OPP Update: June 2017

Hello blog readers:

On this first day of June, I'm having mixed emotions.  This morning I was on a high, but this afternoon, I've been brought back down to earth.  Perhaps this could be a wake-up call for me to get off my butt to take care of some business.  

Today started out to be a great day.  Less than two weeks ago, I was able to put my car into the shop to fix the damage sustained from an accident almost 3 months ago.  Today, I picked up my car from the shop, which means that I can resume my role as an Uber Driver, which is my second source of income.  

Later today, I received some disturbing news in regards to my first source of income, my Tan Physics customer service position.  As of late, the number of customer service calls have been dwindling. Today we had 4 customer service reps on the phone and the call volume was super slow.  Our supervisor made the decision to get 3 people off the phone.  I was one of the three who volunteered to sign off early (thus losing 5 hours of income).  

Later I received an e-mail from my supervisor, who says he will rearrange the schedule, which could mean that my hours will be cut.  With this Tan Physics customer service position, I'm making an average of $400 weekly, working 40 hours a week. If my hours get cut significantly, that could mean trouble as far as saving my money to get my new place.

Now that I'm settled in to my brother's place, May should have been a month to get the ball rolling with my ventures.  However, things have not worked out as planned.  

As you may have noticed, I don't have a blog posting since May 1st.  I won't lie....working 40 hours a week, though it's from home, wears me out!  When I'm done my work day, the majority of the time is spent either eating, napping or working out in the gym (which is a plus), which leaves me little time to promote myself or my business ventures.  On my days off, I'm either taking care of errands or visiting family, which again, leaves me little time to promote.  This will have to change if I'm going to continue on the Pathway to Prosperity.  

Throughout most of May, I was advertising my ClickBank affiliate links on the safelists.  However, advertising on the safelists alone will not get me to the promised land.  In May, I was supposed to start working on a report to advertise on a squeeze page (to build a list); I was supposed to learn more about blogging and to start applying what I've learned to this blog; I was supposed to resume my education with ClickBank University; finally, I was supposed to start finding other sources to advertise my businesses (mainly through social media).  Unfortunately, none of the above occurred.  

The one business opportunity I have revisited last month was SFI (Strong Future International).  My immediate goal with SFI is not to find new affiliates or to find new TripleClicks customers.  My goal at this point will be to learn the business as a whole.  SFI has several tools that can help me create an income for myself, so I want to educate myself on these tools, which in the end will help me market the business better as a whole.  

As you can see, I still have quite a bit of work to do.  It's good that I will begin driving again for Uber.  However, I also want to start building my long-term income.  

Have a good afternoon blog readers!

OPP Update: May 2017

Good afternoon blog readers:

Today is Monday, and I'm off from working my Tan Physics customer service/sales position today.  It's currently the middle of the afternoon, and I used my day to take care of a few things:

In addition to buying some grocery and checking my (P.O.) mailbox, I took my car to a body shop to get an estimate.  Later this month, I plan to get my car fixed, so I can proceed with my role as an Uber Partner, thus creating my second income.  It's been almost 2 months since I have given my last Uber ride (right before my accident).  Even though I can think of a dozen things I would rather do with my free time than to give Uber rides, I do miss communicating with my riders and I certainly miss the instant payouts.  Yes!  If I'm broke, and need some quick cash, all I have to do is give a few rides, and I've made my money! I love that aspect of driving for Uber.  

The month of May will be a transition month for me and my goals. Now that I am settled in at my brother's home, I can begin making the moves to get me closer to my goals.  First of all, I have proceeded with advertising my ventures to my safelists.  My next goal is to find that third source of income, whether it will be with the Staples customer service position I mentioned in my last posting, or something else.  Nevertheless, I want to have 3 sources of direct income.  

Sometime this month, I also plan to resume my education with ClickBank University.  From what I've learned so far, I will need to start "building my brand" by creating a squeeze page to opt in potential buyers to my businesses and services.  It's going to require some work, but I'm up for the task at hand.

Lastly, I just transferred my Planet Fitness home to the Riverfront in Wilmington, DE, so once the transfer is complete, I plan to work out 3-4 times a week.  After all, if I'm going to achieve my goals, I need to be healthy.  😎

In my next posting, I plan to discuss how I plan to take my blog posts to the next level.  HAPPY MONDAY!

A Rough But Positive Transition

This was not what I wanted, but I suppose it's for the best!

It has been 15 days since my move from my apartment to my brother's home in Wilmington, Delaware. The move wasn't easy, but it is done....FINALLY!

In the weeks prior to the move, I had attempted to find sources to get help on paying my back rent. However, I was told the same things from each one.  Either they weren't taking any new appointments, or they wanted me to pay most of the rent, with them paying the remaining amount (usually around $150).  With my back rent at around $2500, I knew I was fighting a losing battle.  

On April 3, I came to the conclusion that I would not be able to get the assistance I needed to catch up with my rent, so I began making plans to vacate the apartment.  I assumed that the management at the apartment complex would give me a week to vacate once the eviction notice is served. Therefore, I figured I could work, then start packing when I'm off. However, things didn't turn out that way.  

On Wednesday, April 5, I received my eviction notice.  On the notice, it mentioned that I would need to vacate the premises within 24 hours.  I was like...."NO WAY!"  When I called the office, they mentioned that I would have a few days before the constable comes and change the locks.  Once they change the locks, I would have access to the apartment during business hours only, then they would lock the doors after 4:30 pm.  

I had plans to move out on Tuesday April 11, but because of this move with the constable, I needed to move out ASAP, so I changed my moving date to Monday, April 10.  It was a good move on my part, because the constable arrived on Monday morning, and the lock was changed.   Even though most of the big items were moved on Monday, many of the things, such as my clothes and kitchen items were left behind.  It would take me 3 days to move the remaining items from the apartment.  Below is a picture of the empty home office that I once occupied.  

It was a bittersweet departure when I moved the last of my things out on Monday, April 17.  I had occupied the space for 13 years, and now I'm leaving.  As I left, I played Alicia Keys song, If I Ain't Got You.  That was the song that I listened to the most when I moved into the apartment in 2004, so memories linger when I hear it.  

Nine days removed from completing my move, my legs are still aching from going up and down the stairs (I lived in a 3rd floor apartment), moving trash and all my belongings.  Most of my items were placed in storage, and the rest over to my brother's.  Thankfully, the moving is complete!  Even though it was a rough transition moving out, I do see a positive outcome in the near future.

For the first time in months (since November of last year), I don't have the worry of whether I'm going to be evicted from my home.  Even though these thoughts didn't keep me up at night, it did keep me from focusing on my goals of achieving financial independence.  Now that the situation is behind me, and I'm settled in to my temporary home, I can once again focus on my goals (see my new home office setup below).  👍

Since I've been here at my brother's, I have been acquiring credits for my safelist advertising, so I can proceed with promoting my ClickBank affiliate websites.  I will also start promoting my two advertising sites that I spoke of in a previous posting.  Also, in a week or so, I will resume my education with ClickBank University, then begin to create a squeeze page, so I can begin building my list.  As they say.....THE MONEY IS IN THE LIST!  LOL

As for immediate income....I am still working my customer service/sales job with Tan Physics.  In a few weeks, I will be taking my car to the body shop to get it fixed (from the fender bender I had in early March), so I can continue my Uber service.  Lastly, I will be seeking an job opportunity with the Arise Portal, possibly landing a customer service position with Staples.  Soon, I will have my 3 sources of income, and will be working on my 4th, 5th, 6th, etc.  

I am so glad that the move is over, so I can focus on making money and building my bank accounts. Soon enough, I will find another apartment to live, and will be back in my own place.  For now, I am continuing down the PATHWAY TO PROSPERITY. 

OPP Update: April 2017

Happy April Fool's Day blog readers:

It's Saturday afternoon, and I just completed my day on the phone selling/providing customer service to the sunless tanner.  In a few, I'm going to enjoy the NCAA Final Four Mens' semi-final games.

Last month, I mentioned that I was behind on my rent. Unfortunately, I was not able to get the assistance to catch up with it. Therefore, I will be vacating the apartment I've lived for the past 13 years, and will be moving in with my brother for a few months. Indeed, I'm taking a step back, because I won't have my total freedom that I was afforded the past 25 years.  However, moving in with my brother will give me a greater quality of life (income minus expenses).

While I'm living with my brother, my expenses will be lower, and I will be able to accumulate money much faster, so that will be an advantage in my favor.  What I'm not looking forward to is having to move most of my things to storage, and some to my brother's home...then when I find a new home, having to move it out of storage and into my new home.  

It is what it is though.  Back in May, I made the decision to leave my 9-to-5 to become my own boss, which was a risk. Unfortunately, I lose my apartment and my total privacy, but these losses are temporary.  As far as everything else, there's an upside. For one, as I mentioned before, I can put more money away, because my expenses will be less.  Secondly, when I find a new home, it will be better than my first apartment (or house if I decide to rent-to-own a townhouse).  Maybe it's time for me to leave this apartment (I killed 4 mice in the past 6 months).  

For the past 2 weeks, I've gotten away from marketing my businesses, because I was looking for sources to get help on paying my back rent (perhaps I'll discuss that further in another posting). Once I get settled into my brother's home, I will go full throttle with my marketing efforts; utilizing the new information I've learned from Clickbank University, and also signing up with more social sites to promote my businesses.  

Spring is here, and now it's time to continue my pathway to prosperity.  Yes, I've taken a step back.  However, I see myself taking 10 steps forward in the near future.  Perhaps this will be a turning point in my journey.  I can feel it!  


   

Two Potential Money Makers

Good afternoon!  It is Tuesday afternoon and we just got hit with a snow storm early this morning.  Fortunately, because I work from home, I don't have to drive in all the slush.  YUCK!

Today's posting focuses on two potential money-makers that I will start promoting this week.  These will definitely test my marketing skills, because I will need to build a downline and persuade them to pay for the service.

Both of these opportunities are similar in their design.  Both give you the opportunity to promote your businesses.  They can also earn you some extra money; potentially over a million dollars if you promote it and get the right people to join your downline.  On that note, I will discuss each opportunity in detail.

PIF43

PIF43 is a Text Ad Exchange site where you can advertise your business, website, affiliate link, etc.  PIF43 offers several types of advertising for your business:

• Banner Ads
• Solo Ads
• Text Ads
• HTML Ads
• Traffic Links

The way it works is that you use your credits to advertise your sites, which will bring you traffic.  You obtain your credits from viewing other member's websites.  

Advertising your business is always a good thing, but the fun part of it is when you get to refer others and make money.  When you sign up for PIF43, you are a Gold member.  As a Gold member, you are able to promote your sites, but you will not be able to refer others until you become a Diamond member.  You become a Diamond member by paying the $4.99 to get your position into the 3x15 forced matrix.  If you want to increase your chances of making money, you can purchase several positions on the matrix. Go to the website for a further explanation of this.

As a Diamond member, you get paid in two ways.  You get a direct commission of $2.50 for every member you refer who becomes a Diamond member.
You also receive a commission of $0.50 for referrals on Level 1 and $0.10 for those in your downline from Levels 2-15 who upgrade to Diamond.  If you're a good marketer, then you can accumulate quite a bit of money.  

Recently, I upgraded to the Blue Sapphire membership, in which I paid $10.99.  With this membership, I will potentially make more money:

•  For one, there's a separate matrix for BS members, in which I get $5.00 direct commission for referrals who upgrade to BS
•  I get a 50% upgrade to $0.15 for referrals in my downline from Levels 2-15 who upgrade to Diamond
•  I get a $0.50 commission on my downline referrals who upgrade to BS through 10 levels.    

I also get 3 solo ads, which is a plus when needing to get a lot of exposure to my websites.

$1.50 Cash Magic

$1.50 Cash Magic is a little different from PIF43 as far as advertising and for obtaining referrals.  

Like PIF43, 150CM offers advertising for its members:

• 468x60 Banner Ads
• 125x125 Banner Ads
• Text Ads
• Login Ads

Unlike PIF43, which you can join as a free member, 150CM requires that you pay the initial $1.50 to participate in the 5x5 Forced Matrix, or you will be deleted from the site.  Their commissions are paid differently, but it's simplier than PIF43.  On your first level, you get 5 referrals.  When they pay, you get the $1.50.  If you get a sixth referral, that person goes to your 2nd level, where you can have 25 members.  In order to get paid from each level, you have to pay:

1st Level:  $1.50

2nd Level:  $5.00

3rd Level:  $25.00

4th Level:  $60.00

5th Level:  $350.00

Once you pay the $350.00 for Level 5, you will be receiving payments from all 5 levels in the above amounts.  If all of these positions are filled, you would get paid over a million dollars.

Unlike PIF43, in which you use your earned credits to advertise continuously; with 150CM, you can only advertise once per level paid.  

As I mentioned earlier, I will be promoting both of these sites in order to bring in referrals.  I'm looking for internet marketers who are looking to make a little $$$$ for themselves.  Ones who are dedicated and persistent...and not give up after 1 week.  

I am learning new ways to market my websites through Clickbank University, so marketing these two sites will be a measuring stick to how far I have come and how far I can go!  

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Hello blog readers:

Today I decided to step away from the discussion of achieving financial independence to discuss a game that I have been playing for almost 30 years.  

Today is the launch of the new Legend of Zelda game, Breath of the Wild.  It is also the launch of Nintendo's new console, the Switch.  BOTW will be the ninth Zelda game that I will get to play. Below are the previous 8 Legend of Zelda games I have played since 1990:

• The Legend of Zelda (original)
• A Link to the Past
• The Ocarina of Time
• Majora's Mask
• The Wind Waker
• The Twilight Princess
• Skyward Sword
• Spirit Tracks

When I first played the Legend of Zelda in 1990, I was mesmerized by how different the game was compared to the other games I played up to that time.  It was an adventure like no other.  As Nintendo created other Zelda titles in later years, I played them, which put me on a high like no other.  I love the storylines of the game..and the things I had to do and the places I had to go to achieve the mission of beating the final villian.  Each Zelda game I played left me mesmerized, so you can imagine how hype I am about the next game in the Zelda series, which could be the biggest and best ever!  

Right now I'm a little sad, because unfortunately, I'm not able to purchase the game or the console at this time.  My current financial situation has prevented me from buying the game and console today. However, I am optimistic that I will be playing this game real soon.

Actually, I have a hurdle I need to overcome before I can buy the game and console.  As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, I am behind in my rent...so before I can even consider buying the BOTW and the Switch, I need to catch up with my rent payments.

The fact to the matter is, I am able to play BOTW now.  I have a Nintendo Wii U (in my bedroom hooked up to my 32-inch HDTV), and the BOTW is released for the Wii U as well. However, when it comes to playing Zelda games, I have to have the best of the best....so here's my plan.  If I am able to catch up my rent, I have 2 major purchases I need to make before  I buy the game and the console.  First, I want to buy a TV stand....one that stands high, so I can sit the new 55-inch 4K HDTV that I plan to buy.  First, I will have to sell my 52-inch rear-projection HDTV (that I bought in 2005).

If you read my previous posting, I mentioned that will getting into selling items on eBay.  Before I can do so, I will need to acquire a secure credit card with a minimum credit limit.  I will use the credit card to help me make sales on eBay, then use some of the money I make from the sales to increase the credit limit until I have at least a $5000 credit limit.  Depending on my financial situation, I may use this card to purchase the items I need about to start playing BOTW.    Of course, there may be other sources that pays for these items.  We'll see.

We all have our interests as far as what we want in life.  Thus playing the Legend of Zelda is one of the interests I have. Reaching financial independence will grant me many things that I want to have or to do.  If I can do it, then you can too.  

In my next posting, I want to discuss two smaller opportunities that I signed up for that could put some extra $$$ in my pocket.  

OPP Update: March 2017

Good morning blog readers:

Today is the first day in March, and I’m sitting here at my desk in my home office waiting for customer service/sales calls from this company that I’m an independent agent for.  If you are interested in becoming your own boss, the first thing you should do is to start working at home.  There are many companies out there that you can work for right in the comfort of home.  They don’t pay much (an average of $10 per hour), but look at it this way; you don’t have to get dressed, you save on commuting (which will ultimately save you on auto insurance), and you save on having to buy work clothes.  The biggest benefit of working from home is that you are able to promote your business, website or service.  You wouldn’t be able to do so if you’re working 9-to-5.

Starting this month, I will provide a monthly update on my status On the Pathway to Prosperity (OPP).  I will discuss where I’m at financially, and will discuss my progressions with my business ventures.  This will be a true journal of where I was…and where I’m going.

As of right now, I am 3 months behind on my rent.  However, I have up until April 9 to bring it up to date.  This is indeed a tall tale, but I will do everything in my power and in my resources to get the funds to pay it, so I can stay in my home.

Nonetheless, I feel that March will be the month that I make strides in my marketing efforts.  First of all, I recently started my campaign with ClickBank University.  This site will assist me with how to promote my affiliate websites.  At the end of the month, I plan to have at least 1 ClickBank sale.  I will use what I learn from CBU to promote my Uber referral site as well.  By the way, if you’re reading this and you need extra cash, becoming an Uber Partner is the best way to earn extra cash quickly.  You can also earn by referring other drivers. 

I also updated my personal website (which I hadn’t updated since July).  I have some new content that may be to the liking of internet marketers.  In a future blog, I will talk more about a new venture I’m promoting.  It’s called 150 Cash Magic and I plan to promote it to the fullest this month.

Life is always a challenge, but each day, I plan to do something to get me closer to my goal of FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE!