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Why You Should Always Trust But Verify

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Trust, Faith, Encouragement, Trust

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

Trust is a five-letter word. A word that is small in size, but whose meaning is of monumental importance.

Today on Greenbacks Magnet we are spilling the tea and reading the tea leaves on the topic of personal finance.

Somewhat like Jalen and Jacoby do on their podcast.

This is a no-holds barred conversation about getting your fiscal house in order.

If I had a podcast right now, I have several friends or family members that could be my partner on this magic carpet ride. Aladdin had Princess Jasmine. Jordan had Scottie Pippen. Keenan had Kel. Barack has Michelle. Oprah has Gayle. Key had Peele. Batman has Robin. Kermit the Frog has Miss Piggy. Jalen has Jacoby.

Having a partner just makes things more fun.

I ask my significant other all the time, “Are you gonna back me up?! Are you gonna be the pip to my Gladys?!” I need people with good character that I can trust around me.

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It’s like my man Shakespeare says, “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” ― William Shakespeare, All’s Well That Ends Well

Trusting people with your money comes with huge financial risks! And I notice it is more risk than reward. You have to be on top of things when it comes to your money.

So today, I am going to give you some real stories of private conversations I have been in, eavesdropped on, and stood witness to in hopes it might help you more easily navigate these hostile fiscal waters out here in these mean streets.

I’m doing it Jalen Rose and David Jacoby style for those of you ESPN fans out there, you know what I’m talking about.

I want you to trust my advice, and me but I also want you to verify it.

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Let’s get started and dive right in.

In the spirit of Jalen and Jacoby:

Got to give the people…

Give the people what?

What they want!

What do they want?

Current events! They want you to spit that hot fire!

And in this blogs case FIRE is Financial Independence, Retire Early!

TRUST, BUT VERIFY

That is a famous quote uttered by former President Ronald Reagan during the Cold War.

He was a former Hollywood actor turned politician, which was unheard of at the time in 1981. My how times have changed.

Reagan also gave us Reaganomics, also known as Voodoo Economics, it works as crazy as it sounds. Voodoo (magic) is French in origin and hails from Louisiana around the 1700’s, which is before the Louisiana Purchase between the United States and France, negotiated by President Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon in 1803.

Therefore, the term Voodoo Economics simply means magic economics or finances (magic money).

There goes that Peter Pan quote I put at the top circling back to us as magic money is like pixie dust! It just doesn’t exist! In my mind, this is like creating money or great finances out of thin air.

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It’s kind of how 50 Cent said he owed $8 million worth of Bitcoin when he owed nothing and created $8 million of wealth for himself in the eyes of his followers on Instagram because we are all just, and I roll my eyes as I type this, “living for the Gram.” I discuss fifty and the Gram on this post.

According to Psychologytoday.com, Reaganomics is this in that “the simple answer: when the outcome is essential and matters more than the relationship, use “trust, but verify.” When the relationship matters more than any single outcome, don’t use it.” Basically, if you are unsure of how to proceed in making a decision where the outcome can be life-changing, then do your research to uncover the facts before saying yes.

In my opinion, that means reviewing credit reports before walking down the aisle.

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Why should I commit to someone with four felonies, two bankruptcies, a property lien and $50,000 of back taxes owed to the IRS without knowing what I am getting myself into. You would be surprised what you uncover with a simple credit report.

A woman has a right to say no or change her mind about marriage all the way until the time she is in front of the minister. It’s cool to trust your partner when they say they paid off that Neiman Marcus credit card, but request that copy of the credit report baby to verify.

WHAT IS REAGANOMICS?

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Reaganomics, or Reaganism, refers to the economic policies promoted by U.S. President Ronald Reagan during the 1980s.

The economic policies of the former US president Ronald Reagan, associated especially with the reduction of taxes and the promotion of unrestricted free-market activity. “the claim that cutting taxes generates more revenue was a key element of Reaganomics”

When looking up Voodoo Economics this pops up in the search: an economic policy perceived as being unrealistic and ill-advised, in particular a policy of maintaining or increasing levels of public spending while reducing taxation. “as governor, he put into practice the same voodoo economics that he would later impose on the country as president”

I will give it to you in layman’s terms, give more to the rich and their gains of money and benefits should also find it’s way down to everyone else.

It’s the reverse of Robinhood’s theory of taking from the rich and giving to the poor, by instead giving to the rich. There you have it. I just gave you the premise of Trickle-down Economics.

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WHAT IS TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS?

Great question. Trickle-down economics, also called trickle-down theory, refers to the economic proposition that taxes on businesses and the wealthy in society should be reduced as a means to stimulate business investment in the short term and benefit society at large in the long term. 

According to thebalance.com writer Kimberly Amadeo, Trickle–down economics is a theory that claims benefits for the wealthy trickle down to everyone else. These benefits are tax cuts on businesses, high-income earners, capital gains, and dividends. … All of this expansion will trickle down to workers. 

I don’t know about that.

When I look to my left on the West Coast, I see massive homelessness.

When I look to my right on the East Coast, I see wage stagnation.

Taxes got cut, but people are in even more debt. When the top 10% of the richest American households own 84% of the stock market wealth in the country something is terribly askew.

I call gentle bullshit on all this record stock market gains that is causing the country to grow wealth for all.

It seems more that instead of lifting all boats to prosperity for 99% of the population, stocks are lifting a few yachts of the 1%.

In the illustrious words of Sheldon Cooper, pardon me, I mean Dr. Cooper, this is a bunch of hokum. I mean the term even has the word trick in it. Hello?

WHEN IN ROME, TAKE OUT MORE DEBT

I have seen stuff you would not believe people have done when it comes to their money.

I saw a couple of government workers deciding to take on an $800,000 mortgage. Don’t ask me why. After 30 years of payments, they will have paid $1.6 million for a pile of bricks they are never at because they are always at work. Then the husband loses his job and they lose the house!

If you do not have $1.6 million in retirement or other assets, then you cannot afford or should not buy a home for three-quarters of a million.

Since, many college students see their friends take out loans to fund spring break trips they feel they are entitled to do it too! I actually knew someone who got a boob job and paid off a car with a student loan refund.

I hear tons of people say they are never going to retire, can’t afford college, and will work forever but no one wants to downsize their $400,000 mortgage. If they want it, they get it. How you ask? Do what the neighbors did and take out a HELOC.

A FLY ON THE FISCAL WALL

I’m about to spill that tea so don’t blink or you might miss it!

Overheard around an office watercooler.

“I owe $100,000 in back property taxes to the IRS.”

Overheard at the nail salon.

“I bought a $700 Gucci belt.”

Heard it from a friend.

“My daughter wants a pair of Gucci boots.”

Come on now. I have said it before. The only teenager that deserves a pair of Gucci boots is on stage with her two friends Kelly and Michelle.

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A grandmother recounting her money woes to me.

“I am in $25,000 worth of credit card debt. I am on a fixed income. My granddaughter was supposed to use my credit card for a one-time charge to pay her auto insurance when she got a new car and then I found out she never stopped it and I paid for the whole year! When I asked her for the money back she said she didn’t have it and then told me about all the bills she has.”

A male-exotic dancer told me, “I strip because I don’t make enough at my job to live on that.”

The guy who can’t pay his child support who owns a Range Rover and house is constantly in danger of foreclosure.

A beauty salon owner who confided in me. Her child support payment is $25 a month and the father keeps quitting his job so he don’t have to pay it! At the tender age of 25, she also decided to lease a beauty shop and buy a home. She said, “It’s like paying two mortgages.”

Another friend.

“I would rather struggle today and get my forever home, than buy a starter home and have a smaller home and have to move.”

A cousin.

“I can’t make too much or they will take me off Section 8 housing.”

Just FYI, many safety net programs do not allow you to make too much or have too much in savings or assets. If you have more than $2,000 in checking, you could lose all income assistance benefits and NEVER be able to get back on. Essentially, keeping the poor trapped in a cycle of poverty.

CHANGE THE MONEY GAME

There is a saying. Control your money; control your life. When you know how money works life is easy. When you don’t, life is hard.

I read every book I can get my hands on about finance. I have learned about taxes, insurance, stocks, real estate, and entrepreneurship.

Here are a couple books I have read that changed my money mindset.

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Some things I have done to build wealth and start saving over $13,000 a year.

I stopped getting personal loans. It took me years to pay off a $20,000 personal loan. I took that $333 monthly payments and started saving money.

I once had a $448.65 car payment. I paid off the car and started investing that money.

I started studying the stock market.

I cut out buying clothes and all shopping and stared saving over $8,000 a year. I canceled subscriptions. Maybe Jillian Michaels may want to do the same as on her Instagram, cause you know we are all “living for the Gram,” she stated she would like to figure out how “like to get my American Express bill down.” 

I only spend on things I love and I cut spending mercilessly on the things I don’t.

I transferred over $84,000 out of multiple stock funds and placed my bet on one 500 index fund.

I write money milestones.

The goal is to be a 401(k) millionaire.

By investing over 25% of my income into things like the VFINX, VFIAX, or VTSAX, I can make this dream a reality.

Milestone number one was $100,000 in Mr. Market. I hit that marker and kept on climbing.

The money starts accumulating faster like a freaking avalanche once you have that first $100k. The next stop was $200,000.

Then I started making my way to a quarter million.

I estimated that once you hit $250,000, then you can get to millionaire status in 14.5 to 23.5 years with a 6% or above interest rate. And that is without adding another dime.

Once you get to one-quarter of a million, the other three-quarters are not too far behind.

If you could invest $20,000 a year including employer match, you could be a millionaire in 10 years with a 10% return with a principal investment start of $250,000.

That first $100,000 is your capital to a better future. It plants the seed money from which the rest of the harvest will grow.

DROPPING DIMES LIKE SCROOGE MCDUCK AND OTHER MONEY HINTS

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Dropping dimes used to mean putting a dime in a payphone to connect with someone.

Now it is used more figuratively than literally as in giving some knowledge in this case.

The reason I invest most of my money in index funds is this piece of advice from Warren Buffet.  

He instructed the trustee in charge of his estate to invest 90 percent of his money into the S&P 500 for his wife after he dies.

Warren Buffet is worth $81 billion. Most of his wealth came after the age of 50. Buffet gained 99% of his wealth after 50. That 1% of his wealth took 50 years to build, the other $80 billion too like 25 years or less than half the time it took to get the first billion.

He had to create companies, invest, graduate from Columbia, start businesses, and save the excess for 50 years to create the other 99% of his wealth!

In farming, like 99% of the crop comes from just 2% of the seeds that survive. Every time you invest your money, you are sowing seeds for your future self.

Focus less on buying luxury and focus more on buying assets to pay for luxury. I even get inspired by fictional cartoon characters like Scrooge McDuck and his number one dime story.

In a book I read, they state three of their truths about money. She stated, “the Scarcity Mind- set taught me the three lessons that would eventually turn me into a millionaire:

Money is the most important thing in the world.
Money is worth sacrificing for.
Money is even worth bleeding for.

Well, until next time party people. I’m out.

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Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Investing, Saving, Television Shows and Money

You Can’t Do That On Television Or With Your Finances

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Never spend your money before you’ve earned it. – Thomas Jefferson

If I could rub on Aladdin’s lamp, I would wish for world financial literacy. Oh…And world peace.

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However, what I really want is for more people to get involved with the family finances and build generational wealth for their future.

Within the last 72 hours, I have read that college students are unable to afford housing in Sacramento, Forever 21 went bankrupt, WeWork will be letting go of 2,000 employees, Sports Illustrated (SI) sacked half the staff.

In addition, that there is also an aging population and a doctor shortage due to issues with stress, debt loads in the $200,000-$500,000 range, not to mention under funding of residency programs; and that most of the growth in the job market is concentrated in only two areas: health services and education.

What your job is, should you choose to accept it, is to keep as many dollars in your bank account as possible. Unlike Tom Cruise’s message in Mission Impossible, this message will not self-destruct in five seconds.

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If this were a financial hospital, I would want you to form a triage and determine which parts of your finances need most immediate care. Your bank account is the heart of your finances so let us perform a little CPR. Greenbacks Magnet style of course. This post is all about letting you know what you cannot do with your finances in order to grow your nest egg to a fortune. This reminds me of a sketch comedy show called You Can’t Do That on Television. Let me explain.

You Can’t Do That on Television is a Canadian sketch comedy television series that first aired locally in 1979 before airing in the United States in 1981. It featured preteen and teenage actors in a sketch comedy format similar to that of American sketch comedies Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In and Saturday Night Live.

What I loved most about this show was that they would always say what you could not do followed by some hilarious punishments such as being covered in green slime. And nobody wants that! Who wants to have to wash all that slime out of your hair?

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Let’s pretend that everywhere you go there is a bucket of green slime waiting to be poured on your head for any financial missteps that you make. You may think twice about maxing out that credit card or renting that posh pad in the SoHo district for $4,000 a month. I’m just saying.

Here is a list of things that you cannot do with your finances:

  • Upgrading to First Class on credit
  • Maxing out credit cards
  • Using Payday Loans
  • Overloading on Student Loan Debt such as paying $100,000 for a Sociology degree
  • Buying a car that costs more than your annual income
  • Paying for a family member’s vacation to Disneyland on your credit card because theirs is maxed out
  • Taking out Personal Loans for more than you can afford to repay
  • Buying a home for more than four times your salary
  • Spending on fancy jewelry
  • Going on shopping sprees at the mall just because its Tuesday

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about what you can do with your finances. The list is short and quite simple:

  • Save until it hurts aiming for 50% of your after-tax income
  • Invest in index funds such as the VTSAX at Vanguard
  • Open up a Roth IRA
  • Max out your Roth IRA

And that’s about it.

I know what you’re thinking. That’s it?! The list for what not to do was more than twice as long.

That is because there are endless ways to spend money, but the road to wealth is quite simple. Spend less than you make and invest the difference. Therefore, if your take-home pay is $75,000 a year and you spend $50,000 on living expenses, then you should invest $25,000 a year. No matter what the numbers are, the goal is the same. The way to get to your destination may change, as life happens, but keep the goal.

I must now bid you farewell. Do not worry. I will not be far away. I am only a tweet away.

This is not goodbye. As they said in the 1987 He-Man film, Masters of the Universe, we Don’t Say Goodbye, we say Good Journey.

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I will be your Yoda on this money journey.

And may the odds be ever in your favor.

I salute you.

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Blogger Interviews, Financial Independence, Interviews, Investing, Retirement

Accidentally Wealthy on Purpose: An Interview with Accidental FIRE

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Man, Business, Adult, Suit, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency

“We gonna win more. We gonna live more. We the best.” – DJ Khaled

I know what you’re thinking. How do you accidentally get wealthy on purpose. Well guess what? You’re about to find out.

This latest blogger interview comes from Dave of Accidental FIRE.

I reached out to him after seeing his name on like 20,000 blogs.

Here’s how it went down because as you know it goes down in the DM. 🤣

I sent this tweet out after seeing a post Dave published. I thought it had an inspiring title. So I retweeted it.

To my surprise, Dave responded. 😮

So I responded to Dave. 😁

That’s when he told me to hit him up in the DM! 😉

So yes ladies and gents, this post happened from a tweet!

He seems as passionate about writing and blogging as I do!

I was born for this, born for this It’s who I am, how could I forget? – Macklemore

Let’s get right down to it! It goes down in the DM!!! It goes down. It goes down!!! 😂 Yo Gotti – Down In The DM

The blog and the interview was done by Miriam of Greenbacks Magnet, but those lyrics up top are by Yo Gotti.

INTRODUCING 

Welcome aboard all! All are welcome!

Welcome to Greenbacks Magnet. Home of attracting Greenbacks like Magnets! 🤣Can I help you find financial freedom?

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I want to thank you all for coming along this financial journey with me as I study the self-made and do blog interviews. You know, you are all my copilot’s on this magic carpet ride.

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In the illustrious words of #Aladdin Genie, “You ain’t never ever had a friend like meeeee!!!”🤣

Let’s Meet Dave!!!

I actually met Dave at FinCon. He was positive and had a great attitude. That was the thing I remember about him most. He may not have known it but I thought to myself now there’s someone I would not mind working with. 🤔

And here we are today.

Another day, another breath (another breath)
Been chasing dreams, but I never slept (I never slept) – Glorious Macklemore featuring Skylar Grey

I told Dave I thought he was one of the hardest working men in the blog business. I said that because I would go to read a post by a personal finance blogger and he would have already been there and posted the very first comment!

I couldn’t keep up with him! And I work HARD!!!

I remember seeing a comment on one blog post he did and he said, “Oh get out the popcorn. I see an interesting comments section coming on this post.”

Yep, that’s Dave.

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What it felt like to meet Dave at FinCon.

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He’s a genuine guy. 😉

Let’s talk about how Dave caught on financial FIRE!

DAVE STARTS A FINANCIAL FIRE BLOG

GBM: Hey Dave!! You should let me interview you for the blog! 5 questions tops! If it will get this ball rolling. I know you’re busy, but I promise to keep it short and snappy. Scouts honor. 😉

Dave: Hey Miriam, I will have to ponder these and will get back to you, interesting questions 😉 

What is FIRE? It stands for Financial Independence Retire Early.

There are tons of blogs out there on the topic.

I even wrote a post called How do you play with FIRE?

WHAT IS FIRE?

According to Camp Fire Finance, the elevator pitch for FIRE is this, “When your investments generate enough money to cover your annual expenses you’re financially independent (FI). At that point work is optional and you can retire early (RE) if you want to.”

Basically, you have more than enough money coming in to stop working. Usually, this requires anywhere from $1 million to $5 million dollars depending on what you want or need to spend to maintain your lifestyle or that of the one you dream of having.

For example, if you decide you want to withdraw at least $80,000 a year, you would need to have a $2-million-dollar portfolio.

This is how I visualize myself on FIRE! 😂💋

Jennifer Lawrence in the Hunger Games was serving them eye candy with that dress. It was literally ON FIRE!!!

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To stay on theme, I will pick this image for Dave. 😉

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Let’s get to the interview. 😊

Dave: Hey Miriam, here are my responses.

1. How did you come up with your blog name?

I named my blog Accidental FIRE because I reached FI accidentally – meaning I wasn’t intentionally trying to get to a point where I didn’t have to work anymore.  I just wanted as much of a nest egg as I could get because I come from a background and family that has no money.  So it was about building security in my life.  But when I discovered the 4% etc it then accidentally became about working less too.

Accidental Fire

Good for you! 👍

It’s great to have goals. I call that a win!

Win, Word, Scrabble, Letters, Wooden

GBM Miriam: Some people may think building a nest egg from the ground up is impossible. I say personal finance is not rocket science. It is about earning, saving, and consistency.


Thanks for keeping it 💯and sharing that.

2. Any favorite finance books? What’s on your nightstand?

My favorite financial book is “The Simple Path To wealth” by JL Collins because it does the best job of boiling the basics down to make a FI path, well, simple.  On my nightstand now are two books “War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from American Wars”, and “The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure”.  Also my eyeglasses and a candle.

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Well ok ✌That’s some good reading material right there. 👍

GBM Miriam: I am actually reading The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins right now! I guess great minds think alike! 😉

This was me in school. 😂

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Even today, if I’m not reading, I like to exercise. 🤣 I like to keep busy. No idle hands.

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I still read comic books too! My favorite is Red Sonja.

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She Devil with a Sword

Fun Fact: The Marvel comic Red Sonja was turned into a film in 1985 starring one of my favorite self-made people to quote Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“Don’t focus on getting to $1 million; focus on getting to $2 million.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger

I heard that little gem when Mr. Schwarzenegger was doing a radio interview.

I’ve learned to make every dollar count. Focus on turning every $1 into $2. Instead of $1 million focus on $2 million. I learned that from @Schwarzenegger 😉

Just my 2 cents. Smooches 💋

Did this book inspire this post I wonder? 🤔

3. What’s the most interesting thing about you that we wouldn’t learn from your resume?

I’m a pretty good juggler.

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Awesome! 👍That’s pretty cool.

4. What’s in your wallet? How did you start building wealth?


If you mean what kind of credit card I have a US Bank VISA that gives great reward points and that I use for everything.  I started building wealth as soon as I started working when I was 16, I’ve always spent less than I made.  But I started supercharging my wealth-building after reading a copy of Money magazine in 1995 and putting money in index funds.

Nice! 👌

GBM Miriam: I actually started after reading a Kiplinger magazine around 2007. I also put my money in index funds like the VFINX 500 index with Vanguard, which tracks an index like the S&P 500.

I try to save and invest over 40% of my income.

Although it is now closed to new investors you can put money into the VTSAX which is 80% comprised of the 500 largest companies in the United States.

Your story on how you grew up and got started building wealth reminds me of the song Glorious from Macklemore.

I feel glorious, glorious Got a chance to start again!

I loved it in the Crazy Rich Asians movie trailer.

5. What 80’s film best describes your relationship with money or the lifestyle you would like to have?

I guess I’d pick “Stand By Me” It doesn’t have much to do with money but I love the movie because it reminds me of my childhood – being in a small pack of super close friends and exploring and maybe sometimes getting into thins we shouldn’t have.  And I’m still friends with all those guys today so it’s fun to reminisce about when we were younger and our knees didn’t hurt so much!

I hear you! 😉

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Love that movie! It had some inspiring words. Love the 80’s. 💖

You know? Dialogue like this. 🤣

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GBM Miriam: Seriously, though that film makes me tear up at the end every time. A great coming of age story about friendship.

Why we blog about finances?

I’ll let Skylar Grey answer that:

We gon’ be alright, put that on my life
When I open my eyes, hope I see you shine
Now I feel glorious, glorious
I feel glorious, glorious

Well, we have come to the end of this interview. Hope you had fun.

Here at Greenbacks Magnet we like to have fun. And I had a blast!!!

GBM Miriam: Thank you Dave for stopping by!! I sure hope we will see each other again at the next money meets media conference as FinCon19 is coming to DC! But if not, there is always Twitter and DM’s. 😉

I bid you all farewell. Until we meet or tweet again.

I will give you one of my farewell messages that I tweet as a show of my appreciate for you hanging out with me here at Greenbacks Magnet.

Hope you had fun with me today and my Lipstick confessions. I must bid you all a good night. And go back to my regular identity. May the 80s live on forever in our hearts. Smooches💋 Greenbacks Magnet

Shows over Synergy. #Jem

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Are you surprised I sent this tweet? Well, don’t be. I told you I loved the 80’s!!!

Hey Dave!!! Thank you. Appreciate that quick turnaround right there!

ACF Dave: thanks Miriam 👍

Remember how I said I saw Dave on like 20,000 blogs. Well, I guess that is a popular number.

Got 20, 000 deep off in the street like we some warriors
My mama told me never bow your head, woo! – Macklemore

But this time, you can take a bow and bow your head Dave. You were a great guest to have. 👏👏👏

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Want more on purpose money advice from Dave of Accidental FIRE?

Visit his website Accidental FIRE and Follow him on Twitter @Accidental_Fire and

Celebrities and Money, Retirement, Saving, Wealth

Introducing the $100,000 bottle of water

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This $100,000 bottle of water costs as much as a house in some parts of the country. Heck, even the world!

Thirsty? Well, this bottle of H20 will only cost you $100 grand. You heard me. $100k! Yes, that’s USD.

That’s the most expensive sip of water I have ever heard.

What if I accidentally spill it? Oh, to perish the thought!

I was sure it was a joke. Like how Jokey the Smurf brings you a present and then you find out it’s a gag gift. You know, something like that.

I can’t even fathom parting with that much cash for something you could get for free out the tap at home or at any restaurant.

Who are the marketing geniuses who thought of this? Who is the target market? What are the demographics?

Who in their right mind would pay $100k for some water?!!

WHO WILL BUY $100K BOTTLE OF AQUA?

Fine. I’ll bite. Who are they?

I guess you could say this water is targeted at a high-end clientele. Those that have pockets so deep, that smacking down that type of scratch is no problem, as all they have to do is whip out their Centurion Black Card. Swipe, sign, and done.

The company actually got rapper 2 Chainz and DJ Diplo to taste the water. They have both sold millions of albums. So, sure you could market to them. Market to the affluent is a must at this price point.

If you don’t have to bat an eyelash at this type of transaction, then good for you.

The rest of us reasonable mere mortals are not buying it. Where did this water come from?  Is it magic water from the fountain of youth? Will it heal all maladies or whatever ailments you have. Basically, will it cure what ails you and eliminate the need for the ever increasing cost of healthcare?

Could I rub it and make 3 wishes?

Like in the show Gargoyles, this isn’t Aladdin’s lamp. All things have their limitations. Even the character called Puck agrees with me. Check it out 30 seconds in.

Water can quench your thirst, clean you, keep you healthy and alive, and that’s about it.

MAKERS OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WATER IN THE WORLD

The company is called Beverly Water. They are located in Beverly Hills, California.  The water is called Beverly Hills 90H20. It is crafted spring water from the California Mountains.

Coined “The Most Expensive Bottle of Water in the World,” is clearly meant to entice people with deep pockets that this is a must have item.

Here is the description that I posted on their website:

Description

“The Most Expensive Bottle of Water in the World”

Limited to only nine bottles in the world, the Diamond Edition of the Luxury Collection of Beverly Hills 9OH2O is the ultimate in water.  Designed by Jeweler to the Stars Mario Padilla, each exquisite bottle features a white gold cap set with over 600 G/VS white diamonds and over 250 black diamonds, totaling 14 carats.  Each bottle comes in a custom secured presentation case together with four engraved Baccarat crystal tumblers, and it is presented in person by renowned water sommelier Martin Riese at a private water tasting anywhere in the world.  In addition, the Diamond Collection package includes a one year supply of the Lifestyle Collection of Beverly Hills 9OH2O.

THE MOST EXPENSIVEST SH*T

There is a video posted of 2 Chainz and Diplo getting a tasting of the water from a, get this, water sommelier. It turned out as expected. Neither care to buy $100k bottle of water. Why you ask? It’s simple. It’s just water!

After, introducing the water to the two gentlemen, which is housed in a massive case, you get the feeling something is seriously off here.

Then comes reality.

THE $100,000 DOLLAR QUESTION

2 Chainz asked what everybody wants to know, “What are you paying $100,000 for?”

The white-gloved sommelier then points at the bottle cap.

You are not really paying for the water, but what the water comes in and with.

Which is a 14 real diamonds, 600 white ones, 250 black diamonds, and white gold.

For this diamond luxury experience, you’re getting the case, and 4 diamond baccarat glasses.

After I stopped laughing hysterically, I started reading the comments on the video.

The hands-down and absolute funniest part after watching the video is reading the comments section.

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY

Here are just some of the comments I saw that popped out at me.

Imagine how disappointed you were if you paid $100k for this bottle thinking its vodka

MBA lesson right here

If you can convince someone to buy a bottle of water for $100k. You deserve that $100k.

I will put some tap water in a bottle and sell it for 500k!

Marketing and BS.

Ima stick with my Aquafina😂😂😂

I’m no mathematician, but that’s more than 2 chains.

For those who didnt catch it, you are not paying 100k for the water. You pay 100k for the Diamonds and the gold on the Cap.

The glasses the diamonds and the case cost 99,999 and the water 1$

0$ water … 100k bottle cap

Man, that water better have the power to cure all diseases for that kind of price. 100K seriously???

I better become a mermaid after taking a sip for 100k

100k for a bottle of water? That sh*t better bring Jesus and 2pac back.

Meanwhile in Flint, Michigan…

This water better come from the fountain of youth.

Bottle of air 2billion dollars

One person put my exact thoughts, as I described above, into an elegant rebuke of buying water this freaking expensive.

MadeInVolantis 2 years ago

For 100k that water better turn me 18 again. For 100k that water better cure my thirst forever. For 100k that water better wash me of my sins. For 100k that water better make me a million dollars back somehow.

Well said.

Basically, it’s a $100k jewel-encrusted capped bottle with water inside.

Let’s think about this for a second. What could you do with one hundred thousand dollars? I’m about to tell you.

YOU COULD DO BETTER THAN BUY A DIAMOND CAPPED BOTTLE OF WATER

You could do all types of things with that kind of money. These are just some suggestions.

WHAT YOU COULD DO WITH $100,000

  • Start a college fund for underprivileged kids
  • Put every dime in the market and get historical ROI average of 7%; be a millionaire in 30 years (there goes that million bucks the commenter above was talking about)
  • Start a business
  • Donate $1,000 to 100 charities
  • Donate $10,000 to 10 charities

WHAT WOULD BE FUN TO DO WITH $100,000

  • Rent out a blimp over your old college campus, get $100,000 worth of ones and make it rain
  • Go to Vegas, rent out the Penthouse of an expensive hotel , and bet 10,000 on black
  • Get on a plane to Dubai, UAE, fly first class on the Emirates and visit every attraction
  • Visit Rome, Paris, China, London, and Australia just to get a keychain
  • Get back stage and front row passes to see your favorite artist in concert
  • Enter a professional poker tournament with a $10,000 buy-in
  • Walk up to anyone of the people collecting for the salvation army and give them a check for $25,000 (kind of like that scene in the movie Ghost)

Great scene. You will love it. No need to thank me for uploading it here.

If you have never seen the movie, then I highly recommend it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO WITH $100,000

  • Donate 10% to charity
  • Put a down payment on a piece of property
  • Pay off all or a large portion of your debt
  • Invest in the stock market like the S&P 500 index
  • Pay cash for college
  • Buy a car outright
  • Invest in your health

If you want to impress people, just show up to their events on-time and don’t complain.

And if you just so happen to get thirsty, stick with VOSS, Evian, or Deer Park. Can’t go wrong.

That’s just my $0.02, er ehh, I mean $100k money saving tip of the week.

Celebrities and Money, Entrepreneurship, Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Self-Made Millionaires, Wealth

How being an outlier can make you rich

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“Ten thousand hours is the magic number of greatness.” – Malcolm Gladwell

“I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times.” – Bruce Lee

No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius. – Anna Pavlova

If you’re a fan of Enter the Dragon, like me, then you know that talent and practiced skill are the difference between winning and defeat.

Bruce Lee also said Knowledge will give you power, but character respect. 

That reminds me of this saying from The Rock.

I also notice that mavericks tend to get rich.

Those willing to do more than the bare minimum. We are talking captains or titans of industry and business mavericks, that buck the trend, throw caution to the wind, and are all in.

Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, LeBron James, Phil Knight, and Walt Disney, to name a few, embody the characteristics of what it takes to dominate in one’s field.  They are outliers. If you dare to dream and be an outlier yourself, then you are in great company.

WHAT IS AN OUTLIER?

A person or thing that is atypical within a particular group, class, or category. – Merriam Webster Dictionary

Simply put, you are different than the rest. You stand out. An outlier is the proverbial diamond in the rough or needle in the haystack. The 1 out of a million.

We all know how it worked out for Aladdin in the end.

When everyone else goes right, you go left and turn down the street.

You have tunnel vision. All energy is focused on a single task until it is completed or you are an expert. The rejection of noise and naysayers are a must.

A great definition of focus is this: To follow, without halt, one aim: There’s the secret of success. – Anna Pavlova (Prima Ballerina)

WHO ARE OUTLIERS?

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique. – Walt Disney

We will take the examples above and expand on those individuals that have either been born great, achieved greatness, or had greatness thrust upon them. (To revise Humphrey Bogart’s famous words: Here’s looking at you, William. Shakespeare that is.)

So, who are these mavericks you say? Just keep reading.

Steve Jobs

Photo: Forbes.com

Steve Jobs was the CEO and co-founder of the most valuable brand in the world: Apple. The first ever trillion-dollar company in the entire world.  He pioneered revolutionary technologies. Thanks to his genius and willingness to dare to be different, we now have a computer in our pockets.

He decided to buck the trend and paid no dividends for Apple shareholders (this changed in 2012), as he thought that money could be better spent to expand the company.

Forbes, in 2011, estimated Jobs’ net worth to be around $6 billion to $ 7 billion dollars prior to his passing.

Bill Gates

Photo: Forbes.com

Bill Gates is a business magnate who is the founder of Microsoft. He took the road less traveled by famously dropping out of one of the most elite and prestigious universities in the world: Harvard.

Mr. Gates devoted every minute of his time to computer technology. He would read trade magazines and stay informed on the latest in tech. Becoming an expert in the field and later launching Windows in 1985. It became the top operating system for PC’s.

Forbes lists Gates’ net worth at $96B.

LeBron James

Photo: Forbes.com

LeBron James started playing basketball at a very young age. He loved the game so much that he played and practiced non-stop. By the time LeBron was 14, he had ESPN covering his high school basketball games because he was just that good.

He was drafted in 2003, to play professional basketball with the NBA. It is estimated that he spends $1.5 million dollars a year just on his health care and personal training to keep his body in the best athletic shape possible. He would go on to win the first ever championship for Cleveland. Ever. He recently built a school and is offering college scholarships to those students.

Forbes estimates James’ net worth at $440 million. That’s a lot of M’s just for going hard in the paint. It pays well to be the best.

Phil Knight

Photo: Forbes.com

Phil Knight is a business magnate and the co-founder of Nike. He ran track for the University of Oregon under the infamous track coach Bill Bowerman, with whom he co-founded Nike.  Bowerman is famous for coaching 31 Olympic athletes including the legendary Steve Prefontaine.

After attending Stanford Graduate School of Business, Knight decided to become an entrepreneur. His business plan paper became the catalyst for his company. He traveled to Japan to see about good running shoes, which would go on to become Nike.

Forbes estimates Knight’s net worth at $31B.

Walt Disney

Photo: Forbes.com

Walt Disney was a pioneer in the American animation industry. He always loved to draw. He had a paper route with a grueling and exhausting schedule as a kid, which contributed to his poor grades at school.

None the less, he continued to draw. He had $40 dollars in his pocket when he moved to CA to start his career. After, getting fired from a job in animation at one company, he decided to start his own.

People laughed at him for wanting to draw a talking mouse. An old legend states he was rejected 302 times to get financing to start Disney World. He ended getting the last laugh as Disney is the biggest and most diversified mass media and entertainment conglomerate in the world.

At the time of his death in 1966, he was estimated to have a net worth equal to $1 billion in today’s dollars (adjusting for inflation).

HOW CAN BEING AN OUTLIER MAKE YOU RICH?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. – Henry David Thoreau

People are willing to pay for unique. Something that is one of a kind. The rarer the better.

Do something so good that people can’t wait to see you.

“Make sure it’s mean so them fiends keep on coming back” –  Who Dat (Song by J. Cole)

Keep them wanting for more.

They say the riches are in niches.

Mae West wrote on taboo subjects in the 1920’s. She made a mint in real estate and oil. This is what she thought of all that hoopla she made way back when.

I believe in censorship. I made a fortune out of it. – Mae West

Figure out what you are good at and make it happen.

When you start out you have to take what you can get, but when you blow up, you can name your price.

Remember that song Back Then by Mike Jones. Yeah, it can be something like that.

GO AHEAD AND TAKE THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I — I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. – Robert Frost

Many people have made a fortune off being different.

Success depends in a very large measure upon individual initiative and exertion, and cannot be achieved except by a dint of hard work.  – Anna Pavlova

Let’s see some numbers for clarity and perspective.

Only the best can become NFL players. Here is what the best can make.

Rookie Salaries in the NFL

Source: FootballNextLevel.com

Highest Paid Players in NFL

Source: Spotrac.com

These are just salaries for one profession. There are many others.

CEOs are making bank. In addition, so can authors, producers, actors, musicians, professors, doctors, and more can as you can garner success in many other fields.

How hard are you willing to work to make success happen?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says success takes no less than everything you’ve got. You don’t need directions on the road to success, just point to the top and go! Here are a few more of his words of wisdom for motivation.