By: Brian Tracy
www.briantracy.com
Throughout the history of American enterprise, you've heard the words, "work hard and save your money." Work hard and save your money. It is the oldest rule for success in America. It's so important, as a matter of fact, that W. Clement Stone once said, "if you cannot save money, then the seeds of greatness are not in you."
Saving Is a Discipline
Why is it that saving money is so important? Because saving money is a discipline and any discipline affects all other disciplines in your life. If you do not have the discipline to refrain from spending all the money that you earn, then you are not qualified to become wealthy and if you do become wealthy, you'll not be capable of holding on to it.
The Law of Attraction
A principle with regard to saving your money is the law of attraction. The law of attraction is activated by saved money. Even one dollar saved will start to attract more money. Here's what I suggest that you do. If you're really serious about your future, go down and open a savings account. Put as much money as you can into it, even if it's only ten dollars. And then begin to collect little bits of money, and every week go down and put something into that account.
Attract More Money Into Your Life
You will find that the more you put in that account, the more you will attract from sources that you cannot now predict. But if you do not begin the savings process, if you don't begin putting something away towards your financial independence, then nothing will happen to you. The law of attraction just simply won't work.
Invest Your Money Conservatively
Once you begin to accumulate money, here's another rule. Invest the money conservatively. Marvin Davis, self-made billionaire, was asked by Forbes Magazine, "How do you account for your financial success?" And he said, "Well, I have two rules for financial investing." He said, "Rule number one is, don't lose money." He said, whenever I'm tempted, whenever I see an opportunity to invest where there's a possibility I could lose it all, I just simply refrain from putting the money in. Rule number two is, whenever I get tempted, I refer back to rule number one. Don't lose money.
Get Rich Slowly
George Classon says, in The Richest Man In Babylon, that the key is to accumulate your funds and then invest them very conservatively. One of the characteristics of self-made millionaires, one of the characteristics of old money in America is that it's very cautiously, conservatively and prudently invested.
Don't try to get rich quickly. Concentrate rather on getting rich slowly. If all you do is save ten percent of your earnings, put it away, and let it accumulate at compound interest, that alone will make you wealthy.
Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do to apply these lessons to your financial life:
First, open a separate savings and investing account today. From this day forward, put every single dollar you can spare into this account and resolve to never touch it or spend it for any reason.
Second, whenever you consider any investment of your savings, remember the rule, "Don't lose money!" It is better to keep the money working at a low rate of interest than to take the chance of losing it. Be careful. A fool and his money are soon parted.
www.briantracy.com
Παρασκευή 28 Μαΐου 2010
Σάββατο 22 Μαΐου 2010
LIFE ON PURPOSE
By Dr. Brad Swift
"All is in Divine Order and working perfectly even when it doesn't at first glance look like it. Take this economic crisis -- while it may not match our preferences for how we'd like it to be, it's the perfect outcome to expect when you have a small number of ego-centric people hungry for power and run by greed making the decisions and policies while everyone else casts a blind eye of ignorance and complacency." Brad Swift from meditation.
While participating in John Randolph Price's 40 Day Prosperity Plan which includes meditating each day and then journaling, the above statement flowed from my pen. Upon reflecting on it later, it felt true and worthy of expanding upon. For years I've used the affirmation, "All is in Divine Order so I flow with what's flowing," especially during those times that it didn't look or feel like Divine Order was present.
Now, I see that those times may have gone against the grain of my preferences, but were consistent with the thought and emotional patterns that preceded the times. And if we are not awake and aware, it is easy to perpetuate the undesired conditions through worry, doubt, fear, and lack-based thinking. The realization that "all is in Divine Order" is a perfect point from which to pivot to a new reality, perhaps even to a reality that is both in Divine Order and more consistent with our preferences, especially when those preferences are aligned with the greater good of all concerned.
============= Applying it to Daily Life =============
While this may be an interesting observation and thought process, how do we apply it to our everyday lives?
May I suggest the following:
1. Notice a time or situation that may not appear to be in Divine Order or that doesn't match with your preferences. Maybe it's something as simple as rushing around to get yourself to work, then walking out to the car only to find one of your tires is flat?
2. How, you might ask, could a flat tire that's going to make you late for work be in Divine Order? And that's exactly what I invite you to do -- ask this question of your Inner Guidance. See if you can ask it, not from a place of upset and frustration but with an authentic sense of curiosity. "Wow, this sure doesn't look or feel to be in Divine Order. So, I'm curious, how might this be in Divine Order?
3. Then be open to receiving input. As possible answers come, check in to see which feel most empowering, and don't be surprised if there's more than one, since often Divine Order has multiple ways of serving.
Here are some possible responses to the above scenario: "This is God's not so subtle way to suggest I slow down and pay more attention. The car was pulling to that side yesterday on the drive home. If I hadn't been in such a rush, I'd known to check the tires. "This is God suggesting to me to learn to be more comfortable in reaching out for support from others. I know I could still make it to work on time by simply calling Joe to swing by and pick me up.
Now, the question is, "will I allow another to support me like that?" "This is Divine intervention suggesting to me that today is not a day to work. That I've been putting in a lot of overtime and it's time for a bit of rest and rejuvenation time. I'll go inside and call AAA to have the tire fixed and take one personal day for me. This way, I'll be much more effective in my work upon returning."
Remember, to look for which responses feel right, and that appear to point you to the 'greater good of all concerned.' Follow that guidance and see where it leads.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Brad Swift is one of the foremost experts on the subject of personal life purpose, having founded the Life On Purpose Institute in 1996. An avid student of the human development movement and New Thought, he specializes in life purpose coaching with individuals and groups. He is the author of: · Coaching to Win: Building Your Business by Building Your Team · Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life -- an award winning finalist in the Self-Help: Motivational division of the Best Books 2007 Awards sponsored by USA News. Check out his website www.lifeonpurpose.com or contact him coachbrad@lifeonpurpose.com
Sent to you as a courtesy of...
Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
For a free eBook of James Allens classic:
http://www.AsAManThinketh.net
"All is in Divine Order and working perfectly even when it doesn't at first glance look like it. Take this economic crisis -- while it may not match our preferences for how we'd like it to be, it's the perfect outcome to expect when you have a small number of ego-centric people hungry for power and run by greed making the decisions and policies while everyone else casts a blind eye of ignorance and complacency." Brad Swift from meditation.
While participating in John Randolph Price's 40 Day Prosperity Plan which includes meditating each day and then journaling, the above statement flowed from my pen. Upon reflecting on it later, it felt true and worthy of expanding upon. For years I've used the affirmation, "All is in Divine Order so I flow with what's flowing," especially during those times that it didn't look or feel like Divine Order was present.
Now, I see that those times may have gone against the grain of my preferences, but were consistent with the thought and emotional patterns that preceded the times. And if we are not awake and aware, it is easy to perpetuate the undesired conditions through worry, doubt, fear, and lack-based thinking. The realization that "all is in Divine Order" is a perfect point from which to pivot to a new reality, perhaps even to a reality that is both in Divine Order and more consistent with our preferences, especially when those preferences are aligned with the greater good of all concerned.
============= Applying it to Daily Life =============
While this may be an interesting observation and thought process, how do we apply it to our everyday lives?
May I suggest the following:
1. Notice a time or situation that may not appear to be in Divine Order or that doesn't match with your preferences. Maybe it's something as simple as rushing around to get yourself to work, then walking out to the car only to find one of your tires is flat?
2. How, you might ask, could a flat tire that's going to make you late for work be in Divine Order? And that's exactly what I invite you to do -- ask this question of your Inner Guidance. See if you can ask it, not from a place of upset and frustration but with an authentic sense of curiosity. "Wow, this sure doesn't look or feel to be in Divine Order. So, I'm curious, how might this be in Divine Order?
3. Then be open to receiving input. As possible answers come, check in to see which feel most empowering, and don't be surprised if there's more than one, since often Divine Order has multiple ways of serving.
Here are some possible responses to the above scenario: "This is God's not so subtle way to suggest I slow down and pay more attention. The car was pulling to that side yesterday on the drive home. If I hadn't been in such a rush, I'd known to check the tires. "This is God suggesting to me to learn to be more comfortable in reaching out for support from others. I know I could still make it to work on time by simply calling Joe to swing by and pick me up.
Now, the question is, "will I allow another to support me like that?" "This is Divine intervention suggesting to me that today is not a day to work. That I've been putting in a lot of overtime and it's time for a bit of rest and rejuvenation time. I'll go inside and call AAA to have the tire fixed and take one personal day for me. This way, I'll be much more effective in my work upon returning."
Remember, to look for which responses feel right, and that appear to point you to the 'greater good of all concerned.' Follow that guidance and see where it leads.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Brad Swift is one of the foremost experts on the subject of personal life purpose, having founded the Life On Purpose Institute in 1996. An avid student of the human development movement and New Thought, he specializes in life purpose coaching with individuals and groups. He is the author of: · Coaching to Win: Building Your Business by Building Your Team · Life On Purpose: Six Passages to an Inspired Life -- an award winning finalist in the Self-Help: Motivational division of the Best Books 2007 Awards sponsored by USA News. Check out his website www.lifeonpurpose.com or contact him coachbrad@lifeonpurpose.com
Sent to you as a courtesy of...
Your friends at AsAManThinketh.net
For a free eBook of James Allens classic:
http://www.AsAManThinketh.net
Τετάρτη 19 Μαΐου 2010
If You Don't Lose Weight Your Finances Will
by Jennifer Openshaw
Wednesday, April 21, 2010provided byhttp://www.marketwatch.com/news/default.asp?siteid=yhoo&dist=yhooSnapshotLoghttp://www.marketwatch.com/news/default.asp?siteid=yhoo&dist=yhooSnapshotLog
Studies show normal-weight folks earn more money and have more savings
You have to admire Michelle Obama for taking on an issue that can turn off millions of Americans, who themselves are overweight. From better food labels to more money for healthier foods in schools, the First Lady is taking on the issue with a vengeance, tackling the problem from many corners.
But there's another, big reason that each and every parent should get rid of excess weight and teach their kids good eating habits: our financial futures.
Now, you might argue that eating at McDonald's is a lot cheaper than making burgers from scratch -- and it does save you time -- but that's hardly a reason to run for the Golden Arches.
Now, mind you, I love good things. People call me a foodie. But I try to battle the bulge with modifications here and there and a lot of exercise. As a friend once said, echoing my thoughts, "I exercise so that I can have dessert."
So if you're wondering if you should put your kids on a diet -- even if you can't seem to tighten your own belt -- then consider these costs that will add to their financial security - or lack of it - over time:
Food. By definition, someone who's overweight is consuming more calories. I don't care what it is, but another 1,000 calories with a high concentration of fat -- say, just one brownie sundae with whipped cream -- can cost you another $6. And that doesn't count the bags of chips and god knows what else. That $6 a day you munch consumes a whopping $143,000 from your nest egg over 30 years, assuming just a 5% annual return.
Illness. According to a Rand study, obese people spend 36% more on health services than people who are normal weight -- everything from co-pays to prescription drugs. That's no surprise. Overweight and obese people tend to suffer from a higher incidence of chronic disease, including musculoskeletal disorders. The result? "Recovery from any given injury or illness is likely to be more difficult and more expensive than for normal-weight individuals," says Claire Wilkinson, director of global insurance issues for the Insurance Information Institute. That means more physical therapy, more time off the job and higher medical bills overall.
Life Insurance. Looking to protect your kid if something happens to you? It'll cost you more if you're heavy. The longer you're likely to live, the lower the chance that an insurance company will have to make a payout on a claim. Obese people live on average 7 years less, so life insurers have to account for such differences in their underwriting. "For this reason, life insurance for overweight and obese people generally costs more than for normal-weight people," says Wilkinson. "Insurance companies take into account a lot of different factors when they're quoting you with a rate," she adds. "Things like family history, healthy weight, and whether you exercise regularly may enable you to qualify for a more favorable rate class." In group life insurance plans, while age, smoking and even gender can impact rates to individuals, obesity isn't used as a factor, at least not yet.
Earnings, Net Worth and Marriage. You've heard the studies that show better looking people earn more. Being thin helps too. A study by the Ohio State University Center for Human Resources Research found that the obese accumulate only about half the net worth of non-obese Americans, and gender and ethnicity make a big difference. Overall, a one-point increase in body mass index dropped net worth by $1,300. But wealth increases are nonlinear; that is, a 10-point change from a highly overweight reading means much more. (by the way, to learn more about BMI and calculate yours, go here http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. Now for earnings: The Ohio State study found that a typical woman earned $314 less annually for every one-point increase in BMI while a male counterpart earned $161 less. Another study by a New York University sociologist found that, for women, a 1% increase in BMI led to a 0.6% decrease in income, a 0.4% decrease in job "prestige" and a 0.35% decrease in the likelihood of marriage. To keep this simple, assuming this is true, just a one point increase in a man's BMI could lead to a drop in savings over 30 years by as much as $10,700 (assuming a 5% annual return if these earnings were not otherwise lost), while for a woman, a savings impact of over $20,000.
It's easy to blame fast-food giants like Kraft and McDonald's for the obesity issue. But it all really starts with good habits. And that comes mostly from Mom and Dad.
Jennifer Openshaw, founder of the original Women's Financial Network, is author of "The Millionaire Zone ." Through SuperFutures.org , she offers a youth leadership program at the United Nations to help teens. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter @jopenshaw or email at jennifer@familyfn.com
Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109365/if-you-dont-lose-weight-your-finances-will
Wednesday, April 21, 2010provided byhttp://www.marketwatch.com/news/default.asp?siteid=yhoo&dist=yhooSnapshotLoghttp://www.marketwatch.com/news/default.asp?siteid=yhoo&dist=yhooSnapshotLog
Studies show normal-weight folks earn more money and have more savings
You have to admire Michelle Obama for taking on an issue that can turn off millions of Americans, who themselves are overweight. From better food labels to more money for healthier foods in schools, the First Lady is taking on the issue with a vengeance, tackling the problem from many corners.
But there's another, big reason that each and every parent should get rid of excess weight and teach their kids good eating habits: our financial futures.
Now, you might argue that eating at McDonald's is a lot cheaper than making burgers from scratch -- and it does save you time -- but that's hardly a reason to run for the Golden Arches.
Now, mind you, I love good things. People call me a foodie. But I try to battle the bulge with modifications here and there and a lot of exercise. As a friend once said, echoing my thoughts, "I exercise so that I can have dessert."
So if you're wondering if you should put your kids on a diet -- even if you can't seem to tighten your own belt -- then consider these costs that will add to their financial security - or lack of it - over time:
Food. By definition, someone who's overweight is consuming more calories. I don't care what it is, but another 1,000 calories with a high concentration of fat -- say, just one brownie sundae with whipped cream -- can cost you another $6. And that doesn't count the bags of chips and god knows what else. That $6 a day you munch consumes a whopping $143,000 from your nest egg over 30 years, assuming just a 5% annual return.
Illness. According to a Rand study, obese people spend 36% more on health services than people who are normal weight -- everything from co-pays to prescription drugs. That's no surprise. Overweight and obese people tend to suffer from a higher incidence of chronic disease, including musculoskeletal disorders. The result? "Recovery from any given injury or illness is likely to be more difficult and more expensive than for normal-weight individuals," says Claire Wilkinson, director of global insurance issues for the Insurance Information Institute. That means more physical therapy, more time off the job and higher medical bills overall.
Life Insurance. Looking to protect your kid if something happens to you? It'll cost you more if you're heavy. The longer you're likely to live, the lower the chance that an insurance company will have to make a payout on a claim. Obese people live on average 7 years less, so life insurers have to account for such differences in their underwriting. "For this reason, life insurance for overweight and obese people generally costs more than for normal-weight people," says Wilkinson. "Insurance companies take into account a lot of different factors when they're quoting you with a rate," she adds. "Things like family history, healthy weight, and whether you exercise regularly may enable you to qualify for a more favorable rate class." In group life insurance plans, while age, smoking and even gender can impact rates to individuals, obesity isn't used as a factor, at least not yet.
Earnings, Net Worth and Marriage. You've heard the studies that show better looking people earn more. Being thin helps too. A study by the Ohio State University Center for Human Resources Research found that the obese accumulate only about half the net worth of non-obese Americans, and gender and ethnicity make a big difference. Overall, a one-point increase in body mass index dropped net worth by $1,300. But wealth increases are nonlinear; that is, a 10-point change from a highly overweight reading means much more. (by the way, to learn more about BMI and calculate yours, go here http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/. Now for earnings: The Ohio State study found that a typical woman earned $314 less annually for every one-point increase in BMI while a male counterpart earned $161 less. Another study by a New York University sociologist found that, for women, a 1% increase in BMI led to a 0.6% decrease in income, a 0.4% decrease in job "prestige" and a 0.35% decrease in the likelihood of marriage. To keep this simple, assuming this is true, just a one point increase in a man's BMI could lead to a drop in savings over 30 years by as much as $10,700 (assuming a 5% annual return if these earnings were not otherwise lost), while for a woman, a savings impact of over $20,000.
It's easy to blame fast-food giants like Kraft and McDonald's for the obesity issue. But it all really starts with good habits. And that comes mostly from Mom and Dad.
Jennifer Openshaw, founder of the original Women's Financial Network, is author of "The Millionaire Zone ." Through SuperFutures.org , she offers a youth leadership program at the United Nations to help teens. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter @jopenshaw or email at jennifer@familyfn.com
Copyrighted, MarketWatch. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of MarketWatch content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of MarketWatch. MarketWatch shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/109365/if-you-dont-lose-weight-your-finances-will
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