Posts Tagged ‘financial myths’

Should I Move My Money Out of the Stock Market? Where?

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011

With the Dow losing 15% over the last 3 weeks, many are wondering what to do next. Should we wait it out, or should we get out? When’s enough enough? What if it comes back?

Are you frustrated with how your money has grown (or not grown) over the last 10 years?

If you see virtually every article on this topic, they will tell you to calm down and ride the wave. Besides, you don’t want to get off the roller coaster when it gets exciting, would you? These article contributors will make it sound like you are on anti-depressants and can’t think for yourself because you’re too stupid to keep your emotions in check.

In reality, I think you’re smarter than they say you are. Using fear is a great way to keep their advertisers (investment firms and banks) happy. Despite this, you don’t want to make a mistake either. After all, you don’t want to get out when everyone says to stay in, do you? Shouldn’t we follow the herd and play it safe?

My own personal motto with any kind of investment or business deal is “When in doubt, stay out.”

However, I legally can’t tell you to buy or sell. Besides, it would be bad to tell you what to do without knowing who you are. But, I would have you consider a few things to help you make up your own mind.

  1. Are you avoiding looking at what’s happening so you don’t stress out?
  2. Do you have doubts about the future of the economy and government decisions?
  3. Are you really passionate about the stock market, or do you just want to invest where you can create freedom and security?
  4. Do you know what you’re doing in the market?
  5. Does your financial advisor have any control of the markets, or are they just telling you to “trust them?
  6. What would you do if the market kept going down?
  7. Why do Chris Miles and Dale Clarke laugh when the market tanks? =)

If you could answer these confidently (except for question #7), then you may be fine keeping your money there. If you had doubts about your investments, you may want to consider talking with a professional (hopefully someone who’s not paid to sell you products) to know what would be best for you. Ignoring what’s happening to your money is as bad as ignoring your spouse. Like in relationships, if you ignore them too long, you lose them. Don’t ignore and lose your money either!

If you want to learn ways to not only make money, but keep it, then I would recommend educating yourself further about the NEW RULES OF MONEY. If you like the gamble, that’s fine too. Go ahead and follow the herd, and let us know how it goes.

The good news is that Dale and I sleep well no matter what the news is saying. How have you been sleeping lately?

Self-Made Millionaires…Really?

Monday, May 23rd, 2011

As a child did you ever dream about becoming a Millionaire?  Driving a fancy sports car? Living in a castle in Germany?  Wealth beyond imagination?  Perhaps you day-dreamed about where you would travel or what you would do with your life if money were of no concern.

Being a “self-made” millionaire is something that is at the heart of many in search of the American Dream.  The idea of creating an innovative product or service, starting a business, and marketing that product and/or service to the world is what drives most entrepreneurial minds.  The truth of the matter is that there are no self-made millionaires.  In fact, every time I hear someone say it, I cringe. It’s simply not true!!! We live in an interdependent world where everyone must work with others to succeed. Our relationship capital and ability to exchange value with others is what accelerates more wealth. Did Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, or Carlos Slim do it alone? Of course not!!!

For instance, I used to be the “jack of all trades” financial advisor. You could come to me for mutual funds, life insurance, health insurance, mortgages, and even help with your debt! Heck, I would even offer to babysit if you would do business with me ;)  But seriously, despite all of these services, I struggled to make a decent living. Ironically, I made a lot more money when I began using my financial knowledge and ability to teach the “why” and the “how”, and then delegate a lot of the implementation of those services to others. I found out that I was better off making 50% of something than 100% of nothing. I was happy, the clients were happy, and my team was happy. How cool is that?! I figured out the fastest way to make money is to look for the “win-win-win.”

In the real business world, the more we focus on our using our strengths, and allow others to use their strengths, towards a common objective, the wealthier we ALL become.

What do you offer and who can help you deliver it so you can become more financially wealthy?

7 Secrets to Freeing Up Cash Flow Today!

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

What would your life look like if you were no longer living paycheck to paycheck?

Do you ever feel like there is too much month at the end of the money?

Would it be worthwhile if you could free up money now and not necessarily have to live cheap, using resources already at your disposal?

Below for some simple tips that can forever change your financial situation starting today!

Secret #1 - Track It! One of the biggest reasons that some people lose money each month is because they aren’t tracking how much is coming in and how much is going out due to fear of reality. In fact, I had one client that took weeks before she finally decided to track her income and expenses with our FREE tracker, only to free up almost $5000 each month because she began tracking how much she would spend on eating out! The truth shall set you free!

Secret #2 - Produce! You can only reduce expenses so far. One option that has limitless potential is find ways to increase your income by increasing avenues for creating value for others that would merit receiving money in return. The beautiful part of this is that it does not need to require more time from you, but more creativity around how you are able to give others what they want so that you can get what you want.

Secret #3 - Save on Taxes! Although I support paying taxes, I believe you should only pay what is required. Ignorance is often one of the costliest problems. If you keep getting a tax return each year, you are overpaying every paycheck. For example, if you get back a return of $6000, you overpaid, on average $500/month!!!

  • Bonus Tip - Turn your hobby or part-time work into a business. By setting up the right corporation(s), you could save even more on taxes than you are now! If you already have a business, you may consider getting a 2nd opinion on your tax structuring.

Secret #4 - Refinance Loans! Put your credit to good use. By merely refinancing or consolidating your loans (debts), you could free up money each month without spending a dime! To have better peace of mind, get the smallest minimum payment possible, and then you can choose whether you want to keep making the old payment to pay it down faster.

Secret #5 - Stop Retirement Contributions! Some people feel they have to put money away into retirement accounts for “someday” but ignore how they can have a great rate of return that could free up hundreds of dollars each month! Have you ever noticed that some people will insist on putting money into a retirement account that may lose money, but not pay off a 13% credit card that would immediately give them more cash to put in their retirement accounts each month anyway? What makes sense to you?

Secret #6 - Pay Minimums on Loans! Certain people will try to pay a little extra to each loan every month. This is likely costing them THOUSANDS of dollars! Instead, pay all those extra payments to one loan at a time. Warning - Don’t always pay the highest interest rate first. You could lose thousands of dollars in interest by buying into that myth. Remember to consider that cash flow creates freedom.

Secret #7 - Sell Assets Do you ever feel the need to simplify your life? Is your spouse bugging you to clean out your garage? If you aren’t using it, sell it! Don’t have a gym membership only to show off the key chain. Don’t keep certain tools or furniture because you “might use it someday.” Get rid of it! My wife and I cleaned out our garage last year and we made about $2000 AND I could park my car!

To receive other FREE financial secrets and tips, click here!

*Results mentioned above are not always typical and can vary for each person

Pay Off Debt Better Than Dave Ramsey

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Learn how to pay off your debt better than the typical answer given by financial “experts”, like Dave Ramsey, who are not looking to improve on their own methods. The secret?  IGNORE THE INTEREST RATE and use our Cash Flow Index (CFI) to determine which debt to pay off first!

Although interest rates are a factor, banks and other financial institutions are able to manipulate you to pay off debts that help lessen their risk while increasing yours. For instance, if you put more equity into your home, you are still at risk for being foreclosed on if you can’t make a payment. In fact, they may be MORE willing to foreclose on you if you have more equity in your home.

Ask yourself the following questions:

  1. How often do banks want your money?
  2. How much of your money do they want today?
  3. How long do they want your money for?
  4. What incentives do they offer you to either have you pay off debts faster or save money with them longer?

Every answer is about them getting your money to be used as fast as possible. Ironically, they teach us to not touch our money until much later! Why do they play by different rules than what they teach us to do? Instead of being suckered into using the strategies banks teach you to GIVE THEM MORE MONEY, DO what is in YOUR best interest! REMEMBER THIS-Pay off debt that gives you the greatest cash flow with the least investment.

You can also get more details with our previous podcast on how to more effectively pay off your debt.

To receive other FREE financial secrets and tips, click here!