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Fantastic Four: The 4 People You Need for Success
Posted: 3/7/2013
Chris Hogan 360 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2013
Sometimes we look at someone who has achieved greatness and only see that person. It may seem as if they?ve done it all on their own. But in truth, as many of you know, none of us get to where we are without key people who are instrumental in our success, whether they are part of our personal support system or key peers.
The power of networking is clear ? the more people that you can connect with, the more people that you are connected to for life. However, if the desire to push yourself is burning inside you, I want to give you 4 key people to get on your personal impact team.
- The Coach: a pusher
- The Challenger: an anchor
- The Mentor: a professional
- The Listener: a friend
The Coach?s role is to push you to get better. Imagine the key characteristics of your old football coach, track coach, tennis coach, whatever fits your history, but now, they are your business coach. He or she helps you hone and improve your current skills and abilities. The Coach can also help you identify and acquire new skills. The sole role of the Coach in your life is your improvement and growth. Your Coach needs to be someone with the ability to help you get where you want to go.
The Challenger is there to help keep you accountable to the goals that you have identified. This is someone that will call you out and up to your goals. Think of them as a guide to help identify obstacles and help you to plan to deal with them. You can collaborate with this person and share your heart.
The Mentor is someone that has done or is doing something at the level that you want to achieve. This is someone that has the attributes, talents and skills that you want to add to your professional tool box. You can gain the benefit of your Mentor?s inside information and guidance to help you in your life or career.
The final person that you will need as you pursue success is the Listener. The Listener is someone that you can completely relate to in life. You can be brutally upfront and honest with this person. Their role is not to judge; they are there to listen and provide guidance as they are able.
You may already have these people in your life, but it helps to identify which role they are currently playing or could play. Or if you don?t have them, seek them out so that you can go to the right person when you need it. Remember, they are people who are willing to be there FOR you. You may also be called upon to play one or more of these roles in someone else?s life or career.
We are designed for community and success is a journey that is meant to be shared.
Gather your ?Fantastic Four? and work together on the journey of a lifetime.
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Why a CFP® Professional?
Posted: 2/28/2013
CFP® professionals are dedicated to using the financial planning process to serve the financial needs of individuals, families and businesses. Most CFP professionals have earned a four-year college degree in a finance-related field, and have completed a course of study in financial planning approved by CFP Board.
To earn the prestigious CFP® certification and remain certified as a CFP professional, individuals must meet four main requirements.
Certification Requirements
Examination
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM Professionals must successfully complete CFP Board's comprehensive certification examination, which tests an individual's knowledge on various key aspects of financial planning.
Experience
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professionals must acquire three years of financial planning-related experience before receiving the right to use the CFP certification marks.
Ethics
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professionals must voluntarily ascribe to CFP Board's Code of Ethics and additional requirements as mandated. CFP practitioners who violate the code can be disciplined, including permanent loss of the right to use the CFP certification marks.
Education
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Professionals must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years to stay current in financial planning knowledge, including ethics.
Compliance with these four areas informs you that an individual who holds the CFP certification mark is well prepared and qualified to give sound, professional advice.
CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM and federally registered CFP (with flame logo) are certification marks owned by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. These marks are awarded to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
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Many Americans have more debt on credit cards than money in bank
Posted: 2/28/2013
Posted: Feb 25, 2013 7:44 PM MST
Updated: Feb 26, 2013 4:00 AM MST
By Matthew Nordin - bio | email(FOX19/CNN) -
Boy, we Americans are in a lot of debt! In fact, many of us have more money charged on our credit cards than we have in the bank. High gas prices, rising food costs, and other personal expenses are likely to blame.
In a recent survey by the Consumer Federation of America, 54% of Americans say they have a savings plan with specific goals. However, only 43% actually have a budget that allows them to save enough to meet those goals.
A separate survey done by Bankrate.com found that one in four Americans has credit card debt greater than what they have in the bank.
"The problem that a lot of households are confronting now is that their expenses continue to creep higher and their income is not," said Bankrate.com's Greg McBride. "And it just makes it that much more difficult to make progress on things like savings and debt repayment."
One approach to tackling that debt is paying off the loan or credit card with the highest interest rate first. But also try to come up with a plan that allows you to pay down debt while also putting away a consistent amount in savings.
With many of us getting tax refunds soon, it's a good time to get a jump start on paying off those cards.
Copyright 2013 WXIX/CNN. All rights reserved.
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Financial therapists aid couples with money woes
Posted: 6/13/2012
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Paige Buck and her husband are happily married homeowners, but it's not always that way when it comes to discussing bills and budgets.
"Eveything would result in arguments or frustration or tears," said Buck.
The couple needed help expressing their financial feelings, so they saw a financial therapist.
"We weren't happy with the way we talked about money, or the decisions we were making," she said.
Financial therapy, also known as money coaching, is gaining popularity with couples and even singles. Saundra Davis with the Financial Therapy Association says it's the basic understanding that feelings and finance go hand-in-hand.
"Financial therapy is the place where money and our personalities connect. When there's a difference between what we know and what we do," Davis said.
Money coach Olivia Mellan says a good financial therapist will identify and treat the emotional blocks that prevent you from putting a financial plan into action.
"Overspending, money avoidance, money worrying, excessive hoarding and saving, inability to communicate about money," Mellan said.
For Buck, communication was key. She and her husband realized they felt guilt over spending.
"My husband and I would look at each other and be like, 'I didn't know you felt that way,'" she said.
There are no certifications to become a financial therapist, so it's important to do your homework.
"The term financial therapist is not a clearly defined term. It is an emerging field. So what we have is a collaboration of financial planners, therapists, coaches, and other professionals who work together," Davis said.
The financial therapy association can be a valuable resource.
"Make sure that you're comfortable with the professional that you're working with," Davis said.
After seeing Davis, Buck feels financially and emotionally healthy.
Related Content
link: Financial Therapy Association website
link: Money coach Olivia Mellan website
"We're saving for short term and long-term goals that we had never even faced or even had the courage to look at before," she said.
Financial therapy can cost anywhere from $50 to upwards of $350 an hour, depending on your needs. But the good news is many therapists are willing to work around your budget, so don't be afraid to ask them.
(Copyright ©2012 KABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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5 Steps to a Wealthier You
Posted: 6/7/2012
You can build personal wealth and a greater sense of financial well-being, but it begins with imagination. Take a moment right now and close your eyes. Imagine what it would feel like to be financially free ? no debt, house paid for, plenty saved, good income, and no financial worries. A good feeling, indeed, isn?t it? For most Americans, the idea of financial freedom feels elusive ? like a far-off dream to distant to attempt. But I challenge you to dream a bigger dream, and take steps to bring that dream to life.
In a culture that often equates ?wealth? with materialism, it?s no wonder debt is out of control and savings are far too low. Answer these questions for yourself: Do you know how much you?ll need for retirement? Are you on track to get there? If you lost your job or business dried up, how long could you pay your monthly expenses without borrowing? How about debt? If you have it, by when will you eliminate it? Have you even imagined the prospect of having no debt?
Whether the dream of financial freedom is three years away or 30 years away, wouldn?t it be worth it to start doing the things today that will leave you and those you love wealthier tomorrow? Here are five ways to do just that:
1. Envision yourself financially free.
It begins with imagining the possibility. With God, all things are possible. Begin seeing yourself in a better position financially. Rather than beating yourself up for mistakes or missteps, learn from them. Write down your money goals and post them where you will see them often. You need a financial vision.
2. Stop letting your emotions rule your money.
Do you spend to feel better? Out of guilt? To keep up with the Jones? Emotional spending will curse your finances, as you dig a deeper and deeper hole of debt.
3. Invest in more than a job.
Invest in education and knowledge that maximizes your earning potential. But also invest in opportunities to create passive income by considering a business or solid real estate that can help you build recurring income over time.
4. Choose experiences over things.
Research shows that spending money on experiences with people brings more happiness than money spent on things. Think about the next time you think you just have to have the latest gadget or new car. Building emotional wealth reaps meaningful rewards. Don?t get trapped on the hedonic treadmill of wanting more and more ?stuff.? Over time, you?ll find it takes more and more to satisfy your appetite ? and that includes more money.
5. Save consistently and unrelentingly.
If you were taught to save as a kid, you are ahead of the game! For many people, saving is a skill they must hone. While the amount you save is important, even more important is the consistency with which you save. Set up automatic deductions from your paycheck or checking account so you don?t have to think about it. Learn to live on a smaller percentage of your income ? just pretend you make less ? and save the difference. Over time, you will see your wealth grow.
Valorie Burton is the author of several books, including Listen to Your Life and What?s Really Holding You Back?, and is founder of The Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute. Her next book, Where Will You Go From Here?, will be released in June 2011. Subscribe to her FREE inspirational e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com.
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Can Money Buy Your Happiness?
Posted: 2/5/2012
3 Questions about Your Mind and Your Money
It's the age-old question: Can money buy happiness? In theory, we know the answer is "no". Yet, many pursue it in great expectation that when they finally get enough of it, they'll be happy. If you get the bigger house, the right car, the right salary, then you can kick up your heels and revel in your success. But researchers have discovered some interesting facts that may challenge your notions about money and happiness. First of all, the less money you have, the more it can impact your happiness when get more of it. If you make $10,000 and you quadruple your income to $40,000, your life satisfaction will improve significantly. But beyond $40,000, life satisfaction increases only slightly with increases in income.
That's not to say you shouldn't pursue making more money, just know some of the factors that allow money to make you happier. These three questions are among the most important:
1. Can I pay my bills?
The biggest predictor of happiness as it relates to money is not how much of it you make, but whether you can pay your bills. So focus on widening the gap between your income and expenses. There are three ways to do that - spend less, make more, or do both. If you double your income, then double or triple your expenses, you set yourself up for stress and anxiety. The easier it is to pay your bills, the happier you?ll likely be.
Bottom line: Living below your means increases happiness.
2. Do I make more or less than the people around me?
According to studies, if given the option between making $100,000 in a community where everyone else makes $200,000 or making $50,000 in a community where the average person makes $25,000, the majority of people actually choose to make $50,000. Most people are more concerned with making as much or more than their peers than they are with the actual amount they make.
Bottom line: People are feel better when they are above average.
3. Do I spend my money making someone else happy?
Not that we needed research to confirm it, but it does: It is better to give than to receive. People report higher levels of happiness when they spend money on others than when they spend it on themselves. There?s nothing wrong with spending on yourself, but make it a rule to do something for someone else ? just for the joy of it.
Valorie Burton is a professional speaker, life coach and the author of five books, including What?s Really Holding You Back?, Listen to Your Life, and How Did I Get So Busy? The 28-Day Plan to Free Your Time, Reclaim Your Schedule and Reconnect with What Matters Most. Subscribe to her free e-newsletter at www.valorieburton.com and follow her at www.twitter.com/valorieburton.
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The Top 5 Ways Americans Waste Money
Posted: 12/6/2011
Making money is hard. Which makes you wonder: why do so many of us waste it?
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