Blogging Friends, Home Biz

How To Be Debt Free - Part One

10 09 2008

Hello,

 

I hope you take this in the spirit it is given – and that is, our true desire to help people.

 

As part of working at home, one of our goals was to be debt free.  When I say debt free I mean all we own is paid for in full.  That means no credit card debt, no car payments, no mortgage payments – no debt period.  Today we are debt free.  It was not easy.  Just to give you a brief history our daughter is Epileptic and our son was 2 months early, with not the best insurance our medical bill added up.  We were very much in debt and there was a time we didn’t know where our next meal was coming from.  So, we know for a fact what I am going to share with you works.

 

One of our long term goals is to help all our team members achieve the same thing – to be debt free.  One mark of a good leader is wanting the best for their team and helping pave a way for them to achieve total success.  Part of being a total success is being debt free.  Is your team leader debt free?

 

It all starts with a budget.  When new team members join our team, we ask them what is their marketing budget?  We get a lot of resistance when we ask people to write things down.  This is just our human nature.  We are too busy to write things down, we try to keep it all in our head.  I don’t know about you, but I can’t keep it all in my head – more power to those who can.  Sixteen years ago when we started our first home business, we didn’t’ write things down either and we were knee deep in debt too.   

 

But when it comes to wanting to be debt free, if you truly want to be debt free and be free from the bondage of owing people money you have to have a budget.  And to do a budget you must first start by writing things down.  The point is if you refuse to do a budget than chances are you really don’t want to be debt free, you’re just doing lip service.  Some of you may not like that, but it’s the truth.  That is one principle I hold very dear and that is honesty.

 

Most of us don’t even know where all our money goes.  We were no different.  When we first started this journey years ago, we fought tooth and nail from doing a budget.  We had a general idea of where our money went, but once we started writing things down we had a few surprises.  When we first started, we didn’t see the real power in writing things down - We do know!

 

Before you can have a budget you need to know where your money is going.  Start tracking every penny you spend – and YES I mean every penny.  When you do a budget it’s best to do a zero budget.  So if you spend 65 cents on a pack of gum write it down.  Do this for a month, really see every aspect of where every cent goes. Carry a little notebook around or keep it in the car to capture your spending.  Once you do this, you are in a better position to have a budget that actually works.

 

So, the first challenge is if your true desire is to be debt free, start tracking where you spend every cent for a month.

 

This is not easy.  It takes a determined mindset.  You have to commit to your goal.  (sound familiar, this is a key principle in building a successful home business)

 

To Your Success!

Julia

Home Biz

Successful Goal Blueprint!

5 09 2008

I read a story today I wanted to share with you. It has some great application that we can all apply.  

 

The goal – to make a coffee table as a Christmas gift.  Thru this one little activity this guy learned he could achieve any goal he set for himself with confidence.  After you read this you as well can take the lessons learned and apply them to any goal you want to achieve.

 

A Vision –

He had a vision.  He had a picture in his mind of exactly how it would look and got it down on paper, so he could continually check to see what he was currently doing against his vision.

 

A Plan –

Before he cut his first piece of wood, he drew up a detailed blueprint.

 

A Timeline and Deadline –

He planned what he was going to do each day, the steps he would take to accomplish his daily goal and had an end date of completion.

 

Action Plan –

Each day he only focused on that day’s activities and didn’t worry about the rest.  He knew that if he followed his plan he would meet his ultimate goal.

 

Motivation –

His motivation was that he was making a gift for his wife.  He knew what it would mean to her.  It kept him moving forward. 

 

Help –

He had lots of help.  His dad helped him put a plan together.  When he got stuck his friend helped him out.  It was a team effort.

 

Good Resources –

He had the right tools.

 

Persistence – (oh, so key)

If something didn’t pan out like he thought it would he adapted and moved around it.  He didn’t let a few steps backwards stop him from moving forward.

 

Learning Curve –

He knew in the beginning he had no idea what he was doing.  He did know that if he took it one step at a time and relied on the things he had in place – his vision, plan, help, resources, etc that he would learn as he went and grew more confident with each day that his vision would become a reality.

 

These are valuable tips we can all use and apply to any goal we want to achieve and watch our vision become our reality!

Home Biz

Accomplish The Mission!

3 09 2008

This past weekend I heard a great story that really brings home a key point we can all benefit from.  Have you heard of BUDs Training?  It’s Basic Underwater Demolition seal training.  As you know, our Seals go thru some very intensive training.  Well, in this case a seal had gotten injured and could no longer continue in training.  He became a postmaster on a Navy ship.  As the ship was about to leave port the mail was delivered in 2 huge bags about 4-5 feet tall, 2-3 feet around – so as you can imagine these bags were extremely heavy being stuffed full of mail.  This ex-seal, who was a very skinny guy, was observed carrying both these heavy mail bags at the same time.  He first slung one over his shoulder and then the other, upstairs, downstairs until he finally reached the mail room.  He was later asked, “Why did you put yourself thru all that, why not just do one bag at a time?”  He responded with, “Accomplish the Mission!”  His mission was to get the heavy bags of mail to the mailroom and that’s exactly what he did.  Nothing distracted him, there was no winning or complaining on how hard it was, he focused on his mission and got it done.

 

This is the same laser type focus we should have in “accomplishing our mission”.  The first step is to identify your mission.  Some of us have a few different missions.  For example, as one who home schools my kids, one of my missions is to give them the very best education.  I need to harness my energy, focus on the task at hand, and let nothing get in the way of me accomplishing that mission. 

 

Another mission of ours is to help people have successful home businesses so that they can have more time to do what’s important to them.  We are very focused on this Mission.  Our goal is to help people, and we can think of no better way then to help people live a better life, which involves lots of things. 

 

I would like to encourage you on your mission.  Ask yourself…

            1.  What is my Mission?

            2.  What steps do I need to take to accomplish my mission?

            3.  Then take out all massive action. (I’ll write on this more later)

 

Just think of where you would be if you had that same passion, drive, commitment, and focus as the sailor did on I must “Accomplish the Mission”.  Wow, close your eyes and see where that can take you!

Blogging Friends

Hurricane Gustav Slams the Coast

1 09 2008

As Gustav approaches and is on the minds of all most everyone, we too wanted to wish those still left on the coast and those who remain to protect and help the very best.  Our prayers are with you.

We are also mindful of those who have already evacuated.  It was great to hear that 90-95% of the people have already made it to a safe shelter to wait out the storm.  Here in Austin, we have already received a couple hundred people from the coast to wait out the storm.  Our prayers are with you as you wait in such uncertainty.

It seems the governement is on top of things this time.  President Bush has arrived here in Austin to first hand see how things are being handled.  I was glad to here the Mayor of New Orleans (and all local bodies of gov.) step up to the plate.  Our local governing bodies are our first responders and need to be proactive and on top of things so they can best help their citizens.

Again, my hats off to all those who stay in harms way just to protect the empty cities and aid those who need assistance - these are real life heros who put their life on the line for the common man - Thank You!  May God grant you a hedge of protection as you serve in the path of destruction.

As we go thru today, may we be ever so mindful of those in need.  I would encourage all of us to put out our helping hand to someone in need.

Home Biz

Are you consuming High Fructose Corn Syrup?

30 08 2008

I don’t know about you guys, but with homeschooling, running a home biz, managing my household, helping out at church, taking the kids to scoccer & girl scouts, mentoring other women - I need a boost to get thru the day.  You know with the lack of nutrients in our foods these days we need supplements to provide our bodies with the vitamins and minerals we need to run.Some people use energy drinks to get a boost. 

I can’t drink them, they make me too gittery.  Did you know a lot of them like Red Bull, Amp, Full Throttle have anywhere from 30-58g and higher in sugar.  A lot of that sugar count comes from High Fructose Corn Syrup.  So what does all the sugar do - it gives you an instant boost then BAM you drop like a rock.  Who needs that?  Also, not only energy drinks but also a lot of the foods we eat have High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  Read the labels!

Did you know HFCS is man-made from refining cornstarch and has a hugh impact on our bodies.  At least natural sugar signals our bodies “you are full”, HFCS does not so in turn you can eat more.  Can you guess the result of that?  HFCS can also elevate your triglycerids levels and upset the balance of important trace minerals in your body such as copper and chromium etc.

I found a great natural way to boost not only my energy but also improve my stamina and mental clarity.  It has No Caffeine,  No Stimulants and nothing artifical.  Matter of fact its full of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, fiber, super antioxidants, chlorophyll, herbs, phytonutrients, enzymes - as you can see just an 8oz serviing is packed full of nutrious ingredients that are good for you and naturally Boost your energy throughout the whole day.  Plus, don’t have time to drink it before you leave for work no problem - it comes in a very handy single packet you can add to water and drink it on the go!  It tastes great and gives me an abundant amount of energy for the whole day.

For more details go here - Berry Boost

Home Biz

Yesterday on Good Morning America I heard…

28 08 2008

Hey,

We’re sitting here watching Nim’s Island and I wanted to take a minute and address something I heard on Good Morning America yesterday morning.  Tory Johnson was talking about “work from home scams”.  It was pretty interesting.  I felt bad for the women in the story.  She got taken for about $1000.00.   Some warning signs - join today and make 10,000, offer ends in 39 seconds, they ask for lots of money up front, etc. 

About a year ago I had someone try to scam me out of $1500.  She told me I could gift her as little as $500, but I would get as much.  They called it a gifting program.  You give them anywhere from $500-$1500 and then they’ll help you get someone else to gift you some money.  So you do have to beware.

I can tell you with out a doubt the Berry Tree is very legit.  I’m a real person.  I do make real money with the Berry Tree.  Our offer isn’t going to expire in 30 seconds.  We are here to stay! 

We have a very successful team and we are here to provide you with just the facts.  There are some wonderful “work from home” opportunities and this is ONE OF THEM!  Berry Tree is one of the BEST opportunities we’ve been a part of in the past 16 years.

Well, my daughter just brought me some ice cream - we’ll talk soon.

Have a Berry Great Evening!

Blogging Friends, Home Biz, Skin Care

There is a Star Amoung Us…

26 08 2008

Yep, it’s true there is a Star amoung us…  My very own hubby.  I’ve talked about Atria before and I must say this is by far the very best Skin Care System we have ever used (and I’ve been getting facials since I was 19).  Our whole family uses it.

Well, Robert who was very reluctant to try it had such dramatic results in just 20 minutes he has made global headlines.    We were so stunned at how much of a difference there was, my dad snapped a picture.  We had no idea Robert would go global.  Atria is using Robert’s mug on their Global Wide Advertising Postcards.  There is absolutely no hype here - the stuff works! 

Here’s the front part of the card -

Pretty Cool!  And yes, Robert is hooked on it now.  Sometimes, you never know where the road will lead. Take action and anythng is possible!  Always, shoot for the stars!

Julia

ps. for more info on Atria look under skin care — male, female, young adults, teens with acne -you want younger, smoother, clearer, and more radient looking skin I can help you out.  Results Guaranteed!

Home Biz

Business Attire…

23 08 2008

Many of you have asked, so I thought I’d show you some more pics..

 

When I worked at Abbott Labs I had a certain way I had to dress – business attire.  It got expensive and time consuming – buying new dresses for during the week, dresses for special business functions, not to mention the time it takes to shop.  I don’t know about you, but shopping for clothes is not my idea of fun.  My kind of shopping is buying stuff for other people. 

 

Another perk of working from home is most of the time I’m working in shorts and a t-shirt, okay a lot of times in my PJ’s.  Here’s a few pics of me on my way to work while I was in the Bahamas (okay, it’s not really work, it’s more fun then work and wow I love the office environment) – 

 

 
As I was writing an update email to my team, I also was watching my hubby and some of our Team Leaders play in the ocean.  Why was I not in the ocean you ask… believe it or not I get too sea sick.  Diving is great, but on top of the water not so good. (smile)

 

Have a Berry Great Day!

Home Biz

Nothing Better Than Having Your Own Home Biz!

21 08 2008

Hey Guys,
I just had to share how blessed we are.  If you don’t have a home biz - get one!  Some of the things we get to do you just can’t do if your tied to a 9-5 job.  Don’t get me wrong, we do work hard for a few hours a week, but we also get to play hard as well.  Here are just a few pics of us Scubadiving and playing with the Dolphins.  Enjoy!



Home Biz

This is the life…

13 08 2008

Well, here we are! Here some pics from our balcony - pretty cool!

     

       Life is good!

 

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