Now is the time to invest in assets like stock, commodities, antiques, etc. Since we are in recession there are a lot of opportunities to get in at the bottom and work your way up to the top. Why did Indy Mac and Bear Sterns close . "Fear". No matter how much you analyze this tragedy, people panicked and started pulling their money out. As mentioned before, the lesson that we all must learn from this event, is that you have to believe that you take care of your money better than anyone else. Some people will tend to take this to the extreme, by saying that they don't have the money to invest. Ironically, in all cases, this is not true. The truth is that he or she chooses not to think out side of the box, and actively seek out the money. I remember having a tenant who claimed that she was ill and could not work. Meaning that she could not pay the rent when it was due. While I tried to work with her eventually I had to evict her after my property was placed in jeopardy of foreclosure. My nightmare was just beginning after she was finally out of the property, and I had clean up the mess that she and her family left in the house. I realized that for someone who "claimed" not have any money, you would have never known by looking at how she lived. I found several cell phone boxes; many beer bottles, a satellite dish on the roof; etc. I guess I was naive and thought that she and her family were very poor. That was far from fact. I had another tenant that was on section 8, but claimed that she could not come up with the remainder of the money for her rent. Again it was hard to tell she was having problems paying rent. She was on permanent disability and received child support for her son, even though she was not really disabled to the point where she could not work at all. It would have been easy for her live on the food, shelter, clothing principle.. Even if she were to do away with all of the luxuries like the big screen TV, cell phone, cable, etc for only six months she could have invested $2000-$3000 in assets, Since she was renting a two bedroom home she have found a roommate. She could have chosen a better life for her son but instead she chose to "stay in the box". In summary I strongly believe that it is very possible for people who get public assistance, to free themselves from the government in 6-12 months. All it takes is discipline, and a unique way thinking. You will not be successful if you choose to go along with mainstream society and their belief system..Before I end this weeks topic I also want to speak briefly to anyone who has someone else like a family, spouse, etc that he or she is responsible for. It is imperative that everyone can come to some type of understanding about a specific goal. For example, it just will not work if the head of the household wants to stop spending money on unnecessary things while the others want to spend money on toys, video games, etc. The use of the items just mentioned, only serves to make someone else wealthy. These people have already invested, by putting a product on the market that people are willing to spend their money on. It is time to stop making other people rich, by investing in yourself and your family. This is the challenge for the week. For example instead of spending $40-$60 on going to the movies, go to an Antique mall, book store, museum, auction house, etc. And if you still want to see a movie, go on line after you do at least one of the activities that was previously mentioned, and you can see movies for free. If someone gives you money, don’t spend all of it. Ideally you want to invest it all. Think about it, if you were not given the money, would you not have found a way to accomplish what you wanted to accomplish. So think of the money as excess, and make it grow and work for you. Have a blessed and prosperous rest of the week and thank-you very much for you continued support of this blog.ShalomTamar
Read more…
When I was younger , my father who was in the military, was stationed in Turkey. So my family and I lived there for a while. While we were there my parents use to take my brother and I along to buy rugs and carpets. Again, as children my brother and I did not understand why were being dragged to different rug and carpet places. I did not think anything of it until a couple of years ago, when we started seriously investing in antique rugs and carpets. Turkey has several of the most expensive types of rugs in the world. A genuine antique Agra rug, is only affordable to the most wealthy and museums. In some cases even some of the modern rugs and carpets from the late 1900’s are just as expensive as those from the earlier periods. My point is that while my dad found something wise to invest in, I thought that the time we were spending to buy the items was a waste. It turns out that it was time well invested. My point is that we all might have some type of valuable asset. or hidden treasure in our possession. The hard part is researching, and educating ourselves on the antiques and fine art that are out there.I mentioned in an earlier topic that there is always someone throwing away some type of valuable antique, not realizing the treasure they have. It is good to have garage and yard sales, but you always want to make sure that you are actually getting rid of junk, and not valuable appreciating assets. For example; if you had to choose between keeping a modern day, aesthetically appealing easy chair, or a wing chair from the 1800’s, you need to do your research to make a wise choice. Some helpful hints that you might have a period piece is the following:1. The piece might be passed down in family for generations.2. The item is very old and worn out.3. It does not have any springs, only webbing.4. Where the joints are loose, there is a mortise and tenon joiners, instead of the more modern dowels.5. The bottom of all the legs (but especially the front ones) are worn and scuffed up, from years of being dragged along the floor, kicked, and stepped on.This weeks challenge is to go on a treasure hunt, by cleaning your house. This would be especially fun and exciting for small children. If you do the research on the item, and are still unsure about the value, send me clear pictures and we will be happy to help you . You can also use this opportunity to get rid of your items with little or no value, and replace them with valuables. Everything takes time for most people, so you can start out with one item that has little or no value, and replace it with an appreciating asset. Have a blessed and prosperous week.Shalom,Tamar
Read more…
