Do This, and Your Kids will be Financially Fit!

Why do 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck? Why do most adults grow up with no money in savings but they have all the electronic toys, shoes and cars that one could want?

To answer those 2 questions, I have to ask one more (I'll even give the answer!) :
When you were a kid, what was the #1 reason you got money for?

Answer: To Spend!

Birthday money = Spend! Christmas money = Spend! Allowance= Spend! No wonder almost three quarters of the population could not survive financially if they missed just one paycheck! It's been instilled in our heads since childhood that the only reason for money is to spend with no thoughts of giving or saving! So here's a tip for parents, teachers and childcare providers to help raise financially fit children!

Whenever your child receives some money sit down with them and show them what they should do with their money. And then tell them why!

When I coach parents one on one or at seminars I show them that there are only 3 basic things we should do with money:

1. Give - Because it's not all about you. This keeps you from being selfish.
2. Save- Because saving is the foundation for wealth building. And you just never know!
   
3. Spend- Let's be real, spending is fun but you should do it wisely! Just spend after you give and save!
   

And you do them in that order! By doing this you will begin to ingrain in your child's mind that they don't just get money to spend, spend, spend! They will be tremendous givers and savers. You will have financially fit children entering the real world of financial responsibility!

What are some techniques you use to teach your kids the importance of being good stewards with their money?

Carlos Frank
Your Personal Financial Coach
www.nextmoneystep.com
www.nextmoneystep.blogspot.com

It's 2010 already?

No it's not a typo. I'm inviting you to Write your December 31, 2009 personal journal entry Today!

You create your future today! Over the first 7 days of 2009 I will be accessing 2008 and confirming my Goals for 2009.

One way I will do that is by writing a journal entry dated December 31, 2009. In this journal entry I will review all of the things that I have (will) accomplish in 2009! So I am creating my future today and attracting all the people, tools and favor I need to make it happen!

Faith is "calling those things that be not as thou they already are"!

Here are the areas that I touch in my December 31, 2009 Journal Entry:

1. Spiritual (daily prayer and reading of the Bible)
   
2. Family (Weekly date with beautiful wife, Weekly Tradition and Vacation)
   
3. Giving (I love being a giver!)
   
4. Physical ( Man I look good and feel good!)
   
5. Business (how many people lives my business positively impacted)
6. Books (3 books published in 2009!!!! Thousands sold!!!!!)
   
7. Vacation (Cruise and Disney World. Man I had fun!)
   
8. Financial (Income Goal, wow!!!! God is Good!!!)

So I invite you to do the same! Take time and sit down in a quite place where you can focus and meditate on what you want to enter into your journal on December 31, 2009! And write it out today!

Carlos Frank
Your Personal Financial Coach
http://www.nextmoneystep.com

Is part of your Journal entry about, financial freedom? If so and if you are in the Charleston area check out the following website and get info on the classes I will be teaching in January 2009!
Click Here for More Information on the Classes!

Get what you Need without Spending Money!

What our Great-Great Grandparents did to get what they needed is coming back in style!


People are looking for ways to save money like never before. From gas to their next house, I've never seen more people looking for bargains!

Well I (Re)discovered the oldest way in history to get products and services that you need.

BARTER!

The dictionary defines the word "barter" this way - "To trade goods or services without the exchange of money."

I am currently working with a client who offered to do a couple of hours of research for my new book, in exchange for Personal Financial Coaching and I agreed. By doing so I am saving hours of research on my side and at the same time she is getting the financial coaching she is needing.

So the bottom line is you don't always need money to get the things that you need. So think about what service or product you can provide then find someone who has a product or service that you need and begin bartering today!

Have you ever "Bartered"? I'd love to hear your story!

Carlos Frank
Personal Financial Coach
www.nextmoneystep.com

Secret to making good money decisions

My clients hire me for several reasons, one of the main ones is to give them sound advice to help them get their finances in order.

Have you ever given someone some good advice? For most people this answer is yes.

How many times have you watched talk shows or a movie and yelled out advice to the person that was getting ready to do something crazy!

"Break up with him!" "Forgive her, she loves you!" "Stop drinking and driving!" "There not your friends, stop hanging out with them!"

You know what makes it so easy? It's always easier to give someone else advice because you are not emotionally attached to their situation! Think about, haven't you been in some of the same situations that you've given a friend advice on? When your in the situation emotions will try to take over and make you do crazy things especially when it comes to dealing with your finances! That is why getting advice from someone outside of your situation is so powerful.

So next time you have a difficult decision to make do this: Step back from your situation and pretend that it's someone else going thru it. Then ask your self this question, what advice would I give my friend that's in this same situation. Or better yet seek advice from someone that you respect and you know has your best interest in mind!

There is safety in wise counsel!

Carlos Frank
Personal Financial Coach
Website: www.nextmoneystep.com

What's better Security or Freedom?

Quick question for you?

Are you seeking "Financial Security" or "Financial Freedom"?

If someone would guarantee you, shelter, clothing, lights, water, a bed to sleep in and 3 meals a day would you be content? I call this financial security. Or "just getting by" mentality. Just enough. Paycheck to Paycheck living. Do you know what the most secure communities are on earth?

Answer: Prison!

Think about it! Your guaranteed: shelter, clothing, lights, water, a bed and 3 square meals a day! Prisoners are the most secure people in the world. But do they have "Freedom"? NO!
Prior to working with me many of my clients feel like financial prisoners.

I propose that you should be seeking "Financial Freedom"! That means renewing your mind about money, being free of keeping up with "The Jones's", becoming a giver, breaking free from debt and creating multiple streams of income!

So are you looking for "Financial Security" or Financial Freedom"?

Carlos Frank
Personal Financial Coach
Website: www.nextmoneystep.com

The best question to ask yourself!

What did I do today that got me the results that I wanted?

Pretty good question to ask yourself at the end of the day right? No not really! This is an even better question at the beginning of the day! Let's breakdown what asking this question at the beginning of the day will do for you:

1. You pull the future into the present
2. Help you prioritize your activities for the day
   
3. It makes you think about how you want your day to turn out.
4. It will help you eliminate things, people that will waste your time.
   

For example: I asked myself: "What did I do today that got me the results that I wanted?" My answer was that I finished my Personal Financial Coach brochure and that I wrote a very important letter and followed up on a client lead! By 1pm I accomplished all of them. With plenty of time left to other things!

So....What did you do today to get the results you wanted?

Carlos Frank
Personal Financial Coach
www.nextmoneystep.com

You define prosperity.

What's your definition of prosperity?

In a world where your level of prosperity is judged by the car you drive, the neighborhood you live in and the clothes you wear. Most define prosperity by the stuff you have or don't have! You know...if you pull up to the class reunion with a shiny new car most people will say.."uhhhhh there doing good!". But little do they know the turmoil that going on inside! The mounting debt, pressure at work, failing marriage and everything else that life throws at you!

My tag line is "Live Debt Free & Prosperous"! I believe that I should define the word prosperous, as I see it.

When I use the confession (or some say affirmation), "I'm debt free and prosperous", I mean the following:

1. I have a loving wife that loves me!
2. I have awesome kids that love me!
3. I have great health. (My wife still wants me to visit the doctor more but hey, my life insurance company said I was a "super preferred" client!)
4. I have a group of friends that I can call on and trust.
5. My spiritual walk is ever improving thru prayer and reading the Word.
6. Oh yeah, money works for me, I don't work for money!
7. I'm free from stuff and money!

To limit prosperity to just money is incorrect. True prosperity does not only involve money it involves every area of your life. Am I perfect in the above areas I listed? Far from it, but now because I have my priorities straight and money is no longer number 1, I have found true prosperity!

What's your definition of prosperity?

Carlos Frank
Personal Financial Coach
http://www.nextmoneystep.com/