#Atelierbooks

To promote a Finance Focused Lifestyle, I read one book per month.

One Book per Month…

The books of choice range from finance and personal growth to life skills and inspiration. Anything to focus on our goals and learn more about the game of money.

September:

“The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy.”

Shortly I will announce the upcoming read for the month of October… Have you read Septembers book already? What is on your to read list?

Follow the Instagram Page for more and join me each month for a new book on this journey to wealth.

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6 Shopping Habits for Savings.

Lets live our best lives by cutting the costs, planning our spends and prioritizing what is most important to us.

Payday: First we pay ourselves savings. We pay the bills. We pay expenses. The rest is ours to enjoy. But what if we could reduce our recurring expenses such as groceries and lifestyle costs and free up more money for more things we enjoy?

Bulk Buying:

A habit I’ve adopted after creating my budget and tabulating my monthly expenses. I find it is easier to keep track of specific recurring expenses when I buy them in bulk ahead of time and divide the costs per month.

Bulk buying works best for items that you know you will use every month, such as household, cleaning, pantry and toiletries e.g. shampoo and soaps.

Be aware of the price per unit… The idea is that by buying in larger volumes and quantities versus individual pieces, you are saving money on each unit of product. Just ensure you have storage space and can consume the products before expiry.

Buy on Sale:

There is nothing more satisfying than buying something you need on sale at a reduced price. You can even go as far as planning specific times of year to purchase specific products. Know when clothing sales are happening. Buy Christmas decorations for the following year in January. Seek out Brands for Less type retailers. Buy second hand. Buy imperfect fruit and vegetables. Look for bargains.

However, warning! Know when you are making a good investment and not just buying for the sake of buying. It’s easy to get carried away with sales items. Be disciplined and only get what you need. Always watch the bottom line.

Use Discount Codes:

Why spend full price if you can take advantage of promotions? Use discount codes found online for clothing and/or other goods. Look for food deals such as 20% off or 2 for 1 meals often found on entertainment Apps or Food delivery sites. Look for new places that are looking to attract business and enjoy short-term cheaper rates.

Again, I am not promoting a heavy consumption lifestyle. Food can be cooked from home for example and costs dramatically reduced but the idea is to plan carefully and still allow for leisure and enjoyment while working towards your wealth.

Shop Around:

Always shop around for better, lower prices. Don’t be in a rush to snap up the first thing you see. You will be surprised at the price differences between different retailers and that money is better off in your pocket.

Smart investors always shop around.

Avoid many trips to the mall:

Plan ahead for shopping days and do not shop for fun. Buy what you need and nothing more. Do not be seduced by window shopping.

Controlled online shopping is sometimes preferable as you can ensure you are not going to spend more than you planned.

Visit the mall once or twice per month maximum and find other ways to pass your time which don’t cost money. Don’t lead yourself into shopping temptations!

Simplify your Life:

By simplifying your lifestyle you can save a lot of money. Take a look at your personal care, your hobbies, daily routines and products you mostly buy. For example, skin care and beauty takes an expensive chunk out of your budget. Consider substituting expensive branded creams for cheaper alternatives or natural alternatives which are also better for your skin.

Choosing non branded products along with branded will save you a lot of cash and they are often equally or sometimes better quality. Just remember, you are not the brands you buy, you are your own brand. Build that wealth.

5 Interior Design Features to Add Value.

What story does your property tell?

Perhaps it has a great view, great lighting or beautiful features which you want to emphasize. Maybe you want to lead the eye from inside-out, create an inside-outside living space or draw people to the heart of the home, the kitchen.

Whether you are staging, selling or redecorating you should consider your target market based on the area and the style of property you are working with.

Consider your property not only from your own eyes but from a buyers perspective. The goal is to add class and attract future buyers or renters as the case may be.

1. A Polished Luxury Feel.

Use quality materials such as marble and brass fittings particularly in the kitchen and the bathrooms.

Take care of details such as flooring and tiles; they should be aesthetically pleasing but also hard wearing.

Freshly paint the walls for an instant makeover.

2. Tidy & Minimalistic.

De-clutter the property by creating plenty of storage space. In smaller spaces, you will have to get creative and make secret storages wherever possible.

Ensure to create a clear, open and welcoming entranceway which makes a big first and lasting impression.

3. Light, Neutral, Space.

A neutral palette is preferred. By keeping the decor classic, it remains timeless and individual buyers can visualize putting their own stamp on the property.

Use clever design details such as lighting and mirrors to promote a sense of spaciousness and brightness around the property.

Consider renovation: knock a wall down if feasible to create an open plan space.

4. Tech/ Eco-Friendly Features.

Incorporate smart features and tech additions to update the property and align it with the digital age. For example, a music system seamlessly fitted into every room of the property.

Also consider, features such as solar panels, climate control and heated flooring to add personalization and comfort.

5. Amenities.

This could be anything from a pool, tennis courts, fitness centre or spa, BBQ area or terrace, depending on the size of your property.

Such amenities within the property adds luxury and gives all the more reason to spend your time and money there.

Think like an Entrepreneur AND an Investor.

Let’s take a look at entrepreneurs…primarily they act on their creative vision and implement their ideas with passion and optimistic belief…. Alternatively, the Investors primary goal is to assess risk and raise profit.

So how do these ideas relate to our personal finance and wealth?

It all comes down to your natural abilities and how you generally handle decision making and life pursuits. If we can identify our natural state of being, then we can add new ways of thinking and act as both the “investor” and the “entrepreneur”.

“Finance Focused and Passionate…”

…We become finance focused and passionate in our pursuits. We are able to predict risk and assess decisions based on cash flow and on our gut feelings.

Action Plan:

Entrepreneurial Enthusiasm: Maintain it to stay motivated. Remind yourself what you want to achieve, take daily actions and keep pushing forwards.

Be Prudent: Always underestimate future profits and overestimate costs and competition.

Be doubtful: Always do thorough research and question everything presented to you. Address doubts and create counterarguments.

Value: Look at your channels of income with the eyes of an investor… What Value do you offer? What Value does your business offer? What is the value of the investment project you are assessing? What is the realistic financial outcome?

Capability: Know your strengths and limitations and know when to get support. This increases your reach and ultimately increases your wealth building potential.

“Expect the Best. Prepare for the Worst.”

…It’s like that expression, “Expect the best. Prepare for the worst”. To me, this perfectly sums up the values shared here and this way of thinking is sure to put you on track for financial success. The perfect position to craft the life you want.

Get Wealthy in Real Estate.

What’s the difference between you and someone wealthy right now? Leverage and about a 10 year period of asset accumulation since the last recession.

The market works in cycles and if you choose to invest now while prices are low YOU will be the wealthy one 10 years from now. Seems like a long shot? Wealthy people always plan long term.

Think like an investor and invest your money now. If there is excess money just sitting in the bank, it is dead money and not working for you, only losing value.

But why invest in Real Estate?

•LEVERAGE: You don’t even need to supply the full cost upfront. You can borrow money for the initial down payment or pay it over time with a mortgage. This works in your favour.

•A Physical Asset and a home to live in giving you SECURITY.

•EQUITY opportunities: As the value of the property increases over time you can essentially “withdraw” the extra cash or refinance the property with a second loan and reinvest it on a second property.

•Future PASSIVE INCOME: Find a tenant and rent it out for a second income.

•Stable Safe Investment with LOW RISK. This small risk can be further reduced by thoroughly researching the costs, property and area BEFORE investing.

Most important things before deciding to invest:

•Be able to Negotiate a Discount on the selling price. Say, the property requires maintenance or the selling offer is too high, you can get the price down.

•Calculate Costs in advance including refurbishment costs, expenses like annual maintenance costs and property insurance.

•Calculate potential Average Rental Income by valuation and by looking at other similar properties on the market.

•Calculate Net Operating Income (income minus total costs).

•Calculate the Return on Investment based on these numbers.

RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI) = Net Income/ Cost of initial investment.

•A good way to evaluate Returns are:

Wealthy money: 13-20%

Healthy money: 9-12%

Safe money: 5-8%

Dead money: 0-4%

•Note: Your Net Operating Income decides what kind of financing you can afford to pay each month.

So there it is…Seek out your own real estate investment opportunities. Check your local areas and do the maths. If it’s your first investment, you can live in it or if possible you can rent it out, and pay off your financing. Keep it simple. Keep it smart. You’ll be one step closer to that life of wealth you dream of.

These ideas can be explored further in: “The Millionaire Real Estate Investor: Gary Keller”.

Top 5 Books for Wealth:

“Wealth is the transfer of money from the impatient to the patient.”

Warren Buffett

•The Richest Man in Babylon: George S. Clason

Beautiful tale set in ancient Babylon and one mans path to riches. Great imagery, such as the jingling of gold, stays in your mind long after!

•Rich Dad, Poor Dad: Robert T. Kiyosaki

The story of a boy with two fathers: one with a “poor mindset” and the other with rich habits and a wealthy life. Nice to contrast the two.

•Think & Grow Rich: Napoleon Hill

Personal development ideas to adopt a “rich mindset”. Touches on lots of philosophy and psychology.

•The Millionaire Real Estate Investor: Gary Keller

Inspiring read on the A to Z of property investing. Creates vision and has practical tools for networking, investing and growing.

Rich Habits, Poor Habits: Tom Corley& Michael Yardney

Follows the habits of the wealthy and examines poor generational habits we may have picked up from parents or family. Good tool for self analysis!

Top Skills to Create Opportunity & Abundance…

The stairway to success is not so steep if you develop and master these skills to create opportunities and attract abundance into your life…

“Stay Humble, Stay Driven.”

Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

•Communicate clearly. Practice talking with all levels of people that you encounter in a clear concise manner.

•Be available: Be easily reachable for any opportunities coming your way.

•Network for opportunities: Surround yourself with smart, successful people in all kinds of fields to learn from them what has lead to their success.

Personal Qualities:

•A Success driven mentality: follow through on all your goals, even seemingly small tasks will help you learn and keep you on track. Stay humble, stay driven.

•Vision & Personal Belief: You decide what you want and believe you have what it takes to go after it. You know when to take action and go for it.

•Emotional Stability & Self Control: A controlled mindset will both save you money and prevent you from poor decision making in life and business. Keep yourself in check.

•Good work habits: Time management and thoroughness are both key to getting things done successfully and to a high standard. It is highly regarded and desirable for future opportunities.

Market Yourself:

•Create opportunity for yourself by being in the right place at the right time. Choose the area with best value, best reputation and best potential.

•Present yourself confidently to the world so really believe in your abilities and what you can achieve.

•Develop your public speaking and writing abilities for correspondence or for personal branding.

•Dress for Success: Invest money in your appearance in order to look and feel successful.

Learning:

•”The more you Learn, the more you Earn.” -Gary Keller

•Be so knowledgeable about your area of choice that you can confidently discuss it and make informed decisions. Be able to predict and seek upcoming opportunities.

•Continue to learn and stay ahead of new trends.

Detachment:

•Meditation or Prayer is a way to step back from your passions to restore your spiritual energy. Take a rest and gain new perspective.

•Know when to step back and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Spoil yourself.

At the start of your journey, it is about learning and practice. Success and wealth will not happen overnight but if every year you are gaining a bit more and a bit more you will feel satisfied with the hustle and reach the final goal with passion.

Seek opportunity and know when to grab onto it. Stay humble and stay driven.

The 80/20 Rule.

The 80/20 Rule also known as “Paretos Law” explains that twenty percent of the people will own 80 percent of the income and wealth in any economy, at any time.

They say this rule equally applies to wealth building… 20 percent of wealth creation is about making plans and taking action. The other 80 percent is due to Accountability and not just to yourself.

So, find yourself that someone, a loved one or mentor to be accountable to and who will keep you on track.

“You and you alone get to Decide Your Financial Future.”

The 80/20 rule shows us that financial wealth may be imbalanced but it is NOT PREDESTINED…Ding! Lightbulb moment!

Life is always about choices. “You and you alone get to decide your financial future.” -Gary Keller.

Live in the Light

Living in the light is to rise up and choose optimism and positivity over darkness, from people to things and influences affecting your life. It is about releasing worries and hurts. It is about capturing the small joys and making them big.

Living in the light is choosing love over hate…realizing that we are here on this Earth to love ourselves and love one another. It is to show kindness, be respectful, forgive ourselves and forgive others even when it’s difficult.

“Become better than you were yesterday.”

Living in the light is having faith and trusting the journey. It is being accountable, growing and working on yourself to become better than you were yesterday. It is knowing deep down that whenever you feel strong or weak, you will find a way to follow your path to your life’s purpose.

“Light attracts more Light.”

Light attracts more light and it fills your life up with love and abundance. It is believing that there is plenty of goodness for everyone and that you can both seek it and share it. Set aside whatever is holding you back. Reach for it and it will be yours.

Wealth, Goals & Net Worth

With 4 months left of this year, we ask ourselves…What have we achieved financially, so far this year or this month? What have we achieved TODAY?

Review:

Businesses have quarterly financial statements to share the highlights, challenges and goals faced by the business during that period… We can adopt the same practice and consider our personal finances as our personal business, whether it is a quarterly, bi-annual or an annual, end of year review. Whatever suits you best.

Net Worth:

We can calculate and measure our wealth via Net Worth: The total of our Assets (Cash, Savings, Property, Investments…) minus our Liabilities (Credit Cards, Loans, Expenses, Costs…). We are left with an approximate figure of our wealth. (Not considering Capital Gains Tax, when an asset is sold, or Appreciation gained on property).

Alternatively you might just want to track your Cash and Savings Total separately from other assets for a more accurate calculation of your present wealth. This is because you will not be charged Tax whenever withdrawing those funds, so the figure will not be reduced any further.

“…Predict future Cash Flow and Seek Investments.”

Profit & Loss Templates can be found online if you prefer to make an Excel spreadsheet or if you’re more of a journal fan, you can scribble down your income and expenses and review your finances manually…. Learning to read financial statements is essential as it can save you money long term if you spot over-charges or discrepancies. It can also help you look for income increasing opportunities by working with tax laws depending on income amount; predict future cash flow and seek investments.

Whether you have taken time to learn something new or financially beneficial today, added to your income or perhaps negotiated prices you have taken steps towards a more secure financial future.

Financially, where do you want to be, by year end? Or 5-10 years from now? Let’s keep pushing forwards and take each moment in our stride.Wishing you ever increasing cash flows, abundance and wealth!