CRAVING FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM

Have you ever felt trapped in a Rat Race and wished to retire quickly but rich?

Have you ever felt that you are spending way too much time working with your boss at your office instead of with those you love? Your spouse, children, friends?

Have you ever felt frustrated because you are so deep in debt that you think you won't be able to retire because as soon as you do, the money will stop coming and thus you won't be able to pay off your mortgages and credit card?

Have you ever felt that you have no control over your life anymore in terms of time? Think about it: can you take a vacation just anytime whenever you want/ need it and as long as you want/ need it?

Have you ever wished that you can work whenever you want and wherever you want?

You are not the only one!

Too many people are trapped in a Rat Race because they have to. There are too many bills to pay, and too many dreams to fulfill. To them it seems that there is just no way to quit their job and enjoy life, travel and see the world with their loved ones.

Most people work because their bills tell them to, not because they really love to do it. Most people enslave themselves to their debt or job, because (they think) they have no choice.

This is when the craving for achieving financial freedom come in.

Freedom to choose when to work, without worries about income cuts. Freedom to spend more time with your loved ones, without worries about your employment or your boss. Freedom to take an expensive vacation, without worries about retrenchments thereafter. Freedom to do what you like, instead of what you've got to do, without worries about whether or not what you like generates enough income for you.

If you seriously crave for financial freedom, finding a better job with a higher paycheck is not going to work. Higher paychecks would usually mean more expensive lifestyle, more needs, more mortgages you THINK you can afford, more responsibilities thus more working hours and more time to spend at the office instead with your loved ones. And there is always the same problem: as soon as you stop, the money stops.

If you understand this, you will come to see that financial freedom is not measured by how much money you make by working, but by how long your money can support your normal lifestyle when you stop working.

And financial freedom is definitely not about accumulating abundant riches. It is about a golden chance to live abundantly!

Imagine! With financial freedom, you will have more quality time to spend with your family and friends. You will have more control over your life to do whatever you want, whatever you love, whatever you're passionate about. You will be able to give more, help others, make your part of the world a better place to live! You will be able to spend as much or as little time with your business as you choose. You will be able to come and go at will.

What a great chance to live abundantly!

Is craving for financial freedom realistic? Yes it is. It is not impossible to achieve it. Ordinary people have achieved financial freedom. They may not have their own luxurious yacht, but they have the time and the money to take their family on an expensive cruise to the most expensive spot on earth.

There are basically only two fundamental things ordinary people have known for decades to achieving financial freedom:

1. Manage your time and money! Time and money are the only two factors that keep people from achieving financial freedom.

To duplicate the success of people who have reached financial freedom, you do not need to have self-confidence, super intelligence, high education, great luck, hard-work or great career path. Although those are all good characteristics, they are not fundamental to achieve financial freedom.

All you need is a good time and money management, which would also result in high productivity!

Invest your time in creating extra money that you can later invest. You can do that by taking up a part-time job or working overtime.

As soon as you have more extra income, be a responsible manager of your own money! Live less than your income so you can start investing. It is from investing in a business that will one day generate income for you and sets you financially free from having to work for a living.

As much as possible avoid borrowing money for anything at all. I believe everybody has been taught about the negatives of being in a debt, but very few have been taught to consider the benefits of being debt-free.

Have you ever felt that you are spending way too much time working with your boss at your office instead of with those you love? Your spouse, children, friends?

By being debt-free, you will have more money to invest. Ask yourself this question: how difficult would it be to create an extra $1,000 a month by cutting expenses and by investing the money you normally use to pay your debt?

2. Start investing in your own business to create passive income! Passive income is income which requires little or no work at all. The example would be writing a book and get paid forever on it, traditionally investing huge capital or starting your own business.

As a passionate home-business owner myself, I believe that having your own home-business is by far the most powerful way to create passive income. It takes only small start-up capital and you will have extra tax benefits.

It is easier to generate passive income by having your own business than by traditionally investing. If your goal was generating $40,000 annually you would need $1,000,000 to invest at 4% interest. Very few people have this much start-up capital.

But there are many ordinary people who have become home-business entrepreneurs and generated $40,000 annually by investing very small capital.

Finally, quoting Robert Bolton, "A belief is not merely an idea that the mind possesses; it is an idea that possesses the mind", the idea that even ordinary people like you can achieve financial freedom should possess your mind and you will not be denied.

Dinar P. Wiria-Atmadja is the owner and writes for FinancialFreedomAwaits.com, helping families and individuals achieve financial freedom in years instead of decades. Visit the site here at http://www.financialfreedomawaits.com You are free to publish this article to your site as long as you include the resource box with the author's name and an active link to Financialfreedomawaits.com and the article is not changed.

Financial Wizards Prepare! 4 Lil' Tiny Duckies!... 

Financial Wizards Prepare! Getting Your 4 Lil' Tiny Duckies All Lined Up In A Row by Tom Levine

A) If you are going to transform yourself into a financial wizard, with money, security, and assets, then you need to begin this transformation by clearing out the cobwebs, and making way for a new tomorrow.

B) We are all perfectly capable of becoming "Financial Wizards." None of us are without the ability to amass vast quantities of prosperity and wealth, in an easy, painless fashion. Benjamin Franklin believed that we are all equal, entitled to equal opportunity. If we just take a few simple steps, each day, we can achieve greatness.

C) But the first step is to take responsibility, and many "Financial Wizards" have debt issues, credit issues, budget issues, and spending issues. We're all human. So, the first step is to address these issues one at a time, and take ownership of them, and change them.

D) But, hey listen! They ain't no big thing, you hear me!? These are SMALL issues to deal with, not large ones. These are little tiny duckies. You need to realize that, in order to tackle them and move on.

Let's take a look at these lil' tiny duckies…Gee aren't they cute? No big deal:

1. THE DEBT DUCKIE!

2. THE BUDGET DUCKIE!

3. THE SPENDING DUCKIE!

4. THE lil' FICO DUCKIE!

1. THE DEBT DUCKIE!

A: If you have out of control debt, then you need to deal with it, and please, don't do it alone. You need to seek out counsel from professional services who can examine your current debt situation, and provide you with a short term, mid-range, and long-term plan to get you debt-free forever.

B: Debt can be such a burden in your life, that sometimes, it's hard to take that first step, to concede that you have a problem, and accept that you can't solve it alone. It weighs so heavy on you, that it blinds you to the big picture.

C: So, I'm suggesting that it's time you simply make the decision to see the forest from the trees. You'll need help. Go get it. There are lots of debt-assistance programs out there. Most of them are non-profit, or you may need legal assistance through an attorney. But, don't put this off any longer, plain and simple. You just CAN NOT become a "Financial Wizard," if you are encumbered with debt. This is goal one. Go get some solid advice from those you trust, and line that duckie up!



2. THE BUDGET DUCKIE!

A: If you've never created a budget, that's okay! You can still be in the club, you can still become a "Financial Wizard," and you can still amass an amazing array of wealth. But, you must get started sometime.

B: And you know what? Today is a great day to start!

C: A budget is more than just writing down how much you spend on groceries. A budget requires a review of your spending, and a recognition that money is power, and it is also an expression of your values, and a measurement of time.

D: For example: Sit down, and write out how much you spent in the past, like last month. Then, write down how much you are currently spending in the present, like last week. Finally, write down how much you want to spend in the future, like next month.

E: So, let's talk about what you wrote down for the future. Did you pull that money together, that powerful tool for changing your tomorrows? How much did you put down for savings? How much did you budget for your 401k, and for your mortgage payment, or for your ROTH-IRA, or your savings towards a down payment on your first home?

F: Aha! There's the cute, lil duckie!

G: The important thing to recognize here is that budgeting is an acquired skill, and you don't have to go at it alone. Seek out advice from professionals that can help get you started in budgeting your money, so that you are honing your skills and becoming a person of action, and not a person of reaction. All of the important elements of your finances need to be taken care of and represented in your budget, as you examine your yesterdays, your todays, and your tommorows.

Two lil' duckies down, 2 lil' duckies to go!

3. THE SPENDING DUCKIE!

A: Believe it or not, the spending duckie is a different duckie then the budget duckie.

B: See, spending is an action that you take, whereas budgeting is more a planning process. Now, how do you spend? Do you use your ATM card, or your VISA, or CASH? Do you spend what you have, do you spend what you need, or do you spend to gratify what are actually your wants and desires, right now, no matter what, irrespective of your budget, and without control or measure?

C: You see I believe that spending is a behavior pattern, and a habit, and it can be changed, and you can change! It is also a reflection of your values, and of your goals. So, you will need to deal with this, in order to get to that "Financial Wizard" that you know is deep inside you.

D: Line this 'lil duckie up. Again, recognize it's something you need to grasp, and then go seek help. Don't rely just on yourself, because if you have poor spending habits, chances are, they need to be corrected by someone who has good spending habits. That said, spending is a skill, just like anything else. It's a tiny little thing. A cute lil' duckie. You can do it.

And now, on to the last cute, tiny, lil' duckie:

4. THE lil' FICO DUCKIE!

A: Sometimes, your credit may be in need of attention. Well no big deal, but neglect this no longer.

B: You CAN do something about it, and you CAN work towards cleaning your credit up, increasing your FICO score, and getting your credit to reflect the new you, the "Financial Wizard" you.

C: Many of the items on your credit report can be challenged, explained, or dealt with in a professional manner. The first step is always to get a copy of your credit report. Find out exactly where you stand. The second step is to assess it, either on your own, using a service, or using a professional. The third step is to form a plan to address the credit report, and the fourth step is to take action.

D: But with that said, it would be wise to deal with the first 3 issues of debt, budgeting, and spending, prior to dealing with the credit report. I say that because your FICO score is really just a reflection of the other 3 issues. So, deal with them first.

E: But once you've got your debt, budget, and spending under control, please realize that your credit is a manageable, tangible, and workable problem, with workable solutions. Seek out professional advice, so that you don't have to go at it alone, and before long, you'll have a squeaky clean credit report. Of course by that time, you'll be well on your way.

CONCLUSION:

So that's the 4 lil' duckies. They ain't no BIG THING, just like I said. But ignore them no longer. Neglect them no longer. Avoid them no longer.

But don't be afraid of them. They're just 4 cute tiny 'lil duckies, and they're just looking for a little attention. The are also, of course, the very foundation and health of your financial house. Build a home on toothpicks, and eventually, you will wind up with a pile of lumber.

Not a great place to live, if you're a cute 'lil duckie.

We've enjoyed providing this information to you, and we wish you the best of luck in your pursuits. Remember to always seek out good advice from those you trust, and never turn your back on your own common sense.

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Establish Financial Security Advertising

So you've decided that maybe, just maybe, the rat race isn't for you. So what are your alternatives? I suppose you could quit society, move to a remote area and live off the land. But I'm going to go ahead and assume that's not an option. What is an option is starting your own home based business. Millions of people around the world are already discovering the financial and time freedom that comes with owning a home business. Easier said than done, you say! Of course it is! Everything is easier said than done, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

The fact is, although owning a business have it's difficulties and stresses, mainly due to the fact that you are in charge of everything and that is something most individuals aren't used to. Three KEY advantages to own a business.......... 1. Financial - On an average, home business owners earn over $50,000 per year, with 20% making over $75,000 per year. The average yearly take home for the average American worker is approxiamately $27,000. As a home business owner, you could easily earn $13,000 over the national average.

And that's just the beginning. Those who run their home business wisely can multiply the average sum by whatever they want. 2. Lifestyle - Most people can't even imagine what it would be like to own their own business. For those who have resigned themselves to the rat race, it's difficult to comprehend the idea that they could design their own schedule, make more money from using their talents, and have the freedom to live life the way it was meant to be lived. But guess what...IT IS! 3. Practicality - When you think about slaving away for forty years to make someone else rich, the whole idea seems preposterous.

How the majority of Americans let themselves be talked into this collective masochism is a mystery.What makes sense is for you to work from home, where you can be with your family, and spend every minute of your work time making money for yourself, not some faceless stranger. This is not a risky choice but it is the only practical choice. Many people who are now making a substantial living with their home business started with a small venture in their spare time.

These part time ventures often create a gateway to a complete career and lifestyle change. When you discover that you can actually make more money with a part time home business, working for someone else absolutely makes no sense! Dare to start your own profit pulling business? Do you have the courage to create "Financial Security"? The time has come to step up and take CONTROL of your life!

This is an article from *Getting rich selling information through classified ads* by Carael Knight. For more information, visit http://www.majorenterprise.net

I started Major Enterprise about five years ago with a plan to teach clients "how to build a dream!"

FINANCIAL PLANNERS! HOW DO YOU TELL THE DIFFERENCE?

First Published Fall 1993

Eight years ago I was discussing a Financial Planning recommendation with a Judge. He made the comment that he was reluctant to accept recommendations from a 'Financial Planner' because he knew of a lawyer in Vancouver who had been disbarred for misuse of his client's trust funds and was now doing business as a 'financial planner'. Unfortunately, anyone can call themselves a 'Financial Planner. This is true of many professions. Anyone can hang out a shingle as an Accountant. But, they cannot call themselves a Chartered Accountant unless they have completed a course of studies and are a member in good standing of their professional association. It is a shame that, after all of the financial degrees and courses I had taken that I still had to compete with a disbarred lawyer. When I left the meeting with the Judge I was determined to do something to make sure I would stand out above the crowd.

It is sad to say but many in our business are not very honest and even more are motivated to sell the client only those products that pay them the most money. Some stockbrokers would have people believe they are 'Financial Advisors' when in fact they are simply stock salespeople. Most have almost no training in Taxation or Estate Planning, both of which impact a great deal on any investment recommendation. Many Life Insurance Agents hold themselves out as 'Financial Advisors' after taking a single course on insurance. Banks promote some of their people as 'Financial Advisors', when in fact they have taken a simple course in Mutual Funds and have in most cases no experience beyond that bank's products. There are some very good and well qualified people in all of these professions and financial institutions. But, the point is, how do you tell the difference?

Shortly after the incident with the Judge, I joined the Canadian Association of Financial Planners (CAFP). As a member I was required to subscribe to their code of ethics and answer to their disciplinary committee. In this way my clients would know that I had attained a certain level of competence and that they could report me to the Association if I did something wrong. The Association grants the RFP (Registered Financial Planner) degree. To maintain that degree I must be a Regular member of the CAFP and have at least one Academic degree (such as CFP, CLU, CA. etc) in one of the Financial Planning disciplines. 1 must then have at least two years experience with a financial planning firm and have passed a six hour competency exam, which covers all areas of financial planning. In addition, I must produce proof of at least $1,000,000.00 of Errors & Omissions Insurance, subscribe to the Code of Ethics and adhere to the "Six Step Financial Planning Process". Each year I must prove that I have kept up to date with new developments through their requirements for continuing education.

Ten years ago there was no Financial Planning industry as it emerged because the average investor required someone to guide them through the complexity of the tax regulations and investment choices. I think the growth of the financial planning industry is due in no small part to the growth in service industries. As everything in our daily lives becomes so specialized we need to turn ever more to people who specialize in areas we need help in. Today the association is recognized as the national organization for the regulation and development of financial planning in Canada. It is possible to phone in any major city in Canada to Inquire if someone is a regular member, an associate member in good standing, or is even a member at all. In British Columbia the Association is called the British Columbia Association of Financial Planners. The phone number is (604) 684-8843.

Last month I was honored to be elected President of the British Columbia Association of Financial Planners. Bring on that disbarred lawyer!

Copyright - www.money-software.com

Peter F. Baigent CFP, CLU, CHFC, RFP. is a Past President of the Canadian Association of Financial Planners for British Columbia, a former Director of the Canadian Association of Financial Planners. He has spoken across Canada on financial planning matters and has taught courses for the Chartered Financial Consultants & Certified Financial Planners degrees. He is the founder of Money Minders Software which produces financial planning software.

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