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A lost tomb, the discovery of an ancient tome, or perhaps the unveiling of a city lost to time remembered only in whispered rumor. In the hot sands of the desert, one man’s quest to discover these lost treasures will bring him glory and riches beyond imagining. He slowly brushes away the sands to reveal a puzzle. With baited breath, he presses various stone pieces into place. A slow groan builds as ancient mechanisms shift into place after thousands of years. The door opens, light pouring into the long forgotten room now glittering with gold. At least, that is often the popular imagery of archeology in movies. The truth is a bit less dramatic, but can be just as exciting! At least, to us nerds.  

On a warm day in June, I and my sister embarked to discover our own time lost civilization. Using a technique popular among professionals although less glamorous than Hollywood, I assisted in uncovering the boundaries of a people almost forgotten. We drove out to the Blue Rock Heritage Center to meet with Paul Nevin as leading authority on the local pre-columbian peoples of my area. Together we and two other volunteers laid out a grid of 100 feet by 50 feet to conduct a survey. At every intersection of 10 feet, we dug a small circular hole down to the depth of a plow (about 12 inches) to discern where the greatest concentration of artifacts were. 

You will be forgiven dear reader if you are picturing the same sort of artifacts displayed in the museums throughout the globe. Beautifully crafted pots, towering statutory, elegantly carved facades of stone all almost perfectly preserved just waiting to be uncovered. You may want to re-evaluate your expectations before embarking on such a journey, for ours was to discover tiny fragments of flint produced during the manufacturing of arrowheads or pieces of broken pottery. You see, the survey was conducted in the top of the soil only about a foot or so down, which is about the depth of a plow. Obviously, if the area has been ploughed many times over there years, anything worth finding has now been shattered into tiny pieces. It was tedious, but rewarding work. 

My sister and I assisted in shifting through layers of dirt trying to locate evidence of a semi-forgotten culture. Most of what we found were pieces of brick from the farmhouse and “diagnostic glass” (also from the farm house). While, intriguing in their own right, they were not from the era Mr. Nevin was primarily interested in. He was primarily interested in pre-columbian cultures rather than the intervening years. However, he did not dismiss the fragments outright as trash, but rather had us carefully bag up the remains for later analysis. After all, just because he wasn’t very interested in that time period doesn’t mean that the time period is of no value for study.

Each bag was carefully labeled to correspond with the location that was surveyed. The archeologist would later assess where the highest concentration of artifacts were found in order to discern where a larger dig should be conducted. This method is rarely seen in documentaries but is utilized the world over. I often wondered how did they know where to dig, how did they find that tomb, or that village. My question was never answered to satisfaction when watching various films; it often seemed that they just stumbled upon these sites like some sort of game of chance. The answer was in this or other methods of survey. In short, simple data collection and analysis. Too boring to make most television shows, but vital to my own understanding of the craft. 

Most of what we found would be considered negative data. In other words, we didn’t find anything where we dug that was of interest to Mr. Nevin. I believe my sister and I surprised him in our enthusiasm for negative data but for us the treasure was in experiencing the technique and hearing the explanation for how a dig is done much more so than any treasure we may have found. Mr. Nevin explained that many years ago a site survey was conducted to determine there was a site of interest, but that the boundaries had not been recorded. Therefore, it fell to us to make that determination for purposes of a larger dig later. The medallion recording a geodetic survey in the 1950’s was considered the 0,0 point for purposes of the survey and it was primarily conducted along the north, east quadrant of the the 0,0 point. Hence, the designation of N (for north) and E for (east) for the different places we dug. 

Even though we did not find much in the way of positive data, the other pair found several different shards from flint making. Prior to digging in, Nevin showed us several examples from previous surveys of what we were looking for, pottery shards, arrowheads and flint. He seemed somewhat apologetic that we did not find anything in our own adventures, but we reassured him that “no” data was still data worth finding. Afterall, that was the whole point of the survey as most points were not expected to yield much since the area utilized was likely to be small. 

It was not the most exciting morning, if one expected to find troves of artifacts. However, it will remain a highlight of my life, because I have always wanted to participate in a dig. I value the pursuit of knowledge and the preservation of culture. Had I thought it would be a less competitive field of study, I would have happily embarked on a journey to become an archeologist. There are times when I regret not pursuing archeology as career, as it continues to remain a passion of mine.

Mr. Nevin’s own journey was not typical of most experts. He did not go to school, but was rather an enthusiast of Native American culture, traveling around the country to sacred sites. Approximately, forty years ago, he began his own study and documentation of the little known and scarcely studied petroglyphs of the Susquehanna River. Safe Harbor is home to the highest concentration of petroglyphs this side of the Mississippi River. The act of creating petroglyphs was a sacred practice. Creating them demanded a significant investment of time and energy. And to carve capriciously on the bosom of Mother Earth would be to desecrate her. Petroglyphs are not prehistoric graffiti. They are messages left by the Ancestors to be “read” by those who would come in the future. 

Though, we were not looking at petroglyphs which were intended to be read, we were looking at the messages left from those gone before. What sort of lives did they live? What did they do on a day to day basis? What was important to them? Even things we did not think could be felt hundreds of years later could still be discerned by an expert eye. For example, the use of wood can still be seen in the analysis of the soil and used to map out where a house used to sit. These are the questions we set out to answer. I hope to get an invite to Mr. Nevin’s larger excavation once he determines where the former site lies. 

One thing that impressed me about Mr. Nevin was his reasoning for picking the petroglyphs as his area of study. He said that he did not enjoy taking artifacts away from sacred spaces and with the petroglyphs one cannot take those away (at least not easily). His interest stemmed from a deep respect and desire to preserve rather than to exploit. It is these same values that I have in my own drive to explore that which has been semi-forgotten. I want to assist in the preservation of culture and the re-discovery of a people, to help them have a voice even if they no longer exist. I am curious to understand how we know what we know about ancient cultures and to experience the process of discovery for myself. It was truly a glorious morning and I look forward to participating in further digs. 

How can you participate in a dig?

Most people when they think of archeological digs, picture going to far flung places like Greece or Egypt. They forget that while those places have been popularized in our public imagination, there are many other places where ancient people existed. Native American people have lived in various places throughout the United States. Most likely you live near an archeological site and don’t even realize it. The trick of course is finding the people who are conducting the digs. 

How I found mine was I simply googled archeology sites in my home state and stumbled upon the Pennsylvania Archeological Association. My nearest chapter was based primarily out of a neighboring county. For fifteen dollars, I was able to join in order to be invited to participate in one of their digs. Naturally, I submitted the application for both myself and my sister. Upon our acceptance into the association, I reached out to Mr. Nevin to sign up for the dig. 

There are plenty of places which you can travel to and volunteer for a several days or even a week to help in a dig. Those are a bit more expensive than fifteen dollars each. My recommendation is to keep an eye out for your local archeology chapters or even local universities. Many colleges and universities have archeology and anthropology majors who may be leading various studies nearby. You could also be like Nevin and simply find a site worth studying and preserving that no one else is currently doing. He does not have a formal degree but through his own passion has become the expert on the local tribes. 

If you cannot, or do not have the inclination to shift through tons of dirt looking for tiny fragments of ancient trash, you could do something else that reflects the value of cultural preservation. Perhaps visit a museum or donate to a cause. Maybe you want to learn a craft from a given culture that is dying out to work to preserve it or record a language before it dies. Maybe participate in an anthropological study instead. Whatever it is explore your area and see what is out there, you may be surprised.

The first thing about any bucket list on a budget is simply to take stock of all the things you’ve already accomplished in life. Obviously, most of you will start with trips you have already taken since most bucket lists involve some sort of travel. I won’t rant about our cultural obsession with travel in this post, but at some point, you can expect one.

At the time of my bucket list creation, I had already spent a semester abroad allowing me to check off many of the European destinations I would desire to go: Germany, Ireland, France, Austria and Italy. I had taken a small trip to support a school in Haiti (more on that later) and there were a handful of states I had visited outside my own.

After the obvious travel, many bucket lists will break themselves up into various categories for consideration. Travel may have subcategories such as specific things to do and see. On mine seeing the Statue of Liberty and Checkpoint Charlie were in a subcategory along with visiting a butterfly garden, making a wish at the Trevi Fountain and seeing King Tut. Nature might be another sub category in travel. In which case the Rocky Mountains may grace your list as it does mine.

However, we want to do more than simply travel and look at things we want to experience. We may want to learn or at least try specific arts and skills. Some which would require many years to truly master may just be an introduction of sorts as with my glassblowing class. I dabbled for a few hours and learned more about the process. I also watched multiple demonstrations of glassblowing. There may be specific food you have tasted like a truffle mushroom. Festivals or cultural events you may have enjoyed such as going to a lantern fest where they release lanterns into the air.

Often life experiences or milestones will make up some items of the list. These milestones could be the major ones we consider such as graduating college and having children, but others may be having started a retirement fund or being in a friend’s wedding.

There are also goals that we may have completed for self-improvement, languages learned, instruments played, weight lost, or miles run. With self-improvement, there are things we have most likely done to help the world be a better place whether that was attend a protest, sign a petition or volunteered at an animal shelter.

I cannot stress enough that this is not the time to be modest. It is the time to realize your many blessings and to embrace the spirit of childlike wonder. There are many things that you see everyday that some people only dream about. The mountains of snow you experience each January that makes you sick thinking about, is on someone’s bucket list who has never seen snow. There are many who live in those same snow-capped mountains who dream of being able to swim in the ocean and would be happy to have the experience of finding sand still in their shoes two weeks later. 

In order to make my own list, I surfed the web for other people’s lists and added items that normally would not occur to me as all that exciting such as walking across a suspension bridge or seeing a horse and buggy. However, when looking back at these activities which seemed rather mundane, I realized that I had taken those experiences for granted as something commonplace rather than things to be excited about. I was able to better appreciate those everyday moments as something joyful and carry with me that joyful spirit of the mundane as a blessing.  

As I completed my list several things happened. First, I was surprised by all the things I had already accomplished in my almost thirty years (I was 29 ½ when I first wrote my bucket list), despite having grown up in a lower middle class home and barely making it since college. My list was actually close to 200 items!

Second, I was filled with gratitude for having done so much already. I was especially filled with gratitude for all the things I had taken for granted in my area and saw things with new eyes, embracing an almost childlike enthusiasm for the world around me. The next time snow fell instead of grumbling about having to drive in it and shoveling the blasted stuff, I took time to really marvel at it. The way it sparkles in the sunlight, and glitters as it floats down from the trees. I stopped to listen to how sound changes after a snowfall, becoming soft and crisp. Fall has now become a time when I track the peaking of the leaves. One year for my birthday, I drove out to a trail and went about collecting the most colorful and best leaves. The magic which had faded was renewed and leaves were once again as jewels.

Third, it instilled a spirit of adventure where rather than sitting about waiting for things to happen or worse for me to have a carefully curated plan, I started going about my days open for things to happen, my ears and eyes on the lookout for quests. Sometimes things that weren’t on the list suddenly became part of the list, like my cameo in a very small film production. One never knows what might be lurking around the corner and that is half the fun!

Finally, it gave me a lot of hope that even the things I didn’t think would ever happen will happen. In the past seven years since that first list, I have been continually surprised by how the blessings have been poured forth and all I’ve been able to do. 

I hope that in the completion of your own reverse bucket list you find yourself marveling at all the things you’ve already done, filled with gratitude for those things, embracing a child’s spirit and filled with optimism about all you’re going to do.

My blog is focused on completing one’s bucket list on a budget, so I think it’s important to be transparent about my own perceptions and financial situation. I am sure dear reader that you have had the experience of seeing an article for chic fashion on a budget or plan a cheap getaway, or save money with these tricks! Only to discover that it was clearly written for a higher class of people. I mean sure, $100 may be a steal of a deal on those shoes, but it’s still $100 for a pair of shoes. Yes, $600 for a round trip to the south pacific islands is quite cheap compared to the usual $1000, but I still don’t have $600 to just drop on a whim.  

The median income of a single person in the United States is 37,000. When I was younger, I made closer to 20,000, as a fresh graduate student, I made slightly more about 40,000. It was only in the past year, that I have been making significantly more, 60,000. This pay bump was in part because I completed my LCSW. In posts where I reflect on things I’ve accomplished, they will reflect the limitations of my previous income. Moving forward, I will probably be able to show case items that are a little higher in cost with greater frequency. I no longer have to be quite as picky about the timing of my activities. Before, I may have only been able to afford one “big ticket” experience a year, now I feel freer to indulge a little more often. However, I am not someone who tends to over adjust in spending with increased income. I don’t wish to “keep up with the Jones'”. I have a frugal spirit especially in this era of rapid inflation. I believe that the principles by which I’ve been following to complete my dreams without breaking the bank will continue even with the increase of income in part because the spirit of frugality aligns with my desire to reduce waste and my negative impact on the world. As it turns out, completing a bucket list on a budget is better for everyone.

As someone in the helping professions, even with a Master’s degree, my income will never be as high as other professionals with similar education, licensing and experience. I do have student debt, but I have the privilege of owning my own home. It does come with a pretty significant catch. My disabled mother lives with me and she signed her house over to me a few years back to help protect the asset if her health declines. 

So in many ways I’m your average 30 something saddled with student debt and a lower than expected paying job. However, my housing expense is highly offset by living in a house that is paid off and my rent is in the form of property taxes. However, I am helping to support my mom which comes with its own cost. I am not poor nor am I especially rich. This blog is probably more for people who are lower middle class or the struggling millennial and older gen z. That isn’t to say if you aren’t that, it isn’t for you, it is an acknowledgement that my experience will probably speak more to those similar to me. If you are someone who makes more, then this will only assist you in stretching your income even further. For those face larger financial struggles than myself, I hope you are still able to find it useful. I always found it frustrating to be given financial advice that does not apply if one is making so little one is choosing between buying medication or food as my parents had to when my mom was first disabled. It amounts to saying to someone “have you simply tried not being poor?” I will do my best not to send that message.

When I speak about on a budget, I usually mean activities that cost two people between $100 – $200. This usually includes tickets, food and gas. The cost is typically split between myself and my sister meaning that on average I spend between $50 – $100 each month. This cost could easily be split in half with the absence of the meal out. Perhaps instead of dinner and a show, opt for only going to the show, suddenly you are each only spending $25 to $50 each. Sometimes the activity is significantly less, clothes significantly more. You may see posts that are atypical such as cruises, trips out of state or extravagant expenses. You will also see that I talk about saving up for those trips or being able to leverage family connections to help keep costs down. This isn’t about cultivating some sort of image, but to have an honest conversation. After all, part of the point of this was to break through the inauthentic noise of influencers to show how we can have genuine, amazing experiences without breaking the bank or constantly pulling out our passports. You will be surprised at how close to home your dreams really are.