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Archive for the ‘Newsletters’ Category
 This time of year I like to look back over the last twelve months and reflect. For me, life is about making mistakes–mentors have told me that if you don’t make any mistakes, you aren’t moving fast enough. This year has been a whirlwind, so I must have made some real doozies!
While it certainly can be difficult, I try not to dwell on my missteps as long as I learn from them. At this time of year, I also like to learn from events and the mistakes of others. There are five that I think are well worth reflecting on before we march into 2012:
1) Don’t Wait on Government…In Fact, Don’t Wait.
Politics seemed to enter our life more than ever this year, with Republicans and Democrats waiting to the last minute before passing legislation in several key areas, including funding to keep the government open!
I’ve met people who’ve said that they can’t do any long-range planning because they’re unsure what measures the government is about to pass, or they aren’t sure if the tax structure is going to change, or they want to wait and see who the next president is.
Most artisans work on a 1099 income basis, so some important areas such as health care and small business taxes can have a big impact on your bottom line.
….but does this mean you should wait?
Waiting on the government doesn’t make any sense to me. Is it better to have a plan in place that you may need to adjust or to have no plan at all? I’d always prefer to revisit my plan when the government finally decides their actions, than be held hostage to whatever political problems crop up.
The Bottom line: Plan now and adjust as events occur. (more…)
Posted in Banking, Debt, Education, Investments, Newsletters, money plan | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | December 29th, 2011
 Honing a craft is a solitary activity. Excellence means many hours out of the spotlight, so that once you’re finally ready for prime-time, all of the finer points of the work are complete. To your audience it’s effortless; you’re a pro.
Unfortunately, this “solitary confinement” approach to excellence often clashes with successful money management. The government and business community are constantly revising rules that affect your ability to manage your money.
That’s precisely what happened late last month. A new credit card law went into place that has the potential to have a devastating effect on some artists. I thought I’d give you my take on the rules and some ideas of how to respond, so that you aren’t surprised the next time you apply for credit.
Here’s the part of the ruling which could derail your planning: you can no longer use spousal or overall household income to apply for credit.
What does this mean for artists? If you’re working full-time (or near full-time) on your craft, your income may not yet be where you’d like it to be. First, you may be spending money that counts against your income, lowering the amount you can claim. Or, you may be still building skills to make money later. In either case, you may now find it difficult to secure credit in your name. (more…)
Posted in Credit Cards, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | November 3rd, 2011
Ah, September…the month leaves begin to change from green to shades of red and yellow. Sounds of fall sports and school buses fill the chilled autumn air. And my thoughts turn to the holiday season and the pageantry, colored lights, office parties, family and a new year upon us.
Huh? Are we still talking about September?
Getting your financial house in order is about planning for the future. One single month of the year causes my clients more financial pain than any other. More money is spent, more credit card debt is created, and more savings take a big hit. That month is December.
But NOW is the time you can do something about it. (more…)
Posted in Debt, Newsletters, Saving Money, money plan | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | September 8th, 2011
 Last week, an old friend called to meet for lunch. I suggested we try a comfortable mid-priced place with a patio, but she insisted on one of the nicest restaurants in town. Arriving, I couldn’t help but notice that her car was worth about double mine. She was dressed from head to toe in designer clothes and sported a pair of sunglasses I suspected cost so much that I’d be far too nervous to wear them. I was surprised to see how much money she’d apparently made, and mentioned it when we sat down.
“My students would love to know your secret,” I said. “You’re obviously doing really well. That’s fantastic.”
She sat back and sighed. For the first time since we’d met, I saw how tired she appeared.
“My secret,” she laughed, “is that I’m in over my head. That’s why I wanted to meet you. I’ve got to get my sanity back. The credit card debt is killing me.”
Needless to say, I was shocked. Nothing that I saw in front of me was the truth.
I understand the desire to appear successful. It’s important to project a confident image with our peers and potential clients. But spending money that we don’t have only makes things worse. Here’s how: (more…)
Posted in Credit Cards, Debt, Newsletters | 1 Comment »
Posted by Miata | July 28th, 2011
 It’s time for the big reveal: I’m not a fan of spring cleaning.
Once I’ve finally dug in and begun the process, I enjoy organizing shelf space and rearranging household supplies so they’re easier to find. When it’s over, I’m always glad it’s done, and I love that when I want something, it’s right at my fingertips. Yet, if you asked me what my least favorite five tasks around the house would be, cleaning closets and organizing the garage would be near the top.
I mention this because the other day someone mentioned that for her, financial organization is like a trip to the dentist. She dreads the process and can’t wait for it to be over. My friend said that she’d much rather focus on her craft than organize her money. She loves the tools that I’ve made available and the coaching that she receives, but in the end she cried, “Miata, why can’t someone just do it for me?”
Ouch.
Let’s be clear. Most of my audience isn’t in love with the financial planning process. They don’t relish budgeting. I can’t recall any stories about my students jumping out of bed in the morning, clapping hands and screaming, “It’s time to review my car insurance!” Shockingly, it doesn’t happen. So why do people subject themselves to this process? Why do they endure the pain of learning how to streamline their financial lives? Wise savers know that the same truth about organizing closets applies to their financial picture. Once it’s clean, everything goes more smoothly. Items don’t get lost. Money decisions quicken. Accounts are easier to follow.
A solid financial plan frees up more time for your craft
(more…)
Posted in Creativity, Goals, Mindset, Newsletters, Uncategorized, abundance, organization | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | June 2nd, 2011
Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know that we’ll soon be posting some of our previously archived newsletters. So look out for those, in addition to the other fun tidbits you’re finding here. More witticism to come.
Keep on creating. Keep on inspiring one another.
B.
Posted in News, Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Bryan | August 27th, 2010
Abundance is all around us, and even when we’re not aware of the bright signs of prosperity, they shine on, hoping to attract our gaze. Sadly, our attention is often misdirected. We concern ourselves with the depressed economy, or compare ourselves to those with more stuff, cash or opportunities, or we pine over dreams that have yet to come true.
This Holiday Season, we invite you to reconfigure your focus. We know that the greatest rewards in life are free: the health and love of family, friends, and fellow artists. We challenge you to adopt a spirit of gratitude. Share in the revelry that life’s simplest pleasures can offer. Laughter, community, and the bold expression of your talents are the seeds of gentle greatness, so selflessly feed on these fruits to nourish and grow strong.
 After a free coaching session with Santa's elves. Bryan asked for cookies... Hats are not cookies.
There’s plenty of time to think about and talk about money. Let’s continue that conversation in 2010. Together. For now, the one opportunity for joy exists in this moment. Seize it intently, live fully and without restraint, smile broadly and dance. Celebrate all that you have with humility.
From our entire team, our best wishes for a joyous, passionate and prosperous holiday season. Thank you for choosing to be part of our community. We simply cannot wait to create 2010 with you.
With gratitude,
Miata & The Abundance Bound Creative Team
Posted in Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | December 23rd, 2009
Welcome to Abundance Bound’s brand new site! Art and money do mix, after all!
We’re so grateful to have this new opportunity to connect with our community and expand the artistic and financial success of artists everywhere.
Make certain that you snag a seat in our next free teleseminar and download our free financial resources, designed to jumpstart your progress right away, at zero cost to you. Then take a spin through the pages to read about all of our wonderful products and services, determined to prove that an artist can learn about money while pursuing the most creative of ambitions. And if you love what you read here at The Gold Standard, please refer your friends. Better yet, become an affiliate and share a piece of the wealth today and forever more!
Okay, okay. TMI. You just wanted to visit a blog. Well, more updates and pithy remarks to follow soon. And thank you for visiting us at Abundance Bound. Your participation means a great deal, and we look forward to your contribution in uniting the movement!
To your prosperity,
Miata Edoga & The Abundance Bound Creative Team
Posted in Newsletters | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | July 31st, 2009
We have spent the past few issues teaching you how to prepare yourself for financial abundance. You know how to treat your business finances as an entity separate from your personal finances, you know how to organize and keep track of your expenses, and you know from where you are starting on this financial journey.
Great! Now what?
(more…)
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Posted by Miata | July 7th, 2006
Up to this point, our articles have focused on your current financial situation, on knowing from where you are starting. Now we are going to take you to the other extreme—where you want to end up. Where you are going is almost as important as your starting point. It gives you a destination, a target, a place on which to set your sights.
If you think about a successful business, you can be very sure that behind the scenes there is a successful business plan, one that was put in place when the organization was born and one that is centered on a Vision. The company will have laid out in this business plan where they want to be in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years. They will know what their ultimate goal is in very specific terms. They won’t just say they want to be the best. They will say that their goal is to be at the top of the Fortune 500 list in 5 years.
Think of your financial life as a road trip. You know from where you are starting—New York. You know where you want to go—sunny Miami. Now that you have your starting point and your destination, you can plan how you will get there. You can plan it in stages and you can even stop to see some of the sights along the way. You can travel as quickly as possible or you can take the scenic route.
This is the same as your financial journey. In the past few issues, we have helped you determine your starting point and now we will help you figure out your destination or your Vision. Then you will have what it takes to make your plan.
(more…)
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Posted by Miata | June 16th, 2006
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