40z Rock Magazine issue 7 (preview)

z 40 ROCK Quarterly Magazine Issue No. 7

Gents: Know Your Worth TOO

Diann Valentine the

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40zROCK / FINANCES

THE JONES’ DON’T CARE!

by Charlotte Stallings

Do you know anyone who doesn’t just want to keep up with the Jones’, but their goal is to obliterate them?

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Maybe they have to be the first person on the block (or in the office) to have the latest gadget or tech toy loaded with apps that they’ll neverunderstand or use. Or they buy the newest cell phone at full price even though their current one is less than six months old. Maybe they wouldn’t be caught dead (even in the grocery store) dressed in anything but designer threads from head-to-toe, or they change cars like they change clothes — which is often.

We spend lots of time standing on the

HERE’S WHAT LURES ME:

outside-looking-in at people who seem

When I made my list, I realized that there can be a strong external pull through the efforts of skillful marketers. Product manufacturers wear us down with non-stop television commercials and pop-up ads on our computers, tablets and cell phones that tout all kinds of things, like ...

to have it all, not realizing that the Jones’ have their own issues and challenges and really don’t care whether you keep up with them or not! If your motivation is to keep up with others rather than keeping your goals in front of you, you likely won’t be successful at either.

Comparing ourselves to others can

be financial sabotage and the culprit behind a lot of unnecessary debt and wasteful purchasing. Instead, compare yourself to how close you are to achieving your own personal financial goals. I wish someone had told me to focus on my own goals and not my neighbor’s, or

“No Charlotte, I don’t know anyone

co-worker’s, or friend’s lifestyle.

› New styles, colors and fashion trends that leap off magazine covers every season. ›G litzy new technology and games launched several times a year (and we wait in line for hours to buy them). ›N ew Jordan’s released almost monthly it seems. ›A nd those blasted Groupon and Living Social deals that cram our inboxes all day, every day!

like this, in fact this sounds kind of exag-

gerated and extreme if you ask me.” Ex-

find its way into our lives?

treme? Maybe. Real-world? Absolutely!

The truth is many people live their lives

in our world today it is incredibly easy

this way. In their hearts and minds they

to get sucked into living beyond our

all on marketing, we play a part in this

say, “Look at me! I’ve got it! I’m the best!

means. If you have both hands high in

too. Have you ever rationalized and said,

I’m first to have it!” But sadly, if you follow

the air, you and I are on the same page.

“I work really hard, I deserve to have this.

them to the bank, being first and best, has

Do me a favor — take a few minutes to

Heck, I’ve earned it and I’m going to get

caused them to be broke and busted.

think about, and list, all of the ways you

it!” That my friend is the exact kind of

can be lured into spending more and

internal dialogue that nurtures and fans

mon for those of us (yes, me too…been

more of your hard-earned paycheck

the flames of a desire mentality.

there; done that) who struggle with

each month.

an affliction I call the desire mentality.

a man who lives in the “now and today,”

Keeping up with the Jones’ is com-

So how does this desire mentality

›N ew car models rolling out every year.

Raise your hand if you agree that

What did you come up with?

But not so quick! We can’t blame it

My girlfriend, Monica, is married to

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GET STARTED

☞

and while he’s taught her to live more in

ment of a problem is the first step in

the present, his excessive, gotta-have-it-

turning things around…and that’s what

right-now, “The fellas are gonna like this,”

they did.

spending has, on several occasions, delayed and prevented them from reaching their goals. For instance, after deciding to save for a trip overseas, Monica says that her husband drove up to the house one afternoon in a new car that he de-

Consumer Credit Counseling www.consumercredit.com National Foundation for Credit Counseling www.nfcc.org/ Money Management International www.moneymanagement.org Each of these links to consumer

LESSON

credit/financial counseling can get

If you continue to feed into the desire

you started on a path of change,

mentality mindset, you won’t get where you want to be; instead, you’ll remain stuck where you are.

and lead you to a more solid future. Your bank, credit union and local Chamber of Commerce may also be able to provide names and

cided in the space of 20 minutes to buy.

HIT REFRESH

numbers of professional budget-

I’ll let you imagine her reaction.

Are you making a good salary but find

ing and debt counselors. And

yourself cash poor? Do you find it neces-

certainly do an online search of

because of pride, appearance or an

sary to make essential purchases on

credit and debt counselors in your

insatiable desire, ask yourself, “What am

credit cards because you don’t have the

area to find more resources.

I taking away from to pay for this?” It

money in the bank? Do you buy clothes

could be your retirement savings, educa-

or gadgets for the prestige or bragging

tion for your kids, your mortgage, or that

rights of having the latest and greatest?

You will do yourself, your spouse and your

dream vacation. You could also be taking

Do you feel compelled to keep up with

family a favor by admitting that there’s a

away precious time from your family

others, even when you can’t afford to? If

problem. Get the help and begin to live

because you’re working more to make

so, like Monica and her husband, you’re

within your means. You’ll be surprised at

up the difference. I wish someone had

likely living beyond your means.

how peaceful you feel! ✖

told me that living within my means is

a good thing.

reveal their true financial situation. But

by learning to face the reality of your

When you pay for something

Eventually Monica and her husband

Many people are prideful and won’t

realized that not only were they not

situation, you can find ways to get off of

saving, they were in the red every month

the desire mentality treadmill. Few things

because they were living beyond their

create more stress in a relationship than a

means. They came to me for advice and

lack of control in spending. Over-extending

I sent them to a professional debt coun-

yourself based on your pride or momen-

selor. I know Monica well and it took a

tary impulses can destroy your bank

lot for her and her husband to admit that

account and your relationships. Break

they were struggling. But acknowledge-

down and ask for help if you need it!

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Charlotte Stallings is a Financial and Personal Accountability Expert.

f TALK TO ME: Are you able to keep your financial focus in the face of other people’s material displays?

How is your power holding up? I want to know. @CharStallingsFacebook.com/iwishbook

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Catering At Its Best

by Sandra Wyckoff Will you agree food should look as beautiful as it tastes. And it does.

40z Rock had the pleasure of selecting Exspensive Taste Catering and CJ’s Masterpiece as two of the industry’s best kept secrets. These two are known for catering events that delivers to you a modern, worry-free experience, delicious food, impeccable service, and artistic presentation.

the eats

›

Photo by / Kevin Valentine

› Caterer / Cj’s Masterpiece by CJ Johnson:

It’s not just about cooking It’s a work of Art! When Planning the perfect event, look no futher than us. Food lovers beware—you’re in for a Taste of Elegance. Food is my passion — my art is creating delicious masterpieces and Out Of The Box Atmosphere that overwhelm and leave your guest wanting for more.

Photos by / Bobby B Photos

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