On The Path For Success!

I have just decided to hop on the path of success. I am now focused on doing everything I possible can to make my life as successful as possible. I don't know what your idea of success is, or how you view being successful, but I'll tell you what successful means to me. To me, successful means, when I wake in the morning to when I go to sleep at night I feel that my day was not wasted. I maximized the best I could out of my day, everything I wanted to do, I did. Also I feel that being successful, my number worries will not be focused around money! Money will be the last thing on my mind.

As of writing this, I'm currently a college student and work about 20-30 hours a week. I definitely don't have a world class job, it's in retail. And for me it sucks! It sucks big time. Nothing more could ruin my day than knowing I have to go into work. Going there just puts me in a bad mood and I know the customers can see it in my face. The pay is lousy, I hardly have anytime for my girlfriend and friends, I just feel like since I'm working there life is passing me by and I'm not getting a chance to enjoy it. I'm stuck at working slaving, and everyone else is enjoying their time in college. I wish I could have the luxury of saying I live paycheck to paycheck, but I don't. Because my paychecks are next to nothing, I spend most of my check if not all of it paying back loans from friends, and/or credit cards, because I don't make enough to feed myself for a week and put gas in my car.

People are always telling me to find a better job, and I am looking. Actually starting as I write this because I am fed up with my current situation. It's just hard to find a job where I can work in the evening (sounds like an excuse to me). I work on commission and there are some people at my job who are making some type of decent amount of money, and what sucks is I know I am just as good as a salesman as they are or even better. So I decided while in the process of searching for another job I am going to not try, but ACTUALLY DO BETTER at work. I am going to make a effort to strive for the best I possible can at work and succeed.

Making Life Changes

The first thing I decided to do on my path of success was change. There was no way I could be successful if I didn't change the way I was thinking, acting, or living my life now. I had to make changes in my life that would help further me on my path for success and change was the first thing that came to my my mind. If you want to be successful, change you lifestyle to the way that will help you become successful.

I implemented this philosophy in my work place. All I can say is that working on last Saturday was probably one of the best days I have had in a long time. Not only was my attitude better at work, but I was selling more than anybody else. This made me feel amazing. I truly felt I had done an excellent job at work on Saturday. I didn't feel I had wasted my weekend.

I decided to do this with the rest of my life. I try to make the best out of each day and only focus on the positive. If you think positive and have a positive out look on life only positive things can happen. You won't sweat the negative things anymore and obsess about them, because doing that will only bring you down. Don't dig your own grave.

The next thing I decided to do was write down everything I wanted to get do and get done for the day. I felt that if I could finish everything on my list or most of the things on the list I would feel that my day wasn't wasted. I was corrected. I got a sense of well being and accomplishment every time I checked off a completed task on my list. I time I check something off I feel I am one step closer to reaching my goals.

Setting Targets and Goals

I am now setting targets and goals for myself. Not just any targets or goals, but targets and goals that will keep me and further me on my path for success. I recently started a clothing brand with a friend and it has been doing OK. We have made a good amount of sales, but not enough sales to the point where we can both be satisfied. So I have set some small goals I have for the business to try to get our products out there to the masses. I've been trying to do some word of mouth marketing on different forums and places where our target market would be at online. I am hoping by the end of they year we can sell off at least 50% of what products we have left.

Also I have set goals with my blog and how I can make it a better blog for everyone. I'm not trying to write a new post everyday, but to at least write one or two very insightful post a week that can help improve the lives of myself and others. I want to show people that you can go from nothing to something and to join the ride with me and lets become successful together.

Stay Positive

This is probably the main idea. You have to stay positive. Nothing worth anything comes over night. It takes hard work, it takes working smart. I know it's going to keep having a positive out look everyday, but understand that if you continue to work in the direction you wish you, sooner or later if you continue to work towards it you will get there.

Let's play with the Stock Market part 2

Remember how I posted I was going to start learning about the stock market and try my luck with it? Well I was talking to a friend and class and what he told me only confirmed my decision in deciding to go ahead and play with the stock market. He is taking a class about the stock market and everyone in the class has to buy and trade stock for a grade in the class (they use fake money). Well he told me he invested $100 in a company and by the end of the month had made $900 (to bad it was only fake money).

So now I'm all reading up on everything about the stock market, how it works, the many different ways you can invest your money and buy stocks. I found this website and it basically has everything you could possible want to know about the stock market. Mind you it is definitely a lengthy read, so I don't expect anyone to just sit there and read through the whole thing in one day. I doubt if it is even possible as there is sooooooo much information they give. I figured this is were my next step is. To read about and learn enough so I can feel comfortable about investing my my money in the stock market and not worry about losing it.

I don't know how long it's gonna take me to read through all of this, but like I said my main focus is to just get the gist of the stock market and to feel comfortable about investing with different companies. I do plan on reading it all and finishing it one day, but I'm eager to get started and don't want to let the flame die out, before I can get to invest.

So check out the website, tell me what you think and stay tuned for part 3!

http://www.greekshares.com/educate.php

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

Nothing last forever. All good things must come to an end. Breaking up is a part of life. Many of us have had to end relationships with love ones, and it's never easy. As much as I wish everything would have a perfect happy ending, life is not a fairytale. We've all have invested vast amounts of resources into our relationships, so we see them as investments. No one wants to give up on what seems to be a good thing. No one ever hopes for the worst, if you did, why waste your time to begin with?

Over the past few weeks I've been hearing stories of friends taking "breaks", finding out they have been cheated on, parting ways. All of this had me thinking about relationships. If my girlfriend broke up with me how would I take it? Honestly, I think I would take it pretty well. Don't get me wrong, I would be devastated and my heart would be broken, but this wouldn't be the first time. I know how it feels to get your heart broken. It's the worst feeling in the world, everything peopled told me was true. I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't function the same way as before. I was never hungry, because the only thought on my mind was all the mistakes I thought I made and questions like; "What did I do wrong? How could I have prevented this? How could I get her back?" I couldn't sleep, because I was afraid she would call me late at night saying she missed me, she was sorry for everything that happened, and there was nobody else she wanted more than me and that she wanted me to take her back, and I didn't want to miss that call. I wasn't myself anymore and people noticed. There is nothing worst than telling someone you don't LOVE them anymore. After that experience I could understand why people do the crazy things they do after someone breaks up with them. A broken heart was probably the most worst feeling I ever felt.

BUT.....

Don't let it consume you. Don't let it control you. This is YOUR life and you play by your rules and the quicker you understand that, the better you will be. Don't allow someone else to have control over your life. Let it go, forgive them, stop holding on to the "what-ifs." The quicker you free yourself from the chains that have held you prisoner for so long. The quicker you can find someone who can mend that broken heart and put it back together in a way you never thought possible. There are too many people out there just waiting for the opportunity to weather the storm with you, to teach you how to spread your wings and fly. You would be surprised who and where you find LOVE in. It could be on the bus, in the grocery store, online, or maybe even right next to you in math class. LOVE is a great thing when you let it happen and don't try to fight it off. So LOVE every person as if it were your last. Give them your all in hopes that they will return the favor.

And if all else fails, just think of karma. It's a cycle, treat others bad, and others will treat you with the same respect. Also who knows, their lives could be miserable now after you, and you're living life to the fullest while they are stuck in a meaningless relationship void of all emotions

Let's play with the Stock Market

So, I have a friend who has been for the past couple of weeks has been trying to get into the stock market. She has been asking everyone on advise on buying stocks or on which stocks to buy (I think she really just wanted to know which stocks to dump her money in so she could start making money). My advise was to buy low, sell high. Pretty simple enough, but then it really got me thinking and sparked a question. How do you know which stocks to buy and when? I know there is no definite answer on the subject, but being knowledgeable on the subject seems better than just randomly purchasing cheap stock and hoping for the best.

So I decided to do a mini-series on what it takes to play in the stock market and hopefully how to do it well. I figure what do I have to lose(besides all my money)! I don't plan to dump my whole life savings in stocks and I'm not too worried about going broke, as I am already broke. Look at it as I see it, you can only lose what you put in. Put in 100$, you could lose, but put in 100$, you could get a return of 200$, 500$, 1,000$, etc. The amount of money you could make is infinite. So way not give it a try. Use the money you were going to waste on something that wouldn't give you any opportunity on a return of your money, to go buy some stock.

But now you're wondering, what stock should I buy? How does the stock market work? I know nothing about it. I am in the same boat as many of you that is why I decided to learn the stock market and keep track of all my activities and any information, here for everyone to see and learn from. This is just the start. Let's play in the stock market and win BIG!

How to Get Out of Debt!

Well its that time of the month again [Editor's Note: We were wondering why you were acting so cranky!], time to fork over that money to pay those credit card bills! I always hate doing it, because my bank accounts looks so pitiful afterwards and it depressing. Every time I finally get a little bit in the bank I have to give it away. So it got me thinking, how did I get so far in debt in the first place and why for the life of me can I not remember what I spent all that money on?

Now everyone says its easy to get out of debt, just stop using your credit cards, but come on! Its not that simple. If it were, then everyone should be out! So I was pondering "what did I swipe my credit cards on?" I could only remember of a couple of things and everything I thought of was a want, not a need. I didn't need to to purchase that item, but I wanted it! And that instant gratification that came with it right after buying it. But as quickly as the gratification came, the quicker it went away. Only leaving me with a large sum to pay back.

The experts a.k.a. my parents always say "Only charge what you can pay back!" In my younger days, I thought what's the point of that?! If I have enough for it right now, why not just use the money I have right now? I'm gonna swipe that plastic on something I can't afford and get what I couldn't get right NOW!!!! After a few short lived months, I realized that wasn't the best of ideas, because now I had to pay back all that money I had to borrow. So then I changed the way I thought to, well if I can pay it back by the end of the month I'll be alright, but my paycheck math was never correct and I always ended up forgetting to factor in spending money on food and gas. Also those credit card companies are tricky, they always throw you these small ass minimums, nice little security blanket for people. If I can just pay the minimum I'll be alright! But sadly that is what they want you to do, because if you keep using the cards while just paying the minimum you'll never be out of debt! So I have now come to the decision; I NO LONGER WANT TO BE IN DEBT!

That's why I thought up some steps to help get me and hopefully YOU out of debt!source

Step 1:Acknowledge that you have a problem. You can't fix the problem if you don't realize you have one. Once you have come to terms and realize that there is a problem you're one step closer to getting out of debt!

Step 2: STOP USING YOUR CREDIT CARDS! You can't build up more debt if you stop creating it! Just stop using them. Cut them up, burn them, destroy them, hide them! Does the expression "out of sight, out of mind." right a bell? If they are not there to see, then soon or later you will stop thinking about using them. Think of your credit cards as the shovels that are digging your grave. By using them frivolously, you're digging you're own grave.

Step 3: Make small cut backs. Now that you have stopped using your credit cards, you need to start using and spending your money more wisely and the first thing is to stop spending your money on items and services you don't really use or need. Cancel that membership to the gym you never go too, don't eat out as much, do you really need those manicures and pedicures, stop buying those $4 Half-Mocha Cappuccino Iced-Tea Lattes, wash your car yourself, buy store brands items, etc. Just cutting out these small things can help save hundreds, maybe even thousands a year!

Step 4: Start saving money. Open up a saving account and start putting atleast 10% of each check in there. It might not be much now, but a little adds up to a lot after awhile. And trust me, once its starts looking like a nice number, having all that money in the bank is a moral booster!

Step 5: Put all of your bills together. Putting all of your bills together in one area allows you to see how much you are in debt by. Having a solid number is always handy and knowing exactly how much you owe and how much you need to pay each month on each bill allows you to take better control of the situation.

Step 6: Have a plan on how much you plan to spend between paychecks. Now me personally, I try to spend as little as possible between paychecks. If I can spend $0, then I'm going to try to do that, but that's never realistic. So I always set aside a certain amount for food and gas. The basic two things I need to get by in the week to make sure I have more than enough to put towards my credit cards. Now for you set it up for your lifestyle, make sure you set enough for your monthly bills, groceries, gas, eating out, and other things you might need to get done during the week.

Step 7: Control your spending. After setting up your plan, you might find it hard to keep to at first, but do what I do. The things that need money first always get paid first. My savings account is always the first thing to get paid. Then I take a chunk out for my bills, then I just keep going down the ladder based on importance.

Step 8: Always pay your bills on time! There is nothing worst then having to pay late charges. So pay you bills on time or before they are due. If you follow this, then that's one less thing you have to worry about. Also not paying your bills on time has consequences; like raising your interest rates, lowering your credit score, making your bills even larger than before.

Step 9: Start a debt snowball. I'm sure you have heard of the snowball effect? Well apply that methodology to your debt. Now that you have started to gain control of your finances, see where you can finds some extra money, like $50 or $100. Now with this extra money you are going to use it to start helping pay off your debt. Order your bills from smallest to largest. Now with your smallest bill, pay the minimum plus that extra money you found and continue doing that until that bill is paid off. Then take that money you were using to pay off that bill and apply it to the next until that one is paid off and just keep going in that fashion until all of you debt is paid off.

Step 10: See where you can make larger cuts. Now that you have started with the snowball effect, see if you can find places where you can cut more money to add to your snowball. Sell your car for something smaller and more fuel efficient, find a smaller apartment/condo/house, pick up a roommate, or move back home with your parents.

Step 11: Find other sources of income. Nothing helps lower your debt faster then earning more money. Take a couple of minutes and brainstorm on different ways you can make more money. Ask for a raise, start a business, sell things on ebay, get another job, anything that can help bring in more money than before.

Step 12: Have fun and celebrate! As soon as you're out of debt celebrate! have fun (with in modesty)! You deserve it after working so hard to get out of debt and working towards getting out of debt! Try and find things you can do for free, make it a game, and win the game!

Dead End Jobs...

Of the people that know me, and know where I work, they know how much I HATE my job. Nothing ruins a day worst then know, having, and being at work. Retail has to be the work of the devil (or better, brings the devil out of people!) Not only do I feel like I'm going now where, I don't feel any satisfactions from my job. There is nothing worst then watching some of your coworkers who make you ask this question several times a day, "I know there aren't people this stupid?", only to have them confirm you skepticism, out sell you from time to time. Also the people who should get fired (have several complaints from not just associates, but customers also, stealing high priced items, and just have been nothing but drama from day one) most of the time never get fired, and the people who shouldn't make one mistake (like drinking a $1.50 bottle of water, without paying for it) get fired on the spot! The job just plain sucks and I always wonder why I stay like a dumb ass.

I'm sure there are many people out there that feel the same way I do and wonder why they stay even though they so badly want to leave. So I thought about it, I looked at it from different perspectives, and I used this wonderful invention called Google and I came up with the answer to my question, "Why do people stay in dead end jobs?"

Ignorance
I first looked at it in the perspective of the idiots I work with, and their mentality. I came to find out may of them don't feel that they are working a dead end job. Most of their life has been spent as a failure, many of them struggled through school only barely passing, been picked on by other people for being so simple. My job praises simpleness. The more simple you are the more they praise you, and it makes sense, why hire someone who is going to ask questions as to why they do this, when it's so much easier to do that. when Simple Jon will just do what ever you tell him no questions asked. Just feeding them false hope is better than what they had before; that hopeless failure mentality. The hollow promises fed to them is more than enough to keep them in line.

Also another from of ignorance is, believing there are no better jobs out there and thinking that everyone is in a dead end job. I don't know of anyone who thinks this way, but if you do, then I have news for you, there are plenty of better jobs out there!

Contentedness
I guess this also refers to the Simple Jons I work with as many of them are completely content with working where they work. They like that they have a routine. It makes them feel safe. I'm not going to lie, it is nice getting a paycheck every week (it just the amount on the paycheck sucks!) But many of these people fear venturing off into the unknown. Who knows what's out there, might as well play it safe.

Apathy
Don't confuse apathy with contentedness. Apathetic workers are worker who stay in a dead end job because they don't care; there is no motivation to do anything better. These people don't feel any certain way towards there job, they are void of all emotion. A good example of these type of workers, are those people you feel are work zombies.

Fear
Even though Ignorance, Contentedness, and Apathy my play part in why people work in dead end jobs, the main reason is Fear. Fear can be manifested in all shapes and forms. You have fear of the unknown, the fear of being under qualified for the job you want, the fear of taking a risk, the fear of failure, the fear of being worst off then what you were originally, and that's only to name a few.

How does one escape a life of quiet despair? How does one learn to take risk, when we've been trained to enjoy the company of comfort and security? Knowledge, knowledge is key. The more you know the further you can direct your life and career in the way you wish it to go and the better suited you can be to obtaining your goal.

The is no need to feel hopeless, when everything you need can be so easily obtainable. Don't be afraid of walking towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Stop living in the dark and shine some light on your world. You'll be surprised how beautiful it is.

Mattress Wallet: Financial Comfort

I always heard it was a good place to put your money!