A Community Showcase

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Primerica recently opened their brand-new international headquarters, and I was invited to speak at the historic first PFN broadcast from the Art and Angela Williams Theater.

It was a day spent celebrating this company and its achievements. I’ve always said that my motto in life is that if you can conceive it, you can achieve it. Standing in front of the crowd that night, I was proud of what our company had built. When I first started with Primerica, I never imagined that years later I would be speaking at their Grand Opening ceremony. And yet here I am today.

I spoke that Friday night about the Primerica opportunity, and it was an honor to be able to do it in a place that really showcases our company’s strength, growth and solid foundation. I’m so thankful for this opportunity and for what it has meant to be and my family.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without Primerica – they gave a plant worker a chance to become a success. And I’m so excited that I got to be a part of an event that celebrated the incredible new International Headquarters and all that they do.

Revolutionary Change

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A recent study by the Consumer Federation of America and Primerica revealed that a majority of Americans admit that they’ve made “really bad financial decisions” during the recession.

The survey showed that middle market Americans lost a shocking amount of their financial assets between 2007 and 2010. In fact, people with household incomes between $36,000 to $95,000 per year lost 28% of their financial assets during those years.

I think the saddest part of it all is that John Addison, Co-CEO of Primerica, mentioned in an interview that Americans are struggling more than ever to make ends meet and save for the future. Things are even worse than before the recession began!

The survey results reveal the depth of Main Street America’s need for help. There is no better time than now to be in a business where the mission is to help people earn more income and become financially independent, debt free and properly protected!

Despite the fact that Americans are really struggling right now, I’m really excited about the future. I am committed to revolutionizing the financial services industry and serving those who most need our help!

Money Habits

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I was reading about the “Frugal Habits of the Super Rich,” and I was very intrigued by some of the habits they mentioned. From Hilary Swank clipping coupons to Warren Buffet living in the same home for 54 years, I enjoyed reading about wealthy entrepreneurs and business leaders who are careful with how they spend their money.

The article states, “Becoming wealthy and staying that way takes a certain level of discipline. Sure, an occasional splurge won’t put you in the poor house, but frequent frivolous spending on things that aren’t necessities can quickly put a serious dent in your wallet.”

It really is so true! It doesn’t matter what situation you’re in financially, you have to be disciplined with how you spend and manage your money.

Small expenses, added up over time, can contribute to things like overwhelming credit card debt or no savings for the future.

My favorite tip came from T. Boone Pickens. He first explains that his grandmother told him, “Don’t ever go any place with money in your pocket looking for something to buy.” The article goes on to add, “Even today, Pickens says that whenever he visits a store he first makes a list of what he needs, and he carries only the exact amount of money he plans to spend” (Kiplinger, 7/12).

What a smart man – and an even smarter grandmother! You need a plan when it comes to your finances. If the idea of creating a plan leaves you feeling stressed, consider contacting a local Primerica representative and learning more about the services they offer.

Begin identifying the frugal habits of others and find ways to emulate those actions in your own life. It’s never too late to get started!

Have a Blast in Boca

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Want to have a blast? Then you need to be in Boca in February!

Watching this video has me even more excited about this upcoming trip. Primerica believes in rewarding hard work, and they will certainly make you feel like royalty. Boca Raton is one of my favorite places in the world, and I have so many good memories of the place.

I’m really looking forward to making new memories, meeting new people in Primerica and taking a break from the stresses of life. See you at the top!

Primerica in Washington D.C.

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If you’ve been watching the news lately, chances are high that you’ve heard about the recent survey from Primerica and the Consumer Federation of America. The results of the survey have been up for discussion in the media due to the surprising finding that many middle class Americans acknowledge having made financial mistakes.

If you’re interested, this Primerica video provides a great overview of the press coverage related to the survey results.

My biggest take away? Primerica wants Main Street to know that we’re here to help solve this growing problem.

Save Money by Planning Ahead

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If you’re anything like me, you are always open to new ways to save money. I was browsing the Internet the other day, and I discovered an article with several great tips on planning annual household purchases. While some of the advice was common sense, I thought I’d share a few of them!

Budget for maintenance.

If you are a homeowner, did you know that you should plan on maintenance costs totaling 1 percent to 2 percent of your home’s value each year? The author recommended dividing the total anticipated maintenance expenses by 12 and setting aside that amount each month in a dedicated savings account. It’s like having an emergency fund specifically for your home!

Track prices for items you know you will be purchasing.

When you know you’ve got to buy a more costly item, watch advertising and deal offers for a few weeks in advance. Take note of the prices so that you’ll know whether a price is a good one when it’s time to buy. When you plan ahead, you can make an educated purchasing decision.

Buy during the right day of the week or the best month for a given category.

Now, I’m combining two tips here because I think they go hand-in-hand. One idea the article brings up is that certain days of the week or months are better times to buy within specific categories. For example, furniture can be a good deal in January and July because new releases usually come out the following months. So before you purchase a big item, do your research and find out if it’s the best time to buy!

Choose between repairing and replacing.

Here are some questions to ask yourself if you find yourself with a broken appliance or other household goods:

  • How old is the appliance?
  • Will a newer one be more energy efficient and save more money in the long run?
  • Is it near the end of its life span? For example, a microwave’s life span is typically 15 years. If it’s close to the end of its life span, you might be better off replacing it.
  • Have you already repaired the appliance previously?
  • How much will a repair cost?

Your answers can help you determine whether it makes more sense to pay for repairs or completely replace the broken item.

Just keep in mind – don’t spend money that you don’t have! No matter how good a deal is, it doesn’t help you if it just puts you deeper into debt.

Money can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve found some awesome resources in Primerica – stay tuned for more on that in my future blog posts. Until then, keep looking for ways to be smart with your finances and save money where you can.

Conceive It, Acheive It

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My philosophy has always been, “What the mind can conceive, the body will achieve.”

Sounds good, right? But what does it really mean?

For me, the real question is whether or not you can conceive it. When I was living paycheck to paycheck, I couldn’t dream of anything else for myself. I truly believed that I would spend the rest of my life living that way.

Doesn’t that sound so hopeless? I realize now that my mind couldn’t conceive anything bigger because I wasn’t in an environment where I was encouraged to dream bigger.

I came to work, day in and day out, and did what I was told. I didn’t hold my own future.

Thankfully, I was introduced to a different way of living. Primerica offered me many things, including the opportunity to dream bigger.

Do you know what it’s like to start to dream things for yourself that you would have never before thought were possible? Do you know what it’s like to actually start achieving those dreams?

Primerica can give you the tools you need to actually achieve the things you dream. If you truly want a different life for yourself, it’s within your reach. But it requires action. It isn’t enough to simply sit around dreaming.

You’ve got goals for your life? Great! But what are you doing to reach them?

You’ve got places you want to travel? Wonderful! But what are you doing to get there?

The first step is finding your dreams. What do you want for your life? Have you got your answer? Good. Now start working towards achieving those dreams. If your mind can conceive it, your body can achieve it.

It’s time to stop dreaming and get into action!

Take Care of Your Mama

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Like any good Southern boy, I was raised to believe that my mama was one special lady. One thing you’ll learn in the South is that you always take care of your mama.

Before I started working for Primerica, I could barely make ends meet. I was more worried about taking care of myself, and the possibility of taking care of a family, than I was about my mom. When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, there are few opportunities for giving gifts or being generous.

After joining Primerica, my entire life started to change. I was able to do things that I never would have been able to do while working at the manufacturing plant. I finally knew what it meant to be successful.

One of the greatest blessings of my financial independence was being able to share that success with my family. I was able to help my mother retire from a teaching career to pursue her dream of operating a day care center, as well as surprise her with her dream car.

Now, I don’t say any of this to brag. I’m just telling you this because I would never have dreamed of being able to do something like that before Primerica. I’ve been able to take care of myself, but I’ve also been able to share my success with others.

It was incredible to actually have something to share. I had dreamed of taking care of my mother, but that wasn’t a possibility until Primerica.

You might hear about the difference you can make by joining Primerica, and it really is true. I’ve made a difference in the lives of people I barely know by teaching them about how money works, but I’ve also been able to make a difference in the lives of the people I love the most.

This business opportunity isn’t just about making money so you can have it all. It’s also about giving it away.

The Power of a Dream

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If you’ve been keeping up with my blog, you’ve probably noticed that I credit Primerica with allowing me to dream bigger.

The opportunity to dream is one of the main reasons I feel so passionate about this company. I can’t help sharing my excitement because of what Primerica has helped me to do. Well, I’m excited to share one dream with you today that’s becoming a reality. It’s not a personal dream – it’s one of our company’s dreams.

Primerica is currently headquartered in Duluth, Ga. While the building has served them well over the last 20 years, it doesn’t currently meet all their needs. The Home Office employees are spread out in 10 separate buildings. If you know anything about running a business, you know that keeping your people connected is absolutely vital.

In September 2011, Primerica broke ground on the site of its new international headquarters. The new headquarters will be one three-story building with two connected wings. That’s right – Primerica’s dream of having everyone in the same building is coming to life!

Isn’t that incredible? Other companies are cutting back and losing money, but Primerica is building a new facility! I have never been so excited about the future.