Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you. – Oprah Winfrey
I fully agree with that statement. I learned from Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, to do what excites me. So, every post I write is a topic that I am excited about.
I write what’s brewing around in my head, what is burning in my soul, and straight from my heart.
Sometimes, I think of that scene in Spider-man Homecoming when Tony Stark (Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr. aka RDJ) meets Peter Parker (played by Tom Holland).
You can check out that scene here.
He says this to him:
Tony Stark: Why are you doing this, huh? What’s your MO? I’ve got to know, what gets you out of that twin bed every morning?
I ask myself that question. What gets me out of bed every morning and gets me going? If it doesn’t excite me, then I’m not going to do it. And that is exactly how I feel about writing for this blog.
This blog will be very lively and spirited. That’s me. Full of energy.
GET EXCITED
I don’t plan to bore you. I want to be the place you go to wake up to. Like a radio station. I want people to come here to learn new things, get inspired, and when they leave to feel good.
I also try to only do what excites me in my personal life as well. There’s no fear of missing out for me. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen. If not, move one. There’s always another rainbow, opportunity, or chance for adventure somewhere. I say, onward and upwards.
Obviously, Oprah needs no introduction. You know the face and you know the name.
She has won multiple Daytime Emmy’s, been nominated for an Oscar, and is regularly asked to attend and speak at major events all over the world.
Well, Oprah once did the commencement address at Wellesley in 1997. In her address, she discusses 5 important lessons she has learned for a better life.
Here are the 5 quotes from Ms. Oprah Winfrey that have inspired me and I hope they do the same for you.
OPRAH ON LIFE
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style. – Maya Angelou
Life is a journey. Every day experiences will teach you who you really are.
I remember reading a book and a man commented that he witnessed someone being mistreated. When he asked the man why he didn’t say mean things back to those who were saying awful things to him, he responded, “You cannot fight hate with anger. You can only show peoplewho you are by how you live your life.”
Indeed.
See my post on how to thrive by working harder than others that I learned from Jay Leno
When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. – Maya Angelou
2. When people show you who they are, believe them the first time. This is especially helpful with men. Don’t force them to beat you over the head with the message.
I have definitely learned this lesson.
In this life, if you want to not only survive and thrive, then you must learn to weed out the good from the bad apples quick!
Check out my post on what can happen to people that learn to value things more than people.
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. – Marcel Proust
4. Be grateful. Keep a daily journal of the things you are grateful for. It will keep you focused on the abundance in your life.
It most certainly helps to think about all you do have, instead of what you don’t.
OPRAH ON HAVING VISION
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie
5. Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe.
We have to teach our girls that they can reach as high as humanly possible. – Beyonce
I remember reading that Bella Thorne creates a vision board for herself every year. Say what you want about her, but she is a hard working woman. You know why? It’s because she has a vision.
Arnold Schwarzenegger does something similar. Read all about it below. Very motivational.
If you want something in this life, you better be prepared to work for it. Nothing is free. Rarely is anyone ever handed anything in life. And even if you are, do you know what to do with it? Or how to manage it? It’s a lot harder to stay on top, when you haven’t done any of the work it takes to get there in the first place.
It wasn’t until I decided that I would be rich, that I started earning and attracting more money.
I learned that it all starts with the mind. Change your thoughts, change your life.
John Legend is a Grammy and Oscar Award winning musician. The singer-songwriter won his first Grammy Award with 2004’s Get Lifted. The album went platinum, thanks in large part to his hit single “Ordinary People.”
He was a child piano prodigy. He skipped two grades and graduated from high school at 16.
He sang in the church choir (which he joined at 7 and was leading it by 11), was head of the music department in his church, served as a music director in college and also worked as a wedding singer.
He has done numerous interviews in his career and much of the information in this post comes from them. I discuss multiple ones in this post.
John has an estimated net worth of $40 million dollars.
He did an interview with Katherine Schwarzenegger for her 2014 book I Just Graduated… Now What?: Honest Answers from Those Who Have Been There. You may recognize the last name. Yes, she is the daughter of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver (Kennedy).
Here is some of what he had to say. (Not every word or quote is from her book, but numerous interviews) I highlight his advice in her book with KES (Ms. Schwarzenegger’s initials). There they are (KES) on the board right behind her.
“I had followed the path that the Penn graduate was supposed to take, but I didn’t fall in love.” – John Legend
KES: John directed theater productions in school and performed in talent shows. He wanted to be a big star, but did not know the steps to get there. John said he had a fire in his belly. No one was coming along to make him a star as he learned along the way. John had to put together a demo and have it produced by the right people. Anything that he was doing that wasn’t music, was going to be temporary.
Although, music is his first love, he worked a safe corporate job for three years while hustling to get his music off the ground. He received lots of rejections, but continued to side hustle as a musician playing anywhere he could.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL
“Fear of failure stops too many people from doing things. It’s not wrong to be afraid, but you have to fight through fear to overcome it.” – John Legend quoted as saying this in Katherine’s book (KES)
Many of his friends became bankers and consultants so he did too. However, after following in their footsteps he found that was not meant for him. He was not cut out to be a consultant.
“I couldn’t shake my passion for music.” – John Legend
He made savvy moves to make his dream a reality. During the day he did PowerPoint presentations, but at night he wrote and performed music.
Fun Fact: While in college, Legend was introduced to Lauryn Hill by a friend. He played piano on Lauryn Hill’s “Everything Is Everything.” That was his first album appearance.
WHY SIDE HUSTLE?
“I needed money. I lived in New York and had to pay my rent.”
KES: John didn’t have any financial support from his parents and he had student loans to pay back. He found that you could make good money in consulting.
He was rejected by all major labels. All the heads of these labels all turned him down.
KES: John paid his own way through college, racking up tons of student loans in the process. He had to deal with them after graduating college. He rolled the dice, took chances, and worked his butt off to follow his dreams, and never lost faith along the way.
Basically, he moonlighted his way to a music career.
BREAKTHROUGH
Havin’ money’s not everything, not havin’ it is. – Kanye West
KES: John would go to the studio straight from worked dressed in his business attire. He said he definitely stood out from the way everyone else was dressed in the studio. He ended up getting a manager and a lawyer that were also well-connected. This was in 2002.
If you want to be treated like an adult, you have to dress like one. – Diane Kruger (actress and star of National Treasure) See my post on the film.
Through his collaboration with Yeezy, he was able to parlay that into a record deal. His first album was produced by Kanye. He got a deal with Sony.
That album would go on to earn eight Grammy nominations.
Years of toiling and hard work had paid off. It just goes to show, it’s not only what you know, it’s who you know. If you want to be taken serious, then you have to act like you do.
John Legend joined the elite group to have earned Hollywood’s most prestigious awards – an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – on Sunday. At 39, he is the youngest person to achieve EGOT status. He’s also the first African-American man to win all four awards. https://t.co/5YSh5rYfPUpic.twitter.com/AUK3Kgh1S0
“When I got my first big check, I paid [my college loans] off. No more debt!” – John Legend
As you can see, his biggest earnings are from his music. It goes to show that passion can pay off big!
KES: John quit his job and started working part-time so he could focus more on his music. He struggled for a while, living on credit cards and skating by. Then he started making money touring with Kanye. In 2004, he got a deal with Columbia Records and when that happened he didn’t have to worry about money anymore. As soon as he got my record deal, he paid off all his student loans and credit card debt. He said no one ever told him about college loan debt and how to manage it.
Preaching to the choir here with not knowing how to manage debt. And in his case, that is literally speaking as he was in the church choir singing, which would become his meal ticket.
INVESTMENTS
“I bought a place [in Manhattan]. I just bought some art—some abstract stuff—and some collages are coming too. A friend who works at MoMA is like my art consultant. I just wanted nice stuff that would hold value.” – John Legend
You should always invest and buy things that go up in value. It just makes sense.
PASSION MAKES A GRAMMY WINNER
“But that cool detachment only gets you so far. Passion gets you a lot further. It makes you a better entrepreneur, a better leader, a better philanthropist, a better friend, a better lover.” – John Legend
He chose to pursue his interest. This made him his fortune. I call it the House that was built on a piano. 😉
Just FYI: John Legend is a 10-time Grammy Award winner. He won an Oscar for the song Glory in the film Selma.
Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the biggest movies stars in the world. His iconic roles in The Terminator, Predator, Total Recall, and True Lies are just some of his hit Hollywood blockbuster movies. During the 80’s and 90’s he raked in big bucks at the box office and cashed in big paychecks at the bank as a result.
In my quest to study the self-made, I decided to read up on the “Governator” himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Arnold wrote his autobiography, written in 2012, entitled, “Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story.” Clocking in at 656 pages long, it is a massive read. I actually completed this undertaking last December 2017. It took me 3 weeks to finish reading from cover to cover. In the book, Mr. Schwarzenegger actually lists his paychecks for his hit films. At one point, he was making $20 million per film.
How did he do it? There is only one word to describe it: unbelievably.
Here is his story.
ALL GREAT STORIES HAVE GREAT BEGINNINGS
The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it, as long as you really believe 100 percent. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger was born on July 30, 1947, in Thal, Styria, Austria. His father, Gustav Schwarzenegger, served in World War II. Arnold’s mother, Aurelia, was working at a local shop when she spotted his father in uniform. That was all it took for her to fall for him as she loved a man in uniform. I must admit, so did I.
His parents married on October 20, 1945. His mother was 15 years younger than his father as she was 23. They were strict disciplinarians. Arnold said in Austria the rod was not spared if a child was disobedient. In the book, he said his father would make him and his brother earn their breakfast by doing pushups or sit-ups. His father believed that the way to fix any problem was through discipline.
YOUNG EXUBERANCE
Arnold was an average student but, was popular and well-liked for his boundless energy, humor, and cheerfulness. He started playing sports and picked up his first barbell at age 14. He decided that bodybuilding would be his career. His deep interest in the sport took up almost all his spare time. At one point, he even broke into the local gym when it was closed and began to lift weights for a couple hours just to get in his workout.
Money was tight growing up. There was no inside plumbing or bathroom. They fetched water to bathe from a local well and one of the highlights of his youth was getting a refrigerator, where he said they would marvel at the opening and closing of the fridge door. When going shopping his mother only used cash and never bought anything other than the essentials.
Austrians believed in conformity and were not allowed to be individuals. However, Arnold had different plans. He was considered a rebel because he wanted to move to America and be rich. He stated he wanted to be somebody. Due to his rebellious tendencies and other issues, Arnold was never close to his father as his favorite was Arnold’s brother. However, he had a close relationship with his mother until her death.
A chance meeting at his bodybuilding coaches house would change his life. Arnold, in 1966, met bodybuilder and movie star Reg Park, his idol, and he went on to become his mentor. Schwarzenegger decided he would not only be a body builder, but also a movie star, just like Reg Park.
BARBELLS AND COMPETITIONS
Training gives us an outlet for suppressed energies created by stress and thus tones the spirit just as exercise conditions the body. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold would work out almost every day. Lifting weights became an obsession. He would break into the gym on weekends when it was closed and work out.
He couldn’t stand to miss a workout. Arnold has said he couldn’t even look himself in the mirror, if he missed a workout. That is dedication. This was 1961. By 1965, all Austrian males, at the age of 18, are required to fulfill one year of military service, but Arnold had other plans.
AWOL BODYBUILDER
While in basic training, Arnold learned he was able to eat meat every day. Growing up, his mother had a garden where she would grow vegetables so she could feed her family on a tight budget. They rarely ate meat. Once he was able to get protein on the daily, he was constantly growing out of his uniforms. He went up a size every month and required a new uniform several times.
During his service, he learned basic tank mechanics, almost wreaked one by not putting it in park, and learned to ride a motorcycle. He said those skills would later serve him well while doing the Terminator and other films. Arnold learned to become pretty fearless. He was scared, but he would push ahead anyway.
During his time in the military, a Junior Mr. Europe Contest came up. He went AWOL and served a week in military prison because he chose to attend. But Arnold won that title.
He later received a job offer to work and train in a gym as a bodybuilder. He used this information and his past transgressions to convince the military to release him and he received an honorable discharge. That competition in Europe made him famous and the Mr. Universe title was his ticket to America-the land of opportunity, where he felt he could become rich.
CALIFORNIA BOUND AND HOLLYWOOD DREAMS
Arnold was happy to leave Austria as he had been telling people for many years as a kid he was going to America, but no one believed in his dreams. But the day came in October of 1968, when he was headed to California to train at the infamous Gold’s Gym in Venice, Los Angeles. He could barely speak English, but at the age of 21, was going to America to live and work.
— ⛓ Old School Gold ⛓ (@OldSchoolGold) May 30, 2014
Arnold was able to get a role in a film in 1969, “”Hercules in New York”, which paid him $12,000. He continued to train from 1970-1974 non-stop. In 1970, he won his first of seven, Mr. Olympia titles.
EDUCATION IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS PHYSICAL FITNESS
In the 1970s, Arnold is enrolled in college throughout the decade. He bounced around to several taking math, English, science, and eventually earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1979. It took about 10 years, but finally he had his college degree.
He also stated in the book he would write down his goals on an index card at the start of every new year.
At one time in his life, he met Pope John Paul II in 1983, they talked about workouts. The pope rose daily at 5 a.m. in order to stick to his regimen. It was something like 300 push-ups. If he could do it, this book says, you can do it, too. This is where I got the idea to start my daily fitness routine. I, personally, like boxing.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO HOLLYWOOD
All roads not only lead to Rome, but in Arnold’s case also to Hollywood, California.
OLYMPIC CHAMPION
Arnold also competed in the Olympics and won the title of Mr. Olympia 3 times. After the 1971-74 competitions, in 1975, filmmakers convinced him to do the bodybuilding film Pumping Iron.
The worst thing I can be is the same as everybody else. I hate that. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold is big into frugality. He saved every dime he could from any winnings he made while competing. When he first got to America, he had $27,000. That is the equivalent of $173,000 (adjusted for inflation) in 2017. His motto was turn every dollar into two.
Arnold invested his money in real estate. He researched for 3 years and worked with an agent before finally setting his sights on putting a down payment on his four-unit apartment building at the cost of $214,000. Then he sold the building the next year for $360,000. Then immediately put his profits into a new 12 unit building. He did this to avoid the huge tax bills of his profits.
The Los Angeles real estate market was booming. You could make $100k profit in just a year or two.
Arnold then bought a 36 unit building, followed by a 100 unit building. Within about 10 years, Arnold Schwarzenegger was a real estate tycoon and millionaire.
This was close to 7-8 years before he would become a bankable Hollywood action star. He was able to be pickier and choose plum movie roles because he did not have to take any role that came his way. He always believed in going to the top. Go where its empty and you can chart your own path. He aimed to be the leading man.
CONAN
“The idea is not to live forever, it is to create something that will.” ― Andy Warhol.
After small roles in various film and television, he was offered the lead in his breakthrough film role of Conan the Barbarian in 1982. The movie was a hit.
Love the painted look.
Then he starred in the sequel, Conan the Destroyer, in 1984.
For me life is continuously being hungry. The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer. – Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold got to meet and work with lots of people. He feels that building relationships is key to having a successful, happy, and fulfilled life. Some of those people include, Linda Hamilton, Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside, Vanessa Williams, and the late Andy Warhol.
THE TERMINATOR
I’ll be back. – Arnold’s famous line as The Terminator
Arnold was offered a role in a film where there is a futuristic war between man and machines. At the meeting, with Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead) and James Cameron (Avatar), he was convinced that the role of the T1 was pivotal, if the film was to be a success.
He was right. Listen to Ah-nuld! I just watched the film a few weeks ago. It still holds up.
Here’s one of my favorite scenes from the film; it’s Kyle Reese, played by actor Michael Biehn. He did an incredible job as he also did in the film Aliens.
Arnold Money Lesson: When Arnold met his future wife, Maria Shriver, he accidentally left his wallet at home. She had to write him a check for $70, to pay his train ticket home. He paid her back and wrote her a thank you note. In addition, he learned a valuable lesson. Always have cash. From that moment on, he would carry $1000 cash and a high or no limit credit card. He learned the motto of this blog, that cash is king.
He then decided to do a film by new first time director, Jim Cameron, called The Terminator. It went on to gross $80 million and Arnold was officially a bonafide movie star.
Fun Fact: Arnold likes to tell jokes. He decided early on that his films should include quips that are memorable one-liners and catchphrases. Like this, “Hasta la vista, baby” — Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
I actually heard that same phrase in a Jody Whatley song Looking For A New Love from her self-titled 1987 album. That was 4 years before T2.
HOLLYWOOD MAKING IT RAIN DOWN ON ARNOLD
“Money doesn’t make you happy. I now have $50 million, but I was just as happy when I had $48 million.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
From there it just keeps getting better. He’s a hit factory and the paychecks got bigger and bigger. Arnold made $250,000 for Conan and $360,000 for Conan 2. Then took a pay cut for The Terminator, at $75,000. Arnold earned $1.5 million for 1985’s Commando, $3 million for 1987’s Predator and $8 million for 1988’s Red Heat. Bang, bang, bang! That’s all money in the bank.
He hit the deca-million ($10 million USD) paycheck mark with Total Recall in 1990. Then made $15 million for Terminator 2 and True Lies. Arnold eventually hit a $20 million-dollar payday in 1996 with Eraser. Yes, that’s US Dollars!
Source: themovietimes.com
He is estimated to have a net worth around $400 million dollars.
And there you have it.
At the end of the book, he also listed Arnold’s Rules for Success.
Here is Arnold talking Life’s 6 Rules during the Governor’s 2009 USC Commencement Address. He said be unique, be a maverick. Maybe even an outlier?
Everyday and in every way, invest in yourself. Invest in your health and education to help build your wealth. With money comes power and protection. The wealthy are protected. Build up your knowledge and money coffers. A war money war chest is your way to ditch the 9 to 5 and get out of the rat race.
Jay Leno gives advice on how to do just that.
MONEY LESSONS FROM JAY
Jay on starting out
“I wasn’t a millionaire when I started.”
“I would alternate between the two, so it was cars and hamburgers, which are actually still two of my passions.”
He started his career working for minimum wage at McDonald’s in Massachusetts. Jay also worked at a Ford dealership. He discovered the key or secret sauce (pun intended) to getting rich: Developing multiple streams of income.
Jay on working more than one job
“I always had two incomes.”
“I’d bank one, and I’d spend one.”
“I had two jobs because I realized that was the quickest way to become a millionaire.”
“When I got ‘The Tonight Show,’ I always made sure I did 150 [comedy show] gigs a year so I never had to touch the principal.”
And there you have it. Basically, if you want riches, then you have to put in the work. If you work 40 hours a week, then find a way to work 50 or 60. Gotta make that paper.
“When I was younger, I would always save the money I made working at the car dealership, and I would spend the money I made as a comedian.”
“When I started to get a bit famous, the money I was making as a comedian was way more than the money I was making at the car dealership, so I would bank that and spend the car dealership money.”
“Then I got to the point where the comedy money was, like, five times the other money, so I decided to flip it around and save the comedy money.”
Therefore, if you are working 2 jobs or more, then you bank the bigger paycheck and spend the smaller checks. Bank the bigger of the two checks and live off the other.
Forget the pundits that tell you not to save. There is value in saving. You need an emergency to help in case of job loss or illness. Life is full of hiccups. Once you have saved reasonable amount, then you start investing your surplus income.
The key is not to only save, but to also invest. Savings help you live your life to the fullest. In addition, savings can help you fund your dreams. Not having to go to the bank for a loan is an incredible feeling.
Jay on living on one salary
“I pretended as if I didn’t even have the ‘Tonight Show’ job.”
“You know, when you start making money, you get lazy. I wanted to make sure I always had that hunger, so I never looked.”
“It would go directly into a bank.”
Simply put, bank it and forget it.
Jay on patience
It took 22 years to accumulate, “a nice little nest egg.”
You heard it here folks. Building wealth takes time. In many cases, it takes a couple decades. There are no get rich quick schemes. There’s is no free lunch. There are no shortcuts. You do the work, get paid, invest the surplus incomes, and wait to earn interest.
Jay on retiring
“If you do something and it works, then keep doing it.”
You do not have to retire early unless you want to. If you are passionate about something, and can make a living doing it, then do it.
Jay on Buy-And-Hold
“The McLaren F1, I paid $800,000 for it in 1998. The last offer I got was $12 million. … The nice thing is, if you buy what you like, and it doesn’t go up in value, you still like it.”
Warren Buffet likes to buy-and-hold forever. Therefore, don’t even part with your cash, if you don’t want to keep an item to infinity and beyond. Just don’t even open your wallet.
Jay on avoiding credit cards
“I barely use credit cards.”
Words to live by. Either use credit sparingly for a purpose and get it paid off ASAP or don’t even bother using it at all.
Jay on house buying
“I didn’t buy my house until I had cash. When you own something and you don’t have to write checks every month, you’re just better off.”
I learned from James Brown, Dick Clark, Jay-Z, Oprah, JK Rowling and Michael Jackson to own what you do. You can control your earning potential and life, if you own. You can continue to make money off the things you own and control for many years to come.
Regardless, of whether or not you’re still working. You can still earn royalties from work you have done in the past. That is how the rich get richer. Earnings on top of earnings.
Jay on debt
“I don’t carry any debt. I don’t write checks at the end of the month for anything.”
“I didn’t buy anything I couldn’t afford to pay for in cash.”
“Here is the money, give me the thing, transaction over.'”
Jay hates installments, as do I. His cash only solution is what the world needs to adhere by.
I have literally saved for two years or more to purchase items or services I wanted or needed.
When I wanted Lasik, I used my flexible spending and waited about 3 years before I did the procedure. It cost between $4,000 to $5,000. And was worth every penny. Paid cash, not credit.
When I needed dental work done, I saved for 2 years. Paid cash, no installments.
Don’t buy on credit, build a fortune.
Jay on Retooling
“Since high school, I’ve always had two jobs. I worked at a McDonald’s and I worked at a car dealership. … When I was doing the Tonight Show, I’d be on the road at least two to three days a week because I thought, ‘We’ll see how long this lasts.’ ”
Do not ever get too comfortable. Things can change. Always have more than one way to earn a living.
Jay on owning
“I own everything. I own my buildings. I own my cars. That way, if it ends tomorrow, I know what I’ve got.”
His conservative money philosophy gives him peace of mind. When you are out of debt you just feel better. Take control of your finances and this too will help give you some peace of mind.
“It’s a little old fashioned, I suppose, but it seems to work pretty well for me.”
No impulse buying. This is the debt trap. Plan your expenses. Budget just means you plan where your money goes and it gives you permission to spend. Use it.
Jay on Taxes
“I just pay. Fine, I’ll get another job, I’ll work harder. That’s probably not very good tax advice. I don’t have money in the Cayman Islands or any of that nonsense.”
Always pay your taxes. Period!
Jay on being frugal
“McDonald’s sent me these Happy Meal coupons, so one day I’m in the McLaren and I’m going to McDonald’s. I say, ‘Give me two Happy Meals.’ And I give them the [coupons].”
“Now I look like the cheapest guy in the world driving this multimillion-dollar McLaren and I’m trying to get a free hamburger.”
He hates spending on clothes and has not touched one dime of his Tonight Show money. At one point, he was earning around $30M a year! It pays to be frugal.
So, you just avoid the mall, invest the money you would spend on clothes and start earning your way to a fortune with compound interest. Delay your gratification. Discipline is the key to wealth. Once you have it, no one can take it from you. Then you can save money to invest. Easy as pie.
Jay on Shifting Gears
“So many friends of mine, all they ever did was the TV show. When the TV show ends, suddenly their life ends, because that was their whole life. I was never that guy.”
It’s great to have hobbies and interests outside of work. See if you can turn a hobby or side gig, into an income. At the very least, have something to do after one thing ends. Remember, no idle hands.
Jay on shopping
“I’m not a big shopping guy. I’m just not interested in clothes outside of the essentials.”
“To me, it seems like a complete waste of money. I just want to have enough clothes to cover legally what parts I have to cover.”
Hear, hear! I used to like shopping. Until I didn’t. That happened once I learned I was losing a small fortune for that new purse or shoes. Read my post How Millennial Money inspired me to start saving $13,333.06 a year for more on that topic and see how I quit shopping for good.
Jay on Fixing Things
“When you’re in a business like show business, everything is subjective. Some people think you’re funny, some people think you suck. …When something’s broken and you fix it, no one can deny it’s running.”
Very true. Always be tweaking or working toward expanding and doing better. People notice you the harder you work.
Jay on setting high standards
He, like Coco Chanel, believe in setting high standards for yourself. Chanel said, “keep your head, heels, and standards high.”
Jay learned this attitude while working at McDonald’s. A key pillar of success: You can never go too far to ensure you’re producing a great product.
He would go home every night after work and write jokes. Jay would go through hundreds with his staff and get it down to the top 20. He would record himself and then re-listen for timing. Tedious? Yes, I know. But effective. The hard work paid off.
Fun Fact: Did you know @jayleno started his career making minimum wage at McDonald’s? Here are 5 things the self-made millionaire did that catapulted him to success: via @CNBCMakeIthttps://t.co/Y7ewRMHNXV
“I meet with the writers at about midnight or so and work until about 4:00 a.m.”
“I sleep four hours, maybe five.”
The way he saw it was, “if you have time to complain, you don’t have enough work to do.”
I am notorious for going to bed thinking of work and getting up to work. Sometimes I get up in the middle of the night to write down ideas about work. I work so much I barely have time to breathe.
I learned that from Pat Benatar who was a workaholic in the 80’s. But guess what? She wrote hits songs for like a decade. When there are times I need a break or pick me up while working, I’ll listen to her songs Invincible, Shadows of the Night or Love is a Battlefield.
For those who may not know or remember those songs, check out the links below. Good stuff.
Jay on failure
“You learn a tremendous amount from the mistakes.”
I have learned to fail better. It makes you stronger. It also humbles you and makes you more empathetic to others.
“I put my money in a hammock and say, ‘You relax. I’m going to go work.’ And when I come back, I put some more money in the pile.”
It’s your money. Don’t blow it.
Jay on Life
“Life is not that complicated … if you’re kind and decent, and try to be honest, it’ll probably work out. Yeah, you’ll get screwed once in a while. I certainly have, but that’s okay … don’t dwell on it.”
Pick yourself up, dust your wallet off, and get back into the grind. Don’t rest on your laurels. Put your head down and work. Stay humble and stay hungry. Generate multiple streams of income, diversify your earnings, increase your savings, and build your wealth. Get that net worth pumping in that interest faster than Arnold Schwarzenegger did lifting weights in Pumping Iron and you will start rolling in the dough!
Just FYI: Jay is worth over $300 million dollars. Has no debt. Is a self-made millionaire. And still works at the age of 68.
Basically, he is looking to have more assets than a fat paycheck. He knows money can slip through your fingers. Assets do not easily slip away.
The bigger the paycheck means the higher the taxes you pay Uncle Sam. In contrast, assets usually go up in value and earn interest over time. Capital gains tax is lower than income taxes.
So, if you want to bet the farm, then put it all on staying in the black and not the red.
CASINOS ARE NOT WHERE THE WEALTHY ARE
I know you see all the television shows and advertisements telling you to go to Vegas. However, that is just a way to get you there to spend money. Most wealthy folks are not rolling the dice with their finances.
I have read enough blogs and books to know that you must hang around like-minded people.
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn said, “You’re the average of the five people spend the most time with.” And so is your net worth.
We are influenced by those we associate with. These relationships over time can have a profound effect on our lives.
Therefore, you must choose wisely when it comes to friends, business partners, and spouses.
The wealthy are about building assets. Therefore, you are not likely to see them at the casino at four o’clock on a Monday afternoon. They are out volunteering, networking, and closing business deals.
HOW DO CASINOS MAKE MONEY
A Canadian study stated that 75% of customers provide only 4% of casino revenues. It’s the habitual gambler that keeps the casino in business.
If you ever saw Mark Wahlberg in The Gambler, then you know who I’m talking about.
Computer gaming and slot machines are all the rage when it comes to gambling.
Most players lose more than they win. I don’t like those odds. Therefore, I do not gamble.
That means people with gambling addictions are the most vulnerable. Or you can become addicted after getting a taste of winning like in the film 21.
Slot machines are, like credit, addictive. Casinos actually can make you poorer. This exacerbates inequality.
CASINOS WILL HELP THE ECONOMY RIGHT?
Not so fast. Let’s take a look at Atlantic City.
Back in 1977, casino advocates made promises that casinos would help give the economy a boost by providing jobs. Don’t get me wrong, they did provide jobs. However, the surrounding local business owners did not get the foot traffic coming into the casinos.
The money that casinos make, stays with them.
Many local businesses had to close up shop. The retail economy collapsed all around Atlantic Avenue in New Jersey. Several casinos have actually shut down since 2014. That means jobs were lost not gained.
HOW TO BET ON YOURSELF
Devote all your time, money, and resources into yourself.
Use your hard earned money to invest in your education, training, and business.
When I was watching David Tutera plan those weddings on television, I learned he wasn’t doing this for, in the illustrious words of Sia, cheap thrills. He did it for a living. And earned good enough money to have a nice home, wardrobe, and chauffeur.
David started party planning and entertaining over 20 years ago. He just invested his time and money into himself. Eventually, he found what he was good at and then he just stuck with it.
There are countless tales of people out there that have found a skill they are good at, practiced and developed it, then went out and started earning a living at it.
Read up on some biographies. See for yourself. I recommend reading anyone you have an interest in or trailblazers such as Gloria Steinem, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franklin Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin, Oprah Winfrey, Winston Churchill, or Nelson Mandela.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
First, I feel people need to assess their situation. For example, when I was growing up I noticed that a lot of kids were not very into studying and really focused on their academics. However, many wealthy people I saw on television always advocated for education.
I figured, why not listen to other successful people?
I started studying and reading more. Especially, thanks to shows like Reading Rainbow hosted by Star Trek’s Next Generation alum LaVar Burton. I would go to the Book Mobile and get tons of books.
Much of my focus was less on having fun and more on learning. Saturday mornings were spent reading on my parent’s couch. Sunday afternoons were spent reading the comics and learning new things and vocabulary words.
I invested lots of time and money into my education and health.
And all of this paid off in spades.
I have four retirement accounts, a home, a car (no monthly payment), and save and invest upwards of 50% of my income.
It took me over a decade to build those things. But it all started with getting an education.
Sure, college helped, but it was sheer grit, discipline and determination that got me where I am today.
Stay away from vices (narcotics, alcohol, gambling, shopping)
Hang around like-minded people
Save 20% or more of your income
Invest 15% or more of your income
If you can do at least two of the items listed here, you have got a shot at making it into the top 10% of households and becoming financially independent.
“It is so liberating to really know what I want, what truly makes me happy, what I will not tolerate. I have learned that it is no one else’s job to take care of me but me.” – Beyoncé
Many of you may have heard of the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early). However, what some of you may not know is that there are different ways to FIRE.
Let’s explore some of those ways shall we.
WHAT IS FIRE?
According to Camp Fire Finance, the elevator pitch for FIRE is this, “When your investments generate enough money to cover your annual expenses you’re financially independent (FI). At that point work is optional and you can retire early (RE) if you want to.”
Basically, you have more than enough money coming in to stop working. Usually, this requires anywhere from $1 million to $5 million dollars depending on what you want or need to spend to maintain your lifestyle or that of the one you dream of having.
For example, if you decide you want to withdraw at least $80,000 a year, you would need to have a $2-million-dollar portfolio.
HOW DO YOU BUILD A $2 MILLION DOLLAR PORTFOLIO?
“Don’t focus on getting to $1 million; focus on getting to $2 million.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
I heard that little gem when Mr. Schwarzenegger was doing a radio interview.
So, one word: invest.
Property, stocks, art, and stamps can all help you build your net worth.
“Market crashes are the best times to buy,” he said. “When Walmart has a sale, everybody would run in to buy. But when the stock market has a sale, or the real estate market has a sale, everybody runs away. That’s why there’s a difference between rich and poor today because they don’t know a good thing when they see one.” – Robert Kiyosaki quoted from a MarketWatch interview
Do not focus on your income; focus on your net worth.
Earning a high income means nothing, if you spend it all. If you make $85,000, but spend $86,000 you’re in the red. You can blow through just about any paycheck.
PURSUIT OF LIFE, LIBERTY, HAPPINESS AND FINANCIAL FREEDOM
The pursuit of financial freedom takes work and time. I thought this post from Apathy Ends, hit the nail on the financial head on why people are not rich, yet. See my post on Patience is the key to wealth.
I will never forget that episode of America’s Next Top Model (ANTM) when Ms. J was teaching the girls how to walk down the runway. He was fierce and determined. What he got from the girls was gentle and undetermined or undefined and lazy.
He commented to them, while slapping his hands together, with one palm face up against the other hand palm down for emphasis: “I want you to walk like you’re selling it and the rent is due tomorrow.”
I could think of no better way to tell someone that is how you approach your money and your life’s work. Either be all in or don’t do it at all. Passion is what separates the have’s from the have not’s. And in that case, it was a $100,000 prize and modeling contract.
Get a financial education. Learn all you can about money. Make a plan or a budget for your money, but make it sexy. I know for some people talking about interest rates puts them to sleep, but how about we think of the subject differently and come at it from another angle.
I went to a meetup in DC and heard J. Money of BudgetsareSexy say this, “Do you want to learn how to balance a check book? Boring. Or do you want to learn how to save a million dollars?” WHAT?!!!
Did you also know reducing your 401(k) investment fee by 1% can provide you with 10 years of income? Shocking? Yes, I know. I can teach you how to save $1 million and keep $100,000!
Now, those things sound sexy and exciting. Yes, please tell me more.
Once you have a question. Start looking for answers.
THE RULE OF 25
“I can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am.” – Beyoncé
If your annual expenses are $55,000 a year, then you need $1.375 million to retire (55,000 x 25) and then this should last you for the next 25 years.
The formula used to calculate your 25 years of expenses is this (expenses x 25 years).
Estimate your FIRE number.
You want more money to retire on? Like Beyoncé says, set a higher goal.
For $100,000 in income, you would need a $2.5-million-dollar portfolio to generate that kind of cash.
“Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars.” – Casey Kasem
The 3% rule refers to your withdrawal rate: the annual percentage amount you can safely withdraw from your investment portfolio when you retire.
This allows you to touch your interest earned at a slower pace. Since, you are withdrawing 3% instead of 4%. Meaning your draw down the principal more slowly, if ever. The more you have squirreled away and the less you take, you may not even touch the principal at all.
I know that is really shooting for the stars, but that really is the goal. You never want to touch principal. That way, you live only off the interest forever!
I got this chart from doing another online search and the best I came across was from the blog Financially Alert.
“‘Enough’ is what it takes to not worry about the bills.”
“‘A lot’ is enough that you never have to worry about working again.”
“‘F you’ money means you can rent a jet to go wherever you want, whenever you want, and no party is out of reach.”
“‘F everyone’ money means you can have your favorite band in your backyard, not care how much it costs, and lend them your jet to get there.”
We’re not talking about rich; talking about wealthy. Chris Rock once said, “Shaquille O’Neal is rich. The guy who pays his salary is wealthy.” He also said comfort is the poison. Too much of it can slow down your progress on the road to wealth. All I mean is to stay hungry. I’m just saying there are different levels of wealth.
FIRE IT UP
“Focus on all four of your net worth factors: increasing your income, increasing your savings, increasing your investment returns, and decreasing your cost of living by simplifying your lifestyle.” – T. Harv Eker
Simple math can help you retire rich.
Unfortunately, many people think of math as a foreign language and say it’s too hard to learn.
In my experience, to build wealth you need to know addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. And that’s about it.
Why FIRE AT ALL?
More control and satisfaction over how you spend your time and money. Finding something you love to do and are passionate about is life changing and fulfilling. What you want is…FREEDOM. Waste less money and work with what you’ve got. Do more with what you have.
What do you want out of life? Write it down. Go seek answers. They say seek and you shall find.
According to Mr. Money Mustache, you should focus more on you than your bank account. Get wiser and healthier so you can increase your probability to get wealthier. My favorite quote of his is this: “Salads and barbells every day.” Become your best self with hard work, dedication, and consistency. Be the Boss.
READY, AIM…FIRE!!!
According to an article by Physician on Fire (POF), called What is fatFIRE?, a Facebook group defined FIRE as the following:
FIRE = Financial Independence. Retire Early.
leanFIRE = FIRE on a shoestring budget.
fatFIRE = FIRE on a generous budget.
Most aspiring to fatFIRE have a target of $2.5 Million or more or the equivalent annual budget of $100,000 or more based on a 4% withdrawal rate.
I found a breakdown of the terms financially speaking on Miniafi on the difference between lean and fat FIRE under the title So Many Terms!
I break it down like this:
LEAN FIRE = $1 million dollar or less portfolio
FIRE = $1.25 to 2-million-dollar portfolio
FAT FIRE = $2.5 million dollar or more portfolio
FIRE is about having enough passive income flows to never work again or to decrease the amount of time you spend doing work you don’t want to do and increasing it on the work you do want to do.
