CarusoBlog

The New Old Days

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan-

Only a few years ago, I was too young to talk about "the old days."  All of a sudden, I reference them all the time. 

This photo is on my Facebook page.  It's the Caruso family around 1965.  From left to right:  Dad, Mom, me, Joe, Dave and Rob.

I just turned 50 and my brothers and I are now spending considerable time talking about the past.  I've always been a "future" kind of guy, so this is weird to me. 

It occurs to me that elderly people are more likely to talk about the past than the future.  Just natural, I suppose.

I always want to have something to look forward to. 

Beat Back the Money Blues; Create Information Products

Composed in Minneapolis, Minnesota-

People are starting to listen when I talk about how they can create information products to secure their financial future.  My message was the same twelve months ago, but now people are scared enough to consider their options. 

Thanks to the credit crisis, folks are finally paying attention to how fast the economy can shift.  Soon, hundreds of millions of Americans will be responsible for most or all of their:

• Health insurance
• Retirement funds, such as ension and 401K plans
• Social security

Do you actually read the social security statement you receive in the mail?  Super CPA Stephen Lakotish points out this ominous paragraph on page two: 

"Your estimated benefits are based on current law.  Congress has made changes to the law in the past and can continue to do so at any time.  The law governing benefit amounts may change because, by 2041, the payroll taxes collected will be enough to pay only about 78 percent of scheduled benefits."

Talk about the ultimate disclaimer!!

You can easily learn how to create your own book, e-book, tele-seminar, or money-making blog.  This fun activity could generate enough money to stem the economic tide for years to come.  Give it a go.  You'll thank me and your family will thank you.

Most Bad Guys Are Lazy and Stupid

Composed at Horshoe Bay in Austin, Texas

I'm here in the live music capital of the world to speak to a top-notch insurance provider.  This particular company has a terrific loss mitigation department that is always on the lookout for insurance fraud and other shenanigans. 

Movies tend to play up brilliant bad guys, but most criminals are lazy or stupid or both.  A recent article in a local newspaper somewhere between here and Michigan featured this laughable storyline:

"An armed man who witnesses said looked like a ninja held up a bank in Berkley on Wednesday.

Authorities also revealed that a man with the same description tried to rob a bank in Dearborn Heights on Aug. 28, but he arrived 20 minutes before the bank opened and employees wouldn't let him in.  The FBI is continuing to investigate."

Shouldn't be too hard to catch this mastermind, eh?

Most bad guys are lazy and stupid.  Work hard, learn all you can and everything will turn out great for you. 

Warren Buffett Is Always Good For a Sound Byte

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan-

The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway has an estimated wealth of $50 billion.  It's no surprise that government officials have asked Warren Buffett to weigh in on the current financial crisis. 

I hesitate to call it a crisis, yet.  If you think it's bad now, watch what happens if the bailout plan fails.

Anyway, Mr. Buffett rarely disappoints when it comes to summing up a particular situation.  He recently said, "You only learn who has been swimming naked when the tide goes out." 

I tried to find a photo that complimented this sentiment.  Buffett's orb is in the back row, second from the left.

The World Revolves Around Credit

Composed in Harbor Springs, Michigan-

Yes, America's in a money mess right now, but it's important to remember that the world revolves around credit.

Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury for the United States, argued that the young country should borrow money to become stronger in the future.  Borrowing, however, must be executed with a plan for solvency.

The first man to roll out the payment installment plan did so in the early 1900s.  His idea allowed Americans to purchase a home appliance that they otherwise could not afford.  The man's name was Isaac Singer and the appliance was a sewing machine, which could be purchased in three easy payments. 

This first-of-its-kind offer allowed many homeowners to purchase a personal sewing machine, but unless all payments were made prior to delivery, people were buying something with money they didn't have. 

Today's credit cards work on the same principle.  Card holders can use plastic to purchase products they can't afford with cash.  Americans currently carry about $850 billion in credit card debt.  Jumbo loans and no-doc mortgages are based on the same dangerous premise. 

Money guru Dave Ramsey says there is no advantage to credit cards.  He feels debit cards are better in that the user actually "feels" the money leaving the bank account in real time.

Another good strategy is to only use credit to buy products or services that pay for themselves very quickly.

Almost Famous Is Sometimes Good Enough

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan-

I recently delivered a series of speeches in Warsaw, Indiana.  Savvy clients are figuring out they can get more bang for their buck by having me visit with several groups while I'm in town.  On a trip last month, I delivered a presentation to a corporation, gave a public seminar, spoke at a VIP luncheon and said a few words to a local service club.

While in Warsaw, l met a star from the movie Hoosiers.  Steve Hollar, now a fine dentist, played Rade (#25) on the film's Hickory team.  You may recall that Rade punched out an opposing player early in the film.

Based on the true story of a small-town Indiana team that made the state finals in 1954, Hoosiers is a  classic tale of redemption for the team and its coach, played by Gene Hackman.  The Internet Movie Data Base states that Jack Nicholson turned the role down due to a scheduling problem. 

Steve Hollar started for the Warsaw Community High School basketball team in 1984, when they won the State Championship.

Steve played basketball for Depauw University at the time Hoosiers (1986) was filmed. He was investigated by the NCAA, since it is illegal for players to be paid for playing basketball. After it was determined that he was only being paid for acting, he "got off" with only a 3-game suspension and a fine of about 5% of his acting fee.

Are you almost famous?  How so?

I'm Keeping Fast Company and I Like It

Posted from Royal Oak, Michigan-

It's always exciting to be featured in a national publication.  Fast Company writer Paula Parisot says some things about me in her online article.

Paula attended one of my training sessions a while back and was apparently taking notes.  Nice . . .

Do People Vote in Their Own Self-Image?

Composed in Minneapolis, Minnesota-

I was talking with a friend of mine when I said, "A lot of female Democrats were ready to vote a woman (Hillary Clinton) into the White House.  Now they have to consider voting Republican to get Sarah Palin into the White House."

My friend said, "Your point is that women would tend to vote for a candidate just because she is a woman.  That doesn't give women very much credit."

"True," I said.  "Just like it doesn't give blacks much credit to say they are more likely to vote for a black candidate.  And it doesn't give young people credit to say they are likely to vote for the youngest candidate.  And it doesn't give paunchy, middle-aged white men much credit to say they usually vote for paunchy, middle-aged white men.  That doesn't make these things true."

What do you think?  Do we tend to vote for people in our own self-image?  Please post your comment below.

Brand Loyalty Is a Powerful Force

Posted from Birmingham, Michigan-

Singer-songwriter R. Kelly was recently interviewed by BET News about his acquittal related to multiple child pornography charges. 

When asked if he liked teenage girls, Kelly replied: "When you say teenage, how old are we talkin' ... 19?"

Legal proceedings for the unseemly charges lasted six years, during which Kelly enjoyed a remarkably successful run of several platinum albums.

My Dream Life Rocks!

Composed at Bear Creek Farms Resort, Indiana-

Being a professional speaker has many perks.  I get paid to travel to the best resorts, because that's where my clients hold their conventions.  I get to eat fantastic food because that's what's served at these events.  I often share the stage with the President of the company and of course, I get to meet the other consultants, speakers and entertainers who are scheduled for the same event. 

A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of experiencing Bear Creek Farms Resort in northern Indiana.  My good friend Ron Donkers asked me to speak at his Optimist District convention. 

Low-key and rustic, Bear Creek resort was buzzing with the arrival of another guest.  Grammy award wnner, Roy Clark and his band were there to entertain the folks attending our convention.

Clark's concert was fun and entertaining as he showcased his young band of "Roy Toys: and played his signature songs.  Of course, he performed his big hit, Thank God and Greyhound (You're Gone).  Comedy has always been a big part of Roy's appeal.  You probably remember his old TV show Hee Haw, on which he co-starred with Buck Ownens. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Clark outside his tour bus and asked him to share a story about one of my early music heroes, the late Roger Miller.  There are videos of the two performing at Miller's Web site. 

"He was one of my favorite people," Roy smiled.

Roger Miller was one of the brightest musical minds in history.  His tunes were fantastic and his clever lyrics contained triple and quadruple entendres. 

Miller's hits included, "Dang Me, You Can't Roller Skate (in a Buffalo Herd) and his signature song, King of the Road.