Insights, Lessons-learned, Guidance, Idea-sharing, guest posts, and thoughts on FREEdome (freedom), Improvement, Family, and Fun presented by Seko Varner and special guests.
Peace & Prosperity,
I had numerous recent conversations regarding credit card and other debts. I help folkout out debt on the daily. While I pray and pour libation for your financial-FREEdom I submit this for your consideration. Here's the road to FREEdom. Let me start Biblically.... Romans 13:8
"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." - KJV "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." - NIV
If you are one who follows the Bible I invite you to consider that passage.........Cool..... Time up. I'm not pushing a certain translation or interpretation. However, it seems pretty clear that this particular passage warns Bible-followers to remain away from debt and to pay their debts. What's crazy to me is I've met and interacted with numerous self-described Bible-followers who aovid creditors calls, who have crazy amounts of debts, who have gone to court for collections, and who have had to move numerous times due to not paying their rent. One of the most difficult moves in acheiving financial FREEdom is dealing with debts. Here's one solution:
GET OUT OF DEBT !
My debt-destruction partner Dinh Nguyen and I provide a service that can reduce the amount and interest rate on debts. The ability to assist clients is fact dependant (It doesn't work for everyone - it depends on a few considerations) but when it works it works. To learn more about the process contact Dinh by calling 1-800-470-8155 ext. 141 and he will review the terms and see if it will be a good fix for you.
If your debts are greater than your income I would suggest considering our strategy and also considering the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (http://nfcc.org/) and requesting a Hardship DMP (Debt Management Plan) which may reduce your interest to 0%. Today I listened to a Clark Howard episode (01.24.13 - Here is the download link) where he correctly advised the same. Currently my family is using the Debt Snowball approach, as described by Dave Ramsey and my financial fav' Michelle Singletary, which sets one in a process of payiong off the smallest debts towards the largest debts to effectively 'Flee From Debt !" Whatever approach one uses, GET OUT OF DEBT. The good life awaits you ! Be blessed, stay blessed, be a blessing.
One last thing, If you know me personally.......Yes I do read and refer to the Bible. Don't be shocked ! I follow tried and true approaches.............. Hotep & Ashee !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is also in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, real estate, counseling and education. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.
I just finished listening to the newest episode of Dave Ramsey's EntreLeadership podcast. On this episode, Dave Ramsey teaches more ways EntreLeaders can apply Financial Peace principles to their businesses and Chris LoCurto interviews best-selling author and financial expert Rabbi Daniel Lapin. While I began listening for Dave's viewpoints, I ended up listening to Rabbi Daniels's section four times. Good stuff ! Click here for the link to access this podcast. I've now downloaded the episode and will be listening to it as I hit Planet Fitness in a few hours.......Or if Planet Fitness hits me, which is more likely.......... Anywhoooooo !
Thou Shalt Prosper is a widely acclaimed book written by the good Rabi regarding Hebrew/Jewish financial practices. A while ago I learned that a lot of the ancient Hebrew/Jewish text gave practical advice on ways in which the followers were to approach money and business. I found it interesting how the cultural and religious traditions focused so much on creating and maintaining a 'blessed financial foundation'. So I googled' the good Rabi and found that he has much to offer online. Below is a link to receive his weekly Thought Tools, also below is a video from one of his sessions on the 700 club. http://youtu.be/pjcbQdteWkU
Enjoy the videos. Hopefully you'll enjoy the gift as much as I did. Also sign up for his weekly email. I did.
America's Rabbi's Thought Tools
Thought Tools is a free weekly Bible study email from Rabbi Daniel
Lapin. It brings you tips, techniques, and knowledge that you will use
to improve your life in four areas-Family, Faith, Friends, and Finances. CLICK HERE TO BE REDIRECTED TO THE PAGE TO SIGN UP FOR THOUGHT TOOLS
Seko Varner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is also in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, real estate, counseling and education. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.
The purpose: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community. The use of creativity: To leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. The faith in: Parents, teachers, leaders, and the righteousness and victory of struggle. The New Year: A chance, symbolically, to create anew.
As a child I learned to embrace the above principles as a child would. As a teenager the stuff started to make sense, and made me more attractive to the ladies I was attracted to "I think it's cute that you do so much community stuff." (I later learned that I needed a few more things to finally get the girls who ended up hugging me and then falling all over my Thuggy', Pretty Boy, and Sport-Jock friends. I found that the power of music and performance, as a DJ and and musician, gave me just as many groupie-girls as my Thuggy', Pretty Boy, and Sport-Jock friends. Life was good................ As a college student I truly became conscious of the impact that a purpose driven life produced.
It was then that I learned the importance of motivation. I currently tell my children that the word Motivation has basically two portions. The Motive, and the "Ation" (Action minus what you 'see'.) I further detail that once one loses their motive, normally the action will fall off as well. I was taught by some of the best elders that I needed to constant focus on my motive, as the motives may change over time. As a parent, I know truly feel "the blessing in their suggestions." I fully believe in the principles of Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith) as they are transliterated in the seven candle observance. Ashee.
On Nia 2012, I received an email from the Dave Ramsey Team. The email simply stated "Are Your Goals Realistic?
Take the Test.
Ask any successful person, and they'll agree. In order to succeed, you must have goals." (Here is the link to his message to his subscribers. The test of the goals was deceptively simple: (1)Are your goals in writing? (2) Are your goals specific and measurable? (3) Are your goals shared? (4) Are your goals your own? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
As an agent with World Financial Group we frequently focus on goals. I'll need to openly share some goals for 2013 in an upcoming self-n-business development training. While the process we use is a great and involved process, I loved the deceptive simplicity of Dave's message. So tonight I leave you in the Roman Calendar year of 2012 and will greet you in the Roman Calendar year of 2013 with my goals. I'd love for you to share your goals with me as well. Let's grow together. Have a blessed year.......Here's a hint .... It's up to you to make it blessed...... I know, some of you still think that it's solely up to the Almighty. (Read whatever Holy book you wish....... All who were blessed, worked for their blessing. Thanks to my mentor John Epting for fully making that point to me in his actions, words, and prayers.) Alafiah ! Ashee ! Amen !
Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, counseling and education. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.
I recently listened to the Entreleadership podcast that featured John Maxwell. The Entreleadership podcast is a treasure trove on growth, leadership, and business uplift that is featured on Dave Ramsey's website. I've been listening to the podcast for over a year now and look forward to that electronic note that a new episode is live. I also listen to Raheem Devaughan's podcast 'dedicatedly' (I made the word up) as well. Back to Maxwell..........
This podcast dealt with the concept of a 'Growth Plan'. Many of us confuse natural maturity with growth. The natural instinctual maturity progression moves one physically through the stages of development from birth, to infant, to toddler, to child, to young adult, to adulthood, to elder-ship, to death. Growth, however, is intentional. In the same way that a properly followed 'budget' tells your money how to move one out of debt and into wealth an intentionally followed and developed 'Growth Plan' can lead one towards the wealth that growth provides.
Leadership guru John Maxwell asks two questions when moving towards growth. These questions are (1) What are you doing to grow you, and (2) what are you doing to grow others ? Growth is intentional according to Maxwell. After listening to the podcast I wrote in my notebook "One will have to battle and fight and struggle when growing. Battle, fight, and struggle". Maxwell says "No growing begins until you begin to grow.
This episode of the Entreleadership podcast is a winner. The post describes the episode in this manner:
Personal Growth with John C. Maxwell
On this episode, Chris LoCurto interviews leadership expert John C. Maxwell about his new book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Dave Ramsey explains the “Wheel of Life” and how it applies to personal and professional goal setting.
I further suggest that everyone serious about intentional growth become a fan of the EntreLeadership podcast. The link to the webpage is here: http://www.daveramsey.com/entreleadership/podcast The podcast page describes itself with this quote: "Leaders never stop learning. They never stop growing. Leaders recognize
the importance of staying ahead. The EntreLeadership Podcast is a great
way to do just that. The topics are timely and relevant, and the
speakers are the best in business. We’ll feature new podcasts here every
two weeks. Listen to our latest podcast and keep moving ahead." I highly reccomend listening to the episodes. I do. Be prosperous !
Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, counseling and education. He has been real estate agent, a school counselor, a teacher, and an Intensive In-Home Counselor. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.
I'm a big fan of Dave Ramsey. One of the most difficult aspects of the Financial Peace strategy that his company teaches is that Debt is unnecessary. I have been a short time listener of Dave Ramsey's various shows and Youtube videos. I think I got into his materials about five years ago as I transitioned from being a Real Estate agent into becoming a Financial Services provider.....As a side note I'm frequently asked why did I leave the Real Estate field when I was having a growing level of success. The shortest answer is I dislike shopping and working with buyers is similar to shopping. We're in a buyers market (in Hampton Roads Virginia) and I admitted to myself that I didn't want to work with the rising tide of foreclosures as a main source of sellers...... Back to Dave Ramsey......
While taking Financial Peace University with the "Wifey'-Fo'-Lifey" I watched our classes members struggle with the concept that Debt is unnecessary. As I meet with client's now and share the same view on Debt I get a lot of confusion and nonacceptance when I share that's it's better to show your children how to stay out of debt and guide them away from debt rather than to help them "Build their Credit Score". Here's what Dave Ramsey says about DEBT:
Dave Ramsey (Podcast 10/23/2012) times from 01:56:01 to 01:56:36.
Debt is dumb – Dave Ramsey tells you why: “Building your credit is the biggest myth, the biggest lie that has been sold to the last two generations. And
so many people bought it that they are deeply in debt; it’s affected
their marriage, it’s affected their future, it’s affected their ability
to feed themselves – to take care of themselves at retirement, it’s
affected their ability to change their family tree. It’s affected
everything. Because we believe that you have to go into
debt, so we have the opportunity later to go further into debt. That’s
the build your credit myth."
The dirty little secret is that one can get a job and get an apartment, car loan, or a mortgage with a zero (0) credit score and with a good credit score. It's only when one has a bad credit score that things become extremely difficult. If one has a zero credit score that indicates that they do not use credit...... and banks will jump to give them a loan. Apartments that require a credit check may ask for a bigger deposit or one may need to work with a private owner if one has a zero credit score. Believe it or not people do buy houses and vehicles with zero credit scores and/or by purchasing the car or home with cash.
Although this approach sounds crazy it works. To be practical I advise this: Create an emergency fund of a minimum of three months of your expenses. Don't use your credit cards for emergencies or fake emergencies (Christmas gifts and Birthday parties are not emergencies). If you have bills and debts pay them on-time or early. If you can't afford to buy something outright then you truly can't afford it. If you can't afford to buy a vehicle with a three year loan you can't afford the vehicle (you can afford the monthly payments...but you truly can't afford the vehicle). Create a "Gonna' Happen' savings account to be financial prepared for car repairs, Christmas gifts, and other things that are gonna' happen. Follow this path and the funny thing is your credit score will rise......but you won't need their stinking credit score or credit card !
As an interesting side note I shared this path with a lady who described herself as a Christian first and anything else second. I shared with her that the 'canonized' Holy Bible says (Proverbs 22:7) "The borrower is slave to the lender." and (Psalm 37:21, Ecclesiastes 5:4) "We are required to pay back what we borrowed." and (Deuteronomy 28:12)“The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the
heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the
work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not
borrow.” Her interpretation of these passages, after she researched them, led her to believe that her habit and reliance on the use of credit was against the will of God. I'm hoping that she remains of out debt. Time will tell......
If you or anyone you know is struggling with Debt - Contact me and I'll do my best to assist them. Teach you children to save and invest 15 cent out of every dollar they receive and later on they will not need credit. Easy advice, hard to follow. I know personally, as I'm walking my way out of debt as well. I invite you to walk with me.
Dave Ramsey has a great website and the website is http://www.daveramsey.com . His company was giving away an audio MP3 file for free for a limited time period (that time may have passed by the time of this posting). Access that file by clicking here while the promotional lasts. I also advise anyone to attend his company's Financial Peace University.... It's worth every second. Uhuru !
Seko
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Seko Varner is from Positive Vibes Financial, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, counseling and education. He has been real estate agent, a school counselor, a teacher, and an Intensive In-Home Counselor. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.
