Hello again fellow investor!
Yes, I’m still around for those of you who read the last blog post and actually thought I had ditched the country to work and meditate on a banana farm! Life is still working out for me here in the good ole U.S. of A., so I plan to live and PROSPER here for many years to come.
Oh, and I’ll also be doing one more thing while I’m here … I’ll be volunteering my time in this great country of ours! You see, back in January, I made a New Year’s Resolution to volunteer to teach little kiddos some business basics through a program known as Junior Achievement. Here’s an excerpt from that blog posting…
January 2009: “I get so wrapped up in my own business that I forget to give back. In late 2006, I volunteered at the local cancer hospital once a week. I was the guy who pushed around the book cart so that patients could have something to read. But I got so busy with work and travel that I had to quit. It’s time to give back again! This time, I’m going to do something a little different. I’ll teach business and personal finance to young students. I’m excited already!”
I was determined to see this resolution through, so in February, I called up Junior Achievement and they assigned me to a fifth grade class at Mark Twain Elementary. I was excited about giving back, but I wasn’t sure if I should expect some little hoodlums or angels … I was leaning toward hoodlums.
But I’m thankful that I was blessed with the best group of kids I could have ever imagined. And this whole thing has been a WONDERFUL experience. It feels so good to give back, especially by teaching subjects that I’m passionate about: business and entrepreneurship.
Below are some pics from a recent class that I taught. My parents and brother happened to be in town, so you’ll see those troublemakers goofing off in the back row in one of the pics. Enjoy!
I started off by teaching the young tikes how capitalism is the greatest economic system to ever be placed on this earth. The kids raised their hands and gave input as to when (not if) we should deport the communists and socialists who roam amongst us. The options were: today, tomorrow, or this weekend.
My parents and brother sit at the back of the room with name tags that basically say, “Hello. I am not a child molester.” I say that because they had to give everything but a urine sample just to get the tag.
I show them a chart that illustrates how most entrepreneurs, business owners, and real estate investors start out by making less than someone on a salary but end up making exponentially more. By the end of the class, none of them wanted to get a job. I’m sure their parents love me. Not!
The kids break up into groups to play a game. Madeline explains the rules to the other kids and finishes first, as always. Josh puts the stickers on his forehead and runs in circles.
Joseph asks me how to make a lot of money without having to go to college. Five minutes later, he is a Platinum member of MyHouseDeals.com. Five hours later, his parents cancel his membership.
The teacher next door steps into the classroom to wish them good luck on their musical performance that night. He gives them all high fives. I spend the next 10 minutes trying to calm them down. It would have been sooner, but the teacher said some parents would be upset if I gave them Tylenol PM as I had planned.
After the game is over, I give some stickers to one of the kids. Everyone else sees it and mobs me for more stickers. One kid said, “Mr. Smith, you don’t understand. These stickers are like money to us!” I cracked up laughing … until he bought a duplex on 4th Street later that afternoon. A webinar on that in the near future.
A guy named Chris Bell ran for governor of Texas but didn’t win, and his son happens to be in my class. His son also happens to be a real-life miniature replica of his dad. Above, he schmoozes with my dad to garner support for his own campaign in 2030.
Well, that’s all for now. Hope you enjoyed the posting! And consider volunteering for Junior Achievement yourself if you haven’t already. Just go to www.ja.org. You’ll be glad you did. You always get more than you give with these things.
Until next time, happy (and profitable) investing!
Doug Smith
Real Estate Investor and Founder of myHouseDeals.com
P.S. If you haven’t done so yet, you can get a jump start on Joseph and the other kids by starting your free trial to myhousedeals.com today. Just go to www.myhousedeals.com/freetrial to access dozens of deals and free bonuses.
THATS GREAT!!
NOT ONLY ARE U HANDSOME AND SMART – U ARE GIVING BACK!
MANY BLESSINGS AND PROSPERITY WILL ALWAYS COME YOUR WAY!!
WELL DONE!
Good job! I have been giving back to my community for the past 15 years. I volunteered for our local YMCA running a basketball program. We would register 325 kids twice a years. I sat on several community boards. I m active in my church. I appreciate folks who can take time out of their life to give back. It shows that we have not forgot where we came from. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doug,
Great work and funny too! Thanks for all you do.
I know how you feel. I’ve been volunteering at the local senior citizens center for the past 6 years and I really enjoy it. I’ve actually been offered a paid position, but have declined just because I feel it is more rewarding to give without expecting something in return..Keep up the good work.
Doug –
I love J.A.!!!! I did it for two years in high school and loved it. It had a huge, incalculable influence on me and my attitude toward business, entrepreneurs, and capitalism. I believe my J.A. experience innoculated me from a lot of crap that our culture is dishing about today about free enterprise, and successful people in general.
I’ve been thinking about volunteering as a J.A. advisor lately. Thanks for taking the time to share with the kids, and for sharing your experience with us!
grat JOB,,,, one day i can to,,,, thank you for beening you ,,,,,,, god bless you
floyd
Very good indeed. Your doings is a valueable service. BO
Doug, Many blessings to you for what you do.
Also, are you married?
Great job, I hope to follow in your footsteps in giving back as soon as I become successful in realestate.
I am here in Bolivia at the banana plantation, meditating until your arrival…..
Making a positive difference in the lives of your students will make you their hero as well as finally start some much needed financial education at an age when their little minds are like sponges. Great job keep up the good work. their parents will thank you eventually.
Hi Doug, glad to see your enjoying life and spending quality time doing things that help others and yourself. I’m in Brunswick, Ohio and been reading al your e-mails and was wondering if you have anny leads for Northern Ohio. I’m currently cash poor, had a contractor stiff me for a large sum of money and trying to get back on my feet again so I can get back to enjoying my family and life in general. Really enjoyed your blog about relocating to the banana plantation! Have a great day!!!
Have a great day!!!
When I grow up, I want to be just like you!
Really… You are doing a great job with those kids. You just gave them something no degree will ever give them… Great Job!
HI DOUG
IT IS SO GOOD TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU STILL REALLY do exist it is so heart warming to read about your wonderful life.
Good luck and god bless you and your family
(YOU ARE AN AMAZING PERSON)
I am sure the feeling of giving to the kids was great. We should all do something like to better ourselves. Thank you Doug. Will do the same by your example.
Dough,
I enjoyed the clippings you have shown in your class; that’s a wonderful thing we all have to do—-is give back! I admired your good example, and keep up your great spirit…..lol..
Anyone has some idea whose president is Doug?
Just teasing, Doug is a nice guy, I don’t do business with those who joke a lot though with the “PLantation” thing, if someone goes mainly for “personality” the “professionalism” and othe aspects may need improvement too.
Anf yes, making money, realtors make too much money I beleive. My mortgae guy just told me he won’t be satisfied if he makes about $1,500 for one hour of work. I fired hem, and Doug is fired too . . . . . lol Can have fun in these boards, though it’s entertaining.
Hi Doug, I was one of those Junior Achievers. They made us wait until High School to do the interesting stuff. I remember how much that experience marked my life. I must admit I have been playing business even before that. While other girls played house, baby dolls maybe nurses or teachers, I never went for that. I had a store built under my bedroom window and sold things to the other kids. Thank you for helping these kids look at the real world. Those kids whos parents want to teach their kids to want jobs just don’t know any better. Now I’m going to that web site and signup myself.
Teaching young children,that there is a bright future,for those
that dont mind,burning the midnight oil,is important.I admire
you for making,time to help some youg people realize dreams
do come true,if you work smart.
Doug Decides Not to Flee.
Hello again fellow Doug and thanks for your sharing!
While my opinion is that without a doubt volunteering sharing also keeps one real, I suspect its teaching others to never take a financil risk that could possibly mean bankruptcy is where theory begins to catch up with reality. Keep up the good work and keep it real.
Bob
Great work Doug. I tried this at my 10 year old’s class but they kicked me out when I started telling them that school is not what you know but who you know.
Something good will come out of this!
Hey, Doug!
I’m just glad that you did not go for the bananas, you got me on that one for a moment. I started to wonder what was it about bananas that beat Real Estate.
I am sure you inspired a lot of minds during the time you spent with those kids, you’ll be amazed at the impact if you get a chance to hear from one the kids whose life you’ve changed forever.
Keep doing what you’re doing
hello Doug many blessing’s for you and your family you terrific and tranparente like and angel
thank’s for sharing God blessing you
Doug,
Great work buddy! Also a wonderful example for all of us who too often put all of our time and attention into building our bank accounts.
Hey, Doug! I’ve really enjoyed reading the blog lately. I think you’ve found your niche! I was wondering – do you have the cirriculum you used to teach the kids? I was in JA as a kid – won an award – and now, as an adult, I really like the idea of volunteering with them – but, I don’t know exactly what I’d tell the kids. I understand capitalism and the economy, but how do I relate that to 5th graders? Could I borrow your lesson plan? Seriously! Send me an email to set it up – and I’ll give you the kudos.
Thanks for being so transparent! Glad you decided to stay in DFW!