Tag Archives: Winston Churchill

Film Reviews, Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Saving, Wealth

Money And Greek Myths: Lessons From Clash Of The Titans

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Attitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. – W. C. Fields

That quote from W.C. Fields could not more accurately describe this film. The Gods of Olympus rule the world of man. And those who disobey or hurt others are punished.

I have learned that my attitude dictates everything around me including my ability to build wealth. A positive attitude can move mountains.

See my post Money and Life Lessons I Learned from CBS Srorybreak’s Yeh-Shen

This mythical tale of Perseus, son of Zeus, and his quest for the ‘fair’ Andromeda,  Clash of the Titans was released on June 12, 1981.

Why is Greek mythology important?

Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the ancient Greeks. These stories concern the origin and the nature of the world, the lives and activities of deities, heroes, and mythological creatures, and the origins and significance of the ancient Greeks‘ own cult and ritual practices.

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Clash of the Titans is a 1981 British-American heroic fantasy adventure film directed by Desmond Davis and written by Beverley Cross which retells the Greek mythological story of Perseus. It stars Harry Hamlin, Judi Bowker, Burgess Meredith, Maggie Smith and Laurence Olivier. The film features the final work of stop motion visual effects artist Ray Harryhausen.

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Review for the film with an excellent synopsis from IMBD # 8 from 2004. 

In the Mount Olympus, Zeus (Laurence Olivier) destroyed the city Argus with the Titan Kraken to punish King Acrisius (Donald Houston) that sentenced his daughter Danae (Vida Taylor) and her son with Zeus Perseus to death in the sea. Zeus orders Poseidon to save them and Perseus grows up in a paradisiacal island with his mother.

Years later, Zeus punishes Calibos (Neil McCarthy), the evil son of the goddess Thetis (Maggie Smith) and fiancé of Princess Andromeda (Judi Bowker), turning him into a monster doomed to live in the swamps.

The vindictive Thetis curses Andromeda with a spell and every suitor should solve a riddle; otherwise he would be sentenced to the bonfire. Further, she brings Perseus (Harry Hamlin) while sleeping half-naked to the City of Jopa but Zeus gives magical helmet, shield and sword to his son for self-protection.

When Perseus sees Andromeda, he falls in love with her and uses the magic outfits and Pegasus to discover the answer of the riddle with Calibos.

But Thetis dooms Andromeda to be sacrificed to the Kraken otherwise the City of Jopa and the inhabitants will be destroyed by the Titan. Perseus now has to defeat Medusa and the Kraken to save his beloved princess.

The saga of Perseus, the mortal son of Zeus, and the intrigue among the Gods of Olympus, is brilliant presented in this magnificent film. The delightful story is supported by an outstanding international cast, with names such as Laurence Olivier, Burgess Meredith, Maggie Smith and Ursula Andress, and by fantastic special effects, considering this is a 1981 movie. The golden mechanical owl Buba is hilarious and responsible for some of the best moments in this film. This epic is a wonderful and highly recommended entertainment for the whole family. I do not recall how many times I have had the pleasure of watching this film.

WEALTH IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HUMILITY

Zeus watches over everyone in Mount Olympus. Especially, that of his children and those of the other Gods, many of whom have children with mortals.

It has become known that Thetis’ son Calibos, who has been spoiled and given every advantage in life, is cold and callous. He abuses and hurts others. For this, Zeus punishes him. His son Perseus, who was given none of those advantages or indulgences of Calibos, is punished by Thetis in retaliation and dropped in the middle of their war between each other.

I found it very interesting that Zeus was willing to punish Calibos for being inhumane and uncivilized. He let the punishment fit the crime.

This is a reminder that life is not fair and no deed goes unnoticed, good or bad.

You should live your life like it will hit the front page of every newspaper. Best to eat humble pie than be served a dish that is best served cold.

WITH MONEY COMES POWER AND WEALTH BRINGS PROTECTION

Being in power means you can make things happen. If you read the stories of Napoleon Bonaparte, The War of the Roses, Winston Churchill, or any leader or influencer you will find a theme.

Success leaves clues.

Regardless, of whether or not you are born into wealth, it is your job to manage all that you have. This is done by controlling your thoughts and actions.

Did you know that most generational wealth is gone within three generations?

According to MarketWatch, about seven in 10 wealthy families lose their fortune by the second generation, according to a study of more than 3,200 high-net worth families by the Williams Group wealth consultancy. By the third generation that number has jumped to 90%.

That means the parents and grandparents make the money, and the children and grandchildren spend it.

After doing some more research, I discovered the following:

  • If you earn more than $34,000 per year, you are in the top 1 percent globally.
  • Most wealth is not inherited. You have to work for your meal. There is no FREE LUNCH.
  • According to the book The Millionaire Next Door, most millionaires are worth between $1 million to $5 million.

See my post the Top 1% of income worldwide

In the film, Zeus provides Perseus with incredible weapons that are magical to protect him. This would not have been possible if his father did not have access to those things.

The reason you want to have financial independence is because you can protect yourself and your loved ones.

FIND YOUR PASSION AND CREATE YOUR FINANCIAL DESTINY

Perseus gets sent to Jopa where Calibos ex-fiance is cursed by his mother Thetis. He decides to find out the answer to the riddle so that he may marry the princess Andromeda.

One of my favorite parts of the film right here. Perseus was smart in the way he found the answer. This is what you are supposed to do in life. Find a goal. Make a plan. Execute. Same rules apply to personal finance.

I set a goal of saving first 10% of my income. Then it kept growing from there. I set the following savings goals:

  • Save 15% of my income
  • Save 20% of my income
  • Save 25% of my income
  • Save 30% of my income
  • Save 35% of my income
  • Save 40% of my income
  • Save 45% of my income
  • Save 50% of my income ➡this is my next goal 💰😉

WE ONLY WANT JUSTICE

If you cannot be a good winner, there is no way you can be a good loser. – Halle Berry

See my post on Halle Berry and success

After Perseus defeats Calibos, he spares his life only if he lifts the cure on Andromeda and he agrees.

He then goes to demand his mother seek out vengeance on Perseus. This is wrong. Perseus won in a fair fight with hand-to-hand combat. However, his mother does what he asks. Thereby putting Perseus on another quest to yet again save Andromeda and risking his life in the process although he committed no crime. He must now face Medusa.

Justice or Revenge

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the Gorgon Medusa

NEEDS VS WANTS

Knowing what your needs versus wants are is how you will achieve your goals.

Perseus must face Medusa in order to save Andromeda.

Who is Medusa?

In Greek mythology, Medusa was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as a winged human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed upon her face would turn to stone.

What is the legend of Medusa? In later myths (mainly in Ovid) Medusa was the only Gorgon to possess snake locks, because they were a punishment from Athena. In a late version of the Medusa myth, related by the Roman poet Ovid (Metamorphoses 4.770), Medusa was originally a ravishingly beautiful maiden, “the jealous aspiration of many suitors.” Accordingly, Ovid relates that the once beautiful mortal was punished by Athena with a hideous appearance and loathsome snakes for hair for having been in Athena’s temple and being pursued by Poseidon.

Simply put, she was punished for being too beautiful.

In the film, Perseus only did what is absolutely necessary. Veering off course, even just a little could spell disaster. Same goes for wealth building.

TRIUMPHANT AND SUCCESS AT LAST

Perseus wins.

Zeus declares:

No more trials against Perseus for he has confronted them and he has won.

The gods predict that Perseus and Andromeda will live happily, rule wisely, and produce children, and Zeus forbids the other gods to pursue vengeance against them. Zeus commands, “I forbid any revenge against Perseus.” He has triumphed and he shall be rewarded.

The constellations of Perseus, Andromeda, Pegasus, and Cassiopeia are created in their honor.

I feel that like Perseus, I have been underestimated.

It took many years to achieve the goals I had set for myself. Some of which I am still working towards. And as one is crossed off the list, others are added. However, as I once told my sister, I had my back against the wall and was down but not out.

It took every ounce of energy and willpower I had, but I started taking control of my financial life and never looked back.

All those times of wondering how I would pay the bills, get to the end of the month before getting through the end of the money, and living check to check was no more.

I had prevailed against every obstacle, trial and tribulation, and test that had come up against me. There would be no more trials of continuing to go into debt against me. For I had triumphed and I had won!

I hope you enjoyed this post. I had to travel all the way back to 1981, but you have to admit that it is a great story and a spectacular adventure.

Well Greenbacks Magnets, that wraps up another post. Until next time.

Financial Freedom

Money and Life advice I got from Paper Towns

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“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.” – John Green, author The Fault in Our Stars

The summer of 2015 my nieces really wanted me to take them to go see this movie. Not knowing what it was about, I decided to go ahead and take them because of their sheer enthusiasm alone. I was not disappointed. The movie was incredible.

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It is a coming of age teenage romance written by the Fault in Our Stars author John Green.

The movie was based on a Young Adult (YA) he novel he wrote entitled Paper Towns.

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It follows along with two young teens Margo Roth Spiegelman (played by Cara Delevingne) and Quentin Jacobsen or Q for short (played by Nat Wolff).

It was turned into a motion picture by Twentieth Century Fox and released in theaters on July 9, 2015.

The film is a series of adventures and near misses while we tag along with Quentin to find his dream girl, who goes missing just a couple weeks before high school graduation. Although, the film is fun, it’s the dialogue that really captures your attention and wins your heart.

If you get a chance, you can get lost, get found with Paper Towns.

WHAT IS A PAPER TOWN?

A paper town is a fake town that is created by map makers, as a way to protect their copyright, to know if they’ve been robbed.

In the film, it is referenced as a shallow town or place. Everything is so fake. A place that is fragile.

ALL STORIES HAVE A BEGINNING AND SOME ARE SWEET

“She had the kind of fingers you want to interlace with your own.” – Quentin

The story is based around the feelings Quentin has for his childhood sweetheart and crush, Margo Roth Spiegelman.

At a young age, it was shown that Margo was a precocious child. This intrigued Quentin. However, as they got older she became more outgoing and him more introverted.

Throughout my life, I have had to throw caution to the wind and go for what I want. If you want anything in this world, at times, you will have to do the same. You have to go all in and strike first.

For example, when I was looking a job many years ago, I decided to approach it as a numbers game. I said screw it. I’m just going to apply for as many jobs as I can and see what happens.

I must have put out 100 resumes. Out of all of those job applications, I got one yes. But that was all I needed. You only need one yes to change your whole life. It just starts with putting yourself out there. Nothing comes from obscurity and being shy. Sometimes, you have to be willing to shout.

PRETTY HURTS

“That’s always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they’re pretty. It’s like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

What you look like on the outside is all vanity. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Do not let society dictate what you should be. Be you. And remember this: beauty fades.

“I’m starting to realize that people lack good mirrors. It’s so hard for anyone to show us how we look, & so hard for us to show anyone how we feel.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

You have to rely on more than just your looks in this life.  Eventually, you will have to take care of yourself. You better be up for the task or you will have problems.

I have seen tons of beautiful women have bad credit, horrible relationships, and be broke. But hey, at least they were pretty right?

It is not enough to be pretty. You have to be more than just fine. No one wants to marry a beautiful airhead or a beautiful fool.

This blog is all about financial independence.

Have you ever heard the saying a fool and his money is soon parted?

I rest my case.

MAKE THE FIRST MOVE

“I didn’t need you, you idiot. I picked you. And then you picked me back.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

Those who make the first move are usually victorious.

In the film, Quentin wants so badly to be with Margo. However, he always holds back. In this life, you can’t hold anything back.

Case in point, in this blog, I don’t hold anything back. I give you everything I have. I know that’s what I want when I deal with people. So, I make sure to do the same to others. Whatever it is you want in this life, this is my advice to you: make your move.

YOUR LIFE CAN CHANGE IN ONE DAY…OR A NIGHT

“Tonight, darling, we are going to right a lot of wrongs. And we are going to wrong some rights. The first shall be last; the last shall be first; the meek shall do some earth-inheriting. But before we can radically reshape the world, we need to shop.” – Margo Roth Spiegelman

I have read countless biographies of the rich and famous where they retell how a single incident changed the course of their entire lives.

Well, in this film, it is the night Margo climbed through Q’s window.

She asks him to borrow his mom’s car so she can go on a midnight caper of revenge or he could come along too and be the get a way driver.

Decisions, decisions.

PICK A PATH

“The way I figure it, everyone gets a miracle. Like, I will probably never be struck by lightning, or win a Nobel Prize, or become the dictator of a small nation in the Pacific Islands, or contract terminal ear cancer, or spontaneously combust. But if you consider all the unlikely things together, at least one of them will probably happen to each of us. I could have seen it rain frogs. I could have stepped foot on Mars. I could have been eaten by a whale. I could have married the Queen of England or survived months at sea. But my miracle was different. My miracle was this: out of all the houses in all the subdivisions in all of Florida, I ended up living next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman.” ― Quentin Jacobsen, Paper Towns

You can pretty much guess what answer he gave Margo.

He went with her.

Let the fun begin.

REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD AND AT NIGHT

“I always felt like you had to be important to have enemies.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

When she asks for his mom’s car, she tells him that she has like 11 items on her to-do list tonight and that most of them will probably require a getaway car.  

I remember that quote from Winston Churchill, “You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” Margo reminds me of that. She found out her friends had wronged her. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands.

“We bring the rain down on our enemies, not the scattered showers” – Margo Roth Spiegelman

That is a line that she says of their hit-and-run capers, on that fun-filled night, as she leaves a Zorro-like ‘M’ that is left at the scene of all her crimes.

Margo replies this when Q asks her if her scheme of getting revenge is necessary and if they can do something that is not so risky and harsh.

I have to agree. Sometimes you have to teach people a lesson. You have to tell people how you want to be treated. Stand up for yourself. You may not need a night of midnight capers to do it, but you can still send a message that you’re not a pushover.

“If you don’t imagine, nothing ever happens at all.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

Margo has some pretty extreme things she does that night.

First, they shop for supplies.

Second, they visit each one of her enemies.

Lastly, they celebrate their success at escaping getting caught.

I too like to celebrate my wins.

When I was able to start slowly paying off debt one by one, I celebrated each time. It keeps the momentum going. And just makes you feel good. Hard work = success and rewards.

  • Paid off my car. Then I treated myself to a spa day.
  • Then used that money to invest.
  • Once I hit my $100k mark, I turned my attention to hitting a target of 3 times more of $300k.
  • After I pay off each debt, I either save or invest that money.
  • I started saving $25 a week and slowly went to saving $100 a week and so on.

See my posts

How I turned a $450 car note into $100,000

They Shoot Greenbacks, Don’t They?

Money and Life Lessons from The Pirates of Dark Water

Finance Lessons from Flipping Vegas

 No matter how big or small. Winning just feels good so you want to celebrate.

BE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT

Quentin had the time of his life that night. It was a fun ride to say the least. And he enjoyed every moment.

Some dialogue from the film.

“What about the rest of your life?”

She shrugged. “What about it?”

“Aren’t you worried about, like, forever?”

“Forever is composed of nows,” she says.”

During that incredible night with Margo, Quentin is laughing and smiling. He was having so much fun.

“My heart is really pounding,” I said.

“That’s how you know you’re having fun,” Margo said.”

While they were running away from one of their capers, Margo says, “I mean, we’re ninjas.”

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Of his time with Margo, Quentin thinks to himself, “At least I carpe’d that one diem.”

As she left notes, at all of her crime scenes, Quentin notices her handwriting and remarks on it.

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“Interesting capitalization,’ I said.

‘Yeah. I’m a big believer in random capitalization. The rules of capitalization are so unfair to words in the middle.”

Absolutely. Live in the present. Enjoy the moment. Have some fun. Plan for the future, but don’t forget to live for today. Plan a visit with friends, or to a park or movie or museum. Or relax and take a break.

Seize the day!

There will always be something that requires your attention. I say if you have to work, find a way to have some fun too. If you’re not having fun, then what’s the point?

SURVIVE AND THRIVE

“I’m not saying that everything is survivable. Just that everything except the last thing is.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

No matter what life throws at you, handle it like an adult. You can’t always throw a temper tantrum every time you can’t get your way. You cannot use your fists and throw punches at people. Use your words. That’s what adults do.

It is not enough to merely survive. You do want to survive, yes. But you also want to thrive. Success comes to those who work for it. It is your duty to go out and get it. Your family’s survival depends on it.

If you ever saw the movie Troy, you heard the line, “guard this sword with your life. As long as a Trojan wields it, our people have a future.” Same rule applies for your family. You must survive and prosper today, so that your family has a future.

See my post Financial Independence in 10 years

LEARN HISTORY AS IT TEACHES US LESSONS

“Did you know that for pretty much the entire history of the human species, the average life span was less than thirty years? You could count on ten years or so of real adulthood, right? There was no planning for retirement. There was no planning for a career. There was no planning. No time for planning. No time for a future. But then the life spans started getting longer, and people started having more and more future. And now life has become the future. Every moment of your life is lived for the future–you go to high school so you can go to college so you can get a good job so you can get a nice house so you can afford to send your kids to college so they can get a good job so they can get a nice house so they can afford to send their kids to college.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

They say history often repeats.

Did you know that in the gilded age, robber barons held about 80% of all the wealth in this country about a century ago? And that many folks had no plan for retirement at all. No pensions, no 401(k), nothing.

That’s right. Before FDR created Social Security in the 1930’s, there was no pension for the elderly and many were living in poverty. Many people did not live past the age of 65. They did not have to plan so far ahead because many did not live long enough to see any type of future.

That has changed. Today people are living longer. You are your first, best, last, and only line of defense against living in poverty.  

Bill Gates said, “If you are born poor, it’s not your mistake. But if you die poor, it’s your mistake.”

Basically, he means you should do everything you can to build a better life for yourself. That means if you can’t go outside and play all day, you have to deal with it.

Can’t see that concert this week. Oh well.

You can only play one sport or instrument. Well, that’s it then.

You have to stay up and study all night for that big exam. That’s life.

Buy a new car or invest that money? Your call, but I suggest you buy a Honda or Ford and invest your dough.

See what I mean. Sacrifice. It yields great rewards.

HIGH SCHOOL IS NOT A DEMOCRACY

“High school is neither a democracy nor a dictatorship – nor, contrary to popular belief, an anarchic state. High school is a divine-right monarchy. And when the queen goes on vacation, things change.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

This is a nice take on the whole high school experience.

I felt high school was so silly. I could care less about who wears what or say this or that. I have never been a gossip. I kept my eye on the prize: high school diploma. Everything else is just stuff you do in-between until you reach the end of that goal. Most of the stuff that goes on won’t even matter after you graduate.

“I know it’s impossible for you to see your peers this way, but when you’re older, you start to see them–the bad kids and the good kids and all kids–as people. They’re just people, who deserve to be cared for.”

Amen.

“As much as life can suck, it always beats the alternative.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

You have to make lemonade out of lemons. There is always another rainbow and tomorrow does always come and it can get better. The alternative to getting old is dying young.

I will never forget this one time I was talking to an older gentleman and he said he felt old because he was retired. It went down like this.

Him: I feel old. Now, that I’m retired.

Me: Retirement means income.

Him: I like you. (He smiled and perked up.)

A few words of kindness can elevate someone mood, lift their spirits, make their day, and change a situation completely. So, be kind.

“Be curious, not judgmental.” – Walt Whitman

“You know your problem, Quentin? You keep expecting people not to be themselves. I mean, I could hate you for being massively unpunctual and for never being interested in anything other than Margo Roth Spiegelman, and for, like, never asking me about how it’s going with my girlfriend – but I don’t give a shit, man, because you’re you. My parents have a shit ton of black Santas, but that’s okay. They’re them. I’m too obsessed with a reference website to answer my phone sometimes when my friends call, or my girlfriend. That’s okay, too. That’s me. You like me anyway. And I like you. You’re funny, and you’re smart, and you may show up late, but you always show up eventually.” ― John Green, Paper Towns

That last line brought it home didn’t it? He started kind of shaky, but he finished strong. And that is how life is. You start out shaky and are working on a learning curve, then you finish strong. You do everything in your power to stay grounded, stay hungry, hustle hard, and stay humble.

I promise you, that if you ever get lost, the harder you work, the louder you shout and the more you seek to find answers and the truth, then the more likely it is you will find what you are looking for and get found.

Book Reviews, Celebrities and Money, Self-Made Millionaires, Wealth

Gene Simmons On Power

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“Walk amongst the natives by day, but in your heart be Superman.” ― Gene Simmons

In 2017, Gene Simmons wrote a book called, On Power: My Journey Through the Corridors of Power and How You Can Get More Power.

This book was nothing like I expected.

It was MORE.

Like the title says, it’s about getting more power. Become more powerful than you ever thought you could be. It all starts with your actions.

Let’s get right into it.

WHO IS GENE SIMMONS?

Image: Forbes.com

The short version is that he is a co-founder and front-man of the band KISS, that he helped start in the 1970’s. They are America’s #1 gold record-award-winning group of all time.

Image: New York Post

Gene grew up dirt poor. He practiced guitar for hours after watching The Beatles on an appearance of the Ed Sullivan show, he knew then that he wanted to be a rock star.

According to Harper Collins, the book was inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince, Simmons offers his unique take on the dynamics of power in every realm of life, from the bedroom to the boardroom, to the world of rock, celebrity, and social media, to politics. With one-of-a-kind anecdotes from his life and career, as well as stories from historical and contemporary masters of power, including Winston Churchill, Napoleon Bonaparte, Warren Buffett, Michael Jordan, Oprah, and Elon Musk, Simmons crafts a persuasive and provocative theory on how the pursuit of power drives civilization and defines our lives.

Gene Simmons has an estimated net worth of over $50 million dollars. So, I decided to give the book a quick read. Glad I did.

POWER IS WHAT EVERYONE WANTS

People want power.

  • Power over their lives
  • Power over their time
  • Power over their professional lives and career
  • Power over their money

So, how do you get this so-called power.

It’s a power grab for sure.

Gene takes a no-holds-barred approach to his life and on power. It’s dog eat dog out there. You have to be one of the big dogs.

Gene believed that everyone deserves power and that it is yours for the taking.

In his book, he gives you the key to unlock the doors to the temple of power.

GENE ON EDUCATION

“It’s up to you to educate yourself.”

“It’s up to you to learn speaking skills and people skills.”

“It’s up to you to try (and usually fail, but to try again) all sorts of ventures.”

“Believe me, the library is the temple of God. Education is the most sacred religion of all.” 

He graduated from Richmond College in New York City getting a bachelor’s degree in education. At one point, he was a school teacher in the Upper West Side.

Gene also speaks multiple languages such as German and Hebrew.

I noticed this was also a theme of Scrooge McDuck. Get a good education, become a linguist, and get to work.

I read everything I can get my little hands on. I go to the library every month. I regularly check out 4-5 books at a time. Sometimes more. I do believe in being well-read.

GENE ON SUCCESS

The rest is a combination of hard work, being at the right place …at the right time…with the right thing…oh yes…and more (never ending) hard work.” 

You want success? Well, you have to work for it.

Gene puts his money where his mouth is.

He worked for a butcher hauling up huge slabs of meat and cleaning the blood off the butcher block. Gene has worked as a typist and sold fruit on the side of the road when he was 8 years old.

Make no mistake. Gene is a hard worker and a hustler. He was working multiple jobs to get ahead. Similar to Jay Leno.

As for myself, at one point, I was working as a waitress, cashier, or in sales. In addition, to going to college and studying at times up to 5-7 hours a day! Going to bed at 1 am and getting up at 6 am. Rinse and repeat! I did that for years.

GENE ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND CAPITALISM

“Before I ever knew what the word Entrepreneur was, I realized in America and in the Western part of the world in general, you are given the opportunity to be whatever you want to be. And that is all anyone should ever expect from the Capitalist system. The rest is up to you.”

Yep. America is the land of YOYO (You’re on your own).

You learn real quick that no one is coming to save you. You have to create your own safety net. You can’t depend on the government. The only person to depend and rely on is self. Get it? Got it? Good.

GENE ON MONEY

“So much of our popular mythology focuses on the negative aspects of power that we forget that gaining power is, perhaps, the only way to enable ourselves to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.”

Gene says you must first get your financial house in order before you can espouse love.

This is similar to what I once heard Tyra Banks mother say, “you have to get yourself together first, before you can help anybody else.”

You should always be looking for ways to earn and expand those earnings. KISS started out with nothing. They slowly built a following. IT. TOOK. YEARS. They were riding around in an old van going from gig to gig and living off hot dogs.

But KISS got smart. They started licensing their name. Everything from lunchboxes to t-shirts. Their moniker is big. Multi-million dollar deals got them to the top of the heap. Monetize everything is Gene’s motto. And he has. And it’s been lucrative to say the least.

So, there you have it. Gene Simmons on power. If you want it bad enough, you just have to work and rock-n-roll all night, like KISS, to get it.

Financial Independence, Saving, Wealth

Forget casinos, bet on yourself

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“There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.” —Marlene Dietrich

You bet there is. I am a firm believer in being rich in assets. Those are the things that will help you build wealth. They attract money to you.

I once read a wealthy gentleman online state he wants to be cash poor and asset rich.

Basically, he is looking to have more assets than a fat paycheck. He knows money can slip through your fingers. Assets do not easily slip away.

The bigger the paycheck means the higher the taxes you pay Uncle Sam. In contrast, assets usually go up in value and earn interest over time. Capital gains tax is lower than income taxes.

So, if you want to bet the farm, then put it all on staying in the black and not the red.

CASINOS ARE NOT WHERE THE WEALTHY ARE

I know you see all the television shows and advertisements telling you to go to Vegas. However, that is just a way to get you there to spend money. Most wealthy folks are not rolling the dice with their finances.

Casinos are designed to separate you from your money. Just like subscriptions. Read my posts Do not cash out your retirement accounts and  America is the land of subscriptions.

I have read enough blogs and books to know that you must hang around like-minded people.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You’re the average of the five people spend the most time with.” And so is your net worth.

We are influenced by those we associate with. These relationships over time can have a profound effect on our lives.

Therefore, you must choose wisely when it comes to friends, business partners, and spouses.

The wealthy are about building assets. Therefore, you are not likely to see them at the casino at four o’clock on a Monday afternoon. They are out volunteering, networking, and closing business deals.

HOW DO CASINOS MAKE MONEY

A Canadian study stated that 75% of customers provide only 4% of casino revenues. It’s the habitual gambler that keeps the casino in business.

If you ever saw Mark Wahlberg in The Gambler, then you know who I’m talking about.

Computer gaming and slot machines are all the rage when it comes to gambling.

Most players lose more than they win. I don’t like those odds. Therefore, I do not gamble.

That means people with gambling addictions are the most vulnerable. Or you can become addicted after getting a taste of winning like in the film 21.

Slot machines are, like credit, addictive. Casinos actually can make you poorer. This exacerbates inequality.

CASINOS WILL HELP THE ECONOMY RIGHT?

Not so fast. Let’s take a look at Atlantic City.

Back in 1977, casino advocates made promises that casinos would help give the economy a boost by providing jobs. Don’t get me wrong, they did provide jobs. However, the surrounding local business owners did not get the foot traffic coming into the casinos.

The money that casinos make, stays with them.

Many local businesses had to close up shop. The retail economy collapsed all around Atlantic Avenue in New Jersey. Several casinos have actually shut down since 2014. That means jobs were lost not gained.

HOW TO BET ON YOURSELF

Devote all your time, money, and resources into yourself.

Use your hard earned money to invest in your education, training, and business.

When I was watching David Tutera plan those weddings on television, I learned he wasn’t doing this for, in the illustrious words of Sia, cheap thrills. He did it for a living. And earned good enough money to have a nice home, wardrobe, and chauffeur.

David started party planning and entertaining over 20 years ago. He just invested his time and money into himself. Eventually, he found what he was good at and then he just stuck with it.

There are countless tales of people out there that have found a skill they are good at, practiced and developed it, then went out and started earning a living at it.

Read up on some biographies. See for yourself. I recommend reading anyone you have an interest in or trailblazers such as Gloria Steinem, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franklin Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin, Oprah Winfrey, Winston Churchill, or Nelson Mandela.

WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?

First, I feel people need to assess their situation. For example, when I was growing up I noticed that a lot of kids were not very into studying and really focused on their academics. However, many wealthy people I saw on television always advocated for education.

I figured, why not listen to other successful people?

I started studying and reading more. Especially, thanks to shows like Reading Rainbow hosted by Star Trek’s Next Generation alum LaVar Burton. I would go to the Book Mobile and get tons of books.

Much of my focus was less on having fun and more on learning. Saturday mornings were spent reading on my parent’s couch. Sunday afternoons were spent reading the comics and learning new things and vocabulary words.

I invested lots of time and money into my education and health.

And all of this paid off in spades.

I have four retirement accounts, a home, a car (no monthly payment), and save and invest upwards of 50% of my income.

It took me over a decade to build those things. But it all started with getting an education.

Sure, college helped, but it was sheer grit, discipline and determination that got me where I am today.

THE FUTURE MR. OR MRS. FI

If you want to have a chance at financial independence, I suggest you do the following:

  • Focus on learning more about money and finance
  • Stay away from debt
  • Get a good education (the best you can afford)
  • Pay for cars and appliances in cash
  • Opt for a 15-year mortgage
  • Stay away from vices (narcotics, alcohol, gambling, shopping)
  • Hang around like-minded people
  • Save 20% or more of your income
  • Invest 15% or more of your income

If you can do at least two of the items listed here, you have got a shot at making it into the top 10% of households and becoming financially independent.

Financial Freedom

Patience is the key to wealth

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The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. – Arnold H. Glasow

I read that the average age of a millionaire is 62.

That means most will not reach the millionaire milestone until after age 50.

Therefore, you will need to treat your working years as golden nuggets of knowledge and labor in which each year of work gets deposited into your wealth accumulation bank.

If you start your 401(k) at the age of 25 and invest consistently, this would require that you save and invest for a minimum of 26 years to reach the millionaire ranking through this vehicle alone.

A $1-million-dollar nest egg can generate $50,000 of income on a 5% return.

Since, $50,000 is around the average earnings of many workers, a $1-million-dollar money bucket keeps raining enough dollars on you to walk away from work if you are earning this much or less.

As long as you only spend the interest, and not the principal.

NOW, WAIT IT UP 

In order to get to this badge of honor, financially speaking, you will have to learn the art of waiting.

Waiting to buy a home.

Waiting to buy a new car.

Waiting to start a family.

You see what I mean.

Nothing comes without first understanding how to manage your time.

Patience is key.

Think of patience and investing like the letter and the stamp. One does not work without the other.

Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. – Josh Billings

Life is complex. Situations may arise that will make it harder for you to reach your financial goals.

Remember this: It’s not the situation, but whether we react (negative) or respond (positive) to the situation that’s important. –Zig Ziglar

In my experience, optimism, truth, and positivity attract money to you.

Warren Buffest said, “The Stock Market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient.”

We may all get the same 24 hours, but what we do with it is what matters the most.

Consider this quote. Everyday is a bank account, and time is our currency. No one is rich, no one is poor, we’ve got 24 hours each. – Christopher Rice

Therefore, manage your time wisely.

You do not have to move so fast. Slow down and focus. Distractions do not yield results only focusing does and that takes patience.

STOCKING UP ON STOCKS

The stock market has averaged returns of at least 9% over the last 90 years (1928-2016).

The shorter the time your money is invested so too are the amount of the returns.

You need a longer time horizon to invest to reap any rewards.

Here are some questions and answers when it comes to investing in the stock market.

Why should I buy stocks?

“If you don’t play you can’t win.”– Judith McNaught

How do I decide if I should invest in the stock market?

If you don’t feel comfortable owning a stock for 10 years, you shouldn’t own it for 10 minutes. – Warren Buffet

How do I decide what stocks to buy?

When buying shares, ask yourself, would you buy the whole company? – Rene Rivkin

How long should you hold a stock?

“Our favorite holding period is forever.” – Warren Buffett

Don’t you have to be really smart to invest in the stock market?

Everyone has the brainpower to follow the stock market. If you made it through fifth-grade math, you can do it. – Peter Lynch

Aren’t stocks risky?

“The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”– Mark Zuckerberg

Ask yourself, what is my risk level?

If you have trouble imagining a 20% loss in the stock market, you shouldn’t be in stocks. – John Bogle

Should I avoid stocks?

Why not go out on a limb? Isn’t that where the fruit is? – Frank Scully

Where should I invest my money?

“Consistently buy an S&P 500 low-cost index fund.”-  Warren Buffett

What should I do once I invest money?

Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas. – Paul Samuelson

Check out books by quoted authors here on Amazon.

 

I say this when it ultimately comes down to investing or not investing; if you feel you can only afford to lose $5, then that is your risk level. When you pass that mark, whatever it is, it’s gambling.

And nothing is riskier than doing nothing except gambling.

Buffet once called a bad period the “Financial Pearl Harbor” during a terrible time in the market.  Guess what? He still held on to the bulk of his portfolio and is one the richest investors in the world.

So understand that you have to pursue wealth.

It is not simply going to come to you.

You have to do something.

As in life, you have to give to get.

Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Think like this: If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to meet it! – Jonathan Winters

And remember this: “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” – William G.T. Shedd

So know this, it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.

When it comes to investing, just do your research, do your best, and have fun.