Hi! At 7:16 p.m. EST Saturday, the Earth's population officially hit 6.5 billion according to the the Census Bureau's World Population Clock. 6.5 BILLION!! Hang in here for a minute, and I'll show you where this is going. It might make you really think... and maybe help a few get on track. Today, a large portion of the world's population lives in nations in which the average woman has fewer than two children in her life. That includes countries like the Soviet Union, Japan and most of Europe. Low-birthrate countries are counter balanced by nations (like Yemen) where the average woman has an average of 7 children in her life. USA population is also growing. But, the growth isn't just babies born - it's also immigrants coming to the USA. The clock has the USA slated to hit 300 MILLION later this year. Note; the same thing is happening in Canada, but not as fast as the USA yet Do you know what population density is? Population density measures the number of people per square mile in a country or area. (full chart here if you're interested) Third world countries don't necessarily have the highest density, because while they have more babies, they also have more deaths. -- Canada 3 people/sq. km -- USA 30 people/sq. km -- South Africa 36 people/ sq. km -- Yemen 39 people/sq. km -- The U.K. 243 people/ sq. km -- South Korea 491 people/ sq. km -- Singapore 6,389 people/ sq. km -- Monaco 16,620 people/ sq. km -- World average 43 people/sq. km Think about this for a minute. Really think. -- People in "educated" countries are having fewer babies. -- Third world countries have low densities because high death rates offset high birth rates. -- People from poor countries are immigrating (to the USA first, and Canada, too) to improve their life / opportunities. -- Immigrants often qualify for opportunities that residents do not qualify for. For example, if a family moves here from India, they will get housing subsidies to help them adjust that I (as a Canadian) do not qualify for. -- Companies in "civilized" countries are downsizing and outsourcing work to other countries at such a rate that "job security" doesn't exist anymore. So, here's a question to make you think. If you want to achieve financial success and teach your children to do the same - where is the real opportunity today? All thoughts are welcome...

Linda, Well, I certainly can't pass up this opportunity! I've believed for a long time that financial success was tied to having appreciating assets. It wasn't until I read Robert Kiyosaki's books that I recognized how to correctly classify assets vs. liabilities, or as he puts it 'doodads'. I still think that the correct real estate investments lead to financial security, but note the qualifying word. As for job security, that's an oxymoron imho. A few years back, we began looking for a business that we could build for ourselves. It's increasingly clear that if you decide to do that, it had better be a business about something that you love and would do free. Sometimes you DO do it free, lol. A case in point...here you are doing it free on a Sunday and on your birthday. You gotta love it! Given the statistics you cite, it appears to me that a business based on information about something you love and that people genuinely need would be a good bet. In fact, it would carry a double bonus, because the more you research your industry, the more you would be able to help yourself and your children with something you genuinely need, while making a living disseminating the information. Like how to maintain your automobile for longer life and great savings, how to grow your money, how to make your internet efforts really pay, how to enhance your enjoyment of your hobbies. Here's one I haven't seen (maybe they are there, but I'm not the target market)...how to move to North America and where to find opportunities that are available to immigrants. Of course I have my favorite ;-), and I can't help but believe it's an outstanding area of opportunity. Hundreds of thousands of searchers each month are looking for information I have, based on what you have taught me about search engine keywords. The trick now is to set up your method of disseminating the information to make it an appreciating asset. I'll bet you have some follow up information that will shed light on that! Cheri

Hello Linda, This is a very powerful Forum. Really is scary and true. No Job security! The Internet is really the only thing left for Finacial Success. This is the way to go all around the World. I think this is the key.This is the way to find a much broader band for Success. It is really hard to do, but with training and the right tools it can be very successful. Thanks for running this Forum. Great Subject to discuss

---------------------------------------- If you want to achieve financial success and teach your children to do the same - where is the real opportunity today? ---------------------------------------- That's a pretty hard question to answer really. It would depend on what one percieves as financial success. For me, I think that Cheri is partially on tract with my line of thinking only I would use different terminology. Cheri calls them "appreciating assets" I would refer to them as "income generating assets". Again its all a matter of how you define things. Where does this opportunity exist? I think the internet is at least for the forseeable future one venue that will allow people this opportunity. Still in its baby stage, one would be smart to learn about and grow with how to best put it to use.

Linda, I don't by any means want to appear on a moral high horse, but I think the problem is that people are concerned with "financial success" instead of personal success. And what exactly is financial success? Don't get me wrong, I am by no means niave enough to believe that love can make the world go round, but at some point I think we need to start asking ourselves "When is enough, enough".