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College, Relationships, Wealth

Money advice from Gossip Girl

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Earn the spotlight on your own merits. You’ll feel better. – Serena

I was reading a book when I decided to take a walk down memory lane and watch Gossip Girl on Netflix.

For those of you that may not know or remember the show, Gossip Girl was a show about privileged American socialite teens at an elite and exclusive academic prep school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side (UES); whose every move was texted out through an eblast via tips to  an anonymous site called Gossip Girl.

What is Gossip Girl and what it does?

What’s the difference between gossip and scandal? So glad you asked, UES Forever. Anyone can commit a minor indiscretion and generate a day’s worth of buzz. But in order for gossip to birth a true scandal, it requires the right person to be in the wrong place. – Gossip Girl

The show was on the WB, then the CW, and aired from September 19, 2007 through December 17, 2012. The show was narrated by Kristen Bell (as Gossip Girl). Scandals, scoops, and hemlines run amuck. The show may have had a serious lack of ethics, but it did make for some interesting television.

Gossip Girl is based on a popular book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The adapted television series in 2007 came about from the book series she started in 2002.

Gossip Girl will always have a special place in my heart.

It was in 2007 that I heard this line from the show:  You know, Dad, there’s this thing called MySpace where you can post all of this information online. Save some trees, have a blog. – Dan Humphrey

 It peaked my interest in blogging. Then, I started this one, Greenbacks Magnet, 9 years later.

Some of the dialogue may be a bit harsh in its tone and delivery, but there was some truth behind some of their words.

Gossip Girl likes to keep things classy and somewhat true. – Serena van der Woodsen played by Blake Lively

Serena is so grateful because she likes to see the best in people. I like to see the truth. – Blair

So, let’s get right into it.

MEET THE MONEY PLAYERS

You got me thinking. If my class is so important to you maybe I ought to make it worth your while. So for the next seven weeks it’s fewer models and martinis, more flow charts and footnotes.– Colin Forrestor played by Sam Page

Last month, on Thanksgiving Day, I decided to watch some Thanksgiving themed movies and television episodes. And I settled on watching Gossip Girl.

As GG fans know, it just hooks you in with all the drama and high fashion that’s fun to look at.

The music was pretty good too. Found the GG soundtrack for music featured in every episode here. 

The series follows Upper East Siders throughout their never ending drama filled lives that is often self-inflicted. It Girl Serena van der Woodsen is centered around it all and is the star of the show. Her friends and family make up the rest of the cast.

One of my favorite scenes is actually from the first episode of the series. It was a face-off that was incredible between two young women and it set the tone for the show.

The 4 top-billed (in my opinion) and main cast includes the following:

Blake Lively as Serena van der Woodsen AKA S

Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf AKA B

Chace Crawford as Nate Archibald AKA Golden Boy

Ed Westwick as Chuck Bass Always

If you pay close attention to their conversations, they are dropping some serious money gems.

These little nuggets of life and money wisdom, when interpreted and applied correctly, could transform lives and bank balances.

Let’s begin.

WORK FOR WHAT YOU WANT

Never in my 16,982 hours of schooling have I ever been sentenced to detention. – Blair

Throughout the show, the main cast is always discussing their futures and going to college.

It was almost incessant in the amount of pretentious ponderings of how to be sartorially correct while interviewing for a top spot as a Yalie. And yes, that is a quite accurate assessment of the character known as Blair on the show.

Blair would look and act so innocent and demure like she couldn’t melt butter, but her stare and looks were as cold as ice. Very entertaining.

Here she goes on one of her tirades.

I am so a better fit for Yale than that Rory. – Blair

Now, she’s belittling and disparaging the character of one of my favorite shows Gilmore Girls.

Check out my posts where I talk Gilmore.

Mega Millions Win or Bust 

Money and Life Lessons I Learned from CBS Storybreak’s Yeh-Shen

How to navigate Universal Studios on a budget and like a boss

But enough of the $50 words. Let’s talk about the rest of the show.

They attend the fictitious Constance Billard School for Girls and St. Jude School for Boys. In addition, throughout the show you may hear them casually drop names of other schools.

In the Gossip Girl (book series) — it contains the line “two little Sacred Heart girls in their cute red and white checked pinafores were walking an enormous black Rottweiler” on page 86 in the first novel of the series.

Many of the parents are part of high-society and are on boards of prestigious organizations, own businesses, and live in penthouses. They go to great parties, opening nights to the ballet, and fashion week.

You get the impression that these kids know to base their lives around money and making sure to earn piles of it is a must.

They are tireless paragons of poshness. The parties are lavish, the lifestyle is glamorous, and the fashion is couture and expensive. Makes for a great show.

What I noticed was that everyone in one way or another was working hard at trying to make their own way in the world apart from their rich and or famous families.

They chased their dreams relentlessly. Like a boss.

And made huge sacrifices to get what they wanted.

Great leaders only need three hours of sleep! – Blair

They worked, started or interned at major businesses, magazines, for fashion designers, newspapers, literary writers, politicians, and fashion houses.

You’re not likely to get or keep those gigs for long if you are playing around.

“When and if we end up together, it has to be as equals.” – Blair

Yes, indeed. Be independent.

BET ON SELF

Here’s my advice: Have a little faith, and if that doesn’t work, have a lot of mimosas.– Blair in the Wild Brunch Season 1 Episode 2

My family is really into waffles. – Jenny Humphrey sister of Dan Humphrey played by Taylor Momsen

If you want something, go get it. Have some faith in yourself. And good food and conversation go together.  I have learned a lot about people when having lunch with them. It’s a great way to build relationships. My favorite meal is brunch. I too love waffles!

See my post, Forget casinos, bet on yourself for more on this topic.

THE SO-CALLED ELITE

Their membership is so restricted, it makes Soho House look like a halfway house. – Blair

They say of you want to increase membership to something then increase the selection criteria.

The Ivy League have made this an art form. As you see on this show, even the wealthy were concerned about their college admissions. There was even some talk of donations to a school to get in. In the end, you see deep down, we all have our insecurities. Accept it, and move on.

I have learned that I am no better than anybody else, but I am always just as good.

KNOW YOUR WORTH

You deserve someone who would move mountains for you if he had to. – Blair to Serena 

Normal people don’t get an endless number of chances, no matter the situation. That’s just you. – Dan to Serena

I have heard people say that well-behaved women seldom make history. At least that is what Eleanor Roosevelt said. I guess you can take her word for it as her husband FDR made history.

“I have an idea for you: quit. Your boss is a bi*ch. Let’s go to lunch.”

I have actually done just that very thing. I quit a bad job. Got a better job. And never looked back.

 “I’m not a stop along the way, I’m a destination.” – Blair

That line could be someone’s Bumble Bee bio. I call it sophisticated confidence.

“He ended up treating me like something he owned instead of something he earned.” -Blair

You’re worth more than a guest lecture fee, everyone knows that. – Dan to Serena

Well put. Damn straight!

Be unique. Have your own voice. Be you.

See my post, How being an outlier can make you rich

How being an outlier can make you rich

YOUR INCOME

A man who own a tuxedo shows that he has the means and can afford to provide for his family – Blair in Belles Du Jour Season 4 Episode 1

One of my favorite lines from the show comes from none other than Nate Archibald while talking to Chuck Bass.

Excuse me? Where’s my boy? “Seal the deal.” “Tap that a$$.” “Money marries bigger money.”

Wow. Money marries bigger money. That’s kind of cold, but ok.

I could care less about his Bassets and probably he’s filtering his assets through some foreign government so I won’t know. – Blair on Chuck Bass.

S: So you hired escorts? B, you couldn’t just tell your mom you don’t have friends at NYU?

B: Prostitutes are people, too, and they have a lot of disposable income. – Serena and Blair

Yes, people are focused on income, A LOT.

Jane Austen also so eloquently puts how much emphasis people put on income in two of her novels. And also how to treat others with or without money.

FOR THE LOVE OF HEADBANDS

I know you disapprove of me, but can’t you at least do so in a tuxedo?– Lily van der Woodsen played by Kelly Rutherford

This show loves their tuxedos. And themed parties. Masquerade. Kiss on the Lips. You name it.

It is often said when you look good, you feel good. Well, I concur. You feel more confident as well.

I remember going to a job interview where some folks didn’t take it seriously. I wore a nice dress and some of the men wore suits while others wore jeans.

After I got hired and when I later started the job, I noticed on my first day that all the people that got hired were the ones that were well-dressed.

Leighton Meester Shopping GIF - Find & Share on GIPHY

Piece of advice: lose the tulip. – Chuck

If you know one thing about GG, you know it’s all about the fashion.

The well-heeled wear nice heels. Blair was known for her love of headbands. People were always giving her grief about it.

Your era is over, and so is that headband. – Jenny

No headbands in college, okay? – Dan to Blair

Et tu, Dan?

SvdW was known for her fantastic sense of style.

And she had more loose interpretation of a school uniform than any person on the planet. The Tie Goddess. See for yourself.

EDUCATION IS PRICELESS AND THE PRICE OF INTELLECTUALISM

S:Wow, and I thought college would be different from high school.

B:Who would want that? – Serena and Blair

These kids were not just applying to any colleges, but the Ivy League. They wanted to be HYPsters (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) or the like.  What Blair called the Holy Trinity of colleges. Which are all expensive colleges. We are talking $50,000 USD per year or more.

It was a constant stressor of theirs during the shows first four seasons. Case in point, here is a list of the schools they were trying to get into or that their parents attended.

For instance, Serena wanted to go to Brown and that college and Harvard are where her parents went. Blair wanted Yale and Nate was considering UCLA over Dartmouth like his father. There was also talk of Columbia, Georgetown, and NYU on the show.

It just goes to show you that getting an education is still mighty important.

Serena van der Woodsen or SvdW for short – Brown University, Columbia University

SvdW parents attended – Harvard University and Brown University

Fun show Fact: SvdW dropped out of Brown at the last minute because she wanted to find herself and she felt that moving away to another city wouldn’t help her achieve that. The classic one-year hiatus otherwise known as the infamous gap year before entering college.

This is what Blair had to say to her about going there.

Your deductive-reasoning skills are perfect for a place like Brown. An enclave of trustafarians and children of celebrities who major in drum circles and semiotics, whatever that is. I can’t wait for you to come home next Thanksgiving a militant veganista, anemic and proud. – Blair

It left me speechless.

Blair Waldorf – Yale University, Columbia University, New York University (NYU), NYU – Tisch School of the Arts

Nate Archibald – Columbia University, Dartmouth

Chuck Bass – Columbia University

Dan Humphrey AKA Lonely Boy played by Penn Badgley – NYU

Vanessa Abrams played by Jessica Szohr – NYU

Eric van der Woodsen played by Connor Paolo – Sarah Lawrence

Some character’s shots at the sheepskin, in my opinion, and other honorable college mentions include:

Reaches: Yale, Harvard, Princeton

Realistic: UPenn, Georgetown, UMiami, Duke, USC, UCLA, Columbia, Tulane, Pepperdine, Wesleyan, Dartmouth

Safeties: Cornell, Vanderbilt, George Washington

READ TO GET AHEAD IN LIFE

I’m telling you, I learned everything I know about women from Judy Blume’s Forever. – Dan

According to List Challenges, “Gossip Girl” (2007 – 2012) : here is a listing of some of the favorite authors and books of the characters or simply the ones mentioned by them and showed along these 6 seasons, books studied in university, etc.

Many characters also name dropped or were caught reading well-known books by famous authors.

I love the Snowflake Ball. It reminds me of Anna Karenina, only by Anna Wintour. – Serena

Maybe if we become famous writers one day, they’ll publish [our letters] after we die, like Sartre and de Beauvoir. – Vanessa

They also liked to travel extensively. Especially, in Europe such as Paris, France. In addition, they speak more than one language such as French while in Paris.

Elliott’s the perfect mix of smart and fun: He speaks three languages, but he has a subscription to People magazine. – Eric

List of titles includes:

House of Mirth by Edith Wharton –  read by Juliet Sharp played by Katie Cassidy

The Lorax by Dr. Suess – Mentioned by Dan

Colette by Gigi – Blair read this on a bench in Paris

Jane Austen books – Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Mansfield Park, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion

Charles Dickens novels – A Tale of Two Cities, A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Les Grandes Espérances

C. S. Lewis books – The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

William Shakespeare – Othello, Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, Henry V, Hamlet, King Lear

A few other famous works, Rabbit Redux by John Updike, Cyrano De Bergerac by Edmond Rostand, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, The Crucible (Arthur Miller), Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte), I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Dr. Maya Angelou, The Art of War, The Crucible (Arthur Miller), Madame Bovary, The Old Man and the Sea (Ernest Hemingway), The Beautiful and Damned (F. Scott Fitzgerald), Cinderella (Charles Perrault), The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, Faust, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Walden, The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald), and Beloved by Toni Morrison.

There, I have just given you a reading list that every good high school student or Ivy League hopeful should have. Some of which I have read. My favorite author is Jane Austen. A close second is Louisa May Alcott, as I just love Little Women and the 1994 film starring Winona Ryder. But Austen’s Sense and Sensibility (1995) just amazes me every time. That along with Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Emma (1996).

The rich seem to be highly educated. They also tend to get ahead in life. Therefore, be well-read.

However, these trust fund babies did end up leaving college and higher education after a while to set out for their own fortunes in the real world.

For people like us a college degree is just an accessory.  – Chuck

So, this too let’s you know that it is not always about what you know, but who you know.

You never know who you may run into at expensive coffee shops, libraries, restaurants, college, and hotels like the Palace in New York.

So, go build up those relationships.

MONEY AND RELATIONSHIPS

Just to clarify, I do think you deserve to be with someone who makes you happy. – Dan

True words indeed.

I read, like, five self-help blogs on how to turn friends into lovers. Yes, they used that word. – Dan

Come on, Cece’s heart pumps secrets and gin. – Dan

And there was lots of secrets on this show. Relationships and secrets were everywhere.

Sex is meaningful, like art. And you don’t rush art.– Dan

All great things are built or done slowly.

If you watched this show, then you may remember the season 3 episode with Lady Gaga. Here is her take on relationships that is so Blair Waldorf.

“Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams. If you’re wondering which way to go, remember that your career will never wake up and tell you that it doesn’t love you anymore.” ― Lady Gaga

Marriage

Settling down means death. Less sex, more silence. – Blair on marriage

Blair also had some of the best lines on the show. EVERY. SINGLE. EPISODE.

Case in point, check this out.

And she actually said this too.

That’s the thing. You need to be cold to be queen. Anne Boleyn thought only with her heart, and she got her head chopped off. So her daughter Elizabeth made a vow never to marry a man. She married a country. Forget boys. Keep your eye on the prize, Jenny Humphrey. You can’t make people love you, but you can make them fear you. For what it’s worth, you’re my queen. I choose you. – Blair

As, I am a history buff and studied up on Queen Elizabeth I of England, my mouth fell open when she said this.

Check it out here.

And I am not the only one who feels she should get some praise for her talented banter.

C: It’s a facility for the disturbed or addicted.

B: You must have your own wing.

C: You don’t get enough credit for your wit.

– Chuck and Blair

If you go back with an uncertain heart, there will be drama and disaster for all. – Blair

You better believe it. In life and relationships, to be successful, you have to commit.

LOVE

B:Love me?

C:Always.

– Blair and Chuck

They were the best characters on the show, in my humble opinion. The two of them together was gold. Take a look for yourself.

But ultimately, I have learned that love is what we are all looking for.

MONEY DOESN’T BUY HAPPINESS

Trouble is moving in, and it’s looking to make the Upper East Side it’s bi*ch.– Gossip Girl

You would think that folks in tuxedos and ball gowns are the happiest, but these people seemed so unhappy.

Happiness can’t be measured in things. It comes from having the things that really matter like people who love you for who you are.

Doing the right thing takes courage and strength. At least that’s what I’ve heard. – Blair

Well, I hope you had fun going down memory lane with me and I will bid you adieu in the best possible way to end this post.

You know you love me – XOXO,

Gossip Girl (I mean Greenbacks Magnet) wink, wink 😉

Careers, Celebrities and Money, Credit Cards, Financial Freedom, Financial Independence, Investing, Real Estate, Saving, Self-Made Millionaires, Wealth

How Arnold Schwarzenegger Totally Recalls making $20 million-dollar paychecks

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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.

I actually mentioned Arnold in a couple posts I wrote, Forget casinos, bet on yourself and Money Lessons I learned from Jay Leno.  Now, I am going to talk about how he became self-made.

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.

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.

SAVING MONEY AND INVESTING

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?

How being an outlier can make you rich

So let’s recap…

  • Start with a dream
  • Write it down
  • Say out loud what you want to do or be
  • Work hard
  • Break the rules, not the law
  • Don’t be afraid to fail
  • Exercise
  • Weight lifting builds muscles and confidence
  • Trust yourself
  • Ignore the naysayers
  • Save and invest
  • Real estate can make you a fortune
  • Financial independence equals freedom
  • Give something back
  • Turn every dollar into two
Financial Independence, Saving, Wealth

Forget casinos, bet on yourself

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“There is a gigantic difference between earning a great deal of money and being rich.” —Marlene Dietrich

You bet there is. I am a firm believer in being rich in assets. Those are the things that will help you build wealth. They attract money to you.

I once read a wealthy gentleman online state he wants to be cash poor and asset rich.

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.

Casinos are designed to separate you from your money. Just like subscriptions. Read my posts Do not cash out your retirement accounts and  America is the land of subscriptions.

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.

THE FUTURE MR. OR MRS. FI

If you want to have a chance at financial independence, I suggest you do the following:

  • Focus on learning more about money and finance
  • Stay away from debt
  • Get a good education (the best you can afford)
  • Pay for cars and appliances in cash
  • Opt for a 15-year mortgage
  • 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.