Welcome to The Wise Buck, a home for those of you looking to achieve financial independence in a proven yet unconventional way. I regularly write about simple personal finance topics like getting out of debt, how to save money, investment basics and current events. More importantly, I teach an organized, step by step process, that allows anyone to Achieve Financial Independence in 5 years or less. This process is about mastering 5 key concepts, so that your life improves permanently on all levels. Even better, you won’t have to wait 25 years to see results.
An important side note: I have achieved each of these steps to achieve financial independence; so, I practice what I preach. Before I get to the “magic” formula of financial independence, let me clear up my philosophy on financial independence. This will help you realize if this site is for you.
I don’t believe Financial Independence happens magically or overnight. To become financially independent, there are steps that you need to follow. These steps need to be learned, in their respective order, so that lasting change takes place financially and psychologically. These steps will become a way of life that help you if you choose to let them. One of the things I’ve learned in my 20 years of observing all levels of investors is that you have an existing relationship with money. For some of you reading this, your relationship with money needs to be tweaked and for others; you will have to completely change your relationship with money.
What is so important is to realize that you have the power to change and improve your relationship with money. Many choose to ignore this relationship. They are destined to self sabotage. You may have heard that more than 50% of lottery winners are broke within 10 years. They never learned the concepts I talk about here. There is no need for this self sabotage; you just have to be open to change. Becoming financially independent is much more than being a multimillionaire. It’s about feeling content and having the peace of mind to handle life’s challenges and knowing that you have the financial ability to exercise choices that are in your best interest. And, I would even say that achieving financial independence is about being able to enjoy your life and having fun!
Financial Independence – Doing what you want, when you want and with who you want! There how is that for a definition!
One of my favorite sayings that you will hear me say often comes from a magazine that I was reading one day while doing an internship in the early 90’s. It showed a picture of a Dinosaur with the following saying “Adapt or Get Left Behind.” The significance of this quote never left me. Today, amidst all of the financial strife and turmoil, there are solo entrepreneurs who are meeting unprecedented success. I also know people who had it all pre-2007 and lost it because they wouldn’t learn the Steps To Achieve Financial Independence. They refused to change or maybe they never learned these simple concepts. And what I want you to realize is this: You can have all the money in the world; but, if you don’t learn these concepts, you will lose it in time.
Right now, we’re only at the beginning of what should be some of the most dynamic are profound changes seen in the last 100 years. The question I have for you is: Are You Ready To Change? Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Are you tired of always worrying and being stressed out? If so, I ask you to join in the community here at The Wise Buck and learn how to take charge of your financial future.
A Little About Me
First of all, I have to say I’m lucky. Somehow, I’ve managed. I am healthy. I have settled into a business that I know well and enjoy doing. I work with talented and fun people. I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for. There are opportunities everywhere I look and I truly believe this. I have achieved a level of financial independence that allows me to feel content. And, I believe that I am just getting started.
A little about my professional career. I have a degree in psychology because I have always been driven by what motivates people. I want to learn how maximize my own potential and somehow make a difference in my industry by teaching others how to achieve financial independence. Anything less would be a waste. I was drawn to statistics; so, while a senior in college I worked as an intern for one of the senior brokers at Deal Witter Reynolds (now Morgan Stanley). Upon graduating, I was in the right place at the right time and was hired as a trader where I worked for more than 5 years during the “Dot Com Tech Boom”. Much of what I write about today I learned from being “smack dab” in the middle of Wall Street. During this time, I got lucky and met my mentor, Roger Arnold, currently a writer for The Street.com, who taught me how the world of money and finance works. Currently, I work a as retirement plan consultant full time and enjoy what I do. It provides a valuable perspective for the things I write about on this site.
Again, I invite you to introduce yourself, subscribe via RSS or email, comment, share your experiences. I look forward to seeing you around.