Mari Smith's Blog

Mari's Blog: Virtual Grand Re-Opening coming soon!

2008-02-24T11:45:00.001-08:00

My main website is currently being masterfully overhauled, dressed up, refined and perfected by the talented Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC. We're launching a combo website and blog: a blogsite, so you can come back and comment on all content!

Meantime, visit my other two active and current blogs at:

Why Facebook: Social Networking for Fun and Profits

Be Free Go Mobile: Ty and Mari's Mobile Lifestyle Blog

RVing Fulltime As Ultra-Vagabonds, Thanks To Tim Ferriss!!

2008-01-04T14:53:00.000-08:00

Come visit my active travel blog for regular updates on my journey around the US and Canada in a big motorhome with my hubby!! :)

We sold our beach home in sunny San Diego in July 2007 and decided to take Four Hour Workweek author, Timothy Ferriss', advice: DO YOUR DREAM NOW!!

If you have an interest in social networking, friend me on Facebook!

If you you want to use Facebook for strategic business purposes, join my free online class at Facebook Fortunes!

I Heart Facebook... and Why

2007-09-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

Are you on Facebook yet? Do you get the power of this incredible platform for both business and personal use? If not, come on over now and check it out! Be sure to 'friend' me!

In less than six weeks of playing around (I literally mean playing - this site is so much fun for those of us with natural people skills), I've built up a friends community rapidly hurtling towards 200 at the time of this post.

It's like living in a gated community where you get to be selective as to who gets the gate code!! Plus, I'm finding it an absolute breeze to network with quality, like-minded internet marketers and other such professionals. Everyone is so helpful and friendly.

If you have your own business, be sure to create a Group or Event and promote to increase visibility and get more traffic to your sites.

See you there!

Ty and Mari Go Mobile!!

2007-09-04T23:13:00.000-07:00

Come on over and check out my NEW travel blog... where I'll be sharing all about my adventures traveling around the US/Canada with my honey!!!

http://tyandmari.com

We've sold our beach home in San Diego, along with ALL our furniture and we're heading out into the wild blue yonder in a 34' motorhome!! Yeah!! :)

Out and about with Barbara De Angelis

2007-05-06T18:50:00.000-07:00

I just had the great pleasure of meeting Barbara De Angelis in person!

I've admired this amazing lady for the past decade. It was her book, Are You The One For Me, that totally transformed my life back in 1998.

I happened across a copy of Barbara's book, completed ALL the exercises, got real clear on my pattern of attracting and dating men who were no good for me, wrote out SEVEN pages of criteria... then a short time later I got an invitation out-of-the-blue to leave my home of 20 years in Scotland and come to San Diego, California.

I knew in my heart this was a pivotal, defining moment in my life...

To read more about the story of how I ended up meeting and marrying my dream guy, and creating my ideal life with him - see my site at AttractLoveBuildWealth.com.

It's Not The Money: What Married Couples Are Really Fighting About

2007-05-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

Money fights: it's one of the major causes of marital breakdown, according to a wide variety of sources and studies. Do we fight because one partner overspends and the other is a tightwad? Or is it disagreements about the use (and misuse) of credit cards? Maybe it's a difference in risk tolerance. Or inadequate planning for the future. Perhaps one partner earns more than the other.

All these are valid reasons for struggles with money in a marriage. But, are they the real cause of the arguments? Is it really the money? We believe not - money is simply the trigger for much deeper issues.

Money is so pervasive - it impacts almost every area of our lives. We have to make decisions about money practically every day. But, money is not our enemy; it's just a form of energy, an exchange. ("Wee bits of paper," as my frugal Scottish dad would always say).

Money gets the blame for SO much trouble and strife in relationships. But the real issue is what's underneath. These issues are typically rooted in childhood, caused by decisions we made as we watched, heard and modeled our parents. Issues like not getting what we wanted, believing that rich people are mean, and that you have to work very hard to make a living. We might've heard messages like, "money is dirty," "money doesn't grow on trees," or "money is the root of all evil."

So, the next time you find yourself knee-deep in an all-too-familiar fight with your spouse about what seems to be money - STOP! Take a moment to look deeper inside yourself at what's really bothering you and then share that with your honey. This is your golden opportunity to take full responsibility, be vulnerable, heal, grow and mature your marriage into the most fulfilling relationship of your life. Period.

Marriage/commitment can be a tough journey, but it's truly worth it. It's only in our most intimate relationships that we have the opportunity to reach our fullest potential. Money is our friend and a tool to help us get there... if we allow it.

For our recommended reading on love, money and marriage, visit http://www.coupleswealth.com/.

Build Wealth: Start By Turning A Few *Bucks Into $1000+!

2007-04-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Are you a coffee drinker? If so, have you ever stopped to tally up how much you might be spending on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis at your favorite cafe?

David Bach, author of Smart Couples Finish Rich, talks about "the latte factor." That is, every time you spend, say, $3.95 on a whoppa-frappo-mocha-chino (not to mention the $2.75 on the low-fat lemon-cranberry-walnut cake and another $4.50 on a pineapple-pina-colada fruit smoothie drink), you're basically robbing yourself of your financial freedom (or retirement) account.

As a recovering Starbucks addict, I tend to agree with Mr. Bach. And so I adopted my own coffee-fix system. I bought one of those nifty little whizzers that froth up your milk. (I paid $20 at Good News kitchen supply store).

I get a mix of delicious flavored coffee beans (like hazelnut and cinnamon - try mixing two flavors!) from my local store. And I use my favorite mug (holds about 16 ounces and has fun zoo animals on it!). Then, every morning I go through my fun ritual of using my French press to brew a yummy cuppa, topped with frothy milk with a dash of freshly ground nutmeg on top. YUM!

So, how much am I saving? At roughly $25 per week, that's over $1,300 in savings over one year! Add that to my ING Direct Financial Freedom savings account at 4.35% interest and I've got an extra $56 on top!

(My hubby, Ty, doesn't touch a drop of caffeine - lucky him! But he sure loves it that I now invest in Starbucks stock rather than drinking their coffee!)

I know, I know. Sometimes home-made coffee just isn't the same as the whole EXPERIENCE of going to Starbucks or Peets or wherever. You can always adopt Loral Langemeier's counter-philosophy. She poo-poo's the latte factor idea. Instead, Loral favors cranking out a great big cash machine (a lucrative business doing something you're good at) and creating MORE money. That way, you can have your whoppa-chino and your cake and your money!

I say, choose whichever method helps you get closer to your goal of lowering your expenses, increasing your income and building long-term WEALTH!

Couples: Stop Fighting About Money and Start Building Wealth!

2006-08-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

I've been so darn busy this summer, I haven't taken a quick minute to make blog posts. Well, let me explain:

August 12, 2006 was a landmark day for me. First, I turned the "Big Four-Oh!!" (Woo-hoo, now life really is just beginning. A whole new decade. I intend the 40's will be even more incredible than the 30's. See my mega-party details here.)

Second, I launched a NEW business: CouplesWealth.com. I offer coaching and educational programs for couples to help turn your money fights into money freedom... and, from there, to build wealth together as a TEAM!!

If you are married (or in a committed relationship) and having money struggles (whether major or just a few "hiccups"), come on over to my site and browse through a huge array of free resources: Video, Audio, Special Reports, Quizzes, Recommended Reading, Articles and more.

Cheers!
Mari

Add Audio to Your Site in a Nanosecond, Start Podcasting, Talk to the World!

2006-03-05T22:36:00.000-08:00

Have you tried the BEST ever audio recording service yet? Audio Acrobat. You must check it out. It's so user-friendly and has tons of excellent, easy-to-use features. I'm using it for recording teleconferences, tele-interviews, tele-classes, coaching calls... audio testimonials... streaming videos, the works!!

AND, it's SO affordable - just $19.95/month. Way better than the "other" services out there! :)

Go on, check it out today and add audio, video, podcasts--even your own radio show--to your website in a nanosecond. (Studies show that visitors stay longer on sites with audio and video. "When they stay, they pay!")

Click here to get started today with your FREE 30-day trial account: Audio Acrobat.

By the way, Declan Dunn - my podcasting guru - tells me the secret to a good podcast is a QUALITY audio recording (and of course, great content!! No one wants to listen to drivel, c'mon we've got better things to do!)

Get yourself a reasonably good microphone.

And here's a couple more tips from my recording engineer buddy, Gerry Blue:

Make sure you're in a room with carpet and curtains/window coverings and the doors are shut. (Helps to absorb any echo or "tinny" sound... plus you create your own sort of recording studio!)
Keep the mic about one inch away from your mouth (to avoid popping your p's).
Don't use speakerphone when calling in on your phone.

Okay, happy recording!

Cheers,
Mari
P.S. - See also my array of tried-and-tested internet marketing resources here:

Celebrating Five Years of Marriage on Valentine's Day '06!

2006-02-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh... I'm so excited to share that I celebrated FIVE whole years of marriage (wedded bliss?!) to my honey, Ty Smith on February 14, 2006. Awwww...

We renewed our vows at Seaside Church on Sunday, Feb 12... and went on to spend a fab day together.

The weather was just glorious... we had a yummy, healthy lunch at Roxy's and a leisurely drive down the sparkly coast.

I love being married. It's not always easy... yet that's okay. The good times are always worth the not-so-good ones!

I'm reminded of that awesome line from the movie "Shall We Dance" with Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Jennifer Lopez. (Ahemmm - my hubby often gets told he looks like da Gere man... well maybe more so before the goatee!).

There's the heart-stopping line in the movie which is the highlight for me... Susan Sarandon is in a bar chatting to a colleague about marriage.

The guy's hitting on her a bit and she says to him that The purpose of marriage is to have a WITNESS in life.

Yeh baby, thanks for being my witness.

Love,
Mari

Out and about with Declan Dunn... and THE BLOG SQUAD!!

2006-01-27T17:55:00.000-08:00

Breaking news!! I'm a guest speaker on The Blog Squad's "Conversations With Experts!"

Save the date - Wednesday, February 15th at 5:30pm Pacific Time.

Denise Wakeman and Patsi Krakoff are a dynamic duo that teach the principles of creating the hottest BLOGS!

Check out their amazing Conversations With Experts archives and upcoming speakers... including The Ezine Queen herself, Ali Brown!

PLUS, this morning I was hanging out with Declan Dunn again, this time at his weekend Podcast training. He and his delightful partner, Jody Colvard, really have their finger on the pulse of where it's at online! Check out their neat Fun Money Good website.

And guess what - did you know that 51% of podcast listeners are WOMEN! Yay! So, Jody is jumping in there with a brand new site launching on Feb 1: Women in Podcasting. She's the bomb!!

Cheers,
Mari

Discover how to get your emails opened and read!!

2005-09-20T23:34:00.000-07:00

WOO-HOO!

I'm fresh off the phone from leading a Teleseminar for T. Harv Eker's company!

The class tonight was all about EMAILS! How to build your list and write emails that get opened, get read and make people take ACTION!

If you're in business for yourself and you want to master the fundamental marketing tool of EMAIL, check out my brand new 216 page e-book, jam-packed with tips, tricks and techniques to create Email That Sizzles!

Creating this project was an amazing experience from beginning to end... and tonight's only the beginning (again)!

This is my second MAJOR e-product. Check out my comprehensive e-course at Attract Love Build Wealth.

If YOU want to learn how to turn your own knowledge into information products that make PROFITS (in 14-30 days!), contact me today and let's talk!

Cheers,
Mari

Could you afford to take a month off?

2005-07-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

What do you think would happen to your life if you took an entire month of vacation time and left town?

Would your business survive?

Would your family be okay without you for a while?

How would you FEEL?

I've been sub-contracting as a Success Coach for T. Harv Eker's coaching program, SuccessTracs, since Feb '04. One of the goals of the program is to double your time off.

Since I began working with Harv, I've been taking every single Wednesday as my FREEDOM DAY. That's been working out well and I found I could actually be much more productive on my FOCUS DAYS because of this rest/play time.

(Read my Member of the Month success story here.)

However, I wasn't sure if/when I'd be taking a large chunk of time "off". I kept fooling myself into believing that if I just took on more commitments - more clients, more networking functions, more joint ventures, more projects - then I would surely "make it."

Well, thanks to the support of my husband, family, friends and clients, I am now officially on vacation for the entire month of August!

I must say it was much more difficult to do than I imagined. All my stuff about having to be productive and make a "proper living" came up. I noticed lots of resistance to slowing down and being away from the hub of social and business networking activity in San Diego. And fear around being "contactable enough"! (read: "self-important"!).

But I have a wonderful laptop computer with built-in WiFi (wireless) internet access and a cell phone. With a very portable business, I figured I could practically be anywhere.

And so I'm spending the first 10 days with a dear girlfriend and her fiance in Vancouver. Then I'll hook up with my sister, Fi, and her family who are over from Scotland, plus my mom and step-dad. We'll play, go siteseeing and have tons of fun together. Then sis and I will hop on over to Vancouver Island to hang with dad. I haven't seen several of my family members for a couple years now.

I realized that so much of what we do is a mental game. We trick ourselves into believing that if we are just "busy" enough, then we'll matter, we'll be important, we'll make a difference. Thing is, we can only give to others what we have left over after giving to ourselves.

By structuring our lives in alignment with our VALUES we can finally take time to slow down, be quiet and hear that still, small voice that is longing to just BE.

I'm reminded of a wonderful book, "Slowing Down to the Speed of Life" by Richard Carlson ("Don't Sweat the Small Stuff..." author). Make sure you read this book s-l-o-w-l-y! It's a wonderful reminder that we did not come to this planet to be ridiculously and endlessly BUSY!