Tag Archives: marilyn monroe

Budgeting, Financial Freedom, Saving

It’s a Suit, Tie and High Heel City

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Concrete jungle where dreams are made of there’s nothin’ you can’t do. – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind


Women and high heels.


It is a love affair that has been raging on for 500 years. Since about the 15th or 16th century.


Those 3-inch spiked heels and peep-toe pumps can really turn heads.


“It is better to be looked over than overlooked.” – Mae West


However, is that what you really want? Or is it something more to it than that?


Here are some women in pop culture that regularly work, dance, sing, wear, perform, and even workout in high heels.


Let’s take a look.


Nicole Scherzinger – estimated net worth $8 million (she was known to run on the treadmill in heels)

Shakira – estimated net worth over $80 million (she is known for her belly-dancing skills)


Victoria Beckham – estimated net worth over $100M (Posh Spice loves her some heels)


Beyoncé – estimated net worth over $350 million (performs in high heels while doing intense dance choreography)


From what I gather, the high heel is all about power.


In what way you ask?


Keep reading and find out.


WHERE THE HEELS HAVE A NAME

And the Clackers just worship her. They call them Clackers, the sound that their stilettos make in the marble lobby. It’s like, “Clack, clack, clack”. – Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada


Clackers are characters in The Devil Wears Prada. They are known for the clacking noise their stiletto heels make against the marble floors of the fictional Elias-Clark.


One of the biggest cities in the world, Manhattan, in New York is known as much for its power lunches and business suits as it is for women decked out in sky-high heels.


A business and fashion capitol of the world. It is also known as a concrete jungle. And the Empire state.


However, you have to pay the cost to be the boss.

A custom made bespoke business suit can cost anywhere from the low thousand-dollar range on up to $5,000. Regardless, if you are in New York buying a Tom Ford three-piece suit, or across the pond in England buying from Henry Poole & Co on Savile Row.


And women’s shoes are no exception.


When a Manhattanite was asked why women wear heels, she says the power is everything. The reason why women wear shoes that hurt their feet is about POWER.


I read online that a Manhattan woman was quoted in the New York Times saying “Low shoes are for those who give up. If a woman cannot wear heels, can she really take over the world?”


“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” – Marilyn Monroe

You saw how crazy in love women can get with their heels on Sex and the City.


At one point, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) was regularly dropping some serious coin on the likes of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior and Christian Louboutin. Anywhere from $300 to $1,000 a pair!


If these boots were made for walking, then she was usually in heels.
Remember this iconic newspaper dress. Well, those shoes are Louboutins.


WHY SO HIGH?


That’s a great question.


I actually read a book about finance and in the book it discussed women wearing heels while working as cocktail waitresses. Particularly in casinos. When asked why they wore heels that obviously hurt their feet and back, they replied, “bigger tips.”

The higher the heels, the better the pay.

Even with this fact, statistics say at least 40% of women have given heels up.

So, basically it’s all about money. As a study reported, taller people or at least those that look taller make more money. Like $800 or more per year. Go figure.


WHAT DOES IT COST TO LOOK THIS GOOD?


“I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet.” – Carrie Bradshaw


Glad you asked.


As an extreme example, we will use a reference by Carrie Bradshaw.


Remember that episode where her building was going co-op. She had to come up with a down payment or lose her home. An apartment in a great location.


She told her friends Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte (Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kirsten Davis) that she didn’t have the money.


When prompted why she didn’t she stated she wasn’t sure where her money was going.


They tallied up her shoe addition.


Those Jimmy Choo’s ain’t cheap after all.


At $500 bucks a pop, she owned maybe 30 pairs. She then gasps, and clutching her chest she says, “I spent $15,000 on shoes!


That is a down payment on a home or rental property.


Using the rule of 72, with a 12 percent interest rate she could have doubled her money every 6 years! In 18 years, that $15k is worth $120,000! In 48 years, that’s $3,840,000!


Come on, Carrie. I need you to spend more wisely. And follow your own advice.


“Beauty is fleeting, but a rent-controlled apartment overlooking the park is forever.” – Carrie Bradshaw


BUT DOES IT SCALE?


Buying all those shoes I mean.


Scaling can mean a lot of things, but in this case I mean making best possible use of the resources we have and amassing wealth. Can we also do better things with our money ethically?


If she was a costume designer, and she got paid to shop and was paid in shoes and money. Then yes.


However, since someone else isn’t footing the bill, that money is coming out of your pocket. Gone forever.


According to philosopher Kant, there is no greater good to come from this.


If buying shoes was a hobby she turned into a business, like taking all those heels and putting them all in one marketplace online for resell with an upsell. Then using that money for a better purpose.


That’s money in your pocket. More is coming in than going out.

Saving equals success.


WHERE CAN ALL THOSE SAVINGS GO?


Another great question!


I’ll tell you.


But first…


A few questions for you.


• What interests you?
• Do you want to earn money?
• What do you like to do with your time?


Once you have a starting place, you can go from there.


Therefore, if remodeling, decorating, scrapbooking, sports, or the ballet interest you, then maybe you should consider putting your money into those things.


You could place your money in REIT’s (real estate investment trusts).
These mutual fund stocks allow you to invest in real estate without doing all the work of managing a property or paying property taxes on it.


Like to play sports?


How about investing in sports teams.


You may not be an owner like Jerry Jones, but you can certainly buy stocks in sporting equipment or businesses that own sports teams. For instance, owning shares in a publicly traded team like the New York Knicks.


You can also buy sporting goods stores who sell retail merchandise and apparel. Like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, or Nike and Adidas. On the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Nike shoe brand is listed as NKE.


Are you interested in the arts?


You can donate to charities like libraries, hospitals, and museums.
For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art or “The Met” in New York City.


Founded in 1870, its statement reads: The Met “collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.” The art and library is accessible to anyone and you can make any donation you wish. Anything will do.


You can also donate to your local library or other places that are close to your values because the best thing you can do with your money is put it where your values are.

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

3 Rich Habits of Millionaires

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After doing some research on millionaires and billionaires, I have noticed some recurring attributes among them, which include: reading, pursuing a passion, and setting goals.

READ

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

― Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

Many of the affluent read daily or often. They seem to set aside at least 30 minutes a day for reading. This greatly improves their knowledge of their products, brands, and businesses. When you know what drives the market, then it makes it easier to compete with everyone else. I even read that Marilyn Monroe was also said to be a voracious reader.

I know in my life reading has helped me a great deal. I was able to do better in school, make better informed personal and professional decisions, and increase my investment knowledge.

One of the most successful investors of all time, Warren Buffet, says he reads every day.  Buffet typically spends 80% of his day reading. Here are some quotes from interviews he has done over the years in regards to how to become successful.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, when asked once about the key to success, pointed to a stack of books and said, “Read 500 pages like this every day. That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it.”

WHAT BUFFET READS?

Warren Buffet starts his days with an assortment of national and local news. The billionaire investor tells CNBC he reads the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, the New York Times, USA Today, the Omaha World-Herald, and the American Banker in the mornings.

Even though Buffet reads tremendously, it would mean nothing if he did not retain what he has read. Buffets says that knowledge builds up over time. Here are some tips to remember what you read – take notes, skim the text, read out load – are just a few things you can do to retain what you read.

PURSUE YOUR PASSION OR GIFT

“To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” – Steve Prefontaine

I have always had an affinity for writing. I write pretty much every day. My goals are that my writing helps to plant the seed that inspire people, motivate them, and make them feel good about themselves. Writing about finances is the cherry on top of the sundae for me. And I give it everything I’ve got. No less. When I’m sick. I write. When I’m tired. I write. When I was down to my last $2. Still wrote. I would write down my thoughts, hopes, dreams, and goals. I have crossed off at least 5 items on my 10 year to do list. If it can work for me and countless others, then I know it can for you.

Dreams can come true. You just have to believe and lay down the groundwork. There is no builder of a home that would not first lay down the foundation and then build up. The same goes for life. You do not start in at the top. Otherwise, if you do, you are more likely to have created a house of cards, that can easily come tumbling down.  Like the three little pigs, you want bricks and not sticks or straw. You want something that is concrete. Construct your life blueprint on building or creating something that is solid.

If you can, find a mentor. Mentors help guide and keep people on the right path to succeed. I suggest finding someone who has already done what you want to do successfully and then asking them for advice. You can also read their books or attend their workshops. Either way study their success and see if you can imitate it.

SET GOALS

“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson

The best advice I have ever read was to write down your goals. I have heard this from numerous celebrities including Beyoncé. She said she would write down her goals; and that she wanted to go platinum and sell a million records. Well, she wanted to be financially secure. Well, she can scratch that off her checklist. Simply heed these words: Write it down.

When you set goals and pursue your passion it is a winning combination for success. Instead of watching the clock, you just keep on working. There are too many hours on the clock when you do something you detest, but no enough hours in the day when you do something you love.

Forget the naysayers. They are not you and you are not them.  Focus your energy on doing what you enjoy putting your effort into. The energy you use to pursue your passion or anything that you do well is never wasted.  When you can focus and limit or ignore distractions, you are well on your way toward success.

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

The six ways to get rich

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“What’s keeping you from being rich? In most cases, it’s simply a lack of belief. In order to become rich, you must believe you can do it, and you must take the actions necessary to achieve your goal.” —Suze Orman

Sure, there are lots of ways to get rich, but they all fall into one of these six categories as there are only six ways to actually get rich.

The six ways to get rich are:

  • Capitalize on a unique skill or talent.
  • Marry rich.
  • Inherit money.
  • Own a business.
  • Take calculated risks and get lucky.
  • Spend less than you earn and invest wisely.

Let’s explore each category.

CAPITALIZE ON TALENT

Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off of you.” ― Maya Angelou.

Become an expert in one area or niche and exploit it. Dominate that field. And never stop growing.

If you read my post on Beyoncé, you will notice that she started young, developed her craft, and expanded her expertise. She not only sings, but dances, endorses products, started businesses, and writes songs. She owns what she does. Everything from trademarks – Blue Ivy and Ivy Park – to owning a music streaming service. Put it simply, she dominates in her field.

If you want to be the next J.K. Rowling or Stephen King, then you just have to start writing. J.K. Rowling famously said she was rejected at least 12 times before anyone would publish Harry Potter. Persistence and determination are vitally important if you want to succeed. And just FYI, it took her 7 years to write Harry Potter.

MARRY RICH

“Don’t you know that a man being rich is like a girl being pretty? You wouldn’t marry a girl just because she’s pretty, but my goodness, doesn’t it help?”

―Marilyn Monroe as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

Dating is all about introductions and proximity. It doesn’t matter if you swipe right on Tinder or meet at your family’s country club, you just have to get some face time. You can’t date who you can’t see or touch.

In my experience, men date and marry women who are in their vicinity or social circle. Therefore, if you are looking for a rich man, then you have to be where they are i.e., charity events, sports games, auction houses, doctoral seminars, or the like.

In addition, if you know where wealthy men tend to reside, then hey you can pack up and find a job there and frequent their haunts. Location, location, location baby.

People also tend to look for partners that are successful in their own right. You don’t necessarily have to be rich, but having some sort of talent or career outside of just being a wealthy mate’s plus one bodes well for you and your prospects of landing and keeping a partner. So, invest in yourself – get educated, cultured, learn opera, play piano, paint or learn another language – either way you have a skill.

Above all else, respect yourself. Have your own life, career, friends, family, and money. No one wants a loner that can barely make rent, they want someone who is open to people, new experiences, and can pick up the check.

Don’t agree. Well, how’s this for food for thought; Chrissy Teigen once responded to a mean tweet by telling someone she does not just spend someone else’s money, but in two words replied: “my money.” She also went on to note her Forbes ranking and that she is a best-selling cookbook author. She basically told people to chew on that – no pun intended. A very nice retort on her part and her equivalent of put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Ah, gotta love that Chrissy.

You have to admit it sure sounds better when you can list your own accomplishments.  Respect for self is attractive and shows confidence. And confidence is key.

INHERIT MONEY

I would rather make my name than inherit it. – William Makepeace Thackeray

Studies into the wealth of households have shown that most wealth today is now earned than inherited. In my experience, people truly appreciate and cherish that which they work and sweat for.

For example, when I was given gifts of money or other items I am usually losing or unable to tell you whom gave me the gift. The car in my driveway that I worked so hard for is still there 15 years later.

There are those that inherit their fortunes, but the saying goes that a fool and his money are soon parted. I suggest you get a career, get educated, and learn a craft to earn your own living. If you do inherit, then you can manage your money instead of squandering it.

OWN A BUSINESS

Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me. – Carol Burnett

Starting a business is what two-thirds of millionaires do. This lets you know that if you are successful and become rich, then most likely you will or do own a business at some point in your life.

I suggest determining what you are good at and then turning that into a business. Passion is great, but just because you are passionate about golf and want to be a pro golfer does not mean that is what you are good at or meant to do.

Also study up and get a mentor or work with people in the field you want to be in. Read books, attend seminars and save money. All businesses need capitol. If you can find a business to start with a low barrier to entry such as a food truck or blogging, then the better.

BIG RISKS FOR BIG REWARDS

“If you want big rewards, you gotta take big risks.” Jessica Biel as Tenley Parrish in Summer Catch (2001)

If you read my post, wealth comes from doing not luck, then you understand that from preparedness comes opportunity and hard work creates luck and success.

It is okay to take risks, but I prefer calculated ones. The ones where you do your research, study your results, learn from you’re mistakes or the ones of others and keep moving forward. Make that pro con list, watch videos, attend conferences or better yet, speak to those that have done or are doing what you long to do. If you’re going to risk it all, then best to know all the facts first.

SPEND LESS, SAVE AND INVEST OVER TIME

The formula for getting rich is this: spend < money earned

Simply put, spend less than you earn.

If you can do that, you have got a shot at getting rich.

For example, you can be a millionaire over time if you do the following:

  • Save $6,000 a month for 10 years getting a 6% return
  • Save $2,200 a month for 20 years getting a 6% return
  • Save $800 a month for 25 years getting an 8% return
  • Save $600 a month for 30 years getting an 8% return
  • Save $500 a month for 40 years getting a 6% return

The combinations can vary based on the amount of savings invested and the return on investment of compound interest. However, the bottom line is saving can earn you a fortune.

For those concerned with inflation, here is an inflation-adjusted. 25-year wealth accumulation chart.

Source: www.businessinsider.com

THE BOTTOM LINE

Ultimately, no matter what path you take if you partake in spending less than you earn and investing, over time you will become rich eventually.