Cost Cutting, Savings, and Getting that Raise

    The development of a mindset for cost savings, is becoming vitally
    important in all areas of your life. Understanding how much you're wasting,
    and adopting principles to correct it, is critical to sustaining many
    households. You've known for many years, that "any savings is earned
    income"! But now you'll also need to possess the disciplines to maintain
    a "saving mindset", so you won't miss a single saving's opportunity. And
    this information will put you in a position to help your family and friends do
    the same.       
 
    Cultivate an attitude of identifying ways for eliminating waste and constantly,
    be in search of opportunities to save. Waste is a constant drain on the family
    budget. We're talking about spending good money on a product or service
    and leaving the commodity at the front door. This must be stopped!
    Understanding the value in every dollar that goes through your household, is
    vitally important.   
    
    Instill in all family members, "all savings is earned income!" This principle is
    one of the best gifts you could ever give your children! Emphasize to them
    repeatedly, the magic of compounding interests. Dollars at work, is the basis
    for financial freedom. If you have enough dollars working for you, soon you
    won't have to!
        
    Develop the habit of, "always saving!" Compare shopping is a great idea
    idea because in most instances, any product or service can be had at a
    lesser price, without sacrificing quality. Do your homework. It will pay you
    dividends.
    
    Involving your children in your waste and cost cutting practices, will equip
    them to far outpace their contemporaries. Your kids deserve this head start.
    Fill their yet-developed brains with information they will benefit from, for the
    rest of their lives.
    
    The legacy of a high Financial I.Q., and the eliminating of all unecessary
    waste, are the greatest gifts you can pass on to your children. The consistent
    practice of saving anywhere possible, assures you won't miss any savings
    opportunities. And always keeping in mind, savings is just like giving giving
    yourself a raise. By regularly working these principles, you will be astounded
    at how far your money will go.

Financial Wellness and the poison of Victimization

There has always been a segment of society who wants others to feel
sorry for the circumstances they find themselves in. I'm sure you've
heard it from others before, or worse yet, from your own mouth, "The
reason I didn't complete the project is because................., or the
reason I can't find a job is .................., or the reason I can't lose weight
is......., you know what I'm getting at.

I would wager a month's salary, the number of people who see
themselves as victims, is larger than it's ever been.  What's ironic is in
some poor, third world country where people are hard pressed to 
have food and water for their families, will you rarely find an unfortunate
individual who may see himself as a victim, even though he may very
well be the victim of a corrupt regime.

For the sake of discussion, let's focus on those who see themselves as
victims in the modern world. More and more people have the attitude of
entitlement. They're convinced they should benefit from the harvest
before the work of planting and the patience in tending. Less and less
we see individuals who understand and accept paying your dues is
required on your road to success. Many young people, immediately
after recieveing their college degrees, put on the suit of victimization,
because they are not GIVEN a $75,000 a year position. They see
themselves as college grads who got a raw deal.

People who are habitually late to work, blame the traffic, their children,
the car they drive, on why they can't seem to get to work on time.
When the solution is to simply, wake up fifteen minutes earlier.

And there are those who blame their parents, for the problems they
have as adults. They can't keep a job because of the way their parents
treated them as children. They go thru several short-term relationships
because of actual or percieved childhood issues.

What is absolutely astounding is most of the people wearing
victimization on their shirt sleeves, are citizens of the United States
of America. That's right! The greatest nation this world has ever
seen, the very same country many foreigners have risked their very
lives to come to, for an opportunity to realize life long dreams for
themselves and their children.

How victimization poisons your financial wellness are three-fold:

1). It's an energy zapper. People with this attitude don't enjoy life.
     They go through life with the proverbial rain cloud over their heads.
     They don't have many friends, and positive individuals spend very
     little time with these people.

2). There's a real good chance this attitude will be passed on to your
     children. If you spend time complaining how the world has kicked
     you to the curb, in front of your children, and you just wallow on the
     curb, instead of getting up, refusing to spend another second down
     there, you can bet your children WILL emulate you. Promise!

3). In addition, when a person buys into victimood status, they have 
     relinquished the control of their lives to a percieved oppressor(s).
     Imagine that if you will, and let that sink in for a moment. Why
     would anyone turn over control of this precious life we have to
     something or someone else.

Rugged individuals made this, the greatest country in the world. This
great nation was not formed by people who saw themselves as
victims.

How about this: decide here and now, you will no longer be a victim.
Take back control of your life, make a list of your likes and interests,
and learn HOW to make them profitable. What you learn in the
process will be more valuable than the money you'll make. Ignore the
problems you hear about our economy, allow your passion to interest
your prospects and your persistent, never give up attitude, will bring
the results you're looking for.

Victimhood is crippling to your financial wellness. Refuse to buy into
it, start today with the mindset you ARE happy and succesful. This
is real important: Enjoy the Journey! Your attitude will fuel the efforts
necessary to keep you moving down the road toward success.
Announce to family and friends, "I'm taking advantage of the
opportunities I've been ignoring all these years, so get in front of me,
get behind me or, GET OUT OF THE WAY!"   

Rudy Venice  

Baby Boomers and The Importance of Financial Wellness

                        Baby Boomers Discover Financial Wellness
                                         With a New Mindset


With the number of Baby boomers over 50 years of age, at almost 70%, every
passing day, A baby boomer leaves the work force. Either by choice (much
props to you!), or via the pink slip (the majority of cases), we are faced with a
challenge we've never faced before.


We should be objective enough to see it from the employer's perspective and
realize it's all about the bottom line. Older employees require more medical
attention, meaning more employer and insurance company payouts. When
we face the facts, we're better able deal intelligently with the issue.


So, if we realize a large number of baby boomers are being forced out of the
workplace, and we understand why, what then should our plan be to continue
having a steady income?


Allow me to back up a bit. Like it or not, a large number of us are between a
rock and a hard place. The Federal government wants to push the age of
Social Security benefit eligibility to 70 years of age. Most of us are over 50,
but NONE OF US are 70 yet! Fat chance for income support from the Feds.


Those fortunate enough to have purchased homes, and have been
disciplined enough not to have pulled the equity out, have seen real estate
values drop 40-50% in many areas. Not much help here either.


Now, do you REALLY want to talk about what has happened to the value of
our 401Ks?


We're being squeezed from EVERY SIDE! Do we have any recourse or
do we just throw our hands up and scream, "Uncle"?


The ONE thing we can't do is rely on others for maintaining our livelyhood.
As much as you may think he cares, placing your trust in the President,
to be the answer to your family's financial issues, is not a good plan.
And we thought he was for the middle-class!


There are 300 million people he's governing. There is no assistance
coming from your representatives in congress, either. Lately, all they
have been saying is, they need MORE TAX MONEY from you and I.


So to recap, your employer is forcing you out because he's watching his
bottom line, our home values have plummeted, no Social Security
benefit payouts for several years, our 401Ks are in the tank, and the
people we put in government, want more tax money from us! I think that
about covers it!


So where will our security come from? Who has our life jacket? This
may come as a surprise to you but, it shouldn't. Go to the mirror
nearest you. Take a look! That person you see, is your source of
security, the one person who is ABLE to bring you the income you
need, to not only survive but to flourish and be a tremendous help to
others.


The baby boomers must re-invent themselves and become the
generation of the self-reliant. And I firmly believe, we can make the
transition, rather easily. We have confidence in our abilities, in our
resourcefulness, and in our refusal to accept the status-quo.


It's about making yourself more valuable, wherever you are. On the
job, in your business, in relationships, etc. And how is this
accomplished? By simply, giving more of ourselves to others.


On the job, being more knowledgeable on the "big picture".
Branching out to get exposure on other aspects of your company's
work flow.


If you have a business, investing time to be more of a friend to your
customers. Being a friend to your clients, means not being in the
selling mode all the time. It means not talking about your business
or theirs. If they bring it up, that's OK. Focus your conversation on
them. Consider, regularly sending your clients, a greeting card.


It's a great way to show your appreciation, and how you value them
as a friend and as a customer.


And in your relationships, become a better listener than a talker. A
person's favorite subject to talk about is themselves. By allowing
them to talk now, they will listen to you later.


I have titled my site, "Baby boomers Discover Financial Security in New,
exciting Ways", because I believe financial wellness is an important factor
in a broader term, popularly known as, "Health and Wellness". If our
finances are not in order, our overall wellness is compromised.


And there are some incredible opportunities out there, for the
entrepreneurs to take and run with. For many of us, our age mandates
we examine these opportunities for the very reasons we discussed
earlier. We need to maintain an income flow, while employers and
politicians are saying, in essence, "WE DON'T need to!


I will be posting articles and links to articles, to assist you in becoming
a more valuable employee to your employer. And if you own your own
business, ways to become more profitable, and more valuable to your
clients.


The task ahead for all baby boomers is clear. Sadly, many will choose
to remain apathetic, will watch and comment on what just happened,
while others like you and I, will increase our value right where we are.
If you ask these individuals, why they answered the call to action, their
comment might be, "what choice did we have"?

How he conquered Diabetes

Physicians are finding an increasing number of baby boomers with pre and
type2 diabetes. Age, genetics, lack of exercise, and diet are the reasons
for a staggering jump in the number of diabetes cases. Over 57 million are
pre-diabetic, meaning there's good chance they will have full blown, type 2
in 5-10 years. And of the 24 million having type 2, 6-7 million don't know
they have the illness.

I have been good friends with a 60 years old gentlemen for many years, who
has type 2 diabetes, and it hasn't slowed him down! He takes his daily
medications, he and his wife are always on the go, and he's is ALWAYS
upbeat! The guy is simply amazing! He told me, after hearing the bad news
from his doctor, he had to make a choice: I was going to take control of this
diabetes, it was NOT going to control ME!

After doing extensive research, having long discussions with his wife, and
lengthy Q and A's with his doctor, he was armed to deal with his condition.
He and his wife, with the assistance of some helpful people in the medical
profession, put together a low-impact exercise program, permanently
changed their diets, spent less time on the couch, and more outdoors, and
is now saying he has never had more enjoyment in his life. You might go
so far as to say, his disease has been a blessing, because the life
changes he has had to make would have never been implemented if he
had never gotten the "BAD NEWS", from his doctor.

He gave me some tips to pass along to anyone interested in "LIVIN'
LARGE WITH DIABETES! If you have elevated glucose levels in your
blood (pre-diabetes), look at it as though you have full blown, type 2. With
the guidance of your physician, start a low-impact exercise regimen, get
as many recipes as you can on "cooking and eating with diabetes", and
look forward to no insulin injections!

If you have type 2, you have a bit more of a challenge, but remember, you
have CHOSEN to take control of your disease, and taking control means
you refuse to accept victim status. Change your diet, with the help of your
doctor, start an exercise program, easy at first, and the gradually work up
from there. Remember to regularly discuss your exercise regimen with your
physician! Eat all meals without the T. V.! Whoever said, television aids
digestion? On nice days, get off the couch and enjoy the outdoors!

And finally, he mentioned how essential it is to have a good attitude. Being
content, and satisfied with where you are. Stop moanin' and groanin' about
how life's been unfair and be thankful for what you have. There is so much
in this world to enjoy, but you will NEVER see it if your view is clouded by
a negative mindset! Smile, count your blessings and see everyday as an
adventure! Having diabetes should not be cause for sadness or pity, but a
call to action, a time to arm yourself with information on how to live life to
the fullest, despite any and ALL circumstances.

My friend, my hero, and my inspiration!!

Your Health and Wellness in the Balance

TIME TO FACE FACTS ABOUT NUTRITION!

I'm telling you right now, this article may
unnerve some, upset others, and
motivate others to send me nasty
comments. MY comment to all responses
is "Do what you want!" My motivation for
all boomers is health and wellness and less
doctor visits. It's time for baby boomers
everywhere to get serious about their health. We can't put
it off any longer! Now, with most of us in our fifties, it's never
been more important to make some adjustment in how we
live each and every day. Free radicals are, as we speak,
doing damage to our bodies, so without wasting time, we
need to arm ourselves with the tools necessary to minimize
or neutralize their devastating effects.

We need not accept health challenges such as elevated
blood pressure, pre or full blown type 2 diabetes, skin
disorders, intestinal problems, joint discomfort, lung
diseases, stomach problems, and other health issues,
because the information and the tools necessary to
retard their progress, is readily available. Basically,
three areas of our lives may need adjustment:

1. We need to think differently (an attitude adjustment)

Negative thinking is extremely counter-productive to
anything you may be trying to accomplish. The power
of our minds is considerable. Having positive "can-do"
thoughts are essential to your eventual success.
Personal goals allude those who think they cannot be
attained. Staying positive and focused on improving
your health is more important than you may know, in
the attempt to reach your objectives. Realizing where
you are currently, where you want to be (the goal),
and the steps required to get there, is like a road map,
leading you directly to your destination. Just stay the
course! And here's something to put in your backpack:
people who think positively have less illness than those
who habitually think negatively. Think positively from
this day forward, and reap the benefits.

2. WE must make changes on how and what we eat
(hard for some but, if you're serious, it's a MUST)!

I'm not here to say you need to stop eating burgers
and fries, candy bars, doughnuts, cookies, soft drinks,
etc., but what I am saying is we need to regulate our
intake of these types of food. While there is very little
nutritional value in them, our focus must be on getting
antioxidants into our system as often as possible.
Free radicals don't take days off!! We need to keep
antoxidants mobilized, ready to defend. We should
consume foods containing antioxidants at least 8
times a day. Wait a minute! Don't most people eat
three meals a day? What gives? Honestly, do you
eat more than three times a day? Sure you do! With
a little planning, you could consume 5-6 different
antioxidants at one setting! Whatever works best for
you. I'm compiling a list of the 40 plus antioxidants
and their sources. This is extremely important
information for you and your family. Use it, get the
antioxidants into your system, and make things
difficult for those destructive free radicals.

3. Exercise is mandatory (because it is vital to your
well-being)

Our bodies were made for physical activity. If we don't
work our bodies, our bodies will soon stop working for
us. Regular exercise will give you more energy,
prevent chronic health conditions, boost self
confidence, improves your sleep, along with many
additional benefits.

A. Your sleep will improve with exercise. And a
deeper, more restful sleep has far reaching benefits
like improved concentration, productivity, and your
mood.

B. Exercise improves your cardiovascular system along
with strengthening your heart and lungs. Delivers
oxygen and essential nutrients to tissues which gives
you increased energy.

C. One of the best ways to combat chronic disease is
with regular exercise. Diabetes, heart disease,
osteoporosis, and high blood pressure are all better
managed with consistent physical activity.

"Babyboomers", are you concerned with looking
better? Exercise will improve how you look. Want
proof? Take one person who exercises regularly and
put them next to a person who doesn't participate in
regular physical activity. 99 times out of 100, the
person who exercises will look and feel better! That's
just the way it is. Incorporate regular exercise into
your daily activities and you'll look fabulous too!

When you really break it down, the plain, simple fact
is our joints, organs, skin, and bones do extremely
well when our blood carries the proper antioxidants
and the appropriate amount . It's that simple! The
type of antioxidants and the amount are the keys to
healthy living. The problem is many of the foods we
enjoy eating have ZERO antioxidant value.
Consequently, free radicals run through our bodies
unopposed, and causing cell damage everywhere.
We're leaving the door wide open for the enemy to
run roughshod through our entire system! Our health
and wellness is in serious jeopady from this
relentless destruction.

Antioxidants are the defenders of our health and
wellness, period! Shortly, I will post a list of
approximately 40-45 known antioxidants, explaining
what parts of the body they address, what foods
contain them, and the best ways to ingest them into
your bodies.

While far too many are eating like we did in our 20's,
we're not exercising like in our 20's. The tragedy is
many are NOT exercising at all. This has to change.
Want to look younger, right? Tired of feeling run
down? If you employ these three adjustments in your
life, you will feel and look better than you have in a
long time. You can do this! Don't short change
yourself. Cut back on the burgers and fries, cookies,
fried foods, etc. Antioxidant rich fruits, vegetables,
juice, grains, etc., will bring health and wellness to
you and your loved ones. Let's do what we know
needs to be done!

If one person benefits from the information provided,
then the time ionvolved compiling the information
will be well spent. This is information we all need to
know and most importantly, implement. I want nothing
more than to have all babyboomers feeling better.
Our 50's 60's and 70's should be years of carefree
enjoyment with family and friends.

Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants!