High School Course

We live in the Greatest Country in the United States. We dominate the World's oceans, and control 80% of the World's commerce. The United States is the force leading the way for the future. I'm not convinced that we will continue this trend, however.

Our nation is full of consumers. Not only do we control commerce, we also consume 65% of the World's goods and services.

So how do we change our future? Let me tell you my opinion...

I truly believe education is the key to a different future. I do not believe our current educational system provides the key to the future. No, our children need so much more than that.

Our current system was great when it was designed during the agriculture economy that founded our country. It even worked well during the industrial age. The problem today is that our children are being taught how to to read and write and get a good job in a society and economy no longer driven by agriculture or industrial production.

We are now part of the fastest changing economy we've ever known. The information age requires a different set of tools.

1. First, our children must learn what money is and how money works. Money is not merely a tool for consumption. When money is used this way, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

2. Second, our children must learn new skills in how they earn. Do they own their own business? Do they own multiple business'? Do they learn how to have multiple streams of income?

Wild, uncontrolled spending has proven itself to create an entitlement mindset in our society. This is a problem and must be brought to an end in our society.

That is why I am working on a new course for high school students to teach children how to begin their adult lives with a solid financial foundation. Production on this course is in place. I'm working round the clock to develop and market this new tool. It is imperative to our future as a country for our children to learn how to manage their money and our future responsibly.

For more information please stay tuned.

Are We Officially 'Consumer Nation' ?

We're on Vacation in Northern Iowa. The town I am from is busting at the seams with 2000 residents. We have 1 small grocery store, an 8 room motel (where we are staying), and fewer than 5 restaurants in town.

We decided to venture out a little yesterday to make the 110 mile trek to the Mall of America. Boosting the largest mall in the United States it has 4 levels with an indoor aquarium, amusement park, and 2 mile circumference lined with stores of all varieties. It was truly an amazing spectacle. I've never been to a shopping mall quite like it.

What's my point you ask?

I didn't realize how much a part of our culture was the shopping experience until I realized we made a 220 mile round trip to go to a mall. Wow! We collected our magnet for the refrigerator at home (that's our family tradition to record all the places we've visited), and then headed back after dinner.

At breakfast, I asked my grand parents about their favorite vacation. I got a great story about a shopping trip to Mexico.

Is that what we do in America? Are we such a consumer nation that we look for ways to vacation near a place where we can buy more stuff?

At the mall, each of my children had $5 dollars they could buy something to remember their trip. They each chose a toy they could buy at the Wal-Mart 5 minutes from home. Goes to show, they don't care so much about all the glitz of the "great shopping spree vacation". They know what they like and it doesn't matter where they buy it.

Interesting observations from the road...

The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree...

We're traveling 1100 miles to Northern Iowa today from Albuquerque, NM. This morning on our way out of the mid-way hotel, we stopped for gas where I had one of the best laughs I've had in quite some time.

As we pulled to the pump, a family was on the other side. Dad was pumping with a twisted, bothered look on his face. The kids were running around the car and climbing on the island between the pumps. As I climed out to pump my gas and do my thing, it happened.

The following conversation occurred...

The youngest asked a simple question, "Dad, can we go in the store?"

Dad, "No."

Son, flashing his little wallet, "But, I've got my money."

Dad, "No, put your money away."

Son, "Common Dad, I'll give you a dollar."

Dad, "I said No, we're not going in."

Son, "A Dollar, I'll pay."

Dad, "Get in the car!"

Then, as I stood there laughing, Dad caught my eye. He looked at our Suburban and told me, "I've got 3 kids I'd like to stuff in your car and run away..."

I laughed.

Wow! Do kids inherantly learn the ability to buy because they have cash in their pockets? I don't think so.

I believe there are two forces at work:
1. Marketing and Advertising masters are working diligently to brand our children to buy, buy, buy their products. They are doing a brilliant job of teaching our children and adults that we have 'earned' and 'deserve' to treat ourselves.
2. Parents need to teach children, through their example, to slow down on our levels of consumption. The United States is a consumer nation. This phenominon is a virus called 'entitlement' changing the economics of our country. If parents don't learn to stop consuming, entitlement will take over more than we've already seen.

Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but the truth of the matter is that raising your children is completely up to you. It always has been and always will be. The cycle goes like this...man meets woman, man marries woman, child comes into the world, parents raise children, children go into world, repeat...

When children are allowed to manipulate to get what they want, parents are failing. It's time parents become parents and discipline their children.

True Cost of Low Credit Scores on a Mortgage

Proverbs 27 "If you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."



Have you ever considered the cost of damaged or 'bruised' credit?

Missing a payment can't be that big of a deal can it?

Well, take a look at this breakdown of 4 different tiers of credit scores used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to risk base price mortgage loans.

Over the first 10 years of the loan, the differences are staggering and can cost up to $16,000 or more on a $175,000 purchase of a home. Look at the difference between a 699 FICO score and a 700 FICO score.

There has never been a time when credit scoring is more important than it is today in the current state of the credit markets.

Do yourself a favor, get well versed on what actions affect your credit scores. Take care to protect your credit. It is so important and could potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Walk with Determination to Reach Your Goal

Wow! Is all I can say about this amazing man!

What does this have to do with Fiscal Stewardship and Consider the Ant you ask? Let me tell you. As I journey through this life, no matter how many little ants I see struggling in their little Ant colonies, I see absolute resolve to do what they do.

In our financial lives, money comes and money goes. The difference between those who succeed and those who do not is whether they are willing to keep walking or just give up their journey.

This video is an Extreme example of just that paradigm. Inspiration, Devotion, Dedication, Character, Perserverance, Endurance, Vision, and Total Committment. Isn't that what this journey is all about?

In the 2006 film, Pursuit of Happyness, Will Smith played a father by the name of Chris Gardner. I had a chance to meet Chris in June of 2007. In the movie, he looks his son in the eyes and says "Don't ever let anyone tell you, you can't do it, not even me!" Great words to live by.

As you watch this video, I hope you are inspired to take your next dream to the next level. As Winston Churchill said many years ago, Never, Never, Never, Never Give up!

Consider the Ant...First Time Home Buyers?

Buying your first home can be an amazing undertaking with all kinds of emotions ranging from absolute bliss all the way to extreme fear and panic! Well, don't worry my friends. Together with a good friend of mine in the mortgage industry, we are creating our next book in the Consider the Ant Series specifically for First Time Home Buyers...

All I can say is this...

First:
"Make plans by seeking advice; If you wage war, obtain guidance." Pr 20:18

Seek lots of advice and don't allow your emotions to get too carried away and lead you to ruin. Use many advisers, and you'll find a greater degree of success will follow.

Second:
"It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way." Pr 19:2

Take your time and gain proper education. You don' t have a home today, and you'll have it for many years to come. Don't be hasty in this decision. Relax, everything is going to be just fine.