Category Archives: Financial Independence

financial freedom

Book Reviews, Financial Freedom, Saving, Self-Made Millionaires, Wealth

Money and life advice from Nike founder Phil Knight

Gallery 1 Comment

“You are remembered, he said, prophetically, for the rules you break.” ― Phil Knight, Shoe Dog


Nike is one of the most valuable and recognizable brands in the world.

It has been valued at over $20 billion.

I previously wrote briefly about the co-founder in the post How being an outlier can make you rich.

How did a small company that sold shoes out the trunk of a car get this far?

One word: Endurance.

The man behind it all fought through endless money woes, legal problems, lawsuits, and inventory issues for 20 years, but came out ahead in the end.

He is now estimated to be worth over $10 billion dollars.

His name is Phil Knight and this is his story.

A RUNNER WITH NO DIRECTION

“If you’re following your calling, the fatigue will be easier to bear, the disappointments will be fuel, the highs will be like nothing you’ve ever felt.” ― Phil Knight

Phil Knight was born in Portland, Oregon on February 24, 1938.

In his youth, he liked two things: sports and running.

At the University of Oregon (OU) he earned a journalism degree in 1959.

After Phil Knight graduated from University of Oregon, he then earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business. He graduated from the school with a master’s degree in business administration in 1962. At the age of 24, he has no idea what to do.

He looks over his final paper he wrote on shoes.

In his small business class, Knight produced a paper, “Can Japanese Sports Shoes Do to German Sports Shoes What Japanese Cameras Did to German Cameras?,” which would foretell his eventual foray into selling running shoes.

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Ford had just paid a top-flight consulting firm $2m to come up with a name of its new Maverick, I announced to everyone. “We haven’t got $2m — but we got 50 smart people, and we can’t do any worse than… Maverick.” – Phil Knight

The company was founded on January 25, 1964, as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), by University of Oregon track runner Phil Knight and his coach Bill Bowerman, with a partnership by handshake and officially became Nike, Inc. on May 30, 1971.

The name from Nike, is named after the Greek goddess of victory.

When they needed to choose a name for Nike, the “Buttfaces” (an affectionate term for the inner circle) were trying to come up with something.

That night as Nike legend has it, Johnson, from a dead sleep, sat upright: “Nike, the winged goddess of victory! That’s IT!”

Jeff Johnson, employee number one of Nike, and fellow Stanford runner whom Phil hired as he hasn’t met anyone with his passion for running, suggested calling the firm “Nike,” named after the Greek winged goddess of victory.

It’s pronounced “ny’-kee.”

The name is Nike and their rival was Adidas.

It met with a lukewarm Buttface reception. In the eleventh hour, Knight begrudgingly went with it.

“‘What’d you decide?’ Woodell asked me at the end of the day. ‘Nike,’ I mumbled. ‘Hm,’ he said. ‘Yeah, I know,’ I said. ‘Maybe it’ll grow on us,’ he said.

FIND A MENTOR

FPhil had a great mentor, Bowerman, a great American running coach, who was constantly experimenting with shoes.

Bowerman would make then on his waffle iron.

Bowerman stressed that an extra ounce on a shoe added 55 pounds of lifting over one mile. As a mediocre runner, Phil was Bowerman’s favorite guinea pig (he wouldn’t dare jeopardize the top runners with experimental shoes).

He trained Olympic athletes so he knew what they needed to wear on their feet to compete. He trained one of the most prolific Olympic runners of that time: Steve Prefontaine.

Somebody may beat me, but they are going to have to bleed to do it. – Steve Prefontaine legendary runner of the 1972 Olympics

Bowerman was the most famous track coach in America, training local champions. It was said future Olympian Steve Prefontaine known as “Pre” did not want to run for anyone, but him.

He was also one of the top paid Nike endorsers before his death in 1975.

In my personal opinion, I do not think I have ever seen any runner run like Prefontaine with so much passion. I hold my breath every time I watch him run. It’s like time is standing still. You don’t want to blink because you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are witnessing greatness and what the human spirit could do without limits.

The real Steve Prefontaine

THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” ― Phil Knight (original quote by George S Patton)

Back in his day, running wasn’t a “thing.” People were ridiculed for running. There were no real running shoes. So, he set out to change that.

After graduating, he decides he must travel to figure out a plan how to see what the Japanese do with the making of shoes. Alas, he has no money. His only option is to ask his no-nonsense father. However, he feels that his father will not fund his wanderlust. But in a surprise, his father agrees and gives him $1,000 to go to Japan.

“How can I leave my mark on the world, I thought, unless I get out there first and see it?” ― Phil Knight, Shoe Dog

Phil goes to Kobe, Japan, in November 1962.

His father has two friends in Tokyo, and they dispense business advice – the Japanese are soft negotiators, not fans of the aggressive American style. Armed with this advice, he sets out.

He discovers the Tiger-brand running shoes, manufactured in Kobe by the Onitsuka Co. Phil was impressed by the quality and low cost of the shoes. Knight calls Mr. Onitsuka, who agreed to meet with him. By the end of that meeting, Knight had secured Tiger distribution rights for the western United States. Off the top of his head and thinking on his toes, he thinks of the blue ribbons on his walls in his room he won from running when asked what the name of his company as he says, “Blue Ribbon Sports.”

SIDE HUSTLE OF SELLING SHOES 

SIn the beginning, there was no money.

Phil sent shoes to his old coach to see if they would sell. Bowerman, who was obsessed with runner performance and making shoes lighter, not only liked the shoes, but asked to work on product shoe designs and from there a partnership was born. This was 1964.

His father’s friend advised him to get a CPA. With an MBA and CPA, he would likely never be out of work. So, he gets his CPA and a job at a small firm. It had 4 employees. He worked 70-hour weeks.

Phil still worked as an accountant during the day while trying to get his business of the ground.  Finally, in 1969, he quit working for the likes of firms as Price Waterhouse to work on his business full-time.  

So why was selling shoes so different? Because, I realised, it wasn’t selling. I believed in running. I believed that if people got out and ran a few miles every day, the world would be a better place, and I believed these shoes were better to run in. People sensing my belief, wanted some of that belief for themselves. Belief, I decided. Belief is irresistible. – Phil Knight

THE RICHES ARE IN NICHES AND PITCHES

TRunning is not a hobby or sport during his time in the 1960’s.

Mostly only student athletes were buying their shoes, as popular as they were, they appeal to just a small niche of the population.

He sold shoes at track meets out of the back of his car in the Pacific Northwest.

The pitch: Japanese shoes are extremely high-quality, low-cost shoes.

 A 300 order of shoes cost $1k. He got his half $500 from his father and the other was put up by Bowerman.

They SOLD OUT!

The shoes were so popular that people were showing up at his house to by them.

PHIL ON MONEY

P“But that’s the nature of money. Whether you have it or not, whether you want it or not, whether you like it or not, it will try to define your days. Our task as human beings is not to let it.”  ― Phil Knight, Shoe Dog

Money problems plagued the company.

Distribution rights became an issue so he had to fly to Japan (ticket paid for by credit card as he has no money) to plead his case to keep selling and got the green light. He found this out from a letter his employee named Johnson sent him. The lesson here is to listen to good counsel and advice. This very well may have saved the company from ever existing today.  

However, the company did want a bigger player in the shoe game to represent them, but Phil said they had offices in both coasts to shore up the deal.

(He was lying – they didn’t’ have an East Coast office).

No venture capitalist or angel investors in 1965. Phil had to use banks. They wanted big profits and slow growth. Phil was having none of it.

BOOTSTRAPPING IT LITERALLY 

BThe company was always strapped for cash. They had to stay lean to survive. And worked mainly in storage rooms and Phil’s apartment.  

Meeting the demands of the banks and customers became equally tougher.

EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR.

Trying to get imports on time, make cash payments to creditors, and get orders to customers was a logistical nightmare.

Onitsuka is painfully unresponsive as shoe shipments arrived late, which meant less time to sell, and each loan repayment period to creditors tougher.

EVERYDAY I’M HUSTLING

EPhil did everything he could do to keep the lights on, make payroll, and keep the company going. They were growing every year and sales were doubling, but they still had problems financially.

First year, they made $8,000 in sales in 1964. By 1967, says had grown to $84,000. They double again in 1968 to $160,000, but Phil still can’t afford to draw a salary.

So, he did what he and adult has to do when they need money: get a job.

That’s right, he went back to working in accounting.

He doesn’t love the work, but it pays the bills.

At this point in Phil’s story, I had to give him the slow clap of praise for doing what needed to be done.

However, sales double again to $300,000 in 1969, Phil is able to draw a salary of $18,000. He quits his job teaching and is at BRS full-time. In 1970, doubling again, sales reach $600,000. By 1971, they crossed the million dollar sales mark at $1.3 million.

Finally, it all came to a head when their Japanese exporter decided to buy them or give their business to someone else.

AN ACE UP HIS SLEEVE OR SOLE?

A“Have faith in yourself, but also have faith in faith. Not faith as others define it. Faith as you define it. Faith as faith defines itself in your heart.” ― Phil Knight

The biggest asset Blue Ribbon has is Bill Bowerman.

Remember the post I did on People are the greatest assets? Well, this is why. Keep reading.

Coach Bowerman continues to be a huge asset. His large reputation keeps growing – two of his runners medal in the 1964 Olympics. And he keeps tinkering with shoes.

He learns that Japanese and American bodies are simply different, and thus the shoes need to be different, like more arch support. To have a great chance in the US, he believes Onitsuka needs to customize their shoes for Americans.

He draws up countless designs and sends them to Japan, only to receive no response. Occasionally they relent and make a few prototypes, and indeed they’re far better. Undeterred by Onitsuka’s hesitance, Bowerman even experiments with producing homemade rubber to make new soles.

You might be able to see where this is going.

OUR SOLES AT KNIGHT LEARN YOYO: YOUR ON YOUR OWN

OThey secretly start manufacturing their own shoes. Having dreamed about Nike as the name for the company, it was then born and the sidestepped acquisition.

Their reputation sold their shoes and saved their company.

They also learned how powerful celebrity endorsement is as well.

When the company was in dire financial straits one of his top employees (#4 full-time) Woddell and his family gave him their life savings of $8,000 ($50,000 in 2017 inflation) to keep Nike afloat. A friend indeed.

PHIL ON MANAGEMENT

PHis employee in CA, Johnson, he sends Phil mountains of letters, detailing his every development, every sale and notable customer.

He sends advertising ideas (Phil doesn’t believe in advertising), shoe designs (Phil already has enough to deal with Bowerman), and his insistence on opening a retail shop in Los Angeles.

Phil feels smothered and rarely replies to Johnson’s letters. From studying war heroes and generals, he holds a virtue: “Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”

And Johnson delivers results. His customers love him, depending on Johnson to solve their problems in both running and life. Even when he gets in a car crash and breaks his skull, he’s continuing to sell shoes. Phil even issues him a challenge – sell 3,250 pairs of shoes in a few months, and Johnson could open his retail space in LA. And sell he does – now Blue Ribbon has an official runner mecca in Los Angeles.

MARKS OF VICTORY

MOn his travels, he stopped in Greece. While visiting the temple of Athena, he notices a carving of Athena – bending down to adjust her shoe. She is known to be the goddess of wisdom, battle strategy, and victory or “nike.”

And what’s THIS?

That’s a swoosh.

The hell’s a swoosh?

The answer flew out of me: It’s the sound of someone going past you.

They liked that. Oh, they liked it a whole lot.

The trademarks of “Just Do It” and the Swoosh logo became synonymous with Nike. The logo is also one of the most powerful in the world.

The logo was commissioned for a mere $35 USD from graphic design student at Portland State University by the name of Carolyn Davidson in 1971. She charged them only $35 for her work.

According to Nike’s website, Knight said at the time: “I don’t love it, but it will grow on me.”

PHIL ON PRAISE AND CHARITY

PPhil never gave praise or money. But…

He was so pleased with the logo that in 1983 he gifted Carolyn with an undisclosed amount of Nike stock for her contribution to the brand. She had worked for the company from 1971 until 1980.

That year, 1980, is the year Nike went public with an IPO.

Phil told Oprah on her show in April 2011, that he gave Davidson “A few hundred shares” when the company went public.

For years, the value of the stock was unknown.

Well, guess what? You’re about to find out right here, right now.

What is the cost of helping someone when commissioned with a task and not thinking it is beneath you?

I did some research and located this article from Business Insider.

Counterkicks got a hold of a recent Nike shareholders meeting transcipt in which Knight reveals exactly how much stock he gave Davidson and the value of that stock today…

“…we hired a graphic art student at Portland State University, and told her to come up with something that connoted speed, and we gave her $75.00 for what she came up with. When we went public in 1980, we called her back up and gave her 500 shares of stock, which she has never sold, and is worth close to $1 million this day.”

His top employee’s or the foot soldiers as I like to call them, Bowerman is worth $9 million; Woodell, Johnson, Hayes and Strasser each about $6 million; Phil $178 million.

In 2012, it was reported that Knight himself owned 67,097,005 shares of Class A Common Stock and 7,740 shares of Class B Common Stock in the Nike corporation.

Nike has revenues of $20 billion annually.

In 2018, he is now estimated to be worth $29 billion dollars. Him and his wife donate $100 million a year.

PHIL ON HELPING OTHERS

P“When goods don’t pass international borders, soldiers will.” Though I’d been known to call business war without bullets, it’s actually a wonderful bulwark against war. Trade is the path of coexistence, cooperation. Peace feeds on prosperity. – Phil Knight

When on travels in his younger years he went all over the world.

He noticed incredible poverty in places like Vietnam.

When his goal of taking over Adidas as the number one shoe company in the world, by 1986, total sales hit $1 billion, and Nike surpassed Adidas to become the No. 1 shoe manufacturer worldwide.

He also was able to fulfill some other dream. He opened factories in Vietnam so that war would likely stop there due to commerce and work.

Luck plays a big role. Yes, I would like to publicly acknowledge the power of luck. Athletes get lucky, poets get lucky, businesses get lucky. Hard work is critical, a good team is essential, brains and determination are invaluable, but luck may decide the outcome. Some people might not call it luck. They might call it Tao, or Logos, or Jnana, or Dharma. Or Spirit. Or God. – Phil Knight

Read my post Wealth comes from doing not luck.

Knight’s memoir, Shoe Dog, was released on April 26, 2016 by Simon & Schuster, was rated fifth on The New York Times Best Seller list for business books in July 2018, and details the building of the Nike brand.

Knight has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to each of his Alma Maters including $105 million to Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2006.

As of 2016, according to Portland Business Journal, “Knight is the most generous philanthropist in Oregon history. His lifetime gifts now approach $2 billion.”

It is safe to say that Phil Knight and his Nike business are a running success.

They live their dreams. They just do it.

For Nike, there is no finish line.

Budgeting, Financial Freedom, Saving

It’s a Suit, Tie and High Heel City

Gallery Leave a comment

Concrete jungle where dreams are made of there’s nothin’ you can’t do. – Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys Empire State of Mind


Women and high heels.


It is a love affair that has been raging on for 500 years. Since about the 15th or 16th century.


Those 3-inch spiked heels and peep-toe pumps can really turn heads.


“It is better to be looked over than overlooked.” – Mae West


However, is that what you really want? Or is it something more to it than that?


Here are some women in pop culture that regularly work, dance, sing, wear, perform, and even workout in high heels.


Let’s take a look.


Nicole Scherzinger – estimated net worth $8 million (she was known to run on the treadmill in heels)

Shakira – estimated net worth over $80 million (she is known for her belly-dancing skills)


Victoria Beckham – estimated net worth over $100M (Posh Spice loves her some heels)


Beyoncé – estimated net worth over $350 million (performs in high heels while doing intense dance choreography)


From what I gather, the high heel is all about power.


In what way you ask?


Keep reading and find out.


WHERE THE HEELS HAVE A NAME

And the Clackers just worship her. They call them Clackers, the sound that their stilettos make in the marble lobby. It’s like, “Clack, clack, clack”. – Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada


Clackers are characters in The Devil Wears Prada. They are known for the clacking noise their stiletto heels make against the marble floors of the fictional Elias-Clark.


One of the biggest cities in the world, Manhattan, in New York is known as much for its power lunches and business suits as it is for women decked out in sky-high heels.


A business and fashion capitol of the world. It is also known as a concrete jungle. And the Empire state.


However, you have to pay the cost to be the boss.

A custom made bespoke business suit can cost anywhere from the low thousand-dollar range on up to $5,000. Regardless, if you are in New York buying a Tom Ford three-piece suit, or across the pond in England buying from Henry Poole & Co on Savile Row.


And women’s shoes are no exception.


When a Manhattanite was asked why women wear heels, she says the power is everything. The reason why women wear shoes that hurt their feet is about POWER.


I read online that a Manhattan woman was quoted in the New York Times saying “Low shoes are for those who give up. If a woman cannot wear heels, can she really take over the world?”


“Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world.” – Marilyn Monroe

You saw how crazy in love women can get with their heels on Sex and the City.


At one point, Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) was regularly dropping some serious coin on the likes of Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Dior and Christian Louboutin. Anywhere from $300 to $1,000 a pair!


If these boots were made for walking, then she was usually in heels.
Remember this iconic newspaper dress. Well, those shoes are Louboutins.


WHY SO HIGH?


That’s a great question.


I actually read a book about finance and in the book it discussed women wearing heels while working as cocktail waitresses. Particularly in casinos. When asked why they wore heels that obviously hurt their feet and back, they replied, “bigger tips.”

The higher the heels, the better the pay.

Even with this fact, statistics say at least 40% of women have given heels up.

So, basically it’s all about money. As a study reported, taller people or at least those that look taller make more money. Like $800 or more per year. Go figure.


WHAT DOES IT COST TO LOOK THIS GOOD?


“I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet.” – Carrie Bradshaw


Glad you asked.


As an extreme example, we will use a reference by Carrie Bradshaw.


Remember that episode where her building was going co-op. She had to come up with a down payment or lose her home. An apartment in a great location.


She told her friends Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte (Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kirsten Davis) that she didn’t have the money.


When prompted why she didn’t she stated she wasn’t sure where her money was going.


They tallied up her shoe addition.


Those Jimmy Choo’s ain’t cheap after all.


At $500 bucks a pop, she owned maybe 30 pairs. She then gasps, and clutching her chest she says, “I spent $15,000 on shoes!


That is a down payment on a home or rental property.


Using the rule of 72, with a 12 percent interest rate she could have doubled her money every 6 years! In 18 years, that $15k is worth $120,000! In 48 years, that’s $3,840,000!


Come on, Carrie. I need you to spend more wisely. And follow your own advice.


“Beauty is fleeting, but a rent-controlled apartment overlooking the park is forever.” – Carrie Bradshaw


BUT DOES IT SCALE?


Buying all those shoes I mean.


Scaling can mean a lot of things, but in this case I mean making best possible use of the resources we have and amassing wealth. Can we also do better things with our money ethically?


If she was a costume designer, and she got paid to shop and was paid in shoes and money. Then yes.


However, since someone else isn’t footing the bill, that money is coming out of your pocket. Gone forever.


According to philosopher Kant, there is no greater good to come from this.


If buying shoes was a hobby she turned into a business, like taking all those heels and putting them all in one marketplace online for resell with an upsell. Then using that money for a better purpose.


That’s money in your pocket. More is coming in than going out.

Saving equals success.


WHERE CAN ALL THOSE SAVINGS GO?


Another great question!


I’ll tell you.


But first…


A few questions for you.


• What interests you?
• Do you want to earn money?
• What do you like to do with your time?


Once you have a starting place, you can go from there.


Therefore, if remodeling, decorating, scrapbooking, sports, or the ballet interest you, then maybe you should consider putting your money into those things.


You could place your money in REIT’s (real estate investment trusts).
These mutual fund stocks allow you to invest in real estate without doing all the work of managing a property or paying property taxes on it.


Like to play sports?


How about investing in sports teams.


You may not be an owner like Jerry Jones, but you can certainly buy stocks in sporting equipment or businesses that own sports teams. For instance, owning shares in a publicly traded team like the New York Knicks.


You can also buy sporting goods stores who sell retail merchandise and apparel. Like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker, or Nike and Adidas. On the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Nike shoe brand is listed as NKE.


Are you interested in the arts?


You can donate to charities like libraries, hospitals, and museums.
For example, the Metropolitan Museum of Art or “The Met” in New York City.


Founded in 1870, its statement reads: The Met “collects, studies, conserves, and presents significant works of art across all times and cultures in order to connect people to creativity, knowledge, and ideas.” The art and library is accessible to anyone and you can make any donation you wish. Anything will do.


You can also donate to your local library or other places that are close to your values because the best thing you can do with your money is put it where your values are.

Financial Freedom

Oprah’s 10 commandments for lifelong success

Gallery 1 Comment

Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. – Henry David Thoreau

I recently read the book Oprah Winfrey Speaks : Insights from the World’s Most Famous Influential Voice.

It was very inspiring.

Here are some of the things the “Queen of Media” had to say:

“Just tell the truth. It’ll save you every time.”

“Don’t complain about what you don’t have. Use what you’ve got. To do less than your best is a sin.”

“Every single one of us has the power for greatness, because greatness is determined by service-to yourself and to others.”

“I am a woman in progress. I’m just trying like everyone else. I try to take every conflict, every experience and learn from it. All I know is that I can’t be anybody else. And it’s taken me a long time to realize that.”

“If you’re angry, be angry and deal with it. Don’t go eat a bag of Ruffles.”

“God blesses you better when you pray on your knees.”

Oprah Winfrey is worth an astounding $2 billion dollars. I figured if anyone could talk about what it takes to be successful it’s her.

OPRAH ON COMMENCING SUCCESS

Oprah gets requests to speak at college commencements. Sometimes she accepts. Hear her talk about life and success to recent college grads in this 2018 commencement video.

And now, let’s talk Oprah’s 10 commandments for success.

OPRAH ON PLEASING OTHERS

Oprah Winfrey’s Ten Commandments for Success

  1. Don’t live your life to please others.

You better believe it. When I was younger, I was so concerned with what other people thought of me. I was teased so bad that I just got numb to it all.

I started focusing on my education. Read every book I could get my hands on. Looked for colleges I could go to that were affordable. Made sure my personal style and grooming became impeccable. The teasing stopped. I never looked back. Read my post on being fearless. 

That was in high school.

When I stopped trying to people please my life got better.

I also noticed whenever someone would call me selfish after I just finished helping them out or because I chose not to help them out at onetime or another. Just ignore the them. Push ahead and move forward.

I let those people go and cut them out of my life. Or cut them back. I need people that will lift me up.

No one can stop you. If you are meant to have it, no one can stop you from getting it.

Thank u, next!

OPRAH ON DEPENDING ON SELF

2. Don’t depend on forces outside of yourself to get ahead.

That’s right. Everything I every really got in life was due to hard work, determination, and persistence.

It didn’t matter if someone helped me out or gave me anything. I still had to work to keep or maintain it.

OPRAH ON HARMONY AND COMPASSION

3. Seek harmony and compassion in your business and personal life.

I too have noticed when I have my personal life in order, then I can also get my professional life in order.

The two are connected.

A cluttered home or office usually leads to a cluttered mind.

Simplify your life and always keep moving forward.

Like that animated movie, Meet the Robinsons taught its young audience, you can’t stop moving forward.

OPRAH ON SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH GOOD PEOPLE

4. Get rid of the backstabbers—surround yourself only with people who will lift you higher.

In the book, Oprah Winfrey speaks, Maya Angelou went to court when Oprah was involved in a lawsuit in Texas. When asked what made her come down to Texas she stated, “I am here to lift Oprah up. For no other reason than that.”

Get rid of naysayers, negative Nancy’s, and Debbie Downers. They will only bring you down.

You do not have to be friends with everyone. Everyone does not have to like you. But we can respect each other.

OPRAH ON BEING NICE

Abstract autumnal backgrounds with petzval lens bokeh

5. Be nice.

A little kindness can go a long way.

I learned that Oprah said as a little girl her family was poor. They had so little money that one time they could not even celebrate Christmas.

Then on this one fateful night, a group of nuns visited her family and offered Christmas dinner. Oprah was so grateful and thankful that someone cared she decided she would make sure in her life she always helped others.

Due to this story, I decided I would also do the same. Making a difference in the life of others is its own reward. I love to write. So, I write. I don’t do it for the money. I do it because this is my passion.

OPRAH ON GETTING RID OF VICES

6. Rid yourself of your addictions—whether they are food, alcohol, drugs or behavior habits.

Yep. I had an addition to credit and shopping. It took years to understand that I was psychologically using shopping as a way to fill avoid.

 Once I was able to identify the problem, I am happy to report that shopping was never a problem  for me again. I shop with lists, on a budget, and do not impulse buy.

You are looking at a reformed shopaholic.

I also was able to change my eating habits because I focused my energy more on working than eating.

I only needed three square meals to do the work. Made sure not to have idle hands. And to get the work done, it required me to exercise so I would have more energy and strength to work even more doing my passion!

OPRAH ON SMART PEOPLE

7. Surround yourself with people who are as smart or smarter than you.

I once read a woman say she when she goes out on she asks dates men do they have a passport and a library card.

She wanted someone who had traveled and was as well-read as she herself was. Since, it’s easier to maintain a relationship with people we have things in common with. She figured just ask for what she wanted. 

I always recommend books for people to read about finances.That way, instead of always having to ask someone for help, pay a professional financial advisor, or feel inadequate in any way you would now be knowledgeable.

I like to fill the gaps in anyone’s financial education. That way, if you know what I know, we are equals.

This is also why many people tend to meet and marry people that run in their social circles. It’s easier.

OPRAH ON MONEY

8. If money is your motivation, forget it.

Don’t even get me started.

It’s funny because I noticed whenever I focused on money it never appeared. When I stopped focusing on it, like chicken little said, it fell from the sky.

Money attracts money. Money is attracted to money.

Therefore, it is best to figure out who you want to be and what you want to do. If you are good at whatever it is, the money seems to come.

“Do what you love and the money will follow.” — Marsha Sinetar.

Build up the capital first, then start a business.

“If you wish to get rich, save what you get. A fool can earn money; but it takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage.” ― Brigham Young

I learned that like I control a car, I also control and command my money. I tell it what to do. It doesn’t control me. YOU control it!

When you are angry, frightened or beg for money it seems to pull away from you.

If you act like this, would you want to hang out with you?

OPRAH ON POWER

9. Never hand over your power to someone else.

Absolutely, not!

When I read Pat Benatar’s biography, the two things I remember most are this:

One – when she said that her family went on annual vacations on someone else’s dime. Their creditor. They borrowed from their home to do it.This caused the family to go from having a home that was purchased for $7,000 to balloon to a $45,000 balance! They traded their life energy and many more years of working for a few days of fun every year. The creditor after 20+ years of payments still had power over their lives. She said it was not worth it.

Two – after signing her record deal with Chrysallis, she said she became an indentured servant. The label or “suits” had control of everything they did. It ruined relationships within the band that took years to repair, if ever. When her contract ended she never gave her power away again!

These are lessons we all can profit from. Do not give up your power. NEVER. EVER. EVER. 

OPRAH ON PERSISTENCE

10. Be persistent in pursuing your dreams

Never give up if you really want something, keep plugging away at it and your dreams can come true. – Robin Leach

I agree. One of my biggest dreams in life was to get a good education. It took me years to get where I wanted to go, but it happened.

Now, I not only finished college, but on average I read about 50 books a year.

It took me 15 years to get to the level I aspired for myself.

I just never gave up.

And neither should you.

Automobiles, Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Saving

How I turned a $450 car payment into $100,000

Gallery Leave a comment

There’s always tomorrow and it does get better. – Ariana Grande

That statement reminds me of something Scrooge McDuck says, “there’s always another rainbow.”

Nothing is permanent. All is temporary. So, stay calm and keep moving on.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The car payment had to get paid. If I paid late, I had to pay a late fee.

So, it was either be late with the phone bill or the car. I chose the car because my cell phone could wait.

I couldn’t stand making this payment after the first year. It took me 6 years to pay that car off!

My lesson was learned. A car payment isn’t worth it.

I cannot tell you how many times I had to make payment arrangement, pay a late fee, or forgo making a payment to one creditor over the other. It royally sucked!

There had to be a better way. It had to get better. And it did.

Once I got down to the last $1,500, I just paid the car off. I immediately asked for the lien and a copy of my payment history.

The last payment had been made. I no longer owed a penny on my car. I was a free woman!

That was about a decade ago.

I wanted so bad to start shopping, traveling, or just do anything with that money. But then I stopped. I remembered all the sleepless nights and the time I spent worrying over how to make my car payment.

That’s when it hit me.

Why not put that money to work? I could max out a IRA or put the additional funds into my 401(k).

So, I looked into doing just that.

WHERE TO INVEST

“If you’re saving, you’re succeeding.” ― Steve Burkholder

I did some research. The money could go into a Traditional or Roth IRA. In addition, I had the option of my company retirement account.

I chose the latter.

Then, I had to decide what brokerage account. I could go with several including Fidelity and Vanguard.

Vanguard had the lowest fees. So, I went with Vanguard.

Next, I had to decide what fund or stock to actually invest my money.

I though a mutual fund looked pretty good and went with the Vanguard 500 index fund (VFINX).

WHAT’S THE GOAL

Money can’t just sit. There has to be a plan or like idle hands, good things do not happen. Money can’t be idle. It has to be put to work. Save it, spend it, or invest it. Either way, you must choose.

“The habit of saving is itself an education; it fosters every virtue, teaches self-denial,cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind.” — T.T. Munger

 I had read enough about wealth building to know you need to invest your money.

But, I also needed something to aim for. A target.

That’s when I did some more research.

Then, I saw it. The first $100k is the hardest. I had my goal.

THEY SAY THE FIRST $100K IS THE HARDEST

You will find many stories written about getting to the first $100k. It seems to be this is a very important number.

Many have said once you hit that six-figure mark, you are able to build wealth from compound interest faster.

So, okay.

I just had to find a way to get to five zeroes.

What could I do? How long would it take? How can I get to $100k?!

HOW DO YOU GET TO $100K

Hitting that magic number.

Once I decided $100k was what I wanted, I had to see how I could make it happen and how long it would take.

I used an online calculator to determine my time horizon to hit the six-figure mark by investing my now retired $450 car payment. That just feels so good to say.

Before, we get to the numbers, I just want it to be known that I did think about buying a new car.

However, remembering how painful it was to write that check every month for years sobered me right up!  

“The way to stop financial joyriding is to arrest the chauffeur, not the automobile.” —Woodrow Wilson

Yes, investing was the way to go.

The calculator informed me that if I invested $450 and got a 9% return (wishful thinking as the average is about 7%), then I could hit my target of $100,000!

That money could set me on the path to financial independence.

You start earning way more compound interest at $100k.

Take a look.

Once I hit $100k, without even putting in another penny, at that same interest rate, my money would double in 8 years!

It took 10 years of investing $5,500 a year to get to $100k.

Without investing another dollar, my earlier dollars are doing all the heavy lifting and have gotten to the same $100k it took me 10 years to build in less time than that. It only took 8 years!

All this only involves my car payment.

This does not include any other invested funds.

I excluded my company match and additional funds I am investing.

This was just to show you what could be done with what you’ve already got.

Literally, by just shifting that money to your retirement account has made a huge difference in your 401(k) balance.

From there, if you continue to let it ride, this means no cash outs, you could again amass another $100k in 5 years! You could even double $200,000 to $400,000 in 8 years. That is only three more years!

Are you starting to see a pattern?

For every dollar you let sit and compound, you just grow your money without you having to do any additional work. Your money grows every  year.

Money you earned and invested over a decade is still paying you dividends!

Think about how you can also double your $200k in just another 3 years!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” — Mark Twain

I cannot press upon you any further the importance of investing money and letting it stay invested for the long term. Investing is along game. It can take 10-20 years before you see a significant increase or return on your investment.  

“Try to save something while your salary is small; it’s impossible to save after you begin to earn more.” — Jack Benny

Remember, I was able to do all this by just by investing my old car payment.

I just started small and worked my way up.

Financial Freedom

What it’s like living in a Fast Food Nation

Gallery 1 Comment

“A generation ago, three-quarters of the money used to buy food in the United States was spent to prepare meals at home. Today about half of the money used to buy food is spent at restaurants–mainly at fast food restaurants.” – Eric Schlosser

If you focus on the bottom-line of your household budget, you will notice three expenditures that are usually the highest – housing, transportation, food – and it is getting more expensive every year.

One of the biggest things I have learned from reading about personal finance is that your expenses can make or break your budget. If you can keep the costs of food, shelter, and cars low, then you have a shot at financial independence. It’s yours for the taking. All you have to do is spend less.

I learned about zero sum budgets from my readings. The person who really sparked my interest to act and create a zero sum budget was actually finance writer Phil Town.

However, the person who inspired me to save like nobody’s business was finance blogger Grant Sabatier.

Thanks to Grant, I started increasing my savings rate every year.

In reading about finance, many books and blogs teach you that focusing on the top three biggest expenses and keeping those costs low are very important.

In fact, there are bloggers that have become millionaires by not purchasing too much home or not buying a home at all. They put that money into investments instead.

Same rules apply with cars.

That is what I did with my transportation cost. I cut it to the bare minimum. And paid off my car. Once I got that sucker paid off, I put that money to work. I invested every penny in the stock market. I turned a $450 car payment into$100,000!

See my post on my 401k. How I went from $5k to a six-figure 401(k) in 6 years 

One of the last big ticket items in the budget is food.

Growing up my mom always cooked sensible dinners. However,as I became a teenager, I started to become a junk-food junkie. I gained weight and had horrible skin. And spent tons of money on fast food.

Well, as an adult, I grew out of that. I started eating more at home or at least making healthier choices. That meant more salads, raw veggies, fruits, and less meat. Eating leafy greens. And drinking plenty of water.

As long as you’re green, you’re growing. As soon as you’re ripe, you start to rot. – Ray Kroc, founder of franchising of McDonald’s

After a while and as a result, I saved a ton of money, lost weight, and my skin cleared up.

So, let’s talk about food that is fast.

WHAT IS FAST FOOD NATION?

Fast food is popular because it’s convenient, it’s cheap, and it tastes good. But the real cost of eating fast food never appears on the menu. – Eric Schlosser

Fast Food Nation is a book written by Eric Schlosser in 2001. He discusses the fast food industry in an in depth and thorough, well-written book. This book had a profound effect on me. It is probably one of the most scholarly pieces of literature to ever have that type of influence on me.

Let’s talk about food being fast.

WHY EAT SO FAST?

I can understand why a single parent, working two jobs, would find it easier to stop at McDonald’s with the kids rather than cook something from scratch at home. – Eric Schlosser

Today, fast food is part of the American lifestyle. It started after World War II. Frozen food technology emerged at that time around the 1940’s and 1950’s. It was cheaper to buy frozen than fresh. For instance,French fries then became mainstays of restaurants.

However, I did some of my own research. Found that fried foods, especially French fries, are loaded with saturated fat; a type of fat containing a high proportion of fatty acid molecules without double bonds,considered to be less healthy in the diet than unsaturated fat. All that sugar and salt, like shopping and credit card spending cause it’s all about that plastic, is addictive.

See my post on how I curbed my own shopping addiction.

 How Millennial Money inspired me to start saving $13,333.06 a year. 

Want to know more about credit cards and plastic? Read Credit Card Nation and Maxed Out

I also noticed that everywhere I went there was soda, French fries, cheeseburgers, and pizza on the menu. Why is this being marketed so hard at consumers? I am being pumped for my dollars to buy fried foods. Therefore,I figured it must be some sort of control mechanism and I decided to cut out or radically reduce all of these items from my diet. I like to have control overall facets of my life and that includes what I spend my money on and what I eat.

I also learned to slow down when I eat. According to dietician and nutritionist Cara Stewart, it takes the brain 20 minutes to know you are full, as she stated, “your brain and stomach register feelings of fullness after about 20 minutes.” You should also chew your food well to limit problems with digestion.

Want to know more about French fries?

Read up on the man referenced by Eric Schlosser named J. R. Simplot. He built a multi-billion-dollar potato business and provided those potatoes to none other than McDonald’s.  He was said to be worth an estimated $3.6 billion.

FOOD OF YESTERYEAR AND TODAY

“Twenty years ago,teenage boys in the United States drank twice as much milk as soda; now they drink twice as much soda as milk.” – Eric Schlosser

My mother said my grandmother would cook food from scratch. Sweet.

You see, my mother grew up on a farm. Her father grew fresh fruit. They could literally go out to their backyard and get fresh food.

Today, most families shop at the supermarket.

Lots of families also dine out. Especially, after households started having two-parents work. And for quick meals, they eat out.

You want to know more about this two-parent income trap?Then check out my post and Elizabeth Warren’s book The two-income trap.

I did some more research. Found out that the top drink in the 1950’s was milk. Today, it’s soda. Coincidence? I’ll leave you with this to chew on, there is no such thing as coincidence. It’s just about being in the right place at the right time.

The two most important requirements for major success are: first, being in the right place at the right time, and second, doing something about it. – Ray Kroc

Who is Ray Kroc?

It’s easy to have principles when you’re rich. The important thing is to have principles when you’re poor. – Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc is the founder of the McDonald’s franchise business. He became a millionaire in his 60’s. Ray was estimated to be worth$500 million to $1 billion dollars.

He was a stickler for cleanliness. It was said he would get on his hands and knees to clean floors and corners with a toothbrush. He believed in running a clean business. Ray also believed in thriftiness and fiscal responsibility. And set high standards.

The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. – Ray Kroc

He never went to college. Ray didn’t think MBA’s or college was the only or most important ingredient in success as he preferred those with grit, determination, and persistence.

While formal schooling is an important advantage, it is not a guarantee of success nor is its absence a fatal handicap.  – Ray Kroc

 He joined the military during World War I. While there, he met a young man named Walt Disney.Later in life, the two would work together.

“The life’s work of Walt Disney and Ray Kroc had come full-circle, uniting in perfect synergy.McDonald’s began to sell its hamburgers and french fries at Disney’s themeparks. The ethos of McDonaldland and of Disneyland, never far apart, have finally become one. Now you can buy a Happy Meal at the Happiest Place on Earth.” – Eric Schlosser

Want to know more about Ray Kroc? Check out the book Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald’s by Ray Kroc or check out the movie The Founder

DOWN ON THE FARM

“The United States now has more prison inmates than full-time farmers.” – Eric Schlosser

I tell people all the time we are not on the farm anymore. People are not making anything in America anymore. No one is churning their own butter or making their own clothes.

Farms, like the one on Smallville starring Tom Welling, are a thing of the past.

You now have to work another way for your meal.

What has happened to the strapping young men? Where have some of the people gone?

Because these days,the system would rather incarcerate a boy than redeem him. – Supernatural S09S07Bad Boys.

would rather incarcerate a boy than redeem him.

What happened to farmers?

Jimmy Dean may still be down on the farm, but many others have lost the family farm due to hard economic times.

The price of milk,eggs, and bread can only go so high. Many people now go to Amish markets,organic stores, or specialty markets like Whole Foods and Trader Joes.

That organic carton of milk can cost $8 or $6 for eggs. The farm was cheaper. You just had to own and work the land, which includes taking care of the animals.

HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON FAST FOOD

“In 1970, Americans spent about $6 billion on fast food; in 2000, they spent more than $110 billion. Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher education, personal computers, computer software, or new cars. They spend more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines,newspapers, videos, and recorded music—combined.” – Eric Schlosser

If you check your bank statements, you will see a large portion of your money is spent on food. The majority of that is usually on meat.

Many financial advisors will tell people they should only spend around $50 per week per person.

For a family of four, that is $200 per week.

The only way to make that number work is by cooking more at home.  

HOW YOU CAN SAVE

It’s possible to go to the market, buy good ingredients, and make yourself a healthy meal for less than it costs to buy a value meal at McDonald’s. – Eric Schlosser

It’s a four letter word that rhymes with nook. Cook.

You need to save every dime you can, since pensions are on the chopping block of just about every company from here to Alaska. The money you save cooking at home can be put into your retirement accounts or funneled into a savings account for capital for your business.

WHY YOU SHOULD SAVE

Studies have found that preparing your own food is usually healthier and less expensive than buying fast food. But most people just don’t have the time. – Eric Schlosser

I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach. –  Eric Schlosser

One particularly poignant moment in the book was when Mr. Schlosser interviews a high school administrator. She said that in 30 years as an educator she noticed how things had changed in schools and that people were poorer now than ever.

It shook me to my core.

At that moment, I made a decision. I. MUST. SAVE.

Sure, you can work on earning more, but you can spend everything you have down to the last dollar without a financial plan and discipline. Yes, work on earning more, but also save.

See out my post on frugality and Benjamin Franklin

I feel that saving is an important part of household or business finance. A business 101, if you will.

Saving can be just as exciting as spending.

Watching that bank balance go up never gets old.

Don’t forget this:
Things you get tired of quick
-$25,000 new car smell

Things you never get tired of
-$25,000 in the bank https://t.co/ydrGQVs078— Miriam Joy (@mjp2520) November 17, 2018

I truly believe you should save to help your family and your community and the world around you. In addition, you should save to fund your dreams. I also like to save to have financial independence.

I will expand upon that last statement and I’ll tell you exactly what I mean.

Greenbacks Magnet is on set up to save more money each year. It could be 1% or 2% more, but more none the less. We have set a savings goal and are on track to save $14,555.06 in 2019. In 2018, we set up and will hit our target savings of $13,333.06. That money can go toward the business, helping others, and doing good work.

I am truly passionate about what I do. And being thrifty help sme continue to do that which I love; write.

If I could put my feelings of how much I enjoy writing into words,it would be like this. In the illustrious words and slogan of McDonald’s, “I’m lovin’ it.”

Financial Independence, Saving

Money tips from Anya of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Gallery 1 Comment

“I’m just so excited. They come in, I help them, they give us money in exchange for goods, you give me money for working for you. I have a place in the world now. I’m part of the system. I’m a workin’ gal.” – Anya (Season Five).

If you ever watched the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, then you must have noticed Anya and her fixation on money.  You probably also noticed she changed her hair style… A LOT.

The show ran for seven seasons and was created by Joss Whedon.

The self-proclaimed Scooby Gang 

It started in the nineties and ended in 2003. It starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as the titular character, Buffy Summers. In my opinion, the first four seasons were on fire. The fourth was the absolute best one, to me. This is the only television show I have ever seen where when I finished watching one particular episode; I clapped. It was just that good.

Actress Emma Caulfield played Anya. In this reunion photo of the cast from 2008, she is the one  in the middle wearing the black hat.

ANYA’S BACKGROUND

Other Aliases: Anyanka, Anya Christina Emmanuella Jenkins, “The Patron Saint of Women Scorned,” Aud ; note that some sources refer to her as “Anya Emerson,” but that has not been confirmed in the show.

Birthdate: July 4th

Age: 1120

Anya: “What a day. Give me a beer.”
Bartender: “I.D.”
Anya: (glares)
Bartender: “I.D.”
Anya: “I’m 1120 years old, just give me a frigging beer!”
Bartender: “I.D.”
Anya: (sighs) “Give me a Coke.”

Year of birth: Unknown?? Around 880 AD

Marital Status: Single, formerly Engaged.

Known Relatives: Olaf (ex-husband), Alexander Harris (ex-fiancée).

Here is a short introduction to the comic stylings of Anya

Before we go any further on Anya and her love of capitalism, you should know she did not start on the show’s first season. She came along in season 3. In an episode titled, “The Wish.”

Below you will find out more about Anya and her love of money.

But first…

The star of the show. Buffy Summers.

This is, as the say in the film John Wick, a tasting of Buffy and what she does.

She’s awesome right.

Now, back to Anya.

One thing I could not get over was whenever Anya’s lips were moving, it was in your face truthfulness. Not the norm. Especially, her fascination with money.

What made her so funny was her greedy, materialistic, money hungry, capitalism-loving ways.

While Anya may have lacked tact, she had a way with words that really hit home. She was ridiculously straight-forward and honest. In some ways it was refreshing, but in others it was downright rude.

However, love it or hate it, she would tell people like it was. Anya was blunt. She kept it💯.

She had lots of witticisms.

Here we go.

WORK FOR THE MONEY, HONEY


Anya: “Thank you for coming. We value your patronage. Please come again for more purchases!”
Giles: “Could we perhaps be a little less effusive, Anya? We don’t want to frighten the people.”
Anya: “I’m just so excited. They come in, I help them, they give us money in exchange for goods, you give me money for working for you. I have a place in the world now. I’m part of the system. I’m a workin’ gal.”
Giles: “Yes. Well, why don’t you start organizing the shipping orders?”
Anya: “Oh, no, that’s boring. I just want to do the money parts.”

She tells it like it is. Anya never shied away from making a bold statement. She always said what she wanted. I have learned to do the same, but tactfully.

ANYA ON CUSTOMER SERVICE 

“Anya, the Shopkeepers‘ Union of America called. They want me to tell you that “Please go away” just got replaced with “Have a nice day.” – Xander

Anya says to customers, “Please go.” And Xander tells her the correct way to talk to patrons.

She then proceeds to yell at the next customer in a harsh, sarcastic tone, “Hey, you! Have a nice day.

Just a thought, it is nice to be courteous and pleasant if you want people’s patronage. Maybe, like this, but a little toned down.

They want me to tell you that "Please go" just got replaced with "Have a nice day".

https://www.tumblr.com/awbuckyno/78124077317

Anya: “Please go.”
Xander: “Anya, the Shopkeepers Union of America called. They want me to tell you that ‘Please go’ just got replaced with ‘Have a nice day.'”
Anya: “But I have their money. Who cares what kind of day they have?”

She is also very protective of the money and the cash register.

“Ring up sales? With the money? She gets to fondle the money? Customer! Hello, customer! How may I serve you?”

SLAY FOR MONEY

At one point, when Buffy was hard up for money, Anya suggested they she start charging for her vampire slaying. A vengeance for cash. A slayer for hire.

While it was good for a laugh on the show, her thinking was flawed, but accurate. If you are good at something and going to do it anyway, why not get paid for it.

ANYA ON CELEBRATING EARNING AND MAKING MONEY

“All I can say is, I hope we make as much tomorrow.”

She took pleasure in the little things.

Dance of Capitalist Superiority. Episode 6. Season 6: All the Way. Original Airdate October 30, 2001.

https://www.tumblr.com/sarahwalker/91328105006

See the video here.

I like to celebrate my wins and accomplishments too. They may not involve money dancing, but I like to recognize a job well-done.

Money is just a tool. It’s how we keep score. Money is the scorecard. That’s all.

I don’t have to celebrate with a $300 purse or bottle of champagne. I am just fine with a $15 bottle of wine. And investing the $285 difference in my Roth IRA. Specifically, in a 500 index fund.

ANYA’S MATERIALISTIC WAYS 

Willow: “It stole Giles’ car.”
Xander: “Why would a demon steal a car?”
Anya: “Why would a demon steal THAT car?”

ANYA ON CHILD LABOR 

Giles: “Then useful you shall be! We can always use a hand.”
Anya: “But you have a hand. A paid hand. A hand that isn’t the hand of the illegal child labor.”
Giles: “Anya…”
Anya: “But of course it’s wonderful that you find doing my job so distracting! I am unthreatened. Proceed.”

Well, at least she recognizes that it’s illegal.

ANYA ON THE VALUE OF HER TIME

She learned really quick that time is money and did not want to use up her precious energy doing anything that was unrelated to the accumulation of more money. Pretty shallow and self-absorbed, I know.

I value my time as well. I don’t try to do anything that doesn’t excite me. Except when it comes to helping others.

https://www.tumblr.com/jcap/113595460342

SHE GIVES NO F#*K$

https://www.tumblr.com/sunnydale-scoobies/99436418771

ON VALUING HERSELF

Giles: “Essentially, their agenda is the same as ours. They want to save the world and kill demons.”
Anya: “Kill the CURRENT demons, right? CURRENT demons.”

This was funny because Anya is an ex-demon on the show.

ON VALUING HER MONEY 

Anya: “Spike! What are you doing? You made me yell really high!”
Spike: “Hey, yeah, I did. I scared you. Gimme money.”
Anya: “I’m not paying you for scaring me.”
Spike: “You’re not paying me. I’m robbing you.”
Anya: “Oh, well, that’s just ludicrous. You can’t hurt me because you’ve got that chip in your brain. Also, I like my money the way it is… when it’s mine.”

ANYA ON VALUING XANDER’S TIME

She loved her some Xander. But not at first.

http://watcherspet.tumblr.com/post/88524073528

I thought they were great together. He really changed once he had her in his life. She recognized his value too.

Anya: “And after everything you’ve been through with Angel. You really should get yourself a boring boyfriend. Like Xander!”

Anya: “You can’t have Xander.”

LETTING XANDER KNOW SHE VALUES HIM

Anya: “Xander, you haven’t been paying any attention to me tonight. Just peddling those processed food bricks. I don’t know why.”
Xander: “Well, let me put it in a way you’ll understand. Sell bars, make money, take Anya nice places, buy pretty things.”
Anya: “That does make sense. All right, I support you. Go sell more.”

ANYA AND THE GAME OF LIFE

When Anya finds out her love of money is hilarious. In the Season 5 episode, “the real me”. Xander and Anya are babysitting Dawn and they are playing the game of Life when Anya figures it all out:

ANYA ON VALUING CHILDREN
We believe the children are our future

“Can I trade in the children for more cash? ”

https://www.tumblr.com/chylerleigh/91487927405

When playing the game of Life, she noticed she was burdened with a husband and children and tons of cash.

Once she learned that money was good, she gleefully delighted in saying she wanted more cash.

Anya: “Crap! Look at this–now I’m burdened with a husband and several tiny pink children, and more cash than I can reasonably manage.”
Xander: “That means you’re winning.”
Anya: “Really?”
Xander: “Yes, cash equals good.”
Anya: “Ooh! I’m so pleased. Can I trade in the children for more cash?”

Check it out here.

While it may have been cold and callous to want to give up the fake kids for cash, she did have a valid point in understanding that a having a family requires money and are a heavy load to bear. So, you better prepare for them.

ANYA ON CAPITALISM 

Anya: “I’ve recently come to realize that there is more to me than just being human. I’m also an American.”
Giles: “Yes, I suppose you are, in a manner of speaking. I mean, you were born here — your mortal self.”
Anya: (to Giles whose from England she says in a harsh tone) “Well that’s right, foreigner!” (to Willow & Xander in a softer tone) “So I’ve been reading a lot about the Good ‘Ol Us of A, embracing the extraordinarily precious ideology that has helped to shape and define it.”
Willow: “Democracy?”
Anya: “Capitalism!”

HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT MONEY

That one time when Buffy asked how was Anya’s money and her  reaction of pure joy. Like, one of the Scoobies finally gets her.

Look, I like money fine, but not as much as Anya.

I prefer people over things.

Anya was downright humdrum when it came to talking about money. Although, she was funny, at times she just lacked sympathy and empathy for the plight of others.

However, in the end, she chose to fight beside the Scoobies. So, people really did matter more than money. That is something we should all remember.