Missed Opportunities!!!

Millions of people want prosperity, many even take steps to achieve it, but few actually    attain the goal.  Why? Missteps-flawed    strategies -something we call  misconceptions  about money and wealth myths. So what  gives?

Many dream of becoming instantly rich by    winning the lottery, or somehow stumbling on some abondon fortune. In this setting, one hit it big through luck, perhaps a combination of small degree of luck and skill.  The sad reality is that most people will never be luck enough to win big at any game of chance, because winning such games almost always requires a series of highly random events to fall into a proper, unlikely order.

Nowadays, millionaires are perceived by many as being lucky. But what  most people refer to luck occurs when opportunities are accountered by people prepared and actively pursuing goals. Here, let’s try to empowers ourselves with the knowledge to attain greater degree of financial independence.

Weekend Roundup: The Good Read Edition

These days public libraries are full of people. People are using computers at unprecedented rates, reading, searching for jobs and all kind of activities the digital world has to offer.  But why now? One might think the economy malaise is the obvious reason.  I beg to differ. People mostly are reading more and more now to reduce expenses, for fear of the unknown, to get the feel good sentiment that they are doing something important: Staying the course.

Here is my take on which perspective forks should have during these difficult times:

First, read anything that will provide you with some insight many are likely to miss – Understanding the current crises and a primer to the United States economy. You will emerge from this economic mess better off.

Second, look for insight that give you a sense of comfort and control, something to do.  Develop opinions. It makes all of us feel better.

Just keep on keeping on! Here are this week Edition. 

• Poll: Are You Noticing Any Cutbacks at Your Job?
  Generation X Finance asks a timely question after Citigroup announces that it will cut more than 50,000 jobs. My company had two rounds of layoffs earlier this year and a lot of us feel that a third is right around the corner. Good times!
• How To Prepare For Preparing Your Taxes
  My Two Dollars offers some tax planning tips and discusses which tax form you should fill out based on your overall financial picture. Personally, I’ve used TurboTax for the past four years and even with my investments and alternative income, I’ve never had much to do in the way of preparation. (Knock on wood)
• Recession Proof Your Job - 4 Ways To Avoid The Pink Slip
  Donny Gamble, over at Moolanomy, discusses four excellent tips to help you prevent a layoff. I’m particularly fond of his fourth tip, “be a morale booster.” If you can rally the troops effectively and get tasks completed efficiently, you’re worth your weight in gold to your company.
• Christmas Gift Cards - Choosing the Best Gift Card
  Money Smart Life does an excellent job breaking down the various types of gift cards you might consider purchasing for friends and family this Christmas. Be careful though - there are a lot of stores closing up shop in the next few months due to lackluster consumer spending and you don’t want to be stuck with a useless gift card!
• 2 Reasons People Are Not Saving Enough Money
  If you find yourself struggling to save as much as you should, perhaps you should give this article by Prime Time Money a read. He really hit the nail on the head with his first reason: You need to make savings automatic!
• What’s It All About?
  Trent, over at The Simple Dollar, writes a philosophical piece about finding his passion in life (helping others through his writing).
• Big 3 Bailout?
  LivingAlmostLarge asks if taxpayers should be on the hook for bailing out the big three U.S. auto companies. Personally, I couldn’t agree more with his sentiment: let them fail! Sure, we’d have to suffer the short term consequences for a while, but I think the country and the industry would be better off in the long term.
• Gas Prices - The Silver Lining of the Recession
  In honor of my pending engagement (everybody cross your fingers!), let’s end this week on a high note - thanks to falling demand and a stagnating economy, we’ve seen gas prices cut in half in only four months! The Happy Rock offers his comments.

Image courtesy of: PaulTOlson