Homemade Toothpaste!

We have been going through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. In an effort to make my "Wal-Mart/Target" envelope money go further, I've been researching what I can make myself for cheaper than I can get at the store. Not only did I find out that toothpaste is much cheaper to make, but it's actually safer! Apparently, fluoride isn't a great ingredient to brush our teeth with!

This morning I made my own toothpaste! This video calls for oil of peppermint. If you're using peppermint extract, you're going to need a whole lot more than a drop...otherwise it tastes terrible!! I'm excited about my newfound Dave-Ramsey-approving, safe-teeth-cleaning, Zach-Galifianakis-endorsed (not really), toothpaste.

Who's Listening?

Public speaking is a beast. If you do it on any kind of regular basis, it can be provide thrilling highs and disappointing lows.

As a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, I am on the Elder Services Committee. First Fridays for Seniors is a monthly event designed to educate and inform the aging population and their caregivers about services available to them in Rankin County, Mississippi.

Today, I had the opportunity to educate the attendees of First Fridays about Reliv! I used my notes from a talk I did last year. During the talk, I was admittedly nervous, and had thought after I was done that there would be little interest. I could tell there was at least one or two who were tracking with me and giving me feedback via their body language.

After the talk, I was encouraged that those who evidenced curiosity approached me with feedback. But I was pleasantly surprised that some who seemed to be looking right through me also wanted more information. It was very exciting to have caught the attention of those that seemed to only be feigning interest.

Organization and preparation are key to public speaking. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will be. The more organized you are, the clearer you will be. Mix these 2 ingredients together and you never know who might be listening!

Cover Your Assets

Did you know you can spend money to make money? If you didn’t, you’re probably spending money to spend money. The difference in those two ideas is the difference between an asset and a liability.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki, may be over 10 years old now, but his concepts are timeless. What separated Rich Dad from Poor Dad? Financial intelligence. Kiyosaki’s underlying principle is that financial education is paramount to building wealth. Seems simple, right? It is actually. The problem lies in where the financial education originates.

Where are we being taught about money and how it works? Our school systems? At home? By credit card companies and high-interest marketing strategies? Kiyosaki rightly says that “money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.” It doesn’t matter that someone makes $300.000 a year. If he is financially illiterate, then wealth constantly eludes him. Money doesn’t solve problems; intelligence solves problems – and makes money.

Kiyosaki provides six helpful lessons, but understanding one concept can begin to establish that financial intelligence. *Know the difference between an asset and a liability and buy assets.* The definition of an asset is anything that generates income.

Does your car generate income? I don’t mean does your car get you to your job – I mean does the actual existence of your car generate income. No. In fact, the existence of your car generates expenses. You must spend money to put gas in the car and keep it maintained and insure it. Therefore, your car is a liability.

Assets can come in many different forms, but Kiyosaki often uses real estate. Owning a rental property (with tenants, of course), generates income and builds wealth. Those tenants are paying the mortgage on a home that can later be sold or that continue to generate the revenue of the rent paid. However, your own home is not an asset but a liability because again, you must pay money to heat it, cool it, light it, fix it, insure it, etc. And don’t confuse equity with asset.

Kiyosaki’s advice can be summed up in 3 points. Know the difference between an asset and a liability. Then, learn to recognize an asset when it presents itself. And finally, take action. The well-educated will be able to capitalize on opportunity whereas the uneducated will not be able to even recognize the opportunity.

If you spend money to make money, you’ll be well on your way to establishing – and maintaining – wealth.

Anastasia has not only taken to sitting in big people seats, she is also getting pretty good at feeding herself. Of course, I make the oatmeal a little more sticky to help her out some.

Check Your Crust

Oreo Cheesecake is not Oreo Cheesecake unless the crust is crushed Oreo wafers.

I had a slice of “Oreo Cheesecake” at a respected Jackson establishment (that will go unnamed). I took my first bite and it didn’t taste as I had expected – not enough Oreo flavor. It wasn’t until the second bite that I realized that it had a graham cracker crust!

Don’t get me wrong – a graham cracker crust on almost any other type of cheesecake is not only preferable but expected. Not so with Oreo Cheesecake.

So, before you cheesecake-up, check your crust.

Chipping away at Chocolate Chunk

I've long since thought Chocolate Chunk granola bars aren't anything to write home about. Tonight I made some break-and-bake Chocolate Chunk cookies and realized this reality is not unique to granola bars. Chocolate Chip cookies, granola bars, etc. are far superior to the Chocolate Chunk variety. And let me tell you why.

While the actual pieces of chocolate may be bigger in Chocolate Chunk goodies, there are fewer total pieces. Yet in Chocolate Chip treats the pieces may be smaller but there are a larger number of them to be dispersed throughout the item. When I eat a Chocolate Chip cookie, I get what I want - chocolate in every bite. You're not as likely to be afforded that luxury with Chocolate Chunk.

So, to spare you the chocolate-less bites: chunk the Chocolate Chunk.

The Radio Shopping Show

The Radio Shopping Show is a great way to find deals in the Jackson area! It can be found on 1400 AM WJQS in the Jackson metro area four (non consecutive) hours a day - 9-11, 12-1, and 3-5.

These are the deals I've found: a $25 gift certificate to Fleet Feet for $12.50, a $20 gift certificate to the Sunglasses Shop for $6, a round of golf in Brandon for $3.50, a $60 massage for $8, Cold Stone, Maggie Moo's, Planet Smoothie, and (this may be my favorite), a membership to the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce for $30!

The Radio Shopping Show works on the barter system. Advertisers offer gift certificates, products and services at no cost to the show in exchange for the advertising. So, The Radio Shopping Show profits what they sell the goods and services for and the advertisers have the on-air exposure. There are several "rules" in place that prevent callers from taking advantage of advertisers. For example, you can only purchase one certificate per 30 days per merchant. Ie, you can't call up The Radio Shopping Show and buy all the Chik-fil-A certificates they have available.

It's worth checking out the Shopper's Guide online. This lists all the merchants and the product or services they offer. But you do have to actually call the show during show hours to purchase. Click on The Radio Shopping Show image above to go to the website. Happy listening!