Category Archives: Successful Kids

Nov 09 2014
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Financial Success, Successful Kids

Swim With The Sharks – Introduction

College students and young adults…As you transition into your professional lives you will begin to earn a noticeably higher level of income (as intended). Congratulations! That is what you invested all that time, energy and money in, to-date. And, remember, don’t stop!!!

Realize though, you will now become noticed — by the sharks. Consider yourself fresh new blood that has entered the tank and the sharks want some (of your money)!

To be clear, there are MANY products and services available to make life safe, comfortable and rewarding. And, more importantly, there are MANY which are absolutely unnecessary (a complete waste of our time and money). If we aren’t careful (and I certainly wasn’t) the sharks will take their portion.

The purpose of this series is to share a number of shark attacks I’ve been involved in, in my own life, which left me some scars of experience to share.

Realize, even sharks need to make a living.

The challenge is spotting them, as they “usually” don’t look like sharks. They often look and smell nice (all suited up). They can be very courteous, professional and polite. Hardly the look of a blood thirsty fish that we would fear for our life.

Tougher still, is that shark attacks are 100% legal. Legal, but totally unnecessary! They are simply a way for sharks to take our money so they can earn their living.

Now that I’ve whet your appetite, you might be asking: “What in the world could he be about to cover on the topic of legal shark attacks“. Well, this would include:

  • Certain forms of life insurance (Yes, we need life insurance. But, which kind?)
  • Certain (for fee) programs
  • Memberships (that we seldom use)
  • Credit Cards (the hidden teeth)
  • Paying for anything we can get for free
  • And, other things that I may think about along the way

In addition to the above being forms of “money suckers” they also create long term entanglements in our life that are just not worth our time. So, to keep life simple and low cost as possible, these are things that can be avoided (I certainly wish I had). But, then again, I wouldn’t have anything to write about on this topic 🙂

Makes me think of a quote, which goes something like:

The Best Kind Of Experience Is – Someone Else’s Experience

As such, you are encouraged to “consider” the experiences being shared here so that you can avoid these shark attacks in your own life.

All the best!

Nov 07 2014
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Personal Success, Successful Kids

College Education – Just Git-R-Done!

High school and college students…If you are like me (at that stage of my life), I had NO CLUE as to what I wanted to do or be when I grew up. I still don’t 🙂

As we are making the transition from high school to that next level in our life and/or about to complete our Associates Degree in college (for example) we often want to pause, take a break, and come back to continuing our education — later. It just sounds like such a tantalizing prospect, FINALLY having some time off from school.

For those considering this, please think long and hard…

There are a number of very good reasons to NOT take the break and simply forge ahead to get that college education done:

  • You are (likely) still living at home or are still under the wings of your parents, and therefore have reduced living expenses, allowing you to focus on knocking it (your grades) out of the park.
  • Mom and Dad are “more likely” to continue providing an “assist” towards “continuing” that education.

If you “pause” a number of variables will be introduced that may result in you not actually completing that degree:

  • You will likely want to move out on your own (which can be very liberating), increasing your living expenses.
  • You will likely meet a significant other (if you haven’t already), increasing your living expenses 🙂
  • You will get real focused on your current job(s) to pay for all the things you want to do. The job “may” not be as high paying as it could be, if you had achieved your degree(s).
  • You will have entered a cycle (stage of life) that will make it increasingly difficult (certainly not impossible) to go back to school.
  • Mom and Dad are going to retire at some point. Continuing to foot educational expenses may no longer be in their plan, in the future.

I’m certainly NOT saying the path outlined above is bad. I’m simply saying that, in taking it, you may not end up where you planned to be, in the desired timeframe. Said another way, the longer we delay getting the desired degree the longer we delay receiving the increased income that results from a higher level of education.

Time to repeat one of my favorite quotes:

Do what you MUST as quickly as possible, so you can do what you WANT for as long as possible.

As outlined in a prior post, education is the most powerful equalizing force. It is suggested that you take every advantage to get over the major hump of acquiring your degree(s) early, and then never stop self-education – that means FOREVER.

And, remember, education in and of itself is useless, unless we apply ourselves by working our tails off! If you do this, the sky is the limit!

As mentioned in recent posts, our oldest son (Ian / 25) just wrapped up his Bachelor’s Degree in Web Development, along with achieving an Associates Degree and related Certificates in his field along the way. His perspective: the time QUICKLY flew by, in the blink of an eye. He Got-R-Done! Now, he can look forward to building on this foundation!

All the best!

Oct 04 2014
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Successful Kids

The American Dream – What Are We Teaching Our Children?!?

In a recent conversation with my 17-year old son (Evan), he was mentioning that, in one of his classes, a survey was taken asking the students the following questions:

  1. Can most anyone be successful in America?
  2. Are the majority of the unemployed not working by choice?

He was surprised to observe that he was among the very few who answered YES to both questions. I’m so proud of my kids and the way they think 🙂

Let’s explore each question:

Can “Most” Anyone Be Successful in America?

First, we must define what success is. It certainly is not the same for everyone. I’d suggest that the definition of the American Dream (as shared in Wikipedia) pretty much sums it up.

The American Dream is a national ethos of the United States, a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success, and an upward social mobility achieved through hard work. In the definition of the American Dream by James Truslow Adams in 1931, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.

The idea of the American Dream is rooted in the United States Declaration of Independence which proclaims that “all men are created equal” and that they are “endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights” including “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

The American Dream is, in my opinion, alive and well: for those willing to go for it!

For anyone doubting this…If someone were to tell their story about why they aren’t successful it is absolutely certain that we can identify a person (or numerous people) with the same story (or worse), who ARE successful (even wildly so).

As such, it would seem that success is a choice: to do what is absolutely necessary to become successful, or not. The good news is that I’m not leaving anyone hanging or simply “wishing them luck.” That is, the purpose of this blog is to share strategies to becoming successful! One simply has to take the necessary action – EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Now, for the 2nd question…

Are The “Majority” Of The Unemployed Not Working By Choice?

There are “some” unemployed who are trying diligently to land a job and having a tough go of it. My heart goes out to these people: those diligently trying – EVERY DAY. And, it is my hope that this blog offers some helpful strategies!

That said, there is no shortage of “jobs.”

After a quick drive through my hometown any casual observer will see a number of “Help Wanted” signs for full and part-time work. In reviewing the local newspaper one can find the same. And, we haven’t even gone online yet…

As such, if an able-bodied person doesn’t have a job (and hasn’t for a long period of time) I would agree with those who answered this question, in the affirmative (i.e., many of the unemployed are “choosing” not to work).

Given that we ALL must start somewhere (and, that would be at the bottom), it is critically important to reinforce to our children that:

  1. ANYONE can succeed / live the American Dream
  2. They MUST get a job and not rely on others (including the welfare system) – NO EXCUSES!

In summary, if we want “success” we must define what that means to us (specifically) and GET TO WORK.

DISCLAIMER: It is realized that a “very small” segment of our society cannot work due to moderate-to-severe mental and/or physical challenges. These are the people we MUST take care of. And, I’m happy to do my part! For the rest of us, able-bodied humans, the following quote applies:

If you don’t work, you don’t eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10

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