America is the wealthiest country in the world! However, 80% of Americans feel like they're falling behind financially! The Social Security Administration reported that for every 100 people born in America by the time their 65th birthday arrives, 36 are dead, 54 are dependent on family or welfare, 5 are still working, 4 are financially successful and only 1 is wealthy.

As a NAFE Director, I travel around many cities and what I am hearing is that the economy is improving. I am also finding that a lot of people have overextended themselves and are deep in debt. Some people with jobs live paycheck to paycheck, others have lost jobs and use credit cards to get by. Whatever the reason may be we have to find a solution to eliminate debt to exist in our world without anxiety and less stress !       

I have been researching the subject Money Management. We were taught basic reading, writing and arithmetic in schools. Unless you were doing a Business Course in College we were not taught how to manage money. We don't know how to balance a checkbook and why bother when we are requested to go paperless! Therefore, it is our responsibility to be proactive and get the education that is needed.

What's your "Money Mindset" ? What would you do if you won the lottery? Take the lump sum, spread it out over several years, continue working and invest it or just retire! That is a big decision if you won, entirely your choice. Jack Whittaker became famous after winning $314.9 million. He took a lump sum payment which came out to $93 million after taxes. He has been robbed, mobbed by requests for money, sued by casinos for gambling debts, and lost his private lifestyle!

On August 23, 2017 the $758.7 million Powerball jackpot, went to Mavis Wanczyk, a hospital worker from the western Massachusetts town of Chicopee. She was announced Thursday as the winner of the biggest undivided lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Mavis Wanczyk quit her job on Thursday after learning she had won the prize. Lottery officials said she chose to take a lump sum payment of $480 million, or $336 million after taxes.

A survey in 2014 found that 41% would want to keep working if they’d won. Financial Experts suggests not making impulsive decisions and staying under the radar! But how do you do that when the Media is looking for you! You may find out that you suddenly will have a lot of friends & family who are ready to spend that money for you. However, investing strategically will allow the money to grow and not be depleted! Failure to invest properly is throwing seeds on stony ground expecting an abundant harvest. At the end of the day, the choice is yours!

Ok, so you did not win the lottery, the reality is you are back to work! You enjoy what you do, but you are not happy with your take home pay! You don't like the fact that you have not had a promotion or raise for a long time. Your boss does not think you deserve that raise. Did you know you can give yourself a monthly raise? Yes, you can! You can take home more money each month by fixing your tax information! Income Shifting is just one of the strategies to start building money for the future!

For more information and/or to contact the writer call (951) 400-5341 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.