Imagine.  By the end of this year, I will be well-versed in some pretty influential music that shaped the world we live in today.  It seems that every winter just around this time I get an itch to learn more, do more, and create.  Typically, it manifests itself in the form of art (think oil paintings, charcoal drawings, and craft beer).  This year, however, I’m delving into a world that I should have known about for decades.  I’m delving into some of the musical artists and albums that have shaped our culture.  Why?  Because I think it’s an important piece of our history that should be enjoyed by every generation.

Zero Dollars

Wait a minute.  Is this post really about personal finance and early retirement.  Of course.  After all, this is a ZERO dollar venture.  Mr. MMM and I have all of our 2016 money ducks in a row.  We will fully contribute to retirement accounts and use all of his income towards paying off debt, including our mortgages.  Blah blah blah.  That stuff is set.  Now it’s time to think about what we would like to do to improve our lives outside of the financial realm.

Let’s face it, the most important things in life AREN’T about money.  Money is what we need to feel secure.  Money is what we need to quit our day jobs.  Money is NOT what we need to increase our knowledge and enjoy our lives.  Sure, it helps to have a ton of cash if you’re planning to embark on a European vacation or skiing in Aspen, but, it is not necessary in EVERY facet of our existence.

Knowledge Is Power

Ever since I was a kid I felt like I should know more about the good music and talented musicians that shaped our culture in the later half of the 20th century.  Music is so expressive and has the ability to infiltrate a society, influencing behavior and subsequently, politics.

My school friends were on the road less traveled, listening to the likes of Pink Floyd and Led Zepplin (See!  I even spelled it incorrectly!  That’s how little I know.  *sigh*) and discussing the music fervently, while I was wasting my time on 80s hair bands.  In my defense, it was fun music at the time, and all over pop radio.  It just wasn’t very deep or memorable.  In short, I’m embarrassed to not have given sufficient time to learning more about great artists when I was sitting in my bedroom listening to Nothin’ But A Good Time by Poison over and over.  Ugh.

Since those days, I have really started to appreciate alternative and indie rock.  That is mostly what you’ll hear blasting from the speaker in my home.  But now, I want to know what I should already know.  I want to learn about those great artists.  My journey starts TODAY.  Mr. MMM’s mom gave him her CD collection.  I have 2 CDs ready to play on my way to work today.

A Year-Long Journey

I have decided that this will be a year-long journey.  And, likely longer.  I’m going to delve into the greats:  Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, and on and on and on.  Did I mention this will cost ZERO DOLLARS?  I have discovered that creating self-improvement projects are much more beneficial, enjoyable, and realistic than resolutions.

NOTE:  A few years back, I decided I wanted to learn about and start to enjoy beer.  Mission accomplished!  It took a solid year, or more, but now I can intelligently discuss beer and pick out a good one from a bad one.  I even enjoy visiting different breweries.  It’s a facet of my life that was missing.  It has opened doors to a new world and new conversations.  See Mad Money Cat’s pic at the bottom with a Wilhelm Scream from Magic Hat.  Bottoms up 🙂

Before writing this post, I barely knew that John Lennon wrote Imagine.  Let’s just say, it was a good guess.  By this time next year, I’ll be able to intelligently discuss these various artists and their music.  I’ll even be able to pass along these great cultural achievements to the next generation.

Now, IMAGINE what you can do.

If you have musical suggestions, send them my way!  What do you plan to do to improve your life and awareness this year?  Remember, it doesn’t need to cost you a dollar.

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