Archives For personal finance education

066 DSR – The Currency of Gratitude

November 30, 2012 — Leave a comment

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grateful

Look around at all the people in your life and let them know how grateful you are for them. Gratitude is a currency a lot like love. It circulates from one person to another but only if you keep it moving. Kind of like pay it forward, right?

Be mindful of who/what you have in your life instead of just focusing on bringing more into your experience. This is the hardest lesson to learn.

When we learn to be grateful for what already is, we’re ultimately learning that who we are is more than enough. Nothing more needs to be added unto you.

I’m forever grateful to John Cummuta of Transforming Debt Into Wealth. His influence on me ultimately led to the birth of Debt Shepherd and fueled my passion to teach financial wellness.

Resources:
Erin’s Testimony

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Motivation, Psychology , , ,
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065 DSR – Broke But Not Poor

November 25, 2012 — Leave a comment

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broke
Broke is temporary. Poor is a state of mind and often may be permanent. The difference between the two is huge. I used to say when I met my wife I was broke or “temporarily unfunded” as we now like to joke.

Even saying “I’m broke” is a habit we should work to end. Why? The word broke is the word broken. When you say you’re broke what’s really coming out is, “I’m broken.” Not an affirmation I want to repeat, how about you?

We’ve been led to believe if we don’t have any money, somehow it makes us less whole as human beings. I say we should all know what it means to be broke, but not poor. Just as we should learn to be alone but not lonely. The distinction is massive because we’re talking about state of mind.

Your bank account is not who you are. Your clothes aren’t who you are. Michael Tsarion has this to say about fashion, “The hidden purpose of fashion is to decorate our inauthentic lives.” Are you decorating your life with more clothes, money, etc? Why?

We judge others by the amount of money they do or don’t make and do or don’t leave their heirs upon death. What do you think when you hear, “He died penniless?” We often make a massive assumption the person was reckless or maybe even lazy.

The most important thing we should ask ourselves is, “Who am I without money?” A good place to start learning to ask that question is in the book I’ve recommended below.

Resources:
The Man Who Quit Money

In Money, Psychology , , ,
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What is a Bond?

November 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

bond

Let’s say you buy a government bond. What exactly does that mean? Let’s break it down from the boardroom suite to the street.

When you buy a bond you are lending the government money. The government is too broke to fund its operations without perpetual debt. The government pays you back, plus interest, by taxing its citizens.

The profit you make minus taxes & depreciation means you make zero profit. It means it’s costing you money to lend money to the government.

Let’s use a simpler example. I’m the citizen, you’re the government.

I lend you $100 dollars (a bond). To make monthly payments you steal money from me (taxes). Is there anything in that equation that sounds good? If the answer is no, there’s hope for you.

If you think “investing” in government bonds is a great idea, I’m challenging you to think again. The US government is so broke it has to perpetually borrow money. It pays you back by stealing from you (taxes). The money it pays you back with is so worthless (inflation) that you’re losing money in the “investment.” Zero profit to you.

There’s nothing smart about the entire transaction. The average US citizen doesn’t know what a government issued bond is. So ignorance is the reason this crazy game called The US economy keeps being played. Buying government issued bonds isn’t an investment. It’s keeping the junkie with a needle in his arm. “Investing” in government issued bonds isn’t patriotic, it’s unhealthy for this nation.

If you want to turn this economy around you have to understand how it works and why it’s broken. Get educated. Apply what you learn in your life. Share by teaching others what you learn.

Resources:
What is a Bond?

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Government, Money, The Economy
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064 DSR – Black Friday & The Big Fat Tick

November 20, 2012 — Leave a comment

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black_friday

Black Friday is once again fast approaching. Take a closer look at what you’re doing and why when you shop. Retail therapy? Consumer addiction? Patriotism? Boredom?

It’s none of those. Black Friday is Americans acting like sheep and allowing themselves to be trained by advertising & media. You’ve been led to believe that consuming is how you define yourself.

Your self image is what determines everything in your life. I am…… You fill in the blank. Whatever you fill that blank with is how you live your life. Are you a $150 pair of shoes? Are you a pair of designer jeans? Of course not.

If you define yourself by what you have, you’ll never know happiness. Materially speaking, you were born with nothing and you’ll die with nothing.

I’ve never seen an armored truck at a funeral, have you?

If you feel your spending has gotten out of control, there’s help:
Shopaholics Anonymous

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Shopping Addiction, The Economy , , ,
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063 DSR – Standard of Living vs Quality of Life

November 16, 2012 — Leave a comment

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SOL

Are you running on the treadmill wondering why you can’t catch the proverbial carrot? It’s because we’re chasing stuff thinking it will make us happy. Give it up. Stop while we’re ahead. Early grave is where we’re headed if we don’t.

“Most of your possessions are actually in the way of your happiness. And it’s much easier to find the path toward happiness once you’ve cleared the debris.”
– Joshua Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus (The Minimalists)

Your soul is seeking security. Security from the feeling of disconnection from God. If you’re drowning, things are like a life preserver thrown to you. They may solve a temporary problem but won’t teach you to swim.

We’ve confused substance with source. We confused the animated with the animator.

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Motivation, Psychology , ,
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062 DSR – Money: The Magnifying Glass

November 9, 2012 — 1 Comment

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Magnifying Glass

If I had more money, my life would get better. I could do what I really want to do. I’d change. I wouldn’t be mad at the world anymore. People would finally respect me. They’d love me. I could impress people. They’d think I was smart.

If I won the lottery I’d tell my boss to stick this job up his butt. I could finally give some money to charity. The scenarios go on, don’t they?

If you’re an idiot making $20k/year you’ll be an even bigger idiot making $200k/year. I hear you having that lame conversation in your head right now, “No, not me. I’m different. And even if I’m still miserable with more money at least I’ll be miserable AND comfortable.” Comfortable is dangerous. It keeps you from kicking your own ass.

Money is the great equalizer, isn’t it? It levels the playing field when you’re out looking for a mate. It’s like perfume that attracts prey. Make a mistake and money can cover it up. Live recklessly and money can bring order out of chaos. Get arrested and buy your way out of it. Rich people do it all the time, don’t they?

It’s easy to think if we just had some more money we could really start living life. There’s only one problem. Whether you’ve got money or not, you’re still living life. How are you living $10/hr and what would magically change about who you really are if you started making $100/hr?

Money is like a magnifying glass. It distorts the image and blows it up so you can see all the small details of the object you’re examining. More money shows the world all the small details of who you really are. Where/how you spend is an expression of what’s important to you.

Money is an excuse we use to live lives of mediocrity. I can’t because I’ve got bills. I can’t because I’ve got a mortgage payment. Once we get some money we’ll live our dreams. No matter how much money you’ve got, you’re living your dream right now. If you aren’t happy with what you’re dreaming, you screwed up somewhere in this equation. You just use lack of money as an excuse. And the hamster on the treadmill marches on.

Money is a magnifying glass showing the world the real you. Money is a mirror that shows you the real you. Don’t like what you see? Buying a bigger mirror isn’t going to solve the problem. You can’t change the mirror. You can change you.

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Money, Psychology ,
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060 DSR – What if Your Vote Didn’t Count?

October 29, 2012 — Leave a comment

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Voting
What if your vote didn’t count? What would that mean? At the very least, ask yourself, “How is my vote counted?”

The below resources will give you insight into a topic of discussion you won’t hear around the water cooler at work. Who counts your vote? Who makes these electronic voting machines? Who do they work for? Can the count be verified by a human being? Is there a paper trail?

The answers to these questions will probably shock and anger you. Are you brave enough to take a ride down this rabbit hole known as electronic voting machines? If you are, you’ll never think the same way again whether you vote or not.

Resources:
Black Box Voting: Ballot Tampering in the 21st Century book
Hacking Democracy film

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email at:
greg [at] debtshepherd [dot] com

In Government ,
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REAL Money Talk: Healthy Relationships & Marriage

October 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

GSRT

I’d like to introduce you to a radio show producer named Mikial Moore. His show is called Grown Soul & Real Talk. He recently asked me to be a featured guest on his show. When I said yes, I had no idea how wild of a ride it was going to be!

For 2.5 hrs. we talked about money as it relates to relationships and marriage. We covered a lot of how the economy really works. More importantly, we discussed real solutions for regular folks.

Follow the resource link below to hear the entire 2.5 hrs. We “Chop It Up” with his two co-hosts and really expose the system for what it is. It’s a rigged game that you and I weren’t meant to win. And there’s something you can do to change it.

If you’re sick and tired of getting kicked around by inflation, unemployment, or taxes then this show is for you. It’s a little spicy, so parental discretion is advised. The Debt Shepherd lets his hair down in this one. We cut to the bone and tell it like it is. Unfiltered for your leisurely consumption. Enjoy.

Resources:
Grown Soul & Real Talk

In Education, Money, The Economy , ,
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