Can you really create wealth as a massage therapist? (Yes!)
Should we discuss finances on a massage therapy education web site?
You bet!
Even though we all know that a career in massage therapy won't produce incomes like in medicine, geology, engineering or law, your thoughts and actions regarding money are very important. Why?
First, we should all learn to be good stewards of our talents, gifts and finances.
Second, if you do become a good steward of your massage therapy income, you can come out "better than average," when you look back on your career. A massage therapy career will allow you to earn more than what is needed just to get by in your financial life. Sometimes we forget that even service providers can create a nice living for themselves and their families.
Third, I have seen a pattern with many massage therapists who forget that this is still a business! I feel we should view our massage career as a "starting point", from which we can grow a business and create a better and better lifestyle.
Here are some resources that might help you.
Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey became wealthy at a fairly young age, and lost almost everything. Dave started over, and now teaches the lessons he learned about how to make an organized series of choices regarding your financial life. Dave has a national syndicated radio show. The key is you can start even if you're in debt! http://www.daveramsey.com
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
David Chilton tells a great story about a young man who has to drop out of college and go back home to run the family barber business. Years later, his college classmates (who now have their M. B. A.s and fancy jobs) go to visit him and discover that he has done VERY WELL! This book is a series of steps anyone can take regardless of their income level to create a better financial life. Note: The web site only mentions his new book, "The Wealthy Barber Returns," but you'll want to get the original "The Wealthy Barber" first. http://www.wealthybarber.com
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko
This book has a lot of useful research information about people who have acquired a net worth of over one million dollars. An important lesson this book teaches those of us in the service industry, that you can still end up pretty well financially even if you don't have a multiple six figure income.
The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
Here's what Jim Rohn says about this classic book on personal wealth: "There are four things about this book: 1)) It's easy to find 2) It's easy to buy 3) It's easy to read 4) It's easy NOT to read."
Jim was so accurate about this book and many other aspects of personal development. It's easy NOT to do the right thing. Remember another Jim Rohn statement: "If you're going north and discover that's the wrong direction, you can always change directions!"
And to help you keep more of your hard earned money...
Sandy Botkin, Esq. Tax reduction consultant. Sandy Botkin worked his way through law school working in comedy clubs, so his business information is funny! After working for the IRS for several years, Sandy now helps small business owners take legal and ethical tax deductions. You'll find more information at: http://www.taxreductioninstitute.com
Get a CPA! If you can get organized like Sandy Botkin teaches, that will really help you make the correct legal and ethical decisions to reduce your tax burden. We still recommend using a CPA to prepare your tax form. However, being organized will also save you a lot of money in accounting fees.
We'll teach you more lessons about money and accumulating wealth on the Secret Sauce page.
