American Justice, Citi Style

Citigroup just got bailed out by the U.S. taxpayers to the tune of $300 billion and guess what, management retains their positions.  Only in America, huh?   If, the average American were to lose their company's money on the scale that Citigroup had, heads would roll.  Citi's management remains intact because no admission of wrongdoing was apparently found.  Reminds me of company's that get sued in Court and they pay a fine, but don't admit to any wrongdoing.  That's why I'm glad to be born in America!  I can make a mistake and get fired for it, but if, I attain a very high position in America, I don't have to admit to any wrongdoing.  What a great Country! 

Citigroup, and it's management knows that better than anyone how great it is to be an American Corporation.  They are a country unto themselves as far as the financial industry goes.  No one fully knows how many politicians they have on their payroll lobbying Washington to favor their interests both here and abroad.  If the financial sector were a jungle, they would be a hyena, that dog-looking four-legged animal that is noted for their ability to devour and digest the fallen as far as the financial industry goes.  Why a hyena?   A hyena is a gluttonous animal.  It has enough, but always wants more.  A hyena has a history of longevity as the basis to its survival and so does Citigroup.  Citi is both too big to fail and too whiny to be ignored.  If, Citi failed, then there would be a run on deposits and even lower consumer confidence in the psyche of the American People.

Now on the honeymoon of the Citi bailout, their Infrastructure Unit, Citi Infrastructure Partners is buying a majority stake in a Spanish Highway operating company for a little more than $10 billion according to Marketwatch and yes, I like most taxpayers, think some of that money is coming from the bailout money we gave them. You'd think that Citi would have the good sense to at least wait until, memories of their bailout is out of the average taxpayers mind.


To read the article click here.

Work At Home

Work at home is what many of us would opt for if we knew we could keep the same salary or perhaps make a bit more than the salary we now make and leave all the stress associated with working at work.  Imagine working at home and having the ability to change your scenery to suit each meal.  If, you're having seafood tonight, why not enjoy it parked beside the beach, looking at the ocean.  I know that may sound expensive, but imagine the possibilities.

No more time-consuming commutes or ridiculous fuel prices to contend with.  Just peace of mind and the comfort of knowing that we decide when we are going to go to eat and when to take our breaks.  The best part is perhaps not having to leave your home, unless you want to, because for some of us, leaving the house to go to work may be the highlight of our lives.  For me, being home is the best part of working at home.  You certainly won't get rich working at home, but there are benefits greater than making an obscene amount of money and that is the satisfaction of making a living from home and if you just happen to get rich, well, I guess that's a beneficial side affect, if what you're doing is really what the public or market wants.

The Plan should be to find a "work at home" opportunity that is credible, duplicateable and offers some reliable income that is predictably based on performance.  After all, a "work at home" opportunity has to provide a realistic and legitimate product or service that people want and this may mean, educating the public about your product or service.  Sometimes folks don't even know they want something, until you educate them about the benefits your product or service can offer them.  

Some products and services that are introduced to the market have built-in demand, that is, people are lusting over them, because they see or recognize the immediate benefit the product or service gives them.  One such  product is  a computer, and one such associated service is a wi-fi or Internet service.  There are probably more than a few people who would argue that they don't need a computer and that they don't need wi-fi or an Internet service provider and folks who think that way are like my mother, who still thinks that she can see the "white" of every person's eyes, that she communicates with.  In contrast, my mother is not in the minority, as I meet many of her friends in the course of my travels in my home. 

We should become aware that as the global economy slows for some countries and overheats for other countries, that more and more people will come to accept "working at home," as a fact of life.  There will be labor surpluses in the countries whose economies are stagnant and labor shortages in those countries where the economies are percolating and through it all, there will be immense opportunities for change and favorable conditions for "thinking outside the box."  The question is, "where will you be in the whole grand scheme of things?"  

America Is Partying Like A Rock Star

Have you ever heard the song, "Party Like A Rock Star" by Shop Boyz?   I ask that question, because it has become the mantra of many of America's businesses.  For years American Businesses including Bankers have been partying like a rock star.  Many seemingly dancing to the rhythm of more is better.  Mortgage companies offering not 100% financing, but mortgages up to 110%, following the lead of some British mortgage lenders.  Like champagne bubbly over the glass that seeks to contain it.  The only problem was, that the rhythm the businesses and bankers were dancing to slowed downed and when the dancing slowed, the partners weren't so comfortable with who they were doing business with.

The rhythm was the economy, and the beat that sustained it, was consumer spending.  The beat was no longer the melodic percussion that had the American consumer spending lockstep with the the once easiness of getting more credit from their lenders.  The home that many Americans lived in was nothing more than a giant ATM, and anytime the  homeowner wanted or needed money, they simply refinanced.  Soon, more than a few homeowners found themselves overextended trying to keep up with the American dream.  The American Dream, the gainful employment with the frequent raises, the affordable home and extension of credit that came with it, the automobile that was within reach of any family with reasonable credit the good schools and affordable healthcare and the expectation of peace and security where you lived, traveled and vacation, all came to make for the American Dream.

It had always been manageable before, but this time was different and many Americans felt uncomfortable dancing to such a slow pace.  As the American economy slowed even more, businesses and banks began cutting back, first with layoffs and tougher requirements for new loans and credit.  Many could no longer afford their homes and many more still owed more on their homes than it was worth.   The party continued for those who had access to cash and credit, and they continued to prosper in spite of what was going on around them.  As more and more grew weary of the stress of just trying to keep up,  many simply stopped dancing, that is, many Americans simply stopped participating in the American Economy.  

There is nothing wrong with the rhythm of the music, it's just that some businesses have had a difficult time finding there pulse.  Your pulse is that "something," that differentiates you from your competitor. If you have lost your pulse, then you are out of step with the beat.  More specifically, you are out of touch with the consumers. Businesses have to let the consumers know, what is it that makes me want to do business with you?  Why should I shop with you?  What are you offering, that I can't purchase elsewhere?  Essentially, the businesses have to not only tell the consumer why they should be doing business with them, but take them by the hand, so to speak, and show the consumer, the benefits of doing business of doing business with you.  The beat which is consumer spending, is the pulse of the U.S. economy.  It's not hard to dance to, but it helps if you can stay within the rhythm of the beat.  Businesses that can change their marketing course quickly, have no problem keeping up with the beat, and those that have difficulty adjusting to the beat, struggle until they learn to adapt, or soon perish.  American Conglomerates can learn a great deal from small businesses.

Many small businesses start with nothing and when you come from nothing, that is, start with nothing and control your direction and marketing of your enterprise, a change in rhythm, beat or pulse within the economy, doesn't shock you, because you are lean and nimble and able to adjust quickly to the rhythm of the economy.  Your fixed costs are within your financial abilities or prepaid business quarters in advance. The key to business is to seek profitability early on, so that when the times are good, you can prepay your fix costs, and better still, try to avoid excessive fix costs, as much as possible.  If you have very little fix costs, you can continue to grow your business and more importantly, you can continue to invest in yourself, your staff over the both the prosperous times and the lean periods.

If you don't know what  your pulse is, ask.  Ask your customers what they like about doing business with you.  You might even have to give them some incentive just to take your short survey or a discount coupon on a future purchase for taking the time to take your short survey.  If, you don't know what your customer wants or needs, or why they do business with you, you may not have them as a customer too long, because some business out there, will find out what the customer wants or needs, and make the necessary incentives and marketing to fill that customer's need or want.  Customers can be demanding as their means become threaten by their perception of the economy.  Customers take their time to do their research now and compare what their getting for their hard earned dollars and loyalty becomes a casualty of "what's in it for me!"

Those businesses and lending institutions who can meet the needs and wants of ever so demanding consumers will have found their pulses, no matter what the rhythm of the economy is.  The beat goes on for those who know how to fulfill the demands of those who know what they want, and where to go to get what they need.  You have to position your business to be that "go to" service or product, that the consumer doesn't think twice about purchasing from.  You want your service or product to become as infectious as the song, "Party Like A Rockstar."  You may not like the song, the lyrics, the rhythm or the pulse of the beat, but enough people did and it made millions for the group, Shop Boyz.

Has The American Economy Failed Us?

Just back from a whirlwind examination of the cracks and crevices of the national economy and here are some of the observations that stuck in my mind. Has the American Economy failed us?Their seems to be an obsession by a good many of us with the prices of fuel at the pump. It seems that many of us have gotten use to paying several dollars a gallon, as if, $3 and $4 a gallon of gasoline is as natural as the air we breathe. Is it? Shucks, I walk many places that I go to and while it takes me longer to get places, I plan ahead by starting out early and give my self adequate time to cool down or recover from the walk. Oil prices will continue to taunt the psyche of Americans, even though our fuel prices are still cheaper than many whom we share this planet with.


SUV and truck manufacturers continue to deceive the public with their inflated miles per gallon claims. Its no wonder that if you wanted to buy one of those really big suvs or trucks, you could get them at terrific price. The car and truck dealerships are overstocked with poor fuel mileage vehicles and their "floor plans (payments to the manufacturer of the vehicle, until the vehicle is sold)" are coming due. There is going to be some panic in suv and truck industry for sure. I can't tell you how many gas guzzling vehicles pass me each day, driving, bicycling, jogging, walking, just to find myself right next to them sometimes at the same intersection waiting for the traffic light to change. So much fuel expenditure just to have a few minutes of an early arrival at the next traffic signal.


I had to stop at the bank the other day, and before I could even sit down, the bank rep was trying to sell me on the idea of applying for yet another account, when he hadn't even heard my concerns about my first account and why I was even there in the first place. I haven't opened a new account in quite sometime, primarily because I like to keep things manageable. This bank by the way, is one of the most conservative banks around and surprisingly, a few years ago, they gave me a hard time when I wanted to open an account with them, because of their high regard in the financial community, and now, I could have them eating out of my hand. That's not who I am or what I'm about, so I'll pass on their offer to open a new account with them.


At present time the banks for the most part are back to their "button-down shirt" ways again. They are starting to act like bankers again, especially with consumers. Try getting a loan lately? Well, they are stinger than they have to be and unforgiving if you are late on any payments or accounts now. We all know that the banks have tighten their criteria for many accounts, loans and services, as if, they can afford to be more choosier now, after the whole mortgage debacle. Have you tried to get your Congressman or Congresswoman to bail you out of any mess you've gotten into lately? Shucks, I'd be surprised at the number of Americans who even know who their Congressman or Congresswoman is. Most of us are focused on today and if we have the energy, we'll pay attention to tomorrow, when it gets here.


It's hard to accept the fact that maybe, just maybe, that's how our elected officials want it for the citizenry. To be so caught up in whatever it is that we do, that we don't have time to pay attention to the issues. What are the issues? The issues vary according to individual concerns, needs and wants, and they can be different for each one of us, depending on how we feel about life and our place in America. So, because their has to be a public conversation on whatever we collectively as a Nation, decide on what's "common" to us all, the bickering and complaining will continue and it will be business as usual in Washington.


The banking sector is just one of many sectors effected by credit losses and but one symptom of an ailing economy. Home values has gone South for more than a few and many mortgage holders find themselves owing more on their home than its worth. Getting through today occupies the consciousness of a large segment of the American population, as worries of their jobs being there for them tomorrow, or this time next year, only adds to their uncertainty. Realizing that the tensions in the workplace has been palpable for the majority, knowing we aren't alone in our struggle just to get by, is our bit of "employed nationalism." They are serving America, simply by the act that they are still employed, unlike so many who are unemployed and unemployed for so long, that not even the government census takers are interested in them.


For those who have been downsized, laid off or worked themselves right out of a job, there is hope. Surviving long enough for hope to take hold is not only work, but hard work sometimes, when every effort you try only leads to failure. Failure is the best teacher and humility, a good instructor, but life is the greatest trainer. Have you ever failed so many times that your friends and family start thinking that you're obsessed with failure, not understanding that success exist because of failure? Without failure, how can we know success, and without success, how could we have known that we failed!

The cost of energy is surely on most of our minds, be it gas or diesel for our vehicles, electricity to keep us cool in the summer or heating oil to keep us warm in the winter. The price we pay today, may be cheaper than tomorrow, but it's sometimes hard to accept the harsh reality that we do have some control over what we spend on our energy costs. I'm out of the house when it is hottest during the summer and I am out of the house when it is the coldest during the winter months. Where exactly am I? Well, there is always market research. You know to see what folks are spending their hard earned monies on.


It's important to know what people are spending their money on, because it helps us to understand consumer demand. Generally, whatever is in demand, is also probably going to go up in price, or at least their is going to be some competition for the item, at least in the short term. If, you knew what people were buying, don't you think that there would be an opportunity to sell them some of what they are buying, or at least, align yourself with an affiliate program of the company, selling that very item?


If, you could know in advance what people wanted, wouldn't there be a window of opportunity for those wise enough to try to fulfill the want of those willing to depart some of their hard earned money for? Well, I'm always looking to fulfill the needs of those willing to spend to get what they want and you should be willing too! The first challenge, which is really not a challenge once its executed and that is to ask people what they want. If you did this one person at a time, it might take awhile to find out and understand what people want Thank goodness the Internet makes this process easier. Its important to know what people want if you intend to sell or provide your services to others.


Once you've established what people want, your next step is to find a way to give them what they want, leaving a fair margin for your time and services. Try to stay within the confines of things that you are personally interested in, otherwise you may find yourself making a living doing something in which you have no passion for, but it pays the bills. Think of it like this, if I may? If, money were no object, list five things that you would spend your time on throughout the course of the week, even if, you weren't getting paid for it. You're doing those five things, simply because you have an interest in them and you would do it, if , time allowed, money allowed, family allowed, you can fill in the blanks here.


Now, take one, two or three of those five things and find people who are looking for those one, two or three things and find a way to fulfill their needs. It may take some research and time on your part, but in the long run, it will be research and time, well spent. There is no greater feeling than satisfying your innermost dream, and that is to stand on your own ambitions while giving the people what they want. We may not have total control over our destiny, but we are still the captains of our lives. Energy prices will be whatever demand, supply and externalities (things that we can only faintly predict) state them to be. So, I restate the question and feel free to leave your comments. Has the American economy failed us? Our best defense against the rising cost of living is simply to do things that add to our bottom line or add value to our lives, and that of our family. Without family, none of this makes any sense, so for those of you with a family, thank them for their support each day, because any day above ground, is a great day! Until next time, savour life.


"Some say too broke to pay attention, well I say, the reason I'm broke is because I wasn't paying attention."
Curthom

America & Its Leaning Pedestal

America, held on a pedestal by many in the world as the one place, whereby, if you are starting fresh with absolutely nothing, in time with some hard work and persistence, you can get what you need and if your are willing to work even harder than the next person, over time still, you'll get what you want.

What happens when you take this premise of America and you apply it to the Internet? Will you get what you need ? Will you get what you want. What would happen if we replaced working harder with working smarter? Well, it's questions like these that would have you thinking like a Entrepreneur and that's the first step in making a living online and that is to change your thinking, and in time you will note that your actions towards things change also. If, you invest in yourself everyday, be it learning how to add value to that which you cherish, in time you will harvest the abundance of your net worth. Try to learn something new, if not everyday, at least once a week and share it with others. They will appreciate it and you will feel good about having to share, because there is enough abundance for everyone. Let the journey begin with each post and with each comment and with each question.

America, love or hate it, you have to respect the fact that it has one of the most robust markets of all markets in the world. While there are many countries whose growth rates in manufacturing is greater, than the U.S., few of them have a seamless transaction market where goods and services are exchanged with few problems arising. After all, America is an economic model that pride itself on Capitalism, where things are provided for the benefit of the consumer, which begs the question, what is the lifeblood of a capitalist society? If, you answered that the lifeblood of a capitalist society is consumption, you "hit the nail right on the head." If it weren't for those willing to provide the goods and services, they would be little to consume and America, would be what it is to so many. So, if the Internet makes it easy for everyone anywhere in the world to participate in this consumption, or in this providing of goods and services. The question comes to mind, Is the Internet a capitalist medium? Feel free to lend your comments.

What Is A Million Dollars?

Welcome to The Wake Up Profits Blog!

Like so many of us who set out to make our fortune, but are delayed in attaining it because of things like life going on, here is the end all destination where I and others will share what has worked for us in our quest for prosperity। What is a million dollars, but one dollar earned one million times, or one thousand dollars earned one thousand times, whichever one is easier for you to wrap your head around it.

A fact that many of us fail to realize is that over a span of 40 or so years of working, averaging $25,000 a year, we all have earned a million dollars. The challenge for most of us is how much of that million have we managed to save, invest and appreciate, so that when we are ready to stop working, hopefully by whatever age we chose to retire, there is enough there to have a comfortable retirement. It would be easy if we are clueless about this one essential fact, but it is doable if we take the time to learn what most of the wealthy have know all alone. You either have to earn more from your personal efforts, from your leverage efforts with others or get pretty darn lucky and win the lottery or inherit it, otherwise, welcome to the reality that your money is going to have to work as hard or harder than you do. Believe me, you won't be alone in trying to live smart and invest smart, so that you can wake up profits beyond your daily needs. here is a good place to start and we welcome your comments and questions as we walk this path together.