26 Things You Should Know About Me Before Reading Anything Else I Write

I’ve always done my best to make this blog personal. After all, pretty much all the stories and advice on Money Spruce are from my own experiences. But I’m not sure anyone can really say they “know” me just from reading my posts. So today, I figured I’d take it to the next level. I got this idea from Corbett’s post (and enjoyed reading Sarah’s version, too) and I was inspired to share more about myself that you might not know. I’m pretty sure I haven’t mentioned most of this stuff before, so I hope this gives you a little more background on who Jeffrey Bailey Trull really is.

1. I was a child model. I have only one real claim to fame, and that’s being on the toy box for a Baby Sinclair Puppet! I usually like to surprise people with this one in person (I still have the toy box), but I guess the secret’s out now.

2. I got barred from AOL as a kid. This was a fun one. I typed a message in some wacky code, pretending it was a virus, and sent it to a friend. AOL got wind of this and shut off my account, despite my telephone explanation that what I sent was a fake. When you’re 13 and the internet is just catching on in the late 90s, this is devastation.

3. I started working when I was 14. I held a job every summer since while I was a student and worked throughout college, too.

4. But I’ve never had a job I’ve loved. Just about any job I’ve held was one that I’ve looked forward to the end. In my head, I literally still cannot understand or picture how anyone can enjoy having a job. It doesn’t compute.

5. I’m an introvert. Some people that I’ve told this to don’t believe me. But I sometimes have a hard time with big crowds at social events. I definitely prefer smaller groups.

6. But I would consider myself a decent public speaker. Maybe it’s because I’m good at it that it gives me confidence. As long as I know my material, speaking in front of crowds isn’t a problem for me.

7. I attended catholic high school. I was never very religious and going to catholic school solidified that even moreso. But I actually loved my high school apart from the religion aspect.

8. I transferred college after just one semester. I started out at Babson College in 2004, but quickly decided it wasn’t for me. By January 2005, I had transferred out and was off to a new school. I was proud of my decision to leave because I was unhappy. A lot of people were afraid to do the same.

9. I was paid to go to graduate school. Full scholarship. $22k salary plus benefits a year. It was a sweet deal.

10. Yet I’m not doing anything even remotely related to my engineering degree currently. I’m not sure that I ever will, and I’m mostly okay with that. I don’t really regret going to college for what I did, either (mostly because I have almost no debt from it).

11. I’m by no means perfect when it comes to handling my finances. I still spend on things that I shouldn’t. I definitely don’t always track my spending properly. I don’t always know what I’m doing when it comes to handling my money, but I’m committed to learning and figuring it out as I go.

12. I take financial losses hard. I haven’t encountered any major financial disasters, emergencies, or thefts yet, but I’m really scared for when it happens and how I’ll handle it. I have an emergency fund, but I still hate the unpredictability of what could (and inevitably will) happen.

13. I have a hard time breaking rules. Perhaps it’s my analytical, engineering mind, but I’m almost always following the rules and instructions. This is great for building IKEA furniture, but an awful way to live life. I’ve been inspired to change and I’m definitely working on this.

14. I’m super forgetful, especially when I’m trying hard to remember something. I feel like I walk out the door just about every day then walk back in because I’ve forgotten something.

15. I started another blog right before this one. I quit after about a month after running out of material, and I decided to pursue this genre instead.

16. I know I will succeed at making a living without a job. I haven’t figured out all the details yet, but I’m learning more and more all the time.

17. But I have no idea where I’ll be and what I’ll be doing a year from now. That’s been the story of most of my adult life so far. It’s a little scary, but it definitely keeps things interesting.

18. My family is generally very supportive of what I do. This helps a ton in terms of achieving what I really want and not letting others tear me down.

19. And I’m still prepared for those who don’t get it. I’ve heard it all before, since I was a kid, on a variety of things that I “can’t” do. But none of this can stop me anymore.

20. I’m a beer brewer. Drinking great beer is probably one of my favorite hobbies, so I decided to start brewing it, too. If you ever want people to think you’re super-cool, I recommend making your own beer, too.

21. I almost exclusively read nonfiction. I don’t know what it is, but fiction usually just doesn’t do it for me. I think it’s something to do with knowing that a story is a about real people and real things.

22. I love karaoke, even though I’m an awful singer. That’s the whole fun of it, right? I’ll sing a wide range of classic 80s rock (my favorite: “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi)

23. I’ve never balanced a checkbook. This is something that’s definitely not on my bucket list. Is it even still necessary? I’m not even sure what the purpose of doing it is. Luckily I hardly every pay by check.

24. I’ve been vegetarian/pescaterian for 7 years (and counting). I started on a whim and stuck with it because I like it. Most people are curious for my reasons, so here they are (most important first): the environment, health, and animal cruelty. I can see myself eating meat again someday but with some stipulations.

25. I’m a fan of musicals. Probably not the manliest thing, but I love Rent and Wicked, among others. My goal this year is to get into NYC and see 1-2 more shows.

26. I like to debate and often play devil’s advocate. It’s nothing personal, I just like a friendly argument.

So there it is. Surprised? Most of these things have nothing to do with personal finance or money, but I like to think that a large part of everyone’s lives don’t either. If you’d like to hear more you can subscribe, friend me on facebook, or reach out by email. This was actually a lot of fun to create, and I definitely encourage you to do the same! If you do, feel free to post your link in the comments.

$ $ $ $

photo by: WordRidden