Remember when cigarette's were cool? Doctors even smoked them. This is exactly how I feel about credit cards! We will view them as the financial cancer they are in the coming decades.

Do yourself a favor and stop using your credit cards today. You will avoid spending more than you earn. You will stop borrowing money. And you will greatly reduced your chances of identity theft.

I used to have a credit card and I canceled mine over 15 years ago! Believe me when I say life is so much better now without a credit card. It's the same feelings as an ex-smoker, they didn't remember how good it was before they smoked!

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

We want you to get rid of debt, but that's just the beginning. The real fun comes after the debt is gone!

There are lots of people out there who focus on helping us get out of debt. I'm a financial coach and know a lot of other coaches who help their clients with this important step. For the record, I agree that debt is a problem and needs to be eliminated from our financial life, but what I have seen and heard from all of my colleagues is they focus too much on this as "the goal". They focus so much on debt freedom, they forget to walk their clients PAST this goal and remind them there is so much more out there after we get out of debt.

Debt Freedom isn't the end goal...it's Just The Beginning! The cool thing is once you are debt free, you have so many more options to do things you want to do. I remember the year I got out of debt completely...I was so excited to have money around again, I ended up splurging on extra Christmas gifts for family members, buying extra food, going out to eat more, and looking at purchases that were only in my dreams up until that point. I had to reign myself in a bit as I went along, but the point is I felt free to spend because I actually had money. I wasn't worried about credit card bills, not having enough, spending a lot of money on interest, and living paycheck to paycheck.

Money isn't the most important thing in life, but when you have money, you have a lot more options in life. So, yes, create a plan to get out of debt - quickly! But don't forget that it is just the beginning, not the end goal. If you don't have a debt elimination plan or haven't thought about what you'll do after the debt is gone, let's create a plan together!

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

The most desirable places to live are always the most expensive but how can you afford to live in these places? In this video, we give you some practical tips and several real-life stories of how we've lived in some of the most expensive areas in the world, but didn't have to pay the market rate for rent.

Here are several ways to live in an expensive area cheaply. Watch the video for more explanation:
1) Rent a room or share a house
2) Ask your Community/Family/Friends if they have a place to rent
3) Caretaking or volunteering in exchange for rent
4) House/Pet sitting in exchange for rent (https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/refer/RAF187614/?utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=refer-a-friend&utm_campaign=refer-a-friend)
5) Rent out your place for a few nights per month

It's all about what is important to you, what you are willing to sacrifice, and what you are NOT willing to sacrifice.

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

Budgeting will help you:
- Gain more control of your life and money
- Make different decisions so you can save more and allocate those dollars to other things
- Assess what is important to you
- Teach you how to say "No", but also teach you how to say "Yes" (without guilt)

Check out our budgeting resources here:
Coach Mike's Course - https://www.moneylikemike.com/budget
Coach Jason's Course (get $20 off with this special link) - https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/offers/QHtjuLVg?coupon_code=BUDGET20

Then check out the Ideal Life & Money Academy: - https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilma

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

I saved at least $100,000 in 2023!!!!

That is huge as we only spent $40,000 in total for the year. That's right, my wife and I spent less than $40,000 for the entire year driving across the country in our RV. This also includes over $6,000 worth of prepaid expenses/travel in 2024.

The 3 big ticket items that I did NOT purchase in 2023 that saved me $100,000:
1) NBA Lakers basketball tickets ~$2,000
2) Test driving a Tesla and not buying one ~$30,000 up to $70,000+
3) Buying into a time share that was pitched to us for ~$70,000 

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

Tip #1: Get rid of your credit cards
If you cut them up, then the debt can't grow more or grow back!

Tip #2: Decide to change
If you continue to do the same things and expect a different result = insanity.

Tip #3: Combat the guilt and shame
Give yourself some grace. We have ALL made mistakes.

**Increase income and decrease your expenses**
We tend to need a little of both. Think about asking for a raise, getting a second job, and cancelling multiple monthly subscriptions.

Tip #4: Use your savings
Do NOT pay interest on your credit card at a rate of 20% when you have the cash in your account to pay it off. It doesn't make sense.

Tip #5: Sell something
Did you get a gift from Christmas that you didn't really want or plan to use? Sell it. Take that money and pay off your smallest debt today!

Tip #6: Side hustle
Remember, a second job or side hustle is temporary. Maybe it's only for 30 or 90 days. It is not forever.

Tip #7: Take back gifts
Especially if you purchased one for yourself that you put on a credit card!

Tip #8: Set aside money systematically
Saving $100/month will give you $1,200 for Christmas when it comes next December

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

Tip #1: Net worth spreadsheet
Coach Mike does this every January 1st. Updating your net worth document is key to making sure you are moving in the right direction. "What doesn't get measured, doesn't get managed"

Tip #2: Adjust your budget
Coach Jason recommends reviewing your budget and make any changes so you can anticipate increases or decreases for the new year

Tip #3: Review goals/dreams
Coach Mike loves reviewing the last 12 months, what is the trajectory, and what are goals/dreams for the next 12 months.

Tip #4: Review your insurance and investment contributions
Do your investments need to be funded before the end of the year for those tax benefits?

Tip #5: ALWAYS have fun!!
Create these habits for every year end review.

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

We all want to invest for our future, but what we don't know may end up hurting us. So, I put together a few tips on what you need to know or ask when investing your money.

Should you work with a Financial Advisor for your investments or do it on your own? That's the big question isn't it? Depending on who you talk to, many say a Financial Advisor is expensive and not worth hiring for your investment management. Others say it's completely worth it and they are invaluable for helping you build wealth. So which is it? As like a lot of answers, it "depends" on your situation.

When you are first starting out, it most likely won't be worth it to hire an Advisor because you don't have enough money invested to justify the fees. However, once you have a decent amount of invested (usually $250k is a good starting point), I believe most people will benefit from having an Advisor in their corner.

Before you make your decision, you'll want to ask the question: "will the Advisor make me more money that they cost me?". There are always fees associated with a Financial Advisor (FA), so you want to know what those are.

If/when you decide to hire someone, here are some questions you want to ask the people you are interviewing (I recommend talking with 2-3 before making a decision):
1) What is the investment portfolio you are recommending for me?
2) Why did you pick this for me?
3) What is the cost (initial costs as well as ongoing costs)?
4) How will this impact my taxes?
5) Is there anything else I need to know about these investments before I make a decision?

There are obviously more questions you should ask, but this is a good start. If you are just getting started, I'd recommend getting organized with your money, getting your budget put together, have an emergency fund, and pay off your debts before investing. If you need help, coaching might be right for you. Check out our Ideal Life & Money Academy to get you started: https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/ilma

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

After living in an RV for a year, I have learned a few things! Here are my top 5 tips:
1) Try it out before you buy
2) It's not always glamorous
3) Be aware of the extra costs
4) Never buy a new RV/Van
5) Pay cash

When we talk about your Ideal Life, many people say they want to travel. And some think that traveling full time sounds like fun. The Van/RV life can be thrilling, but before you spend a pile of money on an RV, you might want to do some research to find out if it's the type of lifestyle that's right for you. In this video, I cover several tips or things to consider when assessing if the RV life is for you.

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise

People have been dealing with and struggling with money for generations. So why have we not learned to figure this subject out? After thousands of years, we are still in the same boat. We want more and we don't make enough to get what we want. Finances are very complex with multiple facets to it, but if you follow this 1 simple rule, you'll get rid of the vast majority of your financial problems.

It's very easy to understand, yet very difficult to live by - "Live on less than you make". That's right, this rule is so effective, if you do this your entire life, you should be in good shape. However, the majority of us, especially in North America can't seem to follow this rule. It's not because we are bad people. It's because we just don't think about it, and even more true is we haven't developed the discipline of spending less than we make.

You see, once you develop a discipline to do something, you'll convert that discipline into a habit. And once you have a habit, it's very difficult to break that habit. This works both in the positive and the negative. We all know people who have bad habits they can't break, even if they want to. But we also know people who have good habits who seem to be so dedicated to that habit, it would take a strong force to break it.

When you have some sort of habit in your life, we take action - even if it hurts us and when we take action toward something, we get the natural result that comes from that habit. Commit to writing down the results you want, determine what habit needs to be developed, then start creating the actions that lead you to creating this habit.

It all starts with a simple budget and you can put one together in just a few minutes. If you want to learn about my budget philosophy and get help saving hundreds of dollars every month so you can start living your Ideal Life, check out my "Budgeting for your Ideal Life" course (use this link for $20 off!): https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/offers/QHtjuLVg?coupon_code=BUDGET20

______________________________________
Our goal at Ideal Life & Money Academy (ILMA) is to help you:
↪ gain confidence and certainty when it comes to handling your money wisely
↪ be part of our Active Community, filled with like-minded people who want to see you win
↪ define your Ideal Life
↪ become debt free (permanently)
↪ save more of your paycheck
↪ invest for your family's future
↪ find or create your ideal work

Some people will reach Financial Freedom without help, but it takes a lot of work and usually a long time - but if you could get there years or even decades faster without having to go through all of the pain of learning on your own, would you do it?

We believe everyone can live their Ideal Life and reach Financial Freedom, but we have been conditioned to think we can't create the life of our dreams. The Ideal Life & Money Academy is here to change that. ______________________________________
Come check us out to learn how you can give yourself a 10% raise (or more) without working more hours in the next 30-days, you've got nothing to lose and only your Ideal Life to gain! https://www.sentinelcoaching.com/raise