Blind Can You Can

Tag: money

  • Show Me the Money—But What’s It Really Worth?

    “Show Me the Money!”… But What’s It Really Worth?

    You know that iconic line from Jerry Maguire—“Show me the money!”? Classic. And let’s be honest, it feels like money is always at the center of everything.

    I grew up in a middle-class household. My parents immigrated to the U.S. with barely anything in their pockets, just big dreams and the kind of grit that doesn’t come with a price tag. So yeah, I heard my fair share of: “We can’t get that—it’s too expensive,” or “No, we don’t have the money for that.” And as I got older, I realized something deeper was at play: money didn’t just buy things—it bought status. At least, that’s what the world wanted me to believe.

    Culturally, and maybe a little emotionally too, money seemed to equal power, value, and respect. If you didn’t have it? Well, it felt like society decided you weren’t as important, as capable, or as worthy of a good life.

    That mindset stuck with me more than I’d like to admit. After college, I watched how we were suddenly compared by salaries instead of report cards. First it was grades, then college acceptances, then internships. Now it’s about how much you make, what neighborhood you live in, the car you drive, and which resort you took your family to over spring break. And guess what? Even when you do “measure up,” it can still feel… hollow.

    Let me be clear: I have nothing against money. Money is a powerful tool. It gives you choices. It helps you provide for your family. It enables you to give back. But what I can’t get behind is the idea that money defines your worth.

    I am a valuable human being—with or without money. And let me tell you, that’s a reminder I have to give myself more often than I’d like. Money doesn’t define who I am. It just shapes some of the options I have. And honestly, I’m content with a simple life. I don’t need a mansion or a Lamborghini—especially because I’m blind, and let’s face it, I can’t drive anyway.

    Lately, as I learn more about financial freedom, building wealth, and growing that so-called “money snowball,” I’ve started to see something bigger than just numbers. True wealth isn’t about having the most—it’s about using what you do have to lift others up. Whether it’s helping family, supporting friends, or giving back to the community, that’s what gives wealth its meaning.

    If all I’m doing is chasing money for fame or power, then that’s just an endless treadmill with no off switch. But if I can use money as a tool to serve, to support, and to fulfill my purpose—even in small ways—then that’s a path worth walking.

    I’m not here to be the richest guy in the room. I just want to live with intention. If I can take care of my responsibilities—those sacred assignments God’s entrusted me with—then I’m doing something right. We all have different capacities, different talents, and different definitions of success. But I believe we’ve all been given some form of abundance. Sometimes we just have to open our eyes to see it.

    Here’s something I truly believe: when we show that we can manage what we already have—when we’re grateful, responsible, and generous with it—more comes. It’s like a universal law… or maybe just good parenting.

    Think about it: as kids, when we show we can handle chores and be responsible with our allowance, we get rewarded. Maybe even with that puppy we’ve been begging for. In school, if we manage our workload well, we earn good grades and honors. In college, proving ourselves in an internship can lead to a full-time job. At work, doing well in your current role might lead to a raise or a promotion.

    I think money works the same way. If you can show that you respect it, understand its value, and use it for good—not waste—it, then more will come. Not just more money, but more peace. More joy. A truly richer life.So yes—show me the money—but show me the meaning, too.

  • Tired of the 9-to-5 grind? The Real Path to Financial Freedom

    Are you tired of the 9 to 5?
    Check this out—you’ll be taken straight to my free training to break free from the daily grind and start your journey to financial freedom!
    Sound familiar?

    I see these emails, ads, and pop-ups every single day. They definitely tug at the heartstrings and mess with my mind. Here’s the twist—I’ve actually never had a 9-to-5 job. But at this stage in life, I’m starting to think maybe that wouldn’t have been such a bad thing after all.

    All my life, I chased fast money and hunted for shortcuts to success. I dipped my toes into multi-level marketing (remember 2-by-2?), day-trading stocks, flipping homes—you name it. I even bought into mentorship programs that promised to teach me the secrets to wealth and freedom. Why? Because ever since I was young and found out I’d eventually lose my sight, I threw conventional wisdom out the window. I became obsessed with finding the fastest way to success.

    But here’s the key difference between me and those mentorship-gurus online:
    They had direction, a strategy, a plan.
    I had hope… and let me tell you—hope alone isn’t a strategy.

    The “What If” Game (Just for Fun… or Reflection)

    Let’s rewind. I graduated with a degree in Computer Science. Couldn’t land a programming job. The only offer I got was an entry-level government job paying $3,000/month. Not glamorous, but back then, it was livable. And as a person with a disability, the government would have provided accommodations.

    I could’ve stayed with my parents to save money, or rented a room somewhere cheap. No girlfriend, no kids, no big expenses—just a simple life. If I had saved $1,000/month and invested conservatively, by the 2008 housing crash I would’ve had enough to buy a property near my job. That same property today? Likely worth 3–5x more.

    Had I stuck with that job, my salary with cost-of-living adjustments might be around $5,200/month now, that is I took no promotions. But, most likely I would have taken some sort of promotion and probably have a annual salary in the 6 figures. My mortgage could’ve been almost paid off. I’d have two decades of work under my belt, and maybe I’d be investing in dividend stocks or high-yield funds. Retire at 50 or 55, then move to a more affordable state—or better yet, country. Safe, stable, and relatively stress-free. Sounds boring? Maybe. But honestly… kind of nice.

    But I didn’t choose that route.

    I went for the possible shortcut.
    And now, I sometimes feel farther away from my goals than ever before.

    The Grass Ain’t Always Greener—Sometimes It’s Just a Lawn Full of Weeds

    We live in a world where everyone is trying to sell you something. A dream. A shortcut. A “proven method.” They tell you you’re doing it all wrong—and they have the answer.

    But here’s what I’ve learned: You have to be strong enough to trust yourself.

    You know your life better than any guru.
    You know your challenges, your dreams, your strengths.
    God gave us free will—and with that comes the wisdom to choose what’s right.

    We just have to get quiet long enough to hear that inner voice, and bold enough to listen.

    Final Thought

    Whether you’re working a 9-to-5 or building your business from scratch, there is no one-size-fits-all path to freedom. Chasing shortcuts often leads to detours. But being intentional, consistent, and grateful for where you are—that’s where true wealth begins.

    So, the next time you see another “freedom from 9-to-5” ad?
    Smile, nod, and remember: The real journey starts within.