Category Archives: Wealth

The 7 Cardinal Virtues of Money

Money Reflections, Wealth, , , , , ,

“Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall” – William Shakespeare

When you take a look at the way the world runs, you could be forgiven for thinking that it pays to follow a less than honorable path in life. There’s lots of money to be made in the pursuit of nefarious activities, and they often provide a tempting lure for those who seek to get rich.

On the other hand, you will see decent, law-abiding citizens who have made positive contributions to society, struggling to make ends meet. In some cases, taking the righteous route can actually work to your detriment. When it comes to money, is there any value in being virtuous?

Last week, we looked at how the seven deadly sins – lust, gluttony, greed, envy, sloth, wrath and pride – can negatively impact your finances. In the age-old battle of good vs. evil, let’s see how the seven cardinal virtues of money may counteract the destructive effects of the seven financial vices. Continue reading The 7 Cardinal Virtues of Money →

Jamaican Style Money Guide: Wise Monkey Know Which Tree Fi Climb

Investing, Wealth, , , , , ,

We have recently been looking at the importance of saving in designing a financial success plan. While it is critical to consistently put aside a portion of your income to create an emergency account and build an opportunity fund, the reality is that saving alone won’t make you rich.

Saving is essential to help you develop discipline with money, and it also allows you to focus more attention on accumulating money instead of just spending it. In addition, your savings can give you a head start to pursue more lucrative financial options to create long-lasting wealth.

What Does It Take to Build Wealth?

If you have been saving diligently and you are a little disappointed with the slow growth of your bank balance, you need to start employing strategies that will enable you to boost your results. Unlike the relatively passive act of saving, however, building wealth takes a lot more expertise.

I like to utilise clever Jamaican sayings to help clarify money concepts. Our snippet of wisdom for this week declares, “Wise monkey know which tree fi climb.” An experienced monkey searches for the trees with the best food sources and avoids those which hide potential danger. Continue reading Jamaican Style Money Guide: Wise Monkey Know Which Tree Fi Climb →

Financial Freedom

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The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” and the desire for freedom is entrenched in the hearts of people worldwide. While we may enjoy personal liberties here in Jamaica, how many of us can say that we are financially free?

Freedom is usually defined as being devoid of restraints on thought, speech or actions. To be free, you must be able to make choices for your life without any restrictions, apart from legal considerations. When it comes to money, do you believe that you have the ability to determine your financial destiny?

If asked “What does financial freedom mean to you?” different people will provide diverse definitions. One basic concept of money freedom is the ability to finance your preferred lifestyle without stress or debt. To be financially free, you should have autonomy in your income and time to live as you desire. Continue reading Financial Freedom →

A Charitable Route to Wealth

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Many years ago, while I was searching for strategies to eliminate my money problems, I read a book by financial guru Suze Orman which opened my eyes to an interesting principle that promised to help me achieve a better relationship with my money.

In The Courage to Be Rich, Orman opined that it was important for us to connect to the world with our money, and that charity should be a part of our financial plan. Orman noted that giving money away had many benefits that could not only change people’s lives, but improve our own finances.

HOW GIVING BECAME A PRIORITY EXPENSE

I was determined to fix my money woes, so I usually followed the advice of the experts without question. However, the concept of giving away some of my inadequate income to others left me perturbed. How was I going to survive on less money when I couldn’t even pay my bills? Continue reading A Charitable Route to Wealth →

Don’t Settle for Less – Aim Higher

Goals, Wealth, , , , , , , ,

Recently, I conducted a training session for sales persons from various Caribbean countries, where I outlined the budgeting techniques which would allow them to manage their income effectively. I also demonstrated how using a budget could help them to set and achieve their sales goals.

One participant from a smaller island explained that it was hard to stick to her budget because she often received widely fluctuating bills from a utility company in her country. She could pay as much as fifty per cent more on a bill, without actually increasing her usage of the service.

“How can you manage your money when your budgeted expenses are not consistent?” she asked. Continue reading Don’t Settle for Less – Aim Higher →

Getting Out of the Rat Race

Book Review, Wealth, , , ,

“Warning: Do not read this book unless you want to quit your job!”

With such a dramatic introduction to The 4-Hour Workweek, I was instantly hooked. The blurb on the back cover continued, “Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, this book is the blueprint.” I mentally placed a check against each of these desires.

As I started reading Timothy Ferriss’s debut Wall Street Journal best-seller, I realised that his cautionary advice was not merely a great marketing plug. The 4-hour Work Week is not a recommended resource for employees who value the perceived security of their jobs. If you really love working for other people, this book may be too disturbing or intimidating for you. Continue reading Getting Out of the Rat Race →

What’s Your Net Worth Really Worth?

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As we strive to move up the ladder of success, one of the benchmarks that we can use to gauge our progress is our net worth. Your net worth is a measure of your financial value which is calculated by subtracting your total liabilities from the total value of your assets. In essence, it is the net value of all the things you own, less all the things you owe.

According to T Harv Eker, best-selling author of the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, net worth is a fundamental measure of wealth. Eker reveals that persons who are determined to be rich will focus their efforts on increasing their net worth.

So if one of your money goals for this year is to build your wealth, you should be paying close attention to your net worth. Continue reading What’s Your Net Worth Really Worth? →

What’s the State of your Estate?

Retirement & Estate Planning, Wealth, , , , , , , , ,

Many people are so focused on trying to make ends meet that they can find little time to think about the requirements of the future. “What’s the use of putting aside money for tomorrow if I can’t even pay my bills today?” they may say. Even further from consideration is making plans for what should be done with their money when they die.

Maintaining the money that you have worked hard for is a vital element of financial planning. You should not only concentrate on managing the funds you currently have or on earning more money; it’s also crucial to work on protecting your assets throughout your lifetime and beyond. Financially successful people always make preparations to preserve their wealth for future generations.

Since the beginning of the year, we have been discussing our 2012 Money Manifesto, which shows you how to create a comprehensive action plan to improve your finances. One of the manifesto’s pledges is that you should create an estate plan and leave a financial legacy of wealth for your beneficiaries to enjoy. Continue reading What’s the State of your Estate? →

The Secret of the Greatest Salesman in the World

Book Review, Wealth, , , , , , , , ,

A good book can weave a storyline that arouses all of your senses and emotions. Finely crafted phrases can paint a picture as vivid as a Michelangelo masterpiece; create a dish as appealing as the finest gourmet meal; produce a sound as stirring as a Bob Marley classic; and stimulate an aroma as comforting as the smell of a mother’s perfume.

Apart from the sheer pleasure it can bring, reading is also a great medium for learning. I have discovered that all of the important concepts of financial success are laid out in books, readily available for anyone who wishes to grasp them. I frequently recommend persons to search for the answers to their money problems in books.

While some people may think that financial titles might be a little boring, and devoid of intriguing plots that would stimulate their interest, that isn’t always the case. There are several books that present essential principles in very entertaining ways, which can excite your imagination and educate you at the same time.

The Greatest Salesman in the World, an international bestseller by motivational writer Og Mandino, will captivate you from the first paragraph until you regretfully reach the last page. Mandino creates a fascinating tale that takes a mundane topic for many people – sales success – and makes it come alive for anyone to enjoy. Continue reading The Secret of the Greatest Salesman in the World →

Create Wealth by Building a Business System

Business Success, Wealth, , , , , , , , ,

We have been looking at some key principles of financial success – becoming disciplined about budgeting and saving, being prudent about getting into debt, and setting and achieving smart goals. We have also discussed the importance of creating additional income to meet your basic money needs.

However, if you want to attain financial security and eventually become financially free, you have to move beyond just managing your money well and learn how to effectively multiply your money. You need to acquire new skills and techniques that can help you to create long-lasting wealth.

Understanding how to multiply money is usually difficult for most people because it involves changing long-held negative mindsets towards making money. Although many people say they want to be rich, they are really not willing to put in the hard work that’s required to learn how to do it. Continue reading Create Wealth by Building a Business System →