When it comes to investing (aka money) you will want to follow these 10 Principles:
1) Never give up control of your money
2) What you focus on grows
3) Choose investments that are powerful and stable
4) Consider taxation and inflation
5) Maximize the use of your assets
6) Diversify, but don't over-diversify your investments
7) Risk catergories: conservitive, medium, & volatile
8) Multiply investments at high rates of return
9) Be on the offensive side of investing
10) Seek advice when needed

Be sure to check out the ILMA Investing to start living your Ideal Life years sooner: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/investing

Here's how you create your Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom! ►► Give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30 days. Free Workshop → https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

Don't forget to subscribe to ILMA for weekly content to get you to start living your Ideal Life!!

F.I.R.E. = Financial Independence Retire Early
How much is enough to stop working or to retire?

What does your retirement look like? Travel? Live off grid? Sail the world? Stay with friends/family and having deep connections?

Then, what does it cost?
Reality is that is doesn't have to cost much. Elle and I have been traveling for over 8 years and we have had multiple $20,000 years that we spent in total for the both of us. YES, that included everything, food, bills, accommodation, travel, etc.

Get creative and go out and do what you love to do! You may even get paid to do it.

Often, part time work will cover your annual expenses. Remember, being debt free is the best and easiest way to make the transition into F.I.R.E.

Be sure to check out the ILMA Budget/Debt Elimination Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilmabudget

Here's how you create your Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom! ►► Give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30 days. Free Workshop → https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

Don't forget to subscribe to ILMA for weekly content to get you to start living your Ideal Life!!

Winning the lottery is everyone's dream. But for most, it's a nightmare - Here's why

Whether you play the lottery or not, you've probably thought about - or dreamed about winning. What would you do with all of that money? What SHOULD you do with all that money?   

I recently saw an article that someone won the lottery, quit their job, and donated a bunch to help their community. This is what we all think we'd do, but is it?   

If you were able to have enough money to sustain your lifestyle for the remainder of your life, what would you do...would you quit your job? If so, why not plan to do this regardless of winning the lottery or getting a big inheritance?   

In this video, I encourage you to start planning to create a sustainable and recurring income so you can PLAN to quit your job and live your Ideal Life. Don't get trapped in the "work" game. Create your path to your Ideal Life today!

Choose OFFER:

Ever received a financial windfall? What would you do with it? A bonus from work, sold something large, an inheritance, or winning the lottery are all financial windfalls.

Have a system in place for your money because you will receive financial windfalls throughout your life! I believe you could look at getting a pay check every week or every month as a financial windfall.

He's my system no matter how much the windfall:
10% = Giving
Follow the 5 Steps to Financial Freedom!
- Pay off all debt
- Fully Funded Emergency Fund (3-6 months of expenses)
- Invest 10%-20%
- Pay off home early

Increased lifestyle Be sure to check out the ILMA Budget/Debt Elimination Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilmabudget

Do you want to invest $1,000/month? Yet you are only investing $50/month?

These are the steps that are a must to get you to investing $1,000's.

Deciding to never go back into debt AND pausing my investing of $50/month was the hardest and best thing Coach Mike did to get to investing $1,000/month!

Coach Jason had to have a plan for his money. It was disappearing until he had a plan. He needed to STOP spending on the things that were not important and START spending on the things that were important (such as investing)

Be sure to check out the ILMA Investing Course to start living your Ideal Life years sooner 

Be sure to check out the ILMA Budget/Debt Elimination Course to gain control of your money

When the market is volatile, should you get in or wait it out? If you are a beginner investor, it can be quite scary to invest when the markets are volatile. How do you know if it will continue to drop or if it will rebound? What is the best way to invest when the news channels are telling us to "hold on"?

The key to investing, even when the markets are volatile is to learn and get some experience. Then, you will be able to make a smarter and more appropriate decision. Nobody can tell you how you feel about a volatile market. Only you know. So, learn what you need to learn so you can make the right choice for YOU!

A great place to start is our ILMA Investing Course where we teach you what you need to know so you can get your money working FOR you and your future!

When it comes to investing, time is your friend. But on the flipside, time can also be your enemy. You see, the longer you wait to save for your future, the harder it will be to create the wealth to sustain your lifestyle.

In this lesson, we walk you through the mathematics of what it would cost you if you waited to invest. Also, you can use the retirement calculator with your own numbers to help you determine how much you can save (or need to save) in order to live your Ideal Life.

What if you aren't "young" and aren't sure how you can make it through retirement?

Here are 5 ways you can make sure you don't outlive your money:
Work longer
Reduce Expenses/Spend Less
Increase income through side hustles or part time work
Contribute more to retirement
Downsize your home/mortgage/rent

Be sure to check out the ILMA Investing Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/investing

Dictionary.com = "expend money with the expectation of achieving a profit or material result by putting it into financial plans, shares, or property"

#1 rule: NEVER invest in something you do not understand!

Our definition of investing is for long-term. Long-term is 5 years or more. Anything less, there is a higher chance of the "investment" going down in value before that 5 year mark.

Some examples of common investments:
Stocks/mutual funds/ETFs
Bonds
Real estate
Businesses
Investments are important for your wealth building so that you can create income to live your Ideal Life. Let's dive in and learn more about investing for your future!

Disclaimer - we are not investment professionals and we do not recommend specific investments. Consult your investment advisor when deciding on an investment.

Be sure to check out the ILMA Investing for you Ideal Life Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/investing

Just like negotiating with your career/salary, negotiating can be used in many other areas.

Food is my favorite thing to negotiate on as I tend to shop at markets. When I am buying fresh fruit and veg, I ask if they "would take $10 for this box" of bananas or ask "how much does $5 get me?" Those are my initial go-to's, but there are many ways to negotiate (or even barter) to get deals.

Reminder: EVERYTHING is negotiable!

In every country I have visited, negotiating is a part of everyday life. In the U.S....not so much. But in certain situations, we are coming around to being open to negotiation. Just because it isn't part of everyday life in America, doesn't mean you shouldn't try. What's the worst that can happen?

If you don't ask, then the answer is always "NO".

Keep in mind, there will be times you will have to walk away to get your deal! I know there is a risk you won't get what you want, but it's okay to be told "no" sometimes. It's also okay to go somewhere else for the win-win situation you are looking for. Play around with this tactic and see what happens for you.

Other places/area to negotiate:
Bank fees
Buying a new to you (used) car
Utility bills
How much time to spend with family
What holidays look like
Rent
Buying/Selling physical items on Craigslist, FB Marketplace, or Garage Sales
Farmer's Markets/Craft Fairs
Any business that is really small
Department/Jewelry/Furniture stores

You will be surprised how much you could save by negotiating. Try it and see.

You can put this new skill to work for you when you buy/sell vehicles.

Be sure to check out the ILMA Budget/Debt Elimination Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilmabudget

5 Easy Steps to Financial Freedom

Steps 1-3 are done in order and before you start any investing

Steps 4 & 5 are done together

The above steps are how we got to where we are today (living our Ideal Lives) and we know they will work for you too. Focus on your next step because where focus goes, energy flows!

If you are ready to learn how to get started in a detailed step by step process, check out our ILMA Budget/Debt Elimination Course: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilmabudget

Don't forget to subscribe to ILMA for weekly content to get you to start living your Ideal Life!!