Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it, and others do just the same with their time. –Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
I remember watching an old cartoon about a grasshopper and an ant when I was a kid. I thought it was very entertaining and learned a very valuable lesson about money and hard work. That the two go hand-in-hand and not to let anyone tell you any different.
Little did I know that the story was originated from an Aesop fable. Aesop was an ancient storyteller from Greece that is responsible for many children’s stories. One of his most famous works is the Tortoise and the Hare.
The story is a classic tale of what can happen if you do not work for a living. Here I share with you my takeaways from the tale.
THERE IS A TIME SET ASIDE CHILDISH THINGS
There’s a time for work and a time for play.
In the story, the grasshopper is very happy in the beginning. It is springtime and the flowers are in bloom. The sun is shining. He wants to sing, dance, play, and be merry.
However, the ants know that, much as they like to always inform us on Game of Thrones, winter is coming.
The ants know that they must shore up their resources before the cold comes or they will be unable to provide food, clothing, and warmth for themselves.
Same rules apply when it comes to life and money. You work to provide your family, a roof over their heads, warm beds to sleep in at night, food on the table, and pay your bills.
When you are a child you spend part of your day at play. A much higher portion of your time is spent in recess and leisure while you learn and grow. However, the older you become, as maturity sets in, then the more you are to put playthings aside. You have responsibilities.
My father always told me growing up: responsibilities first, fun later. I still think of those words even today. Before I even start writing one word for this blog, I clean, pay bills, retrieve messages, return phone calls, open the mail, etc.
I need a clean desk and an open mind free of daily tasks and chores to be able to focus. When I was younger everything was cluttered; my desk, mind, and room. As an adult, I have learned to keep everything neat and tidy. Less hassle that way.
When I am organized I can also pay attention to what I am spending. Make a plan and budget for what I need and want. From this I learned, the more I save, then the more freedom I have as I have the means to provide for myself. Automating savings was the key.
THE MORE YOU SAVE
In one book I read, the father of the author was a hippy that did not care about money in his youth, now that he’s older that’s all he’s worried about. As you get older, life becomes more expensive. Partly due to health care and others due to inflation. Therefore, you must squirrel away your money chips while you can and fill up the money pot. You do this by working when you are young and able.
Work when you’re young so you don’t have to when your old. Work as hard as you can. This elevates the stress of not knowing later, if you will have enough in abundance, so that working will be at will and by choice instead of because of no other options.
Check out this chart below to see how much you save can change your life.
Source: www.mrmoneymustache.com
Mathematically, regardless of income, you save more, then you become financially independent faster and that’s true no matter how much you earn.
EARN YOUR WAY TO FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Did you know, by saving 10 – 20% of your income annually, it would take approximately 30-40 years of working to accumulate enough money to retire? Maybe.
The fact of the matter is that life throws many curve balls at you. Sometimes you see it coming and sometimes you don’t.
The longer it takes to save your money; the more inflation decreases your purchasing power. That’s why you want to save more money faster. This gives your money, more time to earn compound interest and beat inflation.
Did you know, by saving 50% of your income annually, you would earn enough money for one year of retirement? That’s right. That means working for 10 years would equal 10 years’ worth of retirement. The formula is this: 1 x X = years of retirement or 1 (years of work) x X (years saving 50%) = years of retirement
See the chart below and see how much time it will take to save up just one year of retirement.
Source: www.flannelguyroi.com
Basically, if you aim to save, you are buying your freedom. The more you save, the quicker freedom comes.
WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOUR FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT
Getting back to the ant and the grasshopper story, you learn that once winter does finally come, the ants are safe, warm, and dry, buy the grasshopper is cold and hungry.
The ants worked hard every day. Every ant helped. They all had to work. And they saved up more resources than they actually needed. And when they day came, they were protected.
The grasshopper is left out in the cold with no food or place to stay and freezes outside because he chose to play instead of work.
The ants have mercy on the grasshopper and allow him to come in out of the cold. They decide to be kind and neighborly as it is very important to be a good neighbor. They tell the grasshopper they want him to live, even though he made fun of them while they worked. They feed and warm him by the fire. They tell him he must prepare for winter. They also tell him you must work to live.
The next summer came and this time the grasshopper heeded the ant’s advice and not only did he play, but he also worked.
Therefore, you must learn to work before you play. I learned that if you are unprepared then you are likely to fail. In addition, that being a good neighbor can make all the difference in someone’s life.
Lastly, the biggest takeaway I get from the story is this: money offers protection. So make sure you save a portion of every dollar you earn. I suggest saving $0.45 of every dollar you earn. And since it’s no secret that woman earn less, I suggest $0.50 of every dollar a woman earns should be saved. This would mean you become financially independent within 20 years! Possibly less.
That means, if you start working and saving 50% of your income at age 24, you can walk away from your full-time job at 44.
Sky is the limit from there. You can start doing all the things listed on your bucket list. You can become an artist, photographer, writer, blogger, or tightrope walker. The point is you can do what you want. You can lie on the beach all day if that’s what you want. The thing is, now you get to choose.
“Luck Is What Happens When Preparation Meets Opportunity” – Seneca
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” –Thomas Jefferson
I do not believe in coincidences.
I believe that whatever happens was meant to. A series of actions and events put two people or things together for a reason. You attract people and things to you.
“The truth attracts money to you and lies repel it.” – Suze Orman
Therefore, if you want to attract wealth, good health and abundance then tell the truth.
THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU DEBT-FREE
Tell people your financial truth. Tell your friends and family that you can’t go on that trip with them, or out to dinner at an expensive restaurant, or that you do not have the funds to buy Christmas gifts.
Yeah, I said it. Cancel Christmas if you have to.
There’s no rule that says you have to go into debt to buy gifts for Christmas.
How about the family finds a more economical way to give gifts? Like a lottery or drawing or Secret Santa. This could be drawing names out of a hat and buying just for that one person.
Who cares if you ruffle some feathers? It is far better to be debt-free. That is the gift that keeps on giving.
Not having to pay interest to service debt is the best gift of all you can give to yourself.
“Rather go to bed without dinner than to rise in debt.” – Benjamin Franklin
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
If I hear one more person talk about going on vacation to Jamaica, I’m going to start an exotic vacation jar. It works similar to a swear jar. However, the end result will be I put my own money into the jar, say $5, and then deposit it in my savings to invest it into a Certificate of Deposit (CD) or stocks at the beginning of each year.
I know some people may not agree with me, but I really do feel that you get as much pleasure and excitement out of saving as you do spending.
I have watched and heard many friends, family, and acquaintances talk about plans for vacation, but I rarely hear them talk about plans for saving for the future.
Everything revolves around spending.
Well, I’m here to let you know it’s okay to say no to things.
It is okay to say no that you cannot afford to go shopping, out to dinner with friends or to birthday parties.
Heck, even weddings if the ticket and tux will put you in the red.
If you feel obligated to go to a wedding, I completely understand, but plan for it.
For instance, you could save $100 bucks a month in a weddings account. This is for all things wedding related. Flights, hotel rooms, wedding attire, and gifts. Set aside a certain amount. Let’s say $1,000 and that is your budget. Then you never have to worry when you get that call, “I’m engaged.”
If you feel that it makes you uncomfortable to tell people you can’t afford it, try this one line on for size: “I choose not to spend my money on insert item here.”
Fill in the blank with anything. It sounds good no matter how you say it.
Cause after all, it is your money.
Lastly, tell your doctor the truth. You can’t have wealth without health.
Do not ever feel embarrassed to tell a health professional what is going on with you.
They are there to help not to judge.
LUCK MAY NOT EQUAL MORE BUCKS
“If you just keep your head down, work, and put it on the bottom line, sooner or later that takes care of everything else.” – Wayne Huizenga
I feel that people make their own luck. The harder you work, the more you give of your time, energy and efforts to work, help and care for others is all the luck you need. Hard work is like a magnet because it attracts things. Like money. It’s a Greenbacks Magnet. Get it. Wink, wink.
Even, Star Wars Master Jedi Obi-Wan agrees with me.
“There is no such thing as luck. Only opportunity and being prepared.” – Terry Crews as Julius on Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)
"When I looked at luck," Corley remembers, "a lot of rich people said they were lucky and a lot of poor people said they were unlucky."
Wealthy people think that bad habits create detrimental luck and that good habits create "opportunity luck," meaning they create the opportunities for people to make their own luck.
So if luck is tied to work, then what do you think happens when people are lazy. So in essence, you are not ever really unlucky, but you can be lazy.
I know life is a journey that is full of twists and turns. It is not a straight path – as the crow flies – from obscurity to abundance.
I also know that life is full of tough times, obstacles, and at times unfair. We may not all have the same opportunities, but we all have to play the hand we were dealt because our turn at bat will come. Every action may not be a royal flush or a home run. Sometimes you just have to roll with the dice. However, you can do your best with what you’ve got. Either way, life happens. So batter up.
I agree with this quote: “You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you.” – John Green (author of The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns)
You may not earn what you want when you want, but you can start building lasting impressions and relationships that can put you on the path to wealth.
It’s been said the harder you work the luckier you get. Tejano singer Selena once said, “When you get hard work you get success.” That was 25 years ago. But you don’t have to believe me. Here is it straight from the singer herself. She may be gone, but her music and words of wisdom are not forgotten.
Thank you for this tweet. I am a huge Selena fan & to this day I follow the advice she gave in interviews. Gone but not forgotten.
Let’s say you get to the cherry on top of the sundae and earn gobs of money and it piles up. Well, don’t let money make you complacent. No resting on your laurels. Hard work is about more than prosperity. Jennifer Lopez says she learned the following from her parents:
They showed me that you put your head down and work—you work for a living and then, when you’re making a living, you still don’t stop… We don’t stop working because we have money in the bank—we do what we do and we keep on doing it.
Remember this: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
“People ask what gives me the authority to give advice? I say, First of all, I don’t give advice. Dr Phil gives advice. Mr T helps people. I motivate them, I inspire them, I give them hope, and I plant the seed so they can feel good about themselves” — Mr. T
If you grew up in the 80’s or 90’s, then you know the name Mr. T. He was former United States Army veteran and Military Policeman who turned into a bouncer and bodyguard for the rich and famous. He later became a famous television personality while starring the 80’s sitcom “The A-Team.”
He also was a public motivator and made a motivational video to help kids such as dealing with peer pressure, money management, appreciating who they are, respecting others – especially their parents -and how to deal with anger.
I am still inspired by the words and actions of Mr. T to this day because he always made me feel good about myself and that just being me more was more than good enough.
I will share with you some of the things he taught me that I have carried with me into adulthood.
First, an introduction of the man named Mr. T.
THE MAN BEHIND THE T
“First name: Mister; middle name: period; last name T.” – Mr. T on an episode of the NBC series Silver Spoons (1982-1986)
What is in a name?
“People ask me what the “T” stands for in my name. If you’re a man, the “T” stands for tough. If you’re a woman or child, it stands for tender!” – Mr. T
Mr. T grew up in Chicago. He said growing up as a young man he saw that his father and other African Americans did not get a lot of respect in their communities.
Therefore, he decided to coin himself Mr. T. He said that was because the first thing you say is Mister and that word is an automatic sign of respect.
The letter T is simply the first letter of his last name.
“When I was old enough to change my name, I changed it to Mr. T so that the first word out of someone’s mouth was ‘Mister,’ a sign of respect.” — Mr. T
At the age of 18, he decided as a man he deserved to be respected as one and; therefore, self-ordained himself Mr. T from that day forward.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
“I’m so tough and so bad; I can be humble and lift another guy up.” – Mr. T
“I tell people that I was born and raised in the ghetto, but the ghetto was not born and raised in me.” – Mr. T
“As a kid, I got three meals a day. Oatmeal, miss-a-meal and no meal.” – Mr. T
Long before he became known for his distinctive African Mandinka warrior hairstyle (Mohawk), his gold jewelry, his no none sense persona and his tough-guy image, Mr. T was just a young man trying to find his way.
Lawrence Tureaud “aka Mr. T” was born in Chicago, Illinois the youngest of twelve in one of the city’s housing projects with the highest poverty rate in America.
He was surrounded by gangs, violence, and the absolute worst that poverty has to offer, but he chose a different path for himself.
In poverty, neglect can be your ally because if no one is paying attention to you, then they cannot try to stop you from being great.
I have learned that it is not what you have, but what you do with what you’ve got that matters.
EDUCATION AND WORK, HARD WORK
“Get to reading, stay in school. You don’t have to carry a gun.” – Mr. T
In high school, Mr. T played football, wrestled, and studied martial arts.
He was a wrestling champion that was so good he won a football scholarship to Prairie View A&M University, where he majored in mathematics.
However, he did not finish college. He made his next move by enlisting in the United States Army and served in the military police.
Then he went to work…hard.
Mr. T outworked everyone in his troop. He would go on to get a letter of recommendation from his drill sergeant and was elected “Top Trainee of the Cycle” out of a cycle of six thousand troops.
I read a statistic that 70% of prison inmates are high school dropouts.
Therefore, if you want to be the best and earn the respect of your peers and others that means putting in the work and improving your skills. Stay in school, off the streets and off the drugs.
There are 24 hours in a day. If you spend eight sleeping, four going to school, four reading and exercising, and eight working, then there is no time left for sitting on your laurels and being idle.
FROM BOUNCER TO ACTOR
“The reason why I wear gold – I wear gold for three reasons. One, when Jesus was born, three wise men came from the east: one brought frankincense, one brought myrrh, the other one brought gold. The second reason I wear gold is I can afford it. The third reason I wear it, it’s symbolic of my African heritage.” – Mr. T
After his military discharge, he became a bouncer.
“To be a bodyguard is to be a kamikaze pilot. Dedicated.” — Mr. T
It was during this time that he created his Mr. T persona and started wearing gold jewelry.
He parlayed his job of bouncer into a decade long career as a bodyguard.
His reputation became so well-known and highly regarded that he became a bodyguard to the stars and protected celebrities such as Steve McQueen, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross.
“I used to bodyguard for Muhammad Ali, Leon Spinks, Sugar Ray Leonard. I used to bodyguard a lot of diamond merchants; I would travel with a suitcase full of diamonds and take them from point A to point B. My reputation grew because I was a professional. I did my job, and I was courteous – a no-nonsense guy.” – Mr. T
With the name came the pay.
He was able to charge anywhere from a $3,000 to $10,000 a day rate.
One day he decided to try out for NBC-TV under the contest of “America’s Toughest Bouncer” and he won.
It was during this time that Sylvester Stallone saw him on the show and this led to him eventually being cast in Rocky III as Clubber Lang and this is where his catchphrase “I pity the fool!” comes from.
This then led him to be cast in the television series The A Team, where he played Sergeant Bosco “B. A.” Baracus, an ex-Army commando.
And from there his career took off and things just exploded.
PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLES AND OTHER WORK
“Everything started as a dream. You gotta have insight, know what you want. You gotta have a plan. Like I tell anybody, if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. I’ve been planning ever since I was a youngster. You’ve got to start from somewhere. There’s nothing wrong or demeaning in flipping burgers. It’s more proud than selling drugs.” – Mr. T
The season one episode four of Silver Spoons called Me and Mr. T aired on October 16, 1982. Edward hires Mr. T. to teach Ricky how to defend himself. Hilarity ensues.
He even got an animated cartoon series called Mister T. The Mister T cartoon starred Mr. T as himself, the owner of a gym. The gymnasts that trained there were helped by him not only with their training, but to solve mysteries and fight crime.
In my life I have scrubbed toilets, served food, been an operator, waitress, and worn holes in my clothes and shoes.
I have never been too good for anything. And neither should you.
I am no better than anyone else, but I am always just as good.
HAVE A MEANING AND A PURPOSE
“Left ear, I wear four earrings. The four is symbolic of the four seasons, spring, winter, summer and fall, the four directions, north, east, south and west, the four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.” – Mr. T
Figure out what you want to do and why.
You cannot just randomly do things without a plan or purpose. Don’t just drift.
Life does not work that way.
Once you know what you like turn that into a career.
Whatever you are good at try to gravitate toward that.
Whatever you spend most of you efforts on, then that is what you should be doing.
You may be passionate about cooking, drawing, or sports, but that is not enough.
You have to still be able to produce.
Therefore, you must learn to harness what you are good at and turn that into how you earn a living.
MOTIVATOR
“As a Christian, you forgive, and you feed the hungry and clothe the naked, and you visit the sick and comfort the lonely. If I’m a true follower of my lord and saviour Jesus Christ, I got to do the things you’re supposed to be doing.” – Mr. T
“I try to use my experience and the fact that I grew up in the ghetto – I tell people you don’t have to rob or steal to get out of the ghetto.” – Mr. T
“If you can’t read, the only thing you can do is enjoy the pictures, not the whole story. Reading is the key to knowledge. Knowledge is the key to understanding. So read on, young man! Read on, young lady!” Mr. T
Mr. T would teach children and adults the value of an education, doing the right thing, weight training and watching your weight.
Building muscle gives confidence and takes hard work and discipline.
Discipline is a key ingredient to success.
BE A HELPER OF THE LESS FORTUNATE
“Stay humble and be concerned for the less fortunate.” – Mr. T
“Love is a verb… and Verbs show action” – Mr. T
“You’ll never have any trouble with Mr. T, I’m just a big, calm teddy bear kind of guy. Mr. T ain’t ashamed to cry. When I go out and I meet people who are suffering and they come and talk to me, Mr. T cries, Mr. T who could break a man’s jaw with his fist.” – Mr. T
I feel that helping others is the right thing to do.
I have seen the difference it can make in people’s lives.
Do good.
Goodness spreads, but not as fast as bad news or gossip so do good often.
Remember to be poor is not a crime.
Virtue can be seen in rags as well as fine silk.
SECOND CHANCES
“You pity the fool because you don’t want to beat up a fool! You know, pity is between sorry and mercy. See, if you pity him, you know, you won’t have to beat him up. So that’s why I say fools, you gotta give another chance because they don’t know no better. That’s why I pity them!” – Mr. T
I know it’s hard, but there are times to give people a second look or chance.
First impressions are important, but not the only thing.
I gravitate toward people who are hungry and hard working with good attitudes.
No one bats a thousand every time.
However, people need to show you with their actions that they are able and willing to work.
Just tell the truth. People are usually willing to help you when you’re doing the right thing.
RESPECT
“I’m a mama’s boy because everything I do is with respect to my mother. I won’t do a movie or a video that would bring disrespect to my mother.” — Mr. T
“Any man who doesn’t love his mama can’t be no friend of mine.” — Mr. T
“If every man loves his mother, he’s going to treat the ladies right, with love and respect.” – Mr. T
My mother told me growing up that you attract what’s in your heart.
Respect people and that’s what you get back.
Keep your heart pure and full of love and hope.
Hope can start revolutions and change lives.
Inside I feel joyful.
I try to spread goodwill and cheer everywhere I go.
I’m generally laughing and smiling because no one likes to be around a drag unless it’s immediately followed by the word queen.
DRIVE AND DETERMINATION
“I knew I wasn’t going to be a rocket scientist – let’s not be fools – but I wasn’t going to be a bum.” Mr. T
“If you get knocked down – setbacks in life, like applying for a job if they don’t hire you – keep trying, keep getting up, keep doing it” Mr. T
You may not know everything, but you know something.
Be resourceful.
Leverage what you know and what you have to make a way for yourself in this world.
You have to play the hand you were dealt. And play it so well that people cannot take their eyes off of you.
The more drive, determination, and perseverance you have, the more likely good things are to come.
Remember that if 100 doors close in your face, you only need one to be open to walk through.
One opportunity can change your life.
So do not slow down, speed up your efforts with hard work and sacrifice.
DEALING WITH ANGER
“When I was growing up, my family was so poor we couldn’t afford to pay attention.” — Mr. T
“If people are cool, then they are not stressed. I pity the fool that don’t be cool.” – Mr. T
“The most violent show on TV is the six o’clock news.” – Mr. T
I have learned if you can control your emotions, you can control your life.
You must learn good coping skills if you want to make it in this life.
Everything is not going to be easy or handed to you.
My father told me growing up that you have to learn to accept no just as well as you accept yes.
There is no place for violence in your home or community.
You can use your mind creatively to solve problems.
You do not fight to hurt others. You fight to stop them from hurting you.
You should only fight when there is no other choice and all other avenues have been explored and options exhausted.
You fight to defend yourself, your family, and your community. That’s about it.
PEER PRESSURE
“I wanted to win to feed the hungry people of my community. I didn’t want to win to buy a diamond.. I didn’t have no diamonds then. I didn’t want to win to buy a car, I didn’t want to win to bring a couple of chicks downtown to a hotel. I wanted to win to feed the poor people of the community.”– Mr. T
I know about peer pressure and all that, but I say, “Hey, they called me a sissy because I wouldn’t join a gang. Who was calling me a sissy? Does it make me a sissy because somebody called me a sissy?” […] I’m going to fight if you touch me or hurt me or do harm to my family. But if you call me a bad name, or whatnot, I’m too smart for that. That’s the message the kids need to hear coming from me. I tell them, “If I fought every time somebody called me a name, I would never get out of jail. But I’m disciplined. I’m smarter than that.” So I tell them, like my mother said, “Consider the source.” When you see who called you the name, then you understand why they’re doing it. Then you don’t have to stoop that low. – Mr. T
You do not need to impress anyone.
No one should call the shots in your life except you.
You should not respond negatively to fear, guilt, shame, or tears.
You figure out a way to deal with your problems. Period.
Where there is a will, there is a way.
APPRECIATE WHO YOU ARE
“I’m not a star. I don’t feel I’m so great. So how can I make you feel great just because you’ve got my signature on a piece of paper?” – Mr. T
“My celebrity status allows me an opportunity, allows me a pulpit to preach and reach out to the people. Not even always preaching but just leading, motivating them by being a leader.” – Mr. T
I have always made sure to be clean in body, home, and clothing.
You may not be able to afford fine wine, clothes, and jewelry, but if you have a will to work you are already worth your weight in gold.
Do not let anybody talk down to you or tell you that you are not good enough because you are.
You have to believe in yourself.
I believe in you.
And if you are reading this, then I know you do too.
BE POSITIVE
“Whatever role I play is a positive role; it’s a strong role. Never negative.” – Mr. T
Positivity attracts things.
It attracts people, money, and things.
Therefore, if those are the things you want, then be positive.
SMILE
“We were poor, but we smiled.” – Mr. T
You may not have much, but you have something so be grateful.
Those who can keep a smile on their face and joy in their heart are never sad or bitter.
They love their enemies and pray for those who spite them.
They say it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.
Do not waste energy frowning.
You need every muscle to be able to work and earn a living and help others.
So keep smiling.
BE HUNGRY
“This guy Clubber Lang, I’ve been him all my life. He’s mean and hungry just like me.” – Mr. T
If you want something bad enough, you will find a way. Legally, morally, and ethically to get it.
I’m hungry. And I’m thirsty.
Knowledge feeds me, but it doesn’t quench my thirst. Therefore, I strive to find ways to help people.
They say reading feeds the soul. So, I read every day and help others increase their knowledge so they can be fed too because no one likes to eat alone.
CONFIDENCE
“I have the Midas touch, in the way that when I hook up with a project, I feel, not speaking cocky or conceited, but there’s a confidence I have. I learned that from Muhammad Ali; I used to bodyguard him. He taught me about confidence. So when it comes to any job I work, I’m gonna do it good; I’m going to bring it over the top.” – Mr. T
“I didn’t come to Hollywood. Hollywood came to me. A lot of people wish they could say the things I say. Everyone out here is so phony, it’s sickening.” – Mr. T
I have learned to hold your head up high, sit and stand up straight and look people in the eye.
Keep your standards high.
Give a firm handshake and stand your ground.
Even dogs can sense fear.
I have learned the two best ways of boosting confidence are getting a good education and hard work.
MINDFULNESS
“I take a lot of pride in the work I do, because people pay to see me. They’ve got to get babysitters, park their car, get popcorn and candy. I’ve got to be conscious of that.” – Mr. T
I learned that a job worth doing is worth doing well.
It can’t be all about me.
I have to be mindful of others and respect their time, energy, and efforts as if it were my own.
GOOD HYGIENE
“I’m pretty clean, hygienic and all that, but sometimes when I come home, I throw my coat over there, take one shoe off here, one shoe off there, but I’m not dirty.” – Mr. T
I have learned a cluttered home can lead to a cluttered mind.
Everything should have its place.
Cleanliness is the closest you can get to perfection.
Take care of yourself from head to toe.
You are just a shower and a shave away from an opportunity. Never forget that.
MANNERS MATTER
“T stands for being nice. T stands for manners. T stands for being polite.” – Mr. T
People like nice people.
Do not be a mean-spirited person.
Nice people tend to attract good things.
Money is also on that list.
Fortunes have been made just for being nice.
So do good.
“When you give, it comes back to you.” – Mr. T
“I tell everybody, I get so much because I give so much. I give freely, I give all my time, give all my money, give all of my soul. I try to motivate people. I try to inspire them.” – Mr. T
Case in point, Mr. T was at one time commanding an estimated $80,000 a week for his role on the A-Team and $15,000 for appearances. He even got to meet the president. All this from being nice.
There’s some food for thought. Just something to chew on.
BE BOLD
“I don’t worry. I don’t doubt. I’m daring. I’m a rebel.” – Mr. T
“Anger – use it, but don’t lose it!” — Mr. T
“I’m a free spirit” – Mr. T
My parents used to call me a rebel.
I was okay with that because fortunes usually favor the bold.
I think of myself as a free spirit.
I’m a free range pony. I can’t be held down. I’m too busy lifting people up.
What I am upset and bothered about is that there are so many people that do not know about finances.
However, I use my anger to creatively think of solutions.
I guess some could say I am a Rebel without a cause, but guess what? I have a cause.
My cause is to give a voice to those without one, to help the sick, poor, and elderly and promote positivity and change for the betterment of mankind, but that’s just me.
DON’T QUIT
“You’re going through college, and you’re going to be faced with a lot of things. You’re going to face adversity, the main thing is don’t quit. For many people it’s easy to quit, but don’t. That’s what separates the winners from the losers, what separates the all-stars from the also-rans.” — Mr. T
“I want to represent… to the kids to draw strength from me. So they can see that everybody goes through something, but you can rise up and do your best. Just try.” – Mr. T
“Really, you don’t lose until you stop trying.” – Mr. T
“I pity the fool who just gives up.” – Mr. T
In life, things are going to happen.
You get up, dust yourself off and keep going.
No one is going to coddle you in the real world.
You can’t win unless you play the game through to the end.
Be a winner not a quitter.
Don’t complain. Do something.
DO NOT GO DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT
“We all gonna die eventually from something or other, but don’t be a wimp. Put up a good fight.”Mr. T
Whatever it is your going through know that you are not alone.
There are many others that may have problems that are bigger than yours.
If you’re going to go down, you might as well go down fighting.
If I have to fight, I’m going down kicking and screaming.
I can’t just give up. It ain’t in me.
And don’t let anything get you down. Get up.
SET A GOAL
“All I ever wanted to do with my life was own a little house. I did that way back with ‘Rocky,’ so now everything I do is just icing on the cake.” – Mr. T
You just have to have a goal and write it down.
Memorize it and visualize it. Work hard for it.
Sometimes dreams do come true. If you are willing to just try.
KNOW YOUR VALUES AND NOT JUST THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING
“Calvin Klein and Gloria Vanderbilt don’t wear clothes with your name on it, so why should you wear their name?” — Mr. T
“I don’t mean to be cocky, but if I’m never on TV again, if I never make another dollar, I am proud. I did what I wanted to do.” – Mr. T
“You might not have the things you want, but if you check carefully, you got all you need.” – Mr. T
Who cares if you can’t afford a fancy car, home, or clothes?
Just get out there and work.
Put in the time. Put your head down and work.
The only people that get anything are the ones that show up.
I don’t care much for labels. I only care about quality.
I wanted to know how long I could walk in a pair of shoes until holes started to show up.
I’m not putting those fancy designers’ kids through private school or paying for their summer home.
If you want my hard earned money, then you better have a quality product.
I value and respect money and time too much to just throw it away.
INVESTING
“Where’s the meat? This sandwich is full of weeds! I ain’t eatin’ nothing I don’t understand!” – Mr. T
Same rules apply with money.
You should not put your money, time, energy, effort, or invest in anything you do not understand.
Do your research.
Your body is also your temple. Stay away from drugs. You do not know what is in them.
My father told me growing up that drugs only lead to two things: death and destruction.
Put your hard earned money to work for you and you will one day not have to work so hard for it.
I have a dollar and a dream to make myself some cream. How am I going to do it? By investing.
I prefer low cost index funds. If you are unsure which ones, then go for the ones with the lowest fees.
MONEY
“I made a little money. And like the Bible says, I was enjoying the fruits of my labor. This is my comeback. This is me doing what I love to do.” – Mr. T
“I believe in the Golden Rule – The Man with the Gold… Rules.” – Mr. T
“We didn’t starve. We spent wisely. Like I tell people in the ghetto, “If you can buy guns and bullets, why can’t you buy food? You can buy heroin and crack cocaine, so why can’t you buy bread and butter and milk? Why can’t you pay your rent?” There’s a lot of people in the ghetto who go out and get a fancy car and all that. The car costs more than their house. Meanwhile, your kids need shoes. That’s not cool.” – Mr. T
I know money is important.
What I also want you to know is that it does not come before people.
What you have is not more important than who you are and if there are people around you that cannot see that, then get away from them.
People will try to talk you out of things, but if it is your dream then don’t let them.
If you have a dream, then don’t let anyone take it away.
Put your money where your values are.
Your credit card and bank statements will show where they are.
If you don’t like them, then change them.
You cut your expenses to the bone if that is what it takes to put food on the table and a roof over your head.
Forget a nice set of wheels if it means you cannot take care of your families and responsibilities.
I have heard of dealerships offering a seven year car payment! Forget that. That is longer than college!
Check out my posts on cars (the biggest money suckers on the planet)
Who or what motivates and inspires you? Please comment and share here.
I want you to focus on earning.
Once you earn, then you can save and invest.
Stay away from debt and credit cards.
Credit card debt is for the impatient.
Wealth and abundance come to those that are patient. See my post
What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goal of financial freedom and independence?
My father always says that America squanders its greatest asset: the people.
People are the greatest asset. Treat people with respect and it comes back to you.
“Karen, nothing is worth sacrificing your dignity and self-respect.” – Suzanne Somers in Step by Step (1991-1998)
The complete Step by Step series is currently streaming on Hulu for fans of the show, just fyi.
I learned this valuable lesson about respect many years ago when I was growing up. I was watching several different television shows, but a few stood out. They were ALF, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Amazing Stories, Family Matters, Mr. Belvedere, Punky Brewster and The A- team.
ALF
Alf was a television show about an alien that aired on NBC from 1986-1990 and was also turned into an animated series twice; The Animated Series (1987-1988) and Alf Tales (1988-1989). From this show I learned to not judge people by what they look like, but by what’s on the inside, respect for others, and that it is not good to be petty.
ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS
Alvin and the Chipmunks was an animated cartoon series that aired on NBC from 1983-1990. In the show, the boys learn life lessons that they pass on to the viewers. I remember that doing the right thing is its own reward and bullies never prosper in the long run. The very 1st episode entitled “The C-Team” aired on September 17, 1983.
In this first episode, the boys encounter bullies and they seek out Mr. T to ask for advice and help. Even though Mr. T was extremely busy, as in real life he was doing The A-Team live action and an animated cartoon series called Mister T(1983-1986), on the show he stopped what he was doing to help the Chipmunks. It taught me that an adult should take to the time to help and inspire children to do the right thing and there is value in teamwork.
AMAZING STORIES
Amazing Stories was an anthology series created by Steven Spielberg, that featured fantasy stories that aired on NBC for two seasons from 1985-1987. My absolute favorite episode is the one entitled “Gather Ye Acorns” and it starred Mark Hamill aka “Luke Skywalker” from “Star Wars” fame.
In this story, as a young boy, he decides to keep all his possessions as one day he was told they will make him a fortune. Little did he know it would take about 50 years or so to happen.
However, instead of giving into despair completely and hurting others, he took ownership of his decisions and even when he was down to his last dollar he still gifted a woman one of his most prized possessions given to him by his grandmother. He told her he would give her a beautiful vase for a beautiful lady. She offered to buy it from him after inquiring if he would sell it to her. This woman would end up writing him a check for $10,000. As the vase was a very rare one, and made during the 1930’s. His charm, attitude, and humility caused his darkest hour to turn into his greatest triumph.
If you are noticing a theme here with NBC cranking out and airing some great shows, you are not alone. NBC must be making a mint from all those residuals.
But I digress. Let’s get back to the subject at hand.
FAMILY MATTERS
Family Matters was a sitcom that ran for nine seasons from 1989-1998 on ABC and the last season on CBS. The show had many themes that kids and young adults deal with such as peer pressure, bullying, and drugs. The show is known for its nerdy breakout character Steve Urkel who would always show the audience that doing the right thing was always the right thing to do. He always stood up for the little guy, never gave into peer pressure or bullying of any kind, and always defended himself from anyone who would try to do him harm.
I learned this and that being smart could be an asset because Urkel was a science nerd and this helped him navigate the troubles in life, but he had a heart of gold and eventually won the heart of the woman he loved; Laura Winslow.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x399dug
MR. BELVEDERE
Mr. Belvedere was a sitcom that aired on ABC from 1985-1990 and ran for six seasons. The title character of the show was always helping the family he was employed for with various moral or ethical dilemmas. And at the end of every episode, he wrote in a journal the happenings of the day and the lessons he learned. This is part of what inspired me to write. I still keep a journal and to do list to this day. That’s how I am able to keep up with writing content for this blog. When I am inspired: I write it down.
PUNKY BREWSTER
Punky Brewster was a sitcom about a young girl being raised by a foster parent named Henry than ran on NBC for 4 seasons from 1984-1986. The show as also turned into an animated series (as was the thing to do back in the 80’s and 90’s) called It’s Punky Brewster (1985-1986). I saw the difference a foster parent could make in a kid’s life. They had so much love for each other. It inspires me to this day to be gracious, kind, and generous to others because you can make a difference.
THE A-TEAM
The A-Team was a television series that ran for five seasons on NBC from (1983-1987). The A-Team were members of a fictional United Sates Special Forces unit. What I liked about the show was the teamwork and camaraderie between the characters and their integrity. Although the show was fiction, I still remember what the real United States Army Special Forces motto is: De Oppresso Liber, which is Latin for to liberate the oppressed. Basically, you help those in need who cannot help themselves.
So, if you decide to pursue wealth, it is best to make sure you know why you are doing it and what you want to accomplish.
You cannot just save money as it has to circulate so that the world keeps moving. Circulating does not mean spending, but that money should be managed properly, accounted for, and readily available for others to use. Investing is the way to do this.
For example, investing $100,000 into stocks that yield an 8% rate of return could net you $1,000,000 in 30 years without adding another cent. That’s right, a cool million bucks just for breathing and letting your money stay put!
Remember this, whatever you choose to do, whether it is about fame, money, acting, dancing, singing, or donating, nothing is worth sacrificing your dignity and self-respect.
I say choose wisely. And I pity the fool who chooses money over people. Sorry, had to say it.
Got any inspiring stories? Share them and comment here. You never know who you may inspire.
More money does not mean you are free of problems. Money can make life easier, but it has a price.
You want fame? … Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying. With sweat. – Debbie Allen in Fame
“Stardom equals financial success and financial success equals security. I’ve spent too much of my life feeling insecure. I still have nightmares about being poor, of everything I own just vanishing away. Stardom means that can’t happen.” – Steve McQueen
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.” ― Jim Carrey
“What people don’t realize is that fame—whatever your worst experience in high school, when you were being bullied by those 10 kids in high school—fame is that, but on a global scale, where you’re being bullied by millions of people constantly.” – Megan Fox
People assume I’m out there having this great life, but money doesn’t erase the pain. When you’re young you barrel through life, making choices without thinking of the repercussions. A few years down the line, you wake up in a certain place and wonder how the hell you got there. – Jennifer Lopez
MONEY PROBLEMS
What’s the problem with money? The problem with earning more is that oftentimes followed precipitously by spending more.
Overspending can cause many problems such as stress, depressions and weight gain. It also leads to debt, poverty, and negative net worth’s.
Although, having vast sums of money can cause some headaches and of the same problems as stated above, money has many good uses as well.
For example, once you have it you are able to espouse love in numerous ways, such as paying for good health care, an excellent education, adequate housing and healthy food.
Money offers protection.
Especially, for the harshness of life. However, the reality is that money has no power until you use it. Power by itself is not good or evil. Money is not good or bad. It is what you do with it that gives it meaning.
It is all up to you.
They say be careful what you wish for. Especially, money. It can be a gift or a curse depending on the way you look at it.
I read a book called Winning the Money Game: Lessons Learned from the Financial Fouls of Pro Athletes by Adonal Foyle. He was a professional basketball player who describes the things he says while playing in the NBA in regards to how other athletes dealt with financial management or lack thereof.
He that said you should learn the basics of money and that you should rule your money or money will rule you. He saw many people lose homes, cars, wives, and careers.
In addition, he said you should audit anyone who comes into contact with your money. That includes family.
I cannot count the number of stories I have read about some celebrity losing millions to unscrupulous financial and business managers.
It’s a great way to keep accountants and others on their toes and let them know you are watching.
CASH RESERVES
Cash reserves are a must. Any individual with an income should put a money cushion aside for lean times because trust me they will come.
The problem is that when money comes fast, which is true for athletes and lottery winners, it usually goes out that way as well. Before many have had time to adjust and learn the ropes of handling money.
If you own a home and want to build a fortune as a real estate mogul or landlord, then usually that comes with sweat equity (a fancy term for hard work and fixing up your property yourself).
You also need to set aside money for maintenance or vacancies. As every business needs capital.
Should you choose to pursue wealth, fame, fortune, and your dreams you better have a backup plan should all not go as you hoped. (Foyle was forced to retire due to an injury at the ripe old age of 35)
He started preparing financially many years’ prior and was on solid financial footing when the day came for him to stop earning paychecks from his career as a basketball player.
I advise everyone to do the same.
Foyle has started coaching and advising other young athletes about money as he saw a need and decided to help others and he continues to help people regardless of what has happened in his life.
No matter what you go through in this life do not lose your humility or your humanity.
Your friends and family are the ones that will help you in good times and bad.
Top 1% of income in the world is easier to earn than you think.
“The only way to enjoy anything in this life is to earn it first.” – Ginger Rogers
So, you want money. Well, most people do. Lots of it.
However, what do you do once you have it.
According to one of the shark tank sharks Kevin O’Leary aka ‘Mr. Wonderful’, he says there are three basic rules for money “Don’t spend too much. Mostly save. Always invest.”
From what I have learned, the problem is most spend too much, save nothing, and never invest.
First, you have to learn that you do not make money, you earn it.
Second, start putting aside 10% of what you earn.
Lastly, learn how to invest it. This could be by just picking up a few books on investing at your local library.
Boom, you just made the impossible possible. You earned money and saved it. From what I have seen most people cannot even do that. Let alone invest. Investing is how the rich stay rich, but earning a good living is how they get rich.
You have to know where you stand financially (what you earn), gather your resources (savings) and then you can plant your feet (invest).
Or put it this way, gather your acorns (earn money), plant your seeds (save money), enjoy the harvest (earned interest on money invested).
So, where do most Americans stand.
Most Americans are in the top 1% of income globally
You are in the top 1% of income worldwide with an annual salary of…drum roll please…$34,000.
Yep. You read correctly.
A recent study has shown that you do not need to earn six figures to be considered top of the heap in terms of income.
That means if you are working an entry-level job earning $35,000 a year, you are in the top 1% of income in the world.
Pour yourself a glass.
You should celebrate landing that job.
Considerably, that the average income in America is $50,000, it is safe to say that more than 50% of Americans are at the top when it comes to salary on a global scale.
Since, average means 50% are higher or lower than $50,000 on the pay scale meter, this could equate to roughly 75% of Americans making at least $34,000 or more annually. If we divide 50 in half, as we know there is a wide range that could be making between $34,000 to $50,000 or above.
That means if you are American, it is likely that you are already a one percenter in regards to income.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a gym teacher or a celebrity. Your income is top in the world in America. Cheers!
The top wealthiest in the world
In regards to wealth, you only need to have less than $3,500 in assets to be amongst the wealthiest in the world or around $760,000 to be in the top percentile, per Credit Suisse.
The Federal Reserve stated a median American family has over $80,000 in net worth in 2013, where the average family had net assets of $535,000 or higher.
Therefore, if you have less than $10,000 in wealth; which is the bulk of the global population, then you still have more wealth than those unfortunate souls at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
Wealth acquired globally
However, even though it does not take much to be at the top of the global wealth pyramid the way wealth is obtained varies greatly.
For instance, in many high-income nations; the United States for one, there is a massive amount of debt. Whereas in many European nations or middle and low income countries the debt is considerably lower.
The approximate four billion at the bottom of the economic pyramid may lack money, but they also do not have the resources to help them acquire crippling and debilitating debt with easy credit access.
Debt is a destroyer of wealth.
Meaning that someone who lives on $5 a day in other parts of the world and has managed to save up $3,500 in assets is wealthier than a Manhattan doctor pulling in $500,000 annually, spending $510,000 a year; which is minus (-) $10,000 more than they earn, and carrying student loans of $250,000.
The doctor would have a net worth in the negative (-) $250,000 and climbing higher in debt. Sinking further below the wealth distribution chart with every year.
Unless they pay off the debt and stopping spending more than they earn, they will never experience true wealth or the freedom that comes with it.
You just have to do the numbers.
More going out than coming in and no savings = debt.
More coming in than going out and keeping it = wealth.
Ultimately, only you can decide which category you want to be in.
