I just completed The Financial Freedom weekend in Calgary.  It was a great weekend with a very interesting group of people.  I am already getting emails from participants who are transforming their lives and finances in just a few short days!

A rendering of my latest project, test marketing launches next week.



I am writing from the Barcelo Mayan Palace in Mexico, what a beautiful place.  Cory and I have been fans of Mexico for years.  In fact we got married in PV coming on 14 years ago.  While sitting by the pool today I am struck by how truly great my life is… I am deeply appreciative.

Wyatt and I were talking about him starting his first business, he thought that he would like to be a teacher like Daddy and teach people “all what to do with trains”  he is addicted to trains!  This business conversation is important to me because I believe that the greatest service I can be to Wyatt regarding money is to assist him to think beyond traditional employment and set the expectation that Wyatt will be a big “B” business owner.

A cute story I was over at my Mom’s helping out after her hip surgery and I was washing dishes, Wyatt wanted to help dry.  He was doing great but having some trouble getting inside the glasses, I asked hi if I could help him and he said “No Daddy, this is my business!” He finished up and G’ma paid him $2  for his efforts.

The point of these stories are simple, how would your life be different if your parents had encouraged you to be an entrepreneur? What if you had the support, the education, the infrastructure to see opportunity and act upon it, instead of “working for the man”?  Or as my partner says “a big stupid company”?

The trajectory of an individuals life and financial well being are dramatically different from the experience of an employee vs the experience of a business owner.

We all know that some of that early messaging can be difficult to break free from, however the price tag of continuing to believe that “I will be safe and secure because I have a job and an education” is going to become expensive and painful as our economy continues to experience difficulties.

I believe that one of the ways out of this mess, on an individual and large scale economic basis is a powerful, educated entrepreneurial middle class that is self reliant, understands money and wealth and knows that the only bailout coming their way is one that they create.

What is the entrepreneurial dream that lies dormant inside of you?  What is that perfect combination of what you love, what you are great at and making money that will create not security but FREEDOM for you and your family?

If you are interested in discovering what this is for you respond to this post.

We are in a very interesting time right now.  The Dow is down 42% off its 52 week high with more and with little chance of a major turn around in the near future.  Yahoo finance asked the question “can we take another 22% drop in real estate value”   On the other end  we have GIC’s at a whopping 1/2% Where are YOU putting your $$

As RRSP season winds up I have spoken with many people who are unsure what to do about their RRSP’s.  We all know that the RRSP is the single greatest tax management and savings tool available to the Canadian wage earner.  However a 30 – 50% hit in the average personals retirement savings is enough to rattle damn near anyone.  The question

Contrary to may peoples view of the question is not should I still invest in my RRSP, that answer is yes, it is most peoples most powerful tax management tool.  The real question is where do I invest my hard earned dollars to actually MAKE MONEY.  I know that might seem like a crazy statement in light of how most peoples investments faired last year ; ).  I have spoken to several people who have taken the GIC route, however depending on what you choose some do not even keep pace with inflation.  Yes, according to stats Canada we are still experiencing inflation, for how long I am not sure but the reality is even the so called “safe routes” are not getting you ahead.

So what is the best place to put your money??

I do not pretend to have all the answers in this time of tremendous change one thing I do know is this, with the banks contracting and borrowing getting more and more difficult there are some amazing opportunities in lending, short term mortgages and bridge financing.   The demand for these products is growing (even as the number of active projects shrinks!).   There are SAFE, exceptionally well secured, short term projects that are paying 10%  – 15%.   Great returns, backed by great assets and quite liquid based on short terms.

I am so certain of this opportunity that I have partnered with a great friend of mine Ari Taub, to create a Mortgage Investment Corporation (MIC).  Ari is an Olympic wrestler (competed last year in Beijing) a great lawyer and is connected to some of the best deal flow in the entire city of Calgary.  Allowing us to pick and choose the deals we want to participate in.  It is a very sweet deal!

Remember there are opportunities in ALL economic circumstances, but you cannot live in fear, you must educate yourself, participate and look where other people are not willing to.  As I am writing this the DOW is at its lowest point in 11 years.  GIC’s are hardly keeping pace with the cost of living.  The truth is each of us MUST find ways to invest, contribute and profit, for us, our children and the world or this difficult economic time will last even longer than we fear.

If you are interested in finding out more and participating with us in our MIC, we are having an information evening on March 30th at 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.

Please email jfiset@me.com to register.