Check out this week’s video to discover why credit cards are an important financial tool. When you know how to use them properly you’ll build your credit score and end up saving thousands each year.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7650114073409982357

According to STANDUP FOR KIDS there are 1.3 million homeless kids on the streets in the United States. Imagine for a minute being a kid or teenager and not having a place to call home, or sleeping in a car or a shelter.

Often these young and homeless people loose hope. They stop dreaming about retiring young, having young money or being a young entrepreneur. Often they learn bad financial habits and are prone to fall into student credit card debt. They are learning by the situations they are in and not through a professional practical financial education course. They mentally have failed financially before they even have a chance.

Helping these young adults get off the street and into a stable home can help them re-kindle the dream. They once again can have the hope to retire young or become that young entrepreneur.

You can make a difference whether you give your time or money to help these young people get a second chance on life. Consider how little it can take to give someone the opportunity to get off the streets. Let those causes and people you are passionate about helping out be the fuel to take control of your finances. Vince

I’m sure most of you reading this have had experiences in your life where lack of money, student credit card debt or having to work made you miss out on something. If so please comment and share your story!

Here is mine - I remember back in the day missing out on a Santa Barbara party / road trip because I had to work that day; I needed the money. All my friends got together this summer and were talking about the wild time they had that weekend and they were messing with me - 12 years - later because I missed out on that experience.

Even more heartbreaking, I spoke with a 78 year old woman in Missouri - her life dream was to visit the town in Sweden where her parents were from and she cannot afford to go. She missed being able to retire young and probably will never be able to retire. Unfortunately, from the latest reports this is what most peoples future will be.

People are living pay check to pay check, runaway personal debt, retirement shortage, and most importantly people are missing out on the fun experiences life has to offer because they don’t have young money. Young money allows you to enjoy al that life has to offer.

IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY!

Don’t let those other people fool you, this money stuff isn’t that hard. Financial education is the key. They want you to believe it is; but in realty there are just simple basic lessons that separate the people that are able to fully enjoy life from those that are in a constant struggle. I understand because I personally I experienced both sides of the coin.

If you’re like most, you never were taught financial education or how to be a young entrepreneur in school. Instead you memorized the periodic table of the elements and were able to figure out how fast ‘train A’ was traveling away from ‘train B’. If you’re like me, you never needed to know how many atoms are in the element ‘lutetium’; however ‘money’ affects us everyday. Will a young entrepreneur ever use this information?

You owe it to yourself to get a practical financial education that will truly make a difference in your life. Start that business you always dreamed of and be that young entrepreneur. I promise – financial education is easier than any class you have ever taken plus it’s something you will use everyday of your life.

All the best!! Vince Shorb

Part 2 of this interview was a little over the top I try to reign in Teacher X during the third part of the interview to get to the root of what financial education does for today’s youth.

Vince : That’s a pretty harsh statement.

Teacher X: But accurate. Our High School education system has an agenda—a set of subjects to be taught—and financial education is not part of it. Once you graduate, you’re no longer their concern. Their only job is to get you to graduation.

Vince : Listen - I know you have an axe to grind with the school system and I agree financial education should be taught, but let’s move on. You mentioned “lifestyle” earlier. What do you mean by that and how is it tied to money and wealth?

Teacher X: Lifestyle can have different meanings. It depends on who you ask. I like to think of lifestyle as the way you live your life—all aspects of your life. And I like to live life on my terms. For me, that means having enough money and time to make what I want happen.

Money alone can’t buy happiness. But knowing how to, grow, use and make money smartly can help you to create a lifestyle that most people only dream about.

Vince : Can you give me an example?

Teacher X: Sure. Say I like to surf. I’d want to live near prime surfing waters in places like Santa Cruz or maybe even Costa Rica. But to do that I’d need money—I need ot knw how to make money, invest money—to be able to have the time to live in those places and surf. On the other hand, for a person who wants to make a positive impact on the environment, lifestyle may mean having the time, money, and freedom to work with non-profit environmental organizations

Vince : Doesn’t lifestyle also take into account the clothes you wear, what you do for fun, the kinds of people you like to hang out with, and even what you like to eat.

Teacher X: Yes, it’s all part of your lifestyle. The key to enjoying the lifestyle you want, however, is having financial freedom. And financial freedom means having the money and time to make the choices you want to make. If you don’t have the money to make your dream lifestyle come true—either because you don’t earn enough or you have too much debt—then you’ll be forced to compromise. In other words, you’ll let circumstances and other people decide what kind of life you’ll live.

Vince : So we’re back to knowing how to use and make money? Basically, you’re saying money gives you freedom—the time and the means to afford the lifestlyle you want.

Teacher X: Of course, it’s all tied together. You can’t have a great lifestyle without coming to terms with money.

Vince : So, does that mean everyone should become a doctor or lawyer and earn huge incomes? Wouldn’t that give someone the money to live the lifestyle they want?

Teacher X: Hardly. First, not everyone can afford or even wants to go to medical or law school. It’s about discovering what you’re passionate about and figuring a way to make money doing what you love.

Vince : So if high income jobs aren’t the answer, then how can the average young adult to have the money, time, and freedom to enjoy the rewarding lifestyle that your talking about?

Teacher X: Of course, but it’s a good place to start. When you follow your dreams you can avoid the stress and burnout that people suffer because they’re just working for that next big paycheck. Many of them are too busy putting in long hours to truly enjoy the lifestyle they want. They have the money, but not the time to enjoy what it can do for them. That’s not freedom to me. I have a lot of respect for people who work that hard but, hey, it’s for everyone.

Vince : Doing what you love is great advice, but isn’t there more to it than that?

Teacher X: First, forget about what everyone else is doing. 9 out of 10 people don’t have the first clue about money. You have to think outside the box. You must become a money rebel.

In part four of this interview we reveal what a ‘money rebel’ means and how by becoming a money rebel you can life on your terms.

It’s the holiday season for many and often during this time of year we are reminded to show our gratitude. That’s a great thing so go with those feelings; however it’s important you do that the other 11 months as well.

No matter how much or how little you have, by experiencing the feeling of gratitude it will get you into a wealth attraction state. If you have watched the movie “The Secret” you understand how important just subtle shifts of thought will help you achieve whatever results you want in life.

I know sometimes it’s easier to believe that the grass is greener on the other side. However instead of wishing for more, be grateful with what you’ve got because there are a lot of people have survived on a lot less!.

I just received this letter from a friend of mine in the Philippines.

“Thank you for your reply and concern, please tell me what best for me or any advice or help you can offer will be appreciated deeply. Right now I am still single I’m already 30 yrs old, planning to get married next January 08 or maybe this month. I just want to give a better life with my future Family. To have your own house, food and education for your kids. I don’t know much of my future, I just laid some plan a, plan b, plan c and plan d, incase it don’t work for me.”

All he wants is an opportunity to have the opportunity we have in America. Remember that over 30% of the world’s population lives on less than $2 per day. That’s $60 per month, or just $720 per year!

You may not have everything you ‘want’ in life. But if you are eating, sheltered and clothed, you have your “needs” covered, and have plenty to be grateful about.

Cultivate the feeling of gratitude, because the more grateful you are, the more money will come your way, the more people you can help and the happier you will be.

In Spirit! Vince Shorb

Define what financial freedom and financial security mean to you.

Everyone has their own definition of financial freedom and financial security . Define what It means to you. The one thing many people that have achieved financial security find is that their relationship with money is more or less “balanced.” Their focus in life is not on the money, but on living life. So their focus is not on the trappings of money, but on life’s goals.

The ultimate focus of living financially free is doing the things you are passionate about. The freedom to live the life you want to, whether it’s playing beach volleyball everyday, spending more time with the people you love or surfing all over the world. Not having to worry about money allows you to be who you want to be.

Warren Buffet has billions of dollars, for instance, but he lives in the same house that he bought for about $30,000 in the 1950’s! This guy is worth billions yet he lives very modestly. Why would he do that? Living in that house in Omaha suits him and his wife, so why upgrade? He could live in a palace if he wanted, but that is not one of his values in life. He does with his money what makes him and his family happiest. He is living his dream and if a mansion isn’t important to him great. But since he is completely financially secure and can afford whatever he wants if he does decide to buy a huge house – he can.

In contrast, look at Donald Trump or Diddy. Obviously they like the finer things in life and the bling to go along with it. Each to their own, as we all live our lives according to what is important to us.

The best part about life in America – It’s your choice. How do you want to live your life. How much money will make you feel financially free and financially secure. It’s a personal question you need to answer for yourself. Once you figure that out figure out a way to make that dream a reality.

All the best! Vince Shorb

How much is enough? That is entirely up to you and is determined by the lifestyle you want to live.

You may want to live like Diddy and have $500,000 cars, the latest fashions, a couple of mansions, personal assistants, an airplane, and also throw lavish parties - that’s chill. Make sure to invite me! In that case, you will need a lot of money.

Many people just want to have enough money to be financially free… to do what they want, when they want, but not splurge on the excesses.

And yet other people want to live a simple life, content with working and having enough for basic necessities. The great thing is that you get to decide. There’s no right or wrong answer. What type of lifestyle do you want?

Here are some options:

•In the Poor House – Broke, hungry, can’t afford to pay bills, trying to get out of debt, worried that your car will be repossessed, forced to borrow money from family and friends to survive, can’t afford to heat your home when its cold out; if that’s you, then you’re officially in the “poor house.” Its tough but there is hope…I was broke for many years of my life and with a practical financial education there is a way out. Many here just lack the practical money skills needed to make money and properly manage money.

•Just getting by – This is where most Americans are right now. They have enough to pay the bills now, but they are one paycheck away from the poor house. In talking with many homeless people this is where they started. It’s scary to think that there are so many people in this country on the brink of homelessness.

•Safe and Sound – For those of you with 6 months of your bills set aside and a plan for retirement this is you. You have a solid budget that you can stick to, can afford to pay your bills and are not racking up debt. In fact being safe and sound means you do not have debt (besides debt used to purchase appreciating assets – real estate, businesses, other investments), paid off any student credit card debt. It’s a good feeling knowing you have money set aside for a rainy day – job loss, medical expenses, car repairs. You’re safe and sound as long as you maintain this lifestyle.

•Financially Free – This means you can do what you want, when you want. If you want to work, you can, but you don’t need to since you have the freedom to take time off for yourself or family. You still have to live within a certain budget, but you can afford most of the things that you want. Financially responsible people can easily achieve ‘financially free’ status. That will enable you to retire young, and fully enjoy life.

•Master of Money - Money is no object; you travel the world and buy anything you desire. Yet, some people that live this lifestyle are not happy with their lives. I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s true. That is why it is important to balance the art of achieving financial mastery with living a happy and healthy life.

My goal is to have everyone that is reading this blog to be “safe and sound” or better. When you have enough money that you’re financially independent and your basic needs are met - your entire life improves. Money does not buy happiness however it is proven that people that have enough money to have their basic needs met have lower stress, better relationships and live a more rewarding life.

All the best! Vince Shorb