Category Archives: Inspirational

Wake Up Financial Neo

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At one time, I thought those few that were rich would always be rich, and those many that were middle class would always be destined for the middle class.

Then I read a book called “The Millionaire Next Door“, (hey, this link took me to what looks like a free online ebook!  How cool is that!) to simplify and paraphrase it, the books pretty much said no “Money Reasons”, you are wrong!  You can still become financially independent if you live a frugal life, stay out of debt, invest your money and use your common sense….  You too could potential be rich or at least financially independent someday!

Much like Neo in “The Matrix“, you have to believe that you are the one, and fake it until you are the one.  Then at some point, much like the turning point in “The Matrix”…  You are the one!

One of the more important point within the movie is that without other people, Neo would still be chained to his bleak 9 to 5 job, working away getting nowhere!  This is analogous to getting a human support structure that positively give you encouragement, or even advice on how you can succeed and live better!

Half the battle is believing in yourself!  Next is taking action and making supportive friends to help you and enable you to enjoy life!  Friends can make things happen for you, and if you believe in yourself, you can make things happen for yourself!

So wake up financial Neo, start believing you are the one!  The one who will make you financially independent and possible rich!

-MR

The Rich Employee at McDonalds

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Some employees at McDonalds are wealthier than you think!

Okay, Alice, who just graduated from high school isn’t the wealth employee that I’m talking about.  Nor is Nancy, who drives to work with her husband (both are in their 60s and both are avid smokers).  I know they both smoke because right before they get the doors at McDonalds, they both toss there cigarettes on to the sidewalk (yes, I hate that).  Nancy who delivers the food at the Drive-Thru window, does her job quietly.  No friendly recognition from her!

No, my point of reference for this post is Clark Kent (not his real name), the extra friendly employee at the McDonalds Drive-Thru. 

Before I tell of Clark Kent’s background, let me explain his current accomplishments that I know of (and just from McDonalds)! 

  • First, Clark Kent looks different.  He displays 4 of the gold excellence in service awards that he has earned (he has more, but he said 4 is enough to wear).  These gold stars pins are something special where after so many people call in to McDonalds complimenting the employee’s work, that McDonalds gives these gold pins out (at least at the McDonalds in my area)…  Kind of like an job excellence award?
  • Clark Kent travels often, He talks of his trips to Florida often.
  • Clark was flown (all expenses paid dining and hotel) to speak with my company’s CEO.  During one of our mandatory company exercises, enough people used him as a reference as an superb example of customer service on the questionaire, that our CEO flew him out to Cali just to have lunch or dinner with him.  I believe Clark Kent and his wife got a mini-vacation out of this.
  • Clark Kent is a great communicator!  He talks clearly but quickly, and is always smiling and asking how you are today.  He repeats what you ordered before you get to the Drive-in window to eliminate errors.  For certain customers, he make it a point to learn there names (including me of course…).  I’m sure he know hundreds of name of customers.

Okay, so Clark is an expert at his job and receives benefits and perks by doing such a great job that most people anywhere would have to be impressed. 

So what is his background:

  • Clark is a retired manager from a very large manufacturing company.  His area of expertise was engineering.
  • Clark is at least 60+, but moves like someone 20 years younger.
  • He has a large house and some of the nicer tools and toys in life.
  • He loves his job!  He is the supreme example of “Lemons to Lemonade” that is one of my categories.
  • He works for the social benefits and for extra money to travel on vacations.

So what have I noticed that makes Clark special?

  • Clark is and expert at communication!  I’m sure this translated well in his pre-retirement position as a manager.
  • He does special extra activities the perform his job better!  Repeating what you ordered back is a great feedback tool that will reduce ordering errors.
  • He is very positive and friendly.
  • He doesn’t really need this job to survive!  This takes the edge off!
  • He is very aware of the performance requirement of the job.  He once told me how quickly the McDonalds queue is suppose to move.  I’m sure he is like this with any job.

I think it is amazing that my company CEO flew Clark Kent out just to meet him!  It just shows you, when you try hard and remain upbeat, positive things can happen as a consequence!

Do you know of any stories of rewards for doing a great job, like what happened to Clark? 

-MR

Tools To Help Me Become Financial Independent

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In theory, I should be able to obtain at least 1 million dollars 10 years from now.  As long as I stay frugal, and invest using principal of dollar cost averaging, and occassionally rebalance my portfolio (this is currently my biggest weakness), then I should be able to conquer that million dollar milestone.

How did I start believing that I could achieve financial independence? 

I started by reading “The Millionaire Next Door” when I was young and just starting college.  The problem with the book (at least the edition that I read), was that the numbers were a little dated, but the principals still rang true!

What is helping me focus on my goal of becoming financial independent?

  • Automated investments.  Using this technique, I’m saving for my Retirement and my kid’s future college expenses.
  • Statistics on the rich and the bell curve distribution of wealth in American…  This feedback helps me gauge whether I’m behind or doing okay.
  • Spreadsheets to track my progress.  Today, there are online site that can accomplish this now, like www.mint.com and www.networthiq.com.  I also keep a milestone spreadsheet just for motivation.
  • Quality books like “The Millionaire Next Door”.  Examples of the wealthy in “The Millionaire Next Door” gave me hope.  After reading this book, I realized that one don’t have to be born into wealth to achieve it.  In the past, I read about the exceptions, but I always thought that I’d have about as much a chance of getting rich that way as I would getting rich via winning the lottery…, pretty slim.  “The Millionaire Next Door” gave me hope and enabled me to Believethat in it was possible after all!
  • Picking the perfect risk model for my core investments (especially those in my 401(k)).  Although, I still do play with a little bit of cash in speculative investments.
  • Saving more than 20% of my salary.  It takes a little bit of sacrifice now to payoff later.

What tools are you using to obtain the financially independent goal?

-MR

Is Your Family History Holding You Back?

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Where do you come from? and is it holding you back?

I’ve seen many friends take the attitude that they are from a “this or that” family background and they can’t do whatever…  Are you letting lines in your family history rule your earning potential?  If you are, consider stopping it!!!

Life is strange, but your family history shouldn’t define who you are!  Perhaps you come from a family line of butchers, but your are a vegan.  You don’t fit in, so don’t try to fit in!  Find your own way!

I was the first in my family to get a bachelors degree.  Surprisingly, I almost didn’t consider going to college.  After all, my immediate family didn’t, nor did any of my other relatives (cousins or otherwise).  I had to kind of blaze my own trail, it was an odd feeling…  At time I didn’t even feel like I belonged in college.  I felt like an impostor!

If I had followed in my family’s footsteps, I would be working at a grocery, retail, or construction job.  It wasn’t easy to go against the grain with respect to my family history, but they were all supportive!  My younger sister recently earned her bachelors degree too, and now she’s going for her MBA.

Not that many years ago, I felt a bit like an poser at work.  Since from early on, I have been use to manual labor, I always feel like I’m goofing off if I’m not rushing around.  Others at work don’t seem to have this problem…

Anyway, the message that I want to convey is don’t let things hold you back! 

We only get so many opportunities to be who we want to be before we get to established in our ways… 

Take advantage of it while you can, have no fear!!!

-MR