** Follow the Money ... and understand why

What I mean is ...

• We are a society that puts financial worth (real or perceived) above all else
• Unfortunately, this makes the pursuit of money high on everyone's list
• The acquiring  of 'stuff' makes many individuals feel important
• However, the true value of a person is honesty, trust and support
• When others (people, businesses, media) speak or act, we need to understand how they will benefit
• Therefore, you need to understand who is talking, what they are requesting of you and if and how they will benefit from what they offer/say

The best way to highlight or explain what I mean is to share several examples:
1. a TV ad shows people enjoying a football game together on HDTV (they are trying to show you that you too could be live just those people in the ad and have lots of friends and parties if you their HDTV) 

2. politicians running for office offer solutions to solve local town problems, promises for better roads, increased pay for local government employees, and more (all sounds good, but where does the money come from, how will those promises benefit you and what will it cost - because YOU will pay for it)

3. a student at school approaches you with an offer to try something that looks like drugs or weed and says it will make you feel good. He says 'everybody' takes these and there is no problem. (of course there is no problem FOR HIM! because if you take it and get addicted, he can sell you more stuff and make money)

Here how you 'follow the money'

• when someone offers something that sounds too good - it is
• when they talk about all the benefits and savings to you, ask yourself or them what is in it for them
• if what is offered is not from a family or trusted friend - pause and say "let me consider it or think it over and I'll get back" then talk to your family
• if someone offers you something or tries to have you make a decision on the spot - it's a sign that they do not want you to think it over
• when anyone talks, offers or is selling something ask yourself "how are they making money ... and what will it cost me in money, convenience or time)