Oh Bummer! Obama

Oh Bummer Obama. There are many in this world that do not share the optimism I do about this awesome man and how he could very easily direct us toward the way out of Recession.

Why do I say "in the right direction?"

Barrack Obama is possibly the best chance America and much of the world has as helping us all move forward out of this slump. But he is only one man at the top of a large pile of men, a man who is positive, happy and trusted. But there is something that Barrack Obama has that few other Leaders in the world have ever had...a pretty damned rough upbringing. Single Parents, Adopted, working class, BLACK. Not a great start for a leader but then again look at Jesus - his background was far from perfect and look what he has done and is doing.

Barrack Obama will see things as the man on the street will see things - Joe the Plumber - and this will make him make better decisions and think before just throwing money at the solution as George Bush has done. Barrack will think "housewife economics", he will understand how to make a little go a long way. He will create optimism in the market first before he spends a single penny.





A positive outlook is what will lead to no recession. Obama creates that with ease. Today I was at the V & A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa at The Funky Shop where they print pictures on T-Shirts while you wait. Whilst there 2 guys came up with a picture of Barrack Obama they had cut out from the newspaper and wanted this on a T Shirt with the the words " Obama We Can Do It". I noted the words clearly and pondered. It was not a phrase about Obama but a phrase about what he stands for. Obama is acting as a catalyst bringing people together to act as one and win or "DO IT". Not even Nelson Mandela, Madiba managed the kind of support and popularity that Obama is doing so well across the racial divide and across all continents. Madiba Obama is pretty much the perfect man for this world.

Oh Bummer! Obama. I know that many will be saying this because they were wrong about Obama. Obama is great for many and for the few he thankfully poses the right sort of threat to wake them up, shake them up and direct all towards change.

Well done America for being brave and voting for a man who will be a superb and worthy leader creating the love and affection that JFK did so many years ago. Well done!

Blue Skies again

It was a long night. Cold and dark. But again the sun rose in the sky a few hours later.

If only everything in life was a reliable as day and night. It is very much the true constant in life second only to Life and Death.

So why are we all so miseable?



Life is far too short to be miserable. Yes the world goes on about recession. Companies are liquidating left right and centre. Prices are going up.

Here's a sobering thought....

Recession ends. Just like night becomes day so bust becomes boom again. The thing you have to do is hang on. Keep your grip! Don't look behind look forward. Don't look at what others are doing look at and concentrate on what you are doing.

Things can and will improve for us all. Some will come out of it quicker than others, some will come out of it better than others but no matter what we will come out of it.

Our parents and grandparents have all come through downturns. Fortunes have been made and lost and you can choose what yours will be.



It's about the choices you make and how you follow them through.

Look for ways to save money. The supermarkets have many specials all the time. Go for them, don't be ashamed. Those coupons you see in the magazines - 50c off - use them. Again don't be ashamed. The product people are not afraid to reduce their sale price, they need to survive too. Many marketing experts would say that reducing your price is suicide, in this recession it's not - it's cutting the margin and surving.

In business? Looking to survive? You need to make some bold moves too.



You need to invest in savings tools - see the vox phone above. It will save you money in the long run. A bold move but one that could have long term benefits.

Your fuel bills - gas, elctricity, oil and so on. You may need to spend a little save a lot. Want to save $50 or more per year on your electricity bill?


www.greenpulse.co.za

A simple tool that has proven to save home user and business users considerable sums of money.

Green Pulse is on the machine I am sat at and saving me money. Not saving me money when so much as when I am working but when I am NOT working!

Above all remember we will survive, we have to. Things won't be easy. Remember...as I always say, the recession is only there if you allow to be there!

When is too much too much?

The world is in a tough place right now and as mentioned yesterday money is changing hands.

Sometimes money changes hands simply because :

1. you have money
2. you are famous (for what is sometimes a mystery)
3. Money is there to be wasted

3 reasons that really don't make sense. The old saying that money attracts money is very true but the question is WHY?

Why for heavens sake has a magazine just spent $14 Million on some photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Baby? Isn't it disgusting. Cute baby though!

Perhaps this shows the negativity in me or some would call it jealousy. I can say now it is Not jealousy. I somehow think that with all the hungry, starving, dying people out there that $14 Million was and is a bit excessive.

I mean, who are these people and so what if they have had a baby. The celebrities cry out for privacy for heavens sake and then they moan like crazy if they are not on the front page of a magazine. I give up.

You know, I would never pay to get photos of some baby leave the poor kid alone!

So yes, money is out there. Go on buy a copy of a magazine and see the photos.





For some a recession will never come. If they lose a million here or a million there so what.

For me and for you we have to survive. Those who have been paid stupid sums of money for just "being" - I won't say living as they are not living. Life is more than money as is a recession. A recession is pretty much in your head and only exists when someone tells you it does or when you are in it. Get out of the recession, ignore the doom and gloom of the recession pedlars. Smile, hey you might just get $14 Million for it.

Today's challenge. Try being normal. Think to yourself - do I really want $14 Million. The answer will be yes you want it but it should be no, the money won't help you really. A million may help a tad but 14 of them...I can't even begin to spend it

House - $500,000
School for my kids life $200,000
Nice car $25,000

I can't even spend a Million!

Here...go to the casino and blow a bit!

when the bucks dry up

It's getting tougher for us all, we simply cannot avoid it.

But inside I am still strong. My money is not going that far and again for the first time in a while there some month left at the end of my money.

What do you do when the money just dries up?

Green Pulse - this can help you save some money - www.greenpulse.co.za

To be honest there is not a lot we can truly do. But what we can do is get creative and sit back and take stock.

Here's the thing...

Even when times are hard some people have money. The amount of money in the world does not vary very much it simply remains in some hands longer and those hands get more while other hands get less.

The game, and it is a game, is to get your hands on that money that is in the hands of those with lots of it. You see, there is a problem...

People say "you can never have enough money". This is not true. The fact is that when you have lots of money you have to spend it. It can't just sit there. It has to move. The trick is to make it move to you.



So. How do you do that?

There are books written there are course, look at Action coach above - they can take money from one hand and move it from another.

The other thing is to hang out where the money. Money makes money they say. Just being surrounded by money is encouraging and that's about it.

You have to think like a rich man (or woman - sorry ladies).

Where would I go if I had money?

What would I do if I had money?

What would I spend my money on?

What would I buy my friends to show off?

Funny questions and seeming not helpful.

5 years ago and friend and i asked ourselves these exact same questions. 3 months ago we had the answers (and they were nothing like you would think they would be) and in 1 month we should bank our first bucks.

So, here's your challenge for the day. Even if you are filthy rich. (because there is always someone better off than you). Try and answer the above questions and then put yourself on the other end of the question to the person with all the money as that is the place the money is going to!

Recession...closer in the mind

Where is the so called recession?

The first thing to note is that recession is "spin". Spin from politicians, Spin from economists, Spin from business, Spin from pessimists.

Secondly recession is a state of mind before it is a state of economy. Think about it, if you were not told about or if you did not hear about the recession would actually know about it? The chances are no, but because we live in such an interconnected world we all hear about and we all talk about it.

We Spin it!!!

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So, why are we worried if it is only a state of mind?

The reason is becuase people are always lead towards the negative or the "easy road" or essentially we are all like sheep.

I run my own business. I have a distribution company, a consulting company and web development company. Yes, I have seen a downturn in business but does that mean I should be negative?

The answer is no. I have to rethink my plan of operation. What have I done?

Firstly I have added a simple product to my portfolio on the distribution side:

GreenPulse - a simple downloadable buy online tool that helps PC users save money. I set up a website for it www.greenpulse.co.za and although it's not big bucks it's a revenue stream that works.

I created a consulting division - advising people on how whether they have been sold a lemon or are about to buy a lemon is a service that is needed. People right now are getting buyers remorse before they even purchase - "do I need it?", "is there a cheaper version?". The questions they are asking themselves are driving them crazy and for IT decsions I am helping them. Kind of like a doctor!

I have not thought out of the box I have thrown the damn thing away.

The webdevelopment company has no box. The webdevelopment project I am on right now is so far away from any box it scares the hell out of me. But sometimes being scared is the road to success.

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So, here's a challenge. Whether you are in business, at school, a home maker or even a high powered politician.

take stock of where you are. ask yourself "am I going to be part of any recession?" and then ask what is making you think it is a recession.

make some savings and then throw away the box and ask where you can make money while others need to save.




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Smile...it costs nothing

I picked my son up from School yesterday.

He's 6. He is innocent and so are his friends. So why do us adults worry so much?

perhaps we place to much value on our worries? Perhaps we place too much value on money?

Here's a simple thing to stop us all worrying.

Smile



Laugh





Let go

No winning Lottery Ticket

I bought a lottery ticket last night. 2 lines and Lotto Plus. It cost me R7.00. It was the answer to all my prayers.

I didn't win.

Life is a gamble.



Some you win some you lose, like the casino above.

But I am still positive. A lottery ticket will not change my life, it could but with chances of 1 in 49 million it's unlikely. My 6 lucky numbers are used up every day of my life.

But one thing I did find when I bought my lottery ticket was some superb savings. Recession beaters.



I found my local petrol station. I had to buy milk and a few other such luxuries. I was in no mood to walk to the mini supermarket only a few yards away but picked up a hand basket and started loading it.

My initial thought was "this is going to be expensive". Petrol Stations and Convenience stores always are. Well I was wrong.

The items I purchased were actually cheaper than some of the larger supermarkets.

This said one thing to me. The recession is only hitting those who think it will hit them. The Engen Petrol Station in Table View - yes I will say thair name - has been charging pretty much the same prices for basics for well over a year. The prices are now equal to those paid in the major supermarkets and the service is much much better. it shows me that the Supermarkets with all their overheads are actually ripping us off.



Something for free? Well not exactly but the service with a smile was. It was music to my ears. Pretty much like being given someting for free.

So...Local is Lekker as us South Africans say. How many times have you actually been into your petrol station to buy foodstuffs? Do you only use your petrol station for fuel? When did you last use your corner shop for more than just a "convenience purchase"?

Petrol may be going up but the shop prices seemingly are not. These are real diamonds in the dust. We as people always assume the supermarket will be cheaper, often it is but just by slowing down the pace of life and perhaps stepping outside of our comfort zone the real value lies in the smaller stores.

Here's todays challenge...

Get out of your car when you next visit the petrol station. Have alook at their prices and perhaps buy something.

Secondly make more use of your corner shop. It's not just a lotto ticket outlet and it's not just for bread and milk. My local has a damned decent butchery and it's cheaper than Pick n Pay or Checkers!!

Have a great day

Beyond the impossible...

It's been a few days.

No, I have not been on holiday but rather working "beyond the impossible".

There is a feeking of negatvity amongst far too many South Africans and a degree of giving up. South Africa and the world cannot afford for people to give up. We must all have a dream, we must all have something to live for.

I have a few things to live, even with zero bucks in the bank. I have my health, I have my family and I have a future.

What have you got?



Just thinking about the positives in life lift you up and bring changes to your life. It's time to live "beyond the impossible".

Petrol Prices are going up again at Midnight tonight. Brilliant! Something we cannot control so why not find the positives in it? The positive is that one has to use the car less, this creates less pollution and makes you a greener person. Simply brilliant.

I am now involved with a number of "feel good" projects. Each has a way of making me money but I have thrown away the box that so many have been thinking out of and created a space of positivity.

One such way is Green Pulse -

What is Green Pulse? Visit www.greenpulse.co.za

Green Pulse is an environmentaly friendly software solution that saves you money while also saving energy. It does what seems impossible but give it a try.

I am involved with a Golf business.



I am not a great golfer but it's something I am now findign helps me think about positive stuff.

The golf project is a real feelgood project. If you are a golfer and like to help charity raise money send your details to nbmgolf@gmail.com

So yes! I am doing things "beyond the impossible". No life coaches needed just a very posive attitude.

Today's Challenge...

Find something out of your box that you can get involved with the makes you feel good. It does not have to be a money maker.

Believe me...when I tell you that all your troubles will seem far away when you spend as little as 15 minutes a day doing a feel good thing your life will change and you will find answers to your problems.

Have a great day!

Mid Week Madness

I woke up this morning and thanked the Lord for my life. Its been a hectic few days and I am still alive.

This morning I have found the ultimate Recession beating trick. It's so simple, it costs nothing and instills happiness very easily.





This morning, as I woke up I listened to Cape Talk. Aden Thomas was presenting his breakfast show. It was on at first glance nothing out of the ordinary. Then I sat back. I listened a little more...



Aden Thomas was broadcasting from outside. At one point he mentioned it was a mere 4 degrees. That's cold.

Where was he broadcasting from...

He was broadcasting from a "Safety Camp" for "Refugees". I was hit hard. Here I was, all snug and warm with my cup of coffee and out there was one outside broadcast team and many hundred of so called "refugees". They were cold, I felt the cold for them.

This made me think...I am so damned lucky. I have warmth, I have food, I have some money. These refugees, and refugee is very much the wrong lable for people that really should not have any lable other than that of being South African or a resident of South Africa, have nothing or at most 1 warm meal a day and a dirty blaket that cannot even be washed and dried.

Recession is nothing compare to what these people are suffering every day.

So here's today's challenge...



First: Ask yourself just how well off you are compared to others?
Second: Ask yourself how can you help those worse off by you?
Third: Help someone worse off than you...visit Cape Talk and drop them an email asking how you can help.

Remember the people in the camps have a right to dignity, a right to life and a right to smile.

I don't know how I am going to help yet, I know Aden personally and I intend to ask him what I can do. I also know my church St Matthews, Table View is also doing as much as possible to help the victims of Xenophobia.

Oh! and by the way...Blue Skies and Sunshine here in Cape Town!!!

Saving means Changing

Like many of us I hate change. I have my habits and I like to try and do things the way I always have.

In recent weeks I have learned, through some changes in circumstance that change is absulutely necessary to save and change need not be sucj a bad thing.

Ok. Let me sum up.

In March I lost my car. I was in financial trouble and it was taken back by the bank. I am not ashamed of this. In April I was scammed by a fake estate agent and "robbed" of a great deal of money. I am also owed money by an employer from January that simply did not pay me.

So yes, I have been knocked down. I am not knocked out but I have had to look at my life and how I do things.




What had to change?

Firstly I run a successful business - www.hamptonsolutions.co.za - and this was and is my lifeblood. I needed to ensure it kept running.

No Money + No Car = NO BUSINESS

WRONG

No Money + No Car = CHANGE!!!

So I made changes. These changes have changed habits in me for ever and they can in you and your business.

South Africa is a country obessed with cars...



...so much so that public transport has been left way way behind. In a country with such poverty one would think public transport would be everywhere. It's not.

So I had to change and get used to limited public transport. There is public transport but I had to change! There is not a bus every 1o minutes but one every hour or so. The routes are not direct and the bus stop is not in my garage.

So...what changed?



A few things.

1. I now have to plan better - I try and get as much done in one place as possible!
2. People now have to fit in with me!
3. I have to walk a little further every day!
4. I have to accept the times offered!
5. I have to think before I act!

The results of the change?

Savings all round!!! Transport costs dropped by over R50 (US$6.50) per day!!
I am better managed as a person!
Time is more productive - I now work while travelling - I defy anyone to write on their PC and drive at the same time!!!
I am more patient
I am less stressed - someone else does the driving!
I am a more enironmentally friendly person!
I am fitter!

I now do a great deal more walking.

There is nothing wrong with this change.



here's todays challenge....

To save money for yourself and your business encourage the use of public transport. Here are a few things we can all do:

Leave the car at home when we know all it will do is move from a small home garage to a large company garage!!
Schedule your day better - if you have to be in 10 different suburbs in 1 day ask yourself is it really necessary. Then try and centralise and walk from 1 place to another. A 1km or 3km walk does not take long and it is good for you!!! (Even in the rain!)
Encourage your staff to come to work by bus or train - contribute towards the costs. Its cheaper than contributing to petrol or Diesel!!

Let me know how you get on.

Monday Blues

How many of you are experiencing the "Monday Blues"?



Its Monday!



What is it with Mondays?

Here are some fascinating and positive facts about Mondays:

The first Oscars were held on a Monday
On Monday 13 December 1903, a toss of a coin gave Wilbur the honour of making the first flight.
Amedeo Giannini, son of Italian immigrants to the US, started the Bank of America in a converted saloon in San Francisco at 9 am on Monday, 17 October 1904
Monday 11, 1955:. The phrase In God We Trust is added to all US currency.

Not so great but something that says some of can worry about Monday is the fact that the World stock exchanges collapsed on Black Monday, 20 Oct, 1987

But why so miserable?

Here...Win a TV...see the link on the side bar and click...Mknday may just be your lucky day.

Its time to be positive. The great news is that a number of South African economists are stating that there will NOT be a recession. They do say things will be tough but we can be safe in the knowledge that recession will not hit South Africa.

Even if it does here is today's tip to beat the blues.

This weekend my wife and I were given a voucher for Pick n Pay. It's a great thing. We decided to NOT use it but rather treat it as a savings account.

Huh?

Yes. Saving for a raining day is often difficult. With cash in your hand it is spent. With the banks in South Africa charging crazy rates the banks don't allow you save. So what do we do? We use the voucher. Pick n Pay is just one example, other shops and shopping centres offer these voucher cards. They can be topped up at any time. So we decided to create a top up account for Pick n Pay.

We have started with R50 and will add R20 or R50 every week or so. We won't look at what the balance is until we are feeling really depressed, which luckily is not that often. Then it will pick us up and we can go and buy something nice. It's simple but positive and is affordable to all.




So....

Today is Monday.

The sky is blue.

The sun is shining.

I have my health.

I have a stew cooking in the slow cooker

And life is good.

Smile, keep positive. What are you doing that makes you happy? Share it with others?

Be positive!

It's Raining, Its's Cold...smile....

Another winters day in Cape Town.

Pouring with rain and freezing cold outside. The sky is grey and full of cloud. It's miserable.

That's the negative outlook. And its something we are all experts at seeing. As was on the brouch that Pollyanna wore in Disney's "Polly Anna" "search for the bad in mankind and you are sure to find it". It's true. We can all find the negative in us.



Can you find the positive?

Take today. If you were sat where I am now what positives are there?

• Rain - it's water that we need!
• Cold - so what its lovely weather to be snuggled up with a good book by the fire!
• Grey Skies - outside it's grey skies but I mus thank the Lord for the awesome other days we have that aren't so grey - appreciate them more!
• I have a roof over my head!
• I have a hot cup of coffee next to me!

It's quite simple to find the positives. Just try.

So, I am ignoring all the experts. So what if there is a recession looming. The 1930's were the lowest times in many decades and guess what, it spawned more successful millionaires that still exisit today than in any other period. Those millionaires were the ones who saw the positive and did not let the hard times hinder them.

Over the next few weeks this Blog will show you ways and discuss ways to beat the hard times. Things that will allow you to focus on the good stuff and not worry about the mounting debt many of us find us with.

With help from you that read this I'll get recommendations, if your company has ways to help in tough times let me know and and I'll give you a soapbox and spread the word!

So come on...smile. No matter what the weather no matter what challenges you have. Smile!