Archive for February 2011

Lost It All

I recently listened to a keynote speech delivered by Dr. Kevin Elko.

He made a passing statement that really caught my attention.   In fact, three days after hearing it, I am still thinking about it and have even dreamed about it!

Here is the statement:

“If you lost everything you had today and got it back tomorrow, tomorrow would be the greatest day of your life!”

THAT is so true!   We can get so focused on what we do not have that we totally forget what we do have!

It has really challenged me to continually align my focus on being thankful for what I do have.   I hope it does the same for you!

Read recent posts

GENEROSITY – CONTAGIOUS

I was the recipient of an extremely generous gift today.   I’m blown away.   This person did not know me.   This person did not have any reason to bless me.   Yet, they blessed me tremendously.

They did, however, care enough to ask how I was doing.   From there, an act of spontaneous generosity happened.   And I had the joy of being the recipient.

Have you ever been there?   Blessed because someone cared enough ask and then did something about it.

I’m sure you’re wondering what the blessing was.   Click HERE to see what it was and then read the rest …

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It was a cup of herbal mint tea with two doses of honey.

You see, I spoke for 10 hours straight on Wednesday at First Christian Church in Owasso, OK (an INCREDIBLE church!) and my voice was impacted greatly.   To the point that I woke up Thursday morning with hardly any voice.   I whispered my order of Pike’s Place Coffee (no room for cream or sugar), and yes, please make it a Grande.   The young lady taking my order asked how I was doing, and I said (whispered), “I wish my voice would return!”

Immediately, she said that I needed to try this special tea with honey in it.   It was an herbal mint tea with two doses of honey.     And the tea REALLY HELPED MY VOICE!!!   Her spontaneous act of generosity BLESSED ME GREATLY and humbled me at the same time.

When was the last time you blessed someone?   After all, that’s why you want to win with your money, right?   To bless others and fund your dreams and the hopes of others?   There is nothing greater than giving.

Read recent posts

Financial Infidelity

As a financial teacher, I am seeing an issue that is extremely alarming: Financial Infidelity

According to Investopedia, financial fidelity is defined as “when couples with combined finances lie to each other about money. For example, one partner may hide significant debts in a separate account while the other partner is unaware. Another common example is when one partner makes large discretionary expenditures without discussing the matter with their partner.”

It happens more than you think …

It all starts out so innocently.   “I will use this credit card just this once to pay the bills, but I won’t tell my spouse because she is so stressed anyway.”   Fast forward two years, and there is a hidden credit card with a $20,000 balance.   Or a $480,000 balance.   I’ve seen both.   And the spouse did not know about either.

I’ve heard people explain how their financial infidelity occurred.   Common reasons are:

  • I pay the bills, and I just could not say no to my spouse – even though we did not have enough money.
  • I wanted to protect my spouse – they were under so much stress from their work anyway.
  • My spouse won’t ever allow any fun or any of my hobbies into the budget, so this was the only way I could make that happen.
  • I earned the money so I deserved to spend it how I wanted to.
  • My spouse is HORRIBLE with money, so I had to keep the savings account secret or else it would have been spent!

If you are making huge financial decisions without telling your spouse, it needs to be addressed.   It will not get better on its own.   The credit card will not be paid off before it’s discovered.

One thing I know is this: spouses who have experienced financial infidelity describe feelings very similar to marital infidelity.   Hurt.   Confusion.   Anger.   Frustration.   Sadness.   Betrayal.

Make it right.

Read recent posts

SERIES: Why I Do What I Do – Part 4 – Need

Welcome to the latest series on JosephSangl.com – Why I Do What I Do

In this series, I am going to share with you WHY I have chosen to invest my life, time, and effort into this crusade to help people accomplish far more than they ever thought possible with their personal finances.

Part Four Need

Let me ask you two questions:

  1. How many classes on money management did you have while in school?
  2. Did your parents actively teach how to manage money?

For the vast majority of people, the answers are “ZERO” and “NO”.   Sure, we may have heard someone say, “Spend less than you make”, but most of us were not taught the PRACTICAL 1-2-3, a-b-c methods necessary to win with money.   There is a tremendous need for practical financial teaching.   I submit as my evidence:

  • US National Debt is over $14.1 trillion
  • 2011 Bankruptcies: 1,641,250
  • Inordinate STRESS about money
  • DIVORCE over money (repeatedly the top reason given for divorce)

Even more importantly, there are not enough teachers out there helping people learn how to manage their money in a way that helps them achieve their plans, hopes, and dreams.   I decided to do something about it.   It’s why I do what I do!   Our team can’t sit idly by the wayside HOPING that people are being taught.

It is why I believe that this crusade to help people win with their money has completely exploded!   People desperately want and need help.   It is why I have developed resources to help YOU teach others too!   The DVD-based I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. Group Study is the perfect tool to teach people in your church, workplace, or community group!   In fact, we have a special bundle package called “Start Your Group NOW!” that includes materials for ten families and a leadership kit.

We LOVE helping others teach others.   If you are interested in starting a group, check out the group study links to learn more – and then call us [864] 332-4151 or email us joe@iwbnin.com and we’ll help you get started!

Read the entire series (available after 2/20/2011)

Read recent posts

SERIES: Why I Do What I Do – Part 3 – Belief

Welcome to the latest series on JosephSangl.com – Why I Do What I Do

In this series, I am going to share with you WHY I have chosen to invest my life, time, and effort into this crusade to help people accomplish far more than they ever thought possible with their personal finances.

Part Three Belief

I BELIEVE that people can win with their money!   Not just some people – ALL people!   I believe that when the fundamental rule of INCOME – OUTGO = EXACTLY ZERO (It’s EZ!) is applied to one’s financial situation, it can help people truly understand their true financial situation and enables them to take their next steps.

I reject the fact that some people will always be poor.   I reject the belief that generational poverty must continue on and on and on.

The tools work.   Preparing a plan and following it will change a person’s life!   When there is GIVING, SAVING, and SPENDING in a plan, financial freedom is on its way.   When a person begins winning with their money, it leads to tremendous financial confidence which equips individuals to take calculated risks that can lead to even more success.

I believe in people so much that I included the following phrase at the end of every chapter of I Was Broke. Now I’m Not. – Pssst – I believe in you!

Read the entire series (available after 2/20/2011)

Read recent posts