The Puzzle: Putting Together the Pieces Toward a Successful Financial Future: Putting Together the Pieces Toward a Successful Financial Future

By Anthony W. Bernard

In life, there are many things that you see, experience, and learn from family, friends, and the public at large. This information learned
from the past can either set you up to fail or provide a road map to reaching your financial goals, visions, and dreams you set for your
life. The Puzzle is a book written to teach teens and adults how to build strong fi nancial habits. These habits will empower, educate,
and provide the clarity you need to go from where you are today to where you want to be financially.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465353290

Book preview

The Puzzle

Putting Together the Pieces

Toward A Successful Financial Future

Inspired by People Who Dream of a Quality Financial Future

102363-BERN-layout-low.pdf

Anthony W. Bernard

Copyright © 2011 by Anthony W. Bernard.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011914879

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4653-5328-3

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4653-5327-6

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-5329-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

102363

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1 You’re Worth It

Chapter 2 Words to Know

Chapter 3 How to Connect All Four Words

Chapter 4 Financial Food for Thought

Chapter 5 Working Smarter, Not Harder

Chapter 6 What the Poor and Middle Class Have in Common

Chapter 7 Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

Chapter 8 Rich-and-Wealthy Cycle What the Rich and Wealthy Are Doing That the Poor and Middle Class Don’t Know

Chapter 9 Living the Truth

Chapter 10 Smoke and Mirrors: Change Your Mind, Change Your World

Chapter 11 How to Play the Credit Card/Debt Game and Win

Chapter 12 Cutting Out the Cancer

Chapter 13 You Must Believe

Chapter 14 Budgeting Toward Success

Chapter 15 Embracing Your Struggles

About the Author

Suggested Readings

This publication is designed to provide competent and reliable information regarding the subject matter covered. However, it is sold with the understanding that the authors and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, financial, or other professional advice. Laws and practices often vary from state to state, and if legal or other expert assistance is required, the services of a professional should be sought. The authors and publisher specifically disclaim any liability that is incurred from the use or application of the contents of this book.

If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book may have been stolen property and reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher. In such case, neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

© 2011 by Anthony W. Bernard. All rights reserved.

Official book website: www.thepuzzle2011.com

Visit my (So. Cal) real estate website at www.anthonybernard.net.

For questions, comments, or suggestions, e-mail [e-mail].

First edition: July 2011

Dedication

I would like to first dedicate this book to my wife who has become the mother of my children, and is my strength, support, and stability. Without your love and dedication to me and our family, this book would not be possible.

To my children who mean the world to me. This book is just one more example that with perseverance, dedication, and commitment, you can accomplish your goals, visions, and dreams you have for your life.

To my brothers and sisters far and near, your constant love, kind words, and encouragements have given me the will to push forward and never give up on the hope to change the lives of people everywhere.

Last but not least, my mother, who, through her nurture and example, instilled in me the drive never to give up and never to let anyone’s ignorance or negative opinions interfere with my success and will to succeed. You are in many ways my hero.

I would also like to dedicate this book to all the people who have made the decision to take control of their financial future. You are the reason why I will continue to fight to educate, empower, inspire, and serve all people.

Preface

In life, there are many things that you see, experience, and learn from family, friends, and the public at large. These are the pieces that mold your financial habits in your adult life. The operative question is, How do you put all these pieces of information and experiences together where it provides you the clarity you need to go from where you are today to where you want to be financially? The way you apply and connect this information is in many ways the determining factor of where you will be financially. This information learned from the past can either set you up to fail or provide a road map to reaching your financial goals, visions, and dreams you set for your life. The question is whether the information you have learned and the financial habits you have created will ever get you to where you want to be financially. The Puzzle is a book written to teach teens and adults how to build strong financial habits. These habits will empower, educate, and provide the clarity you need to go from where you are today to where you want to be financially. There are many emotions you will feel while you read this book, so get ready to affirm, enlighten, and motivate your journey to a successful financial future.

Chapter 1

You’re Worth It

Chapter 1

You’re Worth It

Quality of life is defined

differently for

each individual.

The purpose of this book is to start to fill the gap that exists between a life of financial struggle and financial freedom. There is a dire need for financial education in people’s lives. It is more than just balancing a checkbook, opening up a savings account, maintaining a high credit score, or paying your bills on time. It has to do with learning the financial education that will help you create security, quality living, and time that will allow you to focus on what is most important to you. Quality of life is defined differently for each individual. For some, it is spending time with family, friends, pursuing dreams, achieving significance, hobbies, traveling, making fun memories, helping people. In order to achieve the quality of life that you desire, you need to create the time necessary to do so. The question you have to ask yourself is, Are my financial habits creating more time and freedom for my life, or are they