Discover the three-word secret to more money!

Millions of people every day turn to the Interwebz thingies looking for an additional source of income. The action usually follows along this line: Jane needs an extra $300 a month to “make ends meet,” to make sure she runs out of month before she runs out of money. So, in addition to her regular job, she does an online search for income opportunities.

She finds literally hundreds and hundreds of offers with a simple search of terms like “make extra money” or “work from home.” They promise her the moon and the stars, all with just an investment of $49. After looking at a few, and knowing she truly needs a financial break, she commits herself to doing without a few simpler pleasures one month in order to invest her funds and takes the plunge.

Often, the purchase she made is into some sort of network marketing or multi-level-marketing type of opportunity, where the “plan” seems to be to sell some over-priced product of average quality, at a ridiculously low profit margin and to find hundreds of others to do the same. Maybe she even goes so far as to even commit to some impossible-to-cancel monthly auto-ship program in order to keep herself at an optimal percentage bracket.

At this point, the reality sets in for Jane. She hits up her friends and family to get some orders (and out of love for her, a few do place an order). Perhaps she even has the guts to talk to a few strangers. If she's rare, she might even go so far as to have some business cards printed up and hands them out to a few dozen strangers, in an effort to drum up some business.

What often happens for so many of these Janes is, at the very best, perhaps they make a $100 check for their investment of $350 altogether (counting all expenses like their own purchases of products, business cards, gas going to and fro, “business lunches,” etc.,). It seems like all she needs to do is keep trying. Most don't even end up doing this good.

But, after a few months, she finally realizes the plan she was offered on the company's website isn't what she's experiencing. She starts noticing the very same product she's trying to market for $50 is available at the local Wal-Mart for $20. Sometimes it's at the local dollar store.If she's fortunate to have good, caring friends, they point it out to her, hoping she'll drop the company like a hot potato and quit wasting her time. The smarter Janes of the world, do. Jane is crushed. Jane realizes her product is over-priced and she can't compete.

Jane also realizes the profit margin on her product is ridiculously low. Wal-Mart usually runs a minimum of 30 percent profit margin. So, if they're making 30 percent minimum on a $20 item, why is she only earning 5 to 25 percent of a $50 item? Then it hits her: The company she's working with is full of crap. They designed their marketing plan, not as a way for her to profit, but for them. While they assured her in conference call after conference call of their “commitment to her success,” all they're really interested in is their success.

She also then comes to learn how many thousands of others just like her have been promised those same moon and stars as she was. It's then that Jane sees that the real plan for the company is to get as many suckers to order their product - at a huge mark-up - as possible. Jane is crushed emotionally. And she's not the first.

All that passion, all that energy, all that work, all that money invested and here she is now, worse off than before. It seems the “Great American Dream” is dead. But it's not. Jane just fell victim to a bullshit line. She's no different than the rest of us who've been burned. She's not a “failure” at all. She just learned a valuable lesson. If Jane's a fighter, she'll come to realize a wonderful secret to making the kind of money she needs and having the kind of life she wants.

It's three little words and it's my hope that some Jane out there has kept reading this far. Here's the secret, free of charge to you, my dear readers, after having spent so much of myself to learn it for my own life: Find your passion!

All that work, energy, blood, sweat and tears selling someone else's dream enriches them. If you're going to put so much hard work, late hours and money into anyone's dream, let it be your own. This way, you're in control of prices, special deals, the rules and how you go about building the business, whatever type of business it is.

I once worked with a company (I won't say their name but their initials are A-M-W-A-Y) who had a crappy little rule that said you weren't allowed to market your product off of store shelves. So, there went any chance to build up volume bonuses intelligently. You also weren't allowed to order products in large quantity containers, such as 55-gallon drums, so there went another opportunity for me to market one particular product of theirs to friends who worked in the various oilfield industries.

Other companies I've tried working with had similar rules in place which kept their profit margins ridiculously high, while stifling every creative approach I tried for, myself. It was almost as if they didn't want me to find any real success! I've since learned this wasn't just my perception. If they limit any one individual's success, they keep more chumps on the line.

Working for yourself, on your own, personal, passionate plan also keeps anyone else from screwing you over on commissions. The closer you are to the hard, nitty-gritty details of your business operations, the more control you enjoy overall, and the less chance there is another person can find some bogus reason to not pay you what you've earned.

It doesn't matter what your passion is. Figure out how to turn what you have an interest in and go for making it profitable. As you grow your business, you'll learn all the finer details. Just start living your own life now - and not that of someone else. Otherwise, you may very well just be better off sticking with a regular 9-to-5. The world needs factory workers too. So there's no shame in it.

If you want to succeed on a long-term, real-world basis, find your own passion! Sell YOUR DREAM, not someone else's. Find what YOU love doing and do it. It's really that simple. It might actually be more work, harder stress (in some situations) and even longer hours. But, being your own baby, it's more of an act of love than a struggle. Why put all of that effort into continuously enriching someone “over you?” It's not foolish to benefit those who deal with you (In fact, I highly recommend you always strive for the mutual-win scenario in all arrangements) But to spend your days achieving someone else's dream, is. Find your passion. Sell your own dream.

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One final note of gratitude on the April A to Z Blog Challenge

I just want to thank the folks who started the April A to Z Blog Challenge. The good you did me was more than I expected, and I'm grateful. I've really enjoyed myself in all of this, and those things I learned can't be measured.

But the best thing which happened to me from all of this is my oldest daughter (almost 15) decided to give blogging a try. She's now the creative force behind KatieSpeaks. I sorta owe all of that to you folks. I can't thank you all enough.

When Marie Anne St Jean first told me about the challenge, I'll admit to my reservations. But, needing a challenge, this seemed to fit the bill. The Challenge was something requiring consistent, daily effort, goals, and it didn't involved me talking to retail customers.

Since then I've picked up 17 new, regular readers, met a whole pile of bloggers, and learned what it means to take crappy pop-up ads off of my blog. (Only wish someone had told me way before I got yo “y.”) So those things gained alone,are reason enough to be a part of next year's challenge.

But to think, a young child out there in the world, is now inspired also. That's something.

You might notice one less annoying pop-up April's A to Z Blog Challenge April 29, 2011 "Y"

Here we are at the “Y” point in this blog challenge, and I'm just now pulling my head out of my ass, and realizing what kind of chump I am for ever having dealt with Bidvertiser. I've carried Bidvertiser ads for years, even before the current owners, and possibly those before them. All this time, these bastards are claiming I've never, ever, ever received one click from a visitor. The odds of that being even possible are staggering. In fact, they're impossible.

I had a friend in another state click on one of their ads as a test, and even waiting four full days, I see nothing for it. This tells me only one thing: These bastards aren't giving me credit for revenue I've earned them! FUCK!

Now, if any of you out there on the Interwebz thingies hate me so much as to doubt what I say about these low-life thieves at Bidvertiser, then be my guest, sign up with them. No, really, do it. Even if you authorize their crappy “Congratulations! You're a Winner” pop-ups, they're not going to credit you for any earnings.

Bidvertiser is not interested in treating me right as a publisher, then they've no right to be anywhere near my blog. They're just not worth dealing with. I don't know what kind of criminal outfit they may be altogether, but it just aint worth finding out.

So, to my wonderful readers, I'm sorry for those annoying pop-ups in the past. I'm sorry for all the crappy, NSFW ads being ran on my blog. I'm sorry for ever having dealt with these thieving, filthy, dirty, low-lives at Bidvertiser. I hope they get raided by other scumbag criminals like them.

Patriot Depot

A two-minute, 30-day workout: Is it effective? April's A to Z Blogger Challenge, April 23, 2011 “T”

Long about the time I'm turning 41, I can't help but notice a bigger quantity of “chub” and a decrease in energy. So, even if there was enough time to put the 90 minutes in each day to workout, there's not enough energy left to keep up.

This puts an old man like myself in quite a quandary. How can I age gracefully, if I'm not in shape during my younger years? Now I'll never be a senior model. Dayum. There goes the chance at commercials and TV, too.

Fortunately, not being a doctor, personal trainer, or any other kind of “expert,” I found myself talking with people other than “experts.” I only asked people who had achieved the results I wanted, themselves, and disregarded anyone who spoke based upon any other form of “authority.” Fortunately, my perseverance paid off in 24-karat gold cascades.

Two separate individuals, who will each go nameless, shared a training method which they had learned from the U.S. Marine Corps. Hey, if a body wants to learn the quick, simple, and efficient way to “bad-ass” ask a true “bad-ass.” Ask a Marine, right? They live it. Notice I said quick, simple, and efficient. Nowhere am I using the word “easy.”

Join me from day two on of my own 30-day journey with this procedure. I'm going to continue following the procedure I'm sharing in the upcoming description of an exercise which I've been told will get a body in shape within 30 days. You don't have to participate if you don't want to, but I hope you read along. This way, we'll all know if it works, or not. Fair?

Here's the procedure, as best as I can describe: From a full-up push-up position, place your upper-bodyweight upon your forearms, and keeping the length of your body as straight as you can. Keep your feet together.

Next, allowing your feet to also turn to the side of your choice (I do left side, first, myself) turn onto one arm and sideways, holding your fore-arm parallel to your body length, and holding your other arm up in an equivalent position. Hold this position for a full 30-second count. Breathing abdominally, and fully during this count aids this part of the exercise.

Then, come back down onto both forearms, all the while keeping your bodylength as straight as possible. (If you're already feeling it in you lats, you did well.). Rest on both forearms for a full 30-second count, controlling the breathing- fully and in the abdomen.

Finally, Repeat the first step of this exercise, but on the opposing forearm. Remember: Do a full 30-seconds, keep the bodylength as straight as possible, and control the breathing. Once you're done, come back onto both forearms, and pop tall! (Stand up) You're done.

The total time this takes is one-and-one-half minute. Allowing a total of 30 seconds for positioning and recovery, this exercise takes a total of about two minutes. Look, if you say you want to be at least a little more fit, and you won't put two minutes a day towards the effort, then quit bullshitting yourself about wanting to be more fit, and accept the slovenly fatbody. But not I. Two minutes a day, for 30 days, is all this method asks of you. You'll likely enjoy it so much, you'll keep going on after 30 days. It's that simple.

As mentioned previously, this is only my own second day on this regimen. It's do-able, enjoyable, and can be done almost anywhere with a floor. There is no equipment to buy, subscription to endure, or spam. All I'll ever hope from sharing this discovery with you (and my process, itself) is that you'll share me with others, too. Readers is what this effort is all about. That, and the chance to do some real good. But please, don't just copy and paste the text other places. The legal, ethical, and right way to share is to just share the link with others. If a preview is desired, use up to 1/3 of this post, and please remember the link back to here.

Before all is said and done, we'll also provide a “before and after” picture set. The “before” picture is taken, but I gotta get it uploaded with the “after.” Besides, I'm a bit bashful about my chub.

And readers should know: This particular exercise is the primary component of my fitness training. But I also go for an hour walk, three times a week. My diet is standard American fare; a couple salads a week, two or three days of fast food (Taco Bell), and otherwise – meats, taters, fish, and sweet tea. This is Louisiana, after all.

Patriot Depot

Simply Speaking April's A to Z Blog Challenge April 22, 2011 “S”

I was 12. I had wanted to die already, for a variety of reasons, for quite some time. I was alone, lonely, poor, hungry, dirty, and confused with misinformation, from those who knew not as well, themselves. On one of those odd, random days, in the junior high school library, I came across a book titled “Strangers Among Us,” by Ruth Montgomery. I checked it out with the lovely Ms. Cone, and read it immediately, and completely the first time that day, during the remainder of my classes.

What revealed to my young, impressionable mind was an offer of relief, release, freedom, and power, I found myself unable to resist a second reading, and this time with “notes.” Over the next two months, I would go to re-check this book out, a number of times. I now believe all of this to have been my most tragic of errors within my life.

Those who should peradventure a chance at reading this work will no doubt see the unmistakable come-on of only the chance to mentally frame one's own, young, already-beleaguered psyche to one of someone who only abdicates their own psychological autonomy/authority.

Whether this might have been intentional, for some reason - or not - Mrs Montgomery did me, and who knows how many other potential lives since, such great and grave dis-service that I should wish to see her book as the one and only book I would willingly burn every last copy of on the face of the Earth. To have authored such a tome of unhealthy self-hypnosis is, in fact, a reprehensible, and irresponsible act. To have planted this book into such a position of opportunity to reach the minds of young pre-teen kids, is an act only rivaled by those of the US CIA itself.

Whether such a harmful, destructive operation might be intentional, or merely the lack of true wisdom so abhorrently lacking within modern public education administration is irrelevant. My self examination has revealed this tidbit of my forgotten past to myself. Now, on to “reverse the polarity” (I have sooooo wanted any excuse to someday say that) and re-program myself, as simply Donald Pennington. Some day, people will search that name. (I really should market my self-examination procedures. Or, at least give them away on ad-supported pages. Suggestions, anyone? Comment, please and thank you.)

If you ever see anyone, anywhere, ever reading this particular book, please knock it violently out of their hands, hug them immediately, and tell them that, to give up at this point would be so foolish, and that all too many will need them to stop reading that bullshit right now. Say it loud and clear, too. Tell them it's going to be okay, even if you know you're lying. Tell them for me, would you, please? And say it in simple words which anyone could understand. Some things are too precious to let another person just throw away.

Patriot Depot

One more retweet on Twitter: Simple steps to 10,000 more computers minimum April A to Z Blog Challenge April 18, 2011 "O"

This information just feels so "right" sharing here today. I'm so glad to share something so helpful, in celebration of passing the midway-mark, in April's A to Z Blogger's Challenge.

So, how are you going about getting retweets on Twitter? Are the 140-character-counted thoughts those of love, inspiration, motivation, and dreams? Or, is the “Howard Stern-esque” approach working better for you? Oh my goodness, please don't tell me you're one of those folks paying some gum-slapper to market on Twitter for you. Oh no. That is not acceptable.

If you need retweets on Twitter, all a body's gotta do is follow @RetweetLister. It's really that easy. Following him, and having him follow back, this Twitter account will retweet any direct message that's appropriate for younger eyes.

When direct messaging (DM'ing) @RetweetLister, 31 of the characters are already used up from the share of the message. This is because the account shares your message with those connected to him, who also retweet. So, while severely limiting all you might want to say, the account will get your link to the systems of anywhere between 10,000 to 25,000 others. That number will increase, as well, like it's done thus far.

Let's review how to get massive quantities of retweets on Twitter: StepOne - Follow @RetweetLister on Twitter. (There's a free utility listed on the profile page, too. You might like that one.) Step 2 - Once @RetweetLister follows you back, Send direct messages of 109 characters maximum, including (absolutely) absolute links.

No porn, gambling, offensive, abusive, chain-letter, spam or racist links/messages. No auto-responders. @RetweetLister will not tolerate it. You have been warned. We're all grown up enough to know what “offensive” means. “Business opportunities” must be approved by @RetweetLister first. Musicians/other artists encouraged to respond. Account holder reserves all rights to remove any follower from the service, with or without notice or obligation at any time. Account holder also reserves the right to alter, adjust, or change in any way all aspects of this agreement, and any followers sole recourse will be to stop following. Hey. Sometimes, things change.

Patriot Depot

Getting older, we all die April A to Z Blogger Challenge April 8, 2011 "G"

No matter the reader's age, were they to live a good, average life-span of 80 years to-the-day, they'd find themselves living a grand total whopping 29,220 days alive on Planet Earth. That's 29,220 days,and not a single one more. Once they're gone, there's no return.

Out of those 29,220 days alive on this sweet Planet Earth, soaking up the warm sunshine, a reader has no doubt advance themselves already, at least some portion of those wonderful 29,220. How many, the author would not know, only the reader. A simple act of subtraction puts us at the number of days we have left, if we're to live to 80. And that, dearest reader, is if we live to 80.

Let's say any given reader has only a 40 years of age estimate of 19,610 days exactly. Of the remaining 19,610 days a soul might hope to make, there could be placed a value on each, using whatever figure a mind might pick. For each day lessened from the actual number of days lived, the value of each of all the rest magnifies exponentially, day by day. We must also subtract the days shy of 80 years of time from the total overall number of 29220 days.

For those of the readership who do get to go on and enjoy every blissful day alive (because Life is bliss, after all) what value do you place on each one of the final remaining days, in the final balance of life?

For those who may know, with a reasonable medical certainty (death being very medical, after all) they will not be making it to the full 80 years, how much more of a value do you place on each of your remaining days?

Then what value, today? What price would any reader-in-general give for just one order of "Today of Your Life?" And, would you like fries with that? What value this very hour? This very minute? This very second? This very word? All words, all seconds, every minute, of every hour, of every day of any readers life should hold such value.

It was a much older and wiser man who shared with the world we should be mindful of what we do with each day of our lives, "because it costs you a day of your life." Sadly, the author is unaware of who the original quote was sourced from, or if the phrase is exact. (Help in the comments would be lovely.)

So, dear reader, exactly how are you going to invest each moment in the sands of time, from now on? What little days we have left, are what we have left. Share with us, please, what would that action be, if there was no risk of failure?

Might we also consider what we can sell in an ebook?

I'm considering putting together a compilation of short stories from a variety of authors, in an ebook. No more than perhaps a half dozen others, at most.

Can/Will any few of you contribute one exclusive short story towards a joint venture publishing project? Every participant will have a purchasing readership. Every contributor enjoys earnings from the sales to their own, and everyone else's purchasing readership. I ask for full exclusive publication rights in return for a percentage of all retail ebook sales to all! It's a reasonable offer.

If you know me, you know who I am, and how to reach me. Let's get each other some readers. I'm available at.