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Posts Tagged ‘financial planning’
How often have you caught yourself saying: “I Can’t Afford It”? That’s one of the most disempowering phrases we can use in our creative lives. “I can’t afford it” is the financial equivalent of “I don’t deserve it” or “I’m not ready for it.” Of course you deserve it, and of course, you’re ready.
You just have to tell yourself that you are ready, you deserve it, and all you need is a plan.
Now perhaps there truly are some things you may not be able to afford. Like this yacht…
However, more often than not, you could (and should) be breaking down life into two columns:
- I don’t want it.
Or
- I am creating a plan to have it.
Let’s explore these two options: (more…)
Posted in budget, Financial Planning, Goals, money plan, Saving Money, Savings | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | May 17th, 2013
I recently received this email from an actor who just finished working through the Artist’s Prosperity Home Study System:
Miata,
I just have to write and tell you how excited I am to have found you! I’ve been an actor for five years, struggling along with everyone else, and I finally decided that enough is enough: I need to put together a plan so I can really focus.
All of this time, I thought I had already been focusing on my art, when in reality, I was part-timing everything: my job, my family and my craft. Now, you’ve put me on a path that I don’t think I could have accomplished myself. I have an emergency fund, a separate checking account for my business, and for the first time, real hope for the future. While I have yet to score that elusive “great part,” my auditions are much better. I believe this is because I come in focused and without worrying about “how broke I am.” Sure, I still worry about money, but not in the “OMG, I need this role” desperate way that I have in the past.
Thank you again for what you do. I just wanted to let you know there are people out there who appreciate you very much.
Jessica
It is rewarding when we hear from folks who have started to take control of their financial futures, because the unfortunate truth is that many people simply never will.
I was just reading some statistics from a group called the Employee Benefit Research Institute. While most Abundance Bound readers are self-employed (and not employees of others), we frequently fall into these same traps and the results of their recent retirement survey weren’t encouraging: (more…)
Posted in budget, Financial Planning, money plan, Retirement, Saving Money, Savings | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | April 5th, 2013
A talking head on television the other day said, “It takes deep creativity to find quality investment opportunities.”
Is this true?
If investing is about creativity, how come so many members of our community cover their ears the second an investing discussion begins? Why aren’t we the best investors of all?
In fact, when I think of investing, I don’t think about artists. I think about button down suits and Wall Street types. Maybe we’ve been wrong all along.
I think the talking head is right. We should be the world’s best investors. Legendary mutual fund manager Sir John Templeton built a reputation on always looking left automatically if the crowd was gazing to the right. That sounds like our community, doesn’t it? We see the unexpected, feel what others miss, and bring life to what others pass over as the mundane pieces of the world.
Imagine how rich we’d be if we applied our natural abilities to good financial management!
We can apply our abilities to financial planning. We can be great investors. All it requires is for us to overlay the areas where we already excel onto a new palate of good financial habits. (more…)
Posted in budget, Creativity, Daily ProsperiTIP, Financial Planning, Goals, Investments, money plan, Saving Money, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | August 9th, 2012
I was busy with my semi-annual deep clean of my children’s rooms the other day and came across an old Dr. Seuss favorite: Green Eggs & Ham. Although I think you all know the story, I’ll give you the quick executive summary:
Grumpy furry guy says he doesn’t like green eggs and ham.
Sam asks him to try them before passing judgment.
Grumpy furry guy decides to try them.
He falls in love with green eggs and ham.
The end.
In my experience, most people seem to be like the grumpy furry guy. A good friend of mine disliked classical music until I dragged him to a concert. Fast forward five years and he’s calling us to ask if we want to accompany him to the symphony.
It’s fine to dislike music, because although I’d argue that it’s good for your soul, neither your health nor pocketbook are at stake. But when you decide you don’t like investing money, or prefer not to use certain tools to save, it could cost you financially. (more…)
Posted in budget, Business, Creativity, Financial Planning, Goals, Investments, money plan, Saving Money | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | July 12th, 2012
A friend recently said, “I don’t know how you keep all of this straight…what the Dow  Jones is doing, what’s a good rate on a credit card, how a will works, the right type of life insurance. Ouch! It makes my head hurt.”
You may feel the same way about your financial picture. Between your craft, family, friends and obligations, it seems like a huge hassle to remember everything you need to know.
But there’s good news: it’s not that difficult.
I imagine you might be thinking, “Ha! Easy for you to say. You do this every day.”
I understand that it’s a whole new world for many of our readers, but I’m serious: it’s not that difficult.
Sure, you might not understand every point about finalizing a mortgage or how to tell a good mutual fund from a bad one, but like any task, if you organize it correctly, it’s easy to see what you really need to know now and what can wait for later. (more…)
Posted in Financial Planning, money plan | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | May 31st, 2012
 Okay – tell the truth. Even though it can sting a little…don’t you find you appreciate honest, good quality feedback? There are very few people who give us straight advice about anything…especially finances. How am I doing? Could I do better? What needs improvement?
In short, many of us need a Simon Cowell.
I find it kind of painful to watch many of the auditions for shows like American Idol. If you think about it, doesn’t this kind of sum up the average American – Dancing – With – The Voice – Talent contestant’s thought pattern:
- Decide that it’s easier to work your way through a competition than to pay your dues and learn your craft.
- Fail miserably (and publicly) because you weren’t ready for prime time.
- Blame the judges for not seeing the unique talent that is you.
That might sound harsh…but notice the contestants who make it through the audition process and even go on to win. Hear their story. Usually, they’re the ones who came to the show most prepared.
Imagine you’re going to perform for Simon Cowell:
Shouldn’t you make sure you’re absolutely polished before the show? What will you do to make sure you’re ready?
You’re going to hone your craft until you know every inflection, every note of the performance. By the time you’re finished, you’ll even know what the writer was thinking when they wrote the song. You won’t just sing it…if you’re ready, you’ll feel it.
When it comes to financial planning, it’s the same. (more…)
Posted in Education, money plan | No Comments »
Posted by Miata | April 19th, 2012
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