Short video looking at Napoleon Hill quotes... set to music. Quirky idea and still not 100% sure it works but a good piece of music and lots and lots of quotes from the infamous Mr Hill so worth a look. For more investment and financial education info go to:
Ten-year-old Evan Lipset is learning how to delay gratification one mouse click at a time. With the help of the interactive online allowance tracker, ThreeJars.com, he can sit back and watch his money grow and choose to either save, spend or share it.
Since logging onto the Website 10 months ago, he’s decided to save his allowance to the tune of $500, an absolute triumph if you ask his mom, Debra.
“Evan couldn’t hold on to money,” she says. “If he got a dollar or if he got birthday money he’d spend it immediately on really silly things…now, he’s running home from school and jumping on the computer to check his balance.”
When it’s time for his $10 per-week allowance, Evan receives an IOU from his parents, which is deposited into his virtual account on the Web site. His account also earns a small amount of interest. The site charges $30 a year after a free, two-week trial, but his mom says it’s worth every penny because it’s helping her son to prioritize and set financial goals, something she never thought possible at his age.
Online kid-friendly money management tools like ThreeJars, Zefty and FamilyMint show that financial literacy can start at home, perhaps more easily than ever before. While it’s important for parents to talk to their children about the importance of saving, these Web sites demonstrate that it can be equally — if not, more — effective to show them and have kids take the driver’s seat. Cool graphics and animations help, too. Evan says he likes the fact that ThreeJars looks and feels like a video game.
But while he loves technology, Evan’s apparently turned into an even bigger fan of saving. He initially set out to save for an iPad, but is now having second thoughts, with bigger goals in mind. “I could save it for college,” he says.
And something tells me, he will.
Interesting little article about educating young people about money and the value of financial education, based on Robert Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" teaching. For more information on investment visit :
What have your fears cost you in terms of relationships, health, career, money, and lost opportunities?
Have they kept you from achieving success and financial freedom?
The dictionary says fear is the anticipation of danger, a belief that something negative or painful will happen as a result of some possible future action. It is nothing more than this. It is nothing less. 'Anticipation' means that the danger MAY exist in the future. It does not exist in the reality of NOW.
Scientists tell us that our brains evolved in such a way that one of their primary functions was to protect us and warn us of dangerous situations. That was useful when we had to keep an eye open for the neighborhood sabertooth tiger, but we're a little safer now.
The protection mechanism, however, still keeps busy by warning us against lesser dangers. My personal experience and yours, I imagine, suggests that the real 'pain' comes when you look back at opportunities lost, and what you missed out on because of fear-based choices you made at the time.
We can’t eliminate fear but we can learn to overcome it. By that I mean we can learn to deal with it and not become disabled by it. Successful people experience fear. But they are able to deal with it in such a way that it doesn't disable them and keep them from taking the appropriate action.
The first step is awareness. If you look at your fear objectively it becomes less threatening. When you see it as something you can overcome, you can CHOOSE to overcome it!
Let's talk about the fear of success, or rather the beliefs some people have about success. If you ask people if they want more money and the resulting wealth and financial freedom, they invariably say "Yes". If you ask them what they are doing to get it, most aren't doing anything at all. Their main plan is to wait for their next raise, or an inheritance, or to win the lotto. That isn't much of a plan.
What's stopping them? What exactly are they afraid of? Let's look at three of the common fears (beliefs) that stop people from succeeding and illuminate them:
1."My friends won't like me if I make more money than they do." – It’s true that jealousy can be a factor. What someone thinks about you isn't as important as what you think about yourself. Stated another way, if they won't be happy for you when you succeed, are they really your friends? You have the choice to find people and relationships that are supportive of your goals and your successes. Do so.
2. "The rich are all greedy crooks. I don’t want to be like them." - In fact, a lot of rich people are generous, decent, law abiding people. But what someone else does or doesn't do isn't the issue. We always have the free will to CHOOSE how WE are going to act. We can choose to pursue success, financial freedom and happiness ethically and with integrity. What will you choose?
3. "I'll have to pay more taxes." - Perhaps. There are a number of legitimate tax reduction strategies available to individuals. As for me, when I have used all the LEGAL advantages to which I am entitled, and I still have to pay more taxes, I know I have made a lot more money. Please! Give me more problems like that!
These are just three of the common beliefs (fears) that keep people from succeeding. Do any of them sound familiar? Are those fears justified? I don't believe so. Can you choose to overcome them? I believe you can.
Financial freedom, success and happiness await you when you do. What are you afraid of?
© Copyright by Paul Nadrowski, CPA. All rights reserved.
Great article that owes a lot to T.Harv Eker's idea of self sabotage. The basic idea is that we are afraid of success and therefore we sabotage ourselves and never achieve it. Good, practical and informative. For more info on investments, visit:
Quick quote from the infamous Robert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad". Kiyosaki is well known for his practical approach to financial education and his belief that financial knowledge is not found in college programs. For more investment info go to: Christian Aouad
A look at some of the more high end rental property available in Switzerland. Like France high end property is one of the biggest growth areas in Switzerland and with the demand in place, its worth checking out. For more info go to:
Obviously a promotional video, but gives a good idea of the kind of quality and lay out of a typical "swiss rental chalet". If you are planning on buying real estate in Switzerland looking into the tourism rental market is a must, so this is a good resourse. For more info on investment:
Why are you here? Why are you on the planet right now? Many people believe we each come into this life with a purpose, a reason for living. Considering that every element in nature has a specific purpose for existing, and we are an integral part of nature, it stands to reason that we have a purpose too.
Eastern philosophies submit that each of us has a job to do, a duty in life, and that the only way to find peace and fulfillment is to carry out your duty or "dharma" as it's called. The philosophy states that to truly be happy you must learn to live in service, to live based on what you can give rather than only on what you can get; to live based "on purpose" rather than only "on outcome".
The brilliant futurist, Buckminster Fuller said, "The purpose of our lives is to add value to the people of this generation and those that follow." In short, to leave this world a better place than it was when you arrived. It could be in terms of adding convenience, education, entertainment, enlightenment, health, beauty, joy, humor, technology, or any other way you personally can serve other people or the planet.
Although many people believe they have a purpose, they often have a difficult time discovering their own reason for living. Because purpose holds such a spiritual sense, people tend to believe their purpose will somehow be handed down from the heavens. They wait and wait for some "burning bush" to tell them what to do. It's true, a few "tuned-in" people do receive some type of message; some unmistakable calling. But the answer for most of us is that we actually have to "choose" our purpose. We are the ones who decide how we are best suited to serve.
Our choice, however, is not random. We each have unique abilities, inherent talents and strengths. We each have different interests and activities that bring us joy. We each have different experiences and issues from which we've learned, and we all have a different way in which we can best serve others. It is through these factors you "choose" your purpose.
Can your purpose change? Yes. More likely, however, is that your overall purpose remains the same, while the vehicle you use to provide your service may change on an ongoing basis. If your purpose is to teach, for example, you may teach your own children, teach in a school, become an author or a speaker or even be a consultant. Regardless of your vehicle, your dharma is to "teach".
It takes courage to choose a purpose and even more courage to live your life based on it! Once you have purpose, you will have two essential elements for a truly happy life - money and meaning! In this way, you will become ‘rich’ in every sense of the word.
EXERCISE: List your unique abilities, talents, strengths, interests and joys. From here choose an overall purpose for your life. Clarify it by writing it down. Then choose an initial vehicle with which you can serve people that is in alignment with your purpose. Begin today to live your life based on purpose.
Declarations:
I am here for a reason.
I have important work to do.
I live my life on purpose.
Interesting article from author T. Harv Eker looking making money with :"purpose" rather than just for the sake of it. The overall theme of the article is getting the reader to look at their desires and build that into their success plan. Good read. For more info on financial education and investment visit:
When you live in New York City, money disappears fast. The cost of living in the Big Apple is about four times the national average, and everywhere you look there’s sticker shock: a standard one-bedroom apartment runs more than $2,500 a month in Manhattan; a 15-minute cab ride across town costs about $15 plus tip; the average restaurant meal totals $41.76. It’s not only hard to save, but pay the bills, as well. New Yorkers carry an estimated $9,660 on their credit cards.
Anshey Bhatia, 28, is bucking that trend, but only after a wake-up call that had the New Yorker facing a few thousand dollars in credit card debt and a near-empty bank account. The budding entrepreneur had been traveling the world, wining and dining with friends and paying little attention to expenses.
After returning home from the World Cup in South Africa last summer he was startled to see how much he’d spent on this one trip alone—a whopping $6,500 on flights, hotels, game tickets and food. He realized then that he was on a fast track to failing his virtual marketing business, VPV Interactive, and moving back to his parents’ home in New Jersey.
“I felt like I had almost nothing to show for all my hard work in the first three years of the business,” says Bhatia. “I had enjoyed my life but I had very little savings…I wasn’t spending responsibly.”
That was his reality check and from there his plan of attack involved targeting his two biggest expense categories first — rent and travel. With his lease ending, he downscaled his living conditions by switching from a modern, high rise, doorman building to a no-frills, fifth floor walk-up apartment with two roommates.
“I was huffing and puffing the first time I came up…it just seemed like it would be too much, but when push came to shove, this apartment was more than adequate,” he says. Bhatia says he saves about $500 a month or $6,000 a year.
Next, he traded in his globetrotting ways for short, local trips. “Instead of a flight for $750 to Europe, I’d take a train to Washington, D.C. or Boston and hang out with my friends who lived there,” he says. He estimates he saved $6,000 on travel.
Story of New Yorker Anshey Bhatia and how he followed the "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" principles to turn his spending habits around. Really interesting inspirational story and 100% worth reading. Investment information available at: Christian Aouad
One of the most essential things in every individual’s life; a proper know-how of finance is very essential to survive in this world. George S. Clason’s “The Richest Man in Babylon” is a book which provides simple yet extremely valuable financial advice which can be of use to one and all. The book’s basic teachings in financial planning and managing wealth makes it a must read for young adults as well as those who do not have adequate knowledge on the subject.
Written in the form of a series of pamphlets in 1926, it came to limelight during the period of the Great Depression and is today regarded as a classic. In the book, financial advice is provided through a compilation of parables, with the ancient city of Babylon forming the backdrop of the stories. Though the parables are set in ancient times, yet the author presents situations which we all can identify with giving the book a timeless appeal. The message of the book is that wealth management is quite simple if you abide by some basic principles.
As the book is a compilation of individual pamphlets, so there is a discontinuity in the stories with each chapter being a separate parable.
Great, great (but very long!) review of George S. Clason's "The Richest Man In Babylon". Amazingly, this book was first written in 1926 and it is still relevant to modern times. This review gives a great snapshot to whether this book would be helpful to your life. For more investment info go to Christian Aouad
Remember when you were a kid and felt you could set the world on fire? Millionaire? Sure. Hollywood star? Of course! Astronaut? Easy. Best-selling author? No problem. World traveler? Start packing.
So what happened? Where are you now? Are you living the life you thought you'd lead? Unfortunately, life has a way of knocking the stuffing out of our highest hopes and biggest dreams…if we let it! Most people have lost the sparkle in their eye and the fire in their heart. They've lost their passion and allowed their lives to become a faint glimmer of the vibrant vision they once had for themselves. They've committed the great sin of the spirit and settled for a life of mediocrity.
The main reason most of us lose our dreams is not because our desire has waned, but because of fear. "I don't have the money, I don't have the time, it's too late, I don't know for sure if I can do it." All of these reasons are nothing but the excuses of a fear and lack based protective mind. There is a saying in life, that we either have "reasons or results."
It's time to take back your power; time to think big once again; time to rekindle your greatest dreams. Dreams that excite you, dreams that impassion you, dreams that force you to break the bonds of "mediocrity"; reach your fullest potential and become the "ultimate you."
EXERCISE:
Today, list the big dreams you had from the past or invent exciting new ones! Come from power versus fear. Start thinking about what you "can" do instead of what you "can't" do. Commit, then focus on one step at a time and begin immediately!
Great article and exercise from T. Harv Eker looking at going for your dreams. T.Harv Eker is a success author, who wrote the famous "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind" and known for his practical approach. Worth reading. For more investent information go to - Christian Aouad
I'm a Real Estate investor from Geneva, Switzerland. My biggest inspirations and mentors are Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and Greg Clement amongst many other gurus in the industry.
