Did a little fact finding recently. First I found a list of US states and how they rank for bankruptcy filings as of 12/31/2009. I’ll use the top 10 for this discussion. (source: American Bankruptcy Institute)

Then I found a list of how many US states have a lottery (Wikipedia). Then I found a list of the 25 most dangerous US cities (crime).

Of the top 10 bankruptcy filing states in The USA, all but two have a lottery. Of the top 10 bankruptcy filing states in The USA, 7 are listed in the 25 most dangerous cities in America.

Anyone who is smart enough can prove just about anything with statistics if they know how to argue like a sharp witted lawyer. And I think these simple statistics reveal a bit about the connection between financial literacy, risk taking, and crime.

Don’t get your panties in a wad and think I’m jumping to conclusions here. The state I live in, Tennessee, is ranked #2 in bankruptcy filings and has Memphis listed as the 13th most dangerous city in America. So I’m not pointing fingers here by any stretch of the imagination. This stuff is happening in my own back yard, and them some.

I want you to understand how important it is to become financially literate. The more ignorant you are about money matters, the more likely you are to handle your finances poorly. People who handle their finances poorly can certainly be at risk of bankruptcy. Maybe gambling (risk taking) would be more appealing. And maybe crime would be more appealing, who knows?.

There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. But the point is, I want you to think about how everything in your life is strongly connected to the way you think about money, behave with money, and act with money.

Get financially literate and experience financial freedom. The more you know the less likely you are to be taken advantage of by someone who knows more. With all that’s available for free on the internet, there’s no excuse to stay uneducated about your money matters. Get smarter, get wiser, get wealthier.

To Your Financial Freedom,
Greg Whitaker

© Greg Whitaker, 2011. All Rights Reserved

http://youtu.be/Yl78G6EtEU0

Your economy is the only one that matters. Seriously, do you really care what current interest rates are? Only if you’re about to buy a home. Seriously, do you really care if your stock went up or down? Only if you’re a day trader.

Remove yourself from the sound bite laziness of your favorite TV news infotainment. You can’t change any of it. What you can change is YOUR economy. That’s right. Get your own house in order first. Then you’ll have the luxury of complaining about how Congress is so inept at managing your tax dollars.

Be prepared. When you’re finances are in order you’re recession proof. That’s a good place to be, especially in these trying economic times.

To Your Financial Freedom,
Greg Whitaker
www.debtshepherd.com
© 2011, All Rights Reserved

The gentleman interviewed in the documentary “Collapse” is Michael C. Ruppert. I started following his writings in the year 2000. After 09/11/2001, my interest in what he had to say grew even more. The above movie trailer may be shocking to some, laughable to others, or a wake up call. It all depends on where you’re at on the scale of overall awareness.

Whether or not you understand and believe peak oil is a reality, the financial education aspect of the film “Collapse” is priceless. The movie trailer only scratches the surface. You have to see the film to appreciate how money and oil fit together.

I urge you to buy the DVD “Collapse”. It’s less than $11.00 plus shipping. Sit down and watch it with your spouse or partner. Watch it the entire way through the first time. Then talk about it if you have questions or aren’t sure of something in the film. Then watch it again.

If you want to know the truth about how the economy really works, you have to be willing to look for and absorb information that isn’t on your favorite TV news channel.

Review:

What is it?

Collapse is a documentary film that addresses Peak Oil, human population, and money. It addresses how all three are inexplicably intertwined.

Things I Like:

The film’s style is documentary and doesn’t use actors. The man being interviewed is talking about matters he has personally studied, lived, and agonized over for many years. It’s very personal, so we see a genuineness in the film that really brings it to life.

I’ve personally subscribed to his newsletter as far back as 2000. I now subscribe to his website www.collapsenet.com

His website for the move Collapse states in bold letters at the top of the page:
“Collapse – It’s happened to every great civilization.” I appreciate that boldness. It’s a wake up call.

Things I Would Change:

The subject matter covered in the film is so big, I honestly wouldn’t be able to recommend any changes to it and keep a straight face.

Rating: 5

Highest rating will be 5 Stars.

Click on the link below for more information on Collapse. It’s also available on Netflix.

Pre-paying debt can be like giving yourself an 8% pay raise every year. Stop worrying about that pay raise from the boss. Don’t sweat the guy who got promoted ahead of you even though you’ve been on the job longer. The only economy you’re concerned with is YOUR economy. Take control of your debt, take control of your income.

Start saving 10% of your income and paying yourself first. If you work 40 hours/week, 10% of that is 4 hours. So from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Monday you are going to work for you! It’s time to get selfish.

You MUST have a will. My wife and I both have one. It doesn’t matter how many assets you do or don’t have. This is about protecting you, your family, and your stuff. It’s inexpensive, less than $100 bucks, so no more excuses.

1. STOP borrowing money.
2. Spend LESS than you earn (live within your means).
3. SAVE 10% of your net income (even if it hurts).
4. Lather, rinse, repeat.

The days of thinking it has to be hard are OVER in your life!  The death of common sense can’t be tolerated another second.  The above 4 steps would solve the financial problems of this country.  Not over night, mind you.  But much, much sooner rather than later.

To Your Financial Freedom,
Greg Whitaker
www.debtshepherd.com 

© Greg Whitaker 2011, All rights reserved

When relatives ask you for money it can seem very innocent. Hardly ever would the word moocher come to mind. After all, we have all had hard times here and there. But what happens when someone will not stop asking you for money?

Saying no is hard, especially to someone you love. But what if you simply cannot afford to help them? One thing that is very important is to consider the person who is constantly asking you for money. What is their story? Are they working? Do you know if they are still traveling or going out to dinner? Are they working hard to make it on their own? Are they working on weekends and if they don’t have work are looking diligently for a job? Sometimes when we are asked by relatives for money it can be easy to overlook their actions. Our love for them can get in our way of being honest with ourselves. Many of us want to be generous and giving, but how often have you really thought about whether giving is a good thing or is harmful?

Giving can be harmful to you because you do not know what is around the corner for yourself. Have you seriously looked at your own finances and made sure you can give? Do you have a large emergency fund for at least a year and a half? Are you working or do you depend on social security? Are you young and have lots of years of work ahead of you? Or, are you older and sometimes wonder if you should skip taking your medication to pay your bills?

Are you an older person being asked for money by someone young? When a relative or loved one asks you for money do you become stressed? Notice your own thoughts and feelings because they may be telling you to say no even when your mouth is saying yes. People who are asking for money can paint very bleak pictures about how they are so desperate and are starving or about to be evicted from their apartment. That can make it even harder to say no.

None of us know what our future will bring and life is very difficult when we are broke. It can be even more difficult when you know you gave away your money to help someone else and they are nowhere to be found in your hour of need. Seriously look at your situation and please re-evaluate giving to relatives, especially when they are younger than you. Money is hard to come by and you deserve to keep it. Many of us have generous hearts and want to see our loved ones succeed but if you are putting yourself in harm’s way then you need to stop.

Julie Horton lives in Utah has created a website to share the detriments of over-giving. To learn more about why you should keep your money and not give to moochers, please visit: Be a Smart Giver.com

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Julie_K._Horton