Blog Posts

Believing in Your Dreams moves you 'from broke to better'

6/21/2022

If you focus positively on a goal as doable and not rationalize, compromise, doubt or worry,
you will achieve it....

Life really does provide you with 'equal opportunity' ...when you really put your mind to it, people, information and money, shows up to help you towards your goals

Even if you face tough obstacles with no support, the right resources, connections shows up to help you to achieve your goal, if you 'just believe'

This is how people overcome addictions, illnesses, athletes become champions, business people become millionaires and the 'ugly' duckling marries the pretty prince.

When life trials come and get you down and there is dreariness all around, focus on your vision of being happy doing what you really want to do...... the questions 'woulda and shoulda', 'how come' and 'why did this happen to me', only keeps you stuck where you are, which is where you do not really want to be.

People who make career comebacks or overcome life tragedies, understand this principle very well, because when you lose everything, the only thing you have left is your 'imagination and belief' in better days ahead, (gotta lookup to get up)...even when you can't see it or feel it, just say 'what you really want to do' out loud to yourself....it will still get you to ponder the question ....what would it take for me, to get to where I really want to be.

Write your goals down and why you want to achieve them......it will help to cement your believe in what you are trying to accomplish. When your why is strong enough the how shows up in your life.

A belief is only a thought you keep thinking over and over again, just name it and feel good imagining it .......you can achieve whatever you focus on, and I do mean whatever you focus on

Just Believe! What you focus on, comes to you......

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

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Money Steps that helps you to improve from 'Broke to Better'

5/18/2022

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Single Adult -- get a job and mentor, create a vision board of goals/dreams, new car, start life and disability insurance, start IRA or business, establish credit rating, complete education in area of interests, start emergency savings fund, hobby, social activities ....and create a sample budget

Get Insurance, Job, and Start Savings

Home monthly payment -- 35% take-home pay (or less)
Car monthly payment -- 15% take-home pay (or less)

Tip:
Before making major purchases check your credit score, if low, try to raise it by 50 - 100 points

Lower College/Trade School Debt
Ways to go BROKE - Have fun but control your spending

Young Married – create a vision board of goals/dreams, get a marriage/career mentor, small house, condo, adequate flood, life and health insurance, start IRA, bigger car, emergency savings fund ....and      create a sample budget

Start Savings and Purchase Disability and Life Insurance
Ways to go BROKE - Have fun but control your spending

Parenthood – education fund for kids, larger home, vision board of family dreams/goals, emergency fund, day care, vacations, IRA or small business ownership
Plan for Kids College and Your Retirement

Parent Older Kids – make plans for retirement, disburse education funds, may take care of parents, kids activities, a major illness (disability) ..
Financially Squeezed - Juggling parents aging, kids, health and career

Empty Nest - smaller house(paid off), kids gone, pursue dreams, roll IRA into Fixed Annuity
Pay for kids college, stuck in dead end jobs

Retirement - Fixed Annuity (Secure Income & no debt), travel, volunteer in organizations that you would like to leave a legacy of service and funding.. Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR), shows 10.04% average S&P 500 return from 1928 to 2020 .....invest in index funds at work.
Retirement Benefits

Emergencies -- Unexpected financial or medical tragedy or disaster Local Social Services
Tip: 3 to 6 months of savings in cash, helps to pay for unexpected expenses (repairs, etc)
Why? To avoid the high interest rate pay day and title loans when in a 'crisis'.

A. Save $5 - 20 a week to build a 3 to 6 months reserve...in a savings account, you 'spend and replace' funds in this account as needed for 'unexpected expenses'(keeping between $1,000 - $5,000 in emergency funds is a good idea). Build a emergency fund first, then move to investments, etc.

     1. Purchasing home warranties for major appliances may reduce cost of repairs
     2. Purchasing warranties on major car parts may reduce cost of repairs

Disability Benefits - Life happens to everyone, short term or long term illness that prevent you from working for a period of time. How to apply for Disability

Unemployment Benefits - Life happens to everyone, contract ends, jobs terminate, and layoffs happen that prevent you from working for a period of time. Unemployment Benefits

Burial - Life Insurance cover expenses left behind, try to leave more than just your last name behind
Things to do when loved one dies

Final financial wisdom: Create a will to distribute your possessions to the causes and people you would love to help

Inheriting money after a loved one dies.
Widows Benefit

Take about 70% of the money to pay down outstanding debts (credit cards, mortgage) and add money to your 'rainy day' savings account, if you have no debt place money into safe investments that grow your money
Plan to 'blow' about 20% of the money on self and family(clothes,vacations,upgrades, etc)
Split the other 10% between an investment that is making money that you don't have to worry about and donating to a charity that honors the loved ones life...if it was not included in the will

Tip:
Use coupons to 'stretch your money farther' in the month.       coupons
Always look for deep discounts ......
there's always a 'sale' somewhere for what you want.

Use only 30% of total credit card balances when making purchases, keep 2 cards.

File and Store Household record keeping about purchases, taxes and documents

Ways to go BROKE - Have fun but control your spending

Make it a goal to be free of debt by the time you expect to retire. Choose a home loan, vehicle loans that you payoff during your working years. If you are worried about bills, you can’t enjoy retirement, by doing what you and only you want to ....whatever that is!
Delaying Car New Purchases
Eliminating Household Debts

Starting a Business.....Wonder and Ponder the question, What business  idea, can i financially live on for a lifetime? Small Business Resources

Putting money in 401K at work.....Warren Buffet states, 'Put the money in a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and forget moving it around' ...the return is greater and the fees are less over time (you make more money)

Put $10 - $35 weekly into a 401K, invested into S&P index fund (10% interest), from age 20 - 65, may allow you to have $1 million dollars in retirement. If you change jobs, a rollover IRA will allow you to do the samething. Of course, if your company matches your money, take advantage of that increase in deposits, as well.

Broke-to-Better blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

Good Idea...401k best bet is...Index 500 fund(beats 95% all funds annually)

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Social Media and Your Personal Brand

5/17/2022

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In today’s economy, one may only work for a company 1 to 3 years, instead of 20 as in the prior years, as a worker.

Remember, Networking with others is SO underutilized,
You can literally get hired just by having the right conversation with the right person.

If you do nothing else, on a monthly basis update your resume on job boards, it keeps your name in circulation for future jobs. Yes, you must perform and promote yourself, shamelessly at the same time to remain competitively.

Here’s a tip on using ‘keywords’ in your resume and social media to get human resource recruiters, attention. Note, not using keywords in your resume will not allow there computer to detect that you are in the system.

I have found the following ‘keywords’ are used in general management resumes, business networking sites and job boards.

I recommend that you use them in your elevator pitch, online resumes, job description/accomplishments to describe yourself as an ‘obvious’ choice to solve a company problem.

Match resume 'keywords'..... to job description 'keywords' ads.
Explain how you can save the company money or help it make more money by utilizing your skills and experience
Talk about how well you influence and work together with other team members
How you Meet and Exceed Deadlines
How you overcame challenges on the job
Leadership Skills that you have used at a prior company
Training and developing certified skills for the job or position you are applying

Finally, don’t forget to post the same professional picture and about me tag line on all available career networking sites and job boards, consistency keeps your personal brand memorable to others.

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

Elevator pitch

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Improve your credit score by Reducing your debt

5/12/2022

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BUDGET Your Monthly expenses

How to use your Credit Wisely

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Successful Job Interviewing

4/17/2022

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Interview Checklist

In person

On the phone

Clean up mistakes before interview..practice, practice, etc

Show them that you want the job.....send a 'Thank you'

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

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Dress to Impress for Success

4/14/2022

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First Impression is Best

Look the part, Smell the part, Talk and Walk the part, and then learn to Network....
Then U can move to better just by having the right conversation with the right person.

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

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Getting Healthy moves U from broken dreams to better energy to do fun things

4/1/2022

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Manage Stress Daily
Do something everyday that brings you pleasure, take a few moments to relax and de-stress,
Listen to Positive music or messages daily to interrupt the negative stories in your mind and to create a positive self image towards your dreams.
Overcome Emotional Eating

Reorganize your Kitchen Cabinets:
Store 'quick' healthy snacks and breakfast items in convenient areas
Place high-calorie sugar and flour items on high shelves, so you have to work for them
Use Brown sugar or honey in food for seasoning instead of white sugar
Cook with Olive Oil or Canola Oil

How you can Get Started
If you can track calories 2,000 daily calories/ 30 minute walk 5 days a week

Do not drink coffee or tea with meals

Drink water: 1 gallon of water per day. Drink a glass of water before each meal and before
each snack to suppress your appetite by making you feel fuller.

Eat or drink only low-fat or non-fat dairy products
Whole grains choices

Eat Breakfast, fiber fruits(raisins, apples, blueberries) or oatmeal each day, little protein - yogurt, turkey, 100% vegetable juice
Fruits that help you

Eat or drink protein snacks, fruit between meals (size of your fist) or 100% vegetable juice
Healthy Snacks

Lunch and Dinner eat Salads or Vegetables first (1/2 plate per meal) then handful any meat(protein) and large spoonful(any starch or fruit)
Vegetables that help you

Brisk walk or exercise 3-5 times a week 30 – 60 min.
If hungry afterwards, have vegetable pieces, lemon or apple cider vinegar juice, and/or tea.
Foods that give you energy

Eliminate cookies, cakes, candy, corn, cola's(soda)
Honey benefits

Get 6 - 8 hours of sleep a night

Avoid Overeating by planning your meals for the week, Eat breakfast, Eat smaller portions
Choices on my plate

Having strong 'craving pains' for certain foods, ask GOD to direct you to healthy choices,
He will guide you to a alternative that is safe and satisfying for you or 'ease' your craving to bearable.

Before eating ask GOD to let you know when you are 'satisfied' with eating the food on your plate.
You will get a 'inner knowing' about when to stop eating.
When the feeling comes, stop eating, drink water. It's OK to leave food on the plate.

Join support groups that support your personal goals (overcome addictions)
12 step resources

_________________________________________

Weight Gain Strategies
Eat unlimited Breads, Corn, Pasta, Potatoes, and sugar in dinner plates, and drink more soda, etc.

Until you lose the 'weight' you will never know, what 'fun' you've missed having in your life.
Weight Loss Stories

Weight Loss Strategies
Eat unlimited fruits (before 6 pm) and Vegetables first (1/2 plate per meal) then handful any meat(protein) and large spoonful(any starch or fruit), whole-grains in a small bowl, and drink more water (8 large glasses)
Do drink coffee, drink green or sage tea (burns fat faster)
Take a brisk Walk or Exercise 30 - 45 minutes/5 times a week
FDA, prescription drugs are not recommended for long term weight loss

Apple-Shaped - avoid sugar and flour foods
Pear-Shaped - avoid fatty foods and very little dairy

Broke-to-Better blogs, nomopofolks association, dallas, texas

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Daily Spiritual connection helps us to Conquer the Trials and Test

3/21/2022

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Numbers 23:19, GOD does not lie.....in any situation.
Proverbs 3:5-7 In all thy ways acknowledge GOD and I will show you the best path to take.
Luke 5:4-9, God will tell you exactly what to do, you must obey to get the right results

Below is the steps you can do to find guidance to living your best life.

1- Read a daily devotional and have quiet time in the morning before going to work or before the kids get up. It helps you to place positive and peaceful thoughts in the mind. This allows you to attract other pleasant events throughout the day. Even when hateful things happen, you don't 'go off' as fast.

A. When your mind is at peace....sensible answers come to solve your problems.

2- Pray about your circumstances, then stop worrying, wandering and doubting. Have faith that things will workout, maybe not how you planned, but just how it was meant to be.
A. God plan is always better than yours.......

Make a list of what is bothering you, Then Ask God for wisdom and pray,
In my current circumstances, GOD show me the 'truth', what is the wise thing for me to do!
and Give me the strength to do it! Guide me to the right people and resources to help me do it.

3- If you have problems paying your bills, be proactive about talking to creditors. Call them and
and talk to them before they start calling and chasing you. Dishonesty leads to trouble. They will work with you at an affordable repayment plan. They want money, something is better than nothing.

4- You must visualize where you want to be, stop focusing on current circumstances and blame! It will keep you stuck. Because you continue to ask 'why', and 'how come'?
A. Write down what you want to buy when you have money and who you want to give 'gifts' to and then write down how it would make you feel and how they would feel. Then pray over the list, release it from your mind, do something else and watch over time as it begins to show up in your life at your level, as if it was magic.

5- Don't be ashamed to ask for help! Most people have not because they ask not!
A. You google for information not wisdom. For wisdom ask GOD to direct you to who to ask for help.
'Godly directions not intentions get you to your desired destination, perfectly'.

6-   Before you go to bed take 5 minutes and write down what happen during the day that made you laugh, something new you may have learned that day or what happened that you were grateful about.
A. You will be amazed at how helpful people become around you. Life opens up when U do.

7-  Before you go to sleep, ask GOD to help forgive you and your enemies, those that have done hateful things to you during the day (even, if you don't mean it). It helps you to calm down before you face them 'fools' again. Also, when done at night it will help you to sleep and not wake up tired, due to fighting in your mind while trying to sleep.
A. Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling.

8- Stop talking to negative people, stop repeating negative events in your head or gossiping after 8 pm. You will be amazed how well your sleep improves and your outlook changes. Listen to positive thinking music, people, watch a good tv show or movie. This will keep you out of a lot of unnecessary 'drama' situations in your life.

9- Eating the right amount of fruit and vegetables or drinking a cup of 100% vegetable juice twice a day keeps you calm in the storm during the day and improves sleep at night.

10- Exercise whether walking, running or jumping......if done for 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week, help you to think better thoughts, more energy to do fun things, helps 'sex hormones' to work better, lowers your rate to be quickly irritated by sounds and people.
A. Affirmation ....I give myself permission to love and respect myself, more

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

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Marriage from 'broken to better'... Building the Nest without Thorns

3/13/2022

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A successful marriage is one where you are supported, working together as a team, safe to express yourself, respected for who you are and most of all treated as priority. A place  where you have reasons to smile most days. The best part of your day is going home to your like-minded partner, who is your companion to grow with as a friend and lover, in a playful and peaceful environment.

She Wants
To be loved and listened to

1- She wants to wake up and know we both are on the same team and want what's best for the other one no matter what, dependable and reliable.  Yet, have the ability to laugh at life, when we get it wrong. It shows you care about her feeling loved, cherished and honored.

2- She wants to trust him and be accepted for who she is(let her be who she is). She wants loyalty, honesty and openness from him. She wants to always know she is the 'apple' of his eye, that she looks good and matter to him.

3- She wants him to talk to her, respecting her opinion and understand her needs. She wants him to get in the habit of checking in with her and schedule time alone for undisturbed heart-to-heart talks. She truly values friendship and companionship with her partner(the ability to give meaningful feedback to her questions).

4-  She wants stability and security of enough money to live on comfortably.

5- She wants him to be a good father. Committed to spending time with her and the kids, doing fun activities.

6- She wants him to be a leader. The ability to discuss and agree upon goals for the family with her. She wants him to take the initiative to find solutions to family problems and achieve goals.

7- She wants him to look his best and be physically fit, she values his ability to make sensitive, passionate, sensual love to her on a spontaneous basis and be handy and helpful around the house. She desires to have fantasy discussions about fun things to do with her mate.

8- She wants him strong. Courage to deal with difficulty, pain or danger without backing away. Set limits on the bad treatment he accepts from others. Yet, she does not accept 'abuse' of any kind.

9- She wants him to talk over his thoughts before he make decisions that benefit the family aspirations, celebrate achievements.

10- She wants him to take responsibility for his actions. Don't blame others when you did wrong. She does not want a soft guy who is timid, because she expects you to get the job done from the boardroom to the bedroom. Yet, be nice and kind to her and others.

He Needs
To be admired and supported

1- He needs a builder that genuinely cares about him, trustworthy team partner and a good looking wife. Loyalty, cooperation and respect is what he values most.

2- He needs friendship that entails honest loving conversations to know she is supportive, loyal and understands him. Women, the person you chose to marry deserves your respect, and the respect of others, so don't gossip, ridicule or complain about your partner at parties or family gatherings. Support in public and correct in private.

3- He needs her to be his playmate, someone he enjoys hanging out with. Engage in recreational activities that both can enjoy together.

4- He needs sexual fulfillment with his partner. Keep yourself in shape, welcome spontaneity. Be open to new ideas and enjoyable exploration.

5- He needs peace and quiet to think over and discuss what's best for the family. Men will not tolerate a game-playing ‘bossy drama queen’ or 'drop and plop' nastiness for very long. She respects his thoughts and do not fight or tear him down on everything she disagrees with.

6- He needs a confident, smart and secure, women that have there own friends and interests.

7- He needs a genuine person that can laugh at herself and who is uplifting, kind, supportive and loving. She supports his endeavors and don't put obstacles in his way. He needs a prayer partner to help him stay connected with GOD for strength and guidance to make the best decisions for the family prayer list requests.

8- He needs her to believe in him, acknowledge his attempts and achievements and tell him how proud she is of him win or lose, don’t make him feel inadequate. A classmate in learning of GOD's word and career/community insights that will help him navigate toward success.

9- He needs to be accepted and trusted for who he is and for what he is driving to accomplish. Being 'equally yoked' ..ability to see eye to eye on important issues and priorities, helps him feel confident that everyone on the team is rowing in the same direction.

10- He needs most of all encouragement and nurturing, from a loving spouse when times are tough. She needs to believe in her spouse, and show it.

Couples

Do not go to bed angry.....really it does work
When you wake up in the morning ....take a few minutes and tell yourself;
I love and respect myself, Life is good to me, What I need and want is coming to me

.......you have to love U before you can give it away to another, daily

Before leaving the house, either wink, wave, hold hands, kiss or look each other in the eye, then say, 'My desire is to be love, support, and encouragement for you, today.'
Eat meals at the kitchen table without discussing 'family conflicts/negative issues'.
The more you walk and talk together, the more sex happens naturally
Awesome families are playful......Should be fun, not all work, no play.

Broke-to-Better blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas

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From broken-hearted to better..... Finding the 'Right' Partner

3/10/2022

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Have you ever been divorced, abused, rejected by someone you believed loved you?
Typically, we date or marry a familiar type of person in the community, that reflects our unfinished business(hurts, habits, hangups).

Lesson Learned: Everything you are attracted to, you may not be compatible with (just because it look good, doesn't mean you can live good with it). Try a new type of person that is likeminded (convictions/standards) and headed in same direction toward your goals.

Take a minute, a deep breath, a vacation and say to yourself 'I love and approve of myself '......because in relationships you have to love you, first. Always know, No matter where you are, somebody is always attracted to you irregardless, of your look, money, size, color or disability, that approves of U.

To use the lyrics from Berry Gordy and Jackie Wilson song, 'To be loved'

Someone to care,
Someone to share,
Lonely hours,
And please don't make decisions in moments of despair

Things that will not make you feel loved in a relationship

A person who is controlling (Bossy Bully), negative, know it all, cheater, disrespectful, jealous, selfish, abusive, dishonest (liar), manipulative, destructive, hot-headed, foolish, loud mouth, taker who is not nice to you or others and that is in it for your money. The person has completely different goals, values and priorities than you, yes, being equally yoked (compatible) does matter.

Now pray, GOD, I want to meet someone new that is best for me

Someone to kiss,
Someone to miss,
When you're away
To hear from each day.

10 Things that will make you feel loved in a relationship

A person who is genuine that cares about and believes in you, no strings attached
A person who is confident and a builder
A person who is positive and finds you interesting
A person who is smart and wise
A person who listens to your gripes and needs, then bring healing to your heart
A person who is dependable and reliable to fight life battles along side of you
A person who appreciates you spending time and doing things with and for them
A person who is supportive and understanding
A person who is loving and respectful
But most of all they honest and peaceful, you can always trust what they say.

The key to finding a mate is finding someone that is a lifetime helpmate and friend, that celebrates U not tolerate you.

Wait for the person who pursues you and accept your past, support your present, and encourages you to achieve your dreams in the future.

Make sure you both want the same goals, Before you get your heart involved

And most of all, wait for the person who will make you a priority, because that's where you belong and how you deserve to be treated.....

As months past and things begin to chill, keep it real by making sure, it's GOD's will
and not written in the sand, to be washed away, before it hardens like clay

Then everyday play and pray, to enjoy the day

But to be truly, truly, truly loved
Is more than all of these things!

At the end of the day, both partners want the same blissful feelin

To be loved, to be loved
Oh, what a feeling,
To be loved

Broke-to-Better Blogs, Nomopofolks Association, Dallas, Texas