Concerned About the Economy?

Are you familiar with these news stories?

Bill Gross, PIMCO, sells off all US bonds.

University of Texas buys $1 billion in gold bullion.

Do the far-reaching implications of these headlines mean anything to you?

I have never been a fan of the children’s story, “Chicken Little.”  And I don’t think that the sky is falling.  But just as surely as the sun rises every day, the value of the dollar is falling. This is not some unfounded prediction of calamity, nor is it an overstatement.  There are things that are happening, significant and over-arching things, which are not being adequately addressed and explained in the mainstream media.  This, coupled with a basic human tendency to hope for the best or alternately to be in denial, is cause for concern.  So are the actions of some very big players.

To put this in perspective, Bill Gross is the manager of the world’s largest bond fund; and the University of Texas is the second largest educational endowment in the United States (Harvard is the largest).

If you think the global sovereign debt crisis doesn’t concern you, think again.

If you have any intention of buying a loaf of bread for your table or gasoline for your car, or any other everyday staple in the future, this truly does concern you.

If you have any amount of money in any bank, this does concern you.

If you have any investments in the stock market, this does concern you.

If you have stewardship over funds for any institutions, groups or individuals, this does concern you.

The highly respected Christian Science Monitor reported that, William Gross, manager of the world’s largest bond fund – Pacific Investment Management Co. (PIMCO), on June 13, 2011, told CNBC that “Medicare and other entitlements were putting the US into worse shape than Greece.”

And if you’ve paid attention to world news, you know there has been recent rioting in the streets of that ancient and majestic island.

As reported by Zero Hedge based on their research of company disclosures, PIMCO’s Total Return Fund, which is the world’s largest bond fund, took its bond holdings to zero in January, 2011.  We are talking about going from $28.6 billion in “government related” securities down to zip, zero, nada.

The reason?  Essentially, the US Treasury continues to issue government bonds and the Federal Reserve continues to print fiat currency to buy them.  The U.S. dollar, and every other currency in the world today, is a fiat currency which is backed by nothing (other than the ‘full faith and credit’ of a bankrupt nation).  President Nixon took the USA off the “gold standard” in 1971. What this means is that the government is creating massive debt and the Federal Reserve (which is not a federal institution and has no reserves) keeps printing Monopoly money in order to become the majority buyer of last resort.  The jig is up. It is becoming harder and harder to “sell” our debt to foreign investors who are increasingly wary of the United States’ ability to service (forget ever repay) its insurmountable, yet ever increasing, debt to fund an insolvent government. Ours is a Federal deficit of no return; and a majority of these United States is bankrupt as well.

As Gross reported in his April 2011 column, Investment Outlook:

• Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security now account for 44% of total federal spending and are steadily rising.
• Previous Congresses (and Administrations) have relied on the assumption that we can grow our way out of this onerous debt burden.
• Unless entitlements are substantially reformed, the U.S. will likely default on its debt; not in conventional ways, but via inflation, currency devaluation and low to negative real interest rates.

The following was the headline in an April 16, 2011 story by David Mildenberg and Pham-Duy Nguyen (of Bloomberg.net):

Texas University Takes Cue From Kyle Bass to Hold $1 Billion in Gold Bars

In part, the article states:

“The University of Texas Investment Management Co., the second-largest U.S. academic endowment, took delivery of almost $1 billion in gold bullion and is storing the bars in a New York vault, according to the fund’s board.

…The decision to turn the fund’s investment into gold bars was influenced by Kyle Bass, a Dallas hedge fund manager and member of the endowment’s board, Zimmerman said at its annual meeting on April 14. Bass made $500 million on the U.S. subprime-mortgage collapse.

“Central banks are printing more money than they ever have, so what’s the value of money in terms of purchases of goods and services,” Bass said yesterday in a telephone interview. “I look at gold as just another currency that they can’t print any more of.”

This is beyond serious, it is real and everyone needs to be concerned, because this does affect you just as it affects me. I urge you to become more aware of the far-reaching implications of this dire situation.  Educate yourself and those you care about, before the proverbial stuff hits the fan.  Having never been fond of “Chicken Little,” and given my deep faith and particular world-view, I don’t believe the sky can fall. But it can surely watch as the results of over-burdened entitlement programs, greed and all manner of misuse of power wrecks havoc down here and across our world.

I urge you to watch the video, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver”

http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/

Now, I urge you to decide upon some next steps, determine what strategies are right for you and your family, and then please take action to prepare for what is coming.  If I can answer any questions for you, or suggest other resources, you may reach me at wealthwithheart@gmail.com

Mesa-Top Musings: an “off grid” adventure in New Mexico

Recently I recalled a scene in a popular movie from years ago, where this guy from New York City goes to the Deep South.  He is in a hotel room and the air is warm and humid, the night is still.  He can’t sleep until he puts in a cassette tape of city sounds and noises.  Heavy traffic, horns honking, sirens whizzing past.  He settles into bed and happily drifts off, having filled the unwelcomed silence.

That scene was one of the most memorable in the entire film, and has stayed with me mainly because I was more incredulous than amused when I saw it.  No way could I relate to his preference. I have a friend who moved from the East Mountains back to the city because even though her husband loved the two acres on which they lived, she couldn’t stand it.  It was too quiet and she felt isolated.  Last year they sold their property to move back to Albuquerque.  I just sold our two acres, which wasn’t far from theirs, and bought 48 acres south of Santa Fe. 

There are obviously lots of folks who love city life, with all the cultural activities, great restaurants, night life, and shopping, shopping, shopping.  While I very much appreciate many of these amenities and conveniences, I like to visit then head back up to the top of our mesa.  With all of my heart I want these vast reaches of open space, the stunning vistas, the wildlife, the black night skies with countless stars so bright and so close they seem within reach, and the deep and absolute silence.  And in order to have it we are currently, albeit temporarily, living in a camper – with our three dogs.  A Standard Poodle, a Wire Hair Fox Terrier and a little Jack Russell Terrier mix who “found” us and decided to stay.  To say the space is cramped is a bit of a humorous understatement.  Everything takes longer and is more involved, each task and activity of daily living has more steps.  It is a great exercise in patience and feels like a spiritual practice, sharing such a confined space, that blissfully comes with forever views.

Our camper has a slide-out which contains the dining table and cushioned benches.  Today our poodle and wire hair fox terrier took a nap, side by side, underneath the table where I work on my laptop computer.  I thought it was worth a picture; and the picture, to me at least, is worth the proverbial thousand words.  While the boys were happily snoozing under the table, our little Sophie, the Jack Russell mix, was draped across the cushioned bench opposite me, supervising my work. 

There are those who truly enjoy living in a quadraphonic world, with multiple sources of stimulation and the ever-present possibility of sensory overload.  In contrast and by choice, the majority of my day is spent not in surround-sound, but in surround-silence.  Throughout the day various birds provide momentary concerts; and at night we hear boisterous coyotes, and the hauntingly beautiful melodies of an owl who lives somewhere near. 

An “off the grid” lifestyle seems to appeal to some intellectually or conceptually, but few are willing to actually do what it takes.  Living simply is not easy, and putting in the infrastructure to be self-reliant is very expensive.  There are many costs, not all of which are monetary. Choosing to live this way understandably appeals to a relatively small number of folks.  We have encountered those who appreciate it as adventuresome and many who think we are courageous, crazy or a combination of both.  The decision and the conviction to pursue this dream is a direct result of my becoming an entrepreneur and an Internet marketer.  While that may seem peculiar, it is true.  What I have learned about mindset, personal growth and visualizing has emboldened me.  Coming to understand the profound truth that “in order to have something you’ve never had before, you must do something you’ve never done before” has been transformative.

As Abraham Maslow has said, “One can choose to go backward toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” At this point in my life, I am embracing this wisdom in a way I never before would have considered.  

It is said that New Mexico doesn’t have spring, it has wind.  As in rip-roaring gusts that can re-arrange your clothes and threaten to literally sweep you off your feet. Yesterday was like that.  Today it has been completely still, becalmed.  A stillness that is so calm and peaceful, I am overflowing with wonder and gratitude.  Until I lived here I didn’t think much about wind. Certainly would not have imagined it as one of the four seasons! In California we had windy days and about the most I would say, think or feel about them is that I didn’t like them.  Here it is different.  The wind is a force with which one must grapple.  It can be fierce and unwieldy and there is absolutely no getting around it.  But more than that, it has captured my attention and caused me to become aware, curious and respectful.

Wind in the desert has so many moods and voices.  On our mesa-top it can go from complete and profound silence infused with a deep stillness, to whispering through the trees, to howling winds of such velocity and volume that it is almost deafening and disorienting.  The winds can rip branches from trees, just as they can gently carry the melody of a songbird, or the scent of sage and cedar unknown distances.  The winds artfully re-arrange countless cloud formations with an elegant choreography that is captivating to watch.  And when the breezes are just so, the ravens appear and windsurf on invisible currents, frolicking to and fro as they dip in a free fall, only to make another ascent, climbing higher and higher into the bright blue sky.

This experience, this off grid adventure, is turning out to be its own season.  And it is a most joyful one at that, high up here where one can watch with unobstructed views as the sun rises over the Sangre de Cristos and sets beneath the Jemez.  In addition to those mountain ranges, we live in visually intimate proximity to the Sandias, the Ortiz, and the Cerrillos Hills. The expansiveness and spaciousness of our 360 degree views come with a breathtaking landscape that has been repeatedly visited by sun, rain and snow, and is alternately sculpted by wind and soothed by silence. This enchanting place we now call home, on the top of a New Mexico mesa.

How My “Comfort Zone” Almost Lead Me to Financial Ruin: A very personal book review

“…your comfort zone is your failure zone – to get anywhere worth going in life, you’ve got to learn to reach beyond it to what I call your achievement zone.  Today, the majority are so overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear that they’re unable to see or respond to the opportunities for positive change that are literally all around them. Confusion and fear keep us trapped in our comfort zone indefinitely while incredible opportunities pass us by.”

Having just finished reading an integrity-driven, truth-revealing book of such meaning and merit, it was challenging to select a lead quote.  Some 250 pages, and a dozen chapters, I dog-eared, made notes and underlined myriad sentences.   But this one really stands out for me, because in it I see part of my former self and financial situation. And I see many others, about whom I care deeply.

CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage, is essential reading for every thoughtful, engaged person living today, who is capable of reading.  Admittedly, this is a strong and sweeping statement.  Perhaps I should qualify it by saying anyone, that is, who has money and would like to keep it or increase it; or who doesn’t have money yet needs, wants or would like it; or anyone who has concerns about their financial future; or who tends to use money on a fairly regular basis and hopes to continue being able to do so.

The author of this remarkable book which is destined to challenge assumptions and change attitudes is the CEO and co-founder of Wealth Masters International (WMI), and he was a former Vice President & Money Manager for top Wall Street investment firms for 15 years.  In his book Kip explains that at one point he realized that “the game was rigged” and states, “That’s when I finally realized that I wasn’t put on this earth to serve Wall Street – and that maybe I had some gifts that were meant for a higher purpose.” 

I have had the privilege of hearing Kip speak on several occasions, and have been blessed with several opportunities to personally speak with him.  Both he and Karl Bessey, President and co-founder of WMI, are highly personable men of deep integrity.  They started WMI, the world’s premiere wealth creation community, in 2005 with a mission to help others become self-reliant and create lives of wealth, health and wisdom.  They’ve created a company where motivated individuals can become educated; and through WMI’s business opportunity, we are given all the tools and training necessary to acquire life-changing information, experience live events and learn proven strategies in order to eliminate debt, build true wealth (which is physical, mental, and spiritual, as well as material), and protect their assets for generations to come.

Having immersed myself in a whole new world of learning, there are a couple of things I now know for sure:  this isn’t my father’s world we’re living in; most of what I was taught to believe is obsolete at best, and at times decidedly dangerous to my financial health; and those who do not pay close attention to what is happening economically and who do not take informed, decisive action could end up in a world of hurt.  And most likely will.  

Locally, nationally, and globally we are facing never before seen, and clearly unsustainable, levels of public, private and corporate debt.  We have an administration and a Federal Reserve that are hell-bent on printing more and more fiat currency, virtually guaranteeing hyperinflation and ensuring the continued devaluation of the dollar. What is happening in our economy and around the world is unprecedented in its severity, scope and magnitude.  And this is absolutely no time to sit back, do nothing and hope for the best.  Denial is not a river in Egypt:  it is a powerful psychological mechanism that, if operative within you with regard to the economy, needs to be confronted and overcome.  The most important thing to remember is that we do have choices; and as Kip reminds us, doing nothing is a choice. 

Having lost nearly all of my retirement in the stock market, a while back I was in a cold sweat about my financial future.  I had been snuggly entrenched in my comfort zone, entrusting my hard earned money to so-called “experts” who did not have my best interest at heart.  I finally realized that I had better get out of my comfort zone and take matters into my own hands – fast.  While I had achieved a degree of success and great satisfaction throughout my career as an employee, always lived comfortably and, as I was taught – invested in the stock market through payroll deduction – that turned out to be a bad approach for retirement planning.  Mainly because when it came to my investments, I deferred to the “experts” and delegated too much authority to “my advisors.”  My remaining in that “comfort zone” for so many years nearly resulted in financial ruin.

Joining WMI has changed all of that I now enjoy investing and thankfully my portfolio looks markedly different than before.  Today I have a very different understanding of money, currency and assets; about what money is (and what it is not); and how it works.  Becoming a mid-life entrepreneur has been not only a blessing, it is also a blast!

“Some people fold under pressure.  Others focus.  You have a choice today – which kind of person do you want to be?”

In his book, Kip gives us history, analysis, interpretation, rich market content, and step by step strategies.  He gives the benefit of his vast experience regarding the economy, money, currency, policy and the implications and “unintended consequences” of various decisions and actions.  Fortunately, he also gives us integrity-driven counsel on how to not only survive, but prosper in the midst of our economic situation, and how to prepare and position ourselves for what most likely lies ahead.

I can’t help but share with you a few lines from the stirring and well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, by John Newton, given that it came to mind several times while reading this powerful book.  As Kip states, we’ve got to learn to reach beyond where we are. We need to learn, begin to see things differently, to make informed choices, and take decisive action.  Learning about the economy, economic policy, fiat currency, the value of gold and silver, and coming to see my own situation in light of this learning is reminiscent of Newton’s song.  Because much like my indelible, life-transforming Damascus road conversion experience, this knowledge jolted me out of my comfort zone, caused a paradigm shift in my thinking about money, re-ordered my priorities, enlightened me and continues to immeasurably enrich my life.

…I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T’was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.

I was blind or truly unaware and uninformed about many things monetary.  Then, as I began to learn and to “see,” I was very fearful.  The implications of what is happening can be truly frightening.  And yet it was that very same knowledge or “grace” which shook me to my core that also “relieved” my fears.  That is to say, the learning that gave me a frightful wake-up call also contains within it the newfound wherewithal to see the opportunities, the actions I can take, and the solutions which are also present.  With crisis comes great opportunity.  I find it fascinating and remarkable that in Chinese, the word or character for “crisis” and “opportunity” is the same.  It is only how the word is used in context that determines its meaning.  It’s your future, which will you choose?  Will you be caught in this monetary crisis or seize the monumental opportunity?

A point that Kip has made several times in his book, his various articles and when I have seen him speak is that it is essential to think like a “contrarian.”  To not be lulled into accepting the misinformation of the mainstream media, or be mislead because of the ubiquitous ‘conflicts of interest’ in seemingly every area of our lives today. Kip stresses the importance of researching, learning, understanding and doing our own due diligence.  To not be like the masses who are being blindly influenced by ‘special interests’ whose only specialty is self-interest.

“Entrepreneurs are willing to think independently, take informed risks and enjoy the rewards that come from living close to the edge.”

What I have come to realize and appreciate is that for most of my 50+ years on this planet, I have tried to do the right thing, I’ve worked hard and cared deeply, and yet in many financial matters have trusted others more than I have trusted myself.  This journey of new learning has taught me, among many other things, that no one else cares as much about my financial situation as I do (or need to).  If you only read one book this year, make it CRASHPROOF PROSPERITY – Becoming Wealthy in the Age of Risk, by Kip Herriage .  I believe you’ll have your eyes opened, get shook up, and then, hopefully will make the choice to take integrity-driven, informed action to position yourself and your family for what surely looms ahead. It is clear that Kip’s passion and commitment is to educate and empower others; and he has the knowledge, heart, expertise and track record to continue to do it impressively.  The information is there, and the choice is ours to make.

For more about WMI & my story please visit http://bit.ly/LindaComptonMasterConsultant

Turning 21st-Century Straw Into Gold – A Lesson From Rumpelstiltskin

Nursery rhymes and children’s stories educate and entertain through the use of colorful illustrations, engaging metaphors and life lessons. In the story of Rumpelstiltskin we meet some interesting characters and find ourselves drawn in to a compelling and fanciful tale.

The title character is a brutish, cunning little man who has the ability to spin straw into gold. A classic tale, the story centers around a poor miller, his beautiful daughter, a greedy King and the clever Rumpelstiltskin. It is a brief tale filled with deception, avarice, and promises made which, from the outset, are not intended to be honored. I find the dishonesty and deceit especially troubling and was always uncomfortable with that element of the story, even as I was intrigued.

Today this beloved children’s story seems oddly relevant and offers some interesting counsel for us. It has become more and more apparent that all the paper currencies of the world are now fiat currency. This sadly includes the U.S. dollar, which President Nixon took off the gold standard in 1971. Meaning from that time forward, it is backed only by the “full faith and credit” of our government. The problem with this is that the United States Government is perilously in debt, and continues to print currency with nothing else behind it. It is essentially Monopoly money, and this means it is only a matter of time before inflation will further erode its value. Our currency is becoming little more than straw. The devaluation of the dollar, through the fiscal policies of the Fed, is causing our currency to be reduced to 21st-Century straw.

One of the best ways to position ourselves against the dollar’s ever decreasing value is to spin this straw into gold while we still can. The purchase of precious metals, especially silver and gold, is being recommended by many top-tier financial experts who are reading the signs and seeing the dire consequences – in light of history, precedent, and that which is all too predictable.

It is easy to feel confused and overwhelmed by all of the cacophonous proclamations of the so-called pundits; the dizzying posturing of those steeped in conflicts of interest; and the grand pirouettes of political spin. It is sometimes difficult to know whom to trust, how to proceed, what to actually do. For these reasons it is even more important to educate ourselves. I have found the writings of Robert Kiyosaki, Donald Trump and Michael Maloney especially helpful. And now, on a professional and first-person basis, the counsel and writings of Kip Herriage of Wealth Masters International, G. Edward Griffin, and Peter Schiff are absolutely invaluable to me. The writings of Martin Weiss, Larry Edelson, Tony Sagami and Sean Brodrick of Uncommon Wisdom (published by Weiss Research) offer excellent insights about the U.S. and international economic scene. Including interpretive commentary on what is happening particularly in the Asian and European markets.

Neither the U.S. economy in particular nor the global economy in general, held much interest for me. It’s curious and quite remarkable that I could be so casual about something so fundamental. But to be honest, until I hit 50-something and saw my retirement portfolio all but disappear, I just didn’t pay much attention. I had always made a good living, and I guess in retrospect I just figured that would be enough. Well, clearly those assumptions were based on a different time and another world. My learning is now turbo-charged, I assure you.

In my lifetime we put a man on the moon. But we also went from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. And very many of us who placed ourselves in a wage system rather than in a profit system, have been caught up short. Of course, it is much easier to see and understand this now that I have made the transition from employee to entrepreneur; and have an up close and personal understanding of the implications of these very potent distinctions. 20/20 hindsight enables us to glean meaning through reflection; but the value comes in learning from the past and applying it to the future.

Today, the lesson for me from the story of Rumpelstiltskin is to see our currency as 21st-Century straw, and to spin much of it into gold and silver while we can. It is important to understand that our world has changed, the rules by which we were taught to play are not respected by many; and in the face of deception, avarice and false promises that will not be honored, it is even more imperative that we strive to live within our integrity and be thoughtful, informed and intentional about preparing for what looms ahead.

There are resources available; professionals with integrity, who are called and committed to educating and empowering us; sound investments to be made; profit system based opportunities from which to choose; and various other options one can explore and embrace. The crucial thing is to assess where you are, and then determine what you need to do to securely position yourself: then take decisive action and do just that.

Helping you turn the economic downturn to your advantage – so you can avoid Boomer to Bust and begin building wealth with heart. Your success is my goal. As a successful, mid-life Internet marketer and mentor, Linda is committed to helping others avoid going from Baby Boomer to Bust. Despite today’s rocky economy, there are viable options and exciting opportunities. You may personally ask her about them by visiting her websites and using the contact information. Linda Compton has a BA in Philosophy; a Masters degree in Gerontology; and a Master of Divinity degree. She was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1987. She has 30 years combined, professional experience in multinational corporate management; non-profit leadership; the interfaith movement; and philanthropy. Linda is co-owner of Wealth With Heart, LLC and is an M3 Master Consultant with WMI. Among her passions are Internet marketing and mentoring; photography; puppies; gardening; and exploring the great Southwest. http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/   Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Compton

The QE2, Not Your Parent’s Cruise Ship: An Impassioned Plea

Linda with Mike Maloney

When I hear QE2, I usually think of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, a stately transatlantic ocean liner that operated from 1969 to 2008.  But in the news today, another QE2 was being launched.  The United States Federal Reserve, as reported by DailyFinance, announced that it will begin the second phase of its quantitative easing program, known as the QE2.  

The Fed said it will buy up to $600 billion more in long-term U.S. Treasury bonds to “help” stimulate a U.S. economy which is sluggish and growing too slowly.  This new round of asset purchases will occur over time through the middle of 2011, at a rate of approximately $75 billion a month.  However, when this new infusion is added to their existing program of asset purchases, the amount is closer to $110 billion a month.

So, this is not your parent’s favorite cruise ship we’re talking about here.  But make no mistake, while there is no luxury cruise, we the people are definitely being taken for a ride.  The more money the Fed creates  “out of thin air,” which is backed by nothing other than the “full faith and credit of the United States government” – our government which has more debt than it can ever possibly repay, the more they devalue the dollar.  Our paper currency could be worth less than toilet paper soon.

If you have not watched the video I made entitled, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver,” I invite – no, I urge – you to watch it now.  http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver/

Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the link to Mike Maloney’s website.  By clicking on this link, Buy Gold and Silver you are not committing to making a purchase, it is simply taking you to Mike’s website from mine. Mike is Robert Kiyosaki’s personal precious metals advisor, and a Rich Dad Poor Dad author.  I have heard Mike speak several times, and was so impressed I became an affiliate. His site is loaded with information, and has lots of educational videos you may watch without any obligation.

I implore you to learn as much as you can about the implications of the Fed’s announcement today.  I feel so strongly about this because the mainstream media is not covering the story in a thorough way.  If it were not for Wealth Masters International, I would be without a retirement portfolio (having lost mine after listening for years to the “experts”).  You may read my story here, if you like www.wealthwithheart.net  

Given my experience, and based on everything I’ve been learning, I honestly believe that the only way to truly understand what is happening is to do your own research, and follow the proven wisdom of those who have no conflicts of interest, and consequently are a few tributaries off the mainstream.  That is where you will find the most valuable information today. And that is where you will find the most trustworthy guidance for the even more turbulent economic waters into which we are now heading.

A Perspective on G. Edward Griffin and The Federal Reserve

Linda & G. Edward Griffin

 

G. Edward Griffin is one of the most erudite, well-spoken and gracious gentlemen I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.  As an author and a speaker, he is absolutely compelling.  His grasp of his subject matter is vast and impressive.  

In his meticulously researched and documented book, The Creature from Jekyll Island:  A Second Look at the Federal Reserve, Griffin offers a sweeping and in-depth analysis of the time, place and secrecy surrounding the creation of the Federal Reserve.  He explains why the very name is deceptive:  the Federal Reserve is neither a governmental entity, nor does it have any reserves.  It is a private banking cartel intended to appear like an agency of the United States government.  It operates without any real governmental oversight, and it was created in order to protect its members from competition. 

Griffin explains the history of money, currency, monetary policy, the business of banking – which began in the fourteenth century in Europe – and a host of other factors, forces, machinations and manipulations which have brought us to the dismal economic state we are in today.  Griffin defines the Mandrake Mechanism as, “The method by which the Federal Reserve creates money out of nothing; the concept of usury as the payment for interest on pretended loans; the true cause of the hidden tax called inflation; the way in which the Fed creates boom-bust cycles.”  This entire process is a conspiracy hidden in plain sight. 

• What do you really know about the money in your pocket or purse?  Do you know how it is being created out of thin air, by the billions, like Monopoly money? 
• Do you know that after President Nixon took us off the “Gold Standard” in 1971, our currency is backed by nothing other than “the full faith and credit” of our government? 
• Are you aware of the massive, unprecedented levels of debt which exists; or the actual amount of the Federal Deficit?

What is contained in this book is among the most fantastic, frightening and sinister material one can imagine.   The Creature from Jekyll Island:  A Second Look at the Federal Reserve is daunting in size and scope, and yet it is gripping.  Hard to believe, it is nonetheless based on fact.  I urge everyone who relies on the use of money, to read this book.  I also urge you to watch my slideshow video, “Why You Need to Invest in Gold and Silver” and visit Mike Maloney’s site  to learn more about the difference between money and currency. 

We are living in perilous financial times, and it is extremely important to learn as much as possible in order to prepare ourselves and our families for what looms ahead.  Our federal government has amassed more debt than can ever be repaid; and 44 of our 50 states are bankrupt. Unsustainable amounts of “funny money” are being printed. The more currency put into circulation, the less value it has. These factors will impact our future in ways that will hit like a shock wave.  Now is the time to read Mr. Griffin’s book, learn about what is actually occurring, do your due diligence, and take decisive action.

Refrigerate After Opening: A Call to Action

It’s not uncommon for me to seek a change of pace in the afternoon, after working all morning in a very focused way.  Some days I’ll take a break to play with the puppies, or go select one the many books piled on my nightstand and head for the couch.  Trying to read and juggle our three dogs as they vie for their special spot on my lap is often hilarious.  Once we’re all settled in, I pray that our UPS guy doesn’t roar up our long driveway to make a delivery, and topple everything.

Photo by Linda Compton

After reading and snuggling for a while, I decide it is time to get back to work.   But first, I go to the pantry, and grab a handful of whole cashews (and O.K., I’ll admit, I sprinkle in a bunch of chocolate covered raisins, too).   The container of nuts is nestled among an impressive array of jars and canned goods of all kinds.  On the lid of a nearby jar I see the words, “Refrigerate After Opening.”  Here, this jar can co-exist quite happily in the pantry for some time.  Yet the moment one opens it up, things change.  The contents are suddenly exposed and require something different.  Having long been sealed, once opened, what is inside is irreversibly altered. 

In a way, I feel like the premium tapenade in that jar. New learning and education has blown the lid off my former perspective, and now I am changed.  With being opened up, in terms of how I see and understand things, comes an altered way of viewing what’s all around me.  I hear items in the news differently, and am more aware of the implications of certain information and events. 

Earlier in the week there was a story in the paper about how security is inadequate at U.S. power plants.  Two key points jumped out at me: 1. our power utilities are not safe from terrorist threat, and 2. the President may need additional authority to keep Americans “safe.” 

The rapid loss of liberty under the guise of security is alarming, yet it is taken in stride, even as the economy rushes headlong toward a severe and worsening recession. 

Recently, one of the major banks announced to its account holders that it has the right to put a hold on depositors’ withdrawals, and that the bank can require a written notice of at least seven days before they will allow the withdrawal or transfer of funds within interest-bearing checking and savings accounts. This refers to a little known rule of the Federal Reserve that in certain situations, albeit rare, the bank can limit customers’ access to their money. While this is not a new Fed policy, the notice to checking account customers ought to blow the lid off our complacency.

What my eyes used to skim, is now leaping off the page and constricting my throat.  Is anyone else reading this stuff?  In Webster’s Dictionary the first definition of jar is, “A cylindrical vessel with a wide mouth.”  The second definition is, “…To have a disturbing effect: grate. To jolt.  To clash.” 

I would submit that when the lid comes off the jar of one’s awareness regarding what is happening in our world, that it is immediately followed by the jarring effects of a frightening new realization that we need to live differently.   One, we need to start acquiring gold and silver as a hedge against the devaluation of the dollar; and two, we need to become more self-sufficient.  Things in our world are changing, and we need to prepare and start taking action.  One good way to open oneself to what is happening, is to read the book, The Creature from Jekyll Island – A Second Look at the Federal Reserve by G. Edward Griffin; and watch the video, “The Conspiracy Against Your Money.”  You might also want to start a twenty-first century version of a “Victory Garden,” and put up some extra jars in your own pantry.

http://wealthyandwisetoday.net/videos/

Which Is It Going To Be: The Agony of Regret or the Thrill of Right Action?

Photo by Linda Compton

 

We just returned from a long week-end in Houston, TX.  We joined several hundred others to help celebrate the 5^th Birthday of Wealth Masters International.  There were a variety of rousing and informative speakers, the roll-out of powerful new products, the introduction of impressive new WMI staff, and a new turbo-charged compensation plan.  And a very big Birthday cake.  Seeing new friends we first met in person while in Las Vegas, enjoying the opportunities for networking, and being with team members from around the world was great fun.   

But the highlight for me was seeing the first screening of the new DVD, “The Conspiracy Against Your Money.”  Having watched the trailer countless times, I was especially eager to view the new film in its entirety.  I was not disappointed.  Although, I did experience the same range of emotions I felt each time I’d watched the trailer.  This documentary-style movie really scares me.  Fortunately, it also gives me hope and, ultimately, stirs me to be deeply grateful to be part of Wealth Masters International.  My life has been transformed in ways I would not have thought possible.  I have been stretched, strengthened and am continuing to experience tremendous growth.  I don’t remember the last time I was this energized – and, remarkably, my excitement continues to grow along with my knowledge.  

At the end of this amazing DVD, “The Conspiracy Against Your Money,” Andrew Cass looks directly into the camera and poignantly declares that years from now you (the viewer) will be saying one of two things, with respect to taking right and definitive action based on what is presented in this movie.  You will be making either one or the other of these potent statements:  

“I’m glad I did”  

or  

“I wish I had.”   

Both of these statements give me chills. Happily, I am already saying, with deep gratitude, that I am so very glad I did make the decision, and took the actions necessary to join WMI. Where are you, with regard to your various life choices, your future, and your direction?  Are you going to make a commitment to acquire greater financial knowledge and to take decisive action; or are you going to continue on, hoping for the best? Which is it going to be?   

Given that the 2010 Winter Games are here, the Olympic slogan, “The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” comes to mind.  Months and years from now will you be experiencing the thrill of knowledge acquired and applied, and enjoying the fruits of preparation, right action and prosperity; or will you be living through the agony of being on the wrong side of the greatest wealth transfer in history, having not heeded the warning signs that are flashing all around us?  

One of the things I am repeatedly hearing these days is how many people are aware, to some degree, of the fact that our economy is broken; that the dollar is little more than Monopoly money; that our National Debt is so high it can never be re-paid; and that the jobs which have been lost will not be replaced.  There is at least a general awareness from the news – about the sky-rocketing number of foreclosures, the demise of many retirement portfolios, the fact that the amount owed on many mortgages is greater than the homes’ current value.   

Despite all of this, I hear comments like, “Yeah, I know it’s bad, but I try not to think about it.”  I want to holler, “Yikes, folks, what are you going to DO, when this stuff really hits the fan?”  While I know, from my post-graduate training in pastoral counseling, that denial is a powerful defense mechanism, I am quite concerned.  And I’m not entirely sure what to do about it.   

How much does one sound the alarm?  When is it too much?  Given the seriousness of the situation, is there too much?  Where does my moral obligation end?  I keep thinking that all I can actually do is “lift up the issues” and let others make up their own mind; come to their own decisions.  Is that being respectful, or is it a cop-out?  When is one “off the hook” with respect to being our brothers’ keeper?  Are we ever? Ultimately, the answer is probably related to the kind of relationship we have with each other.  

The Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling defines Denial as:  

     “A defensive process whereby painful thoughts and feelings associated with reality are  unconsciously rejected or evaded.  While in some instances of denial the facts of reality might be consciously accepted, their personal and emotional significance is unconsciously  disavowed; one seems oblivious of their significance…”  D. Hickel   

Clearly there are lots of people who “seem oblivious of [the facts] significance.”  Coupled with this, there are powerful forces at work to reinforce our very human ability to be in denial.   

The mainstream media is not covering the real issues in a way that creates any sense of urgency.  The rhetoric and posturing on the part of politicians continues unabated.  And deep within I think we all want to believe it is going to work out.  That sure, things may get a bit worse before they get better, but we’ll weather it alright.  But what are we doing to prepare in the event that it is much worse than we can even imagine?   

I believe that the best thing each of us can do is learn as much as possible about what is happening economically; and to understand the far-reaching and inescapable implications while there is still time.   

As Robert Kiyosaki writes,  

     “By educating yourself about money and how it works, you unlock the potential within yourself  to break free from the mentality of scarcity and see the abundance all around you.  For you,  these truly can be the best of times.  Personally, I do not expect government or big business to save me.  I simply watch what the powers that be actually do, more than what they say or promise, and I respond accordingly to those actions. Knowing how to respond, rather than follow, and taking confident action, rather than waiting to be told what to do, requires courage and financial education.”                                                                    (from Rich Dad’s Conspiracy of the Rich)  

For nearly all of my adult life I have taken a passive approach to financial matters.  I have always made a good salary, bought into the “American Dream” and invested.  But that proved to be less than ideal.  Now, I am much more pro-active and am absolutely committed to learning as much as I can about our economy and how money truly works.  And believe me it is vastly different from what I was taught.  

It is my deep, heartfelt hope that you will do what is necessary to educate yourself about these issues.  Do whatever it takes to stop rejecting or evading reality, embrace what is possible, and determine what the right action is to protect yourself and your family.  I have said this before, and it deserves repeating.  Do not believe me, do not accept what I am saying…but do your own research, learn about what this means for you and your future.  

Find out what happened in 1913 with the creation of the Federal Reserve System.  And learn how the unbridled power of that entity (which is neither Federal nor has any reserves) is driving our dangerous monetary policies.  Find out what M.A. Rothschild, founder of one of the most powerful banking families in Europe meant when he reportedly said, “Give me control of a nation’s money supply and I care not who makes the laws.”   

Learn about how the rules of money radically changed in 1971 when President Richard Nixon –without the approval of Congress – severed the U.S. dollar’s relationship to gold, and took us off the gold standard.  Do you know what the ‘devaluation of the dollar’ really means?  Do you understand how fractional reserve banking works?  Do you know how many trillions of dollars our nation is actually in debt?  What is the real percentage of unemployment in this country today?   

I wholeheartedly believe it is imperative that you find out for yourself.  Then take whatever action you deem to be right and appropriate.  If I can help, or recommend a book list for you, please let me know.  Remember, as the great philosopher Francis Bacon said, “Knowledge is power.” Once you have the knowledge, and are empowered, you must move forward with right action.  

Start right now by clicking on the link below and watching the trailer for, “The Conspiracy Against Your Money.”  Then, if you are interested in seeing the entire film, you may contact me.  I will send you a free copy of the DVD, while supplies last.  

 http://wealthyandwisetoday.net/videos  

Photo by Linda Compton