20 Personal Prosperity Practices (Emotions + All)

More than most subjects and matters of life, we tend to leave money wisdom to the experts. Fitness - we get that we need to do what works for us as individuals. Sex – you know that you’re the mistress or mister of your own domain. But money - few of us, would proclaim that we’re money experts. But just like your body and your heart, if you’ve created a relationship to money that works for you in some way - then that makes you your own money expert. You don’t need to know a thing about stock trading or how to read a profit n’ loss statement to be Chief Operating Officer of The Bank of You.

We don’t talk about money like we talk about diet tips or how to get the best bikini wax. We should. The more we talk about money amongst ourselves as friends, the more power we have. We demystify expertise, we expose fallacies and schemes, we neutralize emotional charge, we redefine success, and we help each other prosper.

Talk to your friends about money this week.

20 personal finance perspectives that took me most of my adult life to clarify and got me to a place of grooving prosperity

My money philosophy summed up: Be very attentive. Don’t cling. Practice generosity. Go for pleasure – now (which leans toward instant gratification, not delaying).

1. Talk about money. I have a kind of fiendish curiosity about how people create their financial freedom … or misery. “How much did you pay for that?” “What do you mean by ‘a lot’ of money?” “How much is enough?” “Where do you shop?” “Whatchya gonna do with all that money?” “What did you spend all that on anyway?” From food stamps to gold bullion under the mattress, I’m fascinated by how currency runs through our lives. So I just ask.

2. When you get it, don’t spend it right away. Wait to cash your check. Hold on to the savings as long as you can. It sends a message to your psyche that you always have enough, that there is no need to be desperate, and that you have something to look forward to. Restraint makes for good foreplay, which makes for good … release.

3. Make money a CENTRAL priority. This has nothing to do with greed and consumption, and everything to do with life force and power. In their right place, priorities do not consume, they enhance. This isn’t about fixating on money or hinging your self-worth on your hedge fund. IT’S ABOUT FOCUSING ON CREATING FREEDOM.

4. Online banking gives me control and ease. I do everything online. Everything.

5. I pay my bills as soon as they arrive and I say thank you to every bill, even the whopping dental expenses I just had, “I’m so glad I have the means to take care of this.”

6. I rarely think of money as lost or wasted – a less-than-stellar meal, a broken gadget that didn’t last long, bad business debt … it’s all feeding someone somewhere; the money will come back again, and complaining keeps you stuck.

7. I never, ever say I can’t afford it. Rather, “Buying a yacht is just not what I want to do with my money, darling.” Focus on priorities, not limitations. And I never say to my kid that we can’t afford things. I tell him we’re rich in love and life, and we can afford to be generous. When he wants to buy crappy, overpriced plastic toys, I say, “That’s not the best use of our good money, we’ll find something that’s better for you and the planet.” He gets it. (That said, he has enough Legos to build a large condo.)

8. Ask for exceptions. Can you waive the fee? How about that rain-check deal? Call your credit card company today and ask them for a better interest rate so that they can keep your business. You’d be surprised how easy it is.

9. Pay someone to do it. This flies in the face of some theories: “Why work an extra week at your job to afford to hire someone to paint your living room? Work less and paint the living room yourself.” Um, no thanks. My theory is this: Earn your money doing something you’re passionate about, and pay people to do what you’re not passionate about but needs to be done for you to fulfill your mission. D-I-Y is like, not part of my driving strategy.

10. Save receipts. I take shit back and I complain about poor service (very politely, of course … most of the time). Hollah with your dollahs.

11. I give my money accounts sappy, positive-affirmation titles. My bank statement reads like so: BOOMING LIFE + BUSINESS; BUSINESS TAX PAID (I see it as done!); HOME PAID FOR; ADVENTURE + CARE (from trips to acupuncture).

12. I’m setting my kid up for the future. Investing for him gives me very deep peace. Everyone deserves a leg up.

13. I hold out. I waited seven weeks for my Aeron chair because I wanted grey instead of black. I sat on the floor in my living room for three months because I wanted a couch that was three inches lower than the in-store model. I went four months without any creative-type support because I hadn’t found a winner yet.

14. I’m upfront about shopping for a deal with sales people. I’ll tell Dealer A that I’m going to Dealer B to compare. This ain’t a date, this is a numbers game.

15. I avoid big box stores and dollar stores. I buy organic and shop more often for food. I’m more meal focused than “cupboard” focused. More nourishment, less spending.

16. I pay for my music. It’s clean. It supports art.

17. I buy my friends’ stuff. If we’re good pals and you write a book or knit a sweater, sign me up for two. Love is really basic sometimes.

18. I get stuff repaired, even when it might be just as much to buy new (especially with electronics). My goal is to keep stuff out of landfills.

19. “Never a borrower or a lender be.” I always thought Shakespeare was incredibly prudish because of this. I lend; but, I prefer to just give. “It’s a gift.” Done.

20. I pay for convenience and speed. I consider my time so precious that I think, “If I do valet parking for the event tonight, I get an extra 15 minutes to be with my kid or write.” That’s worth 15 bucks, and so is staying out of the rain when I’m in suede boots. And besides, DVDs mailed to the door and express services make me feel all luxy and taken care of. And when you can create instant gratification, you’ve got the energy to create more to be grateful for.

Photo credit: donbuciak

Love List: Crazy Sexy Biz

Love Listers,

Over the past decade, I’ve experienced the power of health, spiritual wealth and happiness. This journey sparked my entrepreneurial fireworks and led me to create my own wellness company. I’ve learned that it’s not easy being a business maven, but if you’ve got a passion and you want to share it with the world, you need to stock your entrepreneurial toolbox with knowledge and courage (and be prepared to make a lot of mistakes!). This year, I’ve discovered some of the most powerful ladies in biz today and they are rocking my world, which is why I’d like to dedicate my love list to them this week. Enjoy!

1. Marie Forleo’s B-School

Marie Forleo is my new BFF–the soul sista from a past life who I finally reunited with! She blows my doors off every time we get together, Skype, or brainstorm about business-savvy web magic! If you have a business that is making money, but not fully leveraged through online marketing and you want to monetize the heck out of what you do, then this program was made for you. Rich, Happy & Hot Marie Forleo has created an eight week online program for women (and men!) business owners (online or offline) looking to take off on the web and make their companies soar. This is an intense program made for entrepreneurs who already know what they want for their biz, but need help harnessing the power of the internet! Sound like you? Learn more (registration ends August 16th)!

2. Danielle LaPorte’s Fire Starter Sessions

Danielle’s no nonsense, spirit-packed approach to business resonated with me from the first time I heard her voice! Her Fire Starter Sessions virtual experience lit my entrepreneurial fire. I found myself saying, “Yes!” out loud as I read through FSS and watched her inspiring videos. If you’re looking to pinpoint your passion or launch the idea that’s been brewing for years (maybe decades!), Danielle is here to help you see the journey through. Want more one-on-one attention? Danielle offers phone consultations, but I have to warn you, buckle your seat belt and be prepared to take notes like the wind before you get on the horn with her!

3. Amanda Steinberg & Gabrielle Bernstein’s Know~ing Your Worth Teleclass

Want to get your wallet in order while fine-tuning your personal connection to cash?  Amanda Steinberg of DailyWorth has teamed up with Gabrielle Bernstein to create the Know~ing Your Worth teleclass. These four teleseminars will help you make the connection between your well being and your financial health. Amanda and Gabrielle will get you on the road toward healing your inner and outer relationship with money while you learn how to move toward financial success! Check out their website and learn more during their free introductory call on August 11th.

4. CrazySexylife.com Nominated for a Veggie Award!

And speaking of business…why don’t I give my own company a little love? CrazySexyLife.com was nominated for “Best Website” in VegNews’ 2010 Veggie Awards. Cast your vote today!

Peace & moo-lah,
Kris Carr

Photo Credit (cash register): plain_jane53177

Photo Credit (Danielle LaPorte): Anastasia Photography

8 ways to lighten up while dining out.

Lisa Borden

Dining out is one of life’s absolute pleasures and privileges, especially in Toronto where more and more local, organic cuisine is peppering the culinary scene. Restaurants are a key part of our culture – think celebrations, business meetings and first dates and it’s crucial for us and our world to eat off of greener menus (and we are not simply referring to a leafy salad).

I find my own palate has changed as I stick to my own set of eating-values. I now want slow food (but sometimes when I’m out with all 3 kids, not too slow) and organic menus supporting local food providers. In fact, I’ll drive across the city for it (because there are but a few gems). I try to counteract the un-eco-ness of the travel in as many ways possible and hope that as we all demand more, there won’t be a “green restaurant” category, and it’ll be the standard because it just makes sense for all of us.

Sample and savour the following ways that you can easily dine al-eco and continue to adapt as many that are right for your unique palate.

1. Check Please! Before you make a reservation or choose where to dine, check out what the restaurant offers in terms of ingredients, menu items and eco-aspects – www.ourfaves.com is a great resource for Toronto. Ask if they use reusables, including cloth napkins and tablecloths. If you currently frequent establishments that use disposables (plastic cups for condiments and coleslaw?), suggest that they switch. Also, when you are seated, take a good look around and see if anything jumps out at you…do the kids have Styrofoam cups? Are they giving out paper, throwaway menus (in which case, share one)? Taking a moment or two to think ahead will most likely save some trash (and cash) in the long run and don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask – those raised eyebrows may get others to think your way also.

2. W(h)et Your Appetite. We are fortunate in Toronto to be able to drink “free” tap water. It used to be that one would be considered cheap when saying “just tap, please” rather than ordering a fancy (read: rip off) bottle of H20. Now, you’ll simply proclaim yourself an eco-hero. There are many restaurants that now offer their own filtered water i.e. Pizzeria Libretto. But, don’t let your glass be filled if you are not going to drink it…no sense wasting our precious resource. For every glass of water not served, you save even more, since it takes water to make water drinkable. When you refuse a glass (and explain why if you can), it might just get the restaurant and those sharing your table thinking about conserving also.

3. Don’t Suck. How many times have you seen drinks get served where the swizzle sticks and straws immediately get removed and put down on a plate or table? I’m disappointed if I forgot to remind the server to NOT use a straw. Even those compostable ones are a waste and take our precious resources to manufacture. If you really need a straw, buy reusable ones from the lifetime guaranteed, Glass Dharma straw collection.

4. Confucius Says: Re-Fuse. Did your dessert come in a little plastic wrapper? How about those wood sticks? Bring your own chopsticks (To-Go ware makes great sets in carrying cases) or refuse them and stick to eating with your fork (also an easy way to avoid sloppy chopstick technique from being noticed). Pass on the fortune cookie knowing that we’re all more fortunate that you did.

5. Skip that Joint. Jump the fast food line altogether, but if you must (why, oh why?) don’t take the ketchup and mustard packets, the disposable napkin (now you have to eat neatly), the straws and the outer bag that gets trashed immediately. Health concerns aside, eating at a fast food joint is one of the quickest ways to create unnecessary waste.

6. ‘Tis the Season - If you see fresh strawberries or asparagus on the menu in December, you can be sure they weren’t just picked in Ontario. Locally grown, organic foods are better for you and the planet, and arguably taste better. Everything has an impact, but give into your cravings – you are out after all, just choose the most sustainable option you can – lots of veggies trump red meat!

7. Kids are People Too. Why treat your kids differently? We all tell our kids that life isn’t fair, but a restaurant is one place your children should be treated as adults. Avoid those kids’ menus (read: crap). If they are too young to drink from a glass, bring your own from home and don’t take those plastic cups with lids! And then there are the crayons, why are they considered disposable? 12 Million Crayons are made each day in the USA which equals about 120,000 pounds of petroleum based product. Applause goes to Crazy Crayons in the USA who has been recycling unwanted crayons into new ones for over 16 years!

8. Stay out of the doghouse! Those doggie bags aren’t really a way to be thrifty…if you plan on taking something home, take your own reusable containers along with you. You’ll start a trend – trust me. Don’t over order food and your waistline and wallet will thank you because whether the packaging is Styrofoam (arghhh!) or is compostable, it’s still waste.

Now that you are full from these ideas, your new table manners should make you a little lighter and a lot healthier. I hope you’ll enjoy sitting down for your own “trash” talk with your friends and family. Bon Appetit.

Lisa Borden is an eco-advocate and mother of three, whose full-service marketing firm, Borden Communications + Design Inc., is a direct reflection of her commitment to better, more responsible living. She is a dedicated workaholic, admitting that it takes a lot of time and effort to change the world, especially in her non-preachy, fun, engaging and inspiring ways.

Michelle’s Lessons from No Impact

No Impact Man, the film, opens today! Check here to find a theater near you. Today, Michelle Conlin shares some of her experiences during the No Impact Year…

My author husband, Colin Beavan, decided in late 2006 that he wanted to stop writing about history and start writing about global warming. He was so excited about his idea—attempting to live for one year in the middle of New York City without making any negative environmental impact—that when he asked me to join him, I immediately went all wifely and lobbed back an effusive yes.

When my best friend from childhood, filmmaker Laura Gabbert, later heard about No Impact, she begged Colin to let her and her partners film us. After they promised Colin to make as low-carbon a movie as possible, he agreed. His sustainably produced book—made from postconsumer recycled paper and chlorine-free cardboard, with energy supplied by biogas—is titled No Impact Man. It hit stores Sept. 1. The documentary of the same name begins opening nationwide on Sept. 11.

Truthfully, when I said yes to this Woody Allen-meets-Walden affair, I didn’t fully think through what it would mean to live with a toddler and a dog in a one-bedroom, ninth-floor Manhattan apartment using no elevators, no electricity, no disposable diapers, no food grown more than 250 miles from home, no TV, no takeout, no beauty products, and no washing machine. Oh yes, and no buying anything; for the next year I would shop my own closet.

Little did I know that a year after the project’s completion the global financial system would implode, or that the era of high-impact living—using one’s house as an ATM, jetting off on a lark—would come to a spectacular and cataclysmic end. And here’s the strange and unpredictable twist: Going No Impact for a year turned out to be sublime preparation for the post-subprime life.

In our 10 years together, Colin has bought himself three things: a second-hand cell phone, a used PC, and a folding bike. He bought me a diamond ring from a flea market. So no spending problems there. I, however, was an inveterate credit dipper. (As a last-chance binge before the project began, I indulged in a $900-plus pair of stiletto, knee-high Chloe boots. Then I had a moment of silence for my Sample Sale self.)

At first, the call of the stores was strong. Life on the hedonic treadmill is a habit—and I had to break it. Soon I started coming up with end-runs that gave me an even bigger high. Not buying anything new didn’t mean I couldn’t partake of Jane’s Exchange, a children’s consignment depot. We took our daughter, Isabella, there for her birthday, and I told her she could pick out anything she wanted. She chose a hardly-worn pair of princess slippers. Cost: $1.

We cut most other expenses, too. The Con Edison bill dropped to zero. Restaurants were out. But we did partake of the freegan lifestyle, eating bakery leftovers. Coffee was also verboten. There is no such thing as locally grown coffee—tragic for a girl who before going off the bean was averaging 20 shots of potent, iced espresso deliciousness every beautiful day. On my last run, I blew through a $25 Starbucks gift card in a single workday. Withdrawal was ugly.

But thanks in part to cutting out all my bad habits, within a month, my debt was gone. We ended up cutting our discretionary expenses by at least 50%—often more. Honestly, when my paycheck started loitering around in my checking account, it actually felt uncomfortable. From my journal: “I CANNOT get my bank balance down for the life of me. I spend Nothing. As in NOTHING.” Without knowing it, we were early adopters of what would become the new frugality. We even started giving away 10% of our money to charity.

The No Impact project also provided an opportunity to do a lifestyle redesign. In a nation of extreme commuters, mine was a micro-jaunt: Greenwich Village to Midtown Manhattan, 20 minutes door to door via subway. But Colin and I foreswore all modes of carbon-based transportation (except for BusinessWeek reporting trips). Not because we are against mass transit. But because the point of the project was to be radical: to go completely off the grid, drop out of the culture, and see what would emerge.

At first I walked the 40 blocks to and from my 750-square-foot nanoplex. But this was taking too much time away from my then 2-year-old. So I started to use a push scooter. The scooter itself became a workplace objet fixe. It was irresistible to my colleagues, who swiped it to vroom up and down the halls à la Romper Room. I had long been too tired—from not working out—to get to the gym to work out. But by exchanging my time on the subway for a self-propelled commute, I dropped 10 pounds; my new locavore diet didn’t hurt either. I had the energy of a supermom in my slacker mom’s body. My insomnia evaporated—the scooter was No Impact Ambien. My palate also began changing. The local food, though heavy on the parsnips, began to taste delicious. Three months in, I started getting through the day without the usual afternoon Dunkin’ Donuts high followed by the crash. The pastry mania and shame hangovers were gone. My pre-diabetic condition vanished.

Work was my fast life. Home was my slow life. No lights, no cell phones, no TV. I know it sounds like deprivation. But the truth is that when I opened the door to the No Impact house at night, I felt like I was walking into a vacation. The days felt like they lasted forever. No Impact was a great ritual destroyer. What I realized was that so many of my rituals were so bad for me (my health), for us (our bank account and all the family time lost to my scurrying off to shop), and for the environment. What I learned from No Impact was that there is a steep cost to supporting all your stuff. To a life devoted to getting and having. In my days of high consumption, I’d been searching for something. It turned out that it was right in my own home.

This article was originally posted at the No Impact Man blog.

Got Gas?

One of the #1 complaints I get from people is that it’s not so easy to run out and “just buy a hybrid car” as way to be greener and save money at the gas pump. And I tell them: not all hybrid cars are actually better or greener for the environment. In fact, many standard cars today actually achieve comparable or even better miles per gallon than many “hybrid” automobiles.

The fact is that the Miles Per Gallon (MPG) averages are based on best -case scenarios and are not the reality of what car’s true performance. American drivers perform bad “eco-habits” that reduce a car’s average MPG and many drivers are completely unaware they are even doing these habits to begin with.

By breaking these bad eco-habits, you can increase the fuel efficiency of your existing car by up to a whopping 20%. So, instead of scrapping a perfectly good car for a new one, just try to change these five little habits to save money and save the environment.

BAD HABIT TO BREAK #1:
It’s a drag. At highway speeds, more than 50 percent of engine power goes to overcoming aerodynamic drag. Try not to add to the drag by carrying things on top of your vehicle. A loaded roof rack can decrease a car’s fuel efficiency by 5 percent, or a savings of $107 annually. Even driving with empty ski racks wastes gas. In addition, on days you need your air conditioning, it’s better to USE air conditioning at a low setting when driving at high speeds on highways than to keep the open windows. Open windows decrease your car’s aerodynamic drag.

BAD HABIT #2:
PROPERLY INSTALL A GAS CAP. Can your gas cap increase fuel efficiency? Yes, it can. In cars with sealed or evaporative fuel systems (most cars built after 1970), check to make sure that the rubber seal or gasket on your gas cap is not deteriorated or falling apart. If the gasket is not forming a good seal or if your gas cap is missing altogether, then gasoline is evaporating out of your tank. Also, make sure you twist a gas cap tightly, so it clicks at least THREE times to ensure a proper seal.

A car that sits in the sun with a loose or missing gas cap can lose half a tank of gas in a week by way of evaporation. It is estimated that 147,000,000 gallons of gasoline are lost each year to evaporation from bad gas cap seals or missing gas caps. Gas caps are cheap and available at any auto parts store. You can save about $35 annually in stopping evaporating gas.

BAD HABIT #3:
Remove Excess Weight. Avoid keeping unnecessary items in your vehicle, especially heavy ones. An extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could reduce your MPG by up to 2%. The smaller your car, the more fuel efficiency you lose with extra weight.

If you live in a metropolitan area where you commute to and from work is always on busy roads, consider leaving the spare tire at home. A spare tire weighs on average 30-40 pounds. For those long road trips or weekend trips down bucolic country roads, that’s when you can reload the spare tire for added safety. Keep a can of fix-a-flat tire sealant/inflator on hand to temporarily patch a flat tire, so you can drive to an auto center to get it replaced.

Empty the trunk of all unnecessary items and resist the temptation to turn your car into a “mobile office” with files, books, etc. Make it a habit to always load and unload the car of everything you have. For each 100 lbs of excess weight removed, you’ll earn 1-2% extra fuel efficiency, which averages $42 in savings each year.

BAD HABIT #4:
Watch the tires. Keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires require more energy to roll, which not only wastes fuel but also wears the tires faster. According to the EPA, a tire that is under-inflated by only 2 pounds per square inch can cause a 1 percent increase in fuel consumption. Under-inflated tires can also build up excess heat, which can lead to tire failure.

If you are unsure how to check your tire’s pressure, have it checked during your routine oil changes by a service professional. You can find your car’s recommended tire pressure on a label inside the car: it’s usually in a door jamb or inside the glove box lid.

BAD HABIT #5:
Stay tuned. One of the biggest gas hogs is a simple maintenance procedure most driver’s don’t bother to do or even know needs to be done. A car’s air filter is designed to trap dirt and particulates from the a ir, preventing impurities from damaging your engine and inside your car. A clogged air filter can cause a 10% increase in fuel consumption, or $215 in wasted gas annually. When you replace the oil in your car, check to see if you the air filter should be replaced too. On average, the filter should be replaced every 15,000 miles. Keep a small removable sticker in your car that has the actual mileage your car next needs an air filter changed.

BAD HABIT #6:
Lose Weight. After losing the car’s spare tire, you may want to consider losing your own excess weight. Americans are spending more money on fuel these days in part because ad ult men and women on average are at least 24 pounds heavier than their counterparts were in 1960. The average man weighs 191 pounds, 25 more than in 1960. The average woman weighs 164 pounds, up from 140 in 1960.

Collectively, today’s automobiles are burning more gasoline to haul all that extra weight around — about 1 billion gallons more annually, in fact, than they would if drivers weighed the same as they did in 1960. Each pound gained by the average person collectively leads to the consumption of 39 million extra gallons of fuel a year, the study found.