“Real” Estate Entrepreneur

Ok, so I’ve posted a few times about my savings with coupons.  But, I had a revolutionary thought yesterday.  Being frugal can actually save alot more than money. 

I was at a large superstore buying a new carseat for Sophie and getting my oil changed.  I was casually strolling through this unnecessarily huge store, which shall remain nameless, and noticed the things that others had in their carts.  In my cart, I had the car seat, baby food, diapers and formula.  These were all things I needed……or were they?  I could absolutely make my own baby food and use cloth diapers.  I would have saved at least $20 that particular shopping trip.  In my observations of other customers; I saw paper towels, paper plates, large plastic storage tubs and other random non essentials.  I know what you’re thinking….how are those not essentials?  Before you call me a tree-hugger, pause to think for a moment.  If everyone in that store yesterday put back their disposable items and used washable items….how much money and resources would have been saved?

I decided to do some research as to an actual amount and here’s what I found:

Every year, the typical American family throws out 2,460 lbs of paper!!  That’s enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years!!  Talk about savings. 

Also, how much of the things that we purchase do we really need?  Think about all of the storage units that are near your house.  Why do we need to spend money on a storage unit to house things we don’t even use?  Why not donate it?  Or not purchase it at all.  I am obsessed with how our society has become so consumer driven.  It affects every aspect of our lives.  No?  Watch television for just 10 minutes…..how many commercials were asking you to buy their product?  And how many of the products are things that are non essential? 

Not convinced?  Think about how busy your life is.  Most Americans spend 5 days a week at work and then 2 days shopping.  We work harder so that we can shop more?  Why? 

Frustrating;  isn’t it?

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Hey do you want to see sophies hopeful future?

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Well, last week I posted about my new venture of money saving madness.  I am thrilled to report that Tuesday’s grocery shopping trip proved to be a complete success!!  I bought $100 worth of groceries  (including diapers)  for $45!!!  It was pretty simple; all from printing coupons that were emailed to me.  No scissors required…….

Also………I got absolutely FREE baby food at Publix!!!

here’s how……

Publix Buy 1 Get 1 Free Beech Nut Baby Food

2 manufacturer coupons for $1 off of 3

got 6 jars for FREEEEEE!!! 

just go to www.beechnut.comand sign up for the newsletter….and watch your inbox for $avings!

join the Publix Baby Club on www.Publix.comfor even more $avings

stay tuned for more great tips!

Tags: budget, coupons, family, free baby food, free groceries
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So as you may or may not know depending on how avid of a reader you are, I have been writing a book for about three years.  It is about my journey as a successful real estate investor to someone who cares more about life and less about the almighty dollar finally to a person who lives a happier life.  I guess you could say that I am finally out of the “rat race”.  I am thinking adventure parable with my journal being some type of old manuscript.  I will probably place the story 30 years from now and have 2012 happen, burying and destroying our current way of life.  Tell me what you think about that possibility.

Now for my title and my question.  Why did God kill all of the people in Haiti?  Why do we have any natural disasters?  Please dont write for population control, because I was there, and you do not know the feeling that was among those people.  Also with that, why does God tell us to Honor our parents and then give us cheats and crooked people as parents.  I havent spoken with my parents in quite some time, so this isnt just someone mad at their parents.  In fact, they left my sister to fend for herself at age 14, when I first enlisted in the military.

Why does God kill innocent people in  natural disasters and why are we supposed to honor people that dont deserve to be honored?  Please help me out with his one.

Thanks

I have gotten a couple of good comments on my other blog on activerain.  Thank you for this.  After some research of my own I have found that “Parent” is defined as someone who helps raise you.  So with that in mind, I am very able to honor the people who have helped to raise me to who I am and I am sure you can do the same.  Thank you

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Hello all!  In this economy, we are all searching for ways to scrimp and save.  I have decided that the first place I could start was at the Grocery store.   I have been clipping coupons for years, as I’m sure all of you are as well.  But, are we really taking advantage of the power of coupon saving? 

So, over my next few posts, I will be documenting my adventure into the world of coupon shopping!  I read the following blogs; (these have been highly beneficial)

www.fidledeedee.com

www.thecouponmom.com

Also, the following video shows how The Coupon Mom bought $114 worth of groceries for $1.62!!!!!!! 

Coupon Mom

I have made myself a “Coupon Binder” to organize all of my coupons.  It is just a simple 3 ring binder with clear plastic sheet protectors inside.  I used my beloved label maker to index my categories such as baby, pantry, cleaning etc.   

I have also designated one hour on Sunday morning to clip coupons and plan my weekly meals.    This week, I am setting a goal of reducing my weekly grocery bill from $100 to $50…..including diapers and formula…..

Check back to see my progress!!

Tags: budget, coupons, groceries, saving money
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The Polphia fund is a charitable fund that we have created to help people in the time of need.  We believe that every once in a while, good wholesome families come across difficult times and a fund like ours keeps them from crossing the line of debt.  For most people, we all know this line, once falling over it you are caught up in a never ending cycle of late fees, collection attempts, and a terrible feeling of failure.  In today’s economy, every day all day long good people like you and me fall over this line and are unable to get back to their feet again.

We are a federal 501C3 and all funds collected will be used to aid these people that need the help.

The Polphia Promise is a promise made under this fund that a portion of our donations will go to helping the families of disasters.  I recently spent some time in Haiti helping to get 66 Americans back to the United States.  Using Haiti as an example, that was very solemn time, and I was barely able to help with anything.  Of the few million citizens of Haiti, nearly 200,000 may have perished.  It may be as close as 10% of the population.  When I looked into the eyes of the children that I helped, I didnt see the fun and happiness that I see in my daughter yet I knew there was something there.  What I saw was the fear and pain as if everyone on that plane lost someone or more than one someone.  I saw a feeling of not knowing where home was or what was to come next.  I saw fear that disgusted me with myself, as I knew that when I went home I would see my wife and daughter again and all I had to offer them was a smile and a hand.

My help was more than nothing but our promise and our fund helps people.  We are helping people just like you and I before someone falls, before they have to say,”When I get back on my feet.”

In today’s economy, it is overly difficult to manage and we are all feeling the effects of the depression.  A woman just down the street from my home, a grandmother, killed herself and her two grandchildren ages 6 and 6 months citing the depression as the main factor.  If she would have called on the Polphia fund, we would have been able to at the very least given her other options.

So we are asking you, the reader, if you have some extra money and you believe in the cause that I believe in, please mail donations (check, cash, or money order) to;

The Polphia Fund

PO Box 50758

Summerville SC 29485

Thank you

Of course all of the applicants to our help have to go through a counseling session to determine whether or not they are deserving of our help.  It is unfortunate but through our efforts we have met people that try to manipulate the systems and take advantage of our kindness.  Please be sure that we are very careful in the aid that we share.

To me, there are people that use government aid as aid to better their lives.  I mean the 20 yr old girl that has three kids because she has been living on her own since the age 14.  She works full time, is in college and is a single mom.  She deserves the aid.  The guy who doesnt, lives in his parents basement, doesnt work, and had his social security claim denied twice as he is perfectly able to work a regular job.  We do not help those who feel they are entitled or that they can scam the system.  We do not help those who are nuisances to our way of life. 

Please help us to help the people like us that need the help.

Polphia is my daughter’s name Sophia Poltor.

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Let me just start this off by saying that this week has been an amazing week for us.  My baby started crawling, my wife had a successful first interview with a great employer, we sold a trailer, I listed some property for a Prophet and I got promoted in Jiu-jitsu.  It would seem as if we are really in line right now with what needs to be happening.

I know I have been talking about body, mind, and spirit for quite some time and it is really working.  Emptying the cup, I know you have heard it, and being in the present moment can allow you to do anything.  In Jiu-jitsu I have been feeling like I have been a bit behind the power curve and it has been because I havent had a clear mind.  In everything, we are striving to be “in the zone” at all times.

Start with meditation, get in control of your mind, live in the present and enjoy every second of everyday.  Life could end at anytime.  Use Haiti as an example and realize that every one of these little trials are so insignificant in the greater purpose.  Why do you care so much about nothing?  It could end not tomorrow, but now if it is meant to be.  Try to smile more, enjoy more, and really live life.  Thats all I can say for now.  Have a great day.

Im going to meditate, get control of my mind and my life, maybe you should do the same.

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Tell me what are you doing?  Are you in control of your life in 2010?  Mind, body, and spirit, what are you doing?  My wife and I are working out 5 to 6 days a week for body.  Mind, we are both getting back into school, I am going for my Masters in Leadership Coaching Psychology and she is finishing up her Poli Sci degree for law school yay;) and spiritually we have been going to church a couple of times a month to a non denominational christian church and are looking into maybe going to a buddhist group once a month or so.

So now that you know that I am trying to better myself, what are you doing?

Please comment!!!  We can motivate each other.

Tags: charleston real estate, Motivation, Personal Growth
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bjjSo here is my latest revelation; first of all I want you to know that I am at a point in my life that I am constantly discovering new things about myself.  I am still training Jiu-jitsu and am pretty determined to make that a regular appearance in my blog.  Today, I want to speak about the mind, body, spirit concept and how a focused mind plays a large role in what I have learned.

I have learned that the mind has somewhere around 60,000 thoughts per day and that 90+% of those thoughts are repeat thoughts recurring in your mind.  You all know that I undoubtedly believe in the magic of thought and if we are able to take control of those thoughts for even a short period of time, we would be in awe at what we are able to do.  How about those thoughts when you are thinking like two and three things at a time.  If you are able to focus all of that energy into one goal, do you think you could accomplish it?

I hope you think yes.  I am trying to become better at controlling my mind and I think in turn it will better every part of my life not to mention my jiu-jitsu game.  I just think the jiu-jitsu will show the strongest results.  Of course there is nothing quite like being in a fight to make you forget the preoccupations of self consciousness and pride so of course a martial arts roll will get you focused.

What I would like to see though is in that other 90% of the mind, you know the part we dont use.  I would like to see myself slowing down time or dramatically increasing reaction speed, I would like to anticipate opponent actions and flowing like water from movement to movement.

Jiu-jitsu can be translated as human chess with the greater players 5 or 6 moves ahead.  Just like all games, I believe it is more mental than anything else.  If anyone has any ideas or places to get ideas, I would love to hear from you.  I am not looking for more techniques rather I am interested in  theory, belief systems, understanding if you can understand what I am asking for.

Right now, I am trying to focus my mind for at least an hour or two per day.  That may be in the gym or in meditation, but I try to at least spend some time clearing my mind of all thoughts and for me I focus on the jiu-jitsu but you can focus on anything.  Try it, try to spend 5 to 1o minutes focused on one thought or the smell of one flower or the light of one candle.  Everytime another thought enters your mind, just excuse it peacefully by saying not now and get back to whatever it is you are focusing on.  You will be surprised at the peace that will over come you.

Please comment

Tags: bjj, jiu-jitsu, martial arts, mind
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LucidLiving

Oh yeah the time has come to open up a whole new box of worms.  AyAyAy!  Can you get ready for this?  This is the second blog of the lucidity series, and I just wanted to touch on a couple of topics that I missed in the first blog.  Well, I cant think of them just this second so let us dive into the concept of living a lucid lifestyle.

Lucid in this sense is saying that you are completely aware or filled with awareness.  It is my thought that we can control this lucidity as we can control it in our dreams in our every day life.  Do you grasp that?  From my previous blog in the series, you should know that and be practicing lucid dreaming.  If you are not completely there just yet, please do not worry just continue practicing this art and it will grow.  Lucidity is not an overnight success and I believe it will take me quite some time to master.  How many times have you felt really in the moment?  When did you last feel you were in the perfect place at the perfect time in your life.  I dont mean sitting at coffee at starbucks and they just got your favorite mochachino.  I mean everything was filled with great energy, earth shattering perfection in your life.  You couldnt be more satisfied let alone happier. 

I have noticed in my life that I have felt this on more than a handful of occasions and am working to consistently stay in this delightfully fulfilling feeling.  I am looking to stay in this happiness forever.  I think that it is the other 90%.  I have read books about a forthcoming awareness and it may be true as this is a step in the right direction.  Maybe in a hundred years people will consider me a prophet.  I know that I am much different than most of the people that I encounter.

Your life doesnt have to be mundane, it doesnt have to be meaningless.  You can have all that you dream of.  A great stepping stone is learning how to control your dreams.  After that, we are able to control the manifestation.  It isnt just about asking for something over and over again.  There is a science to manifestation and I am researching and learning more and more everyday.  I need to create a lucidity logbook so that I can track these experiences more in depth.  You should do so as well and send me your research.  Help me teach the world this new age philosophy and create a better less violent more successful happier world.  People that are lucid enjoy their lives more and in turn would not need to terrorize countries.

People working to constantly better themselves emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually, etc will definitely create a better environment for everyone else.  It is as simple as taking a walk instead of eating junkfood.  The junkfood manufacturer burns less fuel in creating one less bag of junk and you feel better about yourself.  You may say thank you to someone and that brightens their day just enough to smile at work which helps the boss to realize that he is able to keep that one other employee and the greed of the board is not as important as a young child eating.  That employee doesnt know it but you just saved his family from starving and embarrassment and that entire office survived a bomb threat or worse.  Thanks for putting down that junk food and going for a walk.  That walk helped you to notice the beauty right there in your back yard and makes it just a bit easier to sleep at night, helping you to become lucid for an extra couple of minutes.  Amazing how it all works, right?

You know the old saying,” Every journey begins with a single footstep.” and we are at the beginning steps of our journey.  Walk with me?

I will write more when I know more and hopefully wont be too long from now.  Thanks again for reading, you are the best, hey smile and go kiss your spouse, they deserve it.  Tell them thank you, they deserve it.  Im going to do the same because she deserves it.

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