Ideas on How To Become Rich - The Dividends Issue

Ideas on How To Become Rich - The Dividends Issue

I was surfing the net when I came across an investment blog dedicated to helping people learn about investing based entirely upon dividends. The author was arguing that one way of getting rich - definitely getting rich - was by having dividends accrue over time. He seemed to be arguing also that capital gains cannot be relied upon because of the famous EMH (if you didn't know what that was, it's the very famous and very falsified Efficient Market Hypothesis). I must say that I have a more than passing interest in the subject of investment, so here I am to give some opinions on dividend investing.

Can investing in dividend paying companies really make one rich? 

The investment literature is divided on this one, with some arguing yes and some saying no, so let's not look at that.

Let's look at the logic.

If dividends were 10% a year, and one merely reinvested dividends year after year in companies that paid the same percentage of dividends, this would be one great idea. It's definitely workable in investment theory.

But this assumes that inflation is low, taxes on the dividends are low or nonexistent, and certainly alsoassumes that you can always find companies that pay 10% dividend. I am a sporting person and would be willing to say that this is not possible (to consistently find high paying dividend stocks). In fact, it is hard enough as it is finding companies that pay dividends consistently. 

Aha, some people say, in investment you can always find companies that have consistently paid dividends over the years. Some call them dividend kings, others call them aristocrats of the stock market, others call them Coca Cola, bla bla bla. Yes, that seems workable and that seems true. 

But the issue is that if they are that reliable and always pay dividends, then the stock price would most likely reflect this.... which means that their payout rate has to be low, i.e. less than 5%, say 3-4%? The prices would reflect this high dividend payout. The rest is purely mathematical, with higher prices meaning that even high payouts have a low percentage return.

I have no reliable statistics on this. One Singaporean stock market site goes 8% in the long term but remember this is driving by the rear view mirror. As my favourite investor Buffet says, if all there was to stock picking is past performance, then the best investors would be librarians! Something like that; I am paraphrasing from memory and from impression.

So.... I'd say that dividends can make you have a regular income, and can discipline savings. Those are good things. This is because you regularly get a paycheck and you can be disciplined enough to reinvest and reinvest your dividends, in order to get compounding to work for you. Those are indeed good things.

BUT it is highly unlikely that a pure dividend investment strategy would work. Perhaps one can try a growth strategy that also pays minimal dividends.... you would be happy to wait for the growth whilst holding on to at least some small returns. A mixed investment strategy would definitely pay off better in the search to become rich rather than a fixation on dividend paying stocks.

This investment topic is quite complicated, so I will come back to it in a second post, on why dividend stocks may not grow as fast as growth stocks. Stay here with me; thanks for reading and cheers!

Ideas on how to become rich - today's topic: dividends

Ideas on How To Become Rich - Using Social Media and Youtube to Make Money?

Ideas on How To Become Rich - Using Social Media and Youtube to Make Money?

It wouldn't be much of an exaggeration to say that social media, such as facebook and youtube, have become a major part of our lives. Many people use social media to communicate with their friends, and to connect with other people. So, when I was watching a youtube video today, posted by some innovative chaps, I thought to myself - hey, that's an idea on how to make money! The question is: can the average Joe really use social media to make money and become rich?

The answer, or the problem, is that to make money using social media, it isn't that difficult; but to become rich, that's a whole different matter.

You see, to make money using social media, such as facebook and youtube, the main idea is to post some unique video or message or photos, and then put up advertisements. I will cite some examples: first, there are many individuals who post up a series of video blogs on youtube and then post up advertisements on those vlogs. They make money using economies of scale this way, when people view their sites. Second, there are many pretty girls who post up extremely erm - let's say tantalising - pictures of themselves on social media sites and then put up links to videos, blogs, vlogs and other such materials. They can make money too.

However, the best trending idea right now to become really rich is still to build a social networking site. It's true. Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is a good example. So the real money to be made is not in the small time posting of nice pictures or the extensive use of advertisements on social media, because of time, labour and creativity constraints. The true money is still to be made in the construction of the networking site, such as facebook and youtube, in the first case. To become rich in the world of internet connections and networking, it's better to own the network than it is to use the network to make money, but it's certainly better to use the network to make money than it is just to use social media for purely communicative purposes.

Thanks for reading and cheers!

Ideas on How to Become Rich!

PS I haven't been posting much, so I am back to remedy this issue! :) Haha.

Ideas on How to Become Rich - be the scavenger in the business

Ideas on How to Become Rich - be the scavenger in the business

Hi good day folks! It has been a long time since I last blogged here on Ideas on How to Become Rich. I was busy making money through salvaging old stuff and being a scavenger in the business. What does being a scavenger mean?

Oftentimes, people say that you have got to be the first to win, the first to be there to be counted, and to be the first in everything. Well, sometimes being the last or the scavenger is a great idea to becoming rich. The reason is very simple. Lots of people want to make money but have no patience to wait a long time, so they give up halfway, and therefore if you are the next in line, you get the golden pot. You become the scavenger. Ah, how does it work? Let me share some of my insights.

When people rushed into ventures and may make a loss or encounter problems, you come in and be the "angel hero"; you need not spend lots of money to rescue the operations, yet you may reap the end part of the bargain which can sometimes be better than the beginning. Not all businesses end in bankruptcy. Not all businesses end in profits or losses either. Some people just want to give up because they have lost interest or lost the motivation to do the same business or even have other minor reasons that are of no importance. If you are the one who can smell or sense this kind of opportunity, you can jump in at this right moment and rescue the operations by being the "salvaging hero" . In this way you can become rich if you try new ways of running that business or even try to remarket the sale of the "poor" business and make a sum if you are able to play the game right or calculate the sum correctly. Some people call this playing the turnaround game.

Many people lose windows of opportunities around them when they are actually looking for areas or avenues to become rich. Warren Buffet is one such guy who salvages "lousy" businesses and make them turnarounds; he might buy up businesses which are fledging and make them grow. The way to go in becoming rich is to have an open mind, an open heart and an open wallet, in which you keep some spare cash. This is the way to enjoy riches if they come your way.

I am like a scavenger. I do not normally start a business but I may end up owning other people's businesses and becoming rich "incidentally". Some of my scavenger hunts are the following: Once, there was a friend who needed money as he lost money in stocks and shares and needed money, so he had to sell his apartment quickly. I gave him the cash which he badly needed and got a great bargain - a huge discount for that apartment. After some time, I resold the apartment for more than triple the amount. Another "salvaging" incident of jumping onto an opportunity was when a business friend of mine could not get some funds to sell LCD cards which measure the body's temperature and the level of stress. I bought all his cards at a good discount and resold the cards at a reasonably nice price, and lo and behold, I made a bit from this scavenger hunt. My friend got what he needed- the money - and I got profits within a very short time of less than a month. What more can I say?

There are other incidents of profit making situations which are out there. It is up to us to grab the chance and go get it. To become rich is indeed not difficult. It takes guts and the right decision to do it when you may feel afraid. Well, I will continue to share other incidents of profit making situations and share with you ideas on how to become rich in my next post.

Go and find the opportunity. Open your eyes and open your ears. The money may be just right here.

Cheers and good luck hunting

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - how to grow rich in places beyond

Ideas on How to Become Rich - How to grow rich in places beyond..

Hi good day to all my friends. I have not been able to blog due to lots of commitment in motivating people and teaching many of my China friends how to become rich as they have now stumbled on new wealth in their country. Yes, Chinese people in China are getting richer and richer!

The world is now getting very small because of the cheap airline tickets and also the mobility of people all over the world. Even in China, there are all sorts of people from South Africa to India or New Zealanders in a small town in China. So you see, the world is now our oyster as the saying goes. If you are a Caucasian and have a little excess money, it would be good for you to grow rich in Eastern part of the world today . China, India, and many parts of South East Asia are full of opportunities for all of us to invest and grow rich.

Land and real estate in many of these countries are cheap and will grow in due time because the whole world is developing with new technologies, handphone for easy connection and also the access via internet. No where in the world is out of reach for anyone with money to invest.

My Canadian friend Carlos told me that he found a piece of land in Thailand and after staying a few months there, he enquired about the purchase and lo and behold, today he is a proud owner of a large piece of real estate in Thailand , without burning a hole in his pocket. It was dirt cheap and also fertile enough for him to plant a few of his favourite herbs and plants. He can even travel back and forth to Canada because his land is able to yield some of the fruits which he could sell at the market place and also his art works fetch him good prices with tourists and locals. See, what a great decision! Anotherfriend of mine from Scotland found a nice cozy place in Malaysia and is now growing some kind of local fruits as biofuel resource and also home consumption. What a win-win decision!

This year is the year of the Tiger and according to some metaphysicists, it is good to invest in land because land is "earth sign" and it will prosper in the year of Tiger. Shares on construction, buying real estate in cheaper parts of the world and also checking out on some agri-produce may yield good returns because the land is booming all around the world. The property market doom in America in late 2008 and early 2009 has now become a new chance for those with money to hang on and convert their patience into wealth. Only those who are not able to afford will lose out. The rich must become richer and then turn around and help those who need to become rich. This is the cycle of wealth creation...

Well, in life there is always a gamble. No one knows for sure what is going to happen so it is good to "make hay while the sun shines" and also if you have spare cash, do not restrict yourself to your own home country. Explore various places of the world, lots of wealth and money to be reaped if you are decisive and gutsy enough to make good investment decisions. Travel around and see for yourself that the world is no longer a big alien place, it is full of opportunities and connections with easy telecommunications and cheap travel today.

I think some of you may be sitting on goldmines without knowing it. Know your needs; know your desire to become rich and go to places where there are growth opportunities especially in real estate of many developing countries and see your wealth grow....

Think ahead and think big.

Cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - women and money, part two

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Women and Money, part two

Hi folks, the last blog I mentioned about women and money. There is about 10 percent very powerful and rich women among the community folks in every country from America, Britain , China to South Africa. The common traits of these rich and wealthy women are as follows:

a) Believing in themselves as being richer than they thought. These women have in them a kind of "conscious belief" , inspite of discouragement and dampening remarks by other people and of course the manfolks.This belief in themselves is such a powerful force that enables them to act and do the things in the manner that they think they are rich and powerful by upgrading their knowledge, upgrading their daily routine and by ungrading their environment in a slow and steady manner , so much so that the people around them are not aware of such developments until the day comes when they emerge top of the ranks. I know of many such women in our midst, quietly enriching themselves and silently amassing skills and expertise in financial management, investment in the stock market and savings in trust funds and bonds as well as buying insurance with whatever savings they have. In due time,the amount of money becomes so much that they are rich beyond their own understanding. The income flow is somewhat like a pipe and their riches become as the tap, able to flow as and when they need the money. This is the kind of belief and action that come with planning and lots of hardwork in daily working and accumulating the money and wealth.

The other common ground which all the rich and wealthy women share is the way they learn from other powerful and rich successful people. A study of America's top 40 richest people will give you an idea how these people become rich and then you study their behaviour, their spending pattern, their decision-making process and most importantly, their way of handling success and failure. Once you understand the concept of getting there - the way these people become rich, you will have to follow in a wise manner, with your own initiative and flexibility because each one of us is endowed with different perspectives and different journeys. One thing for sure, professional training and help is very vital to being successful and rich. Education is a main bridge in this journey. You cannot avoid training and professional help. Doctors, lawyers, engineers and architects have many long years of training and practice before they make it big. This is the same as women who upgrade while looking after children and undergo training while they are cooking and sewing for their loved ones...

There is no get - rich formula or short cut. There is passion, enthusiasm and hardwork plus lots of tenacity and endurance because in this journey , everyone is a winner if one thinks so. Women who have become rich and powerful, have understood this simple fact while accepting the norms of the society.

In Singapore I have a lot of female friends who are very rich and successful , yet they are great mothers and cooks. They are able to balance life well and enable the community to grow as well. The way to being rich is not just in the physical accumulation of wealth and money, it is also the way of thinking rich in thoughts, deeds and to be generous to those in the community.

Well, go for the professional training which you wanted all the time. Do not proscrastinate because time and tide waits for no one. Every day is a new day for learning and getting rich because 10 cents saved is 10 cents gained. The rich mentors are out there waiting for students to learn to be rich... go, and just do it!

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - women and money

Ideas on How to Become Rich - women and money

Hello and it has been a long time since I last wrote here on Ideas on How to Become Rich because I was away giving talks and earning big bucks in the growing educational and training sectors.

Many women are not savvy with money matters because most of them feel that it is the man who should be handling such things since young. As a result, most of the women I know, are unable to calculate their net worth or their economic value. It is so sad that being the fairer half, the women are not given a fair share of wealth and riches although some manage to secure both on their own terms. Others have problems even balancing household expenditure and giving themselves some gifts once a while.

How do enable women in general to become rich and worthy of their salt. there are some tips which I shared with my participants at a seminar on women and money matters.

Firstly, everyone of us especially woman, must determine your money goals long term and short term. This simply means what do you really want to achieve in monetary terms at the end of 1 year, 2 years or even 5 years. How much wealth are you going to accumulate over the next few years?

Once you have decided on your goal or money target, you have to then examine your resources on hand. Your talents, skills and your expertise are measureable in terms of money because you can transform your skills into something worth in money value ; you also can look at the jewellery you have collected over the last several years (if you have any of these gold, silver or precious stuff) or you have some kind of old furniture or antique passed down by a grand relative etc..

You can convert trash into cash and save the environment at the same time. This way you can have money to use in times of rainy days or emergency situations.

the third step is to curtail your spending urge. Spending is a habit for most women. A lot of them buy things on impulse or want and not really based on needs. They then discard those stuff away or store them in cupboards for a long time collecting cobwebs. So the best thing before you spend money is to check your spending and what are the essentials for weekly or monthly plan. this way you can save quite abit of money which can come in handy later on.Also you can put the bank into some kind of investment ventures to earn interest or dividend.

Another area is to avoid using credit card. This piece of plastic seems harmless but when you use it, it can get out of control and become your master. Many people I know are enslaved by this plastic card. They overspend without knowing as the pain only comes at the end of the month when the bill comes. So, my advice is to avoid using credit card wherever possible.

The next thing is always be prepared for life's unexpected events. Recently iceland volcanic eruption caused the ashes to be flown all over the world stopping the airways and airlines were affected and lost billions of dollars. Many hotel owners quickly gave discounts to the stranded travellers in their countries such as New York, London and major cities. The goodwill shown in this unexpected event will make the tourists remember that country well. Similarly as a woman, it is good to be aware of opportunities in daily mundane events and capitalise on them in case such things happen. I know of a women entrepreneur who was selling trinkets and making very little money. But when the SARS came suddenly in 2003, she quickly changed her strategy and bought lots of gloves, medical supplies which now becomes her trading inventory. She has since become rich and powerful in Singapore. Such ability to look beyond the unexpected events has made her very rich and powerful.

So to be rich and powerful, it takes common sense and lots of alertness for women in general and this applies to men as well. Open your eyes to opportunity, learn to avoid the use of credit card unless it is truly necessary and also set a monetary action plan which must be feasible, measurable and attainable. It is from a small acorn that you get the big oak tree, so start small with little risk investments and save hard and let the money grow into big oak later on...

the ocean is a collection of many little drops of water. So handle your money with your heart and head. It is definitely good for men and women to know money matters well, so that all can become rich in due course and also be prepared to become wealthy when the times come.

Have a meaningful day and save hard.... cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - By Marrying into wealth!

Ideas on How to Become Rich - By marrying into wealth!

Hi friends, I chanced upon an old movie starring Marilyn Monroe about marrying a millionaire. In the past people would laugh at you , thinking you are making a joke. Well, today the world is flooded with lots of millionaires, multi-millionaires and even billionaires not only in America, but in India, thousands and thousands of them, China with a growing number of filthy rich people with lots of spending power and Singapore, Malaysia as well as Indonesia . These rich people have many eligible bachelors and spinsters in their midst.

In America alone, there are hundred of thousands of rich tycoon, multi-millionaires and wealthy landlords and real estate developers with many of them living in big cities like New York, Washington, California and Montana to name a few. In China, Shanghai is a haven for the fithy rich with Hong Kong a close second; and in South East Asia, there are a great number of these "walking wealth" who spend lots of big money buying up premier apartments worth tons of money and shopping in expensive shopping malls around the world.

Like what Marilyn Monroe said, it is good to marry rich because a man being rich is like a girl being pretty... so what you people waiting for , especially those of you in the early twenties and thirties. Go join a rich club to meet the rich, find your way to the functions of rich and wealthy, seek help from friends and relatives who work for the rich and famous.

To get near them, you need strategy. You need hardwork. You need lots of patience and perseverance to get them to like you, to finally marry you. Among the rich and powerful, there are many eligible women too. The world has changed since the world wars. Many women have broken the glass ceiling and are amassing wealth and money because of their intuition and their shrewd business ideas. China and India have lots of such beautiful and talented women who are bathing in gold and riches, and most importantly, many are single!

Read about the rich, their lifestyles and their whereabouts and find out about them. In this way, you can marry into the class of wealth without having to struggle on your own , taking years and years of toil and hardship.

So follow the advice and marry well , really well. It is no longer ridiculous today to marry into wealth. Riches do not fall from heaven, you got to go and smell the ground, walk the roads and join the clubs of the rich and famous. You need bait to catch a fish, so you need to spend some money joining these rich men's clubs and associations so that you can get near wealth.... ah, just go for it and who knows, you may soon be bathing in a bathtub with gold rims and golden taps.

Good luck and cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas ion How to Become Rich - Riches is more than wealth

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Riches is more than wealth or money

Hi folks, how to become rich is not necessarily to become wealthy in money terms, it is also about how you get financial happiness and security to live well and live rich enough for a long long term

What are the ways to secure a financial future and great happiness without fear of having no money?

here are some tips and suggestions for you all to mull about

a) be organised about your financial resources, your expenditure and your sources of revenue - keeping tabs on your balance sheet is crucial for a good record of your financial assets and liabilities. A simple journal or ledger for self keeping is vital for knowing at any one time how wealthy or rich you are.

b)You must set aside at least 5% of your income on savings - no matter what kind so savings, just set aside for your own protection and security

c) Protect your family by ensuring your family members have savings or investment accounts so that they are protected as well. A small amount each month can go a long way in times of crisis and emergency. Family relationships must be a very part of your life because they are your wealth, they are the true meaning of why we live! Love is greater than money at any time!

d) Try not to use credit card too often. Use cash so that you can keep tab and not overspend. Overspending with credit card is very easy. Many people chalk up lots of bills by using their credit card carelessly. Do not rely on credit card so that you can control your spending

e) Teach your loved ones and friends the value of money and the value of happiness. Also advise them not to spend too. Spend wisely and only on things which are essential , not on things which are of no actual value or merely trying to keep up with the Joneses. Never let others run your lives by trying to match others . What they have is their good luck, what you need is to maintain your lifestyle accordingly like cutting your cloth according to your measure.

Do your best to keep financial goals. What is your financial goals for this year? for the next 3 years? With such goals, you are able to work and concentrate day by day towards your financial freedom. Money makes the world go round only if you have the money to work that way. So keeping aside some money each month systematically and prudenly, you are sure you have a great financial future and a great way to live for a long long time.

Cheers and learn to live rich and happy without having too much ...

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - The branding of success

Ideas on How to Become Rich - The branding of Success

Hi friends, the last few blog pposts on the type of vehicle you take along the path of success and riches has given me new insights on how to become rich. There is another fantastic way to become rich and here it is...

I read about how all the tycoons, moguls and the richest people in the world behave and how to market their products and one of the things I realised after all this research and reading is a common thread--- their branding of success. Branding, branding, branding! 

What is branding of success? Everyone of us carries with us a certain branding effort. It is the way we walk, the way we talk, the way we carry ourselves along life's journey. The rich people knew how to market themselves as brands.

Take for example, Tiger Woods, he may be down these days, but when we are all playing and enjoying life, he was putting out there in the cold from the age of 2 onwards. When we are sipping hot chocolates and doing mundane uninteresting chores not out of our will but out of necessity, these people like Richard Branson and Trump are cracking their heads on how to brand themselves for riches and wealth. How to brand yourself so that people can recognise you instantly?

One of the ways is to join a club where rich people go to. Joining a club or an association is one vital step because you need to invest in yourself and your future by becoming "one of the boys" otherwise you cannot sniff any opportunities for growth and success.

The other thing to brand yourself is to do things which you are really good at. Tiger Woods, golf, Babe Ruth, baseball, Michael Jordan, basketball, Donald Trump , real estate, Sam Walton, provisions, etc.. each one of us has a inherent skill or talent which we must put out front and do it till we shine above others so that people know us. Of course there are potholes and snares, you still have to persist in your relevant area of expertise till you are recognised . It takes patience to hone your skills and talents, it takes time to practice. 10 years is the minimum time to hone a good skill. Durian trees take 15 years to bear good fruit. Oak tree takes a long long time to grow from a small acorn.

The next thing is to get reliable people to market for you. This is important because one man' s effort is limited , so you need a band or a group of marketers to sell for you , to go out there to blow your trumpet.

The last thing is do not do stupid things which destroy you after hard work. Now there are many fallen stars, fall guys because they made stupid mistakes of handling their lives badly. Do not fall for temptation which are plenty. Do not commit self destructive things that will bring sadness to your lives like many rich people who after a while, destroyed what they have earned all their lives.

My sharing tip is that you sell yourself by doing what you really are good at and then get people or friends to help you blow trumpet daily and soon you will become famous and possibly rich and then you can go on to become your own brand of success. Once you are there, money and wealth will come to you in heaps . Just be sure you are patient and persistent enough to hang on there, because to get that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,you definitely need physical and mental strength as well as tenacity.

So go and brand yourself for success and riches will come your way.

Yours truly,

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Set up a budget system

Ideas on How to Become Rich: Set up a budget system

Hi folks, now I want to share about the budget system which you can set up which will enable to become rich because everyone needs a budget even though often times we think it is cumbersome.

The African leaders discussed the issue of financial planning for all of us. To do so, means you need to know what is a budget before you can plan further.

Lots of people give excuses such as budgets are too restrictive; budgets are too complicated; budgets are too hard to follow etc..

Actually a budget is simply a tool that helps you to monitor, achieve and maintain your financial goals. A money system is another word for budget if you do not like budget as a word.

Budgets are really fun to work with; provide you with a sense of direction and also give you long term freedom.

How to set up a budget is a crucial first step.

a) Implement an automatic savings plan. How much you earn per month, set aside a portion, say 10% every month to systematically building wealth;

this sum of money is then put into investment - choose the kind of investment that is suitable to your personality and lifestyle.

b) Plan a debt termination scheme. What I mean is that you should check what are your debts, bills and expenses you incur each month and ensure that you pay off your debts on time to avoid paying interests which are rather high.

c) chart a giving plan too. Give a sum of money to the needy and poor. Even if you are now not very rich, you can still give time, resource or help to others. If you have money, give some to others who need it. I can tell you by experience, the more you give, the more you receive. it is a circular flow of income and wealth.

d) focus on what you do best in your work and hobbies and try to make opportunities to earn extra dollar and at the same time, hone your skills for preparing for bigger things to come.

Well, this is the first thing all of us must do, whether you are an African or an American or a Chinese. Budgeting is a very fundamental step to knowing how much assets you have, how much liability you incur and how to grow money along the way...

Cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - finding the right path

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Finding the right path

Hi folks, I attended a conference just two days ago with some other chief executives together with some leaders from South Africa, and the talks eventually focussed on how to give empowerment and wealth to the people of the land, whether South Africa or Asian country.

The ideas on how to become rich became a central theme in the talks because there are lots of wealth out there, lots of riches out there-- waiting for the right people with the right mindset to come and get them.

In my last blog, I shared about the pathfinder or the path blazer who has to tread on the treacherous roads using horses and animals. Riding narrow pathways to success is hardwork and more hardwork. Some CEos told me that they work a 70-80 hour week. Wow, their passion is tremendous and their energy is enormous..

However there is the wide road that is easy but full of distractions. When the African delegates talked about their compatriots who did not spend time toiling in their fields instead while away their time joining the military rebels hoping for a better pot of gold, their lands become barren lands , wind -blown and sun-burnt. Such distractions caused many people to suffer when all they have to do is find pot of gold right beneath their feet. The tilling of golden corn, the harvesting of cacao and the collecting of long sheaths of wheat at the end of summer are all manifestations of the golden opportunities which they lost in trying to find the easy way out - by joining the rebels without really much cause.

The wide path to success is actually opened to all of us. It is our own fear of becoming rich that frightens us. What we need is to learn the millionaire mindset. Many multimillionaires or billionaires would have told you the same things:

a) spiritual health is vital for your right focus. When you focus on doing well in your field, you must acknowledge that having all the wealth in the world will not make you happy, it is the spiritual path that works for all of us. Finding peace from the higher order by being clear minded that you must be grateful for whatever you have. This spirit of gratitude enables you to focus on expansion of your work. It gives you energy.

The reason why Tiger Woods strayed from his path of success into wayward behaviour is that he thinks he is great; he alone is able to achieve so much.. He became ungrateful so he decided that he had the right to mess with his life. Now he has wasted lots of time rehabilitating while other golfers go on practising their skills. Gratitude is the spiritual path that rich people must take in order to achieve even greater wealth.

b) Priority management is another thing you need to do in this wide path to success. Easy road means you need to prioritise what you really can do and what you are supposed to do to achieve the wealth waiting for you.

Priority managing your life means that you are unlocking and creating new perspectives that will lead to wealth. In the last few decades, you can see the great number of things which are now common objects: handphones, computers, new consumer appliances etc.. these are created by the rich people with great ideas. Riches are part of your creation. You need to prioritise your life so that you have time to think how to become rich. Do not clutter your life with small things, meaningless worries about little expenses, rather asked yourself, what I can do to achieve more money to buy all these stuff.

I know one CEO whose net worth is about $300 million. She told me that she does not worry about spending how much, she wants to know how much she can earn to continue to enjoy this spending.. so she is very generous towards her staff and employees and thus her business continues to grow because her priority is right and her treatment of her workers are right , thus creating more and more wealth for her business and her staff.

The question at the end of each day should be what is productive, positive and will lead me to produce greater wealth -both material and spiritual so that I can empower myself to become rich and others to become wealth too. Wealth shared is riches doubled.

c)riding the right vehicle on this wide road. In narrow paths, you need a sturdy horse and a good co-rider. In the wide path which is open to all, you need to find the right vehicle - it could be a car, a bicycle or even a pair of rollerskates. The idea is to use the right means to enable you to transport from one point to another easily. Plan your route - where to go - what you like to do and what is the fastest way there?

Communicate with others to get things done. Do not do things alone unless you cannot help it. Talk to people and you get inputs for your success. Like Robert Kiyosaki said you should use other people's money, so you should use other people's ideas and renovate them into really your own modified version of invention. Some inventors did not first invent their stuff, they redeveloped other people's ideas which may not be working for them and re-do and re-package into their own and then they succeeded where others failed. This is because of the value-added energy they put into it. So renovate some old ideas or look for old things to repackage and redesign.

The last thing you need to do in this wide road with lots of distractions is to plan well and play smart so that you achieve your financial success and the pot of gold which you are looking for .

The motherhood of success is already established. It is thus up to us to go and grab the wealth - by building up enough passion, compassion and active listening to your guts.

In my next blog I will share in some detail , some of the money- making ideas for poor countries (means poor people who could be rich) which the African delegates shared recently and would want to bring those ideas into fruition so that money is there for everyone. Poverty can be eradicated in this world, if we only believe and overcome our fear of being too rich!

So what are you waiting for?

Just do it!

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Roads to Financial Success

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Roads to financial success continues ...

Hi folks , there are many roads to financial success and riches because everyone of us has different talents and skills. However one of the paths that we should take whether we are gifted in the field of choice or not are the following stuff:

a) we have to pick the right horse or the right resources
b) riding on the horse itself takes time and energy, so be flexible and adjust according
c) have a positive can-do attitude which is vital for riding high because the horse may tilt anytime along the difficult path..

The essence of the horse riding is to ensure you are able to harness onto the saddle and hold on to the reigns so that the horse will not fling you out of his back. The can-do attitude will enable you to be the one in control.

To become rich in whatever you do , you need to be in control, be the one who is the "go-to" - ie the one that people can find easily, you are their person to look for. This always there enables others to see you visually so that whenever there is opportunity, you are there to grab it.

To be rich and powerful, you cannot be the laggard, waiting in the wings, you have to be the go-getter.. the one in front. Of course when you are noticed, you may also get brunts and brickbats, but hang on there - patience is the key to financial success.

The narrow path which only horses and animals can tread is usually a great path because you are the pathfinder, the path blazer. This is important because it means you have the capability to lead.. just be there whenever people need you, and you will be able to lead in any situation.

Give your time - from the front, let people who know you , know that you care, you are there for them. Anyone out there is a customer and is one who may give you the greatest opportunity.

The main idea for becoming rich in this winding path of life is to mount the right horse, get to the front of the queue and be noticed by others - have the go-to availability so that people can come to you and can trust that you will lead them .

This is one of the paths which will make you rich in no time at all. Many rich and famous people start this way, Celebrities most of them start as waiters in restaurants display the above factors of success and thus today many of them are in the front of wealth and financial success.

Today, do something for someone and get noticed for your kindness as well as for your future.. The path of winding road is sometimes the best road to take in your quest for riches and wealth... go giddy-up and goa....

Cheers
Sally Klaus
Ideas on How to Become rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Roads to Financial Success

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Roads to Financial Success -Intro

Hi everyone . It has been sometime since I wrote on my blog. I have been busy lately giving talks on financial independence and how to achieve success in our short stint on earth.

Today I have something to share about some roads to take all of us to financial success and wealth.

Many of us often wonder why there are so many poor people in the world. Don't they go to school? Don't they want to achieve wealth and riches? If only poverty does not exist, then all of us would be very very rich. Unfortunately this disparitybetween the rich and poor is growing and is real in this world because each one of us has different ways of looking at things and different endowment of talents and skills. The worst of all, many people with skills and talents do not put theirs to good use. Instead many squander their talents away or bury them in the deepest part of their lives and go about being poor all their life... sad but true.

They are many ways I mentioned before , to riches and wealth. I was born poor, having to share with lots of other people when I was a child. My dress was a "pass-down" from the elder siblings and my books were old, tattered and torn. Today my children can afford books whichever they want, meals in expensive restaurants and go about in cabs or driven by me, the main chaffeur in the house . However there are many friends whom I know , who are still living from hand to mouth today. They came from the same background as I and yet, today they are still living in slums and wondering what had happened ...

It is true that everyone can be rich. The question is how? The question is also when and what?

Today I will shed some lights on the how to become rich and provide clues to the roads to achieve this greatness and for you to accummulate immense wealth at your own hands slowly but surely.

To acquire riches and power, you can do several things:

a) Dream big and start a business;

b) Take over a successful business - small but growing business

c) Jump onto some rich people's wagon and learn from them till you master the skill or trade;

d) Become a celebrity by winning the American Idol competition or some other contests so that you can acquire fame which leads to wealth;

e) Marry a rich person like what Marilyn Monroe wanted to do

f) Use other people's money if you can - follow Robert Kiyosaki's methods

g) Invent something which is useful and can be used by millions

h) Check out any unused or old farm land which may not be lucrative now but who knows , your land could be the answer to the next alternative source of energy..

i) the last method is the oldest way of all... save all you can from today if you have no other roads to take..

The roads mentioned above may not be suitable to some of us or all of us but it is still good to ponder and think about them because thinking itself will enable our brains to function better - like some Chinese who look at gold fishes everyday and dream of wealth, eventually wealth comes their way because "what the mind can conceive and believe, it can be achieved"!

Why wait, do the dreaming now and then. Then decide which path is suitable to you .. and go forward.

I will share the details of each road or path in my next few blogs because the journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. The ship cannot reach distant and beautiful places without first leaving the dockyard in which it was built...

So be patient and wait for the right timing and take the right road which is comfortable to you to tread it because nothing achieves like success when you accomplished....

Cheers and have a great day

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Living with wealthy thoughts

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Living with wealthy thoughts

Hi, I have been away for sometime and here I am back again to write about ideas on how to become rich. 

Today I would like to share some insights into living with wealthy thoughts. 

This is because there is abundance of wealth in the universe for all of us to gather and use wisely.

I will show you the abundance of living a wealthy life with wealthy thoughts and abundant joy in harnessing of such riches from the universe.

There are lots of opportunities in this world for all of us to gather riches, treasures and material things. Many people who are poor do not undersrtand the mystery of this universe. The world has lots of resources both in the water around us and on the land surrounding us and on which we live.

From precious metals such as gold, silver, oil and minerals of sorts, there are treasures under the deep ocean and in the land beneath our feet. I want to share my brother-in-law journey from rags to riches because he was able to understand the wealthy thoughts of harnessing the resources of the land.

15 years ago, when people do not really bother about the investment in mining minerals in the desert of Australia, he actually went into this venture. Of course lots of people looked at him, thinking he was mad. Yes, he was mad to think that one of these days some of these unwanted minerals or resources could become so precious. Materials such as uranium, bauxite etc.. have today become lucrative for many kinds of industries - mainly mlitary and economic.

So instead of getting angry with the circumstances, my brother-in-law used all his savings and invested wisely in such ventures. Patience paid off because today he is jet-setting from country to country , enjoying life with his family.

The first step to living well is to live with wealthy thoughts. This is what my in-law did. So what is wealthy thought? It is the willingness to believe that you are worthy of greater wealth than you have today. You are worthy of greater joy than what you enjoy today.

I will highlight some of the powerful wealthy thoughts which you can harness for a greater riches and greater joy in life. Start thinking rich today.

Cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich- Investing in Gold - Part III

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Investing in Gold - Part III

In this section, I will be sharing with you tips on the buying and selling of gold with a view to profit in the long run.

I have over the past 20 years invested in both gold ornaments (jewellery) and gold bullions because as a conservative person, I have faith in gold more than in currency or other financial instruments.

The secret is that I managed to sell off some of my obsolete gold pieces for prices higher than I bought them for, after using them on several occasions for self adornment such as attending important meetings and functions. The prices of gold kept going up over the years due to the weakening of the US Dollar that I am reluctant to part with my gold collection in anticipation of further rise of price of this precious metal.

Well, how to buy and sell gold? First, there are several ways to buy gold. As mentioned already, you can keep gold in its physical form, either as ornamental gold, which comes in various purity standards; or as gold bars normally done by rich individuals who love to see the colour of money in gold or you can invest in gold as a financial instrument very much similar to any of the instruments used in the trading by the interbanks which can be spot, forwards or options. This is because allocated gold can be traded by central banks and other financial institutions via the commodity market, just like any commodity trading. Then you can also use this method to sell your gold.

Let me just explained a little further about how the market for gold is traded. Trading would be a series of deposits and loans taking place. A central bank for example, sells gold to a bank, which lends the gold to a gold producer who hedges gold that it has yet to produce (or mine) etc.. So transcripts very much in form like the shares or stocks, would move from one institution to another . This complex trading system is to enable the gold to have a smooth transaction from the buyer to the seller via a financial institution. The difference between the buying price and the selling price would then be calculated very much like the bank's interest rate, which in this case is the gold interest rate. Well, the main idea is for you to be able to get a good rate when you sell your gold through the financial institution.

Another way to sell gold is through the Gold Option market which functions very much the same way as the currency market. There is one more way which is to use fold as hedge funds but this method is not really exciting as the gold will be bundled with other assets as a total package by fund managers of the various financial institutions.

As a final note to all of you, gold as an inflation buster is still valid because governments and world economic conditions may change, so holding on to some form of gold investment will enable us to keep our traditional and conservative view that it is better to be safe with some gold than to be sorry.

Gold is still a barometer of global financial health. Although gold may have lost some of its lustre over the years, it is still very much a part of the human sentiment or confidence to have this precious metal in their portfolio for wealth and riches.

Before I end , some of the questions you should ask yourself are:

a) what is your motivation for investing in gold?

b) what is your view of the USDollar?

c) what is the market sentiment or trends in the financial markets?

d) Why silver is not a real good investment?

With the above, I hope that you can think about possibility of investing in gold for the long run. Gold investment is not really for speculators but for people who want to have something to hold on to whatever the future beholds..

Cheers and go for the golden opportunity!

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

PS These are just investment and finance ideas and do not constitute actual investment advice or professional advice by trained professionals. 

Ideas on How to Become Rich -Investing in Gold- Part II

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Investing in Gold Part II

Hi, I will now discuss about the potential of gold as a long term investment as this commodity does not wear out through time. Also its value is well recognised by everyone and by every country. Earlier I mentioned the reasons why gold is so sought after.

During the last few years, governments of the world have been buying and hoarding gold and have a hefty gold reserves in their national treasury. This is especially so of Asian economies like China and Japan who value gold as their alternative strategy of diversification in the monetary administration.

They do so because of their strategy for national security as well.

The governments of most countries including the United States argued that keeping reserves in gold enabled them to control the fluctuations in currency and other financial instruments as part of their macro view of economic development and growth.

Due to the intrinsic value of gold and the desire of the people all over the world to own gold either in the form of jewellery ornaments or in the physical form, gold investment should be part of our getting rich strategy for the future. Moreover gold is a barometer of one's wealth in the eyes of other people so it is a good financial asset to have.

Let me also share with you another very important reason for investing in this metal. It is because in times of crisis, gold is still the best form of investment because currency and other precious metals cannot provide the mental and spiritual wonders of gold. Gold does not tarnish unlike other metals. Also the world after the banking crisis in 2009, the environment for gold investment has gained prominence due to the lessening of confidence in the banks and other financial instruments coupled with the weakening of the US Dollar.

It is a good time to go into gold investment whether it is in the physical form of gold jewellery/bars or ingots or in the form of ETF (Exchange Traded Funds) or in the form of structured notes similar to those instruments traded in the markets. Structured notes are usually capital guaranteed where the returns of investment is based on the performance of gold.

As gold is a quasi currency, gold prices tend to rise when US dollar falls. This is evident during the past few years when prices of gold kept going up and the US dollar kept falling.

However if you wish to invest in gold, you have to first examine your own profile with regard to risks and your circumstances in such a way that you are able to take whatever outcomes of the market. In investment you have to take whatever outcomes of the market which is very volatile especially these few years due to the decrease in confidence of the financial systems in many parts of the world.

Another point you have to take note is the market sentiments which could be changed very quickly due to bad news or could rise very much due to some positive sentiments of the general world economic conditions.

Well, to be rich, one has to take certain calculated risks. Investing in gold has certain advantages. It is definitely up to us to weigh the pros and cons of jumping into this volatile gold market today. Do think about it, and have a thought about this idea. 

Think about it but it is worth its weight in gold!

Cheers

Sally Klaus

Ideas on How to Become Rich

PS These are contributed ideas and thoughts, and by their nature do not constitute investment advice. 

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Investing in Gold Part I

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Investing in Gold Part I

Hi everyone . After sharing the investment opportunities in real estate and land resources, I would like to share some tips on the investment in gold .

I will divide my sharing in three parts:
Part I - Why is gold such a precious commodity from ancient times till today? The places in the world which contains gold and how people mine gold.

Part II - The potential of gold as a long term investment project

Part III - How to buy and sell gold with a view to profit

For the first part, I would like to discuss and share with you the reasons why gold is such a precious commodity from ancient times till today. If you take a look at statues of ancient civilisation from golden statues and tombs of Eygptian Pharaohs to Golden-bodied Buddha carved in the mountainous regions of China and parts of South East Asia, you will know that gold has been a sought after commodity for thousands of years.

The first simple reason is that it shines brighter than any other commodity and golden colour represents sunshine, glory and majesty. All the virtues of exhorting gold point to the fact that gold is so alluring and so demanded by lots of people especially women even today. In fact gold is more valuable than diamond as a precious item.

The second reason is that gold is used as a form of money exchange in ancient times for goods and services, because it is portable and easily identified by all.

Another reason is its durability as a precious metal. It is today considered as the third currency in the world after US Dollar and the Euro. Today, many governments of the world are hoarding gold as part of their treasury "insurance" - also known as reserves. This is also why gold prices have been going up these recent years because people do not have faith in currencies such as the US Dollar and Euro.

Knowing the various reasons why gold is so vital in economies and to individuals, let me now show you the places where gold can be found.
South Africa had been known to be the most important producer of gold until recently when China overtook it as the main producer of gold in the world market. The romantic allure of gold mining is that this metal is in glittering lumps and shines even in its raw state, before purification.

Two types of mining for gold. One is the open pit and the other is the underground mining. Most countries use the open mining method while in South Africa the gold is predominantly underground. Gold deposits were discovered by the Egyptians thousands of years ago and little has changed in the way it is being mined today.

Inspite of the challenges of underground mining such as high temperature, building up of gas in the mines and the possibility of earthquakes and other tremors in the underground caves, people would risk their lives for this precious commodity which can bring them prosperity and lots of wealth. It is worth the "risk in gold", like the saying. The joy of mining gold is beyond exhilaration to those who are involved, I was told.

Due to gold mining, thousands of people are gainfully employed in Africa and other less developed countries. Technology and advanced communication today enable gold mining to be much easier than in yesteryears. Though the environment for mining is hazardous and dirty, gold is still the alluring glittering metal that people would kill for.

Once the gold is mined, it is converted into dore-bars, at the mining sites. They are of variable weights and qualities of purities. There are many refineries in the world specialising in the refining and purification processes before gold can be the beautiful jewellery desired by women all over the world.

The measurement and the definition of the purity varies country to country and the gold bars are packed in different sizes due to the difference weight measurement used by countries. Nevertheless, the precious metal is still a very very vital commodity for the world economy and it is thus good for us to have some in our own treasure chest too.

Keeping gold as an ornament or as an investment project can be an exciting and interesting endeavour because it is a lasting metal and the value can only increased with time as the world is so uncertain about the fluctuations in currencies etc.

I would like to continue sharing in the part two on this topic shortly. Well, I leave you to think of the proverb, that "even Buddha needs gold dressing to look good"...

So, you see how important is it to grab a bit of this golden chance of our lifetime to make lots of money through this golden investment. I believe that gold is and will be the most important metal for years to come.

Cheers and have a bright golden day today
Sally Klaus
Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich -Riding on the economic recovery

Ideas on How to Become Rich - Riding on the economic recovery

Hi everyone, I hope you have been busy lately making money and becoming rich? I also have been looking at the world's economy as a whole and it seems that the road to recovery is here.

As many countries are slowly moving towards economic and financial recovery, I would like to encourage all of you to ride on the waves of recovery and look around for opportunities in your surrounding and open your eyes and ears to trends and challenges for the coming months.

Right now, one good prospect is to be able to invest in property because land is a scarce resource in this world (70% is covered by water, leaving only 30 % and less than that for arable and habitable land). In America, the prices of property have dipped somehow over the past two years due to mis management of resources and lending. If you have some spare cash, you should look around for reasonable plots of land or houses to invest for the long term. Tourism, population growth and other economic factors will boost prices of property in the future. Yes, no doubt , land and properties' prices were badly hit during the past years' crises, yet there is golden opportunities that may arise from this setback. As people fear to go in, you should now examine the possibility of investing in property market and other natural resource challenges. This is for the long haul.

As for the other countries such as England, Australia and New Zealand, property prices are steadily rising because of the rich Chinese and Indian investors who are out there looking for a good bargain. They are the ones who will make lots of money when the returns come in soon. To enable you to be a prudent investor in property and real estate, it is good to weigh the pros and cons of investing in this long term asset or to go into property-related stocks and equities .

Both are challenges but both are great opportunities to boost your riches and success if you are prudent and take calculated risks. I hope those of you reading this will give this sector a chance to enhance your monetary growth too. It may be a bit risky but no venture, no gain. No risks, no returns.
Also do not confine yourself to just your own country's real estate, look anywhere in the world for a good bargain. The world is a global village now. Travel is easy, immigration is not difficult and buying property is not difficult too, if you can get the right legal advisors and right price! My brother in law made lots of money investing in Australia 's real estate and bauxite (a kind of natural resource) stocks.

However it has to be a careful consideration to make money in property and real estate investment. Like all investment, it is good to check your inventory of assets, cash and your ability to hold on for at least 3-5 years before any yield or money can fill your pockets.

Good luck to your calculation. Do not take too long to look around for a great place to invest or good stocks or securities which are related to properties because delaying decisions may be bad for you. Think with your heart and your head and make a wise decision soon.

Happy hunting for the fertile grounds. Cheers
Sally Klaus
Ideas on How to Become Rich

Ideas on How to Become Rich -E-Business III

Ideas on How to Become Rich - E-Business III

Hi friends, I have been discussing with entrepreneurs who use the e-business for their transactions daily in the comforts of their homes and becoming rich in the process. This is because they cut down on expenses such as rental, utility bills and other expenses if they had run their business outside in a separate premise.

The e-business is booming in many countries and you can see that there are many advertisements when you open the computer and log on the internet. Almost everything is connected to some form of advertisement.

The internet business is a multi-billion business and many of us use this information highway to get rich and to get stuff for our daily use and business use as well.

There are many ways to use this wonderful high speed device for earning a quick buck, lots of money and sell things that are fast moving and exciting. One of the things which many people are doing in e-transactions are high yield, light consumables and easy to transport materials such as jewellery, fashion watches, games, medical instruments and other precious materials which are light, portable, high value and demanded by many people all over the world.

You can think of small items which may be of reasonably high value and demanded by people in your town, your neighbourhood and maybe your countryfolks and then plan to use this e-business to get across to the users on the other side of the globe.

One of the ways to advertise your products or services is to do a spam . although now spamming is not really welcome by most internet users or providers, it is still worthwhile to send to all your friends and email address list. Out of 100, I am sure at least 1-10 per cent may like your products or ideas and buy from you. In this way, you can make it rich in no time at all.

Besides the mass sending of emails to friends and addressees, it is good also to use professional internet portal designers or web designers to help you highlight your stuff so that they look great on the internet for sale. People love colourful advertisement and colourful designs because they look good to our eyes. Make your stuff interesting, attractive and also exciting for people to want to own your products or services.

To become rich via the internet is the easiest thing today. If you own a shop physically, you have to maintain the appearance of your shop daily by hiring cleaners and maintenance staff. This is at a very high cost plus the rental expenses which can be exorbitant in today's property market conditions. So, in the comfort of your own home with a cuppa of hot coffee or hot chocolate next to your work station, you can become rich without budging from your warm seat. Why not?

Like what Albert Einstein mentioned long ago, imagination is far greater than knowledge. So go and imagine and visualise your riches and the things you wish to use to become rich and who knows, the next millionaire or billionaire could be you!

I would like to encourage all of you to try your hand at this e-business because we are living in exciting times with really lots of opportunities to become rich if we jump onto the right wagon during this fast growth information highway. Also with a good handphone or mobile, you will be able to do your business without much fuss.

Start thinking at least 20 minutes a day on what to do with this e-business. You can start small but you must think big. The world is your market when you harness the wonders of the e-business. You can become rich too. Go for it. The pot of gold is waiting for you at the other side of the internet.

Cheers and have a great day.

Sally Klaus
Ideas on How to Become Rich