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Helping Haiti – Here’s an easy way you can make a big difference right now…

January 19, 2010

They say the ground shook for only twenty or thirty seconds. But it was enough to cause houses and buildings to crumble to the ground, burying alive more than 200,000 men, women and children. More than 250,000 were seriously injured. Countless thousands of children who had families a few days ago are now orphans.

Catastrophic damage inside and around the capital city of Port-au-Prince has left tens of thousands of people sleeping in the streets or under plastic sheets in makeshift camps. Medics and relief workers who are treating the survivors are warning us that the next big challenge is to save as many as three million hungry, injured and homeless people from deadly infections and diseases.

The sense of despair is so overwhelming. You probably think there isn’t much you can do, right? But I have news for you. It doesn’t matter how powerless or helpless you may feel, or how broke you may be, or how busy you are…

Because there is something important you can do right now that can help these people who so desperately need us.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.Yesterday, we paid tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us (who aren’t self-employed) got the day off from work. Some even took a few moments to contemplate his life, contributions, and ultimate sacrifice. The events in Haiti this past week, along with something Dr. King once said really got me thinking:

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is:
What are you doing for others?”

I wondered, what, if anything, can I do to help the people of Haiti? Sure, I could (and did) donate some money. But what else? While I don’t have the skills of a trained surgeon, or the means of a billionaire philanthropist, I do have this little blog I recently started. So I figured, if I can get through to just one person – hopefully, you – then I know I will have made a difference, no matter how unsubstantial it may at first seem.

Although better than nothing, a $10, $20 or even $100 donation won’t make much of a dent by itself. But what if we multiplied that by a thousand, ten thousand, or more? If videos can go viral on the web, why can’t donating money and helping people?

I believe it can.

That’s why I’m asking you to help me, help them. Here’s what I’d like you to do. It’s  just two simple steps that won’t take more than a minute or two…

1. Make a small donation

Wait! Before you click away, please hear me out…

I know why you may be thinking of not making a small donation right now. It’s OK. I felt the same way:

“I’m afraid the money I donate will be wasted, stolen, misappropriated, etc.“

Yes, some of the money collected by well-meaning charities may not find its way to those who need it. But some of it will, and that’s what matters.

Below, I’ve provided a list by the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) of top-rated charities involved in Haitian earthquake relief efforts. They’re a charity watchdog group who issues a letter grade (A+ to F) ratings of nonprofits. These charities received at least an “A” or “B” grade based on the portion of their budget which goes to program services, as well as their their fundraising efficiency.

But maybe you’re thinking…Little Boy of Haiti

“I really don’t have any money to spare right now.”

I know times are tough. But your donation doesn’t have to be sizable. Skip your daily cup of Fourbucks coffee, and give it to a good cause instead. No matter how small, a monetary donation of any kind will make a difference. (There’s another option, too. I’ll explain more in a minute.)

Finally, perhaps you simply think it’s too complicated and time-consuming to send in a donation. Not true. It’s so easy, my six-year old can do it (video coming shortly). It won’t take you more than a minute, I promise.

2. Tell a Friend

Once you’ve made a donation, come back here and use one of the links below to invite someone else to visit this page. You see, people are more likely to take action if someone else they like and respect has already done it. Just imagine the incredible difference you’re making, simply by donating a few bucks and then telling a few people about it. Your friends then come here to see how easy, yet powerful this concept is, and they donate a few bucks.  They then tell other people, who in turn donate a little money, etc..

OK, let’s get started…

First, make your donation. Here are your options:

Giving Option 1: Send a cell phone SMS text message to one of numbers below. The donation will then be added to your cell phone bill:

Really – it doesn’t get any easier than this.

Giving Option 2: Choose an organization from the list below, visit their web site, and make your donation by submitting the form on their site. Here is the list of organizations which have been highly rated by the American Institute of Philanthropy and are helping those in need in Haiti:

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Skimp on these 7 things at your own peril…

December 21, 2009

Post image for Skimp on these 7 things at your own peril…

When I buy big ticket items, I like to feel like I’m getting a good deal. Nobody likes paying too much for something. For average household items, my threshold for putting effort into trying to save money is probably about $10. If I think I can save more than that by shopping around a bit, I will. The bigger the potential savings, the more time I’ll invest in the search.

Most people don’t put a price tag on their time, which is a tad ironic, as time is your most valuable asset. Benjamin Franklin warned us in advance, 200+ years ago… “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.”

You can’t buy more time. But you can always use your time to make more money. I know someone who will drive fifteen minutes out of the way to save a nickel on a gallon of gas. That’s mental. So it’s obviously a subjective thing.

The price of something always matters, but there are some purchases where cost shouldn’t be the primary concern. So here is my top ten list for things I recommend you never skimp on, no matter how tough times may be:

1 – Chocolate

Green and Blacks Extra Dark ChocolateI mean, good, dark chocolate. Preferably imported and/or organic. At least 70-85% cacoa content. No artificial colors, flavors or additives. The kind that gives you a rush and makes you salivate just thinking about it. Skip the Hershey’s Bar, spend an extra buck or two, and prepare to be amazed by the awesomeness of a real chocolate bar. I enjoy a piece or three of Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate every day. A wondrous, simple little pleasure that’s also good for you.

2 – Beer

Upon tasting his first American beer, author H. Allen Smith is reported to have said, “Put it back in the horse!” Some beer drinkers claim to drink the cheap stuff because, they say, they prefer the taste. I like to believe they just don’t want to admit they’re cheap.
Founders Breakfast Stout
For many a beer-consuming man, there comes a time in his life when he realizes he’s been sold a lie. A pair of half-naked coed twins aren’t really going to magically appear in a hot tub in his living room just because he brought home a case of Coors Light, or Bud Light, or Busch. For some, that’s when the awakening takes place.

If you care about taste, but you’re on a tight budget, a Yeungling Black and Tan won’t disappoint. And when you’re ready to move up, try any one of the specialty beers from Sam Adams (but for the love of all that is holy, skip the Cranberry Lambic). Their Oktoberfest brew is the only good thing about the end of summer. Then see if you can find anything in the top 100 list here. That’s where my wife and I discovered Founders Breakfast Stout, our favorite. And I refuse to go the grave without at least having tried a Trappist Westvleteren 12.

Either way – spend a little more and try something different. Life is too short to drink bad beer. Taste does matter. And the twins aren’t coming.

3 – Professional Personal Service Providers

Falling into this category, you’ll find professionals who provide problem-solving services related to your health, safety, finances – or anyone that helps you look and feel better: an attorney, accountant, dentist, barber, plumber, handyman, mechanic, etc. If you find someone you trust who gets the job done right, don’t waste your time shopping around.

I’ve been using the same tax preparer for 13 years. H&R Block or some software program could do it for less. But my guy is on top of the complex, ever-changing tax laws. He keeps me out of trouble, frees me so I don’t have to spend any more time than necessary thinking about taxes, and hopefully saves me money in the long run.

4 – Razor Blades

Tis but a flesh woundI usually shave in the shower. I don’t usually bleed half to death in the process. Until the other day, that is, when I decided to try a brand new Gillette Mach 7 Warp Speed Nitro Power Nuclear Fusion disposable razor. On my first attempt to cut a swath through a day’s worth of stubble, I felt my skin rip and let loose a loud girlie scream reminiscent of the time my parents told me where babies come from.

I’ve used Gillette razor blades for years, but disposables always seemed kind of cheap, so I stayed away from them. But, with the economy being the way it is, I decided to try and save a few bucks by cutting corners here and there. Corners aren’t the only thing I cut. No more disposable razors for me.

5 – Birth Control

6 – Shoes

7 – Toilet Paper

Listen… I could give you all kinds of examples of what happens if you skimp on any of these last three, but really, it’s too frightening. So please, use your imagination, and promise me you won’t skimp on them – OK? Consider this my gift to you.

What won’t you skimp on?

Go ahead and use the comment form below to share some things you buy where price isn’t the primary concern. What won’t you skimp on?

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Attention Cry Babies: Whining isn’t going to help you make more money

November 6, 2009

Post image for Attention Cry Babies: Whining isn’t going to help you make more money

Do you ever catch yourself saying things like:

“My boss / client doesn’t pay me enough to do this work.”

“Those cheap bastards didn’t want to give me a raise!”

“No one will pay me what I’m worth.”

“I can’t find enough customers!”

If so, poopie pants on you. I do feel your pain, but crying about it won’t help. Honestly, nobody cares. You can complain. Or you can do something about it.

Here’s the truth…

Your compensation is now, and will always be, based on these four factors:

  1. Your ability to solve problems
  2. Your ability to solve the right problems
  3. Your ability to create value for your customers or employer
  4. How easily you can be replaced

Do you think it’s fair that some professional atheletes make more money in one day than teachers, police officers and fire fighters make in an entire year? (Hey, when’s the last time A-Rod saved a child from a burning building?)

If so, here’s your problem:

Fairness is an illusion that exists only in your mind.

It doesn’t matter if we think it’s fair or not. The simple fact is that multi-zillionaires like A-Rod and LeBron are able to solve a problem that few other people in the world can solve: They help their boss make more money.

A-Rod’s boss has a problem. He needs someone who can field, run, score and hit a 100mph fastball over a wall 420 feet away on a regular basis. Since the boss has money to burn, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the person who can solve these problems for the boss will write his own ticket.

Given his strengths, abilities and training, it is the right problem for him to solve. He is not easily replaced. He creates value for the boss (at least this year). The products the boss sells (tickets, merchandise, licensing and endorsement deals, TV rights, etc.) become more profitable, and he gets rich while the boss grows wealthy.

So you think you’re a problem-solver? Good for you! But are you solving the right ones? Are you training for a future where you’ll be a useful, valuable presence? Or are you a full-time slacker, biding your time thinking you can coast through until retirement?

If you’re not making yourself a more efficient and effective problem-solver, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Here’s what I have my kids practice whenever they start acting lazy, or complaining about something being too hard. It’s very inspiring, and gives them a good idea of what their future might be like if they don’t snap out of it.

Try it for yourself:

  1. Make a loose fist, and place your hand about 6-8 inches in front of you at belly button height, palm-side up, sort of like you’re holding a knife in the direction of an approaching bear.
  2. Slide your hand and arm forward and away from you, at a slight downward angle – sort of like you’re trying to stab the approaching bear.
  3. As you do this, lift your arm a bit and rotate your wrist so your fist is now palm-side down. You stabbed the bear, and now you’re lifting it off the ground and flipping it over.
<p>You want fries with that?</p>

You want fries with that?

Got it? Good.

But I have a confession. I’m not really forcing my kids to practice killing bears with their, uh, bare hands. There really isn’t much demand for that kind of expertise. So instead of a knife, now imagine you’re holding a spatula. Like the ones they use to flip burgers at your favorite fast food restaurant.

While pretending to improve their mad burger-flipping skillz, I also have my children repeat the all important accompanying catch phrase: “You want fries wit dat?”

Let’s take a look at the long-term potential for those considering a career in burger-flipping…

Fast food restaurant growth is soaring. Americans love cheap food that causes a variety of disease. This means more jobs available in most communities. [GOOD]

But at the same time…

As the economy continues to go down the toilet, the glut of unemployed people in search of easy paychecks will soar due to their inability to solve more important problems. Competition for these gigs means lower pay, infrequent raises and living in constant fear of being replaced by a younger/better-looking burger-flipper. [BAD]

So, it’s a toss-up.

The other option for dealing with the economic downturn (that isn’t going to improve much any time soon) is to focus on developing problem-solving skills that will be useful in any economy. The two biggest problems we have right now are:

  1. “How can I sell more _________ ?”
  2. “How can I save more money?”

If you can show a proficiency in either, you will always have a job, and you will be first in line for a promotion or raise when things do finally turn around.

If you can help your customers sell more stuff, make more money, or save more money, you will always have customers. They will beat a path to your door.

If you’re not making enough money in your current job or business, figure out a way to make yourself indespensible. Everyone has problems that need to be solved.

Just make sure you’re solving the right ones…Living up to your potential?

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