Archives For Motivation

What’s Left After Taxes – 225 DSR

March 26, 2017

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Taking a look at our pay stub and seeing just how much Uncle Sam “steals.”

1) Federal, state, medicare, & social security are all taxes. In my case, it’s federal, Medicare & Social Security. 23%.

Look at these deductions, add them up, divide by your gross income. 1 out of 4 days I work, I receive zero immediate benefit.

2) Property taxes. Do you ever truly own your home, land?

Taxation is the use of indirect force by government (IRS). It is an extraction of your wealth used to expand the size and power of gov’t.

Stop paying your property taxes. Eventually the gov’t will take your home/land.

3) Government doesn’t produce anything in the open market. It is always a liability.

As gov’t grows, so does your tax bill.

My industry, banking, doesn’t produce anything either. It charges interest (rent) for the use of money and charges fees.

Not complaining. Reminding you to reduce your liabilities (debt) so you’ve got more money left to do what you please.

Resource:
Ayn Rand

Debt Shepherd 2017, All Rights Reserved
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In Education, Government, Money, Motivation, Personal Finance Education , ,
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Financial Transparency At Work – 224 DSR

March 17, 2017

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We owe this topic idea to Jonar Nader’s book:
“How to Lose Friends and Infuriate People”

1) What would your workplace be like if you knew everyone’s rate of pay?

From your co-workers salary to your boss.
To the owner’s annual profit.
To bonus’ of everyone including upper management.

2) What if you didn’t get paid unless the company made a profit each month?

Would your attendance improve?
Would you be less apt to take a sick day, even though you weren’t sick?

3) What if before you got hired, your would be co-workers got to help decide on your hire, rate of pay, and saw your credit scores?

Why would these ideas scare you?
Why is our income taboo in America?
Knowing someone’s income seems like seeing them naked for the first time. Why?

Income is social status, zip code, education.
It’s a measuring device we use to make decisions about people, including ourselves.

Resources:
bookfinder.com To find “How To Lose Friends & Infuriate People”
Jonar Nader

Debt Shepherd 2017, All Rights Reserved

In Get Personal, Money, Motivation , ,
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Not Willing To Give Up – 223 DSR

March 8, 2017

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We discuss what you are not willing to give up to change your current financial situation.

Debt Shepherd 2017, All Rights Reserved

In Motivation, Personal Finance Education, Psychology , ,
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Change – 220 DSR

March 7, 2017

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Change is constant. Here’s three tips to keep you moving your finances in a positive direction.

Debt Shepherd 2016, All Rights Reserved

In Education, Motivation , ,
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Listener Emails – 216 DSR

June 19, 2016

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I answer listener email questions about finance with my good friend Ahyh.

Twitter trends Nashville @ 11:30 a.m. Sunday Of 10 listed, 5 are sports.

Last 3 emails I got:

1) Dear Debt Shepherd,

I am writing you to express my thankfulness to your work.

There are loads, loads of podcasts about money, credit, etc but they are not about changing the spiritual side of being wealthy. That makes your radio special from many others.

I am looking forward to listening to “Get your mind straight” series. I have already reduced the amount of junk food in my meal, and I feel way much better after the food part of it. 

Keep going on! You are doing great work!
Warm greetings from Siberia – Anna Svinoboeva

2) Hi Greg:
 
Thanks for the encouraging feedback.
 
We agree with you on the 401(k) — since Wall Street is also taking two-thirds of the employer-match in fees over the long haul. Much better to set up your own IRA at a local, FDIC-insured community bank that makes sound loans to local businesses and local home mortgages.
 
Best regards,
Pam Martens
Wall Street On Parade

2/3 of your 401k and employer match are being eaten up by just 2% annual fees!

3) Should I buy another car if my current one is paid for and running just fine? Honda, high miles. Wife says “I deserve it” listener said Honda might not be safe since lacks safety features of newer cars.

Close:

Advice from Catherine Austin Fitts of Solari
1) Bank Local
2) Turn off TV
3) Eat Fresh (& local).

Get your mind straight. Get your money straight.
Debt Shepherd 2016, All rights reserved.

In Interviews, Money, Motivation, Personal Finance Education , ,
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Gratitude – 214 DSR

May 8, 2016

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We learn that gratitude is an inside job.

1) What is it?

2) How do you get or experience it?

3) What if you lose it and want it back?

4) What are you grateful for?

Resources:
Contrast: Surround yourself with the poor, sick, dying, hungry, mentally ill, etc.
Pronoia – Book

Gratitude is a matter of survival. Not a luxury.

Close: Change your perspective. Change where you’re standing. You’ll see something different. The biggest teacher can be the smallest nuance of change.

Get Your Mind Straight. Get Your Money Straight.
Debt Shepherd 2016, All Rights Reserved

In Interviews, Motivation, Personal Finance Education, Self Reliance, Spiritually Speaking , ,
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The Feeling of Debt Freedom – 212 DSR

April 13, 2016

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I discuss the three things needed to get the debt free feeling.

Practice
Little Bites
Focus

Resources:
Pocket Calculator
Your Paycheck

Get Your Mind Straight. Get Your Money Straight.
Debt Shepherd 2016, All Rights Reserved

In Money, Motivation, Personal Finance Education, The Basics , ,
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Economic Envy – 211 DSR

March 19, 2016

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Jones'

We discuss the dangers of keeping up with the elusive Jones’.

We ask the following:

– Since the word Greed is more commonly used when referring to money, is there a difference between envy & greed?

– TV was first demonstrated a mere 90 yrs. ago. Thoughts on it’s influence on Americas “Can’t Get Enough” attitude.

– Is TV’s influence intentional or accidental?

– TV’s appeal to emotion vs rational mind.

– TV, are we better off without it?

In the 2005 book – American Mania: When More is Not Enough we are reminded:

“Despite an astonishing appetite for life, more and more Americans are feeling overworked and dissatisfied. In the world’s most affluent nation, epidemic rates of stress, anxiety, depression, obesity, and time urgency are now grudgingly accepted as part of everyday existence. They signal the American Dream gone awry.”

Resources:
American Mania: When More is Not Enough
Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television

Get Your Mind Straight. Get Your Money Straight.
Debt Shepherd 2016, All Rights Reserved

In Interviews, Money, Motivation, Personal Finance Education, Psychology , ,
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