The Midlife Call to Action

It is so frustrating to watch the price of gas going thru the roof. It is not my fault, but there seems to be nothing I can do about it. In fact, the price of everything is going up, yet the value of the dollar is declining. Here in New York the price of public transportation is constantly increasing. New Yorkers were already struggling to get by, when someone decided to increase the metro fares a few months ago.


The rent here is unbelievable. All in all, New York city is one of the most expensive places in the country. I've lived here for almost 9 years, and I agree with the song that goes: If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere. Yes, it's rough in New York, but then again, people are suffering everywhere.


Gas is up to nearly $5 an gallon. That's insane. Recently, we've had to deal with a recession and a housing crisis. There are other problems as well, like the price for your kid's education. Sending a kid to college is like buying another house. GOD help you if you get sick, because a trip to the hospital could wipe you out financially.


We elect people who are supposed to make these problems go away. It does not matter if they are Republican or Democrat. They seem to be incapable of changing anything. We pay these guys to run the show. We give them our money and expect them to be responsible with their trusted position. So what happens? The country has a deficit so huge that the number is well pass the trillion dollar mark. Most of us can't even fathom how big a trillion dollars is.


Politicians are great at making "trust me...elect me" speeches, but they don't actually seem to know how to CHANGE anything. Unfortunately, their solution for most problems seem to be ...more taxes. That's right, tax people right into the ground...that will fix everything.

If you are expecting some politician to rescue you, you're going to be waiting a very long time. So if you haven't passed out already, please stop holding your breath. Believe you me, if they could do anything, they would have done it already.


Politics is all about firing people up with great speeches, getting elected again, and raising money so you can stay in office. It does not matter if the politician is a Republican or a Democrat...it's still cereal...just in a different bowl. These guys just want you to sit quietly, pay your taxes, and keep voting them back into office. What do they do when they want a raise? Most of us get our hard earned raises based on our job performance. Them? If they want a raise, they just vote on it.

The average person can not have a sustained record of poor performance... and still have a job. The average person can not mismanage funds, cost the company money and still have a job. The average person wouldn't have been able to create a debt so huge it could bankrupt a company...because the average person would have been FIRED long before they could do that much damage.

No one can debate what I have just said. It is as plain as the nose on your face. Sadly, I don't see things getting better anytime soon. I am not a gloomy person, I'm a realist. I don't mind taking chances once in a while, but I do know when the odds are against you, don't place your bet.

I am not writing this blog just to complain. That's the trouble with the world, people are always whining and nobody is providing any solutions. There would be a lot less complaining if we had a rule that goes something like this...Every complaint you utter must be accompanied with a solution. If you don't have a solution, don't lodge a complaint.

Think of how much better the world would be if everyone would think before they opened their mouth. Blah blah blah...this is wrong...blah blah blah...that is wrong ...yada yada yada...everything and everybody is wrong except me...now fix it.

That's right, fix it. I don't care how much it costs, I don't care about the red tape, I don't care about the extra headaches it will cost you, just get it done. It's so easy to dump complaints on someone and take no responsibility to fix anything yourself.

The world has changed and we as a people have to change with it. We must become a solution oriented people. We must conquer our problems or our problems are going to conquer us. If you are reading this blog you have a million reasons to pay close attention to what I am about to say.

The cost of living, unpredictable gas prices, social security, mortgage rates, the depleting dollar, college tuition, health care issues, retirement, acts of nature....the list goes on. It is not a matter of "If " you are going to deal with these issues, it's when. These problems can't be swept under the rug, you can't ignore them. You must take the bull by the horns...yourself.

You have to do it...I HAVE TO DO IT. Don't wait for our politicians to do it, they are too busy mismanaging our tax money. It's too late for them, save yourself. This is a "Midlife call to Action" Middle aged people should be the ones to rescue this country.

If you are a middle aged person , chances are...you're responsible, you're mature and you have a lot of life experience. This country is a mess, it's up to you to fix it. Just HOW do we do that Mister Xman? Well...all the problems I have mentioned earlier...like gas prices and the cost of living... are mostly money issues.

Our politicians have already ruined the country and now they preach about everyone tightening their belt and being responsible with spending. At this point, it goes in one ear and out the other. If they had been responsible in the first place, we wouldn't be in this mess. Not spending more than you have is a wise strategy. No one would deny that. However, it is only a partial solution.

To really address the problem, you need to introduce NEW MONEY into the equation. Think about it, it's not rocket science. We need to stop spending what we don't have, start paying off what we owe and make more money to boot. Not just a few extra bucks a month...we need a thriving business.

There needs to be an Army of middle aged people out there starting new businesses. Who better to start a business than a middle aged person? You've been around the block a few times, you're older, wiser, mature , responsible and you think things through.

You are not a senior yet, so GOD willing, you still have a few years left to prepare for retirement. Do you want to leave your future in the hands of politicians who have such a bad track record? Do you really believe for one minuet that these guys are going to fix the social security problem just in time for you to retire?

You need to take charge of your own future. No one else is going to do it for you. Start protecting yourself now. The dollar is declining? Buy some gold as a protective hedge against inflation. If you need money to buy gold...Start a business.

Even if you have some money saved up, when a health care issue comes up,it's going to destroy you financially. Start a business and start putting aside some money, because when you least expect it... you OR a loved one will get sick or have an accident. It could happen overnight...and it will be a very expensive chapter in your life.

Have you noticed how we seem to be having more natural disasters lately? Things like earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, tornadoes and lightening strikes are more common place now. No matter where you live, a fire can occur anywhere. People who live from paycheck to paycheck are very vulnerable when disaster strikes. Start a business and you will be better prepared to handle disaster.

So many people are out of work. Unemployment is too high. Start a business...hire a couple of people and put them to work. So you see...so many of the problems in this country can be solved by an army of middle aged people starting a business. And No...it is not the solution for everything that is wrong with this country, but it is a good start.

Is there risk? of course there is. Most business fail in the first year. That is common knowledge. That is why this type of venture needs to be undertaken by someone who is wise. Someone who makes mature decisions. Someone willing to put in the time and research necessary to create a successful business... because his future depends on it.

When you are considering what kind of business to start, look for a business model that is already working then find a way to duplicate the process. Do not try to build Rome in a day. Start out with a simple inexpensive low risk, venture and work your way up.

In today's world the most a practical business model worth considering would probably be something that is Internet based and automated. Depending on what,and how you're selling it can be very cost effective. I will let you in on a little secret.

If you you have a great idea, or want to sell something or offer a service..do some unbiased research first. See how popular the idea is . See if there is a market for what you have to offer. In other words see if people want it first, then create a business centered around what people want. It dose not matter what you think they want. It is only important what they actually want.

No matter how stupid this thing is...give it to them. If that's what they want, sell it to them. If you have the greatest idea or product in the world, it doesn't matter at this point. When you're just starting out, give them what they want.

Another thing BE WHERE THEY CAN SEE YOU. Lots of people get the stuff that people want Then they build a store where there's hardly any traffic. What a waste of money. Some people build a web site and don't know how to get Internet traffic to visit their site. Another waste of money. If you do the research, you wont have to waste money.

So, in summary...The World's as well as this country is a mess. It's not your fault, but you're going to suffer anyway. If you're waiting for some politician to save you, you need to wake up and smell the coffee. Most of the problems that are affecting us as a whole can be solved or lessened if an army of us mid lifers would start a business.

This is your wake up call. Get to it.