Over the weekend, I came across a a short video I wanted to share with you and get your opinion. The clip is from the HBO show “Bill Maher Live”.  As I watched, it made me reflect to why I think about money the way I do. As you listen to the panel discuss the Middle Class of America, take note of your feelings and then share them in the comments section below. Later, (after the break), I will share with you my personally thoughts.

Enjoy!!

Happy Monday

            

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For the last 30 years, hip-hop culture has played a major role in shaping my life.  I have actively participated in its original five elements (clothes, language, graffiti, music and dance) while admirably watching it grow into a world economic powerhouse.  Being that I grew up in New York City in the 70’s and 80’s and remember when hip-hop was “just a local thing us New York City kids did”, sometimes I can’t help to feel like a proud parent whose watched their kid grow from a new born infant to a respected citizen of the world.

One of the elements I believe hip-hop should be noted for is the evolution of the urban “hustle”. The “hustle” was mostly about doing what one could do to create a cash flow. Whether it was selling CDs on the street corner, or opening upa sneaker store, or creating and managing a local hip-hop group, this thing we now call hip-hop, helped form a nation of entrepreneurs and high ranking professionals.

The ideal of rebellion is deep rooted in hip-hop.  Breaking the rules and a “F**k the system” attitude is what propelled many Urban Americans into the higher education and economic status.  We were not supposed to win with the cards we were dealt.  Call it arrogance, defiant, or whatever. I call it American.  For middle class Americans who aspire to be rich, it’s imperative (Read More…)

            

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For years I have been using the personal finance software, “Quicken Home and Business”.  Since I started blogging, I have been looking into other software and how they all compare.  In the next few days I will be posting a review of some of the top personal finance software that’s being marketed  and “not” marketed today.  Until then I wanted to share with you some information I have found on the topic of personal finance software.

Top 5 Personal Finance Software That Helps to Save Money | Bank …

For millions of Americans struggling to cope with their financial activities, personal finance software such as Microsoft’s Quicken can be an easy and.

Personal Finance Software: Reviewing Pocketsmith | Financial Highway

Personal finance softwares can help individuals with their finances. There are many personal finance softwares available, not many (Read More…)

            

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Over the weekend, a close friend of mine who lives in Washington D.C. was telling me about an article in the Sunday’s Washington Post.  The title of the article is, “The Art of Letting Employees Go”. It takes an inside look at an outplacement firm and even pulls back the curtain for us to examine some of it’s vice presidents, Kim Hall’s, daily duties.

According to the article,

“…[the firm]…coaches businesses on how to execute mass downsizings and often visits companies on the designated day to help coordinate a layoff. Then… [it]… speaks to the newly unemployed within 30 minutes of their dismissal and offers tips on how to begin a job search. …comforts those who cry and commiserates with those who vent. [It]… does this, sometimes, with 20 despondent people each day. It is a misery so numbingly constant that (Read More…)

            

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I found some interesting celebrity gossip I wanted to share with you this Friday. Paula gets dumped. Oprah gets sued. Puff Daddy introduces his new group. These stories are very entertaining but mostly show the evolution of success and money.  Steady financial elevation comes with hardship, bumps  and opposition.  Just because we have the right to become rich doesn’t  mean we will and once we get there doesn’t mean we will stay there. We still have to work at staying.

But like I always say, “what else is there to do?”

Paula Backed Out Of Idol Due To $alary Dispute!!! | Dirtywood …

The source adds that “Poor Paula has been having daily meltdowns over the negotiations and has been left feeling hurt and abandoned by her Idol colleagues.” We’ll miss you Paula. Just don’t hit the bottle, hun! …

Hollywood 911: Learning from Celebrity Money Mistakes | The Best …

I found this post in May of this year. I bookmarked it because I thought it was interesting…

Hollywood 911: Learning from Celebrity Money Mistakes. 31 May 2009. Written by Carrie Addington. As turbulent economic times continue to influence our financial strategies, you can turn to financial experts such as CNN’s Clark Howard or …

Oprah Winfrey sued for all her money | Black Gossip, Celebrity …

Celebrity News and Gossip. … Black Gossip, Celebrity Urban Entertainment, Hip Hop Hollywood News – JohnJohnSaidIt.com … Oprah Winfrey sued for all her money. Posted August 6, 2009 by JJSaidIt Staff …

[VIDEO] Diddy Officially Introduces His New Group “Dirty Money …

Diddy recently posted a video on his official YouTube page introducing his new group Dirty Money. The group, which consists of former Danity Kane member Dawn, a new singer named Kalenna and the Bad Boy head honcho himself, …

See you on Monday.

            

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The other day I got an email from one of my closest friends and fellow bloggers, J. Sakiya Sandifer (www.thethinkmovement.com). The email subject line: “I thought you would get a kick out of this”. I love getting these types of emails from people who really know me. I can always expect to laugh or be inspired as only I can (I have a very unique sense of humor).

The email had a link to a YouTube video of Michael Jordan, who happens to be one of my heroes and one of the greatest basketball players to ever touch a basketball. Anyway, the video is shot at one of MJ’s adult basketball camps called Senior Flight School. It’s a basketball camp for adults over 35 years old that Jordan and a host of other Hall Of Fame coaches meet, greet, compete and teach with for about 3 days. (Read More…)

            

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A few years ago, I wrote a special report for a client that explained the traits needed to become successful within his market. I re-wrote it, and abbreviated it for this blog I renamed it “The 7 Little Known But Powerful Skills of Building Wealth.

Saturday I came across an article in the NY Times that hit “dead on” skill #3 of that post, The Principle Of Association.

Zhao Danyang, a Chinese businessman paid a whopping $2.1 million dollars to have lunch with Warren Buffet. According to Forbes Magazine, in 2008, Buffet worth $62 billion dethroned Bill Gates of Microsoft as the richest man in the world.

2.1 million dollars for a lunch seems pretty steep at first. But here’s what the Chinese businessman, says: (Read More…)

            

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If you are like me, the older you get the more you think of death. Not just death. But also what death means in life. Michael Jackson’s death makes me wonder, “What were his last thoughts?” Of course we could never know, but we could put ourselves in that place…our final moments, right before we clock out to meet the “head dude in charge”.

For me, my brain goes through a “life check list”.

a) Did I do what I set out to do?

B ) Are all my ducks lined up to leave my legacy intact?

As I read, and watch the recent reports of Michael Jackson, these are the top of mind questions that most are having… (Read More…)

            

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As I write this post I’m in total shock and saddened. Michael Jackson is dead. I can’t believe it. Throughout my years, I have always thought about where I would be when I got the news of certain people dying; my parents, loved ones and a handful of inspirational icons. Not just any icons. But the ones which shaped my life, helped me dream and pursue seemly unimaginable possibilities as an African American male living in America. Michael was such an Icon for me.

 Judging by his international fame, he was something for all of his fans. But for me, and many Middle Americans, his journey is the true definition of the American Dream. Many don’t relate to his humble beginnings in Gary, Indiana, (a predominately African American community 25 miles outside of Chicago, Ill). But I do. For many African Americans who grew up in Urban America in the late 1960’s and 1970’s, the Jackson 5 story was our story. Not only did we listen, appreciate and dance to their music; we latched onto their dream and through our imagination we piggybacked towards success with them. When you watched Michael and the Jackson 5 sing, you imagined it was you. You dreamed that could be you one day…  See if you can remember the feeling as you watch this video… (Read More…)

            

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