exQUIZZme !

The fact is that most people continue to work for a living, because they don’t have the means to live without that income. Do not get me wrong. You may enjoy doing what you do. If you do not have to worry about making a living out of this, could you do better, on your own terms?

Perhaps work fewer hours and spend more time with your family? Perhaps choose to take a few days to travel, without worrying about needing to ask for permission. Maybe spend a little time helping out your favorite charity?

There are a great many people who would not go to work, if they did not have to earn a living. Total Financial Freedom is about having that choice. If you quit your job, the organization will not shut down. They will find a replacement to do your job. They will continue their business. However, if you quit working for yourself, nobody will replace you. You owe it to yourself and the ones near and dear to you. When you have the choice, you may still continue to work. The big difference is in knowing that you have a choice. Read the rest of You Deserve To Retire Early »

Ever wondered how February 14 became, the day on which we celebrate and explore love in all its many ideals, Valentines Day.

There are many differing opinions on how Valentines Day started.

One story say that when the Roman Empire reigned, a festival every February was held in honour of the God of Fertility and during this time, young men would choose their mate. When a Emperor named Claudius can around, he outlawed all marriages in fear that the men would not be able to fight. Young couples still fell in love though and still wished to marry and they took these desires to the Catholic Bishop Valentine who, understanding love, began to secretly marry couples. When Claudius found out, he had Valentine arrested and ordered put to death. While waiting in jail, Valentine began exchanging letters with the jailers daughter and soon had fallen in love with her. The day he was to be beheaded, he wrote her one last note and signed it: From Your Valentine.

Another story points to Christianity in 496 A.D outlawing the pagan Lupercian Festival and replacing it with a day in February to honour the martyr St. Valentine. Read the rest of Valentines Day »