Saturday, December 04, 2004
You can’t keep a good idea down, or to yourself.
I tell everyone this is my year of greed.
If I know them, and like them, I tell them I’m building an empire. I want to be accountable.
Sincerely telling people cements my commitment to myself. People will be watching me to see if, and how I do it. Sort of like a declaring your love in a commitment ceremony. People will ask “How’s your Wife? Husband? Lover?” or “How’s being married treating you, so far?” They check in on what you committed to. That’s a blessing and an obligation. Your integrity is exposed and you are vulnerable. But it binds your actions to your ideals.
DIY REIT
My group is meeting weekly. It looks like we’re leaning toward a REIT, Real Estate Investment Trust. I have to do some homework and read up on how we have to set it up so that things can be equitable for all parties concerned.
We’re going to buy a small property first. Learn what we need on how to handle the research, purchase, revenues and expenses on one property together.
Then we’re going to roll the returns from that property into a bigger property, and so on.
Some Xmas stocking up
This month is Stock investment month for me. I’m reading on stock investment. I’ll use the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC) , www.better-investing.org, study program. I’ve been an inactive member for enough years that if I were active I would have a great nest egg by now. Another lesson learned.
NAIC also offer a Low Cost Investment Plan , www.better-investing.org/about/lowcost, that I’m going to enroll in this weekend.
I got a trail subscription of the Investors Business Daily, www.investors.com, too. They offer lots of investment strategy tutorials and research information. At first glance, they’re research system looks simple and doable, but I won’t know for sure until I test-drive it.
I’m going to get a one-year subscription for my year of greed.
Gig and Bare it
The contract I’m working on will be ending in February. I’ll be sending out my resume this month and checking the job listings to see if I can find either a long-term contract, or a full-time position. It’s easier to pull off empire building when you have steady income flow. I will schedule time daily to job seeking and resume distribution. The goal is to have something confirmed by the end of January.
I tell everyone this is my year of greed.
If I know them, and like them, I tell them I’m building an empire. I want to be accountable.
Sincerely telling people cements my commitment to myself. People will be watching me to see if, and how I do it. Sort of like a declaring your love in a commitment ceremony. People will ask “How’s your Wife? Husband? Lover?” or “How’s being married treating you, so far?” They check in on what you committed to. That’s a blessing and an obligation. Your integrity is exposed and you are vulnerable. But it binds your actions to your ideals.
DIY REIT
My group is meeting weekly. It looks like we’re leaning toward a REIT, Real Estate Investment Trust. I have to do some homework and read up on how we have to set it up so that things can be equitable for all parties concerned.
We’re going to buy a small property first. Learn what we need on how to handle the research, purchase, revenues and expenses on one property together.
Then we’re going to roll the returns from that property into a bigger property, and so on.
Some Xmas stocking up
This month is Stock investment month for me. I’m reading on stock investment. I’ll use the National Association of Investors Corporation (NAIC) , www.better-investing.org, study program. I’ve been an inactive member for enough years that if I were active I would have a great nest egg by now. Another lesson learned.
NAIC also offer a Low Cost Investment Plan , www.better-investing.org/about/lowcost, that I’m going to enroll in this weekend.
I got a trail subscription of the Investors Business Daily, www.investors.com, too. They offer lots of investment strategy tutorials and research information. At first glance, they’re research system looks simple and doable, but I won’t know for sure until I test-drive it.
I’m going to get a one-year subscription for my year of greed.
Gig and Bare it
The contract I’m working on will be ending in February. I’ll be sending out my resume this month and checking the job listings to see if I can find either a long-term contract, or a full-time position. It’s easier to pull off empire building when you have steady income flow. I will schedule time daily to job seeking and resume distribution. The goal is to have something confirmed by the end of January.
Friday, November 26, 2004
Building an Empire.
It’s time to stand up and stop this financial bullshit.
I’m building an empire. That means that I’m successful and everyone associated with me is successful.
I’ve picked a guru, Rich Dad/Poor Dad’s Robert T Kiyosaki. I’m going to follow his methods, learn how to play the game and I’m going to have what I want and be what I want. I’m done having the game play me. Who’s in?
I’m in a relationship and I love my lover. We are complementary. We fit. But financially, he’s not onboard, yet.
I’m feeling guilty about dropping this on him. Enlisting him. I thought I was giving him a choice, but he really doesn’t have a choice. It’s all in. Right now.
So, here’s the plan.
I am not going to spend any more money on capitalist, consumerism trappings. I did my black Friday stand out in the cold to get a camcorder thing. I’m done with that. I’m playing to win.
I’m meeting every Tuesday with some like-minded friends. It’s all the rage. Pool our resources. Make our money work.
It starts today.
Here are my long-term goals:
1. Assets first.
I will buy assets [stocks, real estate, businesses] and let those assets buy my toys.
2. Purchases for positive cash flow.
I will purchase properties with positive cash flow. I will research and make decisions based on numbers and facts.
3. Make my money work.
I will become a smart investor. My money will work for me always. I will study and learn from my mistakes. I will not be lulled into submission.
4. Find a mentor.
I will find a mentor who is playing the game at a higher level than I am. Someone who wants to be a mentor and wants to invest time in helping me.
5. Build a team.
I will build a team of financially intelligent people who are practicing what they preach.
Debt Shame
What I learned tonight.
My lover is a great guy. But when we talk about debt, he turns into an asshole. He goes through the whole debt tantrum. Sulking, then yelling. It’s too much work to try to come up with a plan to pay it down. He says he knows about transferring balances, but he just hasn’t done it.
Why not? What is the risk? If you are paying double-digit interest on consumer debt, it’s a no-brainer. PAY IT DOWN.
I think he is ashamed of his debt. He wants to hide it in a closet. Pay as little as tolerable, so it doesn’t look like he owes so much money. Then he pretends that it will go away or it doesn’t matter. This is the trap. This is the credit card siren song. It’s not magic. Debt is real. It strangles your future.
How are you using your card?
Ask yourself, when does this card help me? Does it help you buy toys? Impress people? What do you need it for? If you are not paying your MONTHLY balance off, you are throwing the money you worked for away. The interest the credit card companies are collecting from you is money YOU WORKED FOR.
Pay off your past.
Whatever the reason you have this debt is long gone before you can pay it off. Holding on to shame over debt can make you inactive. Make you avoid the problem of increasing interest rates and late payments. Paying off these balances now will free you to enjoy the money you’re making a year from now.
If you can reclaim 15% of the payment you’re making to the credit card companies, it’s like earning 15% on your money. That’s a better rate then you’ll get putting it in the bank.
Borrow from Peter to pay Paul
Balance transfers can help you pay down some of your credit card debt. If you can transfer your balance on a 17% interest account to a 7% interest account, you save 10% every month you make a payment.
1. This is, in most cases, only a temporary fix.
That transferred balance will expire. Then you can expect the interest rate to climb back up and maybe surpass what you were paying.
2. Pay on time.
Don’t blow your great rate by paying late. If you can, set up an automatic payment for the same amount you were paying before. Commit to setting that money aside FIRST. This will keep your interest rate from reverting after a late payment.
3. Pay down more.
Try to make a larger payment at a lower interest rate. This means you’ll be paying down on more of the principle with each payment.
4. Go Online.
If your bank, or credit card provider offers FREE online payment, use it. Set up your payments to fall at the same time. Log on in one session and pay online. This will guarantee that you don’t miss a payment because you ran out of stamps or misplaced the statement under your cutting board or on your desk.
Threaten Peter with Paul
Everything is negotiable. Credit Card companies would rather offer you a lower interest rate than see you pay that money to someone else. Take your research on balance transfers and call your credit card provider. Tell them that you were offered a balance transfer at a lower rate. Ask them if they have any offers that you can use to do the same thing without having to take your payments to someone else. If the rep on the line has any experience, they will offer you the same rate, or lower, for a longer amount of time or even for the whole balance on your account.
This is probably the worst kept secrete, yet many people are so ashamed of their debt that they don’t attempt it.
There are some reps that will not offer you a better deal.
Thank them for their time. Hang up. And call right back and speak to another rep. You’ll eventually hit a savvy one that will work with you. If you don’t, then take you money elsewhere.
Another alternative is Consumer Credit Counseling.
There are several non-profit agencies that will help you negotiate a lower interest rate on your debt. Because of their relationship with these credit card providers, they can sometimes get you interest rates as low as 4%.
You have to do your homework with these organizations. The real non-profits ask for some small processing fee $15 or so. Each state has an agency that will help with this. Consumer Credit Counseling agencies also ask you to give up your credit cards. Yes, I said it. They ASK you to sign an agreement saying you will not apply for another card until your balance is paid off.
This is an excellent idea for anyone who is carrying a total credit card balance in the double-digit thousands.
If you really want a credit card this is incentive to pay off your debt.
In this age of debt cards and check cards you could probably do without a credit card. What that will also do is make sure your not paying any interest on your new purchases.
These services consolidate your payment so that you are only writing one check a month.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
There are some shady characters out there. Read their information. Ask them what services they offer and what do they charge? There is a great article that covers what questions to ask and how to report and research these agencies.
Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor
Well that’s a start.
I’m going to be working on my empire and doing whatever I need to do to make this successful.
I wish you the same.
It’s time to stand up and stop this financial bullshit.
I’m building an empire. That means that I’m successful and everyone associated with me is successful.
I’ve picked a guru, Rich Dad/Poor Dad’s Robert T Kiyosaki. I’m going to follow his methods, learn how to play the game and I’m going to have what I want and be what I want. I’m done having the game play me. Who’s in?
I’m in a relationship and I love my lover. We are complementary. We fit. But financially, he’s not onboard, yet.
I’m feeling guilty about dropping this on him. Enlisting him. I thought I was giving him a choice, but he really doesn’t have a choice. It’s all in. Right now.
So, here’s the plan.
I am not going to spend any more money on capitalist, consumerism trappings. I did my black Friday stand out in the cold to get a camcorder thing. I’m done with that. I’m playing to win.
I’m meeting every Tuesday with some like-minded friends. It’s all the rage. Pool our resources. Make our money work.
It starts today.
Here are my long-term goals:
1. Assets first.
I will buy assets [stocks, real estate, businesses] and let those assets buy my toys.
2. Purchases for positive cash flow.
I will purchase properties with positive cash flow. I will research and make decisions based on numbers and facts.
3. Make my money work.
I will become a smart investor. My money will work for me always. I will study and learn from my mistakes. I will not be lulled into submission.
4. Find a mentor.
I will find a mentor who is playing the game at a higher level than I am. Someone who wants to be a mentor and wants to invest time in helping me.
5. Build a team.
I will build a team of financially intelligent people who are practicing what they preach.
Debt Shame
What I learned tonight.
My lover is a great guy. But when we talk about debt, he turns into an asshole. He goes through the whole debt tantrum. Sulking, then yelling. It’s too much work to try to come up with a plan to pay it down. He says he knows about transferring balances, but he just hasn’t done it.
Why not? What is the risk? If you are paying double-digit interest on consumer debt, it’s a no-brainer. PAY IT DOWN.
I think he is ashamed of his debt. He wants to hide it in a closet. Pay as little as tolerable, so it doesn’t look like he owes so much money. Then he pretends that it will go away or it doesn’t matter. This is the trap. This is the credit card siren song. It’s not magic. Debt is real. It strangles your future.
How are you using your card?
Ask yourself, when does this card help me? Does it help you buy toys? Impress people? What do you need it for? If you are not paying your MONTHLY balance off, you are throwing the money you worked for away. The interest the credit card companies are collecting from you is money YOU WORKED FOR.
Pay off your past.
Whatever the reason you have this debt is long gone before you can pay it off. Holding on to shame over debt can make you inactive. Make you avoid the problem of increasing interest rates and late payments. Paying off these balances now will free you to enjoy the money you’re making a year from now.
If you can reclaim 15% of the payment you’re making to the credit card companies, it’s like earning 15% on your money. That’s a better rate then you’ll get putting it in the bank.
Borrow from Peter to pay Paul
Balance transfers can help you pay down some of your credit card debt. If you can transfer your balance on a 17% interest account to a 7% interest account, you save 10% every month you make a payment.
1. This is, in most cases, only a temporary fix.
That transferred balance will expire. Then you can expect the interest rate to climb back up and maybe surpass what you were paying.
2. Pay on time.
Don’t blow your great rate by paying late. If you can, set up an automatic payment for the same amount you were paying before. Commit to setting that money aside FIRST. This will keep your interest rate from reverting after a late payment.
3. Pay down more.
Try to make a larger payment at a lower interest rate. This means you’ll be paying down on more of the principle with each payment.
4. Go Online.
If your bank, or credit card provider offers FREE online payment, use it. Set up your payments to fall at the same time. Log on in one session and pay online. This will guarantee that you don’t miss a payment because you ran out of stamps or misplaced the statement under your cutting board or on your desk.
Threaten Peter with Paul
Everything is negotiable. Credit Card companies would rather offer you a lower interest rate than see you pay that money to someone else. Take your research on balance transfers and call your credit card provider. Tell them that you were offered a balance transfer at a lower rate. Ask them if they have any offers that you can use to do the same thing without having to take your payments to someone else. If the rep on the line has any experience, they will offer you the same rate, or lower, for a longer amount of time or even for the whole balance on your account.
This is probably the worst kept secrete, yet many people are so ashamed of their debt that they don’t attempt it.
There are some reps that will not offer you a better deal.
Thank them for their time. Hang up. And call right back and speak to another rep. You’ll eventually hit a savvy one that will work with you. If you don’t, then take you money elsewhere.
Another alternative is Consumer Credit Counseling.
There are several non-profit agencies that will help you negotiate a lower interest rate on your debt. Because of their relationship with these credit card providers, they can sometimes get you interest rates as low as 4%.
You have to do your homework with these organizations. The real non-profits ask for some small processing fee $15 or so. Each state has an agency that will help with this. Consumer Credit Counseling agencies also ask you to give up your credit cards. Yes, I said it. They ASK you to sign an agreement saying you will not apply for another card until your balance is paid off.
This is an excellent idea for anyone who is carrying a total credit card balance in the double-digit thousands.
If you really want a credit card this is incentive to pay off your debt.
In this age of debt cards and check cards you could probably do without a credit card. What that will also do is make sure your not paying any interest on your new purchases.
These services consolidate your payment so that you are only writing one check a month.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK
There are some shady characters out there. Read their information. Ask them what services they offer and what do they charge? There is a great article that covers what questions to ask and how to report and research these agencies.
Fiscal Fitness: Choosing a Credit Counselor
Well that’s a start.
I’m going to be working on my empire and doing whatever I need to do to make this successful.
I wish you the same.
Monday, January 26, 2004
Fast catch up.
I've been contracting as a technical writer and Instructional developer.
It's been a good run for the past year, but as happens with contracting, things have dried up a little.
All the H.R. people think the market is flooded with people looking for work, so they try to low ball their rates. When you're contracting, you're only as good as your last rate, so contractors want their rate to go up with each new contract. At the very least, you don't want it to go down.
I'm using this time off to concentrate on learning XML and polishing my FrameMaker. I think I can hold out for a couple of months until I get a gig that's going to pay right.
Meantime, I'm reading the Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach. I feel foolish because it doesn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But he makes it sound a lot simpler than I thought it would be. So, I'm committed to putting money into my savings plan every two weeks. I'm working on a down payment for a Condo or a townhouse in three years.
My other project is creating another source of income, either books or Stand up comedy, or both.
I'm going to try to journal to help me keep track of what's going on.
I've been contracting as a technical writer and Instructional developer.
It's been a good run for the past year, but as happens with contracting, things have dried up a little.
All the H.R. people think the market is flooded with people looking for work, so they try to low ball their rates. When you're contracting, you're only as good as your last rate, so contractors want their rate to go up with each new contract. At the very least, you don't want it to go down.
I'm using this time off to concentrate on learning XML and polishing my FrameMaker. I think I can hold out for a couple of months until I get a gig that's going to pay right.
Meantime, I'm reading the Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach. I feel foolish because it doesn't tell me anything I didn't already know. But he makes it sound a lot simpler than I thought it would be. So, I'm committed to putting money into my savings plan every two weeks. I'm working on a down payment for a Condo or a townhouse in three years.
My other project is creating another source of income, either books or Stand up comedy, or both.
I'm going to try to journal to help me keep track of what's going on.
Wednesday, March 06, 2002
Today was the first day of the JPL/NASA High Tech conference 2002 News Releases - JPL to Hold High-Tech Conference for Small Business . It’s an Opportunity fair for small businesses. They have lots of government agencies and private businesses together to try and find small disadvantaged and minority business to contract work out to.
At first I was intimidated by the idea of going into that arena. We put together our business cards and a flyer and I posted our website. I was up late getting it all together.
We started talking with the companies and even talking with some of the other small businesses. We also talked with our competition. Most were in business longer than we were with more resources. That didn’t bother me though.
I’m digging the workshops and getting contact information for the agencies. But the most valuable information was about marketing.
Tomorrow morning I’m going to a General Services Administration (GSA) workshop to see about getting us some contracts with them. It’s a month full of networking.
I’m getting it now. The whole thing is going to be about marketing. One of the speakers said “You’re in the business of marketing yourself to another person.”
At first I was intimidated by the idea of going into that arena. We put together our business cards and a flyer and I posted our website. I was up late getting it all together.
We started talking with the companies and even talking with some of the other small businesses. We also talked with our competition. Most were in business longer than we were with more resources. That didn’t bother me though.
I’m digging the workshops and getting contact information for the agencies. But the most valuable information was about marketing.
Tomorrow morning I’m going to a General Services Administration (GSA) workshop to see about getting us some contracts with them. It’s a month full of networking.
I’m getting it now. The whole thing is going to be about marketing. One of the speakers said “You’re in the business of marketing yourself to another person.”
Friday, March 01, 2002
What a hard week. We are working hard to get everything ready for the conference. Our brochure takes a long time to print in color. I print the text on the Laser Printer then load the paper into the inkjet for the color graphics, which we were smart enough to keep to a minimum.
We got our website up, under construction and duress. We got our clients draft up under a sub-domain so that she can look at it. Pretty slick. We have to include that in our operations manual.
I’ve been looking over our sales package. I hope it’s not too informal for the companies and government agencies we’re going to be talking to. I wanted it to be simple and filled with possibilities for employment.
The National Grants search service I subscribed to is turning out to be a total scam. The “research” package my counselor finally sent was just some printouts from the internet. I had that information already. My advice, stay away from the $800 subscription service. It’s a total rip off, so far.
The Matthew Lesko package was a way better investment. The books he offers had the same information, more setup and research advice and only cost us $60 and he has specials. Today “Free Money To Change Your Life” is on sale for $28. It’s a bargain and a good buy if you want to take your tax money out of the government’s pockets and put it into yours.
I have to print up 100 more brochures this weekend. Then meet with my partner to go over our patter for the conference. She’s feeling like we won’t be ready. I feel like we have no choice. I want something good to happen for us this month.
We got our website up, under construction and duress. We got our clients draft up under a sub-domain so that she can look at it. Pretty slick. We have to include that in our operations manual.
I’ve been looking over our sales package. I hope it’s not too informal for the companies and government agencies we’re going to be talking to. I wanted it to be simple and filled with possibilities for employment.
The National Grants search service I subscribed to is turning out to be a total scam. The “research” package my counselor finally sent was just some printouts from the internet. I had that information already. My advice, stay away from the $800 subscription service. It’s a total rip off, so far.
The Matthew Lesko package was a way better investment. The books he offers had the same information, more setup and research advice and only cost us $60 and he has specials. Today “Free Money To Change Your Life” is on sale for $28. It’s a bargain and a good buy if you want to take your tax money out of the government’s pockets and put it into yours.
I have to print up 100 more brochures this weekend. Then meet with my partner to go over our patter for the conference. She’s feeling like we won’t be ready. I feel like we have no choice. I want something good to happen for us this month.
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
Our site is nearly up.
Our third client has dropped her deposit and we are putting up her site too. I loike this work a lot. I hope that we can keep getting these small businesses to see the advantage of the services we offer.
My cousin says I should send her our brochure so that she can pass it around to folks.
We still have to be paid from our biggest client. He is very excited about the work we are doing.
I'm still nervous about the JPL conference coming up. I'm still not sure we have the right package for the agencies we'll be dealing with. We will have to wait and see.
Our third client has dropped her deposit and we are putting up her site too. I loike this work a lot. I hope that we can keep getting these small businesses to see the advantage of the services we offer.
My cousin says I should send her our brochure so that she can pass it around to folks.
We still have to be paid from our biggest client. He is very excited about the work we are doing.
I'm still nervous about the JPL conference coming up. I'm still not sure we have the right package for the agencies we'll be dealing with. We will have to wait and see.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Looks like we have a third client. She is a candy maker and wants us to do a site for her. She had a friend start it off for her, but he can’t deliver fast enough and his skills are rudimentary. I told her eventually she would outgrow our web skills, too. But our strength is in putting together a marketing plan for her that would include a basic website.
I’m kind of hype because we would get to experiment with the project planning side of a commercial website. I hope that we can deliver without taking to much time from our other clients. It feels good to just say that.
This client wants to barter some of our services. I think we will make some kind of arrangement but we are going to have to stay on top of the accounting. We need the money more than we need any other services right now.
We work on our sales package next week. I’m purchasing our hosting services tonight and then we will post our website and clean it up before we mail out any information.
I’m kind of hype because we would get to experiment with the project planning side of a commercial website. I hope that we can deliver without taking to much time from our other clients. It feels good to just say that.
This client wants to barter some of our services. I think we will make some kind of arrangement but we are going to have to stay on top of the accounting. We need the money more than we need any other services right now.
We work on our sales package next week. I’m purchasing our hosting services tonight and then we will post our website and clean it up before we mail out any information.
