I’m David Amack, creator and author of Real World Finance. I was born in Long Beach, California, and lived there through the completion of my degree from Cal-State Long Beach. Between then and now I’ve had a few career changes and, believe me, I have seen thick and thin. Income has gone from starving-college-student (and not only during college, either) to six-figure employee for a big corporation.
I’ve lived in places that some people only dream about — San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Maui, and San Diego to name a few. Now, where I’ve lived shouldn’t make a difference except that I’ve never moved because an employer said I had to. I moved to a location because it interested me and I saw an opportunity for personal growth and possibly good financial gain. Sometimes things worked out financially and sometimes not.
The real point is that without some hard-earned savings to act as a safety net, plus a little nerve and confidence, many of my life experiences simply wouldn’t have happened. When my dad taught me to budget, I doubt it occurred to him that he was giving me more than a way to survive and perhaps prosper in the real world. As it turned out, his gift allowed me to charge ahead in life, trusting that I would never end up a penniless failure just for trying something new.
That brings me to the reason for Real World Finance. I want to offer my real-world perspective on the relationship between lifestyle and finance, far beyond what you hear from the talking heads on TV. I want to share some truths that can set you free if you’re willing to trust and take action. I’m talking about some things that you might seriously question because they seem not to go together, according to conventional thinking. I hope that some of the things I say will stretch your brain, and that you allow it to happen. Thinking outside the box, after all, is what makes for a lifetime of growth and a deeper understanding of how we fit into this universe. If our brains don’t grow, then all that’s left is our hair and nails. And who needs that?
Notice that I haven’t once promised to make you rich. We need to be clear on this. I am not promising that if you do XYZ you will become rich. But understand, too, that by becoming aware of certain universal truths, paying attention to your finances, and using a budget, you can achieve whatever financial and personal success you wish. Do I hope you take the ball and run with it? Yes! Do I wish you success beyond your wildest dreams? Absolutely! Is it possible? Hello!!
One last thing. In case you’re wondering where I came up with the idea for this blog, I’ll tell you. Several years ago before blogging was even a word, I wrote a manuscript all about lifestyle and finance. It was aimed at young adults just starting out. I mailed off chapters to likely publishers and was summarily dismissed. Fast forward to today, when publishing has evolved to a much more personal pursuit, with the destiny of the work in the hands of the author. Today I can combine my original thoughts with even more years of experience and deliver a better message to a wider audience. Even better, it’s free.
One last thought. I would like to dedicate Real World Finance to my dad, Russell.
