About

Who am I and why am I developing this web site about money? That's a good question for you to ask. One of the practices I encourage is for people to learn from those who can do what they want to do, not from someone who can only talk about it. And learn from someone with a genuine desire to help.

It follows then, that when it comes to money it is a good idea to listen to someone who has learned how to get in control of their own money, someone who can speak from positive experience, instead of someone who is ready to offer advice about something they can't do themselves. And when it comes to money, advice is cheap. Especially poor advice.

As most people do, I lived much of my life financing everything from my home (probably OK), to my cars (not so good), to all kinds of stuff on credit cards (not at all good). I always found a way to pay my bills, but like most people I lived mostly from “payday to payday.” At times I owed a lot more than was reasonable and at times I found it more than a little frustrating not having the money I needed—or at least thought I needed.

Fortunately I learned years ago to take personal finance seriously and to take a different path. Over a period of years I studied about money, I put into practice what I learned and eventually started teaching others. In short, I have been successful at eliminating consumer debt, learning how to effectively manage my money, and achieved a fair degree of prosperity along the way.

One secret to finding success with money came by trial and error because, surprisingly, I found that even the best advice I could find about financial success skipped over one essential. It is simply how to go about getting in control of your money in the first place.

How can anyone save and invest without any money to do so? After I discovered the secret to getting in control of my money I starting making good progress with everything else. It was because I wanted to share that insight that I began teaching it to others some twenty-five years ago.

Over the course of time I have read and studied dozens of the best books about money and listened to many of the best teachers on tape. Always I have listened for the voices of experience. I do not claim to have learned all there is to know. But I do believe that I have something worth sharing and I hope that those who check out this site will agree.

For the record, I do have academic training and experience that has prepared me for this project. I have several advanced degrees including a doctorate that focused on training adults. I have taught dozens of classes on goal setting, planning, and management.

As a minister for many years I counseled many people and understand the reality of most people's lives when it comes to money as well as other areas. I have worked as a personal and professional growth counselor helping people learn how to achieve their goals in life, including speaking to Jaycee groups about their personal development program on a local and state level. And, I have operated my own business successfully.

My wife, Louella, and I, along with our son, Brian, live in a seven bedroom home (a lot of bedrooms but we do foster care, too) on some twenty acres just east of Alexandria, Minnesota. Because we have a son who requires twenty-four hour medical care, we have arranged a lifestyle that enables us to be at home most of the time.

Because I personally enjoy teaching and helping others, and because I see all around me so many people who are struggling with their money, I have chosen this internet project as a way to share what I have learned about success with money. I hope you will learn what you need to know to be personally successful with your money.

Remember, it is not how much money you have that matters most but what being in control of your money frees you to be and do.