Sunday, October 28, 2012

Will the election change your life?

Will the election change your life? November 6th is approaching quickly and, as the news always says, this is the most critical election in history. I do believe it is critical anytime we elect someone to lead the country. I always wonder who would really want to lead a country where nearly half of the people you are leading are already against you before you even take office. How much will this election change your life? Or I guess the better question would be; how much will President Obama change your life if he is re-elected, or how much will Governor Romney change your life is he is elected? I believe that no matter who is elected the responsibility for changing your life is yours. Policies and procedures and laws, they implement may help in your path, but it is ultimately all up to you. No elected official sends anyone a check, finds them a job, or starts a business for them. No official will improve your finances, health, or attitude for you. They will take the money you earn and spend if for you, through taxes, but you have to go out and get the money for them and your family. I would hope that most Americans would see that their life is not someone else’s responsibility. Politicians will tell you what you want to hear for a vote but it is impossible for them to do for all of their constituents what they must do for themselves. Why not try and change your own life, become extraordinary. What has ordinary got us? I have tried and failed and keep trying. I have learned a lot and am really challenged and changed. Remember no candidate will do things just like you all the time. I do urge you to go and vote because many Americans sacrificed a lot to give us the right to vote. So go ahead and make up your mind before the election to change your life. May be you want to lose weight, get your finances under control, or find a job that you really like and are passionate about or start a new business that you have always dreamed about. Don’t let who is in office determine what you do or don’t do. It’s up to you to manage your life. To expect someone in Washington to manage your life the way you think they should is to expect too much from them. God has this whole thing under control whether we believe it or not. Go vote and live your life!! Let me know if I can help! Tim West Go West Coaching

Monday, October 1, 2012

Marketing Season

Marketing Season Here in America we are the best in the world in this category, marketing! An American will see, hear, or be exposed somehow to 3000-4000 advertisements per day. An American child will see as many as 40,000 television ads per year. Marketers have trained us in this country to chase happiness with stuff, and it robs us of our money and peace because we are trained to get the latest and greatest product. China knows how to make money in the U.S., make a bunch of cheap junk and sell it to Americans. Now they have our money and we are borrowing it back from them to buy more of their goods. There is not a product we do not want if we hear about it enough. We need to wise up when it comes to marketing. Marketers want to do everything to get your money and your vote in the political arena. Since Christmas is just a little over 2 months away the marketers will be getting geared up for the season. They start with Halloween in August, and I have already seen Christmas stuff on the shelves. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with marketing, but we need to not spend all we have because we think we need something. We need marketers to find out what is out there, but we also need control over our money. Here are a few tips for you to get control of your finances. 1. Just learn to say no. Sometimes you may get a pushy sales person and you say yes to shut them up. Then you realize after you have bought something that you didn’t really need it after all. Say no and walk away. Develop a power over purchase. 2. Wait overnight before you purchase something, especially if it is a want. You will cool off and think more rational about the purchase when it is not staring you in the face. 3. Never buy anything you don’t really understand. Don’t just get the highlights but study the fine print, especially on insurance and financial products and services. 4. Consider the opportunity cost of your purchase. What will spending the money now cost you in the future. Could you wait a few months to get the latest greatest Apple product when the frenzy and cost may come down? And yes they make more products after they are sold out the first day. 5. Always ask someone’s advice who has purchased the product you want to buy before you purchase it. Buy wisdom as cheap as possible! 6. Men, listen to your wife! They have that woman thing going on that tells them no, don’t ignore it! We don’t have that ability. 7. Women never tell your husband you want it in front of the sales person, they know your husband has to buy it then and you lose your negotiating power. 8. Know what you want to buy when you go into the store and use cash so you don’t get something extra! Have a great week!! I will be doing a free budgeting class, Checkbook checkup on October 6th. Let me know if you are interested. Let me know if I can help! Tim West Go West Coaching