2014 - Page 5 of 13 - The Art of Thinking SMART

Your SMART Vision Statement & Endstate

July 24, 2014
David S. Chang

Your vision in life answers the question “WHERE do you see yourself?” and “WHERE do you want to go?” Like a Mission Statement, your Vision defines your purpose, but it also focuses on your goals, aspirations, and where you want to go. Your mission is “WHY” you do things and is present-based. Your vision gives […]

SMART Mission and Purpose

July 24, 2014
David S. Chang

What is your purpose in life? Why do you exist? Why do you do what you do? From personal experience, people who understand their “WHY” can withstand any “HOW” and “WHAT.” Your Mission Statement is your purpose and direction in life. If done properly, it can motivate you, your organization, or your team, to passionately […]

What Is Your View Risk, Savings, Investment, and Overcoming Crisis

July 24, 2014
David S. Chang

Over the years I have found that many people have an improper view of risk, what it is, and how to minimize and handle it. They also don’t have the right view on savings, investing, income, and how to overcome challenges and crisis. Many investors believe in commonly held myths and as a result don’t make the […]

What is Financial Independence?

July 24, 2014
David S. Chang

We mentioned here what the meaning of wealth is. There is a big difference between being wealthy and being financially independent. While financial independence is based on a number, wealth is a mindset and no amount of money will ever make you wealthy! Once you have the SMART Mindset and Psychology of Wealth, it is […]

The Art of SMART Money Checklist

July 24, 2014
David S. Chang

Click here to download The Art of SMART Money Checklist! Use this checklist and workbook to help you get started on your journey to Wealth and Financial Independence! If you are not a member yet, or need to upgrade, click below!

Social Security Numbers You Need To Know

July 23, 2014
David S. Chang

Maximizing your social security payments depends on the taxes you pay, your earnings history, the age you decide to take the benefits, and the dependents you have. Here are some important Social Security rules to pay attention to. $1,294: This is the average Social Security payment for 2014. The average for retired couples is $2,111. […]

5 Essential Facts on Your Social Security Statements

July 23, 2014
David S. Chang

The Social Security Administration back in April 2011 suspended mailing Social Security Statements to save money. Luckily, they added the ability view your online statements in May 2012. They recently announced that they would resume mailing the statements to some workers beginning September 2014. The paper statements will be mailed to workers who are not currently […]

Important Ages You Need To Know for Retirement

July 23, 2014
David S. Chang

In order to maximize your retirement benefits, it is important to meet certain deadlines. If you don’t take action on these age-based cut-off dates, you can trigger penalties, fees, and miss out on extra benefits for social security, IRAs, 401(k)s, and other retirement accounts. Make sure you take these important ages for retirement into account when […]

July 22, 2014
David S. Chang

Your values are what is most important to you in life – personally and professionally. Values are what you calibrate towards and are the focal point in determining your priorities, goals, attitudes, and behavior. In other words, your values are a compass for your actions in life. It is important that what you do, matches […]

July 21, 2014
David S. Chang

When I invested in my first stock at 14, wealth to me was making as much money as I possibly could. Since then, and being in the finance industry for two decades, the most important thing I have learned about wealth is that no amount of money will ever make you feel wealthy. While many […]