Robert Kiyosaki's bestseller, Rich Dad, Poor Dad,* has helped millions to create roadmaps to their financial goals. Central to his series is the notion of open-mindedness. Instead of sizing up a situation and saying, "I can't afford that," he suggests saying, "How can I afford that?" By reshaping the idea into an open-ended question, creativity is stimulated, which leads to inspiration. Here's a list of critical thoughts and their positive replacements. I hope these help to prime your mind for money-making thoughtsWe can't afford it. That's too expensive. I don't have enough money. I'll never be able to afford that. That's a waste of money. It's too late to get started. I'm not good with numbers or investing. It's too risky. I really want to get that!How can we afford it?Where can I get... 06/16/2007

I finished the last module of the 5 module Broker's Class.  Sitting though these classes was probably one of the more boring times of my life in recent years.  ( I have to be honest - this material is dry )  So now for the real challenge, passing the state exam.  We actually have upto 6 months to take this test after class finishes, but I believe if I don't know this material by now, 6 months won't help a guy like me :-)I'm signed up for the test in about 1 week.There was one student that took her test like 4 days after last class.  I'm happy to report she passed.Stay tuned, I hope to share that good news with you in about 10 days.    06/09/2007

Many of us try to sell our products through logic and only through logic. Remember this: Seldom do people buy logically. They buy emotionally, then defend their decisions with logic. Find ways to get them emotionally involved with your product or service._____________________________________________________________________________________________"I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat. What I seek is the highest possible batting average." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd US President_____________________________________________________________________________________________"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." -- Benjamin Franklin_____________________________________________________________________________________________"I have found that be... 06/09/2007

Ingredients: -1 (9-inch) baked pastry shell or chocolate cookie crust-1 (14 ounce) can condensed milk-2/3 cup water-1 (4-serving size) package chocolate-flavor pudding mix (not instant)-1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate-2 cups (1 pint) whipping cream, stiffly whippedCooking:In large saucepan, combine condensed milk, water and pudding mix; mix well. Add chocolate. Over medium heat, cook and stir rapidly until chocolate melts and mixture thickens. Remove from heat; beat until smooth. Cool. Chill thoroughly; stir. Fold in whipped cream. Pour into prepared pastry shell. Chill 4 hours or until set. 05/31/2007

 In remembering our heroes, we honor the great sacrifices made for the dreams of every American. May we never forget their strength, courage, and profound willingness to stand up and defend our way of life. We hope this important holiday finds you and your family well and inspires you to reach for your dreams. 05/28/2007

  Oswego Townhome-Located in Kingsbrook Crossing-2 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bathroom, 1 Car garage, Cul-da-Sac Location Price reduced to $163,500Original Owner hates to leave-Backs to Large Open Area-Neutral Throughout-Large Carpeted Living Area with SGD to 10X10 concrete patio trimmed w/ nice flower beds-Kitchen w/ 42"oak cabinets & Breakfast Bar Area-Master Bedroom with Cathedral Ceiling, plant shelf area,W/I closet & Private bathroom-Generous size guest bedroom-wood trim throughout-2nd Floor Laundry-Most Appliances Stay-Close to Shopping & Entertainment             Oswego Village Information Chamber of Commerce School Information Park DistrictLibrary Information Neighborhood Information     05/24/2007

2 Bedroom, 2 1/2 Bathroom Townhome For sale for $162,500 (recently reduced)Oswego Townhome-Move Right In! cul-da-sac location-well maintained unit offers Large living Area with SGD to 10X10 concrete patio-Kitchen with 42" oak cabinets - Wood Laminate flooring throughout 1st floor - Master Bedroom with walkin closet and Private bath-Generous size guest bedroom-oak trim thoughout-2nd floor laundry-All appliaces stay-ceiling fans-lots of storage-close to shopping and entertainment-HURRY THIS ONE WON'T LAST!             Oswego Village Information Chamber of CommerceSchool InformationPark District Library InformationNeighborhood Information      05/20/2007

May 5th, 200711:00 am - 7:00 pmHudson Crossing Park, Oswego IL Home Wine Tasting EntertainmentSponsorsLocation Don't miss this opportunity to sample award-winning Illinois wines while enjoying live entertainment and delicious fare provided by Camille's Sidewalk Café, Emmett's Ale House, Fun Food Factory, Petey Z's, and Village Grind.Sign-up to be the designated driver for your group and receive free bottled water or soda, sponsored by Rotary Club of Oswego.Admission is free. Wine tasting wristbands are available for $10. For more information on this event, please call (630) 554-3618. 05/05/2007

"This one step -- choosing a goal and sticking to it -- changes everything." - Scott Reed_____________________________________________________________________________________________Keep your ideals high enough to inspire you and low enough to encourage you._____________________________________________________________________________________________"In the long run, men hit only what they aim at." -- Harry David Thoreau_____________________________________________________________________________________________"The time is always right to do the right thing." -- Martin Luther King Jr._____________________________________________________________________________________________Friends are those souls who ask how you are, and then wait to hear the answer. -Ed Cunningham 05/05/2007

"Self-managing is Job One. Have a vision and a mission. Surround yourself with talented people. Rely on effective coaching, not managing of employees." -- Tom Gegax_____________________________________________________________________________________________Daily Thought: Having once decided to achieve a certain task, achieve it at all costs of tedium and distaste. The gain in self-confidence of having accomplished a tiresome labor is immense. -- Arnold Bennett_____________________________________________________________________________________________"The less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudices." -- Clint Eastwood, actor, director_____________________________________________________________________________________________"Leadership is demonstrated at the ... 04/30/2007

You know how it is being so busy and not knowing what to eat.  Than we find ourselves, grabbing that fast food meal.  Well, something that has worked for me, is making a BIG pot of chili or soup and having leftovers to bring to the office.  Give it a try.  Enjoy ! Chili Ingredients 1 tbs vegetable oil8 minced garlic cloves 2 onions2 lbs lean ground beef1 green bell pepper2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans kidney beans2 tbs chili powder2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes1 tbs ground cumin1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes1 tsp salt1 cup beef brothRinse off the vegetables. Onions need to be peeled and chopped, and bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and chopped. In a large pot, heat up the oil over medium heat and add the onions, bell pepper, cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt. Add and stir in the garlic when the veget... 04/26/2007

Are you a person with a Cadillac mind but a Pinto performance?_____________________________________________________________________________________________"It is unfortunate we can't buy many business executives for what they are worth and sell them for what they think they are worth." -- Malcolm Forbes_____________________________________________________________________________________________Reputation is what you are supposed to be; character is what you are._____________________________________________________________________________________________"The time is always right to do the right thing." -- Martin Luther King Jr._____________________________________________________________________________________________"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being,... 04/21/2007

If your goal doesn't push you beyond where you've been before--if it doesn't demand your best and a bit more you didn't realize you had in you--it isn't going to change your ways and elevate your lifestyle._____________________________________________________________________________________________"Laziness is a secret ingredient that goes into failure. But it's only kept a secret from the person who fails." -- Robert Half_____________________________________________________________________________________________Why is it that some people stop working as soon as they find a job ?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________He who starts many things finishes nothing.  04/14/2007

That's certainly hard to believe if you like outside the window this morning in the Chicagoland area."Spring fever" is defined as a yearning or restlessness brought about by the coming of spring.  On college campuses today, it has another name:Spring was a very festive time for the Romans.  Celebrations were primarily dedicated to the renewal of life and the worship of Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime.Speaking of flowers, the springtime buzzing of busy bees isn't limited to gardens.  In fact, 90 different U.S. crops valued at 14.6 billion depend on pollination by insects, with bees doing 80% to 90% of the work. 04/11/2007

"Good will is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy." -- Marshall Field_____________________________________________________________________________________________"We succeed in enterprises (that) demand the positive qualities we possess, but we excel in those (that) can also make use of our defects." -- Alexis de Tocqueville, statesman_____________________________________________________________________________________________Daily Thought: I have made my world and it is a much better world than I ever saw outside. - - Louise Nevelson_____________________________________________________________________________________________The people you know in selling situations will help you--if they like and trust you, if your product or service is what they're look... 04/10/2007

Long-range purposes keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures._____________________________________________________________________________________________"Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud." - Sophocles_____________________________________________________________________________________________Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time. -Stephen Swid_____________________________________________________________________________________________Prospecting: Use the person's name immediately. This is crucial. Using their name soon and often causes them to listen more closely to your message. It's the most important thing to them._____________________________________________________________________________________________"When you cannot make up your mind... 04/07/2007

Only the bold get to the top. -- Publilius SyrusDaily Thought: Eighty percent of success is showing up. -- Woody AllenNothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. -John C. Maxwell "Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway." -- John Wayne, actorLong-range purposes keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures. 04/03/2007

"Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character."Daily Thought: For me, words are a form of action, capable of influencing change. -- Ingrid Bengis"A wise person does at once what a fool does at last. Both do the same thing, only at different times." -- John Dalberg ActonDescribing his friend, the man said, "He knows so little and knows it so fluently." 03/24/2007

Quit looking for the people who you're looking for, and start looking for the people who are looking for you! -Doug FirebaughThe best inheritance parents can leave a child is a good name."The wisest mind has something yet to learn." -- George SantayanaIt's often the last key on the ring that opens the door. 03/20/2007

"Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging." -- Deepak ChopraWhoever admits he is too busy to improve his methods has acknowledged himself to be at the end of his rope. -- J. Ogden Armour"Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken." -- Warren Buffett"The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something." -- Carl Sandburg 03/19/2007