Can You Really Live Well on Government or Company Retirement Plans?

In a recent Winnipeg Free Press editorial, it was estimated that 62% of Canadians do not have an income from a company retirement plan. Why? Well, one reason is that many companies don't offer that anymore, or at least not for part time staff. The other, is that people change jobs every 7 years or so, canceling any accrued value for a retirement package. And it is almost impossible to live comfortably at all on government stipends.

Obviously, people need to plan ahead for retirement with investments, savings, paying off debt, real estate investments and so on. However, one of the fastest ways to add income at any age is through residual income earned through a team effort. I discovered that 23 years ago, by representing a world renowned health and wellness company, and helping others do the same. The extra income can be invested, spread to charities, provide help for your family, and be enjoyed during the retirement years. Now there is more time and freedom to enjoy those later years.

Does it take dedication and commitment to create that residual income? Yes. Do you need to choose the company your represent carefully? Yes! If it is the health field, then check out the ongoing level of science, the guarantees, the third party assessments. 

You can start here: www.ddwaters.com Deanna www.deannawatersbook.com 
Contact me at watersdd2@gmail.com with your questions or your desire to join my adventure.

Five Reasons Entrepreneurs and Savvy People Reach Time and Financial Freedom

Originally posted June 30, 2014

Time to cruise or share special time with friends…..love this life!

Remember that parcel of land you could have purchased 20 years ago, but you figured you couldn’t afford it, and then it tripled in price within three years? That happened to us and we’ve regretted it ever since, especially since the land is probably worth 10 or 20 times the amount today.  We weren’t entrepreneurs back then and our vision for the future was limited.

We remember reading a book by David Wilkerson that said to buy gold, which was worth $35 an ounce at the time, and he also said to store valuable jewelry, coins and silverware in your safety deposit box for the day when you may need to use it to barter. You already guessed that we didn’t do that entirely, although we do have a few items stashed away at the bank. We would be multi-­millionaires today if we had taken out a second mortgage on our home to buy $50,000 worth of gold coins back then.

1. So you already know from these examples that it pays to be savvy about what is happening in the marketplace and to take action quickly. Tune into trusted, well researched resources for advice, but also watch what’s happening around the world to make your own decisions. Successful entrepreneurs know a good deal when they see it and they find a way to work it to their advantage. Is there an opportunity sitting in front of you right now, where you could say “yes”?

2. Once you are your own boss, whether part time or full time, is the day you begin your journey to financial freedom. Every dollar you earn is your own dollar to keep, invest, spend or give away. Being your own boss includes leasing those items you can write off at tax time and buying the things that increase in value. Let your money work for you. Your money can disappear quickly in technical stores, with all the new gadgets, smart phones, 3D televisions etc.  Being your own boss also allows you to decide when to work out at the gym, go for a job or to cycle without permission.  You have extra income to buy organic foods, optimal nutritional supplements, yoga classes and so on.  You have time to make the health of yourself and your family a priority.

Are there changes you could make to multiply your income or to protect it?

3. With a job, you have a structured income, perhaps including some perks like bonus plans or profit sharing. When we stepped into entrepreneurship through the direct sales industry, we discovered the power of creating multiple streams of income, which is leveraged and residual, all without a ceiling on how much a person or business can earn. Do you have sources of residual income? Songwriters, authors, insurance agents, hair salons, direct sellers, have residual income or repeat customers. Think about talents you have that could be turned into recurring income.  In the referral industry, everyone has an equal opportunity to create residual income.

4. Those who declare that they don’t like to sell, will be left behind, because everything in life is about selling, often disguised as something else. When we refer people to a good restaurant, that’s a form of selling. When we express our excitement about a particular product, that’s sales promotion. We’ve noticed that when we pay attention to what is important to another person, then we can find where our product or opportunity would be of interest and add value to their lives. The more we relax in the conversation and put them at ease, the more open they are to what we have to offer.

5. Develop positive relationships and leave customers feeling good about their decisions. When I was the editor of a business journal, I noticed how the publisher immediately found common interests with a customer and established a good relationship in his conversations. When they chose to advertise in the magazine, they made the decision happily, because the publisher had created a positive, feel good atmosphere.

What are ways you could make your customers feel good about committing to your products, services or business opportunity?

Please leave your comments below.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Retirement. Why You Can’t Live Well on Government or Company Retirement Plans

Originally Posted November 13, 2014

Deanna and David Waters promote healthy and fulfilling retirement years.

Can you really live comfortably on what the government or your company retirement plans provide at age 65 and beyond? It can be quite a shock when you crunch the numbers.

Many seniors are living at the poverty level, or they can no longer afford to travel to visit their children, or to take vacations like they once did.   The stock market has knocked out many of their retirement savings plans, leaving some bankrupt.  Add to this, the possibility of costly health challenges, also limiting their earning capacity into the later years.

Governments are realizing that as the baby boomer generation reaches retirement, the social security system may be in trouble. That’s why it’s important to have other streams of income, savings and investments of your own.

When we graduated from university, we fully expected to retire rich at age 50.  Why not?  We were smart and creative. However, we didn’t anticipate family expenses, house and car upkeep, braces for the children, private schooling and so on.   That was all with two paychecks coming in, but since I was hired away to other management positions through the years, I gave up any hope of a corporate retirement plan.  Dave has one, but it is nothing like what he earned as a National Television Producer/Director.

Then, retirement came early for Dave when the corporation eliminated his main television program.  That’s when our insurance agent introduced us to entrepreneurship through direct sales.  The thought of working from home with the tax benefits that brings, plus the prospect of residual, ongoing income for years to come, and the chance to truly impact the lives of others, really caught our attention.  No more driving in rush hour traffic.  No more early morning meetings.  No ceilings on our incomes.  Greater hope for those worry-free retirement years.

Fourteen months after Dave accepted his very early retirement package, I was able to leave my job as well, since our home-based business income surpassed what we had earned together full time.

Imagine!   In only 14 months we earned more in a year than our yearly incomes combined, after a lifetime of working in traditional management careers.  Mind you, we chose the right vehicle and worked hard at it.

Plan ahead, whether you are 20, 35, 45, 67 or older.  There is life beyond the corporate world and government pension plans. It’s never too soon or too late to take control of your present and your future income.  Check out the company, USANA Health Sciences, we have represented successfully for well over 19 years.  www.thewatersedge.com

What steps are you taking to plan for your retirement, at whatever age?

• Investments:
• Residual Income:
• Savings
• Paying off debt:
• Corporate and Government Plans:

I’d like to invite you to explore the freedom and potential for residual, retirement-kind of income in the direct sales and networking industry.  Please leave your comments below….and contact me with your questions:  watersdd2@gmail.com

Dare to Dream. How Simple Changes Can Change Your Life.

Originally posted November 18, 2014

Deanna and Dave Waters: Entrepreneurship offers greater options for health and freedom.

What would you do with more income, more energy and a more flexible schedule? Dream a little with me.  Would you take your family to Europe or on a cruise?  Volunteer more?  Give more? Maybe climb Mount Kilimanjaro?  Hire a personal trainer?  How about weekly visits to a spa or a massage therapist? Purchase special health treatments or equipment for a family member?

Many people never seem to have enough money for the extras, like private schooling for the family, sports tickets, braces for the kids, or traveling to fascinating places.

However, when you take the simple change to create other streams of income beyond your job,  you can earn or win your way to new experiences. New doors are waiting to be opened.  How serious are you to make changes in your life and to help others?

We look back with amazement at seven phenomenal cruises, a free week for two at the Sanoviv Medical Center, business trips to the United Kingdom, Hawaii, the Netherlands and Mexico, plus charitable outreaches with the Children’s Hunger Fund to Uganda and Peru.

All this was possible through diligently developing our own home-based business, with residual income, planning for the future.

In fact, these were all impossible dreams that came true once we opened our minds to new doors of opportunity through entrepreneurship and relationship marketing.

Did it take consistent effort to experience those amazing opportunities? Yes, along with constant learning, patience and faith through the difficult times and celebration with others for the good times, making it the best career choice of our lives.

How about you?

In our case, we chose to represent a company in the field of nutritional science, which lead to improved health for ourselves and for those who also caught the vision to empower and protect their cells.  Add powerful nutritional supplements, all natural skin and body care products, plus nutritional shakes and bars to keep weight in check, and you have an amazing new life in front of you.

This has been the most fulfilling career of our lives, to truly make a profound difference in the lives of others.  However, the most difficult part of entrepreneurship is to see people struggling with their health or finances, and they are not open to other options.  We’ve seen so many people suffer and even die, without giving optimal nutrition a priority in their lives.  That hurts.

In fact, it makes me more determined to be a better communicator and to be more persistent in understanding and serving others.

Are you serious about making changes in your life?  Do you care enough about other people to take the rejection along with the joy of helping them find new paths to health and freedom?  We can all change lives for the better and give people more options for their time, finances and health.

It all comes back to the question, “How serious are you?”

Please contact me to explore new doors of opportunity.