Excerpt from a 2011 YouTube video 'How to Live YOUR American Dream' (Louis Barajas) featuring a panel conversation about personal finances. Speakers contrast Wall Street/Main Street vs. neighborhood-level concerns, note many people living on Social Security who aren’t saving in 401(k)s, and emphasize that fear about market/government events is causing paralysis — urging people to take action rather than hide cash ("under a mattress").
Because people like us people, you know, they're talking about Wall street and Main Street. I'm talking about people on my street. And people on my street, they want to know about that because they're living on Social Security. They're not putting that money away. You know, they're not putting money in the 401k. It's not affecting them.
Well, first of all, man, a lot of people are sitting here nervous right now in terms of what I do with my money. I mean, I know it's a joke. I tell anyone, don't do it. When we start hearing people say I'm putting my money under a mattress or trying to hire this somewhere, they are afraid of what is going to happen to their money.
That' the fear is causing paralysis. That's the problem. You know, people are angry right now. People are angry at the government. What people need to do is they need to take action, not just be paralyzed by this fear.
Imagine if we could all stop fixating on the size of our bank balance, house value or retirement account and start using our resources to live better lives today while we prepare for tomorrow. Imagine if we could go from living a stressful life focused only on what we don't have to a successful life where we celebrate our blessings and continually take small, consistent steps to build a better future. When it comes to finances and financial advice, most people don't think of the heart first. But then again, this isn't your typical financial planning book. The purpose of this book is to change the mindset of America. All of us who don't live on Wall street or Main street, but who are going through tough times on the streets where we live. This book is designed first to help you get clear on what your heart wants and second, to show you how to maximize your money to get your heart's desires. Because ultimately, the value of your time here on earth will nothing to do with how much money you make and everything to do with how you choose to live, who you choose to love and how you choose to make a difference. Come join me on my Street.
