Motivation vs. Inspiration

I try to meet new people daily because I am in the business of "connecting people with purpose”. Sometimes I have a brief conversation with people but often it turns into a somewhat deep/lengthy discussion about purpose and passion.

This is how I explain what I do and/or believe in. “I do not try to MOTIVATE others.” Motivation is temporary and it often requires some type of outside reward such as money to help a person stay focus. However, INSPIRATION is a long lasting feeling. It is a wake up call to something that is already inside of you. Regardless of money or fame, you can be inspired. When I am pursuing my passion/purpose I cannot give-up totally because something inside of me keeps me going.

So I leave the conversation by saying this, “if you’re living this precious life only using motivation (i.e. getting a paycheck, buying a nice car etc) and not using inspiration you are cheating yourself from a felling that wealthy people experience everyday. The joy of living a purposeful life is a life worth living."

Dina Harbour, CEO
Budgeting & Money Management Coach
www.womenobtainingwealth.com

Being Successful Is A Direct Link To How You Deal With C.H.A.N.G.E.

As an Entrepreneur I'm often faced with making decisions. However, after making a decision and seeing that something didn't quite work, I have to be willing to make changes.

We all know that there aren’t many things we can count on, with the exception taxes, death and change!

C.H.A.N.G.E (Choosing Hope And Never Greed or Envy). What does thins mean?
Well with change you must do something different and sometimes it can be uncomfortable. When making these decisions, you need to embrace it but use this Acronym to make sure your decisions are positive and well thought out.

Don't make a drastic change on the premises that it's going to gain you a lot of money but end a valuable relationship of cause total disrespect with your colleagues.

Money can leave just as fast as it comes but once you destroy a worthy relationship, it's hard to get back the trust and the respect.

Dina Harbour, CEO
Budgeting & Money Management Coach
www.womenobtainingwealth.com

Getting Out Of Debt: The Only Real Way To Gain Financial Freedom

Wealth is more than just about money but you cannot have real financial freedom while being buried in debt!

Back in 2004 when the housing market was booming, I sold my home. The first thing I did was payoff all my outstanding debts. It felt so good. My credit scores climb through the roof and I was able to purchase more real estate for a great price.

When I became a Real Estate Agent in 2006 I sold several homes rather quickly. But in 2007, I went from selling several homes a year to only 1. Credit became my friend again. I tried to make sure I didn't over extended myself, but I did. Knowing that I was heading for harder economic times, I began to tighten up my budget and cut back on some of my "now" luxury items. So I got rid of my second cell phone, fax machine line, cable premium channels, eating out and many other unnecessary expenses. It was tough necessary to get back into financial shape.

The next step was deciding that I "would not” under any circumstances accumulate more debt than I had too. David Ramsey talks about this in his book, “The Total Money Makeover”. So I put away a small saving for EMERGENCIES ONLY. Believe me, the emergencies happen, car problems, water leaks etc.

The debt that bothered me the most was my first priority. I did balance transfers and paid as much as I could. It was hard. But doing it made me feel empowered and smart. When I sent a payoff amount for one of my credit cards the light in my dark debt tunnel starting showing up and soon I was walking towards it.

I still have a ways to go. I am going to tackle my mortgage after the other debts are paid. I also noticed that money started coming to me without me fighting so hard to get it. Be smart and stop living above your means. Look at all the devastation of people losing their jobs, homes, and other valuables. Try to be wiser and start taking control of your financial future. Get out of financial bondage and begin to walk towards the financial light!

Women Obtaining Wealth is an on-line financial community and organization that I stated to help others with their financial journey. We offer a long list of on-line classes for our members, to join go to www.womenobtainingwealth.com. You can hear more about this topic and many others on our Internet Talk Show every Sunday at 9:00pm EST we even have a chat room for you to type in your questions at www.blogtalkradio.com/womenobtainingwealth.com or call (646) 478-5836!



Dina Harbour, CEO
Budgeting & Money Management Coach
www.womenobtainingwealth.com

Check out my Slide Show!

Do Business Owners Know The Difference Between A Good Product vs. Good Service

Recently I have been encountering a problem with business owners. The problem I have been noticing is that they seem to feel that if their product/service is good, needed, and/or desired their customer service doesn't really matter.
-huh-

Well on one occasion, I returned an item and the owner of this store explained to me that he could not refund my money because "all" of the product wasn't there. On another occasion, a business owner commented that she has been in business for over 5 years with strictly word of mouth, so she felt confident that her product was worth my inconvenience. You see I had heard about her cakes and wanted to desperate pick one out for my birthday bash this year. I went by her store on Christmas Eve, they were closed. No sign on the door no store hours. "Oh, well", I said. "It is the day before Christmas."

So anxiously, I returned on January 2, 2008. The holidays are over -right-? Nope, the store was closed and again no hours on the door. I called the phone number. The recording confirms the days of operation. I was there on a Wednesday after 2:30 p.m. I left a message. They were supposed to be open per their recording.

The next day I get a call from the owner. She quickly defends her lack of service. "My cakes are the best", she says. -hum-

Now I have a choice on how I want to spend my money. Do you buy products and services from companies with terrible service, but good products? I don’t!

Check out my last “Powerhouse Roundtable Show”
www.blogtalkradio.com/womenobtainingwealth

Thanks
Dina Harbour, CEO
Women Obtaining Wealth
www.womenobtainingwealth.com

The Importance of Creating A Realistic Budget

I was interviewed on by AASAP radio by Alonzo Brown. He asked me a very important question, and I rushed to respond. His question was "What task could you give someone looking to start the budgeting process?" My answer was this.

When you are trying to generate a realistic budget, the first thing you should do is keep all of your receipts. Take a plastic container or shoe box. Keep it in an area that you see everyday. I recommend by your front door, bedroom dresser, or kitchen counter.

Every time you spend money on ANY item, make sure you keep that receipt until you can drop it off into your designated "box". Continue this process until the end of the month. At that time take out all the receipts and write a category on them. For example, a cup of coffee could be given the category of snack or food.

Total all these receipts and think about if these items are out of control or not.
To learn more about creating a household budget, send me an email on our website's "Contact US" page and I will send you a Newsletter on the subject.

Happy Budgeting

Dina Harbour, CEO
Women Obtaining Wealth
www.womenobtainingwealth.com

Wealth Is More Than Just About Money

When we were in the thinking process of starting Women Obtaining Wealth, we were asked this question, "Do you really think people will consider us wealthy?" I found this question very shocking. I have always considered myself wealthy. Wealth has never been just about money to me. I worked as a Trust Assistant and my clients were very RICH. But one of my clients was given money at a very young age. He was very, very wealthy in terms of money. But this young man was so troubled. He would buy expensive cars and abandon them. You see he got his wealth because his mother, the heir of a very rich and powerful family committed suicide. So although he had all the money he could ever spend in his lifetime he didn't have his mother.

So my view is this. The moment I wake up and take my breath, I AM WEALTHY. The time that I spend on this earth loving others, and others loving me I AM WEALTHY. Each day that I have my needs met I AM WEALTHY. So ask yourself, what does true wealth mean to me?

By: Dina Harbour