3 Kids and Us

5 Strange and Surprising Things About the Millionaire Next Door

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The “millionaire next door” refers to the fact that many of today’s millionaires — and there are now more of them in the U.S. than the entire population of Sweden — aren’t driving Bentleys while they light cigars with $100 bills. Instead, they’re seemingly ordinary, run-of-the-mill-folks who mow their lawns, put up cheesy Christmas decorations, and do other ordinary things. And oh yeah, they also happen to have a massive net worth that most people will never come close to experiencing or enjoying.

So, how did these folks surge — and stay — in the coveted ream of the one percent? The vast majority of them didn’t win the lottery or inherit a fortune. Instead, they made some or all of the following extremely prudent and profitable decisions:

1. They refused to keep up with the Jones’s.

Nothing — repeat, nothing — costs more in life than trying to keep up with friends (and frenemies) with respect to vacations, cars, home furnishings, and the list goes on. Millionaires focus with laser precision on their own lifestyle, and buy things when they truly need or want them; not when they are triggered to do by a boastful neighbor, relative, colleague, etc.

2. They are extreme savers — but not misers.

Millionaires don’t cackle in their unheated basement in the middle of winter as they separate two-ply toilet paper to double the fun, or stare lovingly at their drawer full of fast food restaurant condiments crooning “myyyyyyyy preccciioouussss.” Yes, they are extreme savers and get an even bigger dopamine and endorphin burst when they wisely save money than when they wisely spend it. But they aren’t misers, either. When they want or need to spend, they do so happily (or as happily as they can — nobody throws a party when faced with an unexpected car repair bill). They’re also surprisingly generous when it comes to supporting charitable causes that they believe in.

3. They keep their stuff for as long as possible.

Think that the millionaire next door is obsessed with making sure that the car in his driveway is an envy-inspiring luxury sedan or SUV? Think again! He’s much more likely to have a 10-year old Honda Accord or Toyota Camry than a shiny new BMW or Mercedes. And you can forget about him moving because he’s bored, wants a bigger walk-in closet, or his home needs foundation repair. He’s staying put unless and until it makes very strong financial and lifestyle sense to make a move (e.g. job transfer, baby on the way, etc.), and you can be sure that he’ll stay well within his budget vs. overspend.

4. They focus on paying off their mortgage.

Millionaires don’t believe in what banks call “20-year mortgages” or some other duration. Instead, they focus relentlessly on paying off their mortgage as quickly as possible, which typically means forgoing vacations and other big ticket purchases until they — and not the bank — completely owns their home.

5. They’re not obsessed with money.

Perhaps the most surprising secret of millionaires — that is, the one who stay rich — is that while they certainly understand the importance and value of money, they aren’t obsessed with it. They embrace the definition of wealth provided by New York Times “Wealth Matters” columnist Paul Sullivan, who spent many years communicating with millionaires from all walks of life — from teachers to hedge fund managers. Said Sullivan: “You’re truly wealthy, he adds, when you have enough money to do all the things you want to do.” That about says it all, doesn’t it?

How to Look After Yourself After a Workplace Injury

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Following a workplace injury, particularly an incident resulting in you needing to take extended time off work, it will be necessary to look after yourself; to both recover in body and mind, and to manage your change in circumstances on a more practical level.

This brief how-to guide will give some guidance on taking care of yourself post-injury; physically, mentally, and financially.

Physically

For physical recovery, the most important, and likely the most obvious, thing to do is make sure you follow the guidance and advice given by your medical practitioners.

  • Make sure you take any medication prescribed and avoid any strenuous activities as advised, such as heavy lifting, or sports
  • If receiving physiotherapy for injuries sustained, then be sure to complete all home exercises designated to your recovery process
  • As well as the to-do’s, make sure to abide by the do-not’s, such as avoiding alcohol, certain foods, or smoking, for example. In addition to the physical implications, this can also have legal ramifications, such as driving while on pain medication, following surgery or while incapacitated, voiding motor insurance

As well as following medical advice, it will be necessary to take your injury, and any long-term implications of it, into account when preparing to return to work:

  • Can you carry out your previous role without causing further injury, if not then a new role should be found or created to allow you to return to work safely
  • Do not return to work before you are sufficiently recovered enough to do so

This can be challenging to stick to as it can be frustrating to wait, and can also be a cause for anxiety and stress if it is having an impact on your finances.

Mentally

Being injured and restricted is likely to be an upsetting and anxiety-inducing time for you. It adds additional pressures to families and relationships and can have a detrimental effect on your mental wellbeing.

  • Seek external assistance if you find yourself struggling to cope. Therapy can be a great way to unload your emotions and is not a sign of weakness or failure.
  • Accept help from family and friends and be sure to communicate. You are not a burden to them, and they want to support you, but they cannot do this if you don’t tell them what you need.
  • Practice meditation, yoga, or other therapeutic, relaxation techniques. Find time in your schedule to be calm and focus on your breathing to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health.
  • Stay abreast of your financial circumstances, acknowledge that there may be financial implications to your injury, and seek out support and advice to manage them. Money is a leading cause of stress, and ignoring it will only make it worse.

Financially

As previously mentioned, an injury at work that puts you out of action will inevitably have financial implications for you and your family; there are many things to consider during this time, including:

  • Compensation – You may be entitled to compensation following a workplace injury, and you should not be hesitant to pursue it. Personal injury solicitors London, Washington, Paris, or wherever you are in the world, are there to help you regain financial control and support you following your accident.
  • Insurance – You may find that your employers have insurance to cover workplace accidents, you should speak to your employer and discuss your rights. Your own medical insurance cover, if applicable, may also help with any resulting medical bills.
  • Sick pay – Another one for your employer. Check your contract and see what you are entitled to for time off of work due to a work-related injury.
  • Budgeting – If you find yourself out of pocket, then it may be necessary to review your household budget while you are off work and reduce non-essentials.
  • Research other support services – You may be entitled to additional benefits or financial aid. Research what is available in your area and be sure to claim everything you are entitled to. It is what it is there for, and you should not feel guilty using it.
  • Returning to work – Know your rights for returning to work after sickness or injury. Your employer should consider alternative roles within the business if you are no longer able to carry out your original job. They should make a significant effort to facilitate your return.

Prioritize your recovery and the wellbeing of yourself, your family, and anyone that may be affected by the incident. Getting better is top priority, and this guide provides tips for ensuring that you take care of you and yours.

How a Private Investigator can Help your Divorce Case

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Going through a divorce is a tough experience for any couple, and difficulties are compounded when children or other dependent relatives are involved. Regardless of fault, it is usually the case that there are disagreements over the events that caused or contributed to the divorce, the procedure for actually obtaining the divorce, and the practicalities of separating assets and liabilities. While these occurrences would in any case present difficulties for a divorcing couple, they can be made worse by not having accurate information. When the truth can mean a party has to pay considerable sums of money or surrender access to children, it is unsurprising that divorce proceedings are wrought with fabrications and misrepresentations. 

Fortunately, there are ways of addressing these challenges head on, meaning an equitable and appropriate settlement is within reach for divorcing couples no matter how bitter the initial proceedings. Private investigators (PIs) – also known as private detectives or inquiry agents in some jurisdictions – can be hired to set the record straight.

What do PIs do?

PIs are highly-trained individuals who seek out, verify, and analyze information on practically any topic using a range of specialist techniques, including surveillance, interrogation, fact-finding, and public records searches. Many PIs are contracted by law firms, newspapers, and other groups with investigative needs, but individuals are also able to hire PIs for personal or business matters. Divorce is a common domain for PIs, and their clandestine and confidential nature is often one of the main attractions of hiring them.

For the most part, divorce involves personal matters – such as infidelity, domestic violence, and deceit – but PIs are usually such well-rounded and skilled individuals that they can be instructed to investigate a whole range of matters, including complex financial and business issues that might be relevant to a divorce. 

Some of their core activities in relation to divorces include:

 

Gathering Evidence of Allegations

 

When filing for divorce, one or both spouses must specify whether there is fault at issue. A fault divorce is one whereby blame for the divorce is assigned owing to the actions or inactions of one or the other party. Of the traditional fault grounds, the allegation of cruelty (inflicting physical or emotional pain) is the most common, but others include: adultery, desertion, imprisonment, and sexual dysfunction that was not disclosed prior to marriage. In each of these cases, a judge will require evidence of the alleged fault. This is where PIs come in.

Gathering evidence of fault without the assistance of a PI is rarely recommended, as it could put one or both of the spouses in a dangerous position and the techniques employed could affect the outcome of the legal case in unpredictable ways. PIs are used to managing the risks associated with investigating fault and they carry out their investigations in such a way as to comply with applicable evidence laws. 

 

Ascertaining Means for Child Support

 

Divorce brings out a side to many spouses that the other has never seen. Nowhere is this tendency more common than in relation to the making available of assets and financial information for child support. 

Often, a deep distrust of the other spouse means that one will seek to hide or obscure the true value of assets, delay salary or bonus payments, and misrepresent income so as to lower any legally-mandated child support payment. Through surveillance or complex financial analysis, PIs expertly locate the true figures involved in these situations. Their work can better ensure that reporting is fair and accurate, so that one spouse is not left with any undue financial burdens when it comes to supporting a child.

 

Investigating Suitability for Child Custody

 

It is not only the financial aspects of a child’s care that are at issue during divorce proceedings. More often than not, the events that lead up to the divorce indicate to one or both spouses that the other presents an issue for the child’s welfare. This is especially the case where infidelity or alcohol/drug use is suspected, as the accused may not be available to care properly for the child. 

These are very serious concerns that have implications not only for the divorce, but also for the individuals involved should any criminality – such as child neglect or abuse – be discovered. Again, PIs are able to find and, importantly, verify information about any such activities and relay that back to legal teams who are then positioned to put protective measures in place for the child, whether that be a complete denial or a restriction of custody, or a form of supervised parenting time. 

 

Conducting Searches into Assets

 

Rarely is it the case that assets and liabilities are divided in such a way that neither spouse contends the split. Whether there are debates over mortgage contributions and car payments or business values and inheritances, PIs are able to uncover financial information from a range of sources. Using this information, lawyers are able to put together more accurate and fairer plans for the division of assets upon granting of the divorce, which ultimately means a more amicable settlement and lower legal fees. 

PIs are especially useful in cases where one or both spouses suspect that assets are being hidden. It is, unfortunately, quite common for one or both spouses to try to shield their assets from the divorce proceedings so as not to lose them in any eventual settlements or awards. 

Summary

With divorce rates on the increase in countries all over the globe, couples will continue to face a whole host of difficulties when choosing to end their marriage. The good news is that hiring a Private Investigator is one way of reducing the stress and turmoil caused by divorce, not least because it means that all parties – spouses and their legal teams – can enter into the proceedings with more accurate information. From the discovery of hidden assets to gathering evidence of infidelity, PIs bring to light difficult or unknown issues in a way that few other professionals can. 

3 Fun, Simple and Powerful Ways to Teach Young Kids About Money

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For parents, the message and motivation is simple: if you don’t take the time to teach your kids about money, then something or someone else will — and those lessons are likely to be financially costly and emotionally painful.

What’s more, unlike talking about that other subject (yes, you know the one — birds and bees and all of that stuff), discussing money doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or awkward.

Instead, talking to your kids about money can be fun and interesting — not just for them, but for you, too. Here are three suggestions:

1. Take your kids food shopping and make them part of the process from purchasing to paying.

Understandably, most parents who take their young kids food shopping have one clear goal in mind: get in and get out as quickly as possible, and with a minimum amount of whining, complaining, and “if you don’t start behaving right now then no TV for a week!” threats.

However, one way to get kids interested in the experience and boost their budding financial literacy, is by coaching them to be part of the process. Help them understand how similar products have different prices, and why some products like milk and butter are cheaper than others like imported fruits and pine nuts. And when it comes to paying, help them see — or better yet, let them handle — the transaction, so they can start understanding how the system works.

2. Use rewards and incentives to help kids pay themselves first.

In the financial world for grown-ups, a new and better way of looking at saving these days is to “pay yourself first”. In a similar sense, you can help your kids appreciate this fundamentally important aspect by using rewards and incentives for them to save more and spend less.

For example, if Santa Claus had your child on the good list (even after that “incident” with the grape juice) and handed him or her a $20 bill at Christmas, then you might offer to match their savings dollar-for-dollar after two or three months. Or, if your child has their heart set on something that costs more than they have available — like a new bike — then you can offer to help them reach their goal if they take the lead by being a smart, diligent saver who pays themselves first.

3. Stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions.

The time-honored practice of giving kids a weekly allowance is well-intentioned, but can actually be counterproductive if it encourages kids to believe that when they get older, a regular dose of money will magically appear.

To avoid setting your kids up for dismay and disappointment — and maybe some big financial losses later in life that are rooted in a sense of entitlement — stop giving allowances, and start giving commissions. For example, you can give out a basic amount for completing normal, age-appropriate chores (for 5-6 year-olds, this might be making their bed in the morning each day and putting away toys after play, for 7-8 year-olds it could be tasks like helping around the house, and so on).

It’s also important to tie commission to performance. If your child over-delivers and goes above and beyond, then boost the amount with a one-time bonus, or give them a raise if it’s something they’ve been doing for a while. Conversely, if they don’t meet a basic standard, then let them know that it’s going to cost them. Make sure that the message is consistent and clear, like a giant full-color banner from the Landmark Sign Company.

The Bottom Line

Teaching your kids about money doesn’t have to be difficult or full of angry statements like “money doesn’t go on trees!” Instead, it can be fun, interesting and most importantly: very profitable for your kids, and indeed, for your whole family.

4 mistakes every real estate investor makes which you can avoid

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The real estate industry is very lucrative only if it is done properly. It is possible to become rich in the market but it won’t be easy. Most real estate investors make certain mistakes that result in losses. Avoiding the following mistakes can help you make money in the real estate industry.

1. Overpaying

One of the biggest mistakes most first-time real estate investors do, is paying too much on a property. The essence of any investment is buying at a low price and selling at a higher price. Therefore, you will only make money in the real estate industry if you get a property at a good price. However, if you buy a property at a higher price, your investment on return will be significantly affected because the property will appreciate very little. In some cases, you might even make a loss

2. Lack of a good understanding of the market

This is another major mistake most real estate investors make. Understanding the market means more than just knowing the neighbourhood. You have to understand the underlying demand of the particular market you intend to invest in.

For instance, if you like investing in the off plan property in Dubai, you will not be successful if you don’t understand the market. If you want to resell, who are the potential buyers?  You should understand what the potential buyers are looking for.

The off-plan market is one of the latest trends in the Dubai real estate industry. Some of the top developers are getting involved in the off-plan market. For example, there are several Meraas off plan projects in Dubai such as Sur la Mer townhouses. If you are interested in completed projects, there is a rich selection of apartments for sale in Palm Jumeirah where you can invest and expect a high ROI.

3. Failure to do Due diligence

Before you put your money on any property, you must be willing to go an extra mile to perform due diligence. The failure to research on the property, the neighbourhood and the market in general is an intolerable error that may cause loses. However, it is a mistake most real estate investors make and they end up stuck with a property that is a money loser.

4. Lack of strategy

Having a transactional view of the real estate is another mistake some investors make. Like any other type of investment, you need to create a plan and stick by it. If you don’t have a viable investment plan, you might make a mistake of buying the wrong property just because you were offered a good deal.

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We left our home in Sydney, Australia many moons ago in May 2012 and, other than a brief stint back in Perth for Christmas and a wedding in early 2014, we have been travelling the world nomadically ever since, running a business from our laptops and we’re here to show you how to do it!