By: Mike Peterson

There’s something very powerful about the idea of a makeover. It’s so easy to give in to the idea that a new hairstyle, different shoes, or even redecorating your living room for spring can transform you into a new person. A better person. A happier person. The media understands this: Flip on the television or scan the magazine rack at the grocery store checkout line and you’ll see a variation on the same theme. Women (and men, too) smile at the cameras and proclaim that a new car or home appliance or wardrobe has changed their lives. New stuff = New life? It’s a little more complicated than that.

We live in a spending culture. It’s no secret that most Americans are desperately unprepared for retirement, but many still choose to live beyond their means. And, while buying an expensive designer outfit or a 52-inch flat screen television might feel good in the moment, that kind of spending is what keeps so many of us from achieving true financial freedom. The old saying goes, “money can’t buy happiness.” It’s true. You can’t spend your way to a more fulfilling existence. But, money can provide you with a secure future – if you learn to handle it the right way, it can buy you peace of mind.

It’s time for a different kind of makeover: a Reality Millionaire™ makeover. Being wealthy isn’t about flaunting expensive cars and clothing. It’s not about having the biggest house on the block. If you want to be a millionaire in the future, you’ve got to start acting like one right now – and that means spending less and saving more. Start your Reality Millionaire™ makeover today with nine easy steps:

1. Pull out Your Parenting Skills
Managing money is a lot like raising a toddler. You have to keep track of where your money is and what it is doing at all times, even if you’re busy doing something else. If you invest in the stock market, you have to keep a close eye on the health and well being of your investments. Smart millionaires don’t dump a lot of money into something – stocks, bonds, a new restaurant enterprise – and just walk away. Without constant supervision, your money can get into trouble. Don’t leave it unattended.

2. Know Where Your Money is Going (and Who it’s Going With)
It happens to everyone: You pull $50 out of the ATM machine, and – poof – it’s gone. You sit down to balance your checkbook and find $200 unaccounted for. It’s not enough to watch your big investments; you have to keep a close eye on those little, day-to-day purchases, too. A few trips to Starbucks, a magazine here, a movie there – keep track of your expenses and find out where you can cut back. Living like a millionaire doesn’t mean throwing your money around without a care in the world. The truly wealthy can account for every penny of their spending. Make it a habit.

3. Budget, Budget, Budget
The key to building wealth is writing a budget and sticking with it. Sit down with your bills, mortgage, and monthly expenses and figure out exactly how much money you need to live comfortably. Make money-saving lifestyle changes, like cooking at home instead of dining out or running in the park instead of joining a fancy health club. And, remember to pay yourself first: Any millionaire-worthy budget includes a healthy contribution to savings.

4. Pay off All of Your Debt
I can’t stress this enough. There’s no excuse for debt. If you don’t have any debt, good for you. Keep it that way. If you do have debt, start paying it off. Now. You can’t save for the future if you’re still paying for the past.

5. Compound Interest is Your Friend
Compound interest is interest paid on the original amount deposited and on the additional amount accrued. And it’s worth it. Just to give you an example, if at the birth of your child, you put $5,000 in an account earning 10% compound interest, by the time your child is out of high school, she will have over $30,000. That’s enough to send her to college, to help with a down payment on her first home, or to pay for that big wedding. And, if your child left the money untouched, she’d be a millionaire at 60.

6. Don’t Pass Up That 401(k)
There is no reason not to take advantage of your company’s 401(k) retirement plan if they offer one. A percentage of your salary is contributed each year, before taxes are taken out, and your employer will often match a certain percentage of funds as well. That money gains interest over time. Not only will you have some money saved for retirement in the future, you’ll also reduce your taxable income right now. It’s a win-win situation.

7. Get an Individual Retirement Account
Like a 401(k), you can have a percentage of your annual income automatically deposited into a separate savings account, and it’s not subject to income taxes as long as you leave it there. Though it will be taxed once you withdraw it, by the time you do you will probably be in a lower tax bracket, saving you money. Your IRA fund can be in a bank, or in stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.

8. Or, Open a Roth IRA
A Roth IRA is similar to a regular IRA only with more conditions to be met. Your eligibility is based on your income, and is different for singles and married couples. In 2008, the maximum amount you can contribute each year increased to $5,000. Contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible; however, earnings and withdrawals are not taxed.

9. Be Patient With the Stock Market
It’s the ultimate get-rich-quick story: A friend of a friend of your cousin’s became a millionaire overnight through a lucky investment in the stock market. Sure, it happens. So does winning the lottery, but you can hardly call that sound financial planning. The stock market is a complex game that involves guaranteed rise and fall. It requires patience. The market on average has gone up over the last 50 years. Resist the urge to sell at the first sign of a price drop, and you can slowly build a balanced portfolio – and future wealth.

A Reality Millionaire™ makeover is the first step to future wealth and financial security. When you use your money wisely, your money will work for you. That’s a great feeling. Like anything else in life, managing your money is about balance – and I don’t mean just the balance in your checkbook.Pay yourself first, get out of debt, and start investing. After that, it’s okay to treat yourself every now and then, but don’t get carried away. Remember: Showing off your wealth doesn’t make you wealthy –you can’t spend your way to fulfillment.After all, would you rather look like a million bucks, or actually have a million bucks? 2004 - 2008 - Reality Media Inc.

 Mike Peterson is the author of Reality Millionaire: Proven Tips To Retire Rich, and the President of Reality Media Inc. an organization that has assisted thousands of individuals and families with their financial situations through seminars, and educational products. For more information, to buy the book, and for free consumer resources that will help you achieve your Reality Millionaire™ makeover, visit www.realitymillionaire.com

Dianne Hanks, passionate co-founder and video tour guide of MakeoverSession.com is our very own Cosmetics and Jewelry Makeover Mentor born in North Hollywood, California.

Professionally in the beauty industry since 1997, she has been a part of countless makeovers and has seen firsthand the positive effect of aligning one’s divine inner beauty with its physical manifestation of outward beauty through the masterful blend and symphony of color, wardrobe, texture, jewelry, skin care and cosmetics.

Dianne has orchestrated and been a part of numerous women’s conferences, young women’s workshops and has a special place in her heart for teaching and exemplifying the art and skill of beauty in all its forms. She has been a mentor and public speaker since she can remember, radiating her joy and exuberance for life, as well as appreciation for all things beautiful.

A Varsity Art Student at Walnut High School and a 1990 Communication Arts graduate of Cal Poly Pomona, she specialized in graphic design with an emphasis on marketing. She used her design prowess as the promotions coordinator for Walnut Recreation for years, developing her hand-lettering skills for countless banners and posters. She later took on freelancing through her children’s growing years as she lived back east in Massachusetts, having motherhood at centerstage and delightedly so.

Returning to California and with her children nearly grown, she later became a substitute teacher, and then an adult school instructor of ESL, English As a Second Language, where she developed a deep and abiding love for people of all nationalities. She also took on various philanthrophic projects and assignments to benefit troubled young men at Boys’ Republic and Ettie Lee Boys Homes with her position on the board of California Utah Women. She also demonstrated her love and support of school teachers by heavily assisting in an annual community Teacher Appreciation Night for over a decade, as well as volunteering in her children’s schools and teaching art classes for free to further demonstrate her support of teachers and of the arts.

A series of unexpected life events caused Dianne to reflect on her purpose in life and mission of contribution as well as taking a good look at herself which was the impetus of her own radical makeover, beginning with the inside out. She got a personal trainer, learned how to meditate, adopted more healthy and wholesome daily nutrition, drank more water, joined a local wellness center, and started taking salsa dance classes. An unexpected side benefit of her transformation revealed the joy of motivating onlookers who were inspired by her transformation.

Ever a student, Dianne sits at the feet of physical, mental, intellectual, and spiritual greats in a string of constant self-improvement through the kaleidoscope of the vast universe of knowledge and enlightenment. Much of MakeoverSession.com is born of her life-long pursuit to achieve harmony in the physical, spiritual, social, emotional, mental, and financial areas of the soul by finding mentors who are willing to share their passion and their expertise. Truly understanding oneself, their body, their nutrition type, their love language, and the basic personalities of others is the beginning of rich and rewarding interpersonal relationships which ultimately lends to greater happiness, one of Dianne’s goals in life.

She is in the process of authoring a handful of books, which she hopes will help educate, inspire, entertain, and share with others that may benefit from her unique perspective. She also is working on a TV show, “The Wright Place” as their makeover expert and jewelry sponsor, as well as co-host and sponsor spokesperson for the highly esteemed Mother’s Day Show. Her first TV interview on “The Wright Place as a guest is a recent highlight.  Be sure to view it!!!  The host and producer, Dr. Leticia Wright confided that it has been the most-viewed show since John Assaraf!  For other videos, feel free to peruse youtube.com  and search ” makeoversession.com “.

She has her own site,  too! She was recently a contestant on the game show, “How Much Is Enough”, and loves hiking down to her favorite secluded beach, Little Corona. During peak week in spring, you can find Dianne at Descanso Gardens and the Pasadena Showcase House, two of her loves in life! She is an enthusiastic member of WEL Women Enlightened Leadership as of October 2007 as well.

Dianne’s Favorite Quote and life’s mantra is as follows:

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. You were born to manifest the glory of God that is within you….As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.~ Marianne Williamson

Professionally in communications marketing, since 1997, he has honed his craft until it has become an art. Empowering the creative in anyone who dares to take their dream to an enterprising scale by designing unique websites, Fernando has a special way of being the wind beneath their wings. He is in process of creating an e-book offering to share his special niche in creating websites in about an hour, watch for that!

While he is a great communicator, and a delightful person to laugh with, one of his greatest strengths is his prolific writing ability, executed in his moments of quiet introspection. He made a promise to himself during his own makeover (still in process), to harness the power of reflective thought through the written word. Our Handwriting Makeover Mentor, Bart Baggett, would deem him well-adjusted with a healthy self-image and definite sense of follow-through.

Also a filmmaker in his heart, one of his dreams is to produce films. He lights up thinking of the scripts he has written and will continue to write. Currently scouting location and resources for his first full-length film production.

Upon returning from a two-year volunteer mission to Chicago in 1988, Fernando played backup quarterback at BYU, where he experienced glory days most men would love to have in their history. Not an amazingly large man, Fernando realized quickly that speed was very important, specially when a 230 lb. linebacker was looming behind.

His loves include an eclectic range of music, BBQ ribs, mowing perfect stripes in his lawn and his four amazing children, ranging in ages from 19 to 12. He is set to finally become a citizen of the United States by August 2008.

Fernando’s Favorite Quotes:

“The perfect blossom is a rare thing. You could spend your life looking for one, and it would not be a wasted life.”
–General katsumoto, The Last Samurai

In his eight years of Clutter Busting in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City, Brooks has learned first-hand about the intense emotional connection most people have with material possessions, and has consistently found that internal clutter must be addressed before external clutter can be discarded. Since 2000, Brooks has been helping people through this process.

As a result, thousands of people have gained space in their homes, offices, and lives.
Brooks and his work have since been featured in articles in Time Out Chicago and the Los Angeles Business Journal, on the television shows Living Live and the CBS Channel 2 Nightly News, and on the radio shows The Aware Show and Bruce Barber’s NPR show, Real Life Survival Guide.

He speaks regularly to diverse groups around the country, including: women’s groups, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, health expos, senior citizens groups & yoga centers.

Brooks is the author of the e-book, Are You Buried in Clutter? The Definitive Guide to Clutter Busting.
If you live in Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or New York City, contact Brooks Palmer to arrange a personal Clutter Busting session.

Cell Phone:               (310) 903-1041       
Email: brooks@clutterbusting.com
References Available

“The degree to which people are empowered by our presence, offerings and actions is directly proportionate to our own empowerment.”

–Lumenaria Goyer, Ph.D.

Dr. Stephen West, DL, PMD is one of Americas most influential health experts. With more than two decades of experience, Stephen has lectured throughout the world and has developed many health training and educational products. Some of the new processes and techniques he has invented include: Power Heal™, Power Stem Cell™, Sub Pressure Esthetics™, Spine Escalator™, and Spine Elevator™.

Stephen was born on Fathers Day in Arizona, a son of internationally famous Dr. C. Samuel West, who dedicated his life to save lives. Leading by example, Stephen is completing his goals for building up the training teams to move this life changing work forward. Stephen has been invited to participate on many radio and television spots, presenting healthy living research.

In 1993 Dr. Stephen E. West took the initiative and challenge of helping zero convert AIDS victims. Zero converting means that the lymphatic system had purified their bodies to the point that the HIV antibodies didn’t even show up in their HIV blood screening tests. Stephen is constantly generating many success stories of helping people heal their own various ailments and performs many live demos, including the Instant Mass Healing™.

Talya’s Favorite Quote:

“WHEN IN DOUBT, FLUSH IT OUT!”

Shea’s fashion workshops allow women to look younger, feel confident, and instantly see dynamic changes in their lives by learning to recongnize colors, patterns, styles, and designs that communicate who they really are. She helps women to avoid wasting money on clothes they never take out of their closet. She helps women change their lives by looking and feeling differently about themselves. She also consults with the designers of popular clothing brands such as Quiksilver and Roxy.

Shea explains, ” This fashion workshop is an educational system that teaches women how to allow their own beautiful spirits to show in their outward expression. Many women hide their true personalities behind the clothes they wear. This class is an incredible opportunity which will change the way you look at yourself and others.”

Women not only learn amazing secrets about themselves, but why friends and family act the way they do. This class empowers women to step fully into their own power by wearing the clothes and accessories that radiate to the world who they really are.

Shea’s Favorite Quote:

“Throughout our life we can either magnify our skills or modify our dreams.”

As an integrative physician who believes in a progressive approach, Dr. DeAndrea serves as medical advisor to the American Naturopathic Medical Association, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, Whole Life Times Magazine and Earth Save International. Dr. DeAndrea is an avid surfer and a yoga enthusiast. He is a nationally recognized speaker, educator, and writer who is dedicated to helping people.

Richard’s Favorite Quote:

“There comes a time, when it is time to do what is right”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Karol is a self-published author of three very successful books. Her best seller, Feelings Buried Alive Never Die… has been followed with Healing Feelings… From Your Heart. She is also a remedial counselor, therapist, and a true teacher who is dedicated to assisting others in achieving success in their chosen endeavors, as well as emotional and spiritual well-being.

Mrs. Truman, who is also an accomplished pianist and music instructor, has been exploring health and healing for over 40 years, beginning her search in the fields of nutrition, exercise, and weight control. Her first book, Looking Good Feeling Great, was written in 1984 as a result of her involvement in pioneering the first round mini-trampoline. Eventually it became apparent to her that physical health was inextricably linked to emotional, and even spiritual health. Recognizing this, she began an ever-deepening exploration of human energy systems. She has made an exhaustive study of the laws of cause and effect and the principles that govern transformational healing and growth.

Throughout the country, doctors and therapists alike are recommending her books to their patients and clients, and utilizing the tools found therein. Along with these two books and counseling, the last 20 years of her life have been spent teaching seminars and workshops (called ‘Gatherings’) which, gratefully, have contributed to positive significant changes in many lives.

After participating as vice-president of two successful health and service-related companies, Mrs. Truman and her husband, Delmont, have developed a prospering publishing and distribution business. Their greatest joys, however, are their four adult children and their spouses, and their beautiful grandchildren.