I grew up in the Washington DC metropolitan area and have been working in the financial services and lending industry for over a decade. I earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and master's degree in distance education from the University of Maryland University College.
“Truth is the only safe ground to stand on.” – Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Beyond the Lights was released November 14th 2014. I went on a rare visit to the theater that weekend because I loved the trailer with the Sia song Chandelier where she was out on that balcony. It stopped me in my tracks. So, I decided to go see the film. I was impressed and that doesn’t happen often.
I was really and pleasantly surprised by the film, but mostly the depth of the actress playing the lead, Gugu Mbatha-Raw (from the film Belle).
The fashion was amazing. All her outfits and costume choices were on FIRE. Every dress was a showstopper. And she pulled it off. The hair, the attitude, the choreography, everything.
I thought it was Rihanna when she first appeared as a music superstar on the screen. She blew me away. This actress was amazing in every scene she did. EVERY. SINGLE. SCENE.
This is the best film I have ever scene revolving or about a pop star.
When I left that theater, all I knew was a star was born. I can’t remember the last time I felt like that. The film was really touching and really moved me. She showed such a range of emotions. An excellent actress indeed.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, this is the movie info, Beyond the Lights is the story of Noni, the music world’s latest superstar. But not all is what it seems, and the pressures of fame have Noni on the edge – until she meets Kaz Nicol, a young cop and aspiring politician who’s been assigned to her detail. Drawn to each other, Noni and Kaz fall fast and hard, despite the protests of those around them who urge them to put their career ambitions ahead of their romance. But it is ultimately Kaz’s love that gives Noni the courage to find her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be. (c) Relativity
Now, that you have the background, let’s talk about what happens beyond the lights.
EVERYONE WANTS TO COME IN 1ST
Do you want to be a runner up, or do you want to be a winner? – Noni’s mother and mom-ager, played by Minnie Driver
As a young girl, Noni has a voice like no other. Her mother notices her talent and signs her up for a talent show singing none other than the famous Nina Simone’s Blackbird.
However, the ending of this scene was very sad. It would set up the balance of power between mother and daughter that would play out for the rest of the film.
What you learn is that as important it is to win, you also must feel good about what you are doing and know why you are doing it. Passion is great, but not if you are not able to use it.
MASTERPIECE DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN SUCCESS
She goes from that sweet little girl into an adult in the very next scene. From an innocent little kitten and sweet baby angel into a video vixen. She perfected the pop-star persona. Down to the constant changing of her very detailed nail designs. See for yourself.
This scene is immediately followed up by her first music award win.
Noni does not seem very happy.
I always thought lots of people wanted this success. Which her mother states several times throughout the film.
It is not enough just to have success, if it is not done the right way.
ALL THAT GLITTERS ISN’T GOLD
Noni can no longer take the fake life she has set herself up in. She doesn’t want to do this anymore.
What I learned here is that if you no longer hold your head up high and can look yourself in the mirror, then what’s the point. You have to treat yourself with the utmost self-respect.
All around her there was a lack of respect for her as a woman and an artist. You have to tell people how you want to be treated. People can only do what you let them. Speak up and talk to a doctor or adult and let them know how you feel. Don’t let anyone silence you into submission.
NEED TO FREE UP THE SCHEDULE
Sometimes you just have to be free. You can’t work yourself non-stop and to the bone.
There were times when there was just no light in Noni’s eyes. It was sad to see her so hurt. This woman has a record contract and is about to release an album. She is staying in the best hotels and holding press conferences. The only problem was that no one wanted to hear what she had to say.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT?
Progress rarely comes from those who are content and secure. It comes from those who are unsettled by what they’ve seen. – Kaz, played by Nate Parker
THE PRESSURE IS REAL WHEN YOU ARE SELLING A FANTASY
MILES HIGH AND YET STILL SO FAR FROM HAPPINESS
IT’S LONELY AT THE TOP
Best music scene in the film, the performance of Private Property by Noni.
The music was so good in the film that it felt like she could have been an artist. I liked the soundtrack, but you wanted more Noni.
The songs were great. Very pop feel. That’s because they were written by none other than The Dream (he wrote Beyonce’s Single Ladies and Rihanna’sUmbrella).
MONEY IS HOLLOW AND EMPTY
At one point, she tells him this is my new crib. A swanky place in Los Angeles. It looked every bit of a million dollar bachelorette pad. Yet, she was miserable.
Money is just a tool. It is not good or bad. Your actions give it meaning and power. I have learned to choose wisely if I am going to spend my dime. I watch my coins carefully and spend wisely.
See the film for yourself
It has been 4 years, and no matter how many times I see this film it makes me feel something bigger is going on behind all those lights. If even a fraction of this film is what some artists have gone threw, I know some changes need to be made in how we treat people and how we listen to them.
“A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy
food in the United States was spent to prepare meals at home. Today about half
of the money used to buy food is spent at restaurants–mainly at fast food
restaurants.” – Eric Schlosser
If you focus on the bottom-line of your household budget,
you will notice three expenditures that are usually the highest – housing,
transportation, food – and it is getting more expensive every year.
One of the biggest things I have learned from reading about personal finance is that your expenses can make or break your budget. If you can keep the costs of food, shelter, and cars low, then you have a shot at financial independence. It’s yours for the taking. All you have to do is spend less.
I learned about zero sum budgets from my readings. The person who really sparked my interest to act and create a zero sum budget was actually finance writer Phil Town.
However, the person who inspired me to save like nobody’s
business was finance blogger Grant Sabatier.
Thanks to Grant, I started increasing my savings rate every year.
In reading about finance, many books and blogs teach you that focusing on the top three biggest expenses and keeping those costs low are very important.
In fact, there are bloggers that have become millionaires by not purchasing too much home or not buying a home at all. They put that money into investments instead.
Same rules apply with cars.
That is what I did with my transportation cost. I cut it to the bare minimum. And paid off my car. Once I got that sucker paid off, I put that money to work. I invested every penny in the stock market. I turned a $450 car payment into$100,000!
One of the last big ticket items in the budget is food.
Growing up my mom always cooked sensible dinners. However,as I became a teenager, I started to become a junk-food junkie. I gained weight and had horrible skin. And spent tons of money on fast food.
Well, as an adult, I grew out of that. I started eating more at home or at least making healthier choices. That meant more salads, raw veggies, fruits, and less meat. Eating leafy greens. And drinking plenty of water.
As long as you’re green, you’re growing. As soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot. – Ray Kroc, founder of franchising of McDonald’s
After a while and as a result, I saved a ton of money, lost weight, and my skin cleared up.
So, let’s talk about food that is fast.
WHAT IS FAST FOOD NATION?
Fast food is popular because it’s convenient, it’s cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu. – Eric Schlosser
Fast Food Nation is a book written by Eric Schlosser in 2001. He discusses the fast food industry in an in depth and thorough, well-written book. This book had a profound effect on me. It is probably one of the most scholarly pieces of literature to ever have that type of influence on me.
Let’s talk about food being fast.
WHY EAT SO FAST?
I can understand why a single parent, working two jobs, would find it easier to stop at McDonald’s with the kids rather than cook something from scratch at home. – Eric Schlosser
Today, fast food is part of the American lifestyle. It started after World War II. Frozen food technology emerged at that time around the 1940’s and 1950’s. It was cheaper to buy frozen than fresh. For instance,French fries then became mainstays of restaurants.
However, I did some of my own research. Found that fried foods, especially French fries, are loaded with saturated fat; a type of fat containing a high proportion of fatty acid molecules without double bonds,considered to be less healthy in the diet than unsaturated fat. All that sugar and salt, like shopping and credit card spending cause it’s all about that plastic, is addictive.
See my post on how I curbed my own shopping addiction.
Want to know more about credit cards and plastic? Read Credit Card Nation and Maxed Out
I also noticed that everywhere I went there was soda, French fries, cheeseburgers, and pizza on the menu. Why is this being marketed so hard at consumers? I am being pumped for my dollars to buy fried foods. Therefore,I figured it must be some sort of control mechanism and I decided to cut out or radically reduce all of these items from my diet. I like to have control overall facets of my life and that includes what I spend my money on and what I eat.
I also learned to slow down when I eat. According to dietician and nutritionist Cara Stewart, it takes the brain 20 minutes to know you are full, as she stated, “your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes.” You should also chew your food well to limit problems with digestion.
Want to know more about French fries?
Read up on the man referenced by Eric Schlosser named J. R. Simplot. He built a multi-billion-dollar potato business and provided those potatoes to none other than McDonald’s. He was said to be worth an estimated $3.6 billion.
FOOD OF YESTERYEAR AND TODAY
“Twenty years ago,teenage boys in the United States drank twice as much milk as soda; now they drink twice as much soda as milk.” – Eric Schlosser
My mother said my grandmother would cook food from scratch. Sweet.
You see, my mother grew up on a farm. Her father grew fresh fruit. They could literally go out to their backyard and get fresh food.
Today, most families shop at the supermarket.
Lots of families also dine out. Especially, after households started having two-parents work. And for quick meals, they eat out.
You want to know more about this two-parent income trap?Then check out my post and Elizabeth Warren’s book The two-income trap.
I did some more research. Found out that the top drink in the 1950’s was milk. Today, it’s soda. Coincidence? I’ll leave you with this to chew on, there is no such thing as coincidence. It’s just about being in the right place at the right time.
The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it. – Ray Kroc
Who is Ray Kroc?
It’s easy to have principles when you’re rich. The important thing is to have principles when you’re poor. – Ray Kroc
Ray Kroc is the founder of the McDonald’s franchise business. He became a millionaire in his 60’s. Ray was estimated to be worth$500 million to $1 billion dollars.
He was a stickler for cleanliness. It was said he would get on his hands and knees to clean floors and corners with a toothbrush. He believed in running a clean business. Ray also believed in thriftiness and fiscal responsibility. And set high standards.
The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. – Ray Kroc
He never went to college. Ray didn’t think MBA’s or college was the only or most important ingredient in success as he preferred those with grit, determination, and persistence.
While formal schooling is an important advantage, it is not a guarantee of success nor is its absence a fatal handicap. – Ray Kroc
He joined the military during World War I. While there, he met a young man named Walt Disney.Later in life, the two would work together.
“The life’s work of Walt Disney and Ray Kroc had come full-circle, uniting in perfect synergy.McDonald’s began to sell its hamburgers and french fries at Disney’s themeparks. The ethos of McDonaldland and of Disneyland, never far apart, have finally become one. Now you can buy a Happy Meal at the Happiest Place on Earth.” – Eric Schlosser
Want to know more about Ray Kroc? Check out the book Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s by Ray Kroc or check out the movie The Founder
DOWN ON THE FARM
“The United States now has more prison inmates than full-time farmers.” – Eric Schlosser
I tell people all the time we are not on the farm anymore. People are not making anything in America anymore. No one is churning their own butter or making their own clothes.
Farms, like the one on Smallville
starring Tom Welling, are a thing of the past.
You now have to work another way for your meal.
What has happened to
the strapping young men? Where have some of the people gone?
Because these days,the system would rather incarcerate a boy than redeem him. – Supernatural S09S07Bad Boys.
What happened to
farmers?
Jimmy Dean may still be down on the farm, but many others have lost the family farm due to hard economic times.
The price of milk,eggs, and bread can only go so high. Many people now go to Amish markets,organic stores, or specialty markets like Whole Foods and Trader Joes.
That organic carton of milk can cost $8 or $6 for eggs. The farm was cheaper. You just had to own and work the land, which includes taking care of the animals.
HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON FAST FOOD
“In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines,newspapers, videos, and recorded music—combined.” – Eric Schlosser
If you check your bank statements, you will see a large portion of your money is spent on food. The majority of that is usually on meat.
Many financial advisors will tell people they should only spend around $50 per week per person.
For a family of four, that is $200 per week.
The only way to make that number work is by cooking more at home.
HOW YOU CAN SAVE
It’s possible to go to the market, buy good ingredients, and make yourself a healthy meal for less than it costs to buy a value meal at McDonald’s. – Eric Schlosser
It’s a four letter word that rhymes with nook. Cook.
You need to save every dime you can, since pensions are on the chopping block of just about every company from here to Alaska. The money you save cooking at home can be put into your retirement accounts or funneled into a savings account for capital for your business.
WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE
Studies have found that preparing your own food is usually healthier and less expensive than buying fast food. But most people just don’t have the time. – Eric Schlosser
I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach. – Eric Schlosser
One particularly poignant moment in the book was when Mr. Schlosser interviews a high school administrator. She said that in 30 years as an educator she noticed how things had changed in schools and that people were poorer now than ever.
It shook me to my core.
At that moment, I made a decision. I. MUST. SAVE.
Sure, you can work on earning more, but you can spend everything you have down to the last dollar without a financial plan and discipline. Yes, work on earning more, but also save.
I truly believe you should save to help your family and your community and the world around you. In addition, you should save to fund your dreams. I also like to save to have financial independence.
I will expand upon that last statement and I’ll tell you exactly what I mean.
Greenbacks Magnet is on set up to save more money each year. It could be 1% or 2% more, but more none the less. We have set a savings goal and are on track to save $14,555.06 in 2019. In 2018, we set up and will hit our target savings of $13,333.06. That money can go toward the business, helping others, and doing good work.
I am truly passionate about what I do. And being thrifty help sme continue to do that which I love; write.
If I could put my feelings of how much I enjoy writing into words,it would be like this. In the illustrious words and slogan of McDonald’s, “I’m lovin’ it.”
“I’m just so excited. They come in, I help them, they give us money in exchange for goods, you give me money for working for you. I have a place in the world now. I’m part of the system. I’m a workin’ gal.” – Anya (Season Five).
If you ever watched the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then you must have noticed Anya and her fixation on money. You probably also noticed she changed her hair style… A LOT.
The show ran for seven seasons and was created by Joss Whedon.
The self-proclaimed Scooby Gang
It started in the nineties and ended in 2003. It starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular character, Buffy Summers. In my opinion, the first four seasons were on fire. The fourth was the absolute best one, to me. This is the only television show I have ever seen where when I finished watching one particular episode; I clapped. It was just that good.
Actress Emma Caulfield played Anya. In this reunion photo of the cast from 2008, she is the one in the middle wearing the black hat.
ANYA’S BACKGROUND
Other Aliases:Anyanka, Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins, “The Patron Saint of Women Scorned,” Aud ; note that some sources refer to her as “Anya Emerson,” but that has not been confirmed in the show.
Birthdate: July 4th
Age: 1120
Anya: “What a day. Give me a beer.”
Bartender: “I.D.” Anya: (glares)
Bartender: “I.D.” Anya: “I’m 1120 years old, just give me a frigging beer!”
Bartender: “I.D.” Anya: (sighs) “Give me a Coke.”
Year of birth: Unknown?? Around 880 AD
Marital Status: Single, formerly Engaged.
Known Relatives: Olaf (ex-husband), Alexander Harris (ex-fiancée).
Here is a short introduction to the comic stylings of Anya
Before we go any further on Anya and her love of capitalism, you should know she did not start on the show’s first season. She came along in season 3. In an episode titled, “The Wish.”
Below you will find out more about Anya and her love of money.
But first…
The star of the show. Buffy Summers.
This is, as the say in the film John Wick, a tasting of Buffy and what she does.
She’s awesome right.
Now, back to Anya.
One thing I could not get over was whenever Anya’s lips were moving, it was in your face truthfulness. Not the norm. Especially, her fascination with money.
What made her so funny was her greedy, materialistic, money hungry, capitalism-loving ways.
While Anya may have lacked tact, she had a way with words that really hit home. She was ridiculously straight-forward and honest. In some ways it was refreshing, but in others it was downright rude.
However, love it or hate it, she would tell people like it was. Anya was blunt. She kept it💯.
Anya: “Thank you for coming. We value your patronage. Please come again for more purchases!”
Giles: “Could we perhaps be a little less effusive, Anya? We don’t want to frighten the people.” Anya: “I’m just so excited. They come in, I help them, they give us money in exchange for goods, you give me money for working for you. I have a place in the world now. I’m part of the system. I’m a workin’ gal.”
Giles: “Yes. Well, why don’t you start organizing the shipping orders?” Anya: “Oh, no, that’s boring. I just want to do the money parts.”
She tells it like it is. Anya never shied away from making a bold statement. She always said what she wanted. I have learned to do the same, but tactfully.
ANYA ON CUSTOMER SERVICE
“Anya, the Shopkeepers‘ Union of America called. They want me to tell you that “Please go away” just got replaced with “Have a nice day.” – Xander
Anya says to customers, “Please go.” And Xander tells her the correct way to talk to patrons.
She then proceeds to yell at the next customer in a harsh, sarcastic tone, “Hey, you! Have a nice day.
Just a thought, it is nice to be courteous and pleasant if you want people’s patronage. Maybe, like this, but a little toned down.
Anya: “Please go.”
Xander: “Anya, the Shopkeepers Union of America called. They want me to tell you that ‘Please go’ just got replaced with ‘Have a nice day.'” Anya: “But I have their money. Who cares what kind of day they have?”
She is also very protective of the money and the cash register.
“Ring up sales? With the money? She gets to fondle the money? Customer! Hello, customer! How may I serve you?”
SLAY FOR MONEY
At one point, when Buffy was hard up for money, Anya suggested they she start charging for her vampire slaying. A vengeance for cash. A slayer for hire.
While it was good for a laugh on the show, her thinking was flawed, but accurate. If you are good at something and going to do it anyway, why not get paid for it.
ANYA ON CELEBRATING EARNING AND MAKING MONEY
“All I can say is, I hope we make as much tomorrow.”
She took pleasure in the little things.
Dance of Capitalist Superiority. Episode 6. Season 6: All the Way. Original Airdate October 30, 2001.
I like to celebrate my wins and accomplishments too. They may not involve money dancing, but I like to recognize a job well-done.
Money is just a tool. It’s how we keep score. Money is the scorecard. That’s all.
I don’t have to celebrate with a $300 purse or bottle of champagne. I am just fine with a $15 bottle of wine. And investing the $285 difference in my Roth IRA. Specifically, in a 500 index fund.
ANYA’S MATERIALISTIC WAYS
Willow: “It stole Giles’ car.”
Xander: “Why would a demon steal a car?” Anya: “Why would a demon steal THAT car?”
ANYA ON CHILD LABOR
Giles: “Then useful you shall be! We can always use a hand.” Anya: “But you have a hand. A paid hand. A hand that isn’t the hand of the illegal child labor.”
Giles: “Anya…” Anya: “But of course it’s wonderful that you find doing my job so distracting! I am unthreatened. Proceed.”
Well, at least she recognizes that it’s illegal.
ANYA ON THE VALUE OF HER TIME
She learned really quick that time is money and did not want to use up her precious energy doing anything that was unrelated to the accumulation of more money. Pretty shallow and self-absorbed, I know.
I value my time as well. I don’t try to do anything that doesn’t excite me. Except when it comes to helping others.
Giles: “Essentially, their agenda is the same as ours. They want to save the world and kill demons.” Anya: “Kill the CURRENT demons, right? CURRENT demons.”
This was funny because Anya is an ex-demon on the show.
ON VALUING HER MONEY
Anya: “Spike! What are you doing? You made me yell really high!”
Spike: “Hey, yeah, I did. I scared you. Gimme money.” Anya: “I’m not paying you for scaring me.”
Spike: “You’re not paying me. I’m robbing you.” Anya: “Oh, well, that’s just ludicrous. You can’t hurt me because you’ve got that chip in your brain. Also, I like my money the way it is… when it’s mine.”
ANYA ON VALUING XANDER’S TIME
She loved her some Xander. But not at first.
http://watcherspet.tumblr.com/post/88524073528
I thought they were great together. He really changed once he had her in his life. She recognized his value too.
Anya: “And after everything you’ve been through with Angel. You really should get yourself a boring boyfriend. Like Xander!”
Anya: “You can’t have Xander.”
LETTING XANDER KNOW SHE VALUES HIM
Anya: “Xander, you haven’t been paying any attention to me tonight. Just peddling those processed food bricks. I don’t know why.”
Xander: “Well, let me put it in a way you’ll understand. Sell bars, make money, take Anya nice places, buy pretty things.” Anya: “That does make sense. All right, I support you. Go sell more.”
ANYA AND THE GAME OF LIFE
When Anya finds out her love of money is hilarious. In the Season 5 episode, “the real me”. Xander and Anya are babysitting Dawn and they are playing the game of Life when Anya figures it all out:
When playing the game of Life, she noticed she was burdened with a husband and children and tons of cash.
Once she learned that money was good, she gleefully delighted in saying she wanted more cash.
Anya: “Crap! Look at this–now I’m burdened with a husband and several tiny pink children, and more cash than I can reasonably manage.”
Xander: “That means you’re winning.” Anya: “Really?”
Xander: “Yes, cash equals good.” Anya: “Ooh! I’m so pleased. Can I trade in the children for more cash?”
Check it out here.
While it may have been cold and callous to want to give up the fake kids for cash, she did have a valid point in understanding that a having a family requires money and are a heavy load to bear. So, you better prepare for them.
ANYA ON CAPITALISM
Anya: “I’ve recently come to realize that there is more to me than just being human. I’m also an American.”
Giles: “Yes, I suppose you are, in a manner of speaking. I mean, you were born here — your mortal self.” Anya: (to Giles whose from England she says in a harsh tone) “Well that’s right, foreigner!” (to Willow & Xander in a softer tone) “So I’ve been reading a lot about the Good ‘Ol Us of A, embracing the extraordinarily precious ideology that has helped to shape and define it.” Willow: “Democracy?” Anya: “Capitalism!”
HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT MONEY
That one time when Buffy asked how was Anya’s money and her reaction of pure joy. Like, one of the Scoobies finally gets her.
Look, I like money fine, but not as much as Anya.
I prefer people over things.
Anya was downright humdrum when it came to talking about money. Although, she was funny, at times she just lacked sympathy and empathy for the plight of others.
However, in the end, she chose to fight beside the Scoobies. So, people really did matter more than money. That is something we should all remember.
“Life is a cruel teacher. She loves to give you the test first and the lesson later.” ― Daymond John star of “Shark Tank”
They say hindsight is 20/20. That just means It’s easy to know the right thing to do after something has happened, but it’s hard to predict the future. Hindsight means thinking about things after they’ve happened.
When I was younger and got my first credit card, I did not realize all the little nuances that come along with carrying a little square piece of plastic. Those lessons came later.
For instance, the bank likes to play a game called name that fee: Deposit fees. Transaction fees. Insufficient funds fees. ATM Withdrawal fees. Annual fees. Inactivity fees. Checking account fees. Mortgage fees. Credit card fees.
The Credit CARD Act of 2009 has tried to limit these fees and help consumers, but the banks can still create new fees.
There is no cap on fees. And no limit on how high they could go as there is no regulatory limit on what banks can charge for service fees on deposit accounts.
How do I know that?
I did my research.
However, there is a limit on what amount of interest a credit union can charge you to lend out their money to you. It’s an 18 percent rate cap.
How do I know all this?
I did my homework. I also work in lending.
Today, I share with you what you can do differently.
What it will cost you? $0
How much can it save you? Potentially, over $150,000.
Let’s begin.
FEES ARE EVERYWHERE
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to avoid ALL fees!
ATM FEES
Service: Transaction at another bank’s ATM Average Fee: $2.00 Explanation: This is the fee that an average bank charges for using an ATM outside its network. Sometimes they will add on another $1.00 fee for your bank to process it!
Service: Non-customer ATM transaction Average Fee: $3.00 Explanation: This is what the average bank charges non-customers to use its ATMs. Combined with the ‘foreign’ ATM fee (yes, another fee) charged by your own bank (see above), you’re looking at $4.20 in service charges for using another bank’s ATM.
CHECKING AND SAVING ACCOUNTS FEES
Service: Monthly Fee for Checking Account Average Fee: $10.00 Explanation: This is the average monthly fee charged by the bank to house your money for a standard checking account . Fortunately, these fees are typically avoided by maintaining a minimum balance or meeting some other criteria. Usually a monthly direct deposit will allow you to avoid this fee. However, it usually requires a minimum of $500 or more per month. This can be difficult for part-time worker or student. If you are a student, usually there are student accounts that will waive this fee. You can also look for banks with free checking.
Service: Monthly Fee for Savings Account Average Fee: $5.00 Explanation: This is the average monthly charge for a standard savings account, which can usually be avoided by meeting certain criteria like establishing a regular direct deposit to the account or maintaining a minimum balance.
CREDIT CARD FEES
Service: Minimum Interest Fee Average Fee: $1.50 Explanation: This is the average monthly charge for holding a credit card in your wallet. Check your credit card agreements and statements to see if your bank charges this fee.
Service: Late Fee Average Fee: $38.00 Explanation: This is the fee charged for every late payment you make to your credit card. Which can obviously be avoided by paying on time, but what about when you forget. The only way to truly avoid this is to set up an automatic payment so that you never miss a payment again. This fee is egregious.
Service: Annual Fee Average Fee: $29.00 Explanation: This is the average annual fee a credit card company will charge you to say what’s in your wallet? Fees can go as high as $450.00 a year the more exclusive the card. This fee can usually be avoided only applying for credit cards with no annual fee.
Service: Return Check Fee Average Fee: $25.00 Explanation: This is the average charge for non-sufficient funds and being unable to cover a check. This can usually be avoided by making sure you only write checks when the funds are available in your account. You definitely don’t want to rack up too many of these fees. You will get put on the bad check writing list. It’s called ChexSystems. It can cause banks not to do business with you. Essentially, making you bankless. It is designed for people with bad credit or banking histories. Reported information usually is removed from your ChexSystems file after five years!
ALL THOSE FEES ADD UP
If you start adding up all these fees, you see how much it could cost you and how you could slowly drip (like a slow roast cup of coffee) a small fortune away out of your wallet.
ATM Fee: $3.00
Checking Account Fee: $10.00
Savings Account Fee: $5.00
Return Check Fee: $25.00
Late Payment Fee: $38
Annual Fee: $29.00
Total: $110.00 per month or $1,320 per year
You do this for 30 years and you spent $39,600.
If you invest this money instead, with an 8% return and you could have $161,000! Yes, that’s USD.
By no means will this turn you into an overnight millionaire, but it has the potential to give you the foundation to set you up pretty good for later in life.
The banks know what they are doing. You have to pay to play. In order for them to house your money, you have to pay for the convenience and service.
The problem is that they pay measly amounts of interest on their savings and checking accounts.
You receive a 0.10% return on the money you let them hold, which they ultimately can lend out and invest and make deals to increase their honeypot. On the other hand, when they lend you money it can cost upwards of 29.99%!
So, let’s break this down. We give you thousands of dollars to hold. You pay us less than 1%. You lend us thousands of dollars and we pay you 29%. Sure, that seems fair.
I guess in the law of supply and demand the customers are not always right.
Even though, they need us to make money.
But borrowing is borrowing. You have to pay to borrow. That’s just the way it is. The only way to get around this is not to borrow.
Yes, that last sentence is $161,000 advice I just gave you. Your welcome.
“Walk amongst the natives by day, but in your heart be Superman.” ― Gene Simmons
In 2017, Gene Simmons wrote a book called, On Power: My Journey Through the Corridors of Power and How You Can Get More Power.
This book was nothing like I expected.
It was MORE.
Like the title says, it’s about getting more power. Become more powerful than you ever thought you could be. It all starts with your actions.
Let’s get right into it.
WHO IS GENE SIMMONS?
Image: Forbes.com
The short version is that he is a co-founder and front-man of the band KISS, that he helped start in the 1970’s. They are America’s #1 gold record-award-winning group of all time.
Image: New York Post
Gene grew up dirt poor. He practiced guitar for hours after watching The Beatles on an appearance of the Ed Sullivan show, he knew then that he wanted to be a rock star.
According to Harper Collins, the book was inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, Simmons offers his unique take on the dynamics of power in every realm of life, from the bedroom to the boardroom, to the world of rock, celebrity, and social media, to politics. With one-of-a-kind anecdotes from his life and career, as well as stories from historical and contemporary masters of power, including Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte, Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Oprah, and Elon Musk, Simmons crafts a persuasive and provocative theory on how the pursuit of power drives civilization and defines our lives.
Gene Simmons has an estimated net worth of over $50 million dollars. So, I decided to give the book a quick read. Glad I did.
POWER IS WHAT EVERYONE WANTS
People want power.
Power over their lives
Power over their time
Power over their professional lives and career
Power over their money
So, how do you get this so-called power.
It’s a power grab for sure.
Gene takes a no-holds-barred approach to his life and on power. It’s dog eat dog out there. You have to be one of the big dogs.
Gene believed that everyone deserves power and that it is yours for the taking.
In his book, he gives you the key to unlock the doors to the temple of power.
GENE ON EDUCATION
“It’s up to you to educate yourself.”
“It’s up to you to learn speaking skills and people skills.”
“It’s up to you to try (and usually fail, but to try again) all sorts of ventures.”
“Believe me, the library is the temple of God. Education is the most sacred religion of all.”
He graduated from Richmond College in New York City getting a bachelor’s degree in education. At one point, he was a school teacher in the Upper West Side.
Gene also speaks multiple languages such as German and Hebrew.
I noticed this was also a theme of Scrooge McDuck. Get a good education, become a linguist, and get to work.
I read everything I can get my little hands on. I go to the library every month. I regularly check out 4-5 books at a time. Sometimes more. I do believe in being well-read.
GENE ON SUCCESS
The rest is a combination of hard work, being at the right place …at the right time…with the right thing…oh yes…and more (never ending) hard work.”
You want success? Well, you have to work for it.
Gene puts his money where his mouth is.
He worked for a butcher hauling up huge slabs of meat and cleaning the blood off the butcher block. Gene has worked as a typist and sold fruit on the side of the road when he was 8 years old.
Make no mistake. Gene is a hard worker and a hustler. He was working multiple jobs to get ahead. Similar to Jay Leno.
As for myself, at one point, I was working as a waitress, cashier, or in sales. In addition, to going to college and studying at times up to 5-7 hours a day! Going to bed at 1 am and getting up at 6 am. Rinse and repeat! I did that for years.
GENE ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CAPITALISM
“Before I ever knew what the word Entrepreneur was, I realized in America and in the Western part of the world in general, you are given the opportunity to be whatever you want to be. And that is all anyone should ever expect from the Capitalist system. The rest is up to you.”
Yep. America is the land of YOYO (You’re on your own).
You learn real quick that no one is coming to save you. You have to create your own safety net. You can’t depend on the government. The only person to depend and rely on is self. Get it? Got it? Good.
GENE ON MONEY
“So much of our popular mythology focuses on the negative aspects of power that we forget that gaining power is, perhaps, the only way to enable ourselves to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.”
Gene says you must first get your financial house in order before you can espouse love.
This is similar to what I once heard Tyra Banks mother say, “you have to get yourself together first, before you can help anybody else.”
You should always be looking for ways to earn and expand those earnings. KISS started out with nothing. They slowly built a following. IT. TOOK. YEARS. They were riding around in an old van going from gig to gig and living off hot dogs.
But KISS got smart. They started licensing their name. Everything from lunchboxes to t-shirts. Their moniker is big. Multi-million dollar deals got them to the top of the heap. Monetize everything is Gene’s motto. And he has. And it’s been lucrative to say the least.
So, there you have it. Gene Simmons on power. If you want it bad enough, you just have to work and rock-n-roll all night, like KISS, to get it.
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. – Ben Stein
Ben Stein is an economist and actor, who wrote a book in 2017, called The Capitalist Code: It Can Save Your Life and Make You Very Rich. He has an estimated net worth of over $5 million. So, I thought I would check his book out.
On my quest to follow the money, I have discovered lots of books, blogs, and information about money.
I have been told I am seriously into all things money. Friends sometimes call me “the money lady.” That’s fine with me. I take that as a compliment. There are much worse things to be called than that.
But, I get it. I do have a laser-like focus when it comes to getting things done. I can be a task-master. It comes naturally to me. I just can’t help it because I believe in finishing what I start.
I learned that lesson from one of my favorite childhood books Where the Red Fern Grows.
You could say I’m a bit obsessed with learning about money. However, it has served me well to know about personal finance. I have a six-figure retirement and save over 40 percent of my income. All that came from reading finance books!
That is how I came to find this book. It is a quick read as the book is on the small side at 146 pages in length. I knew the name Ben Stein, but I wanted to find out What is The Capitalist Code?
But first…
WHO IS BEN STEIN?
“I’m an economist by training. I don’t really work as an economist. I only worked briefly as an economist.”
Jewish-American economic and political commentator, writer, actor and attorney. He gained early success as a speechwriter for American presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Later he entered the entertainment field and became an Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, and game show host. He is famous for his monotonous yet humorous voice in acting.
For those who may not be that familiar with the name you may remember him from his self-titled television show, “Win Ben Stein’s Money” or from the film, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
“As to a media personality, well that just happened in large measure because people found me amusing, and I did lots and lots of T.V. news interview shows.”
“It’s a great stretch for me to do my game show. It’s very hard. It’s not me at all. The only part that’s me is sort of when I’m sitting in the booth looking tormented. That’s the only part that’s the real me.”
In Ferris Bueller, he is actually discussing a real topic of the era. During the 1980’s, Reaganomics was also referred to as voodoo economics or trickle-down economics. I’ll give you more on this topic later, in a future post. 😉
Ben has written for publication’s such as Barron’s, The New York Times, Fortune, and the Wall Street Journal. And numerous financial books including this one.
WHAT IS CAPITALISM?
By definition, an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state. You will often hear it referred to as a free market or free enterprise.
Simply put, capitalism is a system of investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained by individuals and corporations instead of by state-owned means. Participants privately own capital.
Ben says, “Free market capitalism is a fantastic wealth-producing system and allows individuals to amass wealth.”
In addition, “There is no freer, more diverse, and more equal opportunity employer than capitalism. . . If you can produce a large amount of excess over your costs, you get well paid. And if you produce very much more than you cost, you get rich.”
A free market of competition, not a central government or regulating body, dictates production levels and prices. True capitalism needs a competitive market because without competition, monopolies exist.
“Trying to pick individual stocks is a trap. I can’t do it. Warren Buffett can, but hardly anyone else can beat the indexes over a long period of time.”
It’s easy to think of big business as morally bankrupt, but it isn’t, really. Business leadership can make poor/unethical decisions, but being big doesn’t make them inherently wicked, and being a small business doesn’t make it inherently virtuous.
“I agree that there are some bad apples on Wall Street. I spent about ten years exposing corporate and financial fraud for ‘Barron’s’ magazine and I found a lot to write about.”
If you want to know more about stocks, you can read numerous books and magazines on the topic such as Value Line, The Intelligent Investor, and anything by Jack Bogle.
The key point is this: Free market capitalism is an incredible machine for making wealth. Corporations “rain money” year after year. If you don’t participate, you are making a huge blunder. It doesn’t take a genius, but it does take a plan—a “little bit of knowledge and an even smaller amount of action.”
SCARY STATISTICS
“The education system should teach us about money; it’s an incredibly big subject. I run into people all the time that don’t have the first clue of what they should do about money.”
Ben states the following about personal finance in America:
Most Americans have not inherited wealth or a successful business that could set them up for life
80% of millennial’s have no plan whatsoever for retirement savings
Many Americans are saving NOTHING
The average person says they need about $50,000 per year for retirement; but only has savings to achieve 20% of that number
We live in a country where more than half the people couldn’t come up with $500 in cash today if they had a family emergency
Source: GoBanking
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
According to Ben, you need to save first, and then spend— automatically.
That’s similar advice that Shark Tank’s Kevin O’Leary says: “Don’t spend too much. Mostly save. Always invest.”
Barnes and Noble provides this overview of the book: harness the incredible power of the U.S. economy for enjoyment and security by being owners of profitable businesses-by consistent, conservative investment starting as young as possible in a diversified port- folio of stocks. Anyone can be a capitalist—and should be. All it takes is a little bit of knowledge and an even smaller amount of action. All it takes is The Capitalist Code.
BEN ON EDUCATION
“There is a clear, unequivocal, if generalized, connection between the amount of education that a man or woman achieves and the amount he or she earns.”
In the book, he shows what women can earn with a degree…
And men.
Agreed. I notice that the more education you have, the more informed decisions people tend to make.
Although, in my opinion, education is not an equalizer it does; however, provide you with increased opportunity, knowledge and exposure to scholarly information.
For most folks, a bachelor’s degree is enough. Particularly, from a reputable in-state public or private accredited institution.
I will never forget when I was reading Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biography when he saw a PhD professor driving up in an old, beat up car and he said to himself that if that is what an advanced degree gets you, then that guy was in the wrong career.
BEN ON SPENDING
“You must arrange your life from the very get-go so that you are spending less than you earn.”
Yep. I have learned it is not what you make, but what you spend.
You can totally blow through $200,000 USD a year after taxes! Just keep buying big homes and expensive cars.
BEN ON PICKING STOCKS
How should you invest?
“You don’t need to “play the market” and try to pick stocks. Just buying and holding index funds is a simple, effective method that beats money managers most of the time.”
How long should I hold onto stocks?
“Hold onto these funds as long as possible.”
Should I sell as soon as I get a sizable gain?
“Take advantage of huge tax subsidies for deferring investment gains.”
BEN ON WEALTH
“A highly disproportionate amount of the good things in life accrue to those who have financial capital. The easiest way is to own index funds.”
He states you must acquire wealth.
I too have read you must pursue wealth. You may not want to chase money, but sitting on your laurels won’t attract money and abundance to you. Wealth is something that is attracted to those that have beat inertia and exhibit exertion.
Well, there you have it.
Straight from the guy who is pretty focused on one-task himself as he continued to utter that famous line, Bueller? Bueller? Bueller? Bueller?
Just like someone had pity on him and answered him in the movie, Mr. Stein has answered a lot of your money answers in his book. The code is capitalist. He has given you the key to unlock the secrets on how to build wealth. So, use his key. Because guess what? The secret is out!
“I’m just so excited. They come in, I help them, they give us money in exchange for goods, you give me money for working for you. I have a place in the world now. I’m part of the system. I’m a workin’ gal.” – Anya (Season Five).
