ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

 Once you decide to "get real" with yourself and actually admit that things actually are NOT "fine", you MUST come to the point that you decide that "ENOUGH is ENOUGH!"

Are you there yet?

If not, as was asked in a previous article/podcast/video...what will it take to get to that point?

Listen, you have to understand (and realize) that, unless you follow through with these thoughts one step at a time, you will NOT be able to "move forward" with your desires for a better future! It will only be "talk" like it has been so many times before...perhaps even years. 

Truth?

Listen, you don't have to STAY where you ARE in your dissatisfaction. YOU have the ability to actually MAKE A DECISION and MAKE A CHANGE!

“If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree.”

Jim Rohn

Be sure to listen to the podcast and/or watch the video. I don't use a script and, even though I cover the same topic, there will be additional thoughts shared between the two. Just click on the appropriate links below. 

And, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to make it an AWESOME day - who else is going to do it for you?

Mike

Future You University   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  Leaders Are Readers (Audible Books)

Project 141 Expanded: WEALTH

 

Project 141 Expanded: WEALTH

(Do 1 thing a day 4-1 full year to Improve Your Financial Future)

 

( Listen to the podcast on this topic HERE)

 

 Right off the start, let me say this: If you are looking for some "super-dooper" financial formula to get you "fast cash" then friend, you might want to just move on.

Here's the thing...unless you first learn how to do the LITTLE things to start controlling your finances, you will NEVER obtain "wealth" (whatever that means for you).

I highlighted those words in the above paragraph on purpose. YOU must learn to CONTROL your finances and STOP allowing your finances (or lack thereof) to control you!

 

Another disclaimer right off the start: There are a LOT of things that I could discuss with this topic that I won't simply due to the fact that I don't want to make this article that long. For example, I could discuss (and maybe should - but I won't) the fact that you MUST eliminate your DEBT as quickly as possible and you must STOP adding to that debt (credit cards for example!).  

What I AM going to discuss in this article are a couple of things that ANYONE can do to start improving their personal financial health. Yes, anyone and everyone...including you!

I want to approach the Project 141 "Expansion Concept" to this area by discussing two approaches and/or "mindsets". That of DEFENSE and OFFENSE.

DEFENSE

Whether you know it or not, most truly wealthy people will tell you that it is NOT about "how much do you make" as much as it is "how much do you KEEP". 

Yes, it's important to "make more" but, at the same time, if you continue to "spend more" to the point that you fail to "keep more" you will never gain any ground with your financial future. 

I'm sure you've seen "the pretenders" out there that walk among us. They drive a nice, fancy car, go out to eat at expensive restaurants and do all of the things that make them "look like" they are successful. But, truth be told, they are broke. They have more debt than they have income but they continue to do these things so that they can keep up an "image of success".  

I've literally seen new, fancy, high priced cars in front of what I would call a shack. 

This, my friend, is foolishness!

So, I want to encourage you to take the "DEFENSE" approach and think about how you can PROTECT the money that you have and not just let it slip out of your fingers.

In other words, like you see in the picture above, you MUST "plug up" that leaky bucket.  This takes discipline, my friend!

Step 1: Get out a piece of paper and list everything you spend money on over the course of a week. Yes, I DO mean to actually have that piece of paper with you as you go through your week and write down EVERY little thing that you spend money on. THIS IS KEY! Why is this important? Most people have no idea how much money they actually spend on a daily and weekly basis. 

Write down EVERY - LITTLE - THING. Don't just write down the amount but also write down what it was for so that you know. Do you pay to park while at work? Write it down. Do you stop in for a coffee on your way into work? Write it down.  Did you contribute to an office collection for someone's birthday present? Write it down. Did you make a trip down to the vending machine and get a cola and/or a snack? Write it down. Eat your lunch at a restaurant? Write it down. 

Get the idea?

Don't cheat on this. C'mon, just do it and, at the end of the week, add up your figures. I suggest that you even do this at the end of each day. (By the way, this also includes anything you spend money on via online sources. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that you spent money on during the week.)

Once you have shocked yourself at how much money goes through your hands during the course of a week, not it's time to go on to the next step.

Step 2: Decide what you can cut out to reduce the "outflow". No, obviously, I'm not telling you to get rid of all of that all at once. Chances are there are some things that you listed that you cannot eliminate and that's o.k. BUT, what things CAN you eliminate?

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Defense Wins Games"? Again, it doesn't matter how much you make if you spend more than you make. So, WE MUST GET STINGY ON DEFENSE with your finances.

Maybe you can drop one thing on Monday, something different on Tuesday and so on during the rest of the week. For example, maybe you DON'T stop for that coffee on Monday and, maybe on Tuesday, you bring something from home for lunch. 

Try to pick out at least one thing for each day and, if possible, even choose two!

Look at the list from the week that you wrote down all of these expenses and just base the amount that you didn't spend on that. In other words, if you wrote down that you spent $8.00 for lunch that week, go ahead and assume that would be what you SAVED by NOT doing that one day this week. 

Then, we move on to...

Step 3: Put it in the jar! O.k. yes, you can just see that "on paper" and know that you saved money but I want to encourage you to take it one step further and PHYSICALLY take that amount of money and put it in a jar of some sort. Yes, go to your ATM if necessary and withdraw that amount of money and put it in the jar.

The visual for this is very powerful! Watch your jar fill up during this week and then, at the end of the week, count out how much money that you saved by taking just a little action and "playing some defense" to help "plug the leaky bucket".

 Now it's time to "play offense" with your money!

 

OFFENSE

 ADD IT UP... Depending on how much you typically spend during the week, chances are that you will have AT LEAST $20 - $30 in your jar just from changing up your routine a little bit. DO NOT think, "Oh great! Now I can go buy...." NO! NO! NO!

 

The idea here is to SAVE and not continue to SPEND. Once you add that money up from your jar then I suggest that you actually open a NEW account at your bank for these funds and I would suggest that you do this with a savings account so that you get a little interest paid to you. If that $20-$30 isn't enough to open a new account then hang on to it and add to it each week until you have the needed amount. Are you disciplined enough to do that? I hope so because this discipline is what you will need to begin to make gains with your fiances. 

BE CONSISTENT... Don't just do this for a week or two and then quit. Remember, this whole Project 141 approach is about committing yourself to doing these actions for one full year. But, take it a little at a time and, at least for now, make sure that you dedicate yourself to doing this for at least a month and see how much money you saved. 

 

TAKE ADDITIONAL ACTION... Now what? It's time to plan some "offensive strategy" to move "the ball" on down the field closer to the "goal line". 

 

Yeah, I know. A lot of football analogies there but it works. You now have this "extra" money and it's time to DO SOMETHING positive with it. Already, I've suggested that you put it in a savings account and watch it grow a little at a time. Think about this: if you are able to put $100 per month in that account (very do-able) then you will have $1,200 (plus interest) at the end of that year! 

 

Here's a few "options" (different plays) that you might consider:

     1. Use some of this money to pay extra on any credit cards or car payments (any debt) that you have and get that debt paid off quicker.

     2. Use some of this money for someone else ("Random Act of Kindness")

 

If you've not done so, go back and read this article where I discuss the idea of taking something like $20 and blessing someone else with it. They may can use it for gas or food or school supplies for their kids. It doesn't matter what they may use it for. What matters is that you took your eyes off of yourself and looked for an opportunity to serve someone else.

 

Want to REALLY have some fun? If this excites you at all, share this concept with a friend or two or five and see if they, too, "catch the vision" of doing something like this. IF they have committed to this approach of setting some money back and IF they have also "caught the vision" of doing something for someone else then consider all of you in that group joining together in this effort! 

 

In other words, let's say there are five of you that have "caught the vision" on this and each of you have agreed to "donate" $20 per week or month for a "Random Act of Kindness". WOW...friend, you're starting to truly "live life" now (trust me on this). If that $20 for someone would make a difference for them then consider what $100 would do!

 

Yes, I would still suggest that you use the rest of the money that you have saved toward paying off some of your debt and saving some in the bank to grow with interest but, at the same time, use a portion of that money saved to bless others. Want to know how to have a blessed day yourself? BE A BLESSING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S DAY. 

 

 One final "offensive move" that I would suggest. As great as it is to "redirect your funds" from spending it on things that you can skip or do without to your savings or debt pay down or the random act of kindness, it is still a great idea to actually figure out a way to ADD TO your current income.

 

That is what is usually referred to as a "side gig" in today's world. Is there something that you can do "on the side" that will not interrupt your current work schedule that will allow you to grow/gain additional funds for all of the things that we have discussed in today's article?

 

UPDATE 10.20.21... I will have to go back through everything that referred to the original "vehicle" that I was promoting for this "side gig". I no longer support or promote that particular program simply because their "customer support" was non-existent! I will not connect my name or the name of "Future You University" with any program that won't even support their own members. STAY TUNED! I am currently working on something that I believe will have the potential to take you FAR BEYOND what the original program could ever do.

 

Until next time, remember, YOU'RE HERE FOR A REASON and, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  Project141

If Not Now...WHEN?

 For the past several weeks I have been sharing information with you about "Project 141: The One Year Social Media Work From Home Experiment".

Have you been following along? Have you been considering the things that I have shared and presented to you? Have you considered what this COULD possibly do and mean for your future?

Or, perhaps, you HAVE actually seen all of this information but you are thinking that this is like so many other things that you have seen or heard of and you are just going to pass it on by without even asking me any questions.

If enduring the pandemic and all of the hardships that have come from it has taught us anything in 2020, it SHOULD be that we MUST do something FOR OURSELVES to help provide income for ourselves and our families.  

Many business owners have had to shut down their business that they have had for several years - even decades - due to their business effectively being shut down due to the restrictions put into place with this pandemic. And, as a result, many that worked at such businesses have also found themselves out of work due to the business shutting down. And, still others have been "laid off" or have very limited work due to a great reduction in customers.

See what I mean?

If you are thinking that this is a "once in a lifetime" situation that will never happen again then friend, even though I wish that you were right, I'm here to tell you that it will now be easier than ever before to place such restrictions upon businesses and individuals. 

No, this is not a political post. It is pretty much a guarantee.

So, if not now...when?

What is it that you are waiting for? Have you been "burned" by past experiences trying to "work from home"?

So have I . More than once. And that, my friend, is what makes this so promising. I have been able to put something together that avoids many of the pitfalls that continue to be out there with most all types of home-based businesses that are being offered.

Check this out and see if it is not exactly what I'm saying it is...DIFFERENT in a GOOD WAY.

If you've not been following along, start HERE with the blog article that I have used to post each and every update of information that I have provided up to this point.

Then pray about it. Seriously. Ask God's guidance in this situation about your decision for your future. Then, if you feel PEACE about making this move - MOVE! TAKE ACTION! Ask questions if needed but MAKE A DECISION to finally DO SOMETHING that will not cost you "an arm and a leg". However, it WILL cost you COMMITMENT. That's right, I ask you to commit to this program for one full year - nothing less. 

Though I do not know you or what your current situation is, I am praying for you. I am praying that God will help "open your eyes" to this opportunity that lies before you and I also pray that He will give you a sense of PEACE and CALM in this decision and then, finally, I pray that you will decide to TAKE ACTION with your decision.

If not now...when?

I'm here with you and for you. As you prepare to impact your future in a powerful way, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube  

DEBT: Do Something NOW!

When it comes to "The Consequences of DEBT", we must realize that the most important thing that we can do (besides avoiding it in the first place) is to MAKE A PLAN and GET OUT OF DEBT!

No matter how impossible the task may seem we MUST begin the process to eliminate this crushing problem. As the graphic below states, "It ain't going to take care of itself!"

And, yes, I hear those of you out there that might say, "Yeah, but..." There will ALWAYS be some "yeah-butters" in the crowd! For whatever reason, they are the ones that feel that THEIR particular situation is so unique that no one else in the world has faced their dilemma. 

"My spouse and I BOTH work (or I work 2 jobs) and we just don't have enough money to make it!"   O.k....but HOW MANY OF YOUR BILLS come from DEBT?  I'm NOT talking about “normal” bills such as electricity, television, phone etc. but from bills that you pay for STUFF that you BOUGHT that you DON'T NEED? And, while we are at it, let's get brutally honest here, how much of even THOSE "normal" bills could be "cut back" in order to help with the problem? 

We'll come back to that in a moment but, let me go ahead and mention a couple of "requirements" for the program that I have shared with you in each article this week. You know, the program that can help you get out of ALL debt in as little as 5 - 7 years. 

#1. You do have to have some income. Whether it's a job or some other way that money comes into your household on a regular basis, you MUST have income.

#2. You must bring in more than you spend. This is budgeting 101 and it IS a requirement for this program to be able to work for you. However, the good news is that, as long as you have even just $10 left over after your bills, we can work with that!

Pretty simple, right? But, again, I can hear the "Yeah, But" crowd speaking up once again. However, this time I will refer to them as the "What Iffers" as in, "What if I don't have any income coming in right now and, What If I don't even have $10 left over at the end of the month?" Throw in that bunch the "Hand Wringers" that might say, "It won't do any good, we have too much DEBT and too little money!"

To be honest, my mind begins to start feeling numb at this point! C'mon people, remember, YOU MUST DO SOMETHING about this problem because, again, IT AIN'T GONNA' TAKE CARE OF ITSELF! As we talked about in the last article, ignoring it will not make it go away. As a matter of fact, doing so will only bring about late charges and other fees that will actually increase the problem!

So you don't "qualify" for this program at this time. That still doesn't remove the problem, friend, You STILL must take some action and DO WHATEVER IT TAKES to start chipping away at your debt! Get out there and take a job and don't be picky about it. "But I'm not going to flip burgers!" WHY NOT??? How is your current plan working out for you? You do what you gotta' do! Wash cars, rake leaves, mow grass, clean houses...whatever it takes to bring some extra cash into the household.

And that's only half of the equation. You must INCREASE the amount of INCOME for your household and, at the same time, you must DECREASE the amount of your DEBT!

I understand that this is not going to be easy. I also understand that you will have to also work on your mindset regarding this whole situation that you put you and your family into BUT you still must BEGIN TAKING ACTION now and work on the needed mindset along the way.

Simply put, you must take a look at all avenues of money that you have coming in for your family and you must also take a look at all avenues of money that is going out from your household. Again, you must find ways to INCREASE the income while finding ways to DECREASE the debt.

You may be able to bring in some extra money by selling things around the house that are not really needed. Do you rent a storage unit or have stuff up in the attic that hasn't been seen in years? GET RID OF IT if it's not some sort of family heirloom! If you're really ready to "get after it" you may even need to look about the possibility of selling a vehicle that has a high monthly payment and find something with NO payment on it or one that is considerably less. Too, you likely may save on insurance.

These things might be able to bring in a little extra cash but you must REALLY get serious at trimming down the debt and those things that you are paying for on a monthly basis. Do you REALLY need all of those premium channels and movie channels with your cable or satellite? How much do you REALLY understand about the seriousness of this debt problem for you and your family? Do you REALLY need the latest and greatest cell phone? Get serious and really get after "trimming the fat" wherever possible.

You might actually find this kinda' fun if you make a game out of seeing how much you can cut out of your monthly expenses! Sure, you may have to bargain with each other on a possible compromise in some areas (maybe cut the cost on a particular item by 30% instead of 70%) but when you put your family first in this area I believe that you will find that a lot of this "stuff" will begin to be seen for what it really is: STUFF.

Remember, "As long as there is breath, there is hope!" You MUST fix this and, friend, you CAN fix this! I'm here to help in any way that I can. If you find yourself in a position at a later point in time to where my program might work for you, just let me know. But, in the mean time it's time to GET LEAN AND MEAN with your budget!

Once again, you can go to ulivefree.com and take a look at some videos that gives you information about this program. No need to fill out any information unless you want to download the "more detailed" e-book that is available there.  DO ME A FAVOR? If you stop by that page you will find my e-mail address at the top of the page. Would you drop me a line and let me know how you came across that information? Did you read about it in one of the blogs? Did you hear about it on one of my podcasts on on one of my videos? Thanks in advance for doing so.

Next week I will be "shifting gears" and getting back to my "normal" type of messages full of hope and positive information. Sure, I'm still going to challenge you with things, but we will look at ways to help improve the positive mindset that you will need in this process as well as going through every day of your life.

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

The Consequences of Debt: STRESS

In my last series ("Working From Home Series") I concluded with a lesson on "My Suggested Solution". In that lesson I shared the following numbers as it concerns debt in America:

In an article written by Bill Fay entitled, "The Emotional Effects of Debt" he states the following: "...72% of Americans said they felt stressed about money, according to an American Psychological Association study. And 22% said they felt “extreme” stress over their finances."

In another article, written by Jennifer Soong and entitled, "The Debt-Stress Connection", she states, "An AP-AOL study reveals that debt-related stress is 14% higher in 2008 than in 2004. Those who report high levels of debt stress suffer from a range of stress-related illnesses including ulcers, migraines, back pain, anxiety, depression and heart attacks."  

I read other articles that talked about other physical problems from which those under stress might suffer. Things like lack of sleep, loss of appetite and even hair loss. From my own experience and what I have seen with others, they may also include acne breakout on a persons body and even panic attacks. 

When you consider these things then you can also see why stress due to financial problems (debt) is one of the top reasons for a couple to get a divorce. Think about the impact on each of the two in the marriage as well as any children that may be a part of the marriage. All of this due to the stress with DEBT. 

The thing is, it's NOT NECESSARY! Too many people - maybe you? - have settled for the lie that debt is just a part of life and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it or to resolve the problem. BOTH OF THESE ASSUMPTIONS ARE FALSE. 

For the rest of this series we will be taking a look at other "consequences of debt" as follows: DIVORCE,  HOPELESSNESS, SUICIDE and LIMITS.  Think about how stress has a role in each one of these produced issues that come from the burden of debt. 

Debt is NOT just a "numbers" problem. It is a problem with our mindset and attitude. Debt often occurs when we decide to BUY THINGS THAT WE DO NOT NEED so that we can IMPRESS OTHERS THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW with MONEY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE.

Folks, that's a problem and the consequences are real but, again, they are unnecessary. Click on the link below ("Live Debt Free") for a REAL solution to help you remove ALL debt from your life in a fraction of the time than you can following "traditional" pay-off plans. 

In closing, think for a moment about the change in YOUR life as well as the life of your family and those close to you once you remove debt - and the consequences - from your life. Yes, you can!

Join me in the next part of this series as we continue to discuss "The Consequences of Debt".

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube   Live Debt Free!

Mike's Quotes #10: Direct Your Future

"It's always too late to change your past but it's never too late to change the direction of your future!" - Mike Spillman (12.31.10)

My guess is that, most people would like the opportunity to go back in time and do a few things differently. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know all the stuff about "oh, but it has made me who I am today". I get that. BUT, I still believe that most of us would like to have the opportunity to go back and do some things differently.

Correct mistakes, do better with how we raised our kids, respect our parents better and just love people more. And, my goodness, what about FINANCIAL mistake that, knowing what we do now, we might be able to avoid?

Remember, that time period that we call "tomorrow" doesn't even exist and neither does that time period that we call "yesterday". All we have is TODAY. Yes, we can learn from our past mistakes and be dedicated to not repeating them in the future but we cannot go back and undo or re-do things in the past. 

I always thought that this was an interesting phrase: "Today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday." 

But here is what we CAN do, friend. We can change the direction of our future and it begins with what we do right now, TODAY! 

Yes, I understand that we are "molded" by our past but, friend, your past does NOT determine your future. What has happened in your past does not DEFINE who you are nor does it determine your future or your destiny.  

Stop making excuses. Stop whining about your past. Hey, if that offends you then you really need to ask yourself WHY it does so! Stop enabling yourself to continue living in the shadow of your past and what may have been wrong, tough or unfair.

YOU control your future. No matter what your situation and no matter what excuse (disguised as a reason) you may want to try to come up with, it all boils down to this one truth: YOU CONTROL THE DIRECTION OF YOUR FUTURE! 

And, friend, feeding your mind with information such as this is a step in the right direction. Yes, you CAN direct your path and it begins with the first step and that first step begins TODAY. 

I'd love to get some feedback from you on today's topic or on any topic that you have read or listened to via Future You University.  Be sure to listen to the podcast and watch the video (links below) to get the full scope of my thoughts for today's topic and, please, stop by my Facebook page (link below) and leave some comments.

And, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to... 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

YouTube   

Wash, Rinse, Repeat

A roommate says to another roommate (that has been in the shower for a long time!), "Hey, what's taking you so long in there? I need to get in there and take a shower, too!" The response from the roommate in the shower? "Sorry but, this shampoo bottle says to 'wash, rinse, repeat' and I DON'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP!"

Oops.

So, you may still be thinking, "What in the world does this title and that joke have to do with today's article and podcast?"

First of all, let me ask you this: Have you read and/or listened to the two previous articles/podcasts? If not, GO DO THAT FIRST, come back and then see if a light bulb doesn't go off in your head. Aha!

By the way, you can follow the podcast by CLICKING HERE to go to the iTunes page or by CLICKING HERE to listen to it on the RSS feed.

As we close out this "mini-series" on the importance of making wise decisions because they will impact us (and others) for the rest of our lives, I want to talk about how we can be successful in choosing wisely.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat.

What???

Live life ONE DAY AT A TIME. Do what you can EVERY DAY to improve your mindset, just like you are doing right now by reading this blog article. Add to the library in your mind with as much positive information as you can and then do it again and again and again (Wash, Rinse, Repeat). 

Learn how to make WISE decisions on even the "small things" and then apply that same discipline to the "larger things" that you deal with on a daily basis. 

Don't worry about "tomorrow"...it doesn't even exist. Think about that! Tomorrow is something that is still in the future. We have no promise, no guarantee that it will arrive yet we spend time worrying about or planning for that time period that has yet to arrive.

What we DO have is TODAY! That's it! That's all we have...TODAY! You can't go back and relive or reclaim yesterday - it's GONE forever. I've already talked about that time period that we call "tomorrow" and you should now understand exactly what I mean when I say that all we have is "TODAY". 

This applies to any area of your life, whether it be in relationships or whether it be financial matters. The choices that you make TODAY will impact your FUTURE. So, choose wisely TODAY!

In your relationships, do all that you can do TODAY to improve the relationship. Don't wait on someone else, YOU do all that YOU can do TODAY. Do all that you can do to let the other person (or people) in your relationship(s) know how important that they are to you and do it TODAY. Let that other person (or people) know that you are thankful that they are a part of your life, but do it TODAY. Get the point?

By the way, that's how you "set the table" for a long-term relationship. You don't think, "I don't know if I can do this for the next 20, 30 or 50 years!" You just do all that you can do, one day at a time, beginning TODAY and then you "wash, rinse, repeat" over and over again.

"Oh, but Mike, when it comes to financial situations, you MUST be planning for your future!" Absolutely. I agree. Here's how you do that - "You plan for your FUTURE by what you do TODAY."

Over simplified? I don't think so.

You can read or listen to any successful person that you can and you will find them all basically say the same thing concerning success. Find what works and then do it over and over again.

So, even financially, your decisions - wise or unwise - done on a DAILY basis will determine your financial future.

Remember, "Many times the PROFOUND can be FOUND in the SIMPLE." Don't miss that point.

Be sure to listen to the podcast so that you can get in on some additional thoughts and input on this topic - you'll be glad you did and, until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

New Year's Tip #2: Check Your Trash

 

One day, a couple of weeks ago, my wife and I were out on a walk down the road that runs in front of our house. As is often the case (and sadly so), there was trash strewn along the side of the road of cups, beer cans, etc. as we walked. And then we came upon a big pile of trash that someone had thrown out of their passing vehicle.

 

I told my wife that, on our way back, we would pick it up and get rid of it since it was such a large pile of trash. And, upon our return trip, we did pick it up so that we could dispose of it once we arrived home. The following is a description of what made up this pile of trash...

     First of all, it was a bag from a fast food restaurant with the accompanying cup, lid and straw thrown out beside it. Inside the bag, along with the wrappers and small box from the french fries, was also an empty cigarette box, several scratched off lottery tickets, one beer can and another beer bottle.

 

As I noticed these items that had been tossed out of a passing vehicle, I was, first and foremost, disgusted that a person had no more respect for the beauty of nature than to do such a thing. I simply do not understand that type of mentality.

 

Then it hit me. As I put that original thought together with the contents of the trash pile, it dawned on me that this was all evidence of a "poor man's mentality".

 

I have no idea what the financial situation is for the person that did this act, but I think I can probably give you a pretty good idea based on the trash and the type of mentality displayed by the trash and the action as well.

 

A poor man's mentality is a mentality that has no respect for anyone else or for nature and helping keep it clean of such trash. They often have the attitude of, "Someone else will pick it up" instead of taking it to their own home and finding a place for disposal.

 

A poor man's mentality is also displayed by one who, if they even have a job, will struggle to make ends meet and yet will spend the unnecessary money on the following:

     - Fast food: Instead of taking a lunch from home to work, they will stop off and spend between $5 - $10 on a lunch and do this several times a week. Even if they are not working on a particular day they may run through the drive through of a fast food restaurant and do the same...and throw the trash out of the window on the way home.

     - Beer or alcohol: Again, often, the person with this type of mentality struggles to make ends meet but, at the same time, will have the purchase of alcohol as a main part of their expenditures. Many times this person will be the person that will drink to the point of being drunk and passed out weekend after weekend. And, if drinking in their vehicle (illegally) will toss the can and/or bottle out the window as they drive down the highway.

     - Cigarettes: Do you want to come up with a better example of literally lighting up money with a match and watching it burn? Many times those with this "poor man's mentality" will struggle to keep their lights turned on yet, at the same time, will burn through dollar after dollar through the smoking of cigarettes. And, you guessed it, when done, if in their vehicle, they will toss it out of the window as litter.

     - Lottery tickets: Several years ago I worked at a convenience store that sold lottery tickets. I quickly learned that, come payday, there would be a steady stream of customers that would come in with their "fresh cash" from payday and spend money on lottery tickets, hoping to "hit it big". With amazement I would see men burn through $20-$30 of tickets and then get excited when, after scratching off all of the numbers on all of the tickets, would end up with "winnings" of $5.00. There would be days that I would see a man spend half of his newly earned paycheck on lottery tickets by the time he left the store. I often wondered what his family went without due to this habit.

 

Am I saying that every person that participates in any of these activities has a "poor man's mentality"?

 

No, of course not.

 

I will say this: If you are one that throws trash out of your window, you are a person that has no respect for others and, likely, not much for yourself. You can determine what type of mentality you would like to call that, but I feel very strongly about anyone that particpates in that activity.

 

However, I would challenge any of you on the use - and amount of use - with any of the other items listed above. I understand the draw of "eating out" but question the mentality of anyone that struggles in any way that makes this a regular part of their activity. Have you added up how much money you spend on fast food/eating out over a month's time? Maybe you should even just break it down to a weekly amount and then go from there. It's something to think about.

 

The same is true for alcohol, friend. Have you taken the time to add up your expense on this? It's definitely something to think about and, for sure, if you are getting behind the wheel of an automobile after drinking you, again, are not considering (respecting) anyone else as you do so. You might want to also ask yourself what the reason is for your drinking. Hey, get honest with yourself on this. Is it just habit? Is it to relax? Is it even to, perhaps, "escape" from life?  It's all worth taking a look at, friend.

 

Yes, there are people that win big money by playing the lottery. LOOK AT THE ODDS listed on YOUR chance to do so. You are literally "throwing your money away" when you play the lottery and, especially, when you play it in such a way that has you thinking that you are going to "hit it big" one day as long as you keep on playing and throwing your money away.

 

So, the tip is simply this: WHAT'S YOUR MENTALITY? Does it need to be changed? If you're not sure what your "mentality" may be, perhaps you should spend a little time going through your trash. Seriously.

 

As well as going through the trash, you probably need to go through your checkbook to figure out how much money is being spent on things such as this.

 

Think about it, this could be an adjustment that could greatly improve the your physical AND financial health as well.

 

And, one final thought...if you find that you are angry after reading this article, ask yourself, "WHY?" And then take the time to be honest with yourself as you uncover the answer.

 

I'll share one more tip with you for the New Year in the next article but, until then, whatever you do...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you/)"

 

Mike

 

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FINANCES: It's Up to Me

Your ability to work well with others as well as encourage and uplift them will have a direct impact on your financial future.

 

Read that again and let it sink in.

 

Yes, I know that there are some rare instances where someone does something, someway, somehow to where they have no real connection with anyone else at all. Again, notice the word, "rare".

 

For the most of us, we must deal with people on a daily basis and it's not always an easy thing to do, is it? But it's something that the wise figure out and use to their advantage and those that don't, will likely come up a little short.

 

If you haven't done so, be sure to go back and read the previous three blog articles that led up to this one. They all "stacked" upon each other and built on each other, leading us to this final thought of this series.

 

The bottom line (and main thought) is this: In ALL of these areas it is important to realize, "If it's to be, it's up to me."

 

Hey listen, if you want to be like everyone else and plod along through life - miserable - like most others seem to be then, friend, just cruise along and make no real effort to improve yourself and you will achieve exactly that.

 

But YOU - yes, YOU - desire more than that for your life! Just the fact that you are reading this blog sets you apart from the majority of others. That's true! Most people that you know will not take the time to read an article like this, much less on a regular basis.

 

Because you desire more for your life and because you understand that, this, by itself, will set you apart from the majority of those around you, YOU will make the effort to actually take the time to pay attention to, and to care about and for those that you spend time with each day.

 

This begins at home with your family and spills over with your close friends and into the workplace among your coworkers. And, yes, this even applies to those that you come into contact with while out and about at the grocery store or a local restaurant.

 

How you treat people MATTERS and YOU are one that knows this, understands this and does what is necessary to IMPROVE this in your daily activities.

 

And, YES, this DOES have a direct impact upon your paycheck and your opportunities. I strongly say to you that THIS IS A FACT!

 

Do you want to become indispensable in your workplace? Then do these things that I have shared with you in the past few articles and your job will be SAFE. Not only will it be safe but you will likely find more and more opportunity offered to you in that company because of these important qualities.

 

I'd love to get your thoughts and feedback on this series or on anything that I share with you. Have you seen this to be true in your own life or have you noticed this in others? Let me know, I'd love to hear about it and look forward to your input.

Until next time, friend, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

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Starting Over Financially?

 

Just like all of the other "areas" that we have been discussing over the past few days, the same is true about STARTING OVER financially.

 

There is NO SHAME in having to do so and, sometimes, this need is actually do to circumstances that are out of our control. Divorce, hospital bills and many other things.

 

However, if we are going to talk about it, then we also need to be willing to be open and honest about OUR ROLE in many of these scenarios. Financially, we are responsible for the "little things" that tend to sabotage us and set us back.

 

Here's the thing about what I'm going to share with you today: it doesn't matter if your financial situation is due to someone else's fault, unplanned events or your own mistakes.

 

Nope.

 

Today we are going to focus on a SOLUTION. Because, for whatever reason, being in a bad financial situation is a very stressful position to be in. A SOLUTION is needed, regardless of how or why we got there.

 

Agreed?

 

You probably noticed that I've been sharing information on Dani Johnson's "War on Debt" program the past few days. Now, before you "turn me off" let me ask you this question: WHAT'S YOUR PLAN?

 

That's right...WHAT IS YOUR PLAN to prevent having to "start over" again and again, financially? What is it that you PLAN TO DO to keep this from happening?

 

You see, many like to TALK ABOUT what they are going to do and many want to "play dress up" (see yesterday's discussion) and act as if there really isn't a problem when there really is. But most - if not all - FAIL when it comes to taking action that will actually bring results.

 

Take a look at this next picture and make sure that you read the information about this group of people. This picture was taken back in July at the Dani Johnson event that I attended in San Antonio. So yes, these are REAL people and these are REAL results of what this group of people has been able to accomplish over the past 5 years.

 

Think about it, friend. How long have you been TALKING ABOUT the need to do something about your finances? How many years have you stated that THIS YEAR you actually were going to FOLLOW THROUGH with your New Year's Resolution for once?

 

I'm telling you...GET THIS PROGRAM and get it NOW.

 

You want to hear the "kicker"? Dani Johnson shows you how to eliminate your debt WITHOUT having to make more money to get it done!

 

Yeah, I know, right?  (Just click on the graphic to read all of the details about the program)



 

My wife and I do actually own this program ourselves. It is easy to understand and, if followed, easy to do! The fact is, just like with everything else we've talked about this week, the problem may come in with having to swallow some PRIDE in order to make progress.  

 

A PROVEN program by an honest person that actually is full of integrity. Just take a few moments, go to the page (click on the graphic above) and read the testimonials that you'll find there. I have never in my life seen ANY ONE with as many testimonials as Dani Johnson.

 

There is a 100% money-back guarantee, so stop making excuses and TAKE ACTION.

 

Talking and planning to do something never seems to work, does it?

 

Think about it: the stress that comes from financial struggles literally impacts EVERY AREA of your life. It really does. And, many times, we find ourselves starting over in some of these "other" areas due to the stress that comes from THIS area.

 

Take control of your finances once and for all and start moving forward with what really matters in your life. And, by the way, help your children see and understand the importance of taking control of your fiances instead of your finances taking control of you.

 

You can do it but, friend, here's the question: WILL YOU?

 

Until next time, whatever you do, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

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Starting Over...AGAIN

 

So, maybe you're having to "start over...again".  SO WHAT?

 

The main thing is that you DID NOT QUIT and that you are getting back up and making another effort, right? RIGHT!

 

As I was preparing for this blog by looking over some graphics to use, I came across one that read, "Tired of starting over? Then STOP QUITTING!"

 

Honestly, I think that was one of the dumbest things I've ever read! If you are starting over you certainly HAVE NOT QUIT!

 

Think about it. If you had quit, why would you be "starting over"?

 

YOU WOULDN'T!

 

If you QUIT, you simply lay down by the side of the road and stay there. You don't get back up and you sure don't do what it takes to make another attempt at going after and reaching your goals and dreams.

 

What invention do you think was ever created the first time that it was ever attempted? (I can answer that question for you - NONE!).

 

Sure, there have been some inventions that were created by mistake but, when you actually think about it, that was not THE invention that was being sought! Successful inventions take attempt after attempt after attempt!

 

How many attempts did the Wright brothers try before getting their plane off of the ground for that very short flight? How many attempts did Alexander Graham Bell make before he successfully got an answer on the other end of that telephone? Some - like the 1,000 "failed attempts" by Thomas Edison - have been well documented but, be assured, this is true of ANY real invention!

 

So, you are NOT quitting when you are STARTING OVER...regardless of how many times you have had to do so.

 

Be sure to listen to today's podcast for more and please share the blog AND the podcast with as many as possible. Also, be sure to take a moment to read my "extra note" below the links.

 

As always, thank you for taking the time to read today's blog and, as always, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

 

Future You University   "Like" FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

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SPECIAL, ADDITIONAL NOTE FROM MIKE!

Hey guys, I just wanted to share this note with you that ties in with today's topic. PERHAPS you have had to try to "start over" with your finances time and time again. PERHAPS you are tired of having too much month left over at the end of your money.

WHAT IF I could share with you a way to PAY OFF YOUR DEBT without having to even increase your income?

That's right! This is NOT a "money-making" scheme to try to get you to sign up for. Nope! This is a "tried and true" plan that WORKS in helping show you how to systematically REMOVE and EXTINQUISH your debt once and for all.

When I was at the Dani Johnson event in San Antonio, Texas this past July I got to see FIRST HAND the group of people that had paid off TONS and TONS of debt all while increasing (that's right, INCREASING) their income at the same time.

Like I said, this is from Dani Johnson - you've heard me talk about her time and time again. She has a PROVEN SUCCESS TRACK RECORD in several areas and this is DEFINITELY one of them.

Just so you know, I am an affiliate of this program (and, by the way, my wife and I DO own this program ourselves!) and do receive a commission off of each sale.

Thing is, I can't and won't EVER promote somthing that I do not believe in 100% myself.

So, check it out, read the information for yourself and think about positioning yourself to where you NEVER have to "start over" financially again.