I think the idea that I’ll soon be unable to pay for anything as things currently stand and that everything will be in the arrears if things stay as they currently are has created a complete I don’t give a shit attitude.  This is an attitude I had previously thought to have attained but in reality has just started to emerge knowing that statistically speaking I am currently on the road to complete financial breakdown.  Just as probable to financial breakdown of this magnitude could be never having to work again.  It seems that in the stories we read that after complete financial devastation we can easily see financial gain never believed possible.

I decided that today I would get a nice hair cut.  I was so completely unapologetically honest with my hairstylist and it was refreshing as a shower after a long sweaty day working in a dry dusty field.  She asked me about my day, I told her it was great.  She asked me about why I’m here and I told her I have no clue.  I have no clue about my life in general and it was fun to just be completely open about where I’m at.  

We got deeper and laughed really hard.  It was fun and she’s doing the world a service by being such a real human being.  She gave me a damn good haircut also.  Thank you friend.

I just posted on Instagram about my very real situation.  Why?  Because sometimes we need to see the reality of shitty situations!  Fuck being the bearer of good news when it has to be flowery and fluffy.  Let’s be real about what we’ve manifest and let’s figure out how to get un-fucked in this world of constant fuckery.  I just want to be an example of what life is.  I believe that things will turn out in ways that I have more of what I prefer in life.  Let’s let the world watch.

I’m totally over a lack of abundance, just saying!  I’m also totally over being someone I’m not to get paid.  

Guess what by societies definition I’m a deadbeat dad!  In Georgia I would be in the newspaper as a fugitive of the law for not paying child support.  Did you know that one of the first things they do when a parent is behind on child support is to take his or her license away?  How is this helpful in anyway at all?  If you’re in Real Estate you need to be current on child support to hold your Real Estate License.  In divorce proceedings the non custodial parent needs to have life insurance should they pass away, the custodial parent has no such responsibility.

I believe that non custodial parents should give to the other household, I do not believe that it should cripple them from being able to see their children or live a decent life.

When Is Winning Losing?

I started sports as perhaps a nine year old.  I know basketball was the first sport I played.  I was very aware of my lack of understanding of what was going on.  I had no idea that the other kids were the same.  I saw myself and the worst and wanted desperately to get better.  That attitude made me coachable.  As I remember it my coach was weak and I can't remember him.  I played basketball and soccer for a few years and was equally lost.  In soccer the other kids had a much better understanding of the game.  I was lost, I knew none of the lingo and none of the rules.  I believe my coach was usually drunk and I barely remember him.  I do remember being pissed off when a soccer ball would slam into my face and my nose was bleeding and I'd be forced to leave the field.  What the hell?  I would never stop playing outside because of a bloody nose.  These were supposed to be tough athletes.  I was born a fighter and many circumstances would re-inforce my fighting spirit.  

I played on some awesome YMCA league basketball teams in 6th through 8th grade and I was a starter.  I was a fairly dominant 5 man.  If we lost I felt like it was my fault.  I don't know talent wise where I stood but I always felt like the worst player.  I did know that I worked harder than any other player on the court and although I was good, I wasn't as good as all that practice should have made me.  We had awesome coaches, thank you Todd and Ron.

At the time my goal was to be the next Micheal Jordan.  I had read the biographies of Isaiah Thomas, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, and a few others.  I could relate to their tough upbringings, I could relate to thier work ethic and I figured if I worked like they did I could be like they were.  In the middle of Iowa in the dead of winter I'd scoop the snow, dribble, shoot, drive, play one on one with myself.  I'd play with my buddy Bryan all summer long, I'd do open gym with the men on Sunday's.  I was a gym rat.  I worked out all the time while watching sports on tv.  I'd do pushups, toe ups, crunches, leg exercises.  Once in high school the only cake and ice cream I had for over a year was on my own birthday.  Nothing in my mind ever thought a lack of talent was a determining factor.  That kid…so funny.  :)

When I finally got to play football, a sport I felt was a real man's game, I fell in love.  I felt like I had gotten laid for the first time.  I loved the contact.  I was a fairly big 7th grader and I was athletic.  I dominated my first game at offensive tackle and defensive tackle.  I was even put in the 8th grade game and blocked a field goal before it ever left the kicking t.  I was a monster and it was all hard work and heart.  I wasn't cocky, this was what I expected out of myself.  I tell people all the time that confidence comes from preperation.  If you believe you'll suck you're be right.  If you believe you'll be great, you will be right sometimes.

These things continued into high school.  My attitude was if I work harder than everyone else, if I'm an absolute bull dozer, an absolute beast, if I'm willing to die to be the best then I'll be the best.  I was a division I recruit from my sophmore year on.  I broke my leg my senior year of football.  The recruiting at division I disappeared.  It hurt, I was broken.  I couldn't afford the partial scholarships being offered in the lower level schools so I lost that dream.

I didn't lose the drive.  I've competed in Track and Feild, Strongman, and a few other things as an adult.  Many competitions were held in my head at the gym and my focus was always overpowering the obsticles.

At some point in life I learned that trying to over power everything especially in my personal life was not the way to a healthy life.  It was not the way to winning. Sometimes winning is a loss.

I didn't know the Art of War, but that book did help me change my thinking.  Just as the Chinese are winning the superpower war without firing a bullet so would I learn to win even in loss.  I'm reading "The Fighters Mind" right now and reading about Dan Gable's attitude reminded me of my former attitude.  It reminds me of my best friend's son who has that same attitude.  I love it and I admire it but I see the future pain of it.  Dan Gable is a cripple, I'm a cripple.  I look like I can still bring it and I can, but I'm in pain 24/7.  I've paid for my ragging bull attitude.  That was a nickname given to me by a very special coach.  Coach Houfek, I love you man.

This brings me to Jiu-Jitsu.  I wrote in my journal about how if I'd had Jiu-Jitsu earlier in life, I'd have learned some very important lessons earlier.  I'd probably be physically healthier, I'd be mentally healthier.  Jiu-Jitsu teaches the fighter to take what the opponent gives him.  This attitude is the Art of War.  Yes pain is still involved and often it is pain from being crushed by your opponent, it's not dangerous pain, it's the pain we feel when we can't breath as easily as we'd like.  Staying calm and realizing you're breathing just fine is the key to being able to recognize when your opponent gives you something.  When one of the four legs of the table is weak you take that leg, it's simple, not easy, but simple.  It takes learning technique.  I've had 125lb girls tap me and it makes me happy.  Why?  First, I know that is an empowered woman.  Second, that means I can be a beast and learn to use skill instead of just power.

I joined the Air Force about 9 months after I graduated high school.  I would have been a better Marine or a better door kicker but I would not grow, I would have simply re-inforced my blasting through problems mentality.  Throughout my entire life I've always been keenly focused on growth.  I rarely chose the path of least resistance, I usually chose the path of truth, the path of growth, the path of knowledge.

Don't get me wrong I do stupid shit often for fun, but I want to be the best me I can be.  Jiu-Jitsu is the next tool in my journey to become that man.  As a side note, it's also what will allow this broken man to stay Alpha until the day he dies.

Their is a saying in Jiu-Jitsu, "Either you win or you learn" I love that saying.  It's a way of life.  Change your definition of success and you will change the way you see life.  Sometimes when you win you lose.  Sometimes when you lose you win.  Food for thought.

Live Passionately, Live Aggresively

A BEEF AND CABBAGE RECIPE SO GOOD IT MIGHT FIX A MARRIAGE!

Greatest Bacon, Beef and Cabbage Recipe

How could this recipe fix your marriage?  Let's assume your marriage is in the dumps, your spouse is tired of your shit.  You make them this Beef and Cabbage, you never tell them the recipe and they stay with you forever because you make this recipe once a week.  This would work especially well for the spouse who does very little cooking.  An unhappy spouse might just stay because of this meal, it's that damn good!  Genius!

Bring this meal to work and share it and soon you have more friends than you know what to do with.  This is a secret weapon many heads of state have paid good money for.  Because of this recipe I'm a multimillionaire!  Genius!

This is the best Beef and Cabbage I've ever had.  I started with an internet recipe and adjusted it instantly and more as time went on.  Although many vegans and carbaholics will tell me how unhealthy this concoction is, it fits very well with my mostly low carb lifestyle.  This is one of the tastiest meals I make and it takes very little time to prepare.

If you don't add bread, crackers or rice to this dish it provides some very healthy fats, protein and vegetables.  The hormonal and brain benefits of these ingredients can not be overstated.  I prefer to use uncured natural bacon.

Greatest Bacon, Beef and Cabbage Recipe:

In big Soup pan cook bacon (first I cut bacon into 5ths) until mostly done, leave grease in pan (if this grosses you out or you think it's unhealthy drain it)

Turn heat temp to simmer and add:

1 table spoon Red Palm Oil or Coconut Oil

1 table spoon Ghee

Half to whole red onion

Crushed and chopped garlic to taste

I often like to add several stalks of chopped celery but I didn't have any today

Let simmer for 10 minutes

Add 1 to 3 cans of Ro Tel

Continue to let simmer while you cut 1 head of a large cabbage (this cooks down to about 1/4 the size you start with)

Add Cabbage

Add 1 to 2 pounds of crumbled ground beef (I prefer 2 pounds)

Cover and bring to boil leave covered until the cabbage starts to soften

Bring heat down to simmer and stir every 10 to 15 minutes for 45 minutes

Add salt and Pepper to taste.

Finished Product of perfection!

Freedom, Hard Work, Dependancy

 

 

Yesterday at work a young somewhat naive girl grabbed chocolate from a little canister we have at work. I don't put chocolate in there, but a few guys at work do. I have no idea why they do this, probably public relations. As she was grabbing the chocolates she said we should bring in celery sticks for her. Of course I said, something smart assed about how I should simply go grocery shopping for her, perhaps she could bring her list in for me.

She was joking and so was I but we were both only partially joking.

It is strange to me how people will complain about free things. I recently read this article on line: http://news.yahoo.com/ny-homeless-angry-china-tycoon-publicity-stunt-042623463.htm

 

I have fed the homeless morning after morning in Elgin, IL. I did that at a time I was working two full time jobs supporting a young family and waking up at 5am to feed the homless. Working 40 hours a week four days a week at one job and 40 hours a week 3 days a week at the other job. Many of the folks there would actually complain about food I would have been happy to eat.

Here in Savannah I befriended a homeless man who would clean my car once a month and I paid him as if I had taken my car to a detail shop. We exchanged phone numbers to make it easier to stay in contact and soon he found where I lived and was at my door a few times. He started calling every few days for money, he would try to manipulate my feelings telling me sad stories about needing money for Mother's Day and other events. Finally I had to cut him off. If it were up to him he'd be my dependant.

 

The last time I employed him to clean my car he stole a bottle of wine and most of a 20oz cup I had filled with change.  He has never been employed by me again.  Everyday I see the same homeless people asking me for money.  They have arms, most of them have legs and they all have enough mental capacity to ask for money and give you several reasons they need the money.  They all have imagination.  This leads me to believe that they can work for food.

 

I have seen this in other areas of life also. The way that people want the government to save them with laws, rules, regulations, social security, medical care etc. We have begged for exactly where we are politically, socially and mentally in our society.

I asked my friend Jedd Hafer to comment on these attitudes being that he is an expert on the human psyche.  Here is his response:

This brings to mind 2 types of free.

 I think that entitled attitude you see so often from homeless people, etc. is a defensive, prideful response - not good kind of pride, but that false pride. That ego-defense, sinful pride. I see it often: “I am the spoiled child who does nothing for myself, contributes nothing and start to feel crappy about myself. I resent and the only target for my resentment is the parent who gives me everything and spends every second trying to keep me happy.” No contribution = no self-efficacy. I hate myself and I take it out on you (like your homeless 'friend'). Jim Fay of Love and Logic calls this ‘Hostile Dependence’.

 

The other 'free' you invoke in what you wrote is really the freedom of personal responsibility. We are really free when we refuse to be victims. When we own our own outcomes. 

Incidentally, this is why political opportunists drive me nuts. They always seeks to identify a victim (and thereby identify a villain - such as 'business'). I’m looking at you, Jesse Jackson (but not because I care about personal responsibility, simply because I’m racist).

 

People who think the government can create Utopia miss the importance of personal responsibility. There is no merit, hard work; winners & losers. There is a forced or contrived equality of outcome. We're not supposed to have the same outcomes - maybe the same opportunities. But I hate that mythical fairness crap. You can't equalize and make everything fair. Affirmative Action makes things worse. Jesse Jackson is the devil. That's my point. :)

 

Seriously, people who go through life looking for ways they can feel oppressed are miserable.

You could sit & feel sorry for yourself if you wanted. You could go after the pity and the secondary gain of being a victim. But you (freely) choose not to. You choose instead to overcome.

 

The overcomer - that person is free because he doesn't rely on others to succeed, be happy or be rescued by the government.

Even God, who really does rescue us tells us to be overcomers. To be more than conquerors. He didn't make or save us to be defeated, victim-y wusses.

 

In short, the freedom to choose your destiny and live with the results of your efforts and choices – that’s real freedom. The freedom to be taken care of by somebody else – that’ s too much like slavery. Be your own person and don’t be anybody’s victim. Then, you will be free.

Jedd Hafer

July, 2014

-Live Passionately, Live Aggressively

-Matt Dragon

Ecuador 2012 Throw Back

As Hallie and I are still friends and have a great amount of respect for each other we decided this trip was too good not to be shared.  I hope you enjoy it.  Ecuador is one of the best countries I've ever been too and I've been able to go twice.

I added some of the prices of goods because to me part of being able to relax is not having to pawn my arm to afford an enjoyable trip. This was a truly relaxing trip for Hallie and I. We had both returned from Afghanistan, made major moves to a new state along with a new job change for each of us. This was a time for relaxing!

We started our trek in San Antonio, TX, flying to Houston and from Houston (where I walked around making fart noises) we landed in Quito at around 11pm. We did not change time zones which is nice. For those of you who don't know Ecuador is on the Equator (who would have guessed) and is on the Pacific side of South America. Ecuador is bordered by Columbia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean. Ecuador has the famous Galapagos Islands and is where the oddly named Panamanian Hat originated.

Upon arrival we exited the aircraft up a long ramp at a fairly drastic angle. I think they put the ramp at a big angle so that you quickly realize that you are at 9350ft. Yes my Colorado people we landed in a city much higher than the Mile High City. Can you imagine playing football there? We made to an area overlooking customs and stood while the line died down. For a business idea I'd like to set up shop selling drinks and marijuana brownies here as the wait was a good 2 hours and then we had a 30 minute ride to our B and B. We didn't get to bed until 0230, but we slept well.

The B and B Tumbaco was quiet when we showed up, our cabin was lit up on the outside and the curtains we had were somewhat sheer. I never figured out how to turn those lights off. Despite the light and the extremely hard bed we slept like rocks. We went up to the main house for breakfast at 0900. We were met by two very friendly Ecuadorian women who spoke zero English and understood even less. Between Hallie's Spanish and my strange gesturing we managed. I had fruit, yogurt and bread with jam both mornings and Hallie had eggs with tomatoes and onions, and bread with jam. We also had freshly squeezed mango juice and coffee. The coffee was nice and strong and that matters!

B and B Tambuco main

First Morning at the B and B Tambuco

B and B Tambuco garden area

The main house was wide open with large tiles, wood beamed ceilings, plants large windows, built in shelving and even a wine cellar. The back of the house had a beautiful garden with pool, sauna and whirlpool. The owners didn't want those amenities used unless they were informed before hand. We were so busy in Quito that we didn't bother with the hassle.

Our Cabin at B and B Tambuco

That morning we went to Old Town Quito and walked around the square people watching (Hallie and I both share a love for people watching) and looking at the old well kept architectural structures. Quito was the first city to be called a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978 and when you are there you realize why. The structures from the streets to the Catholic churches are amazing.

Here is a museum and church we visited:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Society_of_Jesus

http://www.museopedrogocial.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14&Itemid=22

Church Dome From Museum Roof

We had a meal outside of the museum. We sat out on the patio under an umbrella people watching, enjoying the temperate weather and great conversation. The food was art for the palate and the beer was cold.

The cafe outside the museum

After talking to Gerrit the owner of B and B Tambuco we figured out places to try to find good weather on the coast. Armed with some local information I went to searching for flights to the coast. We were limited because we were buying tickets less than 24 hours before our flight. Despite that fact our tickets were less than $150 a piece. I first bought tickets to the wrong place, after discovering that I could not get through to the airlines. I was tired and annoyed with myself, thankfully Hallie was laid back and not kicking me in the nuts about it. We slept and the next morning armed with renewed energy I was able to change the tickets for zero cost. Simply amazing. We flew out at 3pm to Guayaquil. Can you imagine the airlines in the U.S. giving us that kind of treatment? It was a wonderful surprise.

We took a taxi to Quito, had lunch at the airport and took a short flight to Guayaquil. Both of us seemed to sense that we were in a new world at the airport. It was confirmed by our taxi driver and the drive to our hostel, Casa De Romeo. The hostel itself is two apartments in an apartment building. The place was clean and well run by the ladies that checked us in and out. The people in Guayaquil were not the quaint, humble, warm people of Quito.

We decided to leave Guayaquil as soon as possible so after checking in we looked at a map and then looked at cities on the coast close to Guayaquil. We found Playa and Salinas. After more research on Trip Advisor we sent emails to a hostel in each city and because Andie said she could arrange a taxi from door step to door step for $45 we decided on Salinas. BTW Trip Advisor is amazing and anyone can find what they are looking for by reading the experiences of others. We knew what we wanted and we sensed that Big Ralph's Hostel and Restaurant was for us. It was a block from the beach, it was run by a family, the Ralph was a British chef, Andie a local.

We still had a night in Guayaquil and we decided to make the best of it. We took a walk along the Malecon and enjoyed dinner on the roof of a quaint little restaurant. We, again, were surprised by the price. Hallie had a rice and shrimp meal, I had rib eye and for an appetizer we had nachos. They had a whole steak cut up on them, cheese, sour cream, olives and jalapenos. The nachos were a meal. We had three beers each and paid under $50 for the meal in the biggest city in Ecuador on the boardwalk. WOW!

Sweaty at the top of Las Penas

After dinner we decided to take a walk to Las Penas. Las Penas is a walk up 444 steps to a lighthouse and a church. It seems every major sight in Ecuador has or is a church. We walked down the Malecon and down a narrow cobblestone street where we found a gallery. We bought three paintings, two of which look like the area we bought them in. The more I look at the paintings the more I like them and I loved them the moment I laid eyes on them.

Cobblestone Art Street

We believed we could sense from our research that Andie and Ralph would be great people. We were right, thankfully they were incredible people, Ralph married a lovely Ecuadorian woman and the entire family was warm and welcomed us with open arms.

The Amazing Ralph, Andie and Family

Salinas was the highlight of our trip and much of it had to do with Ralph and his family. We took many beach walks, ate at a few nice places none that could compete with Ralph's. Carlos, Ralph's father in law, took us to Puntilla De Santa Ellana to see seals, La Chocolatera to see the furthest western point of Ecuador and to the Del Mar Museum. The first two places are on the Ecuador Air Force, Navy base. Carlos works there so we were privy to two sights that most tourists will never see. We had a great time even though we speak very little Espanol and he spoke even less English.

 On Military Base

 Salinas Beach

 Museum Restaurant

 Goofing off on base

 On base

 Hallie and Carlos on Base

 Salinas sand castle

 Look at the size of that!  One kid did this

Sea shells Salinas

The day we flew back to Quito we woke up had breakfast prepared by Ralph, visited with the family, exchanged information, said our good byes before Ralph and Andie took their daughter to dance lessons. Hallie and I then went for a walk down the beach. After that we showered, went around the corner for some ice cream and then hopped in the van for a ride back to Guayaquil. We had lunch at the airport while waiting for the flight, the lunch was cheap as usual and the seats comfortable. We flew to Quito and stayed at the Best Western Palace and Casino.

Best Western Palace 3 a.m. Hallie may kill me for this one

The Best Western Palace and Casino Quito is not your run of the mill U.S. Best Western. It is a 3 to 4 star hotel. A bit out of date, but classically done and for us that never goes out of style. It had character, great art, flowers, and good furniture.

I ordered room service:

2 orders of fajitas, 1 plate of fruit, 1 plate of fried bananas, 2 tres leches cakes (3 milks cake) and all of that was under $50. The fajitas were delicious and we even sort of drank the juice like a soup after we finished. Hallie was stuffed and I was satisfied.

Our view from the room was of the biggest park in Quito and of the city and a nice hill side community further off. The view was beautiful in the light and also in the dark. The bed, living space and bathroom were comfortable and well done. The room cost under $100 and was fairly close to the airport. From time to time I am a big fan of luxury in lieu of character. This place had both luxury and character in my opinion.

Angel on hill Quito

Hallie was the best travel partner I've ever had. She was realistic, easy going, and positive. I spent seven days with a woman who made every experience better. Not once did I wish I had privacy or time alone. Not once did I think the trip would have been more enjoyable alone, our experiences were enhanced by each others company. Hallie and I remain friends and are living amazing lives. I've moved to Savannah, GA my favorite U.S. City, she lives in Texas and recently closed on a house.

Ecuador is what is right in the world. The people are warm and friendly, there are so many fruit trees that anyone can eat for free. The homeless all work doing something, anything to earn money. The weather is temperate, in a half an hour plane ride you can be at the ocean or in the Andes Mountains.  

New Adventures, Learning Spanish

I've got a new adventure in mind.  I'm going to speak vaguely about this fiery idea I have because I feel it best to keep under wraps for now.  This new adventure has me learning Spanish in earnest now.  I've always wanted to learn a language and have not been successful so far.  What makes me think I can do it now?

I'm taking a different approach.  I'm watching Spanish shows on youtube.  I'm using Fluenz software.  I've never watched Spanish shows with the intent of learning to hear spanish.  My new approach is to learn to hear the language, to get a base of words, to use the software, to begin to use what I know.

How can a person learn to speak a language that they can not yet hear?  Ever watch a classroom taught foreign speaker try to speak with a native speaker?  The native speaker has to slow down.  If we learned to hear the nuances, the enunciations, the rhythm I think we'd see less of that need to slow down.  By base words I mean 20 to 100 words that are objects or actions.  I will start to use those words.  By practicing with the software, watching speakers, practicing on my own and hopefully talking to Spanish friends I can do this.

Anyone know how to monetize an epic trip that could actually help a lot of people?  I emailed Outside magazine today.

Investing Advice From a Billionaire Badboy

I just finished watching an interview with Entraprenuer Mark Cuban.  Many people say they hate him because he doesn’t follow the rules.  Shark Tank has changed some of that.  Mark Cuban is most famous to lay people as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks.  He’s owned and sold several technology companies and that is how he made his first billion dollars.  Mark was an entraprenuer from a very young age starting with a stamp collecting.

I presonally like maveriks (perfect name for a team he owns) like Mark Cuban.  I don’t just like his attitude towards investing, I like his attitude towards life and problem solving.  One thing I find refreshing about Mark is that you will hear advice that actually works.  You can watch youtube videos where Mark calls people who divresify idiots or morons.  That’s really true, if you are diversified it means you have no idea what you are investing in.  You can not be an expert on several fields, not enough time in the day.  People want to say they invest like Warren Buffet.  Really?  So you can buy the majority share in a company and take a seat at the head of the table when it comes to company decisions?  Nope, you can’t.  I agree with Mark on diversification, on value investing, on buy and hold.  They are all bullshit with some forms of value investing still applicable for us people worth under a billion dollars.

We all need mentors in life and with the invention of books and now the internet our mentors don’t even need to be physically in our presence although I think personal mentors would be best.  I’ve never had a personal mentor, but why should that stop me.  Mark is a good business and investing mentor.

Marks advice for people who have $50k in cash a number he threw out:

My Tip for those of you who don’t have $50k in cash: Save a months salary first.  Pay off all debt or at the very least credit card debt.  Save $50k and put the practices below into action.  Don’t stop there, keep saving and buying fire sales.

1.       Pay all credit card debt off.  If you are paying on credit card debt your interest rates are likely high somewhere above 10%, if you pay it off you’re saving 10 to 20% of your money.

***My Tip: If you have multiple cards pay off the lowest balance first and when that is paid use the money you were applying towards that lowest balance and do the same with the next lowest balance.

2.       Use cash to buy value on your consumables.  Buy all your toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, detergent etc for the year.  You can negotiate price on bulk purchases to get a better deal.  You’ll be avoiding inflation by buying a product which will inflate in price throughout the year.  You’ll be avoiding taxes on money you’d make from investing for capital gains.

***My Tip: Make it your goal to see how low you can get your products buy buying bulk.  Don’t just look at Sams and Costco, look on the internet, talk to store owners about buying bulk, think about an extra freezer and buying all your meat from a local farmer for the year.  Use your imagination.

3.       Keep cash on hand (dry powder) for great opportunities.  Remember some famous stock market crashes when the world would never be the same?  Remember people jumping out of stocks at any price?  Remember how the markets go back up and make a lot of people rich?  Do you realize that most people invest at the top and sell at the bottom? 

***My Tip: When you are most scarred to invest, when it seems like the market may never recover, buy!  Buy when others are getting out.  Sell when everyone is getting in.  Simply invest based on human nature.  Mark buys calls and puts in the index funds.  You can simply buy an index fund when everyone hates stocks and is in panic mode.  Sell when everyone is happy to be in stocks.

 

The interview I’m talking about was in 2011 with WSJ.com.