“You’re so happy because you have what you want!” Boy, I’ve heard that many times. The people that say things like this are of the belief that success precedes optimism. How funny and yet how untrue! Look, I can see where it’s easy to think to that way… It’s a lot easier to be happy […]

Ah, relationship goals. Communicate effectively. Make time for each other. Grow together. Real relationships are based on authenticity. Setting and achieving objectives together makes for a good team. And while those are a great set of goals to have, they don’t “arm” a couple for the biggest relationship killer out there – problems with money. […]

“I can’t seem to stop spending!” “I’ve never been good with money!” “I tried budgeting but I just couldn’t stick with it!” “There’s no way I can save money, not with my expenses!” What do all these statements have in common? They’re bad habits masquerading as excuses. The bad habit of compulsive spending.The bad habit […]

When authors Tom Stanley and William Danko wanted to know how people became wealthy, their research turned up something odd. What they found was, many of the people who live in upscale neighborhoods and drive luxurious cars were actually living double lives. Although they had the outward appearance of wealth, they were not actually wealthy.  […]

It’s the battle cry of the beleaguered. And the mantra of the mediocre. And also the pet phrase of the pathetic… “The system is rigged!” Be it government, corporations, the stock market or financial institutions, many people feel that there’s a mysterious and evil “system” out there that keeps them down. Some secret and invisible […]

A majority of people around the world believe capitalism does more harm than good. This is per a recent survey from the Edelman Trust Barometer. Over two decades, the Edelman organization has polled tens of thousands of people on their trust in major institutions. But this is the first time they sought to understand how […]

You’re probably reading this right after you’ve slogged thru another work week. Working at a job you literally hate. You don’t want to be there. You never did. But there you are. And it’s really not “you” at that job. It’s just some imposter. Some alternate version of you that you created…to conform. You don’t […]

We’re all familiar with the parable of touching the hot pan on the stove. It literally defines the two types of people in this world… Those who are told that the pan on the stove is hot and therefore avoid touching it, so as not to get burned. And… Those who insist on touching it […]

I always hated the term “delayed gratification”. It literally translates to “postpone your happiness”. Geez. Who wants to do that? It’s also an oxymoron. The idea of course is that you delay purchasing something you want, and something that you would receive gratification from now, until a much later date. The presumption being that you […]

Boy, I’ve made some people mad. Friends, family, friends of family, exes, former colleagues…many are jilted. They got very mad when I did this – cut ties with them.  I didn’t set out to anger them. I didn’t offend them intentionally. Nope. It’s a consequence. A consequence of success. That’s right. On the journey to […]

I’m sure you’ve heard the oft-repeated phrases about patience – “Patience is a virtue” and “Good things come to those who wait”. So true. What’s equally true is their opposite – Impatience tends to breed mistakes, loss and unnecessary cost. Get in a hurry on the freeway and you’re likely to get a ticket or […]