“Handling of money wasn’t that hard to understand. Terms and
concepts that sounded mysterious were really quite basic. It was easy
to learn the difference between a defined benefit and a defined
contribution plan, or a load versus a no-load mutual fund, or a growth
versus value style of investing. Common sense ruled. If it was
complicated and hard to comprehend, chances were you shouldn’t invest in
it. Financial advisers who were paid by a percentage of fees under
management or by the hour really did seem to do a better job than those
whose compensation depended on convincing their clients to buy or sell
financial products. People who couldn’t–for whatever reasons–live below
their means generally found themselves in financial trouble sooner or
later. Insurance was invented for a reason. Many of us could save
ourselves a hell of a lot of trouble by simply picking up a copy of Personal Finance for Dummies, like I did when I was first learning, and following the advice therein.” – Helaine Olen in Pound Foolish
So many people feel that understanding money is beyond them. It is not. It can be done.
http://www.The-Wind-Project.com
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Friday, May 10, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Cultural Problem
“Susan is not unusual. She developed this problem because she lives
in a culture that teaches out appearances and material acquisitions can
soothe psychological problems and enhance self-worth. Like Susan, most
of us believe that others will accept us and think more highly of us if
we have more stuff, or fancy stuff, or the latest stuff. Our psyches
are marinated in promises of status and esteem gained through material
possessions.
“Large corporations implement highly sophisticated advertising campaigns convincing you that their products are necessary and will help you solve your problems. They first remind you of your human fallibility and personal insecurities, and then promise you redemption from your feelings of inadequacy or shame. Advertisements instill hope to achieve psychological states of being–like happiness, popularity, inner peace, sex appeal, and superiority to others–through particular products.
“Advertisers have studied your desires since you were a child, striving to gain brand or product loyalty from you. They have manipulated your desires by subtly and precisely targeting your fantasies. According to some sources, each day the average person is bombarded with an average of three thousand advertisement. Each message is designed to influence and shape your values and preferences. these marketing techniques have taught you to over-identify with image and material possessions. Whereas people once thought, “I am what I do,” they now believe, “I am what I buy.” – Sally Palaian, Ph.D. in Spent: break the buying obsession and discover your true worth
We need to be more concerned about our inner peace than the peace of strangers when they see us. Buying the right things, eating at the popular places, wearing the right clothes all can be a detriment to our savings and debt and thus are peace of mind.
http://www.The-Wind-Project.com
“Large corporations implement highly sophisticated advertising campaigns convincing you that their products are necessary and will help you solve your problems. They first remind you of your human fallibility and personal insecurities, and then promise you redemption from your feelings of inadequacy or shame. Advertisements instill hope to achieve psychological states of being–like happiness, popularity, inner peace, sex appeal, and superiority to others–through particular products.
“Advertisers have studied your desires since you were a child, striving to gain brand or product loyalty from you. They have manipulated your desires by subtly and precisely targeting your fantasies. According to some sources, each day the average person is bombarded with an average of three thousand advertisement. Each message is designed to influence and shape your values and preferences. these marketing techniques have taught you to over-identify with image and material possessions. Whereas people once thought, “I am what I do,” they now believe, “I am what I buy.” – Sally Palaian, Ph.D. in Spent: break the buying obsession and discover your true worth
We need to be more concerned about our inner peace than the peace of strangers when they see us. Buying the right things, eating at the popular places, wearing the right clothes all can be a detriment to our savings and debt and thus are peace of mind.
http://www.The-Wind-Project.com
Monday, April 15, 2013
Frugal Co-workers
"Most educators work in an environment with certain characteristics
that are strong correlates of wealth accumulation. Pension planning,
investment seminars, and tax-advantage supplemental investment plans are
part of an educator's on-campus socialization process. Adopting a
frugal consumption lifestyle and developing good financial and investing
skills are all skin to catching a cold. What happens when you
consistently come into contact with sick people? You get sick. Work
with frugal people, and you may become frugal. Associate with
colleagues who are astute investors, and you may become wealthy one
day. Many educators became good investors because their jobs require
them to research, study, and learn new material on a continuous basis.
These processes are easily applied to making investment decisions.
"...live comfortably on 80 percent of their household's income. They earn more and accumulate more than most of their neighbors.
"...live in a neighborhood where your household is among the top income generators. ...Then live and consume as though your household's income was only 80 percent of what it actually generates. Save and invest the rest. Now you are on your way to becoming wealthy.
"What is a good role if you are determined to become wealthy. The market value of your home you purchase should be less than three times your household's total annual realized income. ...If you're not yet wealthy but want to be someday, never purchase a home that requires a mortgage that is more than twice your household's annual realized income." - Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. in Stop Acting Rich...and start living like a real millionaire
Part of a healthy, balanced life is having control of our money. The goal is not necessarily to be wealthy, but to live with in means and to save for future and emergencies. We need to not let our income define us and enjoy life on what we can with the 80 percent of our income.
www.The-Wind-Project.com
"...live comfortably on 80 percent of their household's income. They earn more and accumulate more than most of their neighbors.
"...live in a neighborhood where your household is among the top income generators. ...Then live and consume as though your household's income was only 80 percent of what it actually generates. Save and invest the rest. Now you are on your way to becoming wealthy.
"What is a good role if you are determined to become wealthy. The market value of your home you purchase should be less than three times your household's total annual realized income. ...If you're not yet wealthy but want to be someday, never purchase a home that requires a mortgage that is more than twice your household's annual realized income." - Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. in Stop Acting Rich...and start living like a real millionaire
Part of a healthy, balanced life is having control of our money. The goal is not necessarily to be wealthy, but to live with in means and to save for future and emergencies. We need to not let our income define us and enjoy life on what we can with the 80 percent of our income.
www.The-Wind-Project.com
Friday, April 5, 2013
Children and Savings
"When kids grow up on a farm, the value of savings is much easier to
comprehend than in an urban environment. If a farmer sells or consumes
all of corn that he harvests, the following year he will have nothing to
plant and as a result, have no income. The smart farmer knows that
some of what he harvests is to feed his family, some is to sell, and
some is to be saved for seed. Teaching the concept of holding some of
what is harvested (earned) as seed (savings) for the future is something
every farmer’s child understands.
“Unfortunately, most of us aren’t farm savvy. But at your dinner table you could use examples from any farm-grown vegetable that has seeds. Explaining that one kernel of corn produced a stalk with several ears and that each ear produced hundreds of kernels, can teach many principles; planning ahead, sowing and reaping, and compounded interest.
“Years ago we read the book Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko. The book gives great insight into the habits of hardworking, wealthy families. Of the many interesting statistics that the authors shared, one stood out to us: the average millionaire saves 15 to 20 percent of what he or she earns. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for our kids and us.” – Steve & Annette Economides in the MoneySmart family system
Children are not accustomed to saving. They want what they want and want it now. I like the farmers idea as a way to teach children that saving is important.
http://www.The-Wind-Project.com
“Unfortunately, most of us aren’t farm savvy. But at your dinner table you could use examples from any farm-grown vegetable that has seeds. Explaining that one kernel of corn produced a stalk with several ears and that each ear produced hundreds of kernels, can teach many principles; planning ahead, sowing and reaping, and compounded interest.
“Years ago we read the book Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko. The book gives great insight into the habits of hardworking, wealthy families. Of the many interesting statistics that the authors shared, one stood out to us: the average millionaire saves 15 to 20 percent of what he or she earns. If it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for our kids and us.” – Steve & Annette Economides in the MoneySmart family system
Children are not accustomed to saving. They want what they want and want it now. I like the farmers idea as a way to teach children that saving is important.
http://www.The-Wind-Project.com
Children and Giving
"We've heard of parents who give their children money on Sunday
morning to put in the offering plate. While donating money is a
commendable thing, when children give what isn't theirs, the joy of
giving is usually missed. We've always encouraged our kids to give
their own possessions, time, or money to those in need.
"... Sometimes the best solution has been to use our organizational skills to help raise money, rather than simply giving it. Working with our kids, we've taught them to organize, promote, and host fund-raising garage sales for our Boy Scout troop and drama group. We've also hosted several silent auctions, with the kids helping collect donations, label item, and administrate the auction. They'll never forget the time and effort they put forth. But more importantly, they'll always remember the fun and success they had as hundreds of people came to the events and hundreds or thousands of dollars were raised.
"Volunteering as a family is a fun and important way to give to others. Everyone, no matter how young, can play a small part." - Steve & Annette Economides in the MoneySmart family system
It is important to teach and talk about children to give they don't follow after their pattern of self focus. An ability to see others in need and help as they can will make them healthier people in touch with the world around them.
www.The-Wind-Project.com
"... Sometimes the best solution has been to use our organizational skills to help raise money, rather than simply giving it. Working with our kids, we've taught them to organize, promote, and host fund-raising garage sales for our Boy Scout troop and drama group. We've also hosted several silent auctions, with the kids helping collect donations, label item, and administrate the auction. They'll never forget the time and effort they put forth. But more importantly, they'll always remember the fun and success they had as hundreds of people came to the events and hundreds or thousands of dollars were raised.
"Volunteering as a family is a fun and important way to give to others. Everyone, no matter how young, can play a small part." - Steve & Annette Economides in the MoneySmart family system
It is important to teach and talk about children to give they don't follow after their pattern of self focus. An ability to see others in need and help as they can will make them healthier people in touch with the world around them.
www.The-Wind-Project.com
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