frugal2free

No defense

Carlos Boozer is known as an outstanding offensive player. He is also known as a very weak defensive player.

His coach will often bench him during important times so he won't allow opposing teams to score.

He usually misses the best part of games, the end of game.

With money, as in basketball, defense matters.

Offense:

Generally incomes rise with experience and education. Thus you can expect to earn more as you acquire industry-specific knowledge and apply it to your profession.

Defense:

Outstanding financial stewards plug leaks, they play defense with intensity.

When spouses don't play defense they often miss out on family time by virtue of divorce or overwork.

They know that financial death can happen from a thousand cuts or from ignorance or from deception.

Tight defense involves tracking expenses, numbering expenses, competing with yourself to reduce and prevent expenses and eliminating current expenses.

Don't be left out of the most important part of your family's life because of poor defense.

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Like you were dying

My dad has battled with cancer, kidney and liver failure and chronic infections for over ten years.

Last night we thought he would die. He was weak and felt knife like pain in his side. I helped him to his bed and tried to ease his immense pain.

During his unbearable pain he lamented that he didn't have the strength to tell a story to my son.

He thought of others while he endured agonizing pain. He thought of others instead of himself.

Relationships matter most. It's not your possessions not your profession.

Live like you were dying by thinking of others. That 's how you truly live.

(Photo courtesy photostock/freedigitalphotos.net)

Zip line as a master teacher

I went on a Zip line today and learned some valuable lessons.

On the fifth stage I decided to go jump backwards from the platform. At about 40 mph I attempted to turn around but couldn't.

I was never able to recover before hitting a platform backwards. Thankfully a guide used his emergency rope brake and saved me from hitting the platform at full speed.

After the crash, I finished the Zip line tour of Provo Canyon by completing stage 6.

Lessons?

1. Try news things, but have competent guides.
2. Always face your destination.
3. Get up and finish after an accident.

Have you ever financially crashed? High interest rates, a debt you couldn't pay off  or a job that didn't pan out? Did you try new things again? Did you get back up? Did you remember your financial flop for far too long?

Variety, tenacity and and focus are traits of successful spouses and frugal gurus.

Get back up, refocus and keep trying *new ideas to get to your next destination.

 

 

*John Maxwell says options is one of his favorite words.

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

A dance recital

A few nights ago my family attended a Jr High dance concert to cheer on my daughter. Inspiration was the theme of the spectacular concert.

It started with music and images synchronized to quotes from inspirational leaders such as Gandhi, Lincoln and Martin Luther King. Dancers, dressed as inspirational leaders, performed beautifully. I felt myself dream bigger and smile as I read several quotes and marveled at the skilled young dancers.

The last slide read:  Who inspires you?

I thought of people I admire. Michael Jordan for desire and drive, Ronald Reagan for leadership, etc. 

Then I thought about people who mastered my weaknesses. Jesus Christ for love and patience, Gandhi for peace and patience, Lincoln for gentleness, Thoreau for stillness and simplicity.

Although we watched more than 15 dance numbers, I could not shake the thoughts: Who inspires me? And why do they inspire me?

Poor money management is solved with character development. Find your character flaws and then find inspirational people who are strong in your blind spots.

Turn your weaknesses into strengths as you learn about your inspirations. Master your character, your technique.

Then dance your life with passion--Martha Graham* would be proud.

 

*“Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.”

I think we need to master individualized financial and relationship techniques and then perform them passionately. The greatest artists mastered basics and then remixed, added and creatively destroyed.

 

 

(Courtesy freedigitalphotos.net)

Are you a coach?

Have you ever tried to act as umpire, talking down to others or yelling at people?

Umpires are never wrong (even when they are wrong).

They may consult with other umpires but never with the players. Transactions (eg. plays, strikes, hits, etc) matter most.

People are an afterthought. They make unilateral decisions and rarely change their mind. They are closed-minded.

Often people who have money problems are those who have a tendency to umpire.

When is the last time you coached, discussing with others and encouraging them?

Coaches see players as essential and wonderful. Coaches accomplish much by getting to know their players.

Coaches don't make unilateral decisions. They thrive on multiplicity and diversity.

Coaches learn as much from their players as their players learn from them.

They love each player because they know each player. Afterall it's hard to love those we don't know.

Relationships thrive when we coach. They die when we umpire.

 

 

 

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Disinformation

In your quest to be debt free and prosperous you will encounter disinformation, false or inaccurate information.

Often disinformation comes from well meaning friends or relatives.

The more you study financial truths (from multiple sources), the better you become at discerning misinformation/black propaganda.

The victim of disinformation is the ignorant.

Go ahead and read Richard Paul Evan's classic on money--The 5 Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me. Read George Clayson, Dave Ramsey, Robert Kiyosaki, and Joe Dominguez.

(Photo courtesy freedigitalphotos.net)

Bo knows

Bo Jackson was a huge star in the early 90's. He was a powerful hitter with the K.C. Royals and a lightning fast running back for the Raiders. He is the only player ever to become an All-star in two sports.

I watched a fun ESPN special about Bo that helped illustrate greatness.

Bo was one of ten kids and a troublemaker. He grew up in Alabama but chose to play for Auburn.

Alabama had a great coach and a much better record, but he chose Auburn.

Why?

He chose Auburn after consulting with his mother because he wanted to immediately play football instead of waiting on the sidelines. He also wanted to beat rival, Alabama.

He listened to his mother and he wanted to participate.

Bo also turned down George Steinbrenner
And the Yankees as well as the
Buccaneers as a #1 draft pick.

Why?

His mother thought Steinbrenner was too focused on money and Bo thought the Buccaneers had been deceptive.

Bo knows integrity, listening to parents, the thrill of a challenge, education, and winning.

Bo knows several pretty important lessons to make money an asset.

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Nothing without a net

Life is a daring adventure! Opportunities for gain and good are everywhere.

Like trapezists we enjoy life most by reaching for new heights. Investing or achieving dreams involves risk similar to those of a trapezist.

Trapezists always use a safety net.

Then why is it so easy to forget a safety net when pursuing new opportunities?

Once during a business transaction three of the four participants admitted to having no back up plan!

If the deal didn't materialize they did not know what to do.

They had pulled a Cortez by burning all of their boats. Eventually the deal fell through and I moved unto my backup plan, but two of the participants became bitter.

Without a backup plan we become bitter, manipulative, angry, and revengeful because we feel like a cornered dog with no desirable option.

Remember: do nothing without a net. Dare and dream and reach big. And make sure a net is in place!

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Blindspots

The problem with blind spots,weaknesses that we don't know about,is that we don't know we have them.

A man from my youth wanted to become uber wealthy. He didn't see his blind spot, dishonesty. He stole millions of dollars before going to prison. He didn't see his lying but all of his true friends did. He only saw his exotic cars and nice office buildings.

Some blind spots come from overlooking are true target, family solidarity and progression.

Other blind spots  come from focusing on self mor than others.

How to see our blind spots?

• Rely on God: He has no blindspots
• Listen to family and friend who know are blindspots and will tell us if we are humble enough to listen.

Seeing our blindspots involves listening to those who see better.

 

 

 

 

(Photo courtesy Wikipedia)

Barking isn't leading

Leadership is essential to becoming financially free. You must lead yourself and your family.

Barking, commanding others and manifesting their weaknesses, is coercion not leading.

Barking temporally manipulates people into movement.

Leadership is gentle, kind, persuasive. Leadership influences and inspires for eternity.

Lead often. Bark less. Repeat.