When I Snap My Fingers You Will Wake Up Feeling Refreshed And Will Want A New Cell Phone



I’ve had the same cell phone for the last seven years. Does that sound crazy? I won’t buy a new one because I only bought it after my car died on the 101 freeway one night on my way to an engagement party. I was stuck, totally dependent on the kindness of a stranger. After that incident, I decided, for emergency purposes, it would be best if carried one.

The graphics on my phone are clearly outdated. The once metallic looking gadget is now paint-chipped revealing it’s plastic makeup. The flip keyboard is still very cool to me. Super convenient for texting. And of course, it’s prepaid. There have been quite a few folks to voice their opinion about how prepaid phones are a complete waste of money. For most, it most likely is, but for me, since I don’t hand out my number like candy, it’s not really an issue.

I can’t help but take note of all the new phones that are out. Maybe it’s just my imagination but it seems like a new phone model comes out every couple of days. Quite fascinating. The concept of so many cell phone choices was particularly intriguing while I attended a workshop this weekend and during the 20 minute break, noticed about half the attendees there, separating from the pack like scattered electrons, cell phones plastered to their ears.

The next evening I watched Suze Orman blast an aspiring actress of 30 who was $32,000 in debt, claiming banks were unjustly raising the minimum balance and she could not afford to make the required payments. Keep in mind that this woman also put a $4,000 trip to Germany on one of her credit cards. Sitting there watching the financial banter, I wondered if she owned an iphone, or maybe a Samsung Rogue. Suze suggested the teary actress declare bankruptcy, because she was about to drown in her own debt.

I work really hard for my money, just as most people do, and there are a lot of
things that I expect to accomplish. In all actuality, I probably could use a new phone, and I’ll get one, right after I pay off the last of my credit card debt and get settled into my new place (that I haven’t bought yet). The distraction of shiny sparkly new gadgets, to me, reminds me of so many distractions that keep us complacent and entranced in the frivolous drivel and trinkets that bombard our daily living. It sounds very cliché but, I’m waging war against the machine – determined to take back my own mind …and wallet.

Action: Read Mind Programming: From Persuasion and Brainwashing, to Self-Help and Practical Metaphysics by Eldon Taylor

It's been awhile, I know. But rest assured, I have not been sitting on my hands. I've been writing like a mad-wrighter trying to submit into various competitions (so far I've submitted to 16 since April).

Although I've been checking and re-checking my expenses since I left the nest, this recession has me scouring my brain and the internet for more ways to save and leverage my money. Just when I think I've mastered my budget, KERPLUNK. My car starts coughing and asks for a pen to write it's last will and testament. So what did I do? In July, I took advantage of the CARS Program (Cash for Clunkers) and buy a brand new car. Everyone asks if I'm excited about my sparkling new ride - it's the first new car I've ever owned. But right now all I see is a crinkle in my budget. My excitement is snuffed out by a car payment I didn't want.

As folks say, it is what it is. At least I have reliable transportation. So it's back to the drawing board...searching for more ways to maximize by budget without touching the plastic. Today, while reading my favorite newsletter, Early To Rise, I came across this short essay by Michael Masterson, a celebrated business guru. His message is not profound, but it's more like a cool breeze in a stuffy room. With all the mass manipulation, it's nice to be reminded that sound logic is not crazy.

More from Masterson...
Since When Is Saving Money a Bad Thing?
The recession is turning Americans into penny pinchers. Seven out of 10 of us are cutting expenses, a Gallup poll says. And we spend only 86 percent of what we used to.

Just about every mainstream publication I read -- including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times -- says this is a bad thing. But they are wrong.

The point they make is that if Americans cut back on spending and save more, new cars will stay on lots. Contractors will lose jobs. Lawn services will be let go. And stores will go out of business.

So what's wrong with that?

The fundamental reason for the financial mess we are in is that we have been spending more money than we have. Consumers have been doing it. Businesses have been doing it. And the banks and institutions that hold our money have been gambling it away.

The press wants us to believe that trillions of dollars have mysteriously disappeared from our economy because of this lack of spending. But that wealth never existed in the first place. It was an accounting fraud. The land, the buildings, the machinery, and our human capital, however, do still exist.

When your business is losing money, you cut expenses and work harder. When families run over their budgets, they do the same thing. So why should it be different with an economy? It's not.

Spending more now will only make things worse. But if you take care of yourself, you will be doing more for the economy than the government could ever do.

So work more. Save more. Take on an extra job. Start a side business. And spend less money.