Just yesterday I was asked how can we (the people) stop the madness in Washington and really create change. I have to admit, that is one of the toughest questions I have had to wrestle with in my life. Clearly, we all have a position on the various controversial topics these days, as we should.
Regardless of your stance on change and what really needs to happen, one truth is clear. There are little ones all around us that need our support. Children today are being raised in a culture of impulse purchasing and reality TV. I will argue that this not a healthy direction to raise the next generation if we want to see long-term change for the better.
If we want real long-term change we need to educate our children on more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. We need to educate them on principles such as delayed gratification and consequences for choices. We need to teach them the fourth rule of money: "I have to work hard and smart to earn more money." We need to teach them how cash flow works in the real world. In doing these things we can change the long-term future for the better.
All the Best,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, llc
grant.magers@moolamonsters.com
www.moolamonsters.com
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
God and Money
Recently, I have been having a lot of questions surrounding the topic of God and money. Specifically, is money a man made system, or a God created system. This is not an easy question. In my attempt to address it, I hope that I will, at the very least, persuade you to consider the question.
Did you know that there are 1600 Bible versus pertaining to money and approximately 500 of them include the words money, riches, or wealth. Let's face facts God takes the topic of money very seriously. I think we can all agree to that point. Ultimately the question will come down to do you believe God is in complete and total control, or do we have control. If He has complete and total control then it is reasonable to say he created the concept of money, the function of economies, and the resources they represent. If you believe we have control then it is a reasonable position to believe we created money and economies to manage the resources.
I am not a judge or jury on this topic. It is an important question to ask ourselves. It is an important question for us to wrestle with in our minds. Hopefully, in doing so we will come to know God more completely. If the topic of money is important enough for Him to include it in the Bible 1600 times, then the topic deserves our attention.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
grant.magers@moolamonsters.com
www.moolamonsters.com
Did you know that there are 1600 Bible versus pertaining to money and approximately 500 of them include the words money, riches, or wealth. Let's face facts God takes the topic of money very seriously. I think we can all agree to that point. Ultimately the question will come down to do you believe God is in complete and total control, or do we have control. If He has complete and total control then it is reasonable to say he created the concept of money, the function of economies, and the resources they represent. If you believe we have control then it is a reasonable position to believe we created money and economies to manage the resources.
I am not a judge or jury on this topic. It is an important question to ask ourselves. It is an important question for us to wrestle with in our minds. Hopefully, in doing so we will come to know God more completely. If the topic of money is important enough for Him to include it in the Bible 1600 times, then the topic deserves our attention.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
grant.magers@moolamonsters.com
www.moolamonsters.com
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Work Ethic
Work Ethic.... As a business management consultant, it is one of the most common issues that I hear from business owners when it comes to their employees. They generally say that "he (or she) lacks a good work ethic." That comment is generally followed with "he(or she) has a sense of entitlement." Have you ever been around a co-worker or employee who lacks good work ethic. It can be very frustrating and can sometimes drag you down as well.
One thing is for sure, if we want to turn the economic state of our country around we are going to have to put in some hard work. We are going to have to be living examples of Rule #4 for kids: "I have to work hard and smart to earn more money." We need to explain to our kids what it means to work hard and smart. We need to teach them how to work hard and smart. We also need to show them, by our own actions, what it is to work hard and smart.
Our children are watching us. They are learning from us. We are their super heroes. Please, when you go to work or have to spend that extra hour helping them with their homework, lead by example and work hard and smart.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
One thing is for sure, if we want to turn the economic state of our country around we are going to have to put in some hard work. We are going to have to be living examples of Rule #4 for kids: "I have to work hard and smart to earn more money." We need to explain to our kids what it means to work hard and smart. We need to teach them how to work hard and smart. We also need to show them, by our own actions, what it is to work hard and smart.
Our children are watching us. They are learning from us. We are their super heroes. Please, when you go to work or have to spend that extra hour helping them with their homework, lead by example and work hard and smart.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Monday, January 4, 2010
New Years Resolution
Happy 2010. What is your resolution this year? I have talked to a few people who have told me their resolution is to get out of debt. Have you heard that this year? Is it one of your resolutions? My New Years Resolution is to work harder to help parents teach their children about sound economic behavior.
Why is it so hard to get ahead? Why do we always seem to spend more than we have? When we do spend more than we have, the end result is there is nothing left over to save. Their is nothing set aside for emergencies or for retirement. Rule#3 "If you spend too much money then you won't have any money." Simple enough principle right? Yet, so many of us violate this rule every day.
Rule 3# is written to explain a consequence to your children. When my kids want to do something that is going to cost them the rest of their Moola Monsters I always have them quote Rule #3 so they understand what they are about to do. My little guys now save like crazy. Matthew has 100 Moola cards and tries to continuously keep that many around. Michael has about 60. They learned to save based on the consequence of Rule#3.
Good economic behavior can only be taught to children by living the consequences of good and poor choices. Better to do it with Moola Monsters than green backs.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Why is it so hard to get ahead? Why do we always seem to spend more than we have? When we do spend more than we have, the end result is there is nothing left over to save. Their is nothing set aside for emergencies or for retirement. Rule#3 "If you spend too much money then you won't have any money." Simple enough principle right? Yet, so many of us violate this rule every day.
Rule 3# is written to explain a consequence to your children. When my kids want to do something that is going to cost them the rest of their Moola Monsters I always have them quote Rule #3 so they understand what they are about to do. My little guys now save like crazy. Matthew has 100 Moola cards and tries to continuously keep that many around. Michael has about 60. They learned to save based on the consequence of Rule#3.
Good economic behavior can only be taught to children by living the consequences of good and poor choices. Better to do it with Moola Monsters than green backs.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Friday, December 18, 2009
Credit Cards...to use or not to use?
Let's face it, we all have them. Credit Cards are everywhere. They call to use at those moments of impulse. They remind us that we can have the larger items from time to time. They even will whisper in your ear..."we are the same thing as money"..."you can afford it" ..."just this one time."
Credit card companies have lulled us to sleep about what money actually is, and what it is not. Having money is not the same thing as having credit. Credit is access to money that belongs to someone else. Credit is ones ability to borrow and nothing else. So when we purchase on credit cards we are borrowing money. In most cases that ability has a price tag called an interest rate. How many of us today are paying the price for borrowing too much and allowing the interest rates to overtake our ability to pay off our debts?
Let me offer one simple rule that will keep your kids from falling into the same trap. Rule #2 for Kids: "If you do not have money then you can't spend money." If you want something then you need to have the available CASH to purchase the item. If you need something we should budget so we have CASH to purchase the necessity. Borrowing money should always be kept to a minimum and only when absolutely necessary. Teach your children that to be independent they cannot ever become slave to the lender. Teach them to use cash.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Credit card companies have lulled us to sleep about what money actually is, and what it is not. Having money is not the same thing as having credit. Credit is access to money that belongs to someone else. Credit is ones ability to borrow and nothing else. So when we purchase on credit cards we are borrowing money. In most cases that ability has a price tag called an interest rate. How many of us today are paying the price for borrowing too much and allowing the interest rates to overtake our ability to pay off our debts?
Let me offer one simple rule that will keep your kids from falling into the same trap. Rule #2 for Kids: "If you do not have money then you can't spend money." If you want something then you need to have the available CASH to purchase the item. If you need something we should budget so we have CASH to purchase the necessity. Borrowing money should always be kept to a minimum and only when absolutely necessary. Teach your children that to be independent they cannot ever become slave to the lender. Teach them to use cash.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Friday, December 11, 2009
Does All Money Really Belong to God?
A close friend of mine told me his daughter asked him to explain the first rule of money to her friends. While he understood the first rule and agreed with it, he found himself slightly perplexed as to how to articulate the point. This got me thinking that maybe I should take some time to explain each rule a little deeper.
Rule#1 All Money Belongs to God:
To understand this rule it is important to understand what money really is and what it is not. Money is simply a means by which we manage and exchange resources. In earlier history, if I had one resource and you had another we could exchange resources as needed so that both of our needs were met. Money allows us a simpler way to make that exchange. Money has no inherent value in and of itself beyond the resources to which it is applied.
In the very beginning, in Genesis (1:26-29), we were called to manage the resources on the Earth. God created the resources of the Earth and placed mankind over them. We often think that man created economic systems. The truth is God created the management of resources. He created economics. There are many more passages that teach this principle, but at the very core is Gen. 1.
Even if you have a faith that differs from mine this principle still applies. It is important for us to respect a higher authority than ourselves regarding the management of money. The moment money is "only" about ourselves, the charitable application is lost. If we only use money for our gain then we abuse the resources to which the money is applied. This goes into some very deep economic and political topics that are not appropriate for this post. However, without giving we only hurt ourselves in the long run.
In conclusion all things belong to God. Therefore, that includes money. Take care of what has been given to you.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Rule#1 All Money Belongs to God:
To understand this rule it is important to understand what money really is and what it is not. Money is simply a means by which we manage and exchange resources. In earlier history, if I had one resource and you had another we could exchange resources as needed so that both of our needs were met. Money allows us a simpler way to make that exchange. Money has no inherent value in and of itself beyond the resources to which it is applied.
In the very beginning, in Genesis (1:26-29), we were called to manage the resources on the Earth. God created the resources of the Earth and placed mankind over them. We often think that man created economic systems. The truth is God created the management of resources. He created economics. There are many more passages that teach this principle, but at the very core is Gen. 1.
Even if you have a faith that differs from mine this principle still applies. It is important for us to respect a higher authority than ourselves regarding the management of money. The moment money is "only" about ourselves, the charitable application is lost. If we only use money for our gain then we abuse the resources to which the money is applied. This goes into some very deep economic and political topics that are not appropriate for this post. However, without giving we only hurt ourselves in the long run.
In conclusion all things belong to God. Therefore, that includes money. Take care of what has been given to you.
Sincerely,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Friday, December 4, 2009
Fishing for Kids
Recently I was given the book "Fish" by Stephen Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen. If you have not had a chance to read "Fish", I highly recommend picking a copy up today. The book itself is directed towards increasing morale and improving results in business, but the four principles the the book emphasizes is good to practice for all areas of our life, especially in our relationship with our children.
Principle 1: Choose Your Attitude
How often do we get home tired from work, and our attitudes may be a little less than optimal. It is so important for us to choose our attitude when we are with our kids. Our time with them is precious and limited. We need to have a positive attitude as much as we can around our children.
Principle 2: Play
Who knows better how to play than our kids. They can bring out the kid in us if we let them. Find time to play.
Principle 3: Make Their Day
Who doesn't love it when someone goes out of the way to make our day? Take them on a walk. Go out for ice cream. Read them a book. Making a child's day is as simple as spending quality time with them.
Principle 4: Be Present
This may be the most important and the most difficult principle to apply on a consistent basis. When we are with our children we need to focus on them. It is so easy to let our minds drift off into work or bills when we are spending time with our kids. It is so easy to jump on the cell phone when are kids are wanting our attention. Be present for them. Look them in the eye when they are speaking. Acknowledge their comments and questions. When you are with them, give them your full attention.
The "Fish Philosophy" is great for growing our relationships with our children. Remember to choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present.
Wishing you the best,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
Principle 1: Choose Your Attitude
How often do we get home tired from work, and our attitudes may be a little less than optimal. It is so important for us to choose our attitude when we are with our kids. Our time with them is precious and limited. We need to have a positive attitude as much as we can around our children.
Principle 2: Play
Who knows better how to play than our kids. They can bring out the kid in us if we let them. Find time to play.
Principle 3: Make Their Day
Who doesn't love it when someone goes out of the way to make our day? Take them on a walk. Go out for ice cream. Read them a book. Making a child's day is as simple as spending quality time with them.
Principle 4: Be Present
This may be the most important and the most difficult principle to apply on a consistent basis. When we are with our children we need to focus on them. It is so easy to let our minds drift off into work or bills when we are spending time with our kids. It is so easy to jump on the cell phone when are kids are wanting our attention. Be present for them. Look them in the eye when they are speaking. Acknowledge their comments and questions. When you are with them, give them your full attention.
The "Fish Philosophy" is great for growing our relationships with our children. Remember to choose your attitude, play, make their day, and be present.
Wishing you the best,
Grant Magers
CEO
Moola Monsters, LLC
www.moolamonsters.com
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