Daily Intent

Santa Barbara, CA
As I mentioned last week, I believe it our democratic duty to manage our own finances and well being.  This in turn will compound out into the governmental sphere, ultimately impacting our American budget deficit.   Before we set out on this fearless journey of saving our savings, we must reflect with others and draw up a path that will offer the best chance of success.  Last week, you, the reader, wrote in with philosophies, experiences, emotions, tools, and creative ways in which to save money.  Below is part one of two in our communal savings reflection.  May it inspire your creative thought and bolden your pocketbook.

Santa Barbara, CA
Today, President Obama announced the founding of a new “Budget Commission”.  The commission’s sole focus will be to attack the budget deficit.  The goal: a $1 Trillion improvement in the next decade. The commissions job, like many others, will be to put themselves out of business.

In discussions over the budget deficit, people often point the finger at “horribly greedy bureaucrats”.   “A party of a few are ruining our nation.”  “Warmongers”.  “Our children will suffer.”  “Inflation is imminent.”  “The day of America’s judgment is close at hand.”  Such ideas will forever be quibbled over in debates.

Santa Barbara, CA
We’re just over a week away from the day of love.

His shoes shined.
Her hair furled.
His pants pressed.
Her lashes curled.
His shirt clean.
Her lips glean.
His face shaven.
Her dress curve’n.
The roses bundled.
The reservations set.
A night intended to never forget.

Whether you appreciate this Hallmark holiday or do everything to avoid red February 14th, it is a day from which we can all learn.

Santa Barbara, CA
Would you believe the human body is capable of 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days if Dean Karnazes hadn’t done it?  How about holding one’s breath under water for over 17 minutes, were David Blaine not to have done it on the Oprah Winfrey Show?  Or a “lunge mile” can be completed in less than 30 minutes?  What about a hyperactive dyslexix founding, leading and growing a business called Kinkos to a worth of over $1Bn?

You see, we’re each far more capable than we give ourselves credit.

Santa Barbara, CA
If you have ever taken a finance class, you’ve learned of the power of 72.  For those that evaded numbers at all cost in efforts to enjoy the splashing of beautiful colors across a canvas, the power of 72 is a mathematical model used to determine how long it takes for something to double.

Santa Barbara, CA
This coming week, Paul Orfalea, the founder of Kinkos, will be speaking to a group of ten of us.  One of the messages he will bring to the table is “delegation”.  He is living representation of how one man delegated his way to founding and leading a multiple billion dollar company.  He is a “hyperactive dyslexic”.  Given this fact, he learned early on that there were certain things he either couldn’t do, didn’t like to do, or was terrible at doing.  The understanding of self enable him the gift of asking for help.  He claims to never be afraid of asking.

Santa Barbara, CA
“What we call the beginning is often the end
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start.”
T.S. Eliot
“Little Gidding,” from Four Quartets

2010.  “Twenty-ten”!  We are living in the future.  3-D movies.  Soon to be 3-D TVs.  Spacecrafts that can carry pedestrians.  Video cameras that can recognize movements and hand gestures, permitting the user to compete in video games, snap pictures, or image and relocate them onto computers.  Book readers that can hold 1500 books in the palm of your hand.  Camera cell phones that can recognize your location and its historical significance.   It is exciting.  If all used correctly, our life will be more interactive and expansive. 

Santa Barbara, CA

Consistent.  Focused.  Methodical.  Analytical.  Alert.

Warm.  Charming.  Gracious.  Patient.

Experienced.  Educated.  Wise.

Solid.  Supportive.

Grandpa.

On a cold Santa Barbara winter Thursday, Michael “Mike” Towbes, nestled into his University Club chair, at the end of a beautifully decorated table, and warmed twelve of our hearts and minds.

He storied us through the “why” and the “how” a man arrives to 80 years old consistently stating, with great confidence, “retirement is not in my agenda.”

Santa Barbara, CA
Have you ever traveled abroad and craved McDonald’s?  A Big Mac or couple cheeseburgers?  American cheese on a basic hamburger patty sandwiched between a sugary, smashed bun.  And the fries?  Crispy, warm, salty sticks of deliciousness.

Maybe you weren’t entirely hungry, or possibly you’re a vegetarian.  Your craving will undoubtedly be directed toward their soft-serve, plain vanilla ice cream.

The charming hilarity of this craving is you rarely, if ever, eat McDonald’s in the states.

Santa Barbara, CA
If you are a regular reader of the Market Street Report, you may have picked up on my intense enjoyment in finding opportunity when others are seeing doors, walls, fortresses and everything negative.  Moreover, you may have picked up on my desire for Americans to rid themselves of entitlement, enrich our lives in knowledge, and sharpen our financial astuteness.

This week’s focus on innovation and opportunity centers in on gift cards: a world that we have all come to love and hate.