. But the mutual fund/401k/IRA stuff will be coming. Sooon.

  • Reply Kelly November 11, 2013 at 10:03 am

    1. a Skipper… aka a sailor, we just went by TONKA a shorter version of our schools name. A bear would for sure win.
    2. Slideshow of beaches. ND winter is coming up and its nice to pretend to get away.
    3. Novice.
    4. I really dont want to pick either but i guess ill pick Nick. agreeing with Johnny but picking opposite!
    5. Favorite things would be fun! Also since you mentioned youre writing for AOL Finance. Maybe a quick post on what you think of some of the finace items they advertise for, hate to say it but my family still uses our AOL emails to stay in touch, haha so not with the times.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:30 am

      1. Haha. That’s awesome. My middle school mascot was a Sea King, which I thought was cool. But your Skipper takes the cake.
      2. You’re much stronger than Joanna or I. May the slideshow keep you warm.

  • Reply Michelle's Finance Journal November 11, 2013 at 10:09 am

    1. Wolverine. It wasn’t Xmen wolverine, so I’m guessing bear will win.
    2. I didn’t personalize the background.
    3. I’m a novice. I think I’m going to consider myself a novice until I get rid of all my student loan debt.
    4. KEANU REEVES. I don’t care what other people say about him. He’s my first love from Junior High. Speed all the way~
    5. I generally like blogs that talk about personal experience rather than generic how to’s.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:35 am

      1. Yeah, I was really disappointed to learn that real wolverine isn’t the same thing as X-Men Wolverine.
      4. There’s a bomb on the bus!

  • Reply Morgan November 11, 2013 at 10:37 am

    1. Crusaders (Catholic High school, what do you expect) – I think they can kill a bear
    2. I picked a flower from the default pictures. Usually I like to add a personal touch but too lazy right now, hah.
    3. I’d say I’m not a rookie, not yet a novice. (cue Britney Spears singing “Not a girl, Not yet a Women”).
    4. Keanu… but could do without either to tell you the truth.
    5. I like Joanna’s suggestion of organization but I also like one other person’s comment about your favorite things list (doesn’t necessarily have to be related to finance).

    Keep doing what you are doing. I like it. I look forward to new blog posts (and of course updates on baby girl are always fun, she is adorable!!)

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:37 am

      1. And if they can’t kill the bear, they can probably convert it. 🙂
      3. Hahaha. Comment of the day. Also, saddest moment of the day when I realized I knew the reference.

  • Reply Carleigh November 11, 2013 at 12:07 pm

    What was your high school mascot? And could it kill a bear? A VIKING – yes, absolutely, because it had weapons.
    What’s your desktop background image? A trail in fall; it motivates me to trail run.
    Define your personal finance experience: rookie, novice, graduate, veteran. Novice. I still have student loans, but I’m considering book a trip to Ireland for next September. Is it a mistake?? (I already have the $$ saved, so it’d be all paid for by cash, but I’d be delaying extra payments to student loans for 3 months).
    Choose one: Nicolas Cage or Keanu Reeves. Keanu if I really have to pick.
    What topic(s) would you like to see covered on OFB? Work/life balance, how family helps with a newborn, what do you do when you REALLY want something, Christmas budgeting

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:47 am

      3. You don’t have to stop enjoying life while you’re getting out of debt. But if it means three months until FREEDDDOOOMMMM (sorry), that’s a toughie.
      4. You really do. And you made the right choice.
      5. Great ideas, thanks.

  • Reply Mrs PoP November 11, 2013 at 12:43 pm

    1. A non-flying bird. Not likely to win many physical battles.
    2. Kitty PoP – because he’s awesome
    3. Master’s level?
    4. I’m in a bill and Ted mood today, so Keanu.
    5. More states!

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 12:59 am

      2. Can’t argue with that.
      3. You guys are definitely veterans. If you’re at Master’s level, all you’ve got left is your thesis.

  • Reply Halsy November 11, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    Love that you guys got away for some time alone. I still haven’t the courage to leave my
    17 month old for more than a few hours with someone other than my husband. I need to work on that one!
    1. Whippet. No it couldn’t kill a bear but I believe it could outrun a bear.
    2. Pic of my daughter and husband at the aquarium with sharks in background.
    3. I would say Graduate.
    4. Neither
    5. I liked the favorite things list idea above and maybe more baby financial related topics.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 1:02 am

      It wasn’t easy. And most of the time we were away, we just talked about her. But it was nice.

      1. I had to Google this. That’s an… interesting mascot.
      4. This wasn’t a choice, but it’s entirely acceptable given the options.

  • Reply Tara @ Streets Ahead Living November 11, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    1) The Eagles, and perhaps if it kept clawing?
    2) a picture of my husband and I with my mom, sister, and brother at our wedding
    3) I would say novice, only because I’m not fully knowledgeable on investments and am not following my debt accelerated debt payoff budget yet.
    4) Although Nick Cage can be a terrible actor, he does movies like Raising Arizona that remind you he’s a Coppola at heart.
    5) I agree with an earlier comment… I do like personal experience lessons as opposed to how-tos so if you’ve got more to share, I’m all ears.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 1:04 am

      4. Woah, crazy! How did I not know he was related?!
      5. Good feedback, thanks.

  • Reply EcoCatLady November 11, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    1. The tiger! I have no idea if a tiger could take down a bear or not… do tigers and bears even live in the same habitats? Anyhow, my alma mater recently made headline news by winning a Katy Perry lip sync contest: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/katy-perry-roar-concert-winning-high-school-birthday/story?id=20675666. Of course, I’d never heard of Katy Perry before this, but it was still fun to see my school in the news every day.
    2. Just the Windows 7 standard desktop… I’m far too lazy to do anything else.
    3. Hmmmm… well I’m a veteran when it comes to frugal living, but a total novice at investing – or maybe that’s the wrong word… I’ve done plenty of investing, I just suck at it!
    4. Nicolas Cage… I think it’s hilarious how he turns every character he plays into the same person.
    5. Got any tips for investing in the market without losing your shirt?

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 1:10 am

      1. Nice! Congrats, Tigers, on your lip syncing prowess!
      4. Haha. Yes. Couldn’t have said it better.
      5. Investing in a shirt company? Nah. As soon as we figure this out, y’all will be the first to know.

  • Reply Tarynkay November 11, 2013 at 3:21 pm

    1) A tarpon. It is a type of fish. I think the bear wins.
    2) It is just sort of blue, the standard desktop
    3) Novice, cause we still have student loan debt and a mortgage.
    4) Choose one for what? In a bear fight, I would go with Keanu. He seems maybe a little crazy, like the kind of little but scrappy guy who is surprisingly well-armed. Nicolas Cage seems really soft somehow, like he would see the bear and just start whimpering.
    5) I like the baby financial posts, and the he said/she said. The personal experience stuff is more helpful than the how-tos.

    • Reply Johnny November 12, 2013 at 1:19 am

      1. Consider your mascot lunch.
      4. This analysis is simply amazing. So, so, so good.

    • Reply Linda November 12, 2013 at 3:09 am

      4. Best reply ever! I agree with you on Keanu having the edge 😉

  • Reply Brian November 11, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    1. Panther
    2. Whatever the default background for OSX Mavericks is
    3. A veteran novice?
    4. I do love me some insane Nic Coppala, but I’ve got to go with Mr. Johnny Utah himself, Keanu
    5. Still waiting for an article relating reading rainbow and Star Trek TNG to personal finance…

    • Reply Johnny November 18, 2013 at 2:17 am

      5. Every time I’m about to hit upload on my LeVar article, Joanna asks, “Would LeVar think this is good enough?” It never is. Nothing ever will be. So it’s back to the drawing board until I write something remotely becoming of his greatness.

  • Reply Linda November 12, 2013 at 3:07 am

    Mascot – we had none (South African school, don’t really do the mascot thing). However we do have a knight’s helmet in our emblem, so I’m going to claim that!
    Desktop – awesome digital art from Greg Martin. That guy rocks!
    Finance – graduate I guess?
    Oh Keanu Reeves, all the way. Had a *huge* crush on him as a teenager XD
    Topics – doing great so far, can’t think of anything else really.

    • Reply Johnny November 18, 2013 at 2:20 am

      1. I guess it is a pretty weird tradition. Never took the time to really think about it.
      2. Woahh. Just googled that guy and his stuff IS awesome! I’m definitely going to download a few of those.

  • Reply Christina November 12, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    1. Eagles. Which would obviously win because… America?
    2. Super soothing blue-ombre-watercolor… it looks like an ocean which sounds amazing as Rhode Island got its first snow of the season today!
    3. Rookie! I’m in my second post-grad year and luckily don’t have any student loans (thanks, Mom and Dad!) but am DEFINITELY living on a budget and am still figuring out this whole not-being-in-college-with-meal-swipes thing!
    4. Keanu!
    5. As a young(er) reader, I’d love to hear about things that I should be thinking about now that I can spare a little bit of cash for but will totally help me out later (ex – retirement, saving for grad school, investing for rookies, etc.). Your budget guides have already been a HUGE help for me so thanks! Also would love to see more of your baby girl! She’s the cutest!

    • Reply Johnny November 18, 2013 at 2:22 am

      1. Such a good answer. And totally well-reasoned.
      3. Meal swipes! Mannn, that was the best!
      5. Awesome feedback. Thanks.

  • Reply Michelle November 18, 2013 at 12:44 am

    1.) Thunderbolt-Yes, it could kill a bear.
    2.) I’m pretty sure it’s a deserted island in the tropics. I work with WAY too many people and always imagine myself laying on a beach relaxing and reading romance novels.
    3.)Novice-I still have debts. Blah.
    4.) Keanu Reeves even though I love Nicholas Cage in Valley Girl. What an awesome movie.
    5.) I really enjoy what you write about! Maybe some posts about life in Utah?

    • Reply Johnny November 18, 2013 at 2:24 am

      1. Sweet, I don’t know that I’ve heard of a force of nature as a high school mascot before. But I like it!
      5. We have been rather coy about our Utah life. That should change. Thanks for the tip.

  • Reply Alex November 18, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    A roadrunner. And NO. But perhaps it could outrun it, which counts for something!

    A hallway shot in Silvercrest, an abandoned TB sanitorium in Indiana. The light streaming it makes it very pretty! Helps negate the creep factor.

    Rookie, in terms of skill. But I am super invested (har, har) in it, so maybe I get a couple extra points to bump me into novice-range!

    I’d have to go with Nicolas Cage. But don’t tell Keanu.

    Hmm…maybe more organizational tips. Or how you budget for trips. (Seriously, how am I supposed to know how many tollbooths between here and there are going to be $3?? Or $18 (thanks Mass turnpike)) Oh wait. Maybe AAA knows. Otherwise, just keep it up! I love checking in with your blog.

    • Reply Johnny November 20, 2013 at 2:07 am

      3. Extra points awarded for the har-har-worthy pun.
      4. Keanu knows all.
      5. I totally calculated toll costs on all three of our cross-country moves. But great suggestions, thanks!

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