Livn the Dream

There are many ways to create the opportunity to live your passion.

I realize we all need money to survive and we all want the best for ourselves and our families. But what is the best? More stuff.... Bigger houses.... Name brand everything.... Eating out...... The newest electronics?

What we all really want is...... to be connected to people we love...... feel good about our work - make a difference.......... Be healthy........ Be a part of the bigger picture by helping others, working to clean up the environment, finding a cure to a disease, helping animals etc.

So how do we close the gap from wanting everything NOW and shifting our thinking to How good do I feel because I have this vs doing that?

It takes a conscience decision everyday with every decision. Eventually, it will be second nature. But for the first few months - before every purchase you need to stop and think - "Why am I buying this, Do I really need it NOW, Is it going to sit in a pile with other things I have bought and didn't really need.

Look at your actions - is it easier to buy things for others verses spending time with them? When I talk with people and ask what is important to them - they always tell me stories of when they spent time with their parents, kids, siblings and friends, volunteering and the difference they made. I have never had the response I feel great because I have all the latest electronics, a new sports car or the biggest house on the block. Never makes the top 100 responses.

The blog I need motivation asks great questions.

Health is the top answers all the time - but what are you doing to stay healthy? Our lifestyles are killing us. Fast food, hormones in meats, pesticides sprayed on all our vegetables and preservatives in all the processed foods we eat are terrible for us. 40 years of eating like this and you will not have a fun and healthy retirement. (if you even make it to retirement)

It takes as long to go through a fast food drive thru as it does to go home and grill a piece of chicken and steam some vegetables. Stores like Trader Joes and Whole foods have made eating without preservatives pretty easy. Local grocery stores are also labeling foods and setting up sections to make it easier.

I often hear that it is more expensive to shop at the above stores or to eat healthy. This is possibly true depending on how you go about it. Ways to keep costs down are: plan your meals, watch for sales, use coupons, go to farmers markets and eat what is in season. If you cut out soda and junk food, the extra money will cover the cost of the additional cost of the healthier food as well.

The long term cost to you is your health - so if you even start with some of your meals - it is a benefit.

So to recap -

Before spending any money - THINK - Don't sleep walk thru purchases. Marketers have trained you do this. Take control back.

Are you really fulfilled with what you are doing with your time? Would you rather be spending time with people or causes you care about? Playing a game, going for a walk, cooking a meal together are great ways to reconnect.

Staying healthy - Huge issue. We have been convinced that fast and processed is better. Go simple. Be able to name all the ingredients in the foods you eat. The less in it the better. Get back to the basics of eating. It will add years to your life.'

Lastly, here is the money part - take inventory of where you are financially. List all your debts and assets. Look at how much you are spending on rent, cable, cell phones, food etc. Can you reduce spending anywhere. Seriously, can you live without 2000 TV channels or eating out everyday?

The next post will cover more on the shift in thinking with spending money.

Stay tuned......

I Don't Care How Much Money you Have... If You Don't Know How to Manage It.....

Another star to go bankrupt. Nicholas Cage is the next casualty. My point is if you make $30,000 or $3 Million dollars - if you don't manage your money appropriately - you end up in trouble.

Cage owes 11 million on the house, it has been on the market for over a year. He was trying to get 11.5 million with no bites. The bidding was starting at 10.4 million - and guess what - no one is interested.

I tell students in every presentation. Just because you make more money doesn't mean you are going to make better decisions. If you do not know how to budget, live under your means, pay yourself first and live without debt -- you are subject to having financial issues.

I am one of the best presentations who will ever hear in your life - if you want to be not only financially successful - but learn to live your passion and have balance in your life.

Have your activities board shoot me an email or call me - I would be thrilled to come to any of your campus's. A rock band may be entertaining for a night but I will change your life forever.

Stay tuned....

Excellent Question on Inheritance

I received a question on Facebook and wanted to answer for all to see. This student has some very good questions and wants to make an informed choice vs. just listening to her parents. Although, some parents have excellent advice many are in financial distress themselves. I am a believer in educate yourself, listen to valuable resources and then make a decision. Then if it goes well you can feel good if it doesn't - you only have yourself to blame and learn from the lesson.

I have some questions about money stuff. I should ask now so I have a general idea of what to do. I just got the money that I inherited from my grandmother this past weekend. its enough to pay for the rest of my time in college so I don't have anymore student loans (which is amazing)but I have some money left over about $3000 what should I do with it? I want to save most of it but don't know where I should put it/what kind of account I have a savings account already, should I put it in there? and I don't know what to do with the chunk of money for next years tuition. what type of account it should sit in until I need it. my mom is trying to give me ideas but i want to have the final decision of what type of account it will be in.so.. suggestions?

First off, I am sorry for your loss. Inheriting money is about the least desirable way to obtain a windfall. But your questions are excellent.

Some basic money rules:

• Any money you need in the next 2 - 3 years should be in a very safe account. Savings, checking, money market that is FDIC insured. You do not want to take any risk with this money. You may not make alot of money in interest but the money will be there to pay your bills.

• Regarding the remaining $3000. It depends on when and how you want to use it. If you want to use the money after graduation for a car or house, then you may want to put it into a low risk mutual fund. Something that has a timeline feature. So if you need the money in 2014 - then check with a company like Fidelity Investments or T. Rowe Price and asked about their no load time based funds. Again, you are not going to get rich but it will be invested in the market in a diversified account for the appropriate risk for your time frame. This will give you the opportunity to make more than a savings account but remember you are taking on risk and may lose money if you need it on a specific date. If you can ride out the ups and downs of the market - and are not tied to a specific time line - you can wait for the market to rebound and hopefully make a few bucks.

• Another option is and my favorite if it applies. If you do not need the money and can save for retirement - put it in a Roth IRA. Again, use firms like Fidelity Investments, T Rowe Price, Vanguard to invest in time based funds. You would be looking at funds with the year ending 2050. The younger you are when you start saving small amounts of money for retirement. The better your opportunity for success. One factor is you have to have earned income to contribute to an IRA. So you will want to check the rules when you call the Investment Firm you opt to use. Also, never pay a load on a fund. It should not cost you money to investment small amounts of money, beware of back end loads - meaning you have to hold the investment for a certain amount of years to avoid a penalty. Look for NO LOAD funds.

Keep the questions coming and congratulations on educating yourself.

Stay tuned........

Make Sure You are Here to Enjoy Retirement and Help Those You Love Too

From Yahoo and Women's Day Staff

Protect Your Heart at Every Age
Follow these easy health tips specific to every stage of aging

By Woman's Day Staff -You're never too young—or too old—to start lowering your heart disease risk. Of course, exercising, eating healthy and reducing stress are key throughout life, but due to physiological changes that happen as we age, certain risk factors do become more of a threat.

In Your 20s
Stub Out a Social Smoking Habit Smoking is enemy number one when it comes to heart disease, and even just a few cigarettes can do damage: New research from McGill University in Montreal found that smoking just one cigarette a day stiffens your arteries by a whopping 25 percent. Plus, smoking erases the hormonal advantage you have from estrogen, which can leave you vulnerable to a heart attack before menopause, explains Dr. Bonow.

Don't Ignore the Birth Control Factor -Remember that hormonal contraceptives slightly increase the risk of blood clots, so if you've ever had one, make sure to discuss it with your doctor before going on birth control. And if you're currently a smoker, don't take oral contraceptives, because the combo can be especially dangerous, says Sharonne N. Hayes, MD, director of the Women's Heart Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

Watch Your Alcohol Intake - Moderate amounts of alcohol can have a beneficial effect on your heart. (By "moderate," we mean one drink a day or about 5 ounces—but many restaurants serve far more than that.) Overdoing it can raise triglycerides, increase blood pressure and lead to weight gain, thanks to all those empty calories.

In Your 30s
Get a Grip on Stress - When you're juggling career and family, it's crucial to find stress management techniques that work. "Untamed stress has a direct negative impact on heart health," says Dr. Stevens. "The constant bombardment of adrenaline raises blood pressure and destabilizes plaque in your arteries, making it likely to cause a clot or heart attack."
Lose the Baby WeightNo, you don't have to fit into your skinny jeans by the time the baby's 6 months old, but do aim to get back to your pre-pregnancy weight within one to two years. "Carrying around extra pounds can lead to high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors," Dr. Bonow says. Also remember that it's easier to lose weight in your 30s than in your 40s, when your metabolism slows down.

Stay Social - It's important to stay connected to friends and family for the sake of your mood and heart. Research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that high levels of loneliness increase a woman's risk of heart disease by 76 percent. On the flip side, having strong social support can help lower your blood pressure and improve other cardiovascular functions. Set aside time once or twice a week to call friends, or make a monthly dinner date.

In Your 40s
Make Sleep a Priority - Thanks to peri-menopause, fluctuating hormone levels can interfere with a good night's sleep. But not getting at least seven hours of shut-eye regularly can lead to increased blood pressure, low-grade inflammation and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, all of which are harmful for your blood vessels and heart, explains Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, a cardiologist at New York University School of Medicine and coauthor of Heart Smart for Black Women and Latinas. Lack of sleep has also been linked to weight gain. So establish good habits: Turn in (and wake up) at the same time every day—even on weekends—and do your best to relax before going to bed, whether it's watching a favorite funny TV show or reading.

Reassess Your Risk FactorsYou may discover that your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels have changed in this decade, even if you aren't doing anything differently, says Dr. Hayes. In fact, 22 percent of 40-something women have high blood pressure and 50 percent have high cholesterol (a jump from 38 percent of women in their 30s), according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Also, be sure to get your thyroid checked around 45; hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland), which becomes more common as women get older, can negatively affect your cholesterol levels as well as your heart.

Step Up Strength Training - You start to lose muscle mass more rapidly in your 40s, which causes your metabolism to slow down since muscle burns more calories than fat. Unfortunately, this makes it harder to stave off those extra pounds. To help maintain muscle and keep your metabolism going, aim for two 15-minute sessions weekly of lifting weights, using a resistance band or doing other toning exercises.

Carve out Personal Time"Between the demands of work and family, it becomes even more challenging to find time for yourself in your 40s," says Dr. Mieres. But it's crucial to do so—not only to help ease stress but also to guard against depression, which commonly crops up in this decade and can raise your risk of heart disease. "Find at least 10 minutes of ‘me' time every day to do something—even if it's just chatting on the phone with a friend—that helps you destress and regroup," says Dr. Mieres.

In Your 50s
Move More Around menopause, you tend to gain extra weight around your belly, which can lead to insulin resistance, inflammation and heart strain. Cardiovascular fitness also starts to decline, particularly if you're not that physically active to begin with. "Unfortunately, at this point, women have to burn more calories to stay at the same weight," Dr. Stevens says. Start taking the stairs instead of the elevator whenever you can, walk faster around the mall, or jog to the mailbox to send letters instead of sticking your hand out the car window as you drive by. Small changes really do add up.

Have an ECG - Silent heart abnormalities become more common in your 50s, and an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart's electrical activity can pick them up, says Dr. Goldberg. Also ask your doctor if you should have a stress test; this is especially important if you're just starting to exercise.
Add FiberBesides being good for your cholesterol and blood sugar, pumping up your fiber intake (think whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice and flaxseeds, as well as beans, fruits and veggies) can help prevent constipation, which becomes more of a problem as you get older and your digestive system starts to slow down.

In Your 60s
Get Even More Vigilant About ScreeningsAfter you go through menopause and get older, your blood pressure and cholesterol tend to go up, and blood vessels get stiffer. "Have your blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol measured yearly," advises Dr. Goldberg.

Consider Medication - If you have hypertension or high cholesterol, the way you've been managing it before may not be enough. "As you get older, you may need more aggressive therapy," Dr. Bonow says. "High blood pressure that was controlled with one medication may now require three to control it." Talk to your doctor about whether you need to add to or adjust your medications to control your risk factors.

Be Alert to Symptoms - Now is when the first noticeable symptoms of heart disease may appear, so it's important to know what's normal for your body and be on the lookout for worrisome signs like chest discomfort, shortness of breath or changes in exercise tolerance—meaning you suddenly feel winded going up a flight of stairs or feel unusually tired for no apparent reason, says Dr. Mieres. If these appear, see your doctor pronto!

Tuesday's Tips

Hey everybody, we're swinging into 2010 and I've got some great tips to get you rolling. After taking some holiday time to relax and refresh my brain it's now bursting with tips that just need to be given.

1) If you're setting goals write them down. This is probably the most important tip I'll give all year. There is no better way to fail to reach a goal than to not write it down. I've been saying for years that I'm going to get into better shape, start working out, and make positive lifestyle changes. However I never wrote those things down, and I've yet to work out for more than 2 weeks before stopping. In my head I'm always saying to myself "man I need to start working out again" or "that flight of stairs should not make me short of breath, I think it's time to start getting back into shape." But all of my inner monologues have yet to motivate me enough to go more than 2 weeks. But, I sat down one night and wrote down 5 goals that I'd like to accomplish this year. Some were very simple like "make different brownies in my new brownie pan once a month" and some were more advanced such as "earn my real estate license by passing the exams on the 1st try." My point is that if you don't right your goals down you will be less likely to complete them. This isn't just my opinion, it has been proven over longitudinal studies that have lasted over the past 50+ years.

2) Upgrade your education. In these economic times jobs are scarce and those that are available might want the best possible candidate. If you are equally qualified as another candidate, but that candidate has a license or higher degree, they may be the person that gets the job. Right now I am earning my Real Estate License because it will raise my value to my company, and it shows that I am taking initiative and wanting to learn more to help the company. My girlfriend is currently waiting to hear back from a graduate program that she applied to because she wants to take advantage of the down economy to further her education and improve her prospects for the future. Also, this program will get her into a job working with children which is what she would love to do.

So everyone, make sure you write down some goals and start educating yourself. And don't think education means you have to earn a degree or a license. It can be as simple as just taking a class or 2 at a community college or technical school. Whatever it is just start educating yourself and stick to those goals. Look at them every morning and every night. Keep a copy in your wallet or purse. Just write them down because you'll be hundreds of times more likely to work toward completing them.

Everyone take it easy and enjoy 2010. We're already almost 1/12 of the way through the year, so make sure to take advantage of what time is left.

I'm on a 168 hour break, so until then Stay Tuned...

Happy Holdiays

From our home to yours we wish you a healthy, happy and safe Holiday Season.

Top 10 - End the Year on Top

Top 10 Things to Do Before January 1

1. Go through closets, drawers and boxes - donate and help others. (get a receipt for a tax deduction)

2. Create a Will. Every person needs one. It is a gift to your loved ones. You can set one up at Legal zoom or contact an attorney.

3. Review the past year and set goals for the new year.

4. Set up a designated driver for any holiday outings.

5. Make any doctor appointments before your deductible renews.

6. Review expenses, spending, savings and debt. Make a plan to be debt free in 2010. Spend less than you earn and remember to pay yourself first.

7. Live your passion. Break the cycle of debt and spending so you can do the things you love.

8. Get a new skill, certification or degree. In the ever changing world, chances are you will have more than one career. Prepare ahead of the layoff or boredom.

9. Volunteer. There is nothing better than helping others. You will get more out of the experience than you give.

10. Change your thinking and attitudes about money and instant gratification. A few changes can change your life, future and relationships.

Wishing you all a safe and healthy Holiday Season.

Stephenie, Mary and Stefan

Tuesday's Tips

Because the shopping season in upon us there are some things we should always be watching for. These tips will hopefully save you some money this year.

1) Look to see if anything you've purchased is on sale. If it is then take it back to the store for a price adjustment. If it's on sale at another store take it back to your store and see if they'll price match. If they won't then try returning it and buying it cheaper at the other store. I've found that a few gifts I've purchased are now on sale and I've either had the price adjusted or matched on those items. It's saved me around $40 and only cost me half an hour of my time.

2) Don't spend if you don't have. Simply put, if you don't have the money in your account to cover a purchase, you don't need to be making the purchase. This time of year is when most people rack up credit card debt, and that needs to be avoided. Your friends and family should understand that you weren't able to spend a ton because you didn't want to end up with bad debt. Just be careful with those cards because it's easy to get caught with a bill you can't pay off.

But remember most of all to ENJOY the holiday's! Whatever you celebrate make sure it's with people you care about.

I'm on another 168 hour break, so until then Stay Tuned...

Tuesday's Tips

Good morning future (or current) millionaires. Today's tips are a review of some basic GenM ideals.

1) Pay yourself first. Don't be afraid to save. Some people will tell you that there is no need to save more than 5% in your 401K or retirement fund. Try to tune them out. Put away around 15% if you can. If you start out putting that much away, and learn to live off of the rest of what you earn, then you will be much more comfortable when you retire. If you think that's way too much then pull out a growth calculator and crunch the numbers. Look at the difference between putting away $1,500 every year and $4,500 every year over the course of 40 years at 8% interest. The difference between the totals is astounding. Believe me if you save today you'll be able to live financially free in the future.

2) Keep credit cards under control. Never carry over a credit card balance. If you don't have the money to pay for something and your solution is to use a credit card then don't do it. Obviously emergencies come up every now and then, but if you can't pay for the new clothes you want then don't buy them. Keeping credit card balances and paying the minimums on them is the fast track to big debt. Once you get in it's really hard to get out. Plus keep in mind that prospective employers, banks, and other people look at credit history before making decisions and bad credit can and will hurt your chances of getting that job or loan. So don't have tons of lines of credit and keep the balances paid off. You'll be happier this way.

Well I'm off to spread the financial good news to others, so I'm on a 168 hour break.

Until then, Stay Tuned...

Tuesday's Tips

Hey everyone! Time for another post based on real situations from my life. This week my situation is a bit depressing, but because of preparedness everything is going to be just fine.

1) Have at least 3-6 months of living expenses saved. Put this money in a fund that you never use. It's best to start by figuring out absolute necessities that need to be paid. Mortgage/rent, loans, medication, and utilities. Also add in another hundred or two for food and/or other necessities. If you have credit card debt, which I recommend avoiding, figure out the minimum payment. Start an account that will give you instant access to the money if needed, and then forget you have it. I have money deducted from each paycheck and automatically deposited into my account. That way I don't have to worry about spending what I'm trying to save. I also put part of any bonus money or tax return money into the account so I don't blow it all.

2) This money will be useful for any big event. This event could be anything: a large medical bill, job loss, or car crash. It could be any number of other things, but this money should be for emergencies. If you rack up lots of credit card debt and use your savings then there might be bigger problems that you need to address. This needs to be emergency only money. In my case my girlfriend lost her job recently. However we both have savings for just such an occasion. We won't need to worry about making rent or utility payments because we have our extra savings that we never spend.

So just remember to be prepared for any occasion that could arise. You'd be surprised that you'll save up a pretty large sum if you really want to. And should something come up that will cost a large sum, you'll have your emergency stash ready to go.

I'm on a 168 hour break so until then Stay Tuned...

Tuesday's Tips

Good afternoon millionaires. I am writing today about a bunch of random thoughts that popped into my head while I was sitting at work today.

1) Check for coupons and sales on your favorite items. This can work very well if your favorite food or items are non perishable. Say you just love Cheese-Its, but you can't afford them every week. Well if you watch for a sale and for coupons you can combine the two into a great savings and get more boxes at once. Then you just stock your pantry and you don't have to worry about spending tons on them, or buying them for a while. I recently did this with corned beef (I LOVE Reuben's) and purchased a bunch when it was half off at the deli. I even purchased enough to make a Reuben pizza (totally delicious) so that's a huge win in my book. The savings are so yummy.

2) Donate something. The holiday season is upon us, and it truly is time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. But those things we have, and might take for granted, other people can only dream of. Donate some time, money, a gift, etc. this season to help others. It is very easy to get caught up in our own lives and troubles that we forget to reflect and help those around us. The active chapter of my fraternity are holding a toy drive, for the Shriner's Hospital, at a local Wal-Mart this year, so I'm going to buy a toy to donate, and then help them run the booth outside. I encourage everyone else to find something that they are passionate about, and then find a way to donate in some facet, to that cause.

3) Celebrate the season! I am one of those people who typically gets annoyed that people are putting up Christmas displays in October, in spite of the fact that Halloween and Thanksgiving haven't happened yet. The commercialization is nauseating to me. That said, I realized that I was grumbling about it every time I went to the store, and that's not who I want to be. So I changed my tune and I just smile when I see the decorations and hear the music. I spent way too much time being negative about the decorations, and now I just go with it. It may not be the best solution, but I am a lot happier when I go out because I decided to go along with the celebration. So everyone celebrate, and spread the good cheer.

I've got to get back to work, but it'll just be another 168 hours and then I'm back.

Until then Stay Tuned...

Tuesday's Tips

Hello again everyone! It's time for another edition of Tuesday's Tips. Being that I just went to the grocery store tonight I decided to give my tips on smart shopping.

1) Make a list. This is probably the most important thing, in my opinion, to smart grocery shopping. If you go into the store knowing exactly what you need to buy, and you stick to it, you can avoid impulse purchases that rack up a hefty bill. As a side note, I have been shopping with a list for over a year now and it gets easier every time to stick to it.

2) Allow for one "special" item on your trip. I know it can be hard to stick to a list, and sometimes you need to mix it up so shopping doesn't become mundane. That's why my girlfriend and I decided to implement the special item rule. When we go shopping we allow ourselves to purchase any item ($5 or less) that isn't on the list. So if we have a craving for cookies we can get those. This makes the shopping trip a bit more fun because you can feel good about sticking to the list and get a little reward without breaking the bank.

3) Don't shop when you're hungry. This makes list shopping even more difficult because everything you walk by looks delicious. Even if you have a small snack before heading to the store it will make the trip up and down each aisle less tempting.

4) Check for coupons in the paper and online. This doesn't mean you have to buy only items for which there is a coupon. It simply means there are coupons available for so many items and you're likely buying one of them on any given trip. So take 10 minutes and do some searching because those $0.40 coupons add up (especially if your store doubles or triples coupons).

These tips ought to help some of you out there shave a bit off your food budget. My girlfriend and I spend about $80-$90 each time we go to the store, which means we're eating for around $6/day. But that doesn't mean we're eating canned ham - our meals include salmon, steak, pork chops, fruits and vegetables.

So do yourself a favor and analyze your grocery store habits and see where you could make some small changes and possibly save big time!

I'm on a 168 hour break, so until then Stay Tuned...

College Programming - Student Activity

We have just arrived home after visiting Maui Community College and then going to two College Programming Conferences. We have talked with many many students and advisers about the importance of our presentation. We understand the need for fun and stress relieving programs i.e. bands, magicians, poets, and comedians. We are just asking that the schools commit at least one program to educating their students on becoming financially independent in their lives.

The conferences are all about information and fun. The students learn how to pick amongst many very talented people who is best for their school and it's mission. There is networking, educational sessions, numerous show cases acts to see the artists at their best. Long days, little sleep and alot of smiles.

They have budgets and are responsible for bringing programs to their schools that will benefit their student body. Whether a night of fun and stress release or an entertaining yet powerful message about personal growth.

The students go home with bags full of novelty items and memories. Once they get back to school - the tough part begins - who do you bring to your campus? There are many talented individuals and so many different options.

They walk away from the conference with new skills, they learn about bringing in big programs to their schools, budgets, scheduling, negotiating, and balancing the schedule for the campus to ensure variety.

In the end many memories are made, relationships formed and we all want this generation to be successful and live a balanced passion filled life. Thanks to all the students who came to our showcase, stopped by our booth and smiled at us as they passed us in the hallways!

We hope to see you at your college soon!

Stay tuned........

Hawaii

If you have to travel for work - I highly recommend Hawaii! We spent 11 days on Maui and each day was better than the one before. The island of Maui is only 48 miles long and 26 miles wide but it has a very diverse climate. We were amazed that you could be in an area that is like a desert and 5 miles down the road you were in a lush rain forest. These pictures are on the Road to Hana. It takes 3 hours to go 26 miles. The road is filled with switchbacks and the beauty of the island unfolds as you make the journey. It took us 7 hours to get to Hana due to the fact that we stopped numerous times to hike or take in the beauty. Travel tip - buy a self directed CD from the Shell station for under $10, and drive it yourself vs a tour. Leave at sunrise to give yourself more time to enjoy the adventure. Even taking 7 hours to arrive in Hana - we felt rushed due to the impending sunset.

Check out the rainbow - this was at IAO Needle - waterfalls, amazing plants and flowers, rushing river in the background, and the sound of birds you couldn't see amongst the fullness of the rain forest.

IAO Needle - State Park and free parking. Amazingly beautiful. Take an umbrella - this is the only place we experienced rain the entire time we were in Maui.

Happy hour at the Shops at Wailea. From 3 -6 pm everyday you can enjoy reduced prices on food. If you don't drink alcohol two people can eat for under $15.00 and be very full. The price of food was higher than the mainland. At the grocery store we found everything is about $1.00 higher. Travel tip - bring your favorite snacks with you. We could have easily saved about $30 had we brought our own wheat thins, pretzels, crystal light packs, peanut butter, Advil, and suntan lotion.

We stayed at the Marriott in Wailea and loved it. Great beach for snorkeling and plenty of swimming pools to relax and read. This was our favorite we could feel the ocean breeze and see the beauty while keeping cool. Major travel tip - the cheapest online price for a room was $260 a night. I used priceline and got the same room for $95 a night. They charges a resort fee of $25.00 a night but that provided free parking some other extras so the total per night was $120.00, We saved over $1400 for the exact same accommodations and service.

The website bidding for travel can provide you with rates fellow travelers have received. It is broken down by state and then region. Very helpful so you don't over pay. We also used priceline for our car rental. We saved over $60 on that as well. We used frequent flyer miles for our airline tickets.

Next post will be our visit to Maui's Community College and our sailing/snorkeling trip.

Stay tuned......

Business & Pleasure

Hey GenMer's! Just wanted to let you know that GenM is doing a presentation in Maui this week, so we won't be posting regularly until next week. Tune in next Tuesday when Stefan will post another edition of Tuesday's Tips!

Keep livin' the dream and Stay Tuned...

Keeping Your Options Open

It is very interesting...... the way money can control every move we make in our lives. It is important to have balance. In a perfect world you would have an emergency fund, savings, no debt and a life style that fits your income.

Our youngest son Bradley started Pharmacy Graduate School at Ohio State University this fall. He had an intensive 3 year undergraduate program and was ending that fairly stressed out. While in the midst of that pressure - he decided he wanted to learn Spanish fluently. He picked up the first two classes - and then opted to go to Ecuador for the summer to be part of an intensive language program.

This was a very expensive choice. He said to me I will get plenty of experience in a Pharmacy in time - this option will not affect my "career path". In fact, it will open doors in most parts of the world.

So he applied for more loans and headed to Ecuador for the summer. It ended up being a life changing event. First, he learned Latin Spanish, he can read, text and speak fairly well. He bonded with the family he lived with and will have friends for a lifetime, he traveled all over the country and after spending time with the indigenous people and the shamans - realized he has a passion for Natural Pharmacy Options as well as Western methods.

Upon coming home he applied for a mission trip with the nursing and medical school at OSU and will be going to Honduras in December to help with dispensing the medications and explaining - yes in Spanish - how to properly use the medications prescribed.

He has also connected with Amy Greeson of the Healing Seekers and hopes to work with her in the future.

Had we only looked at the money Brad would have missed a very important lesson in his life. He found passion, a new culture, learned a new language, made friends and had a life changing summer that has already opened two new doors for him.

Make sure you are always looking at all angles of the choices you are making. Part of Generation Millionaire is living your passion while making responsible decisions.

Stay tuned........

Tuesday's Tips

Hey everyone! I'm back from my vacation with an update about how well my girlfriend did on sticking to our budget. Fortunately we did well, but unfortunately it was still an expensive trip.

Our overall budget allowed for two nights at a hotel in Hilton Head, a nice dinner out in both Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head, an evening at Medieval Times in Myrtle Beach, groceries for the week, and miscellaneous spending for entertainment and souvenirs. And even though we were staying at a condo in Myrtle Beach for free, we knew there would be gas costs and other things like toll booths that would drive our spending up. We budgeted for $900, but hoped we didn't spend nearly that much.

It turned out that our nice dinners ended up being pretty affordable for us. We went to Landry's in Myrtle Beach and our 2 dinners and an appetizer totaled $71. The appetizer was amazing and our dinners were big enough to take home for lunch the next day. We went to Kingfisher in Hilton Head, at the bride and groom's request, and that was even cheaper. We ordered a pound of crab legs and boy were they awesome. We also got drinks and our total was only $50. The only downside was that there were no leftovers.

Medieval Times was sooooo much fun. I highly recommend it for families or couples or anyone wanting a fun night out. We got to eat with our hands and the food was delicious. We got drinks again, and even got to keep the cups! Plus we got a show along with the dinner because the actors were riding around on horses and jousting. I can't even describe how much fun the night was. The night was expensive though, but because we budgeted it wasn't so bad. Total night cost was $130.

The groceries were only $55 but the food lasted for the entire week plus some. I just finished eating the last of the clementines we bought for the week. In hindsight we didn't realize how many clementines came in the crate. Plus we were still able to eat healthy for the week and spend less on food.

Among the miscellaneous entertainment and spending was the Aquarium in Myrtle Beach which was $40 for a few hours of petting sting rays and watching penguins hatch. There was more than just that, but I can't write all day about an aquarium. We also purchased a Karmel Rockaccino at the KISS Coffeehouse, which was so funny. KISS really does endorse everything and anything, but they also make a good frozen coffee drink.

All in all our vacation was a huge success in both the fun department and the spending department. We spent around $850, and over half of that was the Medieval Times evening, the 2 nights out, and the hotel cost. If we could do it all over again we wouldn't have changed a thing.

Well I'm still in vacation mind mode, so I'm going on a 168 hour break. So until then Stay Tuned...

$ Matters with Mary

Cleveland, OH Our last day!

After a trip down memory lane at the Lorain International Festival, we were well fed and ready for more Baseball. We had family waiting for us with the tickets for our 4th and last game. The Cleveland Indians vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

Gary’s nephew Chris, Chris’ beautiful wife Tara and 2 sons Christopher and Kyle were outside looking for us when we arrived. They had a fun evening planned and wanted to get started. Dinner was first on the list. They know us well.

There is nothing like going out to eat with locals. They took us to the Moosehead Hook and Ladder #3 in Olmsted Falls. What a great choice! The restaurant is located inside the historic Olmsted Firehouse. The food prices were affordable and the portions generous. The décor and costumed wait staff added to our enjoyment.

Travel Tip: Go off the beaten path and explore local establishments. It will make your trip unique and give you street cred with the natives.
From the restaurant we followed Chris to Progressive Field.

As we pulled into the parking lot the attendant was waving us through. Gary stopped and asked what we owed. We were told, “Nothing. The gentleman ahead of you paid for your parking.”

Impress Your Family and Friends Tip: If the opportunity ever arises - pay the toll, parking fee, etc for the guy behind you. It’s a real class act and one they won’t forget.

At the ballpark, Christopher age 11 and Kyle age 8 were a blast. Big enough to follow the game and young enough to be genuinely excited. And they could leave their parents to walk around the stadium with the “big” cousins.

It’s been a painful year for Indians fans. Tonight was no exception. The Indians lost to the Reds but nothing could take away from the experience of being with family and watching the hometown team play. Tickets were only $9 making it a fun and inexpensive night out.

This wraps up our 11 day, 7 state, “Tour of Stadiums” vacation. I hope you found a few tips to use on how to save $, find balance in your life, and have a great time. If you have any questions or comments please send them to: GenerationMillionaire@gmail.com. Put $ Matters by Mary in the subject line. Or Twitter me at www.twitter.com/genmillionaire.

Godspeed,
Mary

$ Matters with Mary

Lorain, OH International Fun, Food, and a Lighthouse

We left Cedar Point on a beautiful Saturday morning. We were on our way to Progressive Field to see our 4th and last baseball game of the trip – The Cleveland Indians vs their cross state rivals The Cincinnati Reds.

In between Sandusky and Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie is my hometown – Lorain. When you grow up in one place (my parents lived in the same house for over 40 years) you don’t realize the things that make your town unique. And the things you will miss when you move 500 miles away.

Like always knowing which way is North because all you had to do was point to “The Lake.” Make fun of Lake Erie all you want – it was one of the best places to spend your summer. Plus for a medium size city, Lorain has more ethnic diversity than most big cities. Who knew that meant great food, great fun, and great celebrations?

If you ever attend the Lorain International Festival you will discover more international food, dances, music, and customs than you knew existed.

Budget Tip: Check out the events in your town. You may be surprised at what you find. Admission to the Lorain International Festival is $1.00 and parking is FREE. Unbelievable.
The first thing we did at the festival was head over to the boat ride to the Lorain Lighthouse. It was amazing that this ride was even taking place. For in 1965 the Lighthouse was slated for demolition. Fortunately a group of concerned citizens saved the symbol of Lorain. We were treated to a fun boat ride and wonderful tour – inside and out – of the lighthouse.

Life Tip: Learn about the history of your hometown. Take the tours of the historical buildings and landmarks when they are offered. Doing interesting things will make you a more interesting person.

After the boat ride we were ready to eat. We were overcome with indecision! So many choices, so many foods that we cannot get in North Carolina, everything looked and smelled fabulous. We bought a variety of food and had a feast while people of different nationalities performed their native music and dances.

We would have loved to spend more time in Lorain but we had family waiting for us and a baseball game to attend. So we packed up and headed to Cleveland.

Next week – Indians vs Reds

Until then – I’m looking for fun and food in your city………………………….

$ Matters with Mary

Cedar Point – The Roller Coast Capital of the World
We made it! Out of the calm of Notre Dame we arrived at the action packed atmosphere of Cedar Point.

Since childhood, Gary’s dream was to stay at the Breakers Hotel.

The lure of staying at the Breakers Hotel is that it is part of Cedar Point. You walk to the park from the hotel – which is wonderful if you want to take a break during the day or drop off souvenirs. You also get to enter the park one hour earlier than the general public. No long lines!

Travel Tip: Know what you are getting for your money. There is nothing inexpensive about staying at the Breakers, but there are a variety of room rates to choose from. The least expensive room (summer time) we found was $169.00. However this was in the older section of the hotel. That is code for window air conditioners and no elevator. Window air conditioners are fine, but keep in mind that the lobby and halls are NOT air conditioned.

Knowing that Ohio can be hot and humid in the summer, we planned ahead and budgeted to stay in the newer section. The hotel offered package discounts as well as discounts on admission to the park.

Budget Tip: Check out the package deals and other discounts. You may spend more on lodging but save on other areas. It may not balance out exactly but you may be able to afford something nicer than you expected. Also if your schedule permits – traveling off season is WAY cheaper.

Cedar Point is unlike any other amusement park. It is all about the rides especially the roller coaster. The park boasts a world record 17 roller coasters of which 3 are rated in the top 10. It is a coaster lover's dream come true. Not a coaster fan? No worries! Cedar Point has Everything – carousels, thrill, spinning, tranquil, and children’s rides and a water park. For a separate fee there are go-karts, miniature golf, parasailing and jet skis.

Whether your “fun” budget is for a day or a week, if you plan right there is no reason not to have the ride of your life.

Next week – Lorain OH - International Festival and the Lighthouse

Until then – I’m looking for fun and food in your city………………………….