Tag Archives: Jennifer Lopez

Budgeting, Celebrities and Money, Financial Independence

Wealth comes from doing not luck

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“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)

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.

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

Celebrities and Money, Financial Freedom

More money more everything including problems

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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.

Always treat people like gold.

They are the most important asset in the world.