Insight for Today 12/30/08

"One of the secrets of getting more done is to make a TO DO List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day."

Alan Lakein
Time Management Expert and Author

Rich Dad's Water Cooler Blog

Below is our Rich Dad's Water Cooler Blog! This one is from Bob Turner who works in the Accounting Department blogging about his opinion regarding the auto makers requesting na bailout. Please read and click her to comment on how you feel about it:

Friday, December 5, 2008

Big 3 Bailout/loan total FRAUD

I'm sitting here in disbelief that the big 3 automakers are in Washington asking for these loans totaling $34 billion. I see that Toyota/Nissan/Honda is working in the same environment as the big 3, yet they are in no financial trouble. The Japanese auto companies are even expanding in the US and are still profitable.

As I see it, the US automakers are operating on a poor business model on two fronts. One, they are building cars that are not competing well with the world auto market and, secondly, the contracts with the United Auto Workers Union don't fit with reality of the world today. My point being is that unions in general are a JOKE and are OBSOLETE. Why are the big 3 still funding retirements on the old model of the defined benefit pension? Why do they EVEN DEAL with the UAW?

The big 3 are paying, including retirement benefits, somewhere near $78 an hour where Honda, Toyota and Nissan are paying around $35 an hour. I read somewhere that the UAW contract allows workers to collect up to 90% of their pay as they sit in a "job pool" waiting for work. That's welfare as far as I'm concerned and not sustainable for the long term well-being of the companies.

The defined benefit pension essentially met its defeat in 1974 after the US Congress passed the ERISA act. The act basically put the power of retirement investing into the hands of the employee and not the employer. Essentially, it evolved into the 401k.

My solution is to breech all UAW contracts and FIRE ALL the union workers. Then, hire them back under a REASONABLE agreement that suits the 21st GLOBAL economy. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT.

So, this bailout/loan will just delay the inevitable- the bankruptcy of the big 3. It may be a year or two but that's my prediction. If they went bankrupt now, they would emerge so much more powerful and be able to compete globally for the first time in a long while.

Posted by Bob at 8:34 AM 1 comments

Insight for Today 12/25/08

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful."
Norman Vincent Peale 1898-1993, Pastor, Speaker and Author

The Little Voice Mastery audio Blair Singer

Article:

I love the holidays, but do we have to deal with
Aunt ______ psychosis again??

While it's a time of thanksgiving, love and family, it is also a time when family functions (or dysfunctions!!) bring out the best and sometimes the worst. It's amazing how a simple look, comment or attitude can set off a whole litany of internal "Little Voice" dialogue in your head. You know what I mean?

We have a saying around here, "true communication is the response you get!" If you are getting responses to your communication that are bugging you or not meeting your expectations... There is hope! What if there were a way to stay above all the miscommunications, hidden (or not so hidden) agendas and covertness. What if I told you that the issue is first managing the communication going on between your own ears? Amazing as it may seem, that when you lasso control of your "Little Voice," magically the rest of the world responds in kind.

You think I am kidding? This no joke. There are ton of them in the new "Little Voice" Mastery book. But let me give you a couple here that will help you navigate a happy and non-neurotic Holiday Season !

Here is one for dealing with Aunt_______.

When you get that look, attitude or comment that sends your "Little Voice" into a spin, tell yourself this..."She is really doing the best she can right now." This is not meant to be condescending or arrogant. It is not to make Auntie to be incapable or inferior. It is because in most cases it's the truth! We all do the best we can with what we know. Be-littling another person only creates more distance and covert hostility. Just keep saying it to yourself and you will notice your emotions settle.

Remember this is not about Aunt _____. It's about controlling your own emotions and your own "Little Voice". For Aunt _____....nothing is obvious to the uninformed. She doesn't know that her emotions are overriding her intelligence. She believes her "Little Voice" to be the gospel, but you know better...right?? You know that your "little voice" is not necessarily you nor is it accurate... it's a response based upon something else. (More on that in the book). I was taught this a long time ago and it has served me ever since.

Here is a second tip. Now some of you are going to think I have gone too far with this one. Some of you will probably even accuse me of being everything from 'airy-fairy' to touchy-feely to weird!

And I understand, because when I first heard this one that was my reaction. But just humor me for a minute... because when I was able to shut up my "little voice" reaction to this one, it created magic in every area of my life. Now, I am a believer.

Okay... so here we go....

It is said in the world of personal development that the opposite of love is fear. And that anger is really a reaction to fear. My friend Kim Kiyosaki said that one of her teachers advised that when your "little voice" starts getting angry and wants to lash out... simply ask yourself this question, "What would love do?"

When she first told me this, I thought it was crazy. "What would Love do??" my "Little Voice" said. "Love has nothing to do with it!" And of course, very soon after she told me this, I had an opportunity to use it with someone who totally upset me. I was ready to jump on the phone, write a letter and blaze them... can you relate?

Yet when I started to repeat "What would Love do?" interesting things began to happen. I started to laugh at first...(better than anger)..then I started to settle down (better yet!) I was actually able to get some perspective on the situation (good!) And believe it or not, within a few seconds..(not even minutes!) began to feel some affinity, concern and compassion for the other person. (Wow!) Then guess what happened? Ten minutes later, the person who had got me so upset called back to the office and apologized. (Magic)

I know there are times when your "little voice", like mine, says... ¨Love... shmuv...I don't give a ______what love would do..I just want to choke him!"

Simply repeat the "What would love do?" question enough times to yourself and you will find that your mood, mindset and perspective will change. Trust me... I am one of the biggest cynics in the world and as crazy as I thought it was..it works. If you are disciplined enough to ask yourself the questions in the moment and thus manage your "Little Voice", you and the world around you will instantly change.

Sometimes my "little voice" has to repeat it more than a couple of times, but in the end, it's like Ben Affleck says in the movie Boiler Room "...There is no such thing as a no sale call...¨ Either you sell yourself one way or you sell yourself the other way...."either way a sale is made...".the only question is...¨ which part of you is going to close? The winner or the loser....happy or upset....the anger or the love.

This is an extraordinary season for many reasons. It is an opportunity for great compassion and giving or for fear and selfishness. Which do you choose?

A "Little Voice" technique that my wife taught me long ago has served me in front of rooms, in negotiations, and with nearly any situation where there was the potential for frustration, anger and disconnection. Her advice to me in my early days of teaching were "Remember Blair, they are all doing the best they know how...just love them."

If you can do that, you will watch your entire world change before your eyes.

Be Awesome and Be Relentless!

Blair

Insight for Today 12/22/08

"When you paint success pictures in your mind, you initiate an inner process whereby your attitudes, hopes, aspirations, and enthusiasm are elevated in response to an image of a more promising future. Every person who aspires must first sell themselves hope, the promise of a better life."

U.S. Andersen
Author of The Magic In Your Mind

Do Not Limit What You Can Accomplish in year 2009!

As the calendar year comes to a close, many of you will soon be sitting down to write your New Year's resolutions. You may have your sights set on quitting smoking, getting into better shape, or spending more time with family. Perhaps you want to be more environmentally friendly this year, finally learn to play the piano, or take that trip you have always wanted to take.

When setting personal goals for self-improvement, the possibilities are endlessly varied; however, on the forefront of everyone's mind thisyear should be your personal wealth, and the quantifiable goals you can set to ensure that you prosper in the upcoming year. I assure you, we will do everything we can to assist you in achieving the financial and educational goals you set.

Whatever you choose to include on your list, my suggestion to you is to expand it. I never cease to be amazed at two things: the unlimited capabilities of the human soul to achieve the greatness to which it aspires, and how few are those who ever undertake such challenges. Do not limit what you can accomplish in the upcoming year. Dream big, make goals that others may perceive to be outlandish, and work hard to achieve them.

Kim Kiyosaki
Author of Rich Woman

That we may help you achieve your financial resolutions, we will monthly provide you with articles on subjects on which you, the reader, have requested information. In changing economical times, it is critical that you identify and understand the purpose for which you invest, be it for capital gains or cash flow. In today's market, investments that can provide consistent cash flow provide the stabilizing income that investors crave. Kim Kiyosaki addresses the merits of capital gains and cash flow in her article "What Am I Investing For?"
With fewer and fewer mortgages receiving approval, there is a much larger tenant pool than in previous years. This situation is drawing some investors into the rental market, as they are having a more difficult time selling properties. It is critical to manage these properties correctly to protect your investment. Jackie Lynn discusses what should be in your initial rental agreement in her article "Setting Rules for Your Tenants."

Those of you who have applied for loans lately have undoubtedly noticed a vastly different atmosphere from that of previous years. Credit is tight, and financial institutions are much more conservative in their lending practices than in any other time in recent years. It is imperative to develop a strong, healthy relationship with your lender in order to capitalize on great investment opportunities that others have missed due to their inability to obtain financing. Jordan Taylor details tips for building stronger relations with your lender in her article "Become Buddies with Your Banker."

Even those with little or no stock-trading experience can identify a stock pattern that has been established for a long period of time. In order to capitalize on these patterns, it is necessary to learn to identify these patterns as they begin. In the first in a series of articles dealing with the identification of various chart formations, Tyler Craig discusses numerous reversal patterns and potential entry points in his article "Reversal Patterns: Topping Patterns."

As always, I enjoy hearing from you and getting your feedback on our articles. Please feel free to add your own ideas and suggestions to these articles by using the comment feature.

Happy Holidays,

Stock Education (Rich Dad's Education)

Reversal Patterns: Topping Patterns

Reversal Patterns: Topping Patterns

By Tyler Craig

Reversal patterns can be used to indicate a pending reversal in an existing up or downtrend. The quicker we are to spot the beginning of a trend, the sooner we can establish a position in the stock to profit from the trend. Anyone can identify an up or down trend that's been established for six months, but wouldn't it be more lucrative to jump in a trend at its inception? As you become more astute in identifying these patterns, it will be easier to spot and profit from trend reversals.

Reversal patterns can be divided into two camps: topping and bottoming patterns. This month's article will feature topping patterns. Topping patterns consist of double and triple tops, head and shoulders, and slowing momentum. Although this is not a comprehensive list, it contains the most commonly occurring topping patterns. While each pattern is unique, the one commonality that exists between them is that they are all confirmed and completed when the stock breaks below a support level. Consequently, when you identify one of these topping patterns, it may be wise to wait for this breakdown prior to entering into a trade.

HEAD AND SHOULDERS PATTERN:

The head and shoulders pattern forms within the context of an uptrend. Remember, an uptrend consists of higher pivot highs and higher pivot lows. A head and shoulders occurs when the uptrend forms a lower pivot high and then breaks below a support level. This lower pivot high implies that the strength of the uptrend is diminishing, and thus is ripe for a reversal. A head and shoulders pattern is completed and confirmed when the stock breaks support. This break of support is commonly referred to as a break of the neckline. Volume also plays an important role in confirming the head and shoulders pattern. We like to see the breakdown of the neckline accompanied by high volume.

Potential Entries:

Those looking to profit from the anticipated fall that typically follows a head and shoulders pattern have three potential entry points for bearish trades. Aggressive traders will enter on the lower pivot high that forms the right shoulder. These traders are essentially jumping in at the first signs of weaknesses, and although they could be handsomely rewarded for their courage, the drawback is that the pattern has not yet completed itself; therefore, the probability of success is lower. Those seeking more confirmation will enter when the stock breaks below the neckline. And yet a third valid entry point would be entering on the first retracement after the break of the neckline. One of the axioms of technical analysis is that prior support becomes new resistance. Consequently, the neckline first provides support, and then acts as a resistance level.

DOUBLE AND TRIPLE TOPS:

A double top is formed by an uptrending stock retesting a prior resistance level and failing to break through to a higher high. In other words, the uptrending stock forms an equal pivot high. Furthermore, a double top shows that the uptrend is in peril and lacks the momentum to continue forming higher pivot highs. A double top looks similar to the letter "M." An easy way to remember this is that "M" is for murder because a double top kills an uptrend. On the other hand, a triple top is formed by an uptrending stock retesting a prior resistance level twice and failing to break through to a higher high. The psychology behind the pattern is exactly the same as that of the double top; namely, the bulls lack the power to drive the stock higher!

Potential Entries:

Aggressive traders will look to enter at resistance as the equal pivot high forms. This entry is anticipatory in nature because the stock has not yet broken support and completed the double top pattern. Those seeking more confirmation will wait for the stock to breakdown below a support level, and then enter.

SLOWING MOMENTUM:

Momentum is commonly expressed as the distance between pivots. To determine the momentum of an uptrend, analyze the distance between the last several pivot highs. If the distance between the pivots is expanding, the trend is increasing in momentum and has a higher probability of continuing. If the distance between the pivot highs is diminishing, the trend is decreasing in momentum; consequently, the trend has a higher probability of reversing. As with the previous topping patterns, we look for a break of support to confirm the slowing momentum reversal.

Potential Entries:

The two potential entries for the slowing momentum pattern are similar to the entries for the double top pattern. In anticipation of the breakdown and reversal, traders desiring to make a more aggressive entry would enter the trade as the stock is forming a pivot high. Those seeking more confirmation could enter once the stock has broken below a support level.

Terms You Should Know:
Capital Gains: The profit you make on the sale of an investment.

Cash flow: Money that comes in on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually) from an investment that you hold onto and don't sell.
Momentum: Commonly expressed as the distance between pivots. To determine the momentum of an uptrend, analyze the distance between the last several pivot highs. If the distance between the pivots is expanding, the trend is increasing in momentum and has a higher probability of continuing. If the distance between the pivot highs is diminishing, the trend is decreasing in momentum; consequently, the trend has a higher probability of reversing

Hi Guys!!! You probably won't see much post.................

from me this month as it is Christmas Holidays!!!!! I am extremely BUSY here at Rich Dad in Customer Service so please forgive me!!!! I will try and do my best to post off and on as much as possible!!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Insight for Today

"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882, Poet and Essayist

Insight for Today

"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

Michelangelo Buonarroti
1474-1564, Italian Renaissance Painter and Sculptor

Insight for Today

"If you think about disaster, you will get it. Brood about death and you hasten your demise. Think positively and masterfully, with confidence and faith, and life becomes more secure, more fraught with action, richer in achievement and experience."

Eddie Rickenbacker
1890-1973, American Fighter Ace, Race Car Driver and pioneer in air transportation.

Insight for Today 12/10/08

"I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything."

Abraham Lincoln
1809-1865, Sixteenth President of the United States

Insight for Today 12/11/08

"Sometimes you've got to let everything go - purge yourself. If you are unhappy with anything - whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it. Because you'll find that when you're free, your true creativity, your true self comes out."

Tina Turner
Entertainer

insight for Today 12/9/08"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced

"Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word happy would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity."

Carl Jung
1875-1961, Psychiatrist

Insight for Today 12/4/08

"Before you begin a thing remind yourself that difficulties and delays quite impossible to foresee are ahead. You can only see one thing clearly, and that is your goal. Form a mental vision of that and cling to it through thick and thin."

Kathleen Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestsellers The Cloister Walk, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, and The Virgin of Bennington. Exploring the spiritual life, her work is at once intimate and historical, rich in poetry and meditations, brimming with exasperation and reverence, deeply grounded in both nature and spirit, sometimes funny, often provocative, and always important.
1880-1966, Novelist

Insight for Today 12/2/08

"Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."

Marianne Williamson
Author of A Return To Love

I Am Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a great Thanksgiving vacation and I forgot what it was like to eat tons of food before I started my weight loss program!!! It is really amazing after the hormones shots for 6 weeks and the 6 weeks maintenance program what is does for you! It really does set you body to where you will burn body fat faster like you were a kid again. I ate food like it was going out of style for a couple days and I only gained two pounds and I have already lost it in 3 days!!!!! I am still weighing 130 lbs. Getting the book "The Weight Loss Cure Program" by Kevin Trudeau was so worth it and doing the hormone shots was also so worth it! It was the best thing I ever did for my health.

Linda