Friday, January 31, 2014

FINANCIAL FREEDOM FRIDAYS ~ CREDIT CARDS

CREDIT CARDS!!!!!


Growing up I believed credit cards were the devil.  No seriously, I thought credit cards were evil.  My father was anti-credit and my mother was pro-credit.  My mother was charging it, while my father was an if you can't afford it don't buy it type of man.  So, initially I adapted my fathers mindset toward credit.  

Then I turned 18, I applied for a credit card at my favorite store, Express.  They gave me a $1,000 limit.  Keep in mind I had no income, well I did have a summer internship.  So, I took the Express credit card because of the discount but I paid the bill off in full immediately.  Then it was time for me to go off to college, my father said, DO NOT GET ANY CREDIT CARDS.  Well, that all sounded good however on campus, they had representatives offering credit cards for free t-shirts.  Now I had savings, some investments at the time and my mother was giving me about $300/month allowance.  

What does that mean? I applied for credit cards, by the time I was finished with college I had 7 credit cards all maxed out and in default!  When I graduated my credit score was in the toilet.  I decided to take charge and I joined a debt management program.  It took me about 4 years but I completed the program. 4 years to pay off clothing and other things that had no value and brought no value to my life.  4 years paying off liabilities I was no longer benefiting from.

Now, I have 3 credit cards I didn't max them out but I made some unwise decisions in my past.  Last year I did the Savings Challenge we posted a couple of weeks ago, and I began 2014 by paying off 1 of my credit cards.  I then applied for a new credit card that offers 0% interest for transfer balances, so I transferred the balance on my 2nd card and that will save me money as I'm not paying interest.

At the end of 2013 however, I learned a different way to look at credit cards.  I learned to look at credit cards as Other People's Money.  Instead of calling it a credit card, I now call it an investor card and I understand the value of my investor card.  I also understand the value of having huge credit limits coupled with discipline.

The moral of this story, credit cards are not the devil.  My parents both understood the concept of credit they just didn't know how to combine their efforts and use their investor cards wisely.  Now that I've attended a seminar and learned from the wealthy.  I realize both of my parents were right in a sense they just needed more financial literacy to understand how to use credit cards to their benefit.

My credit score is now over 700!  Understand we need credit, we need to establish credit history and credit worthiness in order to obtain loans for certain things and receive great interest rates.  Now, if you have a lot of capital and assets you don't need credit.  Nevertheless, until you build up to that point, you need credit.  You need to protect your credit score, use credit wisely, and treat them as investor cards.


Haven't checked your credit report lately? Don't Know Your Credit Score? Visit http://www.annualcreditreport.com pull 1 report every 3 to 4 months from each bereau, check for any errors and have them removed immediately!

If you would like to learn more about how you can become financially free and on the road to discipline, wealth, and multiple streams of income, contact us.  We have a Free Wealth Building Mastermind coming soon.  Stay connected on social media and join our mailing list.

Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health, Happiness, Success, and Vitality, Namaste! 

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

T.E.A.C.H. SUCCESS THURSDAYS ~ You Are Your Child's 1st Teacher

Through Education All Can Achieve Success Thursdays

Educating your children can begin before they enter the world.  You are your child's first teacher!

The ability to read, comprehend and think critically are important skills everyone should have.  Well at least we think so.  You can begin fostering a love for reading with your child while they are in the womb simply by reading to them.  Once born, read to your children often, if possible everyday.  


My son is in 3rd grade.  When 3rd grade began students were on a certain letter from being tested in 2nd grade.  At the end of 3rd grade, all children need to be on letter Q.  At the start of 3rd grade my son was on N, I'm confident he will be on Q by the end of 3rd grade his test scores don't reflect his ability more so than they reflect the mood he was in when he took the test.  Nevertheless, as I walked around the room.  There was a student in his class that was on the letter B.  What does that mean?  That means that child reads on a Kindergarten level.  My first thought is how is this child going to get out of the 3rd grade and they have standardized testing this year!

This is why it is important to read to your child.  You can read anything to your child books, magazines, newspapers, flyers, pamphlets, junk mail it doesn't matter what it is simply read to your children.


Often times we are focused on giving our children what we didn't have we forget to equip them with the basics a love for reading, an understanding of arithmetic, writing, respect, responsibility, and accountability.

Teaching your children isn't only about sharing reading with them, there is so much more.  We will get into other ways we are our children's first teacher but today, this month, we are stressing READING!

Visit your local library, library cards are free and so are the books, as long as you return them :).

Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health, Happiness, Success, and Vitality, Namaste! 

Epiphany Essentials Links

Follow Us on Twitter @epiphanyessenti https://twitter.com/EpiphanyEssenti
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Email us epiphanyessentials@yahoo.com



Wednesday, January 29, 2014

THROUGH EDUCATION ALL CAN ACHIEVE SUCCESS THURSDAYS ~ GUEST BLOGGER

Epiphany Essentials is excited to announce Chris Johnson as a Guest Blogger to our site!!!!!! He will be lending his expertise to our site on T.E.A.C.H. Thursdays starting in February. 


Chris The Entrepreneur is a husband, father and decorated U.S. Coast Guard Veteran.

Chris' business achievements include:

  • Johnson National LLC- a Success Management Company. We specialize in teaching others to live the Entrepreneur Lifestyle by way of coaching, webinars, publications and much more.

  • "Own My Own" Talk Radio- An exciting LIVE talk radio show specifically tailored for aspiring Entrepreneurs.


He’s the author of the book: "From Resume to Interview: The Guide to Employment Training"
Chris shares his expertise and experience with anyone who has a desire to learn from students, aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. In addition to traditional media, Chris is no stranger to Social Media. He can be found sharing advice on Twitter, Facebook and his own website www.JohnsonNational.com 
To contact Chris:
Twitter: @CJ_Entrepreneur
Website: www.JohnsonNational.com
To purchase his book visit:  http://tncr.ws/pHvW  

Peace, Love, Joy, Abundance, Health, Happiness, Success,

and Vitality, Namaste! 

Epiphany Essentials Links

Follow Us on Twitter: @epiphanyessenti https://twitter.com/EpiphanyEssenti
Like Us on FaceBook: Epiphany Essentials https://www.facebook.com/pages/Epiphany-Essentials/157878129813
Email: epiphanyessentials@yahoo.com