Archives For Money

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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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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What is a Bond?

November 22, 2012 — Leave a comment

bond

Let’s say you buy a government bond. What exactly does that mean? Let’s break it down from the boardroom suite to the street.

When you buy a bond you are lending the government money. The government is too broke to fund its operations without perpetual debt. The government pays you back, plus interest, by taxing its citizens.

The profit you make minus taxes & depreciation means you make zero profit. It means it’s costing you money to lend money to the government.

Let’s use a simpler example. I’m the citizen, you’re the government.

I lend you $100 dollars (a bond). To make monthly payments you steal money from me (taxes). Is there anything in that equation that sounds good? If the answer is no, there’s hope for you.

If you think “investing” in government bonds is a great idea, I’m challenging you to think again. The US government is so broke it has to perpetually borrow money. It pays you back by stealing from you (taxes). The money it pays you back with is so worthless (inflation) that you’re losing money in the “investment.” Zero profit to you.

There’s nothing smart about the entire transaction. The average US citizen doesn’t know what a government issued bond is. So ignorance is the reason this crazy game called The US economy keeps being played. Buying government issued bonds isn’t an investment. It’s keeping the junkie with a needle in his arm. “Investing” in government issued bonds isn’t patriotic, it’s unhealthy for this nation.

If you want to turn this economy around you have to understand how it works and why it’s broken. Get educated. Apply what you learn in your life. Share by teaching others what you learn.

Resources:
What is a Bond?

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, The Economy
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062 DSR – Money: The Magnifying Glass

November 9, 2012 — 1 Comment

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Magnifying Glass

If I had more money, my life would get better. I could do what I really want to do. I’d change. I wouldn’t be mad at the world anymore. People would finally respect me. They’d love me. I could impress people. They’d think I was smart.

If I won the lottery I’d tell my boss to stick this job up his butt. I could finally give some money to charity. The scenarios go on, don’t they?

If you’re an idiot making $20k/year you’ll be an even bigger idiot making $200k/year. I hear you having that lame conversation in your head right now, “No, not me. I’m different. And even if I’m still miserable with more money at least I’ll be miserable AND comfortable.” Comfortable is dangerous. It keeps you from kicking your own ass.

Money is the great equalizer, isn’t it? It levels the playing field when you’re out looking for a mate. It’s like perfume that attracts prey. Make a mistake and money can cover it up. Live recklessly and money can bring order out of chaos. Get arrested and buy your way out of it. Rich people do it all the time, don’t they?

It’s easy to think if we just had some more money we could really start living life. There’s only one problem. Whether you’ve got money or not, you’re still living life. How are you living $10/hr and what would magically change about who you really are if you started making $100/hr?

Money is like a magnifying glass. It distorts the image and blows it up so you can see all the small details of the object you’re examining. More money shows the world all the small details of who you really are. Where/how you spend is an expression of what’s important to you.

Money is an excuse we use to live lives of mediocrity. I can’t because I’ve got bills. I can’t because I’ve got a mortgage payment. Once we get some money we’ll live our dreams. No matter how much money you’ve got, you’re living your dream right now. If you aren’t happy with what you’re dreaming, you screwed up somewhere in this equation. You just use lack of money as an excuse. And the hamster on the treadmill marches on.

Money is a magnifying glass showing the world the real you. Money is a mirror that shows you the real you. Don’t like what you see? Buying a bigger mirror isn’t going to solve the problem. You can’t change the mirror. You can change you.

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 ,
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REAL Money Talk: Healthy Relationships & Marriage

October 26, 2012 — Leave a comment

GSRT

I’d like to introduce you to a radio show producer named Mikial Moore. His show is called Grown Soul & Real Talk. He recently asked me to be a featured guest on his show. When I said yes, I had no idea how wild of a ride it was going to be!

For 2.5 hrs. we talked about money as it relates to relationships and marriage. We covered a lot of how the economy really works. More importantly, we discussed real solutions for regular folks.

Follow the resource link below to hear the entire 2.5 hrs. We “Chop It Up” with his two co-hosts and really expose the system for what it is. It’s a rigged game that you and I weren’t meant to win. And there’s something you can do to change it.

If you’re sick and tired of getting kicked around by inflation, unemployment, or taxes then this show is for you. It’s a little spicy, so parental discretion is advised. The Debt Shepherd lets his hair down in this one. We cut to the bone and tell it like it is. Unfiltered for your leisurely consumption. Enjoy.

Resources:
Grown Soul & Real Talk

In Education, Money, The Economy , ,
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058 DSR – It’s Never Too Late

October 15, 2012 — Leave a comment

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clock
Don’t wait until you’re behind on your house, car, or credit card payments to reach out and ask for help. It doesn’t have to get that bad. It’s never too late to stop what you’re doing and change direction.

Too often we don’t ask for help with our finances because of fear, ignorance, or embarrassment. Talking about our personal finances is still taboo in America. Why? Because how/where we spend our money reveals to the world exactly what’s important to us. If you’re telling the world one thing is important and your spending says otherwise, it’s time for a checkup from the neck up.

It’s never too late to ask for help. Just remember, a bankruptcy isn’t a magic pill. After the smoke clears you still have to learn to pay your bills on time and make wiser financial decisions. And, yes, a foreclosure isn’t a pleasant experience. AND it’s not the end of your life. After a foreclosure you have to live somewhere. If that means renting for a while, then so be it.

Help is out there. You have to make the first move. If there’s a funny sound coming from under the hood of your car, ignoring it isn’t going to fix it. Your money is no different. Whistling in the dark isn’t going to keep you safe. Reach out and turn on the light switch.

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, Motivation , ,
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050 DSR – The Importance of Financial Health

September 19, 2012 — Leave a comment

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Health
Why is your financial health so important? Quite simply, because it’s connected to everything else. If your financial life is suffering, other areas of your life will suffer too. That’s why getting and staying healthy with your money is so important.

This audio is a 45 minute talk I gave at Bread of Life Ministries in Mt. Juliet in April 2011. I was invited to speak to about 10 or 15 folks that day. You’ll hear basic ideas and tips on how to improve your finances. I share a bit of my story of how my wife Lynn and I got started on our journey to improved financial health.

You can improve your financial health. It’s simple, but might not be easy. Everyone is different. It takes a willingness to change and action to move you in the right direction. If you want to see improvement in this area of your life you have to be ready, willing, and able to do what it takes to see results. You’ll get some ideas in this audio on how to get started.

Give us a call on our voicemail feedback hotline at 615-200-7189 or drop Greg an email.

In Health, Money , ,
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