| 1) HOW TO LOOK FOR A JOB | | | | 2. To begin with, you have to take stock of what |
| A) The Chronological Curriculum: | | | | you now possess. That is, you have to prepare a |
| 1. First and foremost you have to be able to write an | | | | balance sheet of your personal possessions. In other |
| effective resume or curriculum. Now there are two | | | | words you should determine your assets ( what you |
| types of curriculums that you have to consider. One | | | | own ) and your liabilities ( what you owe ) and then |
| is the Chronological Curriculum while the other is the | | | | subtract your liabilities from your assets to figure out |
| Functional Curriculum. But since the Chronological | | | | what your net worth is. In this way you might find |
| Curriculum is the one that is most used, I'm going to | | | | out that you're richer than you thought, poorer than |
| start in explaining how to most effectively write and | | | | you thought or just about where you thought you |
| use this one. | | | | were. In fact one person found out when he did this |
| 2. One of the most important items often left out of | | | | that he really was a millionaire and didn't have to |
| this type of curriculum is the objective or direction | | | | worry about being financially independent anymore. |
| that you're trying to set-up for yourself. In other | | | | But in any case it's important to know where you |
| words you should have some idea as to what kind of | | | | stand at this point in time. |
| position or job you're applying for and state this in a | | | | 3. As an aside here, I have to say we don't prepare |
| very bold fashion either at the top of the curriculum | | | | budgets. We found that budgets are very much like |
| or in a covering letter. Otherwise your curriculum will | | | | diets and they usually don't work. |
| probably be ignored. | | | | 4. The second step you should take is to determine |
| 3. Secondly, your curriculum should be no longer than | | | | how much money you're really making on an hourly |
| two pages, preferably one, and written on paper | | | | basis at your present job, or how much you're |
| that highlights your skills. | | | | looking for hourly, if you are out of work. Now in |
| 4. Thirdly, your schooling and job experience should | | | | determining this, you should not only figure in the |
| start with the most recent to the less recent. | | | | hours and money that you receive while you're on |
| 5. Fourthly, your experiences whether schooling or | | | | the job, but also any time and deduction in expenses |
| job wise should start with those experiences that are | | | | that have accrued to you that are really work |
| recent and most related to the position you're | | | | related (travel to and from work, work related |
| applying for. Also if you have university experience | | | | illnesses, costuming, decompression time and |
| you normally don't have to put down your primary or | | | | expenses related to work, etc.). In fact, one |
| secondary school experience. | | | | employee found that he was making a minus income |
| 6. And finally, if you know more than one language or | | | | if he stayed at his current job any longer. |
| have a specialized skill or interest that could relate to | | | | 5. The third step that you should take is to start |
| the position that you're applying for, put this in a | | | | keeping track of every cent that comes into and |
| most prominent place on your curriculum. | | | | goes out of your life and to categorize each cent |
| After finishing this, your curriculum can be distributed | | | | according to your judgment as to what categories or |
| as a result of newspaper ads or any other situation | | | | subcategories are essential in determining where your |
| that might lead to a potential job that you might be | | | | money is actually going and coming from. Then at the |
| interested in. | | | | end of each month you should total all the categories |
| B) The Functional Curriculum: | | | | or subcategories. After this you should subtract the |
| 1. The Functional Resume or Curriculum, however, is | | | | expenses from the income. Then you can add or |
| the one that is much less frequently used. The | | | | subtract the result depending upon whether there's a |
| reason for this is that, although you normally would | | | | gain or loss for the month to a beginning cash |
| get a better job, you have a lot more to do to put | | | | balance. The result should equal the actual closing |
| this curriculum into operation. | | | | cash balance for the month plus or minus a human |
| 2. To begin with you should write the story of your | | | | error in calculations. A gain for the month would be a |
| own life, but only the positive aspects of it. Then | | | | savings. |
| you should relate the talents that you used to make | | | | 6. Next you have to start by defining what money |
| these life events so positive. After this you have to | | | | really is. Most would define money as a medium of |
| rank the five most important talents (1,2,3,4,5) that | | | | exchange, but I would like to offer another definition. |
| you used. | | | | Money is what you trade your life energy for. And in |
| 3. On the other end of the scale you have to | | | | looking at this definition you have to match the life |
| determine the direction you want your life to take | | | | energy that you're using with the totals in each of |
| job wise based on your past experiences and | | | | the categories or subcategories that you're listed to |
| education. Then you have to relate those 5 talents | | | | record your money spent. To do this you should use |
| mentioned above to your job search by writing them | | | | the formula; Dollars Spent / Real Hourly Wage = |
| in importance order under your goal, and giving two | | | | Hours of Life Energy Used. |
| examples of each on how you used these talents in | | | | 7. The next step is to determine your goal or goals |
| the past, but related to experiences that would help | | | | that you might have for the rest of your life. And in |
| you in your job search. This then is your curriculum. | | | | order to do this you might have to ask yourself a |
| Goal + Talents + 2 Examples after each talent. | | | | number of important questions. For example; 1) What |
| 4. After finishing the curriculum you do not send it | | | | did you want to be when you grew up? 2) What |
| out. You memorize it, not in the sense that you're | | | | have you always wanted to do that you haven't |
| memorizing it word for word, but in the sense that | | | | done yet? 3) What have you done in your life that |
| you should memorize the essential essence of the | | | | you're really proud of? 4) If you knew you were |
| curriculum. Then practice the verbalization of it with | | | | going to die in a year, how would you spend that |
| trusted friends. | | | | year? 5) What brings you the most fulfillment - and |
| 5. In the meanwhile you should start contacting by | | | | how is that related to money? or 6) If you didn't |
| letter executive decision makers of companies you | | | | have to work for a living, what would you do with |
| would like to work for, but not asking them for a | | | | your time? |
| job. Instead you would be asking them for an | | | | 8. Now once you've determined what your goal or |
| interview whereby they can give you some advice | | | | goals are, you should match this purpose with the |
| on what you could do with your talents, and you | | | | totals in each of the categories or subcategories to |
| should mention to them in the letter that in a few | | | | see if a particular expense is really in alignment with |
| days you will be contacting them by telephone to set | | | | your purpose or not. If not, you might ask yourself |
| up such a meeting. But remember; don't contact the | | | | how might that expense be adjusted accordingly. In |
| personnel directors unless you want to work in that | | | | doing this though you should also be aware as to |
| area, but the decision makers who can usually | | | | whether your purpose is in alignment with what's |
| override their personnel directors. | | | | good for the planet as well. |
| 6. At the interview, remember that with a | | | | 9. Now here I doubly want to emphasize, and |
| Chronological Curriculum the interviewer controls the | | | | historical evidence seems to back me up, that unless |
| interview, but with your verbalizing the Functional | | | | your basic priority is the welfare of the planet, you |
| Curriculum in front of the interviewer, the | | | | will normally not be financially independent. |
| interviewee controls the interview. | | | | 10. Next draw a wall chart indicating the trend |
| 7. Using this approach you can develop many | | | | upward or downward that your income and |
| important contacts because your initial interviewer | | | | expenses are taking over a certain period of time. |
| can put you in contact with many people at the | | | | Use the vertical side of the graph to represent the |
| same executive level of companies similar to the one | | | | money and the horizontal side to represent the |
| you're interested in, if he or she's impressed with | | | | movement of time. Also use different colored lines to |
| your presentation. Also remember this: Many times | | | | distinguish between the income and expenses on the |
| when you're dealing with executive decision makers | | | | graph. Notice the trends. Within three months your |
| and they like your capabilities, they could create a job | | | | expenses should decrease by 20%. Unusual expenses |
| for you if none is currently available. | | | | could be prorated or balance each other out. And |
| C) Suggestions on Interviews: | | | | eventually this wall chart should be made public for |
| 1. Always dress neatly and somewhat conservatively. | | | | mutual encouragement. |
| 2. Never be a "yes" person. Always express your | | | | 11. Tips on how to start being frugal: 1) Stop trying |
| honest opinion, but in a way that shows respect for | | | | to impress other people. 2) Don't go shopping unless |
| the other person's opinion. | | | | you really need something. 3) Avoid using credit cards |
| 3. And always send a thank you note after each | | | | as much as possible. 4) Do it yourself. 5) Look for |
| interview. | | | | bargain quality. 6) Use your possessions efficiently. 7) |
| This information was attained from two executive | | | | Watch out for unnecessary interest payments and |
| employment agencies in New York. | | | | financial charges. 8) Check out your transportation |
| 2) IF NOT A JOB, HOW ABOUT BECOMING AN | | | | costs. 9) It would be helpful if job and home were |
| ENTREPRENEUR | | | | close together. 10) Go to a four day ten hour |
| An entrepreneur can be defined as someone who is | | | | workweek. 11) Comparison shop for good medical |
| in control of his or her own destiny and who makes | | | | services. 12) Reduce Stress. 13) Rent out unused |
| things of economic consequence happen. | | | | space in your home. 14) Explore living in a commune |
| To be an entrepreneur you have to have a particular | | | | where people have similar life-styles. 15) Live in a |
| kind of mindset. That is, you have to have; 1) a | | | | mobile or motor home. 16) Share your possessions. |
| strong desire, 2) perseverance, 3) initiative, 4) | | | | 17) Share yours chores. 18) Vacation near home. 19) |
| persuasive skills. 5) a winning attitude and 6) a | | | | Have potlucks rather than dinner parties. 20) Develop |
| bottom line mentality. | | | | inexpensive hobbies , 21) Do you need as much |
| To begin with you should write down your concept | | | | insurance as you're carrying and 22) Continue to use |
| as to what you economically want to do as precise | | | | your imagination. |
| as you can in only one paragraph. But in doing this | | | | 12. Now you should really start to redefine work as |
| you have to watch out for the various traps that | | | | something you actually love to do rather than |
| exist in developing a concept. They are; 1) it wont | | | | something you have to be paid for. In this way you |
| work, 2) you can't make any money on it, 3) there is | | | | can maximize your income while minimizing your time |
| no market for it, and 4) there can be unpredictable | | | | in acquiring it, so that you can value your life energy |
| customer behavior; But also remember this; that the | | | | more effectively until you reach your goal or goals. In |
| customer has to pay at least 5 times the direct cost | | | | other words, you could work for pay for a limited |
| of a product. | | | | period of time just to earn enough income to |
| Now there are three types of Business entries you | | | | support yourself in the work that you really love to |
| should consider. They are; 1) Starting from scratch | | | | do. |
| whereby you should be prepared to take 5 to 8 | | | | 13. With your new definition of work and your new |
| years to start a business, 2) Buying an existing | | | | scheme in how you should spend money, you should |
| business whereby the risks are less by saving time (1 | | | | start your savings. I would say here that you might |
| year) for the business to be operational, buying | | | | need a cushion of at least 6 months in savings with |
| cheaper assets, and by assuming cheaper financing, | | | | some interest being paid, for emergencies. After this, |
| and/or 3) in buying a franchise) whereby the risk | | | | you should call your savings "Capital" which is the |
| would only be about 30%. Also you could be an | | | | money you should put into long-term investments for |
| Entrepreneur within a company as well. | | | | making money. |
| The ideal business actually should have; 1) no | | | | 14. Now these long-term investments should be as |
| investment, 2) an identifiable market, 3) a low cost | | | | close to the following criteria as possible: 1) Your |
| supply, 4) minimum government regulations, 5) good | | | | capital must produce income, 2) Your capital must be |
| price-cost ratio, 6) frequent buyers, 7) favorable tax | | | | absolutely safe, 3) Your capital must be a totally liquid |
| treatment, 8) a good distributing system, 9) news | | | | investment, 4) Your capital must not be diminished at |
| value, 10) technical fashion obsolescence, 11) perish | | | | the time of investment by unnecessary commissions, |
| ability and, 12) weather proof ness | | | | 5) Your income must be absolutely safe, 6) your |
| Three types of business plans should be written once | | | | income must not fluctuate so that it would be the |
| your concept of a business starts to materialize. | | | | same each month, 7) Your income should be payable |
| They are; 1) The Feasibility Plan, 2) The Operational | | | | to you in cash at regular intervals, 8) Your income |
| Plan and, 3) The Financing Plan. Financing for the | | | | must not be diminished by unnecessary charges, and |
| business could be accomplished by; 1) cash from | | | | 9) Your investment must require no maintenance |
| customers, 2) sub-contracting, 3) your own money, | | | | charges of any kind. In the U.S. at the moment only |
| 4) borrowing (from as few as possible) or 5) by | | | | one category of investment fits into this criteria and |
| leasing. | | | | that is "Long-term U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government |
| The Management team, if you decide to assemble | | | | Agency Bonds". |
| one, should include; 1) the creator, 2) the driving | | | | 15. And finally, along with your working income and |
| force, 3) the marketer (the marketing strategy | | | | expenses, with a third different colored line you can |
| should be to find the competitive edge either in | | | | record your steadily rising gains from your long-term |
| quality, price, or service) and, 4) Moneybags. Then | | | | investments on the wall chart as well. When this line |
| you should give each of them part of the rock and | | | | eventually crosses over the expense line (called the |
| teach them to listen to others. | | | | crossover point), you can then consider yourself |
| This knowledge came from a film entitled "Winning | | | | financially independent because your needed income |
| Entrepreneur Style" by the University of Southern | | | | is basically acquired through money, rather than |
| California. | | | | through your individual work effort. I know that |
| 3) HOW TO BECOME FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT | | | | there is one 4 member family that discovered by |
| 1. First of all you don't have to have a lot of money | | | | using this approach that they could live on $300.00 a |
| to be financially independent. You only have to have | | | | month comfortably. |
| enough. The question then becomes, what is really | | | | This summarizes a book entitled "Your Money or |
| enough? The next question you have to ask yourself | | | | Your Life" by Joe Domínguez and Vicky |
| if you're working is "Am I earning a living" or "Am I | | | | Robin. |
| earning a dying"? | | | | |