Archives For Greg Whitaker

072 DSR – Money Words

December 19, 2012 — 2 Comments

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the-words-money

Why do you think money is called “currency?” It’s a metaphor for electricity. How does your brain tell your body to move muscles? It sends electrical impulses to them and they move.

Ever heard of gold referred to as “bullion?” Where do you think the term bullion comes from? At one time in history a persons wealth was determined by how many head of cattle/oxen they owned. The money of that day was “bull”, hence the word bullion.

The word “money” has been said to come from the Egyptian moon goddess. Money with another “o” added is “Mooney.” Mooney with “ey” dropped is moon. See the subtle difference? What are we really worshipping if we worship money? Hmmm….

The secret to debt elimination is understanding what money truly represents. It represents energy. When you borrow energy from someone else you are assuming:

1) You don’t have any energy yourself or
2) You are incapable of creating your own energy

Another secret to debt elimination is understanding we are borrowing and being sold a false copy of what we already possess. Money is a false representation of your life force.

There was a time when currency wasn’t used. Before that people bartered. They traded two loaves of bread for a fish, for example. Before they bartered they gave freely to each other what was needed.

Let’s make it simple again and stop looking outside ourselves for what we already possess. Get out of debt and stay out. Stop participating in this false paradigm called “currency.” You are the power.

Do you really know the meaning and origin of the words you use? Pay attention. Look at the words. What are their anagrams? Words create worlds. What are you creating?

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

2012 Copyright – Greg A. Whitaker – All Rights Reserved

In Money , ,
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071 DSR – Chasing Paper

December 12, 2012 — Leave a comment

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Meme Book

A wise man once said if we spent as much time working on our inner standing (enlightenment) as we do on the pursuit of paper (money), we’d already be adepts. Agreed. How long have you been chasing money? Why do you? Who told you that’s what you’re supposed to do?

I’m 43 and just learning to slow down my chase of money. Still doing it, yes. More aware I want to slow down and eventually stop? Yep. I still build the vision of a day without having to use it in this thing called the 3D world.

Definition:
A meme [1] is “an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture.”[2] A meme acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols or practices, which can be transmitted from one mind to another through writing, speech, gestures, rituals or other imitable phenomena. Supporters of the concept regard memes as cultural analogues to genes in that they self-replicate, mutate and respond to selective pressures.[3]

I’m seeing money as a massive meme. The idea of earning, spending, saving, and storing it is a learned behavior. We chase paper that holds only perceived worth because the collective says it has worth. We’re taught from cradle to grave this is life. We fear not having enough of this paper. We fear the punishment of not giving enough of this paper to government (taxes).

What is a contract? A piece of paper. Think of contract as a verb, not a noun. When something contracts, it tightens, squeezes shut, becomes smaller. Hmmmm….

We even buy into allowing someone else to define our very freedom by what they write on a piece of paper. They call it a law but it starts out first as a bill. Sound like money? The power of paper. The power of our acceptance of the idea the paper has power.

I’m seeing a life with less money, less need for it, less chasing of this paper. I encourage you to join me in this thought exercise. It starts with gaining knowledge.

Resource:
Virus of the Mind: The New Science of the Meme

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

2012 Copyright – Greg A. Whitaker – All Rights Reserved

In Money, Psychology , ,
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070 DSR – The Secret of Debt Elimination

December 8, 2012 — Leave a comment

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dollar

There’s a secret The US gov’t doesn’t want you to know. The Federal Reserve dreads your understanding this powerful truth. Why? Because once you know the truth and stop playing their rigged game, these people in control lose. And you get your freedom and power back.

When you realize Congress can lend money interest free, you’ll scratch your head. They don’t want to do that for one simple reason. If they loan it interest free to the people, The Federal Reserve is out of business. Congress spends more and more money each year and grows the size, power, and control of government.

In order to do that each year without raising your taxes, they borrow it from The Federal Reserve Bank. Every time you borrow money you automatically create more money that doesn’t exist in the interest you have to pay. This is inflation on crack. You are, unknowingly, making the problem worse when you borrow money.

Imagine borrowing $100k to buy a house and paying back $100k, no interest. The interest on a $100k mortgage loan can be as much as twice the loan amount. So you’re paying for two houses, but you only get one. Imagine paying no interest and paying your house off in half the time!

But what if The Federal Reserve is no longer around? Won’t The US economy collapse? No. How do I know that? The Federal Reserve didn’t exist prior to 1913 and we were doing just fine without them. The US government collected federal taxes from imports and a few consumption taxes.

Fact: In 1913 The Federal Reserve Act became law.
Fact: In 1913 The Internal Revenue Service created form 1040, US Individual Income Tax Return.

Are the above two events a coincidence? Of course not. Congress started borrowing money from The Federal Reserve Bank the same year Congress started collecting income tax from you so they could make their monthly payments, plus interest!

The secret of government debt elimination is simple. Congress must stop borrowing money from The Federal Reserve Bank. The secret of debt elimination for you is simple. Stop borrowing money from The Federal Reserve Bank. All the money is coming from the same place.

The secret to debt elimination is simple:
STOP BORROWING MONEY

The fiscal cliff we need to avoid is our own incorrect thinking and ignorance about money. You are the revolution.

Resources:
The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve

Common Cents: A Retiring Six-Term Congressman Reveals How Congress Really Works-And What We Must Do to Fix It

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

2012 Copyright – Debt Shepherd – All Rights Reserved

In Money, The Basics, The Economy , ,
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069 DSR – The Child You Once Were

December 7, 2012 — Leave a comment

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31025_451664834897548_1652506184_n

This blog post is dedicated to my wife Lynn and aunt Tammy. They both commented on a pic from facebook that posed a most interesting question:

What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?

The child I once was would think this of the adult I’ve become:

Hey old man. Not too shabby. Not too shabby at all. Congratulations on surviving childhood and puberty. Didn’t think you’d pull out of that marathon drinking career of yours but you did. You’re so much nicer to be around and you laugh a lot more.

You’ve still got a pretty wild imagination. But don’t keep it under your hat so much. Let it out for the world to see more often. I notice you still love to read, learn, and share knowledge with everyone around you. Don’t lose that bro. Don’t lose that.

Looks like you listened to Mom and learned to love people no matter what color their skin is or where they came from. I almost forgot. You actually are color blind! Seeing the good in most everybody means you’ve got more friends to play with. Pretty cool, huh? You edit what you say once in a while but I understand you have to sometimes do that to get along in the world.

You paid attention to Mom and Dad and learned what a sense of humor is all about. Cool beans. I’m happy you finally realized there’s nothing you’re supposed to do. Just do what makes you happy. Live for the moment. You still remember what it’s like to get excited about learning something new. And you still look forward to staying up late once in a while on a Friday night and sleeping in on Saturday.

By the way, your favorite color is blue. I think it’s great you spend most of your spare time talking to strangers on the radio. Remember, the only thing you got in trouble for in school was talking too much? Revenge is sweet, ain’t it?

Don’t be sad when other grown ups keep hurting themselves with self hate. You were once there and you eventually learned to love yourself. Give em’ time. God is whispering in their ears just like he did in yours. They’ll hear the voice.

You have a big heart. Don’t say I’m sorry for who you are. Keep waking up every day looking forward to what happens next. Teach others what you learn. It’s how us kids do it.

I just want to say how proud I am of you. I’m not mad at you for when you used to be afraid to be a kid. It’s OK to be scared sometimes. The world can be a dark place. Just remember to turn on the light switch. I know you don’t want children of your own, but If I had to pick anyone else to be my Dad, you’d be the one I’d pick.

You’re my best friend. I love you Greg.

What would the child you once were think of the adult you have become?

Copyright 2012 – Debt Shepherd – All Rights Reserved

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 Get Personal, Motivation
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068 DSR – Where Are The Statistics?

December 5, 2012 — Leave a comment

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statistics
Money’s all about counting right? How much do we have? How much did we lose? How much do we earn? How much are we worth, etc? I rarely use statistics. There’s a few reasons.

First of all, statistics can be used to prove any point a person wants to make. If you’re smart enough you can prove anything with statistics. Even if the numbers don’t appear to support your point.

Secondly, statistics are boring and take the human being element out of the conversation. I’m not going to reduce myself or anyone else to a mere number on a chart. It’s cold, lacks heart, and just doesn’t jive with how I roll.

Most importantly, statistics have a way of mesmerizing us. They have this weird hypnotic quality about them. And most folks seem to really get glassy eyed when the statistics are from some “authority figure.” Putting people into categories with numbers feels like lab rat stuff to me.

And you are much more than a number or lab rat. No doubt about it. I’m willing to bet you’re in the minority of free thinkers who are awake and don’t let statistics decide for you. Critical thinking is what I’m talking about.

I don’t need to puke a bunch of numbers on you to convince you something needs to change in The US economy. Of course I don’t. You look around and you know something ain’t jivin’ baby. Likewise, if your personal economy is lacking you don’t need a graph to explain it. You know because of how it feels.

So I choose to approach things from the human being side of your nature. If you hear something that really strikes a cord inside it’s because light recognizes light. I say let’s take this thing called learning about money “From the boardroom suite to the street.” Thank you Robert Wesley Branch for that quote.

You aren’t a number. The Social Security Administration may think otherwise. The IRS may think otherwise. Your insurance company may think otherwise. Don’t buy into it. You work the numbers. The numbers don’t work you. Money is a tool. Money is the slave and you are it’s master. Not the other way around.

Numbers are a sign post that point to an underlying behavior. Numbers show us effect or end result, not cause. If your savings account is consistently at a zero balance, the zero is an indication of your behavior. You have a seeming inability or unwillingness to save money. To solve that problem, you have to work on the cause (your behavior) not the effect (zero balance).

Resource:
Shadow Statistics

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 , ,
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067 DSR – The Elimination of Television

December 3, 2012 — Leave a comment

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poltergeist

Who’s raising your children? Who makes your decisions for you?

If you’ve ever wondered how TV affects your children or you, then read on. The three resources below will have you either chomping at the bit for more, pissed off at the system, or running scared. Who knows? As long as something inside your brain shifts, I’ve done my job here.

Resources:
Book – Four Arguments for the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander

amazon.com book description:
“A total departure from previous writing about television, this book is the first ever to advocate that the medium is not reformable. Its problems are inherent in the technology itself and are so dangerous — to personal health and sanity, to the environment, and to democratic processes — that TV ought to be eliminated forever.”

Video – Jerry Mander (9 min)

All you drooling sports fans get ready to be insulted! Ladies, love your soap operas? You’re in for a real treat. Here’s how TV & Sports are being used to manipulate:

Video – Fall of The Republic (11 min)

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, Technology ,
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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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