Notice something? Nowhere do these definitions reference the mastermind as anyone other than an individual. Each speaks to one person’s ability. While having a mastermind at the helm of any endeavor, it is rare that it is one mind is responsible for the success of a business or organization, a campaign or a conquest.

When I think of “master mind,” I think of it as a collective of people who work to establish a vision, develop a strategy and execute a plan. Regardless of the industry, field or interest, bringing together the knowledge, talents and experiences of a diverse group yields results unattainable by one person working in a silo.

Henry Ford’s “Master Mind” was just that

In his book, “Think and Grow Rich,” Napoleon Hill references Henry Ford’s libel lawsuit against the Chicago Tribune in 1919.

During the trial, in an attempt to prove the Tribune’s comments that Mr. Ford was basically ignorant and lacked general knowledge of history, among other things, didn’t amount to libel, one of its attorneys battered Ford with questions like, “Who was Benedict Arnold?” and “How many soldiers did the British send over to America to put down the Rebellion of 1776?” In answer to the last question, Mr. Ford replied, “I do not know the exact number of soldiers the British sent over, but I have heard that it was a considerably larger number than ever went back.”

Finally, Mr. Ford became tired of this line of questioning, and in reply to a particularly offensive question, he leaned over, pointed his finger at the lawyer who had asked the question, and said, “If I should really WANT to answer the foolish question you have just asked, or any of the other questions you have been asking me, let me remind you that I have a row of electric push-buttons on my desk, and by pushing the right button, I can summon to my aid men who can answer ANY question I desire to ask concerning the business to which I am devoting most of my efforts. Now, will you kindly tell me, WHY I should clutter up my mind with general knowledge, for the purpose of being able to answer questions, when I have men around me who can supply any knowledge I require?”

Hill goes on to write, “Any man is educated who knows where to get knowledge when he needs it, and how to organize that knowledge into definite plans of action. Through the assistance of his “Master Mind” group, Henry Ford had at his command all the specialized knowledge he needed to enable him to become one of the wealthiest men in America. It was not essential that he have this knowledge in his own mind. Surely no person who has sufficient inclination and intelligence to read a book of this nature can possibly miss the significance of this illustration.”

How a master mind can help you improve cash flow

Recently, Cash Flow GPS began a mastermind around the topic and execution of cash flow strategies to improve one’s business. It’s titled the GROW Master’s Mind and while it follows the general principles of the mastermind, Cash Flow Advisors has put a unique spin on the gathering.

They’ve put together some of the best financial strategists and coaches. These are people who know and use the principles and strategies of the wealthy to guide business owners and people just like you. They have real-world experience in creating positive cash flow, growing income, and successfully investing in instruments that provide long-term, positive returns.

Working in small groups, led by Cash Flow Advisor and financial expert Larry Tyler, better known as The Cashflow Whisperer, you and others in the GROW (Generating Relationships to Orchestrate Wealth) Master’s Mind will benefit by learning and growing together. The word “Master’s” is not a spelling error; rather it’s a reference to working on creating wealth following God’s teachings.

Some of the issues discussed and outcomes you may experience as part of the GROW Master’s Mind include:

• Empowerment to achieve increased Cash Flow in your business
• The benefit from having additional business owners helping you
• Reframing issues/problems as opportunities for creativity and growth
• Viewing wealth from a new perspective – God’s perspective
• Increasing financial literacy
• Learning what money really is and experiencing how it works
• Learning to bank on yourself
• Why Cash Flow accounting is important to your future

They’re not looking to change anyone or anything. The GROW Master’s Mind is looking for fellow travelers and adventurers to share, serve and co-create together, to experience growth via a shared activity; an experience.

Additionally, you will learn about and develop social capital (currency) that are based on information, ideas, influence, trust, goodwill, cooperation, and co-creating.

The education and coaching components are based on principles that wealthy individuals have known and used for years to make money work for them, not the other way around. CashFlow GPS wants to see everyone who wishes to financially “Get Free and Stay Free!” do and be just that!

See yourself in the GROW Master’s Mind and envision what more money to do the things you want for yourself, your family and your community looks like. We bet it looks pretty good!

For more information, visit our homepage,  CashFlowGPS’s Facebook page, or email
gps.coordinator@thecashflowadvisor.com.

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”
Make the time and the commitment to improve your cash flow and improve your life. You’ll be glad you did!

The post The Value of the Mastermind in Your Cashflow appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

What about you? Unless you have achieved financial independence, chances are you can’t take the same summer months off from work, especially if you’re an entrepreneur or small-business owner. Sure, a week, maybe two if you can arrange it but not much more.

Maybe this summer is the time when both your children and you learn more about finances and cash flow so next year you could be more profitable and take more time to be with your family, and your children will be better prepared to enter the earning world (notice I didn’t say, “working world”) and be financially secure earlier in life.

What we didn’t learn in school

Baby Boomers, Gen X and even Millennials weren’t taught basic economics in grade or high school. There wasn’t a class that taught us how to understand income and expenses, balance a checkbook, project interest earnings on investments, recognize assets and liabilities, or any other money-related topics.

When we got our first jobs, we didn’t know what the government would take out of our paychecks and what we would be left with. No one taught us how create a budget, how much of each check we should save, where we could put that money for the best return, and what we should do with the rest.

We were being taught to be employees

For many, if they had it, they spent it. Some parents did take the time to teach their children about money but much of it was rudimentary and just the fundamentals. We were left to our own devices if we wanted to learn more. Mostly, we learned the hard way, when the money ran out before the next paycheck.

Schools weren’t there to educate entrepreneurs and future CEOs. They were there to create employees for the industries and trades; even doctors, dentists, lawyers and other professionals were first being taught to be employees and had to figure out the ownership and growth of a practice themselves, including the cash flow side of earning enough to run the business and having enough to pay back any college debt. Today, not much has changed.

Is it time?

According to Annie Nova, in an article posted on CNBC.com, more than half of states don’t require high school students to take an economics class and only 17 states require high school students to take a course in personal finance. Studies show that students without a financial education are more likely to have low credit scores and other financial problems.

While more states are working to implement requirements for financial literacy, it will be many more years before it is a nationwide standard. In the meantime, if you’re not living in one of those 17 states, it’s up to you.

For those of you with teens taking their first summer job, this may be the ideal time to teach them about finances and especially cash flow, but maybe you need to know it better before you can teach it.

I would suggest getting a free CashFlow GPS Consultation and letting one of the CashFlow Advisors help you review your financial situation and offer some ideas on how you can reduce your debt, increase your income, put your money to good use and eventually be financially free. Then you can teach and show your child, giving them the leg up over others who may graduate and not know that a debit card doesn’t mean an unlimited amount of invisible money and credit isn’t what you give to someone for doing a good job.

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Hey Kids, This Summer Vacation We’re Going To Learn About Cash Flow! appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

Time in voluntary service to others was rewarding, whether it was through our church, civic organizations or school programs. It still is. I enjoy being able to help someone. I enjoy seeing them happy, which in turn makes me happy. As a teen, our collective service to our community led to my family being recognized as “Family of the Year” by a local organization.

Unfortunately, my giving nature has cost me, not in the time or talent I freely give to help others who may need a hand up – we should all give where we can – but to those who want a handout. It’s cost me money; and lots of it!

“Take it. It’s yours. No, I don’t need anything for it.”

If you’re a professional, especially in a specialty area, you’re often asked for your insights and opinions, and more often than not, for your knowledge. FOR FREE!

Yes, free as in, “Please give me information I don’t have, so I can attempt to do myself what you do for a fee.” Essentially, you’re being asked to give away your knowledge and experience and most importantly, your time. Add them up and what is the value over your career: thousands, tens of thousands of dollars?

“I just need a minute.” “Can I ask you a question?”

We see it all the time. People ask doctors, lawyers, accountants, mechanics, PR and marketing professionals (like yours truly) and a host of others about things for which they have paid hefty tuitions, logged countless hours mastering their craft, and acquired unique skills. A minute of your time turns into twenty, thirty, sixty. Tick, tick, tick. A dollar down the drain, another dollar, another…

Over the years, my giving nature has led me to spend hours upon hours with people over a coffee or lunch, sharing my knowledge and experience. Multiply it at my hourly rate and I would be a lot wealthier than I am now. Not just in the time I spent giving away my talent but in the time I didn’t spend developing my business or allocating time to client work, that instead I ended up doing after hours.

Note to self: After hours work is reserved for the client that just had a catastrophe and needs crisis management, not for daytime work that I didn’t get done because I was out of the office for two hours.

I recently attended a bootcamp hosted by Joe and Dawn Pici. If you want a “life-changing, drink from the fire hose, take in so much knowledge that your head feels like it’ll explode” experience, learn more about these incredible people.

The title of the three-day event was Rapport Mastery and while we learned how to intimately understand and communicate with prospects to close more sales and do the same to build relationships and retain clients, some of the biggest takeaways for me were the secondary lessons: recognizing my value; determining going forward what is most important to me; and learning to say, “no.”

Joe has a great retort for someone who asks, “Can I take you out to lunch? I’d like to pick your brain.” He says, “Tell you what, I’ll pay for the lunch. You pay my consulting fee.” Guess how many people don’t seem so eager to know what’s inside his head when it costs them more than a few dollars for a salad or sandwich?

What about the client who asks you to do extra work outside of your contract or agreement? We often do it in an attempt to over-service and give extra value, thinking that will further endear us to them and they’ll stay with us. Even worse, maybe we do it out of a feeling that we aren’t worth what we’re charging or not providing them enough. We devalue our work and ourselves when we do that, and in the long term we shortchange ourselves and the clients whose work gets set aside (and we’re back to working after hours).

Stop doing this! You are worth it. You are valuable!

Gini Dietrich, the founder and CEO of Arment Dietrich, an integrated marketing communications firm and one of the true influencers in the field of public relations, authored a recent article entitled “The Overservicing and Overselling Conundrum” that addressed this exact issue. In it, she states, “You want to deliver the best possible customer experience, and you want to add so much value that your clients never even dream of working with another firm… You end up working for free and you don’t have the capacity to bring on clients who will pay you for that time…because you’re too busy giving it away for free.”

If you’re like me, you don’t consider the impact that the free time you give is having on your cash flow. If you did, you’d realize three negatives occur: 1) you’ve spent time you’ll never get back nor be paid for; 2) you’ve given away your knowledge, which has great value, for which you’ll not be paid; and 3) you’re not bringing in new business or providing the additional service your clients need – and will pay for – and not making the income you want. Notice a trend here?

Timing is everything!

I truly believe what I need shows up at the exact right time I need it, and I needed that time with Joe. My Cash Flow GPS advisor and cash flow expert Larry Tyler and I have spent time recently talking about my priorities, valuing myself and my recognizing my worth, and establishing boundaries for what I will and will not do in my pursuit of financially getting and staying free. What I learned at the boot camp reinforced these conversations and exercises. It’s like a one-two punch of an awesome awakening!

Saying “no” has been one of the hardest words to add to my vocabulary (remember, I’m a “giver”) but it’s also one that I need to say more often, especially when it comes to giving away that for which I should be paid. Funny thing, the more you say it, the easier it is.

Take a look at your calendar for the last year and add up the hours you’ve given away for a latte or a lunch. The extra time that client’s “one little extra project” took. Add up the value of that time – never mind the money you didn’t make – and it may just be the eye-opener you need to re-evaluate where you put your priorities and where you say “yes” and “no.”

Don’t stop giving your time, talents and treasure to those causes you deem worthy. We wouldn’t be the wealthiest, most giving nation in the world if you did that. But do consider where you put that other time; the time that makes you the money so you can give your time, talents and treasures where they matter most.

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Free to a Good Home: Talent and Treasure! appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

Daily routine

One of the routines that I consider a “must do” is how I start each day.

Disclaimer: you may or may not find this the best use of your time, and you may or may not agree with my habits, but they’re mine and they work for me. I am a professional. Please, don’t try this at home; or do, it’s your choice.

It starts at 5:00 a.m., usually a few minutes before that when my body clock goes off before my alarm does. Darn, I could have used those extra three minutes! To make sure I don’t go back to sleep, even for those few minutes, I use Mel Robbins “5 Second Rule” and put my feet on the floor. If you haven’t read her book or watched her videos on the subject, do! It’s for more than just waking up in the morning.

Because I live just a few miles from NASA and Kennedy Space Center on the east coast of central Florida, and with the growth of our commercial space program, “5-4-3-2-1, Liftoff!” is something we hear almost every week. When the countdown hits “5,” those powerful rockets fire and there’s no turning back; that candle is lit and it’s heading skyward.

Take action

So, it’s easy for me to equate Mel’s rule to taking action, with no turning back. Once up, it’s straight to the coffee machine for a cup that started brewing a few minutes before I awoke.

Here’s where a lot of people say they use this time for thoughtful reflection on their day, meditation, planning or writing. Not me. I turn on the news to check the weather forecast and see what’s happening in my community and around the world (I like to be informed); jump on Facebook, not to read posts but to write best wishes to each friend who has a birthday that day; and then I hit the gym.

Total focus

The gym is my place for total focus, and with very few exceptions I’m there seven days a week. I’ve been doing this for years and it’s an ingrained habit. The last few years, I’ve been training as a bodybuilder, strategically lifting heavy weights and doing the requisite cardio to keep body fat to a minimum (note: I don’t like cardio but it’s a necessary evil – and boring!) When I’m done, I may be exhausted but I’m also feeling exhilarated! I back that up with a healthy diet.

I’ll admit there are some days when I don’t feel like going when an extra hour of sleep would be so welcome, but I know the consequences. Not being in the gym would mean disrupting my daily routine, leaving me feeling sluggish and like I’m desperately missing something. Taking time to plan my day, read or watch motivational or educational material, meditation and beginning my work only starts after this routine is complete.

Shouldn’t this apply to my business cash flow?

So, the question arose: if I’m fanatical about my morning routine and can see the positive results of my daily routine over time, why am I not as fanatical about doing the things throughout my day that can, over the same time, dramatically improve the cash flow of my business?

The answer, to me: I like weightlifting and bodybuilding. It gives me physical strength and with it, a pretty good physique. I’ve taken control of how I feel and look and that translates into confidence in my abilities to achieve goals and objectives in other areas of my life.

It would follow, then, if each day I were to incorporate repeated, quality activities that would increase my productivity, build my client list, add streams of income, and learn to become a smart investor, over a period of time I could see an increase in cash flow. So why wasn’t I putting as much effort into these as I put into my workouts?

My approach

The reason was my approach. I didn’t look at my work activity in the same light; didn’t see that gains may not be noticeable when the action was taken, but if done repeatedly, with the same intensity I put into that time at the gym each morning, soon I’d see changes in my financial position.

Here’s how I’m changing. As I make my schedule for the day, I look at each task as a business-building set, strengthening a different part of my corporation. I also see how doing those “sets” repeatedly will give me a stronger business and the same feeling of accomplishment I have when I leave the gym as the sun rises.

Strengthening body, mind, and business

The result? My days are now focused on strengthening body, mind, and business. From the time I wake up until I head to bed, I’m seeing each thing I do as something that will get me to my goals: a strong, fit body, a thriving business, financial independence, and the ability to do the things I want because I’m doing the things I must.

And just like some body parts need extra work for overall fit appearance – you can read my article on “PR and Marketing, and Chicken Legs” – so must I address those areas in business where I’m weakest, making them stronger through the coaching my Cash Flow Advisor is providing. He is giving me the exercises I need to do that will grow my business, grow my income and “pump up” my wealth.

Where are you strong and where do you need to grow stronger to reach your financial goals? Countdown, “5,4,3,2,1” get out of bed and launch yourself into the success-o-sphere!

And get to the gym or do some type of exercise regularly. It really is good for you!

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Are You Giving Your Business A Workout? appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

It came during the interview from the hiring manager or the executive to whom you’d report. Not one to walk away from a question rife with opportunity for witty responses, I often thought how much longer an interview would go if the answer was, “In your office,” or “Telling you what to do, because I’m now your boss.”The classic would be a quick look around and answering, “Certainly not here!”

“Thank you, you’re a great audience!I’ll be doing two shows through Sunday. Tip your wait staff!”

Humor aside, the question is one many of us have never answered very well, if at all. For most of our lives, we may have let circumstances dictate our goals, instead of our goals dictating our circumstances. It’s like seeing the road ahead but not having a clear idea whether we should stay on it or take the next left or right to reach our destination. Without a roadmap or GPS, we’re lost and could be; forever!

Where do you stand on goal-making? More importantly,goal-reaching?

Is setting a goal and working to reach it hard? Depends on the size of the goal and what level of commitment it will take; and more importantly, what you’re willing to commit. It can be easy, or it can take every fiber of your being. You need to decide your tolerance for risk or intolerance for failure.

Let’s be real here. All goals don’t have to be the Mt. Everest-conquering kind. Yes, you need a couple of big, hairy, audacious goals that, if you achieved them, would significantly improve your life and show you the greatness that lies within you. But smaller goals, such as improving a single aspect of your life or a process in your business can be just as meaningful.

It’s about seeing where you want to go, believing you can get there, creating the plan to do it and then making the journey, no matter the obstacles that may cross your path, finally reaching your destination.

You know the feeling when you get something you’ve wanted and worked hard for? Feels pretty good, doesn’t it? If you can do it once, surely you can do it again and again, and again!

Your goals can be physical, financial, emotional, spiritual, family or business-centered, or community focused. The idea is to make goals for those areas in your life that matter the most to you and could improve your life and the lives of others, or get you to a place in space and time where you are enjoying – no, savoring – the results.

Earlier, I mentioned “creating the plan” and that can’t be stressed enough. Psychologist Gail Matthews’s 2015 study revealed that people who wrote down their goals were 33% more successful in achieving them than those who simply thought about them. Let’s face it, we’re forgetful enough. Why chance losing a great idea or key strategy to reach a goal. Write it down (or type it in)!

In business, you know you can’t succeed and won’t have a future if you don’t have solid goals and the plans to achieve them. See how setting goals can help your business and your team in a great infographic from Christina Desmarias which appeared in Inc. online.

Take goal setting to the next generation – teach them well!

If you have children and want to give them every advantage at success in their chosen life and career paths, it’s imperative that they learn how to set and achieve goals early.

Marilyn Price-Mitchell, Ph.D. writes in her article, “Goal Setters Often Become Peak Performers” that goal-setting isn’t just for adults. In fact, being goal-oriented is a critical part of learning to be resourceful, our ability to find and use available resources to solve problems and shape our futures. Resourcefulness is a core competency in The Compass Advantage model and key to positive youth development.

Dr. Price-Mitchell offers Five Ways to Help Children Achieve Goals, which applies to adults, too.

1. Put goals in writing
2. Self-Commit
3. Be specific
4. Stretch for Difficulty
5. Seek Feedback and Support

These are the basis for all goal-achieving, tried and true. The journey has been mapped out, now all you must do is plug in the destination. Make goal settiGeo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”
ng and achieving a family affair. Make it a business priority. Most of all, make it a daily part of your life.

Are you a goal-setter? What are some of them and have you achieved them or are you in the process? Share your stories in the comment section below and help connect and build our community with others looking to achieve their financial freedom through strategic goal setting.  Get started on your journey here.

Editor’s note: Dr. Marilyn Price-Mitchell founded Roots of Action in 2011 as a way of helping parents, schools, and communities nurture positive youth development–the growth of successful young people ready to become caring family members, innovative workers, engaged citizens, and ethical leaders in the Digital Age.  You can find her full bio here.  

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Goal Setting – Goal Reaching appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

You may have one of these devices; a small unit that plugs into your vehicle’s computer system and measures your acceleration, deceleration, how you stop, and how much you drive. If you quickly accelerate from a dead stop when the light turns green or hit the brakes hard to stop, the unit will beep to let you know you’re driving in a manner that may be unsafe or, at the least, is putting unnecessary wear and tear on your car, truck or SUV. Drive safely and you get a great rate. Drive recklessly and you pay more and maybe worse.

Speed limit? What speed limit?

I’m not a speed demon but I have been known to say the speed limit is “just a suggestion”.  As a Type-A personality, I’m always moving fast, including on the road. That means I start quickly when the light turns green and try to beat the next light before it turns red. Usually, the lights are timed so that being stopped by one light means I’ll be stopping at the next and instead of traveling at a rate that would allow me to come to a rolling stop, I try to beat the light but end up stepping on the brakes when I realize I can’t safely make it through the yellow light.

Then comes the “BEEEEEEEEP!”

Wanting to avoid that annoying sound and make sure the rate I’m paying remains, it only took a few hard stops-and that electronic monitor scolding me-before I began to change my habits. I accelerated a little more slowly, didn’t reach the speed I normally do, especially on city streets, and anticipated the changing lights.  Now I’m coming to a stop more slowly. I also learned to leave a few minutes earlier so as not to be pressed to speed.

Within about a week, the beeps became less frequent and now, after a month, are almost nonexistent. With unspoken encouragement and a “gentle” reminder, I changed a habit that is improving my cashflow.

Here’s what that little inanimate object has done to make me money: lowered my insurance cost; reduced wear and tear on my tires, brakes, engine and transmission, and in turn the price for repairs and replacement; and improved my gas mileage by over 10%!Cha-ching!

Added to the recent change in my internet and cable provider, which saved me over $100 a month.  Also discontinuing a couple of digital subscriptions I no longer use but for which I’ve been paying monthly.  I have improved my cashflow and have $2,000 a year. I can use that to pay down debt and invest in instruments that will earn, not cost me, money. Unless you’re in a position where that amount of money
is what you carry in your wallet as spare change, $2,000 is a significant amount of money, especially for a small business owner.

Change a habit? How hard could that be?

Sometimes, we look at changing a habit as impossible. We imagine all we have to do:

• Whether it’s how we drive
• What we eat
• When we exercise
• What we do in the course of our business day, and the tasks seem daunting.

However, if we were to realize that making small changes and doing them consistently will turn into positive habits and then lifetime improvements, we see they aren’t so hard and the payoff is significant!

What habits could you change to improve your cashflow and what will it take? How about setting a recurring date in your calendar to review overhead expenses and look for places you can reduce them without compromising products or services?  Putting more money in your pocket.  Making it a point to meet more than once or twice a year with your accountant or CashflowGPS advisor to review your portfolio and make adjustments to get the most out of what you’re investing.  Or not making those small daily purchases for things you could do or make yourself? (Remember my blog on the 1%difference? If not check it out.)

Maybe, like the device in my car, you need reminders until tendencies become habits. If so, find a friend, colleague or coach who will hold you accountable.  Set times and alarms to notify you when to take on or complete a task.  Visualize the positive outcome when you finally make that “I should do” into an “I am doing” habit.

Share what habits you’ve been able to create to improve your cashflow, big or small, with our community by commenting below. We can all learn from each other!

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Changing Habits – Improving Cashflow appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

Be committed to everything you do and give it 100%. While giving your all to your work, family and the things you are passionate about, what if giving just 1% was all you needed to do to make a big change?

I can hear you saying, “What would I be doing by just giving 1%to something? What difference would that make?” Well, a lot!

Giving 1%

As one of our CashFlow GPS Advisors Larry Tyler stresses in his first consultation with our students, doing just 1% more each day can lead to big, positive changes in all aspects of your life. Especially, your financial situation.

Oftentimes we look at something, be it taking on a project, beginning a new habit or changing the way we look at or do things, as all or nothing. We’re going to give 100% and see it through to completion! That is until we realize that full commitment from the start is taxing on our body and mind. So, we either put it off or once started, abandon it completely.

You start a new diet to lose the weight you’ve slowly put on over the years, clearing out the fridge and pantry of all the foods you shouldn’t eat. Then you head out to the grocery store and farmer’s market and stock up on healthy vegetables and fruit, meat and fish, and lots of bottled water. You’re excited about the change soon to come. Additionally, fitting into those clothes in the back of your closet once again.

It’s all good for a few days and you think you have a handle on this “clean eating” thing. But then you see one of your favorite snacks while you’re out shopping. You think to yourself, “I’m doing so good on this diet, a cookie here or a piece of cake there won’t matter.”

Next thing you know, the fridge is refilled with processed foods and the pantry is stocked full of cookies, cakes, and assorted candy and you’re back to where you started.

Small Change

Now, what if, instead, each day you changed just one thing in your diet. You added more vegetables to one meal or ate half of the portion of meat at dinner than you usually do. You did the same thing the next day and the next; just making a small, call it 1%,change.

Soon the weight is starting to come off, you’re not missing the junk food and you’re feeling and looking better. Even your friends notice and compliment you!

Now, look at your financial situation. What if instead of buying a cup of coffee every day on your way to work and spending upwards of $5.00 for each latte or cappuccino, you woke up 15 minutes earlier and brewed your own at home. $5 times 30 days is $150 a month, times 12 months is $1,800 a year. That’s $1,800 you could invest, use to pay offa credit cardor save your child’s education. One little thing. 1%!

I recently changed by communications and auto insurance carriers and my savings will be $140 each month. These were little things, that 1%, but it adds up and I’m committed to putting that money towards paying off a couple of credit cards that I used to get my business started. Paying those down will do a little thing each month, namely improving my credit score by a couple of points until it’s back to “excellent” instead of just “good.”

Maybe you have a company you use for office supplies or an auto shop where you get your car serviced, and there is another who offers the same or better products or services but charges less. That one change could mean significant savings and improve your cash flow.

Start looking around. Where in your life can you make a 1% improvement? What 1% more could you do every day to change where you are and set you in the direction of getting to where you want to be? It just takes giving 1%!

The post Giving It 100% Or 1%-What Makes The Bigger Difference? appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

Have you found yourself one of those who didn’t adjust their finances based on last year’s change in tax law and will now owe hundreds if not thousands of dollars? Or, did you prepare and make the necessary adjustments so that your liability was minimalized?

Heads You Win. Tails You Lose.

You may have heard the stories in the news of people who are used to receiving a refund check each year, facing the shock of owing the government. They didn’t realize that the change in withholding effected the amount of tax they were paying against their income or that real estate taxes and other mortgage expenses were capped, where they used to be unlimited.

A Forbes article in August of last year, wrote, “…the General Accounting Office (GAO) is warning that, unless taxpayers act to adjust their withholding, more than thirty million taxpayers will owe taxes next year, an increase from last year. The GAO conducted a “performance audit” from February 2018 to July 2018. They found that taxpayers are likely not withholding the proper amounts from their paychecks.”

We were warned.

If you’re in the group who will unexpectedly owe money, we hope you’ve consulted a professional who may be able to help you find ways you can reduce your tax burden. If the amount is correct, know that you can take steps now to ensure it won’t happen when you file next year. Consulting your tax or accounting professional to manage your taxes is one of the 20 tips you can read about in the Cashflow GPS Quick Start Guide.

It’s unfortunate but this is a classic example of not understanding and managing cash flow. The balance sheet of your personal and business life-and the budgets you set for both – need to be constantly evaluated and adjusted to account for changes in everything, from the costs of goods and services to your income.

Whether you earn a paycheck from your employer or pay yourself as a business owner, the change in tax law affected everyone. Income and corporate tax levels changed; some say to the benefit of all of us, as citizens or payors, others only to corporations and the very rich. While the truth lies somewhere in the middle, everyone knew that changes were being made and those who did analyze their finances and made the necessary adjustments will face minimal impact or, in some cases, see a decrease in the amount they pay or an increase in the amount they receive after April 15.

Time For A Cash Flow Check

Taking the time to review your cash flow on a regular basis and understanding the numbers will give you a real-time view of where you stand and allow you to project what hills and valleys may lie ahead. We hope if you do owe, it won’t be too big a hit. If you are getting money back, remember: you loaned the government that money at no charge; you could have invested instead and earned more money for yourself. Think about that when you decide how much to set aside for your dear Uncle.

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Tax Time! What Will You Be Paying; Or Not? appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

The number one problem in today’s generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.
-Alan Greenspan, former Chair of the Federal Reserve of the United States

As a young man, my father taught me the importance of establishing a good credit rating if I ever intended to buy a car, acquire a home or finance “good” debt that would allow me to live more than a paycheck-to-paycheck existence. He also said, “Be your own boss and lead by example.”

However, he was never taught – and so neither was I – the importance of cashflow, and it is likely you weren’t either.

Cashflow is the life’s blood to your personal household and of businesses worldwide. You may have all the blood you need, but if it does not flow, you die; and so it is with cash. No cashflow, no exchange, no home or business.

First things, first

To begin, you must shift your money mindset. If you operate from a position of fear and bondage you most certainly will always see yourself as “poor.” Instead, shift to see yourself generous and operating from a position of financial freedom and you will think “rich.” This is an ongoing lifestyle change that may result in the most positive and empowering course correction to leaving a family legacy and can be your reality! You start with creating your detailed annual budget.

Yes, a budget, written down or stored on a spreadsheet that lists your income and expenses, and that is reviewed regularly so you can see where you are on your financial journey. If you do not know where you are, how are you going to know where you are going?

We have touched on the proper mindset, what’s next? Let’s get practical on three action items. The first and second you can do on your own, while the third typically requires some help. The results of learning these ideas it to help define and live within your means; your “living margin.”

What do you know about interest? First, do you know how to accumulate it? Second, have you learned about interest float and third, how about interest cancellation strategies, which is called debenture management?

Money is a living, breathing thing

These first two ideas are interrelated and work together. Money should never rest and always be working. If it is not working for you, it is working for the benefit of someone else.

Money wants to multiply and you can see that by having an interest-bearing saving account. Granted, the interest paid today is not what it was 20 or 30 years ago, but you can begin there. Allow your money to earn interest 24-7 and you will see that money never rests.

Second, learn to use interest floats. I learned this from my mother who showed me how to buy on credit, write a check, and debit my checking account while waiting for the billing cycle. In the meantime, my money stayed in my saving account and made me money. When the bills came due, I had accounted for all the spending from the previous month. Simple and effective, it does require financial discipline but it taught me the ethical principle of using other people’s money (OPM).

The third practice typically requires help in the timely and proper order to pay off debt such as consumer debt, student loans, mortgage debt and business debt. This involves the use of debt leverage, bank lines of credit, home equity lines of credit and more, and requires having access to financial tools which you may or may not be aware of and is an alternative way thinking about cashflow.

It has been said that they who serve the most people prosper the most. It can also be said that he or she who applies solid cashflow management strategies multiplies the desires of their heart most.

In order to grow, we must spend time with those who desire to multiply and serve, and any success will be in proportion to the actions we take, not good intentions.

The water tank analogy

Picture your cashflow as a water tank. Where is the outlet value located? If it is at the bottom, once your cash resources have reached that point you have nothing in reserve. However, if it’s midway between the top and bottom, you know you have adequate reserves to invest or in case of emergency, and it takes less to keep full and you have enough to allow your cash to flow freely for good. Change your mindset by changing the position of your outlet.

Lastly, do not confuse cashflow with better marketing or increased revenues. It certainly can be, but our focus is on empowering personal responsibility, resulting in financial freedom.  

You can do this by yourself or you can choose a guide to show you the way. The opportunity to use CashFlow GPS is available to everyone, regardless if you are living paycheck to paycheck or have more money than you know what to do with. Money is rarely the problem and more money is rarely the solution.

Your invitation has arrived, how will you respond?

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Making Money Work For You appeared first on CashFlow GPS.

Do you believe them?

What you don’t hear is that achieving and remaining financially free takes an understanding of how money works and learning to manage cash flow. These only come with education, with a desire to attain the knowledge necessary to take control of your financial future and with help from people who know how to get where you want to go.

This is where CashFlow GPS comes in; where you become aware of where you stand and what it will take to pay down debt, earn more money and set yourself and your loved ones up for the life you desire.

It’s where you gain the skills and insights and put them to use. CashFlow GPS is designed to guide you on your journey and lend a helping hand when you need it.

So where do you begin? Let’s start with getting started.

First, take a look at your entire financial picture and understand where you are in the photo. Are you working 9-to-5 for a paycheck or are you a solopreneur, trading hours for dollars? Do you own a business that employs people and has systems for delivering products or services? Or have you reached a point where you’re financially well off and hope to stay that way?

We built CashFlow GPS in partnership with people who have been in your shoes, in all stages and phases of life. They’re entrepreneurs and business owners who have learned how to focus on the secrets of cash flow, who have identified and implemented strategies for debt elimination, and whose Trusts and other financial instruments that ensure the money they make works for them and not the banks or other institutions that are designed to make money off of you.

The important questions to ask yourself…

As in any journey, you need to know where you are before you can set your sights on where you want to go. It’s time, to be honest with yourself and answer some of the most important questions, such as:

• Do you live pay check to pay check and want to increase your income beyond your hourly wage?
• Are you in debt and want to pay it off as soon as reasonable?
• Do you have a mortgage and want to accelerate the payoff to seven years or less?
• Are you self-employed and want to learn how to manage your fluctuating income?
• Do you want to be in control of your money and learn how to make wise, self-directed finance decisions?
• Do you have assets and know how to protect them?
• Do you desire to leave a financial legacy?

If you answered yes to any of these, then the CashFlow GPS can provide the direction you need to reach your financial destination.

So why should you try CashFlow GPS? What makes it different?

First of all, the CashFlow GPS program was designed and built in the spirit of stewardship and giving of time and talent. Your first engagement and analysis with us doesn’t cost you anything. Really, it’s free!

We believe strongly that financial literacy is a right rather than a privilege and we’re dedicated to helping everyone achieve financial freedom.

So, you’re asking yourself, “What’s the catch?” Seriously, there’s no catch. Our Cash Flow Advisors have all found success in life and work as a community of peers to make sure the lessons they have learned along the way are available to all.

What results can you expect?

As you begin to implement the strategies in our Cash Flow Quick Start Guide, things will become clear. If you want to go deeper, you can meet with our Cash Flow Advisors and discuss your unique situation and where you want to arrive in your life’s journey.

After applying the CashFlow GPS for a period of one to two months, you’ll find areas where you can recover unnecessary or unwise expenses, increase your savings and your investments, and have a better understanding of how you can live with more purpose.

What’s the next step?

Check out the Cash Flow Quick Start Guide. It will give you the CashFlow GPS fundamentals. Try them and experience what works for you. Need to go beyond the free consultation and get an advisor? No problem.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there and many paths you can take that can lead you in the wrong direction. Start your journey and chart your course with a guide that will show you the right way to go. We’re here for you!

Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”

The post Welcome to Cashflow GPS – Your Journey To Financial Freedom Starts Here! appeared first on CashFlow GPS.