I had to share this Facebook note by one of the smartest (and financially prudent) people that I know! His name is Dr. Tom Edwards. You may agree or disagree, but hey he’s a genius so BUILD YOUR OWN DREAM!!!

OUR WAKE UP CALL: Be Careful When You Drink the MLM Kool-Aid!

This goes out to all of my friends and family members who are struggling financially…which is about 98% of the people I know. Starting a business is one of the best ways to earn extra money and secure financial independence. However, starting a business takes time, planning, a good product/service, financing, education, and a market/customer base.

Launching and sustaining a business takes more know-how, money, time, planning and patience than most people have. Multi-Level-Marketing (MLM) firms can provide a shorter path to wealth if you’re willing to swallow the Kool-Aid of the company you represent. Now there are some very legit MLMs out there that sell real products, but with each you must work hard and adopt their business plan/mdoel in order to be successful. Now don’t ask me to recommend a particular company. I’ve been involved with a couple of legit MLMs in the past, but I’m too much of an independent thinker to believe everything I’m spoon feed.

However, be very…and I mean very careful when you embark upon joining a MLM or Network Marketing company. Once you start down the road it’s hard to get off the slippery slope (especially after you pay your initiation fee). Once you pay, you are compelled to at least get you money back; and the best way to do that is to convince your friends and family that your new brand of Kool-Aid tastes better than any brand ever sold. Then, to keep them for tarring and feathering you, you must work with them to earn their money back by getting others to drink the Kool-Aid also.

STOP…DON’T DO IT! Yes, there are legit MLMs out there, but the time and money most people invest in these opportunities never yield the riches envisioned. And worst yet, SCAMMERS are prowling the internet and hotel conference rooms with vaguely discussed pyramid schemes. I won’t reveal the names of companies I believe to be illegal pyramids, but I’ll tell you how to recognize the red flags. The easy way is to contact the BBB “Better Business Bureau” or just simply Google the name of the company with the word SCAM. If dozens of items/articles jump off the page then RUN. Another red flag is the lack of real products. If some tangible product isn’t exchanged for the money invested then it’s most likely a scam. If you make most of your money from recruiting people, then it’s probably a scam. If you have to buy a useless website and pay a monthly hosting fee, then guess what…it’s probably a scam.

Now, I know some of you are already intoxicated on the Kool-Aid of your MLM. You are living in the land of denial, and are so steeped in your MLM that you can’t see yourself out. Just remember this, the folk in Jonestown were so committed that they drank the Kool Aid of Jim Jones.

Now if it is a legit company that sells a product, then stay in it; but only if you are serious about making it a real business. Having business cards and a fancy title doesn’t make it a legit business. Earning at least $5,000.00 (after taxes) or more a year makes it a real (part time) business. Making of $50K a year after taxes makes it a real full-time business. But most of the folks making that kind of money are either busting their backsides or working an illegal ponzi scheme.

If you want to get rich, take the advice of Dave Ramsey and take “Baby Steps” to financial security. If you want to get rich, get and stay out of debt. If you want to get rich, pay yourself first. If you want to be rich, pray for the Lord to help you cultivate the wealth inside and around you. Many of us fail to get wealthy because we don’t invest the time in developing our dreams and potential. And being wealthy isn’t about an abundance of money, but rather an abundance of peace.

My wife and I have financial peace of mind and are becoming more so every day. We aren’t as wealthy as we have the capacity to be, but we are determined to earn everything the Lord has allotted to us. Every MLM (legit or ill-legit) at the core is someone else’s dream. What is your dream? What is your path to peace and wholeness? Working 9-5 for 30 or 40 years may just be your calling and path to peace. There is nothing wrong with go old fashioned hard work. However, don’t be a fool with what you earn, be satisfied with your earnings and lay aside 20% of what you earn for your latter years

Grace & Peace

This was genuine commentary that in my opinion read my mind on this topic. I’m a guy that has been in the Kool-Aid factory and FOR ME the drink wasn’t as good as they said it would be. You…you’ll have to find your own beverage. I poured out my cup a long time ago.