I rarely refer to videos on this blog but this one is just the  epitome of my feelings towards the media. I suggest you go see it now and get back to my post afterwards:

Some Bull Sh$t is going on

What is the link between personal finance and this video? The Media are totally sick, always looking for something to say. They remind me of my 2 year old; on a daily basis during supper, while my older son is telling us what he did at the daycare, the little one is trying all the tricks in the world to get attention and the right to speak. Therefore, she says “Daddyyyyyy?”, she makes weird noises, taps on her dish or makes bubble with her milk. When she finally gets an annoyed look in her direction, she smiles and says something like “I’ve been to the daycare today”.

The Media act the same way: they make a huge deal on just about everything.  Offering coverage with experts, testimonials and projects on the rest just to get our attention. But in the end, they just don’t have much to say and the news is not that big.

It touches our personal finance in the sense that the  Media affects our beliefs as consumers, as investors and as homeowners (or should I say mortgage-tied-homeowners?).

Remember the 2008 economic crunch? They were telling us that it was the end of capitalism. Economists, financial analysts, finance gurus and all the other “experts” were shown on the big screen to tell us that we will be losing our job, that our economy was sick and that this time, it wasn’t a recession as usual. Did you Canadian Banks profit over the past 2 weeks? They all beat the market expectation except for RBC. Quite impressive for the supposedly post-capitalism era, isn’t?

Now we are moving to a different story for the past 6 months: the inevitable (huge) raise of interest rates. Since Australia moved up their daily interest rate back in Autumn 2009, we have heard, read and seen all those experts telling us that the wave will surely hit us in the face. They pull out housing boom graphs to show us how bad the housing bubble will burst in our face. Yet, so far, the Bank of Canada is still saying that they won’t touch the interest rate until June 2010 and while inflation is still under pretty good control, our dollar is getting stronger and stronger compared to the US dollar. Prime rate 4% at the end of the year anyone?

I’ve always wondered if the Media were creating or reporting on the crisis… 2008 economic crunch, H1N1 and now the interest rate in Canada… I’m curious to see who will be right this time

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Am I Good at What I Do Because I Like It or Do I Like It Because I Am Good at It?

On this Monday morning, here is some food for thought (we surely need to feed the brain once in a while, right?). I am asking this question because I would like to know how to direct my energy. How to make sure that I am concentrating my efforts in the right place? Life is too short to wander around for years before realizing that you were going in the wrong direction… though sometimes it happens anyways!

So here is my point:

I am good at something when:

- I enjoy spending time doing it.

- I consider that I do it better than the average Joe.

- I succeed.

- I work hard and never quit.

- I find ways to improve my skills.

I like what I do when:

- I always find time to do it.

- I feel that I am good doing it.

- Making an effort is not too demanding.

- It’s easy for me.

- I see rapid improvements.

As you can see, both considerations are quite similar. When I am good at something, it is often because I like it and vice-versa. And so, should I keep looking at stuff that I am good at or that I like first? Obviously, you can’t be good at everything you try the first time.

For example; I really like golfing, but I am far from considering myself a good golf player! However, I see major improvements each of the past 3 years and I realized that I could become a (relatively) decent golfer (playing in the 90’s). On the other hand, my first game was a 143… not a great start to becoming a good golfer, is it?

So I am asking you: Do you work more on stuff that you are good at or that you really like? Do you see a correlation between the two?

image source; jot punkt

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Last week, I read a very interesting post over at  The Financial Samurai about how chaos transformed the lives of three individuals. This article caught my attention because I have been a big believer of Chaos for the past 15 years (and I am 28 ). So since the age of 13, I have gradually come to  understand how great and beneficial Chaos can be in everyone’s life. However, as opposed to the article mentioned above, I don’t want to wait around until Chaos hits my life (although sometimes it does anyway!). I like to create Chaos around me then master it to improve my life.

Have you ever tried to reorganize an organized playroom?

If you have kids, you will know exactly what I am talking about. We spent many hours last year trying to figure a way to organize their toys in the playroom. We wanted to make it space efficient, easy to use for children and safe. But have you noticed how it is hard to rearrange their playroom when everything is “in the right place”?

I have also noticed that I am able to find better ways to show off the playroom when it’s a big mess and that there are no more toys in the boxes. Chaos is helping me opening my mind and find creative solutions so the situation can be improved upon.

Our brain is driven by an unlimited powerful beast… in a rat cage!

As we grow up, we are encouraged to follow rules, understand and apply procedures. And the more we go at school, the more we tend to think the exact same way as those around us. We tend to use the same rationale and find the identical solutions. However, our brain is way much powerful than that!

This is why we need to let the beast go sometimes and let it create some chaos. When things are in motion, it is much easier to move them, right? When Chaos is in your life, it is the perfect time to get things going your way!

Examples of how Chaos can send your situation in a better direction:

#1 My parents

About 13 years ago, my father lost his contract with a big company and declared bankruptcy. Not too long after, we lost everything: our house, our cars, my future summer job (I used to work for my father) and all the treats we used to have… After a few painful years, they realized they were not made to work for someone else and they started their own company. Now 10 years later, they work 3 days a week and enjoy life.

#2 I quit my job

I’ve already written about how and why I quit my very first job. The funny thing is that I didn’t have another job lined up; I just couldn’t work for those people anymore. So I quit, woke the next morning unempolyed and started to look for another job (bills were still coming in!). I finally ended-up in a marvellous department where I learned a lot and grew up as a person. I am now a great financial planner because I have met a few people who made me the diligent worker I am today.

My manager back then told me something very important. A life lesson  that I will always remember:

“When you are too comfortable, when you sit down and relax at work, this means that you are in your bubble. At the second you realize it, burst your own bubble, create some chaos and change your life”.

By the way, this is how human beings evolve…

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Whoa! This year, we have celebrated Christmas on the 24^th, 25^th, 26^th, and yes, the 27^th as well. Imagine, we will also receive a “few” people over on the 29^th… which tomorrow (already!?!). By “a few” I mean 6 adults and 8 kids… talking of a baby boom, huh?

I thought I would drop a short post about what I had for Christmas. I am always surprised when I open my gift

From my wife:

I have received love and passion. I have seen so many glitters in her eyes, I feel much loved and very lucky!

From my kids:

I have received so many laughs and magic moments. The time spent playing with them and looking at what Santa brought was too much fun!

From my parents:

I have received hospitality and kindness. They are the best parents of the world, what can I say more?

From my best friend:

I have received hope, support and words of wisdom throughout this year. In 2009, he has truly defined what a best friend should be.

There are still a few days for the Holidays and I’ll make sure to enjoy them!

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Yipee! This morning, I am so excited! I think I am more excited than my very own children! THIS IS CHRISTMAS!… well, not yet… but still, we are almost there! I just can’t wait to see what Santa (and his elves) will put in my Christmas stocking

This has been a tradition for the past 5 years or more; my wife always puts stuff in a Christmas stocking for me All the little things that make me smile (chocolate, a cigar, hockey tickets… ), I find them on that day

For the first time since I have started working, I am on vacation during the Holidays. I am off from December 23^rd until January 5^th! During this period, I will spend time with my family and visit friends. This is going to be quite a nice treat!

As in years past, I will slack on posting for the next few days but I will have the results of our 2009 stock contest on December 31^st (something tells me that Intelligent Speculator will finish first ). Then, on January 1^st, you will have our new edition of our stock picking contest. So it will give you a few ideas on what to purchase in 2010!

All right, enough said for today! Now turn off your computer and go back to your family and friends. Christmas is this unique time of the year where you have a chance to connect with everyone special in your life. Regardless if you are stuck in dispute or if you lost this friend a long time ago, it is the right time to forgive and squeeze them in your arms and tell them how you are happy to have them in your life

Merry Christmas!!!!

image source: chispita_666

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