Now that we've returned to telling our journey to payoff debt, it's been decided that a new format will be followed. The format will now be similar to Blogging Away Debt or $12 a Day, but from a guys perspective. This doesn't mean that the female side won't crop up from time to time, but for now let's hear it for the boy.
We're heading towards third with just a year and a half to go until we've paid off the majority of our massive debt.
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogging. Show all posts
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, September 26, 2010
CreditCards.com Interviews the Author of Financial Elite
Day 269 of my Financial Freedom Countdown
I was reading the article QA with Lynette Khalfani-Cox and in the interview with CreditCards.com Lynettee discusses how she paid off six figures of debt in three years. In case you didn't know Lynette is a former Wall Street Journal and CNBC reporter and is now a money coach and financial expert for Oprah Winfrey, Fox Business, Dr. Phil, and CNN.
In the interview Lynette reveals that despite making a six figure income salary she still racked up six figures in credit card debt. The good news is she paid it all off in three years.
Her story is very much like my own. I racked up six figures of credit card debt while making a six figure salary and although Lynette paid her debt off in three years, I have a five year plan and would love to knock it in three just like she did. Anyway I was thinking what it would be like if CreditCards.com was interviewing me and what I would say.
CreditCards.com: Tell me, what do you blog about?
FinancialElite.com: I blog about personal finance. My intent is to motivate people to get out of debt, encourage them to manage their credit and debt wisely. I discuss all kinds of topics, from investing and real estate, to saving money and budgeting. Credit and debt are my two favorite topics because I have struggled in those areas. Not only once, but twice. So many people struggle in these areas all their lives.
CreditCards.com: In your blog "Financial Elite," you share with people your struggles with debt and your financial troubles. Why?
FinancialElite.com: Being in debt sucks. I am trying to show people that there are a lot of people in debt and you know what? You can pay it off. It's easy to get in debt, but it's hard to get out. It's just like losing and gaining weight. You have to exercise and eat right to keep in shape. When you are in debt you need to find ways to spend less and usually make more money along with it. But you can do it if you work at it.
CreditCards.com: You made over six figures, but still ended up with $100,000 of debt. What happened?
Financialelite.com: People get into debt for many reasons. Some stroke of bad luck is often a cause -- laid off, getting divorced, becoming disabled, death of a spouse.
The rest tend to be overspenders or were never taught any money managements skills. I think I was a combination of a lot of things. Having a finance degree and working in the financial industry, I had a lot of knowledge on how to manage money. My first wife was an overspender and I got caught up in the vacations, treating people to dinner, buying expensive gifts for friends and relatives that we couldn't afford. The thing is the first time I was six figures in debt I was only making about $40,000 a year.
When we divorced I decided to use what I know and get things under control. I had just under $100,000 of debt and I was determined to payoff every penny. I got a second job, sold things like CDs, sold my furniture, sold parts of my toy collection, and donated tons of stuff.
Things had almost immediately turned around for me once I decided that I needed to get rid of this debt. I had basic cable, a dial up modem, wore clothes that were to big for me (I started getting myself into shape not only physically, but financially as well).
CreditCards.com: So it was hitting rock bottom that made you say, "I need to change this?" You were divorced during the time you were paying off the debt, so it must have been difficult.
FinancialElite.com: Lots of consumers have debt problems after a divorce, but in my case I always felt it was my marriage that led to the debt problem. I never put my foot down hard enough to put a stop to the spending that was ultimately the problem, but getting divorced began the turn around. I will never tell someone to get divorced to fix their financial problems. Marriage needs to worked on just like your finances. I never asked for the divorce, but I may never have gotten a grip on my finances if I hadn't.
I also started to get cut off from my creditors at that time too. My cards were maxed and out and I would try to get my interest rates lowered and the credits were coming back not only raising my interest rates in some instances, but quite often they would close my accounts as well.
The bottom line was I hated the debt. I used think of all the stuff I could be doing if I didn't have all these payments. I wouldn't have to worry if I was going to have to file bankruptcy or not. My biggest fear was being late on a payment, which is the one thing I was proud about, I was never ever late on any payment to anyone.
CreditCards.com: Paying off $100,00 in credit card debt in five years may seem impossible to some people. How did you do it?
FinancialElite.com: It wasn't like I miraculously got out of debt. It was through perseverance and working on it diligently that made the difference.
Like I was saying earlier, I revamped the spending habits I developed with my ex-wife and stop all frivolous spending. I stopped eating out and did with out as much as I could.
Negotiating with creditors didn't work that well the first time around with six figures of debt. This time it has been great. Many of my creditors have lowered my interest rates as low 0.00%. I also put every bit of extra cash I received towards the debt. It may have been a bonus at work, a tax return, a gift of cash, or even saved up spare change. Anything extra went towards the debt. Paying only the minimums on the credit cards was getting no where fast and I knew the more I paid the sooner I would get them paid off.
As the economy improved in 2002 so did my income. I started paying more and more towards my credit card debt. As one would get paid off, I would start working on another. Soon I had a run away debt snowball and the balances really came down fast.
I had some stock options that had finally become worth a descent amount and I cashed them out and put them towards my remaining debt. After five years of chipping away at my debt every single penny had been paid back.
CreditCards.com: If someone is reading this and feeling overwhelmed, what is your advice?
FinancialElite.com: Keep the faith. Most people have less debt than I have and I paid off six figures of debt once and I am working on doing it again. I have another five year plan and I am almost through the first year. I know it is tough, but it does get better. Since starting my five year plan I am beginning to see the same results this second time around that I had seen the first time. Things do get better in time.
Having debt doesn't mean you are a failure. Your life isn't over because you are in this hole. Everybody faces a tough time and it is always darkest before the dawn.
The main thing I want people to get out of this is, you can do it! I have done this once and I am doing it again. Make a plan and keep working on it. If you keep chipping away at the debt, you will dig yourself out of the hole.
I said I would never be in that kind of debt again, but it did happen again. I am not filing bankruptcy, I am not going to lose my home, and I am not going to default on any of my debt. I am going to pay back every penny and once again have financial freedom. The only thin I am going to lose is my debt.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
Did you enjoy reading this article? You can receive free full-text articles from Financial Elite by RSS in your email inbox daily by entering your email HERE. Your email will only be used for this daily subscription, and each email will include a link you may use to unsubscribe at any time. Also follow us on Twitter.
I was reading the article QA with Lynette Khalfani-Cox and in the interview with CreditCards.com Lynettee discusses how she paid off six figures of debt in three years. In case you didn't know Lynette is a former Wall Street Journal and CNBC reporter and is now a money coach and financial expert for Oprah Winfrey, Fox Business, Dr. Phil, and CNN.
In the interview Lynette reveals that despite making a six figure income salary she still racked up six figures in credit card debt. The good news is she paid it all off in three years.
Her story is very much like my own. I racked up six figures of credit card debt while making a six figure salary and although Lynette paid her debt off in three years, I have a five year plan and would love to knock it in three just like she did. Anyway I was thinking what it would be like if CreditCards.com was interviewing me and what I would say.
CreditCards.com: Tell me, what do you blog about?
FinancialElite.com: I blog about personal finance. My intent is to motivate people to get out of debt, encourage them to manage their credit and debt wisely. I discuss all kinds of topics, from investing and real estate, to saving money and budgeting. Credit and debt are my two favorite topics because I have struggled in those areas. Not only once, but twice. So many people struggle in these areas all their lives.
CreditCards.com: In your blog "Financial Elite," you share with people your struggles with debt and your financial troubles. Why?
FinancialElite.com: Being in debt sucks. I am trying to show people that there are a lot of people in debt and you know what? You can pay it off. It's easy to get in debt, but it's hard to get out. It's just like losing and gaining weight. You have to exercise and eat right to keep in shape. When you are in debt you need to find ways to spend less and usually make more money along with it. But you can do it if you work at it.
CreditCards.com: You made over six figures, but still ended up with $100,000 of debt. What happened?
Financialelite.com: People get into debt for many reasons. Some stroke of bad luck is often a cause -- laid off, getting divorced, becoming disabled, death of a spouse.
The rest tend to be overspenders or were never taught any money managements skills. I think I was a combination of a lot of things. Having a finance degree and working in the financial industry, I had a lot of knowledge on how to manage money. My first wife was an overspender and I got caught up in the vacations, treating people to dinner, buying expensive gifts for friends and relatives that we couldn't afford. The thing is the first time I was six figures in debt I was only making about $40,000 a year.
When we divorced I decided to use what I know and get things under control. I had just under $100,000 of debt and I was determined to payoff every penny. I got a second job, sold things like CDs, sold my furniture, sold parts of my toy collection, and donated tons of stuff.
Things had almost immediately turned around for me once I decided that I needed to get rid of this debt. I had basic cable, a dial up modem, wore clothes that were to big for me (I started getting myself into shape not only physically, but financially as well).
CreditCards.com: So it was hitting rock bottom that made you say, "I need to change this?" You were divorced during the time you were paying off the debt, so it must have been difficult.
FinancialElite.com: Lots of consumers have debt problems after a divorce, but in my case I always felt it was my marriage that led to the debt problem. I never put my foot down hard enough to put a stop to the spending that was ultimately the problem, but getting divorced began the turn around. I will never tell someone to get divorced to fix their financial problems. Marriage needs to worked on just like your finances. I never asked for the divorce, but I may never have gotten a grip on my finances if I hadn't.
I also started to get cut off from my creditors at that time too. My cards were maxed and out and I would try to get my interest rates lowered and the credits were coming back not only raising my interest rates in some instances, but quite often they would close my accounts as well.
The bottom line was I hated the debt. I used think of all the stuff I could be doing if I didn't have all these payments. I wouldn't have to worry if I was going to have to file bankruptcy or not. My biggest fear was being late on a payment, which is the one thing I was proud about, I was never ever late on any payment to anyone.
CreditCards.com: Paying off $100,00 in credit card debt in five years may seem impossible to some people. How did you do it?
FinancialElite.com: It wasn't like I miraculously got out of debt. It was through perseverance and working on it diligently that made the difference.
Like I was saying earlier, I revamped the spending habits I developed with my ex-wife and stop all frivolous spending. I stopped eating out and did with out as much as I could.
Negotiating with creditors didn't work that well the first time around with six figures of debt. This time it has been great. Many of my creditors have lowered my interest rates as low 0.00%. I also put every bit of extra cash I received towards the debt. It may have been a bonus at work, a tax return, a gift of cash, or even saved up spare change. Anything extra went towards the debt. Paying only the minimums on the credit cards was getting no where fast and I knew the more I paid the sooner I would get them paid off.
As the economy improved in 2002 so did my income. I started paying more and more towards my credit card debt. As one would get paid off, I would start working on another. Soon I had a run away debt snowball and the balances really came down fast.
I had some stock options that had finally become worth a descent amount and I cashed them out and put them towards my remaining debt. After five years of chipping away at my debt every single penny had been paid back.
CreditCards.com: If someone is reading this and feeling overwhelmed, what is your advice?
FinancialElite.com: Keep the faith. Most people have less debt than I have and I paid off six figures of debt once and I am working on doing it again. I have another five year plan and I am almost through the first year. I know it is tough, but it does get better. Since starting my five year plan I am beginning to see the same results this second time around that I had seen the first time. Things do get better in time.
Having debt doesn't mean you are a failure. Your life isn't over because you are in this hole. Everybody faces a tough time and it is always darkest before the dawn.
The main thing I want people to get out of this is, you can do it! I have done this once and I am doing it again. Make a plan and keep working on it. If you keep chipping away at the debt, you will dig yourself out of the hole.
I said I would never be in that kind of debt again, but it did happen again. I am not filing bankruptcy, I am not going to lose my home, and I am not going to default on any of my debt. I am going to pay back every penny and once again have financial freedom. The only thin I am going to lose is my debt.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
Did you enjoy reading this article? You can receive free full-text articles from Financial Elite by RSS in your email inbox daily by entering your email HERE. Your email will only be used for this daily subscription, and each email will include a link you may use to unsubscribe at any time. Also follow us on Twitter.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Financial Elite Weekly Roundup
Here are some articles I found interesting this week from fellow personal finance bloggers:
Reader Story: I Paid for Graduate School by Renting Out Rooms Renting out a room in your home is a great way to to help you with your finances, pay off all kinds of debt, and maybe even save your home if you are having trouble making your house payments. (@Get Rich Slowly)
My Life List I have done this a couple times in my life, but I have not made a life list in over ten years. I love making goals and lists of things to accomplish, This is right up my alley. (@Budgets Are Sexy)
Beyond the Emergency: Preparing for Economic Collapse We had to tap into our emergency fund once this year and immediately re-paid what we took out. Since then we kept it up. It's only $1,000, but we are at baby step #1. (@The Frugal Dad)
What Do Unemployment Numbers Really Mean? Are the current unemployment numbers really as bad as they sound or are is all the hype just fueling the fire to keep the economy down? (@DoughRoller)
Gather Your Data: Debt and Net Worth Worksheets I did this and have continued to keep worksheets to work on my budget and keep track of my wealth building by paying off my debt, Great resource if you need various financial data worksheets.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
Did you enjoy reading this article? You can receive free full-text articles from Financial Elite by RSS in your email inbox daily by entering your email HERE. Your email will only be used for this daily subscription, and each email will include a link you may use to unsubscribe at any time. Also follow us on Twitter.
Reader Story: I Paid for Graduate School by Renting Out Rooms Renting out a room in your home is a great way to to help you with your finances, pay off all kinds of debt, and maybe even save your home if you are having trouble making your house payments. (@Get Rich Slowly)
My Life List I have done this a couple times in my life, but I have not made a life list in over ten years. I love making goals and lists of things to accomplish, This is right up my alley. (@Budgets Are Sexy)
Beyond the Emergency: Preparing for Economic Collapse We had to tap into our emergency fund once this year and immediately re-paid what we took out. Since then we kept it up. It's only $1,000, but we are at baby step #1. (@The Frugal Dad)
What Do Unemployment Numbers Really Mean? Are the current unemployment numbers really as bad as they sound or are is all the hype just fueling the fire to keep the economy down? (@DoughRoller)
Gather Your Data: Debt and Net Worth Worksheets I did this and have continued to keep worksheets to work on my budget and keep track of my wealth building by paying off my debt, Great resource if you need various financial data worksheets.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
Did you enjoy reading this article? You can receive free full-text articles from Financial Elite by RSS in your email inbox daily by entering your email HERE. Your email will only be used for this daily subscription, and each email will include a link you may use to unsubscribe at any time. Also follow us on Twitter.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Spreading a Debt Free Life By Blogging
Financial Elite's main purpose is still the same, but has expanded to serve many more purposes. Those purposes are as follows:
- Help others find solutions to their debt and credit issues by creating a community to share what others are experiencing and what is working for them.
- Help myself by learning from others and holding myself accountable by others and hopefully hold others accountable as well to pay off our debt as quickly as possible.
- This blog does earn money by donations and from advertising sources. It is used as a source to provide additional income and put that additional income towards my debt to exceed my goal of being debt free in five years.
This blog will now stay consistent with it's new format that will include:
- A daily motivational financial quote by some of the most successful and respected leaders throughout history.
- A Christian perspective on finance with daily scripture in regards to debt, savings, credit, and giving. The financial lessons from the Bible are no different from the financial guru's of our time like Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman. Where do you think they learned it?
- Articles will rotate from current events in regards to debt and credit, sharing my own experiences with paying off my debt and I what I know about finance, what other bloggers are discussing and what they have learned and shared about their finances.
I am looking to hear from my current followers and to know what they like or dislike about Financial Elite. If you are new here I'd like to hear your two cents as well. Let us know what we need to do to earn your readership. Stick around and hopefully, "All you have to lose is your debt."
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
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Now What Do I Do?
- Follow my journey to pay off debt and subscribe by email.
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Follow us on Twitter- Follow us on Blogger
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Favorite Personal Financial Blogs Weekly Recap
- New York May allow the practice of at least 20 other states and start publishing the names of its biggest tax delinquents online. [Economix]
- A new debit card identity theft scheme is popping up in California, Missouri, Wisconsin, and other states. The thefts are largely tied to Hancock Fabric stores, in which debit card information and pin numbers are stolen and money is withdrawn from the account. Authorities estimate around a $40,000 loss for banks. [The Consumerist]
- Online microlending has been all the rave in recent years. One of the most popular is Kiva, which is allows you to make loan to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries. But it is not longer practical for it be true "person to person lending." [My Money Blog]
- A $350 a night luxury resort in Malaysia will give you a free night if you encounter more than one inch of rain in any 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. period. Willing to hope for rain in exchange for free digs? [Savvy Sugar]
- Has a friend or relative asked you to co-sign for a credit card or other loan? Here are four excellent questions to ask before you go through with it. [CreditCards.com]
- A new debit card identity theft scheme is popping up in California, Missouri, Wisconsin, and other states. The thefts are largely tied to Hancock Fabric stores, in which debit card information and pin numbers are stolen and money is withdrawn from the account. Authorities estimate around a $40,000 loss for banks. [The Consumerist]
- Online microlending has been all the rave in recent years. One of the most popular is Kiva, which is allows you to make loan to low income entrepreneurs in developing countries. But it is not longer practical for it be true "person to person lending." [My Money Blog]
- A $350 a night luxury resort in Malaysia will give you a free night if you encounter more than one inch of rain in any 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. period. Willing to hope for rain in exchange for free digs? [Savvy Sugar]
- Has a friend or relative asked you to co-sign for a credit card or other loan? Here are four excellent questions to ask before you go through with it. [CreditCards.com]
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sharing the Love With Other Personal Finance Bloggers
I have been working on improving "The Debt Free Advocate" to be the place to go for financial help. A tip I had picked up from ProBlogger Darren Rowse is to show some love to your fellow bloggers.
I follow several personal finance blogs that offer great tips on debt and finance and was thinking a should spread the love. If I love these blogs others could possibly too. So we are going to start recapping the choice articles of the blogs we follow to help spread financial education.
- Always read the fine print: the House approved a landmark plan that would cost $1.1 trillion over 10 years and extend coverage to 36 million uninsured Americans. Now What? Find out the bill will actually affect consumers. Also, more credit card company shenanigans: One cardholder shares her experience with Citi: The bank will double her interest rate unless she transfers $5,000 of other debt onto her Citi Credit Card [The Consumerist]
- Shopping around for a new stock broker? Christmas came early. Digerati gives you the cheat sheet on their favorite online stock brokers, along with limited time promotions for new account holders. [Digerati Life]
- Modeled after New York Magazine's "Sex Diaries," "Money Diaries" is an ongoing collection of stories that track the spending habits of real people over the period of seven days. what are your thoughts on the single mom with bad habits and bad checks? [I Will Teach You to Be Rich]
- The recession takes it toll in office politics. A behavioral economics look at how employees have to carry the weight of laid-off co-workers. [Marketplace]
- Parents worried about the cost of higher education often consider sending their kids to a community college in hopes of a transfer to a better school. But this isn't always the smartest thing to do. [The College Solution Blog]
- A Harvard economist passes judgement on the expanded home buyers tax credit that President Obama signed into law last week. The professor's verdict? The credit encourages "purely mindless house swapping." [Economix]
- Tough times make us more willing and likely to protect the things we have, but extended warranties probably aren't worth the extra cost [Wise Bread]
- Watching The Karate Kid can teach you how not to accumulate credit debt. Use visualization techniques to keep your spending in check. [Free Money Finance]
- Thinking about re gifting something this holiday season? Brad Tuttle has some rules on how to do it right. [It's Your Money]
- When it comes to car insurance, pricing is based on 10 factors that are out of your control. So it pays to shop around. [MintLife]
- Recent credit card reform has prompted the industry to enact the Safe Credit Revision Everyone Wins Undertaking, also known as S.C.R.E.W.U. Animator Mark Fiore explains it in the Video below. [The Consumer Reporter]
I follow several personal finance blogs that offer great tips on debt and finance and was thinking a should spread the love. If I love these blogs others could possibly too. So we are going to start recapping the choice articles of the blogs we follow to help spread financial education.
- Always read the fine print: the House approved a landmark plan that would cost $1.1 trillion over 10 years and extend coverage to 36 million uninsured Americans. Now What? Find out the bill will actually affect consumers. Also, more credit card company shenanigans: One cardholder shares her experience with Citi: The bank will double her interest rate unless she transfers $5,000 of other debt onto her Citi Credit Card [The Consumerist]
- Shopping around for a new stock broker? Christmas came early. Digerati gives you the cheat sheet on their favorite online stock brokers, along with limited time promotions for new account holders. [Digerati Life]
- Modeled after New York Magazine's "Sex Diaries," "Money Diaries" is an ongoing collection of stories that track the spending habits of real people over the period of seven days. what are your thoughts on the single mom with bad habits and bad checks? [I Will Teach You to Be Rich]
- The recession takes it toll in office politics. A behavioral economics look at how employees have to carry the weight of laid-off co-workers. [Marketplace]
- Parents worried about the cost of higher education often consider sending their kids to a community college in hopes of a transfer to a better school. But this isn't always the smartest thing to do. [The College Solution Blog]
- A Harvard economist passes judgement on the expanded home buyers tax credit that President Obama signed into law last week. The professor's verdict? The credit encourages "purely mindless house swapping." [Economix]
- Tough times make us more willing and likely to protect the things we have, but extended warranties probably aren't worth the extra cost [Wise Bread]
- Watching The Karate Kid can teach you how not to accumulate credit debt. Use visualization techniques to keep your spending in check. [Free Money Finance]
- Thinking about re gifting something this holiday season? Brad Tuttle has some rules on how to do it right. [It's Your Money]
- When it comes to car insurance, pricing is based on 10 factors that are out of your control. So it pays to shop around. [MintLife]
- Recent credit card reform has prompted the industry to enact the Safe Credit Revision Everyone Wins Undertaking, also known as S.C.R.E.W.U. Animator Mark Fiore explains it in the Video below. [The Consumer Reporter]
Monday, November 9, 2009
What Does The Debt Free Advocate Do Best?
Tell us about what you like or don't like about The Debt Free Advocate. Would you like to see more current event topics about the economy, credit, debt, etc.? Would you like to see strictly posts about paying off your debt and how I managed to achieve financial freedom?
How about bringing back the daily financial motivational quotes to inspire you. Does the blog help answer your questions? Would you like us to bring back the question and answer format?
Tell what you would do to improve this site. Your financial freedom depends on it.
How about bringing back the daily financial motivational quotes to inspire you. Does the blog help answer your questions? Would you like us to bring back the question and answer format?
Tell what you would do to improve this site. Your financial freedom depends on it.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Is Blogging Dead?
Andrew Serwer reported in his article "The end of Blogging", that he is not blogging as much as he used to. Also stating it's hard to find the time. I do agree with him in that respect. It is very time consuming. He also says, " I have literally been Facebooking and Twittering all my content way!"
I love blogging. I am also on facebook and Financial Elite is on Twitter too, but the blog comes first. Blogging can also be a way to generate extra income (for those of you who have been following our ways to save money series...hint, hint).
How does everyone else feel. Have given up blogging to work on your facebook and twitter tweets? Let us hear from you.
I love blogging. I am also on facebook and Financial Elite is on Twitter too, but the blog comes first. Blogging can also be a way to generate extra income (for those of you who have been following our ways to save money series...hint, hint).
How does everyone else feel. Have given up blogging to work on your facebook and twitter tweets? Let us hear from you.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Financial Elite Ranks In the Top 1,000,000 Blogs On Technorati
Financial Elite currently ranks as of today 947,546 on Technorati. Although, we are long way from the number 1 spot, or at least in the top 100, we have come along way. Originally ranking over 4,700,000. We have jumped almost 4,000,000 spots in ranking.
Thanks to all of you who have flagged us an authority in our field. For everyone else please if you like what you read give us a good mark and check us off as an authority on Technorati.
Thanks to everyone who continues to read and share your input here on Financial Elite.
Thanks to all of you who have flagged us an authority in our field. For everyone else please if you like what you read give us a good mark and check us off as an authority on Technorati.
Thanks to everyone who continues to read and share your input here on Financial Elite.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Six Figures in Debt...Again!/The Debt Free Advocate/Financial Elite Privacy Policy
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The privacy of our visitors to Six Figures in Debt...Again!/The Debt Free Advocate/Financial Elite is important to us.
At Six Figures in Debt...Again!/The Debt Free Advocate/Financial Elite, we recognize that privacy of your personal information is important. Here is information on what types of personal information we receive and collect when you use and visit Six Figures in Debt...Again!/The Debt Free Advocate/Financial Elite, and how we safeguard your information. We never sell your personal information to third parties.
Log Files
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Saturday, February 28, 2009
Focusing On Your Core Genius Will Lead The Way To Success.
Blogging has become such a pleasure for me it is virtually effortless. I actually find myself not wanting to do anything else and find myself addicted. Along with my other business passions blogging has become one of the loves in life. Besides my wife of course.
One of my favorite motivational speakers is Jack Canfield. He calls what I just discussed your core genius.
He believes you have inside you a core genius...some one thing that you love to do, and do so well, that you hardly feel like doing anything else. It's effortless for you, and a whole lot of fun. And if you could make money doing it, you'd make it your lifetime's work. Successful people believe this, too. That's why they put their core genius first. They focus on it-and delegate everything else to other people on their team.
For Jack, his core genius lies in the area of teaching, raining, coaching and motivating. He loves to do it, He does it well, and people report that they get great value from it. Another core genius is writing and compiling books. Along with his co-author Mark Victor Hansen and others, Jack has written, co-authored, compiled and edited more than 100 books.
Compare that to other people in the world who go through life doing everything themselves, even those tasks they're bad at or that could be done more cheaply, better, and faster by someone else. They can't find the time to focus on their core genius because they fail to delegate even the most menial of tasks.
When you delegate the grunt work--the things you hate doing or those tasks that are so painful, you end up putting them off--you get to concentrate on what you love to do. You free up your time so that you can be more productive. And you get to enjoy life more.
So why is delegating routine tasks and unwanted projects so difficult for most people? Surprisingly, most people are afraid of looking wasteful or being judged as being above everyone else. They are afraid to give up control or reluctant to spend the money to pay for help. Deep down, most people simply don't want to let go.
Other (potentially you) have simply fallen into the habit of doing everything themselves. "it's too time consuming to explain it to someone," you say. "I can do it more quickly and better myself anyway." But can you?
DELEGATE COMPLETELY
One of the strategies Jack uses and teaches is complete delegation. It simply means that you delegate a task once and completely--rather than delegating it each time it needs to be done.
When Jack's niece came to stay with him one year while she attended the local community college, they made a complete delegation--the grocery shopping. They told her she could have unlimited use of their van if she would buy the groceries every week. They provided her with a list of staples that they always wanted in the in the house (eggs, butter, milk, ketchup, and so on), and her job was to check every week and replace anything that was running low.
In addition, Jack's wife planned meals and let her know which items she wanted for the main courses (fish, chicken, broccoli, avocados, and so on). The task was delegated once and saved them hundreds of hours that year that could be devoted to writing, exercise, family time and recreation.
Most entrepreneurs spend less than 30% of their time focusing on their core genius and unique abilities. In fact, by the time they've launched a business, it often seems entrepreneurs are doing everything but the one thing they went into business for in the first place.
Many loan originators, for example, spend more time on account administration than they do on the phone or in the field making sales, when they could hire a part-time administrator (or share the cost with another sales-person) to do this time-consuming detail work. In most cases, in a fraction of the time it would take them and at a fraction of the cost.
DON'T LET THIS BE YOUR FATE
Identify your core genius, then delegate completely to free up more time to focus on what you love to do.
Jack believes that you can trade, barter, pay for and find volunteer help to do almost everything you don't want to do, leaving you to do what you are best at--and which will ultimately make you the most money and bring you the most happiness.
For me this works great having employees, a maid, etc. frees up tons of time to give the time you need to focus on your core genius and concentrate on what makes you the happiest.
Jack Canfield is known as America's Success Coach. He is trhe founder and co-creator of the billion dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance to learn more visit FreeSuccessStrategies.com
One of my favorite motivational speakers is Jack Canfield. He calls what I just discussed your core genius.
He believes you have inside you a core genius...some one thing that you love to do, and do so well, that you hardly feel like doing anything else. It's effortless for you, and a whole lot of fun. And if you could make money doing it, you'd make it your lifetime's work. Successful people believe this, too. That's why they put their core genius first. They focus on it-and delegate everything else to other people on their team.
For Jack, his core genius lies in the area of teaching, raining, coaching and motivating. He loves to do it, He does it well, and people report that they get great value from it. Another core genius is writing and compiling books. Along with his co-author Mark Victor Hansen and others, Jack has written, co-authored, compiled and edited more than 100 books.
Compare that to other people in the world who go through life doing everything themselves, even those tasks they're bad at or that could be done more cheaply, better, and faster by someone else. They can't find the time to focus on their core genius because they fail to delegate even the most menial of tasks.
When you delegate the grunt work--the things you hate doing or those tasks that are so painful, you end up putting them off--you get to concentrate on what you love to do. You free up your time so that you can be more productive. And you get to enjoy life more.
So why is delegating routine tasks and unwanted projects so difficult for most people? Surprisingly, most people are afraid of looking wasteful or being judged as being above everyone else. They are afraid to give up control or reluctant to spend the money to pay for help. Deep down, most people simply don't want to let go.
Other (potentially you) have simply fallen into the habit of doing everything themselves. "it's too time consuming to explain it to someone," you say. "I can do it more quickly and better myself anyway." But can you?
DELEGATE COMPLETELY
One of the strategies Jack uses and teaches is complete delegation. It simply means that you delegate a task once and completely--rather than delegating it each time it needs to be done.
When Jack's niece came to stay with him one year while she attended the local community college, they made a complete delegation--the grocery shopping. They told her she could have unlimited use of their van if she would buy the groceries every week. They provided her with a list of staples that they always wanted in the in the house (eggs, butter, milk, ketchup, and so on), and her job was to check every week and replace anything that was running low.
In addition, Jack's wife planned meals and let her know which items she wanted for the main courses (fish, chicken, broccoli, avocados, and so on). The task was delegated once and saved them hundreds of hours that year that could be devoted to writing, exercise, family time and recreation.
Most entrepreneurs spend less than 30% of their time focusing on their core genius and unique abilities. In fact, by the time they've launched a business, it often seems entrepreneurs are doing everything but the one thing they went into business for in the first place.
Many loan originators, for example, spend more time on account administration than they do on the phone or in the field making sales, when they could hire a part-time administrator (or share the cost with another sales-person) to do this time-consuming detail work. In most cases, in a fraction of the time it would take them and at a fraction of the cost.
DON'T LET THIS BE YOUR FATE
Identify your core genius, then delegate completely to free up more time to focus on what you love to do.
Jack believes that you can trade, barter, pay for and find volunteer help to do almost everything you don't want to do, leaving you to do what you are best at--and which will ultimately make you the most money and bring you the most happiness.
For me this works great having employees, a maid, etc. frees up tons of time to give the time you need to focus on your core genius and concentrate on what makes you the happiest.
Jack Canfield is known as America's Success Coach. He is trhe founder and co-creator of the billion dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance to learn more visit FreeSuccessStrategies.com
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Blogging...Not Only A Passion, But An Addiction.
I had the idea to create Financial Elite over a year and a half ago, when we started our silk screening and advertising specialty items business. I had set up a blog for both the business and Financial Elite after our web designer had suggested doing so to help drive traffic to our site.
I didn't do anything with either one until last October when I decided to really give blogging a try. What started as wanting to post a few thoughts and tips both in the business and financial world has gone from hobby to passion to addiction.
I absolutely love blogging. It has been great hearing from the readers, as well as seeing the blogs continue to grow and change. I have been learning a lot as I go namely from ProBlogger.
It has been very exciting to see people Digg my posts as well as increase my ranking on Technorati. Thanks to all the readers who have assisted me in doing so. Since in November I have gone from a ranking of approximately 4,700,000 to today's current ranking of 1,767,593 on Technorati.
I still have a way to go to the number one spot on Technorati, but jumping 3,000,000 spots in rank has been interesting to see.
So thanks again for everyone's support. I hope you are gaining lots of knowledge in the financial world. I love to hear from you so keep those cards and letters coming. Here's to going to the top...for everyone.
I didn't do anything with either one until last October when I decided to really give blogging a try. What started as wanting to post a few thoughts and tips both in the business and financial world has gone from hobby to passion to addiction.
I absolutely love blogging. It has been great hearing from the readers, as well as seeing the blogs continue to grow and change. I have been learning a lot as I go namely from ProBlogger.
It has been very exciting to see people Digg my posts as well as increase my ranking on Technorati. Thanks to all the readers who have assisted me in doing so. Since in November I have gone from a ranking of approximately 4,700,000 to today's current ranking of 1,767,593 on Technorati.
I still have a way to go to the number one spot on Technorati, but jumping 3,000,000 spots in rank has been interesting to see.
So thanks again for everyone's support. I hope you are gaining lots of knowledge in the financial world. I love to hear from you so keep those cards and letters coming. Here's to going to the top...for everyone.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
What Happened To My CPM and CTR?
I have to say blogging has been great. I have a chance to share what interests me, as well as, share what knowledge I have. It has also been a way to make extra money through Google AdSense.
I have read that usually it takes about six months to start getting lots of views and start making money, but I started making money in the first month I started using AdSense and writing regularly. My readership and blog views have gone through the roof lately, but my CPM and CTR rates have diminished greatly. Also, my revenue has decreased.
CPM stands for costs per 1,000 views.The "M" stands for "mille", which is Latin for thousand. The advertiser pays based on how many times the ad is seen.
CTR stands for click through rate. It is a percentage of how often an ad is clicked relative to how many times it is displayed.
Having my readers and views increase is what I have been striving for and they keep growing. I love hearing from people and for them to share their knowledge as well. I also thought an increased viewership would increase CPM and CTR. I'd love for everyone to share their knowledge of CPM and CTR, as well as, their best practices with AdSense. Let me hear from you.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
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I have read that usually it takes about six months to start getting lots of views and start making money, but I started making money in the first month I started using AdSense and writing regularly. My readership and blog views have gone through the roof lately, but my CPM and CTR rates have diminished greatly. Also, my revenue has decreased.
CPM stands for costs per 1,000 views.The "M" stands for "mille", which is Latin for thousand. The advertiser pays based on how many times the ad is seen.
CTR stands for click through rate. It is a percentage of how often an ad is clicked relative to how many times it is displayed.
Having my readers and views increase is what I have been striving for and they keep growing. I love hearing from people and for them to share their knowledge as well. I also thought an increased viewership would increase CPM and CTR. I'd love for everyone to share their knowledge of CPM and CTR, as well as, their best practices with AdSense. Let me hear from you.
[This post is written and copyrighted by Financial Elite (http://financialelite.blogspot.com/ ).]
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