Showing posts with label 04. Gen. Bus. Knowledge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 04. Gen. Bus. Knowledge. Show all posts

Monday, March 7, 2011

The Importance of History

Everything that is in our minds die when we die. Whatever is left of our thoughts, either from the written word, memories of those still living, indirect evidence from clues we left behind, those are the stuff of history. History is the shared knowledge of real people great and small that came before.

Knowledge is power.

Donald Trump writes:

Give some thought to your roots and why you're doing whatever it is you're doing today. It's a good way to start thinking for yourself - and it's likely no one else but you will come up with the right answers.

- from page 84.

Friday, May 7, 2010

How Many Books to Read?

The number of books on personal financial planning, business success, and personal growth are overwhelming. The number of blogs and websites are even worse. Worst of all, many of them contradict one another. I'm a CPA with years of experience and even I am overwhelmed by the volume of the literature.

I suggest not reading too many books. Yes, I know that this seems to contradict the output of this blog but if you notice, major authors are not here. I like to read this stuff because it's fun and interesting as well as rewarding. You don't have to.

The most important thing about having a plan is that you have one. It may not be the best one but as long as it's not really bad, you're better off following one than going through life aimlessly.

I suggest that everyone gets just one book and reads it thoroughly. Know it inside and out. You'll be better off than having a library of books which you know only in passing.

Monday, March 22, 2010

The Problem of Financial Education

Both men believe that much of the economic problems the middle class and the poor face is caused by lack of financial education. In another book, Robert said that one has to know how to earn money before one can know how to spend money. He cited that as the reason that many lottery winners are unable to keep the fortunes that they won.

I think that this is a reason that the economy is the way it is. People listen to politicians who make no sense because they do not know better.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Review: Rich Dad, Poor Dad

One can go far just from reading from Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad series. The series takes its name from this first book. RK writes down to the reader so that anybody can understand what he’s saying. Since he illustrates his teaching with abundant stories, there’s a lot of fluff to someone like me. I just want the meat and go on. Here’s my summary of the book.

Introductory material says he has two fathers. His real father was poor but a boyhood friend’s father mentored him in the mysteries of finance. His stories contrast what ordinary people think (Poor Dad) versus what rich people think (Rich Dad).

Rich people don’t work for their money; they have their money work for them. In other words, passive income.

Assets are things that earn you money. If a thing costs you money each month instead of earning you money, it is a liability, not an asset. For example, you personal home is a liability, a necessary liability true but still a liability. If you rent a part of it out then that part becomes an asset.

Rich people own their own businesses. They may have a job but they have some income-producing activity on the side. Exception: top executives at major corporations.

Corporations reduce taxes. I got a lesson in that recently. I’ve got to start my own, even though I’m not rich and happy working for other CPA’s.

Use jobs as learning experience. Sales is a particular experience that you need. That is why he recommends Direct Marketing, if only to learn how to sell. The biggest problem there is fear of rejection and that can only be learned by doing.

There’s more but that’s what I got out of the book. The next book in the series is The Cash Flow Quadrant.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Passive Income


Rich people generate passive income. This means that money comes in from some business or property without them actively working on it.

There is only so much that one person can do; hence only so much money he can earn from his own activity. Real money comes from multiple activities, hence Kiyosaki's emphasis on passive income.

Now how can I get me some of that?