money

For everyone not born filthy stinkin’ rich, which is just about everyone, we have to trade our time to do things so we live or we die (like earn money to pay for food, clothes, shelter, and on and on).

Let’s say we’re using time to make money, and this is a natural part of life. My point was if someone offered me more time or more money I’d take the time. Trent Hamm’s comment got me thinking about trading time and money and the parallel between trying to accumulate more time/money.

A lot of people look at earning more money as an important aspect of life. It is to a certain point, no doubt. Here’s what I ask you: what are you willing to pay for all this money? There’s a cost associated with everything in life, and even if you’re willing to pay the price there’s no guarantee you’ll reach your goal. The few who accumulate all that money get to reap the rewards of it.Read more

If you asked me to choose between time and money, I'd take the time and run.

One of my friends on Facebook posted about wishing she were independently wealthy. A lot of people want to have more than enough money. I'm no different. What I find interesting is how much people focus on having money to do things.

It doesn't make sense to me. Look, I understand it's not about having money, it's about the options which open up when you have money. Let me ask a question: if you made enough to live on and have something extra, what can you not do?

I bet you're creating a list in your head right now. Write it down. Think about it a minute.

Then go to Google and search for people who do each of those things in their life, every single day.

Now here's where you might be thinking, "Jonathan, I can't do all these things if I need to work, I just need the money."

If you can't do them in your life while you're working, then you're looking at one of two things. Either (1) you are not willing to do what you'd need to in order to do all these things, or (2) your list is too damn long. If it's #2, then what you need is more time.Read more

If there is one book I wish I could have read in 2004, when I graduated from college, it’s Ramit Sethi’s recently published I Will Teach You To Be Rich. Boy would I have screwed up a lot less if I had his advice then.

Of course, like most people my age I fully expect to start a fantastic business which will make me filthy stinkin’ rich by my 40’s. Money will be flowing from my pockets. Now, if I expect that scenario, why would I recommend a book on money management if I’m going to be filthy stinkin’ rich in 15 years?

Because it may not happen.

Or if you believe the experts, the odds are stacked against me. Big time.

I have a soon-to-be wife to think about, and the children we’re going to have are going to depend on me. If I want to do everything I can for them and myself financially, then I should have a plan. Sethi’s book gave me some excellent insight into further developing my plan.Read more