I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of any of my best-selling books by clicking on the image below.

     The Swimmer slipped into the cold water of the lake and struck out for the nearby bouy. As she did so, the lone swan which had shadowed her dawn dips since the advent of springtime, slid from the reeds and followed her. On reaching the bouy, the Swimmer checked to confirm that her escort was indeed bobbing in her wake and, satisfied so, she set off for the shore again. The swan dutifully followed. When the Swimmer arrived back at her launching point, she raised herself from the water, wafted a kindly kiss toward her swimming partner and headed into the old log cabin she called home. The swan returned to his solitary spot somewhere in the long grass bordering the lake. 

    Throughout the summer this early morning ritual of the Swimmer and the swan repeated itself daily. Their bond became unbreakable.

    Then autumn arrived and with it the cooler weather, then the frosts and mists which eventually cancelled the Swimmer's daily immersions. She no longer rose early to exercise in the lake and her swan fell from view too. When the Swimmer called for the swan or searched around the lakeside, there was no trace of him. He had clearly moved on to warmer climes to see through the winter months.

    In due course spring came round again. On the first day that the Swimmer chose to brave the chilly waters, she arose at sun-rise and went quickly to the lakeside. A brief scout around provided no sight or sign of her graceful companion. She entered the water and set off on the first leg of her swim to the bouy. Once or twice she paused and looked behind her … but no swan.

    Arriving at the bouy, she clung there to rest momentarily as was her custom. Just as she was about to start back for shore, she saw a movement in the water coming towards her. Gradually a figure appeared, drifting silently through the fine sheet of mist which hung on the water's surface. As the shape emerged into view she saw .... 'her' swan! She was so happy to see him, she let out an involuntary whoop. But her cup of joy was not yet full. For behind 'her' swan, swam another, gliding serenely towards her. Then behind the two swans came a veritable procession of chicks! The cygnets, grey, fluffy and chaotic, cheeped and splashed along in line. There were seven of them.

    After several moments to take in the delight of the new family, the Swimmer commenced her return journey to land. What a sight for any early morning shore stroller to behold! A veritable convoy of, first the Swimmer, then the swan, then his new mate and in tow behind came the straggle of frantically paddling chicks.

    Throughout the spring and summer, the circus repeated itself. Every day the swan family accompanied the Swimmer's day-break swims to the bouy and back. All the while the cygnets grew in size and confidence. Soon they discarded their grey and brown feathers and assumed coats of gleaming white. By summer's end they were true adolescents, cocksure and preening.

    All too soon the day came for the Swimmer to bade them farewell. The mornings had become too dark and the water too icey for her daily awakenings. The swans felt it too. They flew off to their winter lodgings somewhere far to the south.

    Alone, confined to land and with time to reflect, the Swimmer thought to tell friends and post on social media the story of her enchanting swan family experience. But she quickly decided not to. In fact, she resolved to share her secret with no-one. Not one single person. Why? Was it selfishness? A desire to 'keep all the pleasure' for herself? Deny the delight to others? It was none of these things.

    No, she kept her own counsel in order to protect the integrity of the natural event of which she had unwittingly become part. She did not want the swans' habitat invaded and disturbed by visitors, however well-meaning. She did not see her interaction with the beautiful birds as being a public event, a performance. It was private and personal. And so it would remain.

    How often in life do you compromise the integrity of your privacy (and that of others) by exposing yourself to short term glorification and voyeurism? How often do you sell yourself short for a moment in the spotlight? The Swimmer concluded with empathy and insight that the swans were thinking of none of those ephemeral illusions when following their natural instincts to swim with her in the lake. So, she chose to honour their integrity. To be the guardian of their dignity.

    Likewise, you have it within you to be swimmer or swan in your own lake of life. To be part of beautiful experiences which need not have an audience nor applause in order to flourish. Public recognition is often rewarding, but unheralded and unsung modesty satisfies essential human needs too. Moments deserving of such discretion are precious - and all the more wondrous because of it. As with the Swimmer and the swan.

THE SWIMMER AND THE SWANS  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

     Most people understand that, in business terms, a niche refers to a segment within an industry, trade or profession. A niche within a niche is an even more closely defined activity. Practitioners within a closely defined niche may be deemed to be specialists.

     An example might be if you manufacture house furniture. Your niche might be that you produce only bedroom furnishings. Your niche within the niche could be that you specialise in just pinewood bedroom furnishings. By closely defining your activity in this way, you also define your reputation. It's a case of choosing to be recognised as a big fish in a small pond rather than being an invisible one in a vast ocean! Therefore, many successful sole traders and self-employed people follow this route. It's a smart strategy.

     But, while niche marketing is recognised as the powerful business practice which it is, and much is spoken and written about it, not a lot of space is devoted to how to approach becoming such a specialist. Let's put that right.

     The good news is that the principles attached to establishing yourself as a specialist in a specific area of trade or business are pretty simple. Putting them into practice will take a bit of work though. Here are the essential steps.

     * Work only in an industry, trade or profession which you absolutely love. Okay, you knew that one.

     * Within that sphere, seek out an opportunity to provide goods or services which are :

                     (a) Much in demand - or which you can create a demand for

                     (b) Poorly catered for

                    (c) To which you can add an individual touch, something exclusive to just you.

       Create a different angle, a new or innovative approach which distinguishes you from all others in the sector. This could reference quality, value, cost, delivery, after-sales – whatever – but find out what will work best for you and for your customers. And make it a fun experience for all. This step will take research and preparation on your part.

     The 'golden' key though to unlocking your potential as a specialist to be looked up to is to go to work in the trade or profession into which you intend to supply your goods or services. You may already have done so but, whether or not this is the case, it will pay you to do your homework in this respect. Get inside the sector you intend selling to. Get close up and personal with it and the people within it. Get your hands dirty. Perfect your knowledge of the trade. Your aim is to be best in class. Nothing less will suffice. It will take time and patience. But when you labour alongside your target market you earn their respect. You gain credibility. You're ready to be their trusted specialist.

     Which brings me to the last point. As one of 'them', known and respected within the sector, never, but never, sell your goods or services to them. You won't have to. Wait for them to approach you. Reputable specialists are, you see, sought out by the crowd, not the other way around.

     Remember, if I want just any furniture, I'll shop around a number of stores. Sales assistants will have to sell me their offerings. But … If I want pinewood bedroom furnishings, I go straight to the established pinewood bedroom specialist. I've 'bought' your service before I even get there. Simple!

     So, by the time you've done as I suggest, there will be an endless stream of the already converted beating a path to the door of your niche within a niche business. They'll already know that trusting in you will be a risk-free, fun and rewarding experience for all. Confirm their belief - job done!

A NICHE WITHIN A NICHE  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

     Miss Andrews had long given up on her ambition to be a successful author. Instead she turned her not inconsiderable talent to nurturing the creative skills of the young. As a primary school teacher she excelled. Now she stood before her class of ten year old boys and posed the time-worn, but always popular, question,

    “What would you like to be when you grow up?”

    Her request was met with the customary barrage of shrill responses and raised hands clamouring for attention. She waited for the initial hubbub and animated excitement to subside before quietly asserting,

    “I'll have your answers one by one. I'll start at the front.”

    In a relatively orderly manner, and with only occasional interruptions, she proceeded to address each pupil individually, receiving the familiar medley of answers which her years of experience had taught her to expect. Airline pilot, pop star, doctor, footballer, engineer, adventurer, racing driver, policeman and vet – they were all there.

    At the back of the class and last in line to be qizzed was an introvert, mischievous but bright lad, very much the incorrigible rascal. Miss Andrews, in spite of misgivings, rather liked him.

    Turning to the boy, “And you Tommy,” she asked, “What would you like to be?”

    Tommy looked up thoughtfully, a glint in his eye. The answer was slow and sure.

    “I'd like to be a rustic simpleton, Miss.”

    That brought the house down, the classroom erupted in laughter. Miss Andrews, restraining her own urge to giggle, motioned for calm. Eventually peace returned.

    “A rustic simpleton Tommy,” she played up to him, “And whatever might that be?”

    “Well Miss,” replied Tommy, obviously prepared and enthusiastic, “I'd like to live in the wild, hike in the mountains, swim in the sea, roam in the forests and … well … just have a nice time.”

    Miss Andrews was slightly taken aback and not a little impressed. The class less so, laughter continued to abound. Miss Andrews' stern gaze subdued it.

    “But what will you live on Tommy?” she continued, more softly.

    “I'll grow my own apple tree Miss, fish in the river and raise chickens,” said Tommy.

    “But what will you do for money Tommy? Have you thought about that?”

    “That's easy Miss,” retorted Tommy quickly, “I'll write.”

    There was another pause and more, but now decidely less incredulous, sniggering in the room. Miss Andrews took time for all to compose themselves, before continuing.

    “So you'll write? What about Tommy? What will you write?”

    Tommy smiled wickedly. He paused to give full impact to his sucker punch to follow. Then, quite deliberately spelled it out.

    “I'll write about ... airline pilots, pop stars, doctors, footballers, engineers, adventurers, racing drivers, policemen and vets!”

    Through the riotous tumult that followed, Miss Andrews made her way back to her desk at the front. She allowed herself the merest of inward smiles.

    “Yes, he's the one,” she whispered to herself, “Oh yes!”

    Many years later, Miss Andrews, now enjoying the easier pace of retirement, drove hesitantly through the forest and up the rutted mountain track in the lack-lustre light of a late autumn afternoon. Her slightly tousled host for the weekend ran excitedly from the old farmhouse to greet her. In his hand he brandished a large book with a colourful cover.

    “It's my latest novel,” the famous writer gasped breathlessly before even saying hello. “I've autographed it just for you,” and thrust it into her hand.

    “Let me see,” said Miss Andrews, “What have we here?”

    She turned the book over and read the title - “How To Be A Rustic Simpleton!”

    They laughed heartily, embraced. Then Tommy took the arm of his long time friend and mentor and led her in to savour the rustic charm of his humble home.

HOW TO BE A RUSTIC SIMPLETON  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

     How much do you know about the art of making money? Is it difficult? Let's see.

    I have money. You have something which I want. I give you my money for that something. Congratulations – you now have money!

    Now here's something to think about. How hard did you work or did you work at all in order to get that money? Another thought – Do you even have to be personally involved in the process in order to get my money?

    One thing is for sure, it is not work alone which will determine how much money you make. It's possible for me to give you my money with no work on your part and even without your involvement in the process.

    “How can this be?”

    I'll answer the question in five parts – but with some more questions for you too.

    Okay, we agree that how hard you work really has little, if anything, to do with how much money you can have. The simple truth, amazingly missed by so many, is determined only by -

              * How many people like me give you money

              * How much I/they give you

              * And what your profit margins are after you pay for any costs you accrue in the process.

    See? Simple!

    So, the next key questions are -

              * How do you get lots of people to give you lots of money?

              * What do you give them in exchange that is so valuable that they’ll keep giving you money, over and over again?

    Thinking along those lines leads to the inevitable, and fascinating, realisation that there are only a very few ways of getting people to give you money (legally anyway)!

    All you must do is choose one of the five alternatives listed below. They involve varying levels of 'pain' and labour for you, ranging from lots of grind to 'no sweat' at all! I've listed them in reverse priority. The inexperienced usually start out at stage 5. But with knowledge and experience anyone can progress through the stages, exceptionally even to stage 1 … which is the ultimate objective and the top profit place to be. Here goes :

      Method 5 – Not so clever.

     Trade your labour, manual or mental, for money which your boss gives you and just expect that it will keep working. The reason this way sucks, is that you’re intimately involved in the money-getting process, meaning that you have to show up to get paid. How much you can make is limited by the hours in the day and the magnanimity of your employer!

    Method 4 - Smarter, but still not clever.

    Sell 'stuff' to people that they neither want nor need. This method can make you cash now but will cost you your reputation later. Also you’re intimately involved in the process and trapped, just like any employee. And since people don’t really want your product or service, you won’t have any recurring purchases. It's a houe of cards waiting to collapse!

    Method 3 - Getting there – but not quite.

    Target a group of people who want something. Sell your product or service to them by leveraging what they want, to sell them what you want. This method works well provided you know how to sell. And, when you have to convince people to do something that they don’t quite want to do, you must always be coming up with inventive ways to persuade them. It is however, a viable and ethical way to sell valuable products and services to people who don’t know they want them … yet!

    Method 2 – Almost the greatest money making approach.

    Source a product or service that a lot of people already want. Create the most effective and least cost way of delivering it to them. There's no real selling required. You can acquire customers, keep them longer and at less cost to yourself - provided you give great value. Plus, you can also upsell them products that they don’t know they need – yet! This method leverages your customer base and is potentially highly profitable - and with limited work. But, if you stop working at it, your income stops.

    Which leads us to …

    Method 1 - The BEST way of all!

              * Do the same as at method 2 above … but …

              * Provide an exclusive, high profit product or service, not available from anywhere else = No competition!

              * Sell into a specialised niche market of willing buyers = Captive market!

            * Set up a regular sale/upsale/repeat sale and payment system = Regular income, no involvement in the process on your part!

    The great thing about this method is that once established, people give you money without you doing anything! Now that’s cool! Which means you can :

              * Do what you love

              * Make ridiculous income

              * Live anywhere in the world

              * Expend no energy, work or effort ... and ...

              * Have money flow into your account on autopilot

    To reach this ideal scenario though, you have to get creative. You need a unique product or service. Think Gates, Jobs, Bezos. Innovative thinkers, they invented (or adapted from others) their entrepreneurial solutions. However, you needn't be a technical genius to match their achievements. Great success is possible with modest ideas. I know, I've done it.

    In my best-selling 'Mastering The Art Of Making Money' book, I give exact details of how to create and promote an exclusive product which sells easily with no input on my part. It involves no holding of stock nor physical movement of goods. No work after the initial creation in fact. The profit potential is limitless.

THE ART OF MAKING MONEY  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

   Do you ever feel 'home alone', as in being lonely? Do you know what is loneliness? I ask because many people have a hard time differentiating between being physically alone and being mentally alone. To them both are one and the same thing. Their physically alone equals mentally alone equals loneliness, restlessness, inert distress.

  Those who relate to that definition of loneliness tend to fix it, by going out, being around people and charging up their metaphorical batteries through social contact. This is fine to a point … yet there's a difficulty with it too. Because, where their unease stems from a deeper emptiness of the soul, such banal interaction can simply make matters worse.

  Ongoing superficial physical company without a lot of actual emotional, mental, inner or somehow closer contact leaves a pretty bad seed in your well-being - even if that company is only sporadic. You don't feel secure, safe or understood through it. It takes its toll on your spiritual character. In that case, being alone might well be the lesser evil. A good thing in fact.

  So first understand that being alone isn't necessarily bad. Far from it. Recognise the good which solitude can do to create calm within yourself. You may not need a lot of social contact anyway - and certainly not of the superficial, meaningless kind. The truth is that you can do fine on your own. People most relaxed in their own personalities and life in general will often tell you how much they enjoy their own company … most of the time. The rest of the time they seek out opportunities and relationships with which to satisfy their more profound emotional and intellectual needs. You can do likewise.

  When thus satisfied you become self aware, content and relaxed. Your balanced psyche feels nourished at all levels. You sit at ease with both solitude and social company. You'll tend to shun the superficial, seek out meaningful relationships and embrace life's simple pleasures. You'll be a better person for it. You need never feel 'home alone' again.

HOME ALONE  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

   A young man went for a job interview. Among other things he was asked how much he expected to be paid for the work in question. Wishing to improve on his current earnings but not wishing to price himself out of the market, he quoted a figure which was twenty-five percent greater than his then present salary.

  In due course he was awarded the new job and was cock-a-hoop at having won himself such a significant increase in earnings. Meeting with his new employer he expressed his excitement with the work opportunity afforded him and his satisfaction with the wage negotiated.

   “Me too”, enthused his new employer, “I was prepared to pay you twice as much as that!”

  The young man you see, had yet to learn to value himself sufficiently. He still saw himself as of lesser worth than his new employer's valuation of him. None-the-less, in asking for the increased salary he had indeed raised his evaluation of his self-worth. So that was a start. But he had yet some distance to go in understanding and asserting his true value in the world.

  What's your value?

  Not in monetary terms, but as a person. How do you think others see you? Are they drawn to you or do they shy away? Their reaction is determined entirely by you. For it is how you view yourself that determines how others react to you. The lesson therefore is to think well of yourself. There's more too it though than simply telling yourself 'how wonderful you are'! You have to go deeper than that.

   First you must know that you are true to yourself. This means being honest and listening to your good inner voices. Your conscience in other words. It is your moral compass, it determines your philosophy of life and value system. Act out publicly and fearlessly as it directs and you will be known as a person of truth and integrity in the wider world. Now that is true value!

  The pay-off is that people will value you, who you are and what you stand for. Their confidence in you will bounce back to you in many ways, both spiritual and material. You may even receive a pay rise at work!

WHAT'S YOUR VALUE?  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  Every business incurs expenditures beyond the core costs of acquiring goods, raw materials, manufacturing and the other activities comprising the actual trade of the enterprise. Many of these additional costs are administrative, such as book-keeping, accountancy, office expenses etc. These are necessary to a greater or lesser degree, but never income-producing in their own right. Such a business expense is generally referred to as an 'Overhead'.

  While most entrepreneurs accept the need for some overheads, thrifty operators do try to minimise them. In my early days in business that was my approach. Even so, the administrative outgoings irked me. That certain activities did not contribute directly to the income and profitability of my operations, contradicted the 'dynamic enterprise with everybody producing' ethos on which all my business is based. Then I came up with a solution to my quandry. I turned overhead into opportunity!

  I decreed that every part of my business should be a profit centre in its own right. To achieve this involved selling the internal services on the wider market. As the abilities, knowledge, experience and infrastructure of the respective disciplines already existed, promoting the various services was relatively easy. In a short time, and despite the cynicism of some, every department was 'earning its own corn'. Not only that, they were generating profit. Here are just a few of the 'new businesses' I created :

        Accountancy and Book-keeping

        Business Consultancy

        IT and Marketing

        Pensions and Investments

        Recruitment Agency

        Sales and Sales Training

  In addition to these, I rented out office space which more than covered the expense of my own accommodation; I founded a telecommunications business through sourcing solutions for my core business; I set up and developed an office-cleaning and building maintenance company based on my own initial in-house needs; I established a legal, documentation and contracts practice from my own experience. A personal consultancy service catered for non-business and family requirements of clients and a tour company attended to their leisure time pursuits.

  In short, I turned my in-house services not just into independent profit centres, but into a chain of profitable enterprises and one centralised administration. With everything under one roof, these businesses 'fed' each other. Clients passed seamlessly from one to the other as their needs dictated.

  When you incur a business overhead, do you see an unwelcome expenditure or do you see something more? Overhead or opportunity? - that's the question. Your answer may well determine the kind of business future you can look forward to.

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Read more about the many businesses I created and acquired at ZERO COST by claiming your special copy of my best selling - 'Winning Big In Life And Business' - when you Click on the image below. My 'never before revealed secrets' are guaranteed to 'blow you away'.

OVERHEAD OR OPPORTUNITY? is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  So you want to be a millionaire? Not unusual, many people harbour such a desire. Few however achieve their ambition. Most never get their dream beyond the realms of a fluffy fancy breezing around in their mind. In short they don't …

One : Evolve a concrete plan and … Two : They don't write down their plan and … Three : They don't act on the plan.

  But wait … there's a Fourth infinitely bigger obstacle which blocks the way of those seeking millionaire status. Worse than having no clear idea of where to start, they are blind to one simple, yet critical factor. A reality essential to any aspiring millionaire but so obvious that it totally escapes their attention. What is it that they so spectacularly fail to see? It's this -

$1m is One Million ONE Dollars!!

  You want to be a millionaire? Then don't think millions. Think One Single Dollar. It's only by knowing how to make $1 that you can accumulate great wealth. Put it this way - If you can't make just $1, how on earth do you expect to make millions of them? No chance! But, when can make $1 then there is no limit to how often you can repeat the trick. Remember -

 $1m is One Million ONE Dollars!!

  Let's make that first dollar.

  Find a solitary location with table and chair, quiet with no distractions. Put $1 on the table. Also a pen, a blank sheet of paper and a timer. Set the timer to 1 hour. Begin.

  Draw a line down the middle of the paper, thus creating two equal columns. In the left hand column write how much money you intend to make (financial target), then how long you are giving yourself to reach the target (time limit). Eg $1m and 5 years.

  Now, concentrate your gaze on the $1. As you do, think of and picture ways you can realistically turn that $1 into $2. As the ideas flood from your imagination, list them in the right hand column on your sheet of paper. Write down as many ways as possible to make just $1. When your timer sounds at the end of 1 hour – stop!

  Select your favourite way to make $1 from the list you've created, then immediately go out and put the strategy into practice – ACT NOW!

  As soon as you have made that first $1, repeat the process. This time create $2 – either by $1 + $1 twice or by $2 into $4. Continue like this until your financial target is met – simple!

  Pin your list in a prominent position where you will see it and be motivated by it each day. Use other strategies from your list as and when you consider it desireable. Add others as you think of them too.

  Keep at it until you reach your goal. Determination and perseverence are all important.

  So you want to be a millionaire? Then say, “Yes!” to One Million ONE Dollars!! It really is that simple.

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of my best selling - 'Mastering The Art Of Making Money' - by clicking on the image below.

SO YOU WANT TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  The clothes in my wardrobe (often on the floor) fall into three categories :

  My very few ‘Good Clothes’ are mostly new and saved for wear only on special occasions – dining with the Queen and such like. In time they are demoted to –

  My ‘Every Day Clothes’, which may lack the sheen of new but are smart, respectable and comfortable. Only after some considerable time (years mostly) are they relegated to –

  My ‘Scruffy Clothes’. These I wear for lounging around the house, messing in the yard, hiking and climbing in the mountains, doing exercises and physical training sessions. (I am it seems something of an oddity nowadays in that I hike, jog or cycle to feel good for me rather than to show off expensive designer apparel for others)!

  Only when a scruffy piece of clothing becomes reduced to a series of inter-connected holes do I discard it. At this point I demote a garment from my every day clothes to replace the scruffy item deceased and I remove an item from my good clothes to replace that one. This leaves a vacancy in my good clothes department which I may replace (note the word ‘may’) with a new purchase … but only on offer of course!

  This clothes management system which I employ is testament to my Scottish and Presbyterian upbringing. Each imbued great thriftiness … but my family were not very well off anyway. Clothes were replaced only on the inter-connected holes basis described and I went through many childhood winters with newspaper stuffed into shoes with completely worn-through soles.

  But the benefit of all that is that I learned to spend, and throughout adulthood have spent, only a fraction of the money on clothes which many people do. Yet I am perfectly able to be well dressed and maintain a smart appearance. I even shower, shave and comb my hair when I don’t have to!

  My system is also eco-friendly (no waste), charitable (not supporting far east sweat shops) and it’s sensible. For anyone unfamiliar with the word ‘sensible’, it’s what existed prior to ‘woke’. The demise of the first coinciding with, nay being created by, the rise of the second … but I diverge …

  The money I save by not being a clothes mad shopaholic, I invest in business opportunities and ways of making money rather than ‘blowing’ it. So with my thrift I become better off and, some would say, thus better able to afford to buy more ‘stuff’, more clothes even! But no, I’m very attached to my proven and effective clothes management system.

  After all, as was told me in my youth by a highly successful entrepreneur – “Regardless of wealth … you can only wear one shirt at a time!” Think about it.

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of my best selling – 'Winning Big In Life And Business' - by clicking on the image below.

ONE SHIRT AT A TIME  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  Prosper & Co., advisers to savvy individuals, the self-employed and small business owners, work out of a pleasant office in a busy shopping precinct. The premise comes free as part of a mutually beneficial arrangement with the mall company. Prosper & Co's significant base of regular clients pay reasonable fees, on a monthly in-advance basis, for a bespoke service particular to their needs.

  Clients benefit from guidance centred on how modern society promotes in many people the tendency to act in haste and to act based on emotion. This is most clearly evident in buying and selling situations. What I call the 'must-have-it-now' and the 'act-only-in-crisis' syndromes. These two traits go a long way to explaining why the majority of ordinary people never get to be wealthy. They are squanderers. They squander time, relationships and opportunities just as recklessly as they waste money.

  Prosper & Co's clients are, on the other hand, encouraged to be smart and opportunistic. They cannot become so by accident. They must employ wit and wiles beyond the scope of most others. This means that buying is only done with cash in hand, never in a rush and only in 'fire sale' situations from 'act-only-in-crisis' sellers.

  When Prosper & Co. clients sell, they sell to the 'must-have-it-now' mob, never in a hurry and always at top dollar. Most importantly they don't shell out their own cash. They use the sale of the goods or services to finance the purchase. The profits they accrue affords them quality time to spend on joyful living, fostering relationships and waiting for further opportunities. They learn that sooner or later the right opportunity will present itself. It always does.

  These entrepreneurial types are both patient and smart. They cleverly choose to deal only in items both necessary and of quality. That way they know that there will always be a ready market. They also elect to involve themselves in a trade, profession or sector which gives them pleasure. A niche for which they have a real passion. This keeps them sharp in addition to providing a dependable source of income.

  The key elements which Prosper & Co. urge their clients to employ and for you to take from their example are -

            Realise that labour, manual or mental, will never make you wealthy

            Trading, buying and selling goods or services, is the smart way to prosper

            Trade in something which excites you, which brings daily joy into your life

  and

  Never sell out of desperation nor buy on emotion. Rather - Buy from the desperate and Sell to the emotional. Use them to finance your operation. When you do then, just like Prosper & Co. and their clients, you are ready to become part of 'The Secret World Of Self-Employment'. A world in which everything is possible and failure is not an option.

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of my best selling - 'The Secret World Of Self-Employment' - by clicking on the image below.

PROSPER & CO. is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  Squander & Co., advisers to the financially inept, conduct their business from a shabby, downtown basement. Their depressingly squalid premise belies the fact that they have tens of millions of worldwide followers. These reckless zealots religiously adhere to Squander's corporate mantra of - “Spend, Spend, Spend!”. This they accomplish with money they don't have and survive only on ever increasing credit. All the while Squander & Co. descend further into their own financial and moral black hole. As fine a place as any for the blind to lead the blind!

  The fact is that a heck of a lot of you out there are Squander & Company 'clients'. You squander money relentlessly. You often don't realise it of course (often you do)! but you are very easily parted from your cash. You are daily seduced with indecent ease by internet advertising, high street stores, smartphone offers, travel agents, credit companies, peer pressure and literally anyone who makes even a cursory effort to get at your money. You virtually beg to be relieved of it, competing one with the other in order to find the latest and fastest way of having it taken off you!

  Here is something to try. Try to go through one whole day without spending a single cent. When you succeed, and it won't prove easy, try two consecutive days, then three and so on. You'll be surprised at how much spending you can eliminate when you really put your mind to it.

  Try instead to concentrate any 'spending' only in areas that give you a higher return (more money back) than what you've spent. You'll then not really be spending anything at all. You'll be making money! Apply your thinking to your personal money management. On ways of only spending on bare necessities and on things which will earn you more money in return. When you do change your attitude you run the risk of becoming successful and wealthy. Squander & Co. will not love you for it!

  So what of them? A board meeting was called in order to discuss their own dire situation. Half of the board members were 'too busy' elsewhere to bother attending. Those who did show were flippantly informed by the company accountant that he hadn't bothered to keep any records. Income and outgoings were as much a mystery to him as were sales records to the sales director and client records to the customer relations manager. He did however confirm there being cash available to finance lunch. So all adjourned to the local pub to discuss their next move.

  This was soon determined as giving fabricated information to a dodgy lender for a sizeable loan to tide them over until the next crisis. When this money arrived Squander & Co. moved into flashy west end accommodation they couldn't afford, purchased a company limousine they didn't need, went on foreign jollies to impress the gullible and generally 'spent-spent-spent' for no good reason at all. Soon they were back in their squalid downtown basement.

  Does any of this sound familiar? Do you need to master the art of making money rather than squandering it?

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of my best selling - 'Mastering The Art Of Making Money' - by clicking on the image below.

SQUANDER & CO. is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

The articles published on these pages and others to be found through my  Author Web Page are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

    I was drinking coffee with my friend Cavaco at his O Lobo café on Rua da Verdade (the Wolf on Truth Street)! It being both my duty and pleasure to support local business rather than visit a shopping mall or big brand franchise of those huge corporations which dominate both physical and online space. They getting ever richer while small traders and entrepreneurs are squeezed out of business. Besides, my neighbourhood café experience is friendly and fun. No amount of mega company ballyhoo can match the real flavours, value, camaraderie and social interaction of my 'local'. It's no contest.

  That's why, as I looked down the largely deserted street from where we sat, I decided to buy the closed up flower shop next door. If I could add colour to the small corner of bustle which was the café then perhaps I could start to reverse the neglect of the community reflected in other empty shops and boarded up windows.

  I recruited Lulu, 'the flower girl', to run things. She knew her stuff, so word of the flower shop soon got around. People started making detours from the larger centres. They told their friends, who told their friends and, before I knew it, a travel agent visiting from Lisbon spotted the derelict building next door and bought the lease. The premise was larger than he needed but, no sweat. He opened a newsagent and tabacaria in the spare unit. Next to arrive was a grocer, then a hardware store, a hairdresser and a bakery. The town came alive! All done with personal initiative, industry and enterprise. And not a squeak from officialdom … until …

  Word of the regeneration of the area reached the local council. A valuation surveyor was dispatched to re-evaluate the properties and businesses. An environmental impact study was ordered. Soon the businesses were flooded with inspectors, pointless regulations, meaningless paperwork, compliance notices and … demands for duties and payments. Threats of legal action in the event of non-payment were attached.

  Then national government weighed in demanding their slice of the action. This came by way of even more stringent regulations, licensing requirements and taxation – lots of it. All delivered in the name of working in the best interests of a community which, delighted with the thriving hubbub returned to their town, neither sought nor desired their interference.

  Meanwhile, both local and central government, wheeled and dealed with the mega corporations, offering ludicrous incentives to devour green space and build ever more shopping centres. Their officials became the real life 'wolves of truth street', appearing to live in houses, drive cars and enjoy foreign travel far in excess of what even their self-awarded excessive salaries could possibly afford. The beleaguered small business owners financing these lifestyles inevitably concluded that the battle with the twin evils of bureaucracy and corruption was a losing one.

  Lulu, the flower girl, was the first to quit. The travel agent and tobacconist soon followed suit. The grocer, hairdresser and bakery were next to go. The hardware store hung on for several months but the profit on a bag of screws or the occasional sale of a spirit level, eventually levelled the spirit of the proprietor and he too said 'screw this'. Only O Lobo survived.

  Once again Cavaco and I thoughtfully regarded the deserted street from the viewpoint of his café terrace. That's when we decided to buy all the derelict properties. We drew up and submitted plans for a covered shopping precinct which retained all the original buildings and character. It consisted of a huge transparent dome over the entire street.

  Suddenly we were receiving ludicrous incentives, grants and public money to fund the venture. Turning the tables on bureaucracy in this way gave us quite a kick. More so because we leased space at low rates and only to local businesses and small private enterprise concerns. All the former traders returned plus a throng of new ones. The explosion of colour which greeted visitors on arrival was once more a prominent feature of the street. Yes, Lulu the flower girl was back!

LULU THE FLOWER GIRL is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this presentation and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

     How To Create A Life Of PURE JOY!

 I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal. 

Claim your special copy of 'The Road To Joyful Living' by clicking on the image below.

is the 8th and last in my 2021 series of   Winter Warmers. The musings are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and   inspiration.

  Margaret was the senior Middle-East correspondent for one of America's leading quality newspapers. A highly intelligent yet quietly spoken New Yorker, she was hounded from her employment during the McCarthy era. That time when accusations of communist subversion in high places was rife. Not that she was a communist nor a sympathiser. She simply refused to denounce colleagues as being so.

  Angry and disillusioned, she relocated to London. There she continued her career as a freelance journalist; her knowledge and international reputation ensuring her of regular commissions from journals worldwide. In London she met Beryl who would become her companion and soulmate. Together they moved to south-west France. It was there that I met them.

  In comparison to Margaret, Beryl was an unsophisticated character, a rough diamond with an abrasive edge. She called a spade a spade and had little time for social finery. After-dinner pleasantries were not for Beryl. It was with Margaret that I shared fascinating chat – not to mention quite a few bottles of good Bordeaux! - into the wee hours on many happy occasions. Time spent with Beryl was more likely to be when repairing machinery or renovating old properties, anything that involved dirty hands and vulgar language!

  Yet, in spite of the huge difference in their personalities, their intellect and their likes and dislikes in life, Margaret and Beryl formed a perfect partnership. They were totally devoted to each other. Theirs was an unlikely alliance – but it worked!

  This is the key point to note. It is neither necessary nor desirable to seek out relationships in life or business only with 'perfect' partners. A route to 'success' equally likely to produce positive results is to work with people of various backgrounds, skills, attitudes and ideas. Such arrangements bring more to the collective table.

  I developed a lot of business this way. In early instances often unintentionally. But once I found myself working with, and benefiting from, people and situations of improbable diversity, I realised the advantages of such setups. I came to see that an unlikely alliance is frequently the most profitable. They are also most fun. So I actively sought out the rare and exotic, the eccentric and quirky to work with. So too should you. You'll be the more entertained, the more relaxed and the more richly rewarded through it.

  Margaret's former employer degenerated over time into a partisan rag of third rate journalism. An environment with no place for journalistic integrity such as Margaret's. Today it is conservatives who are hounded from their employment amid baseless accusations of extremism. Apart from the 'colour of the flag', not much has changed in that respect. It is sad. The loss to any organisation through an insistence that everyone think and act the same is the loss of quality. Without quality, individualism and original thought they stagnate.

  Don't let this be you or your business. Be like Margaret, Beryl, me. Welcome in the contrary, diverse, unusual and outrageous. Dare to be different. Form an unlikely alliance. Do it today!

AN UNLIKELY ALLIANCE  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Winter Warmer and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

Readers of my books know that I am a fervent fan of self-employment. My enthusiasm for the sector is hardly surprising. I have been my own boss for almost my entire working life. Only for a short spell in my early days of earning a living was I in paid employments. Those experiences soon convinced both the employers involved and myself that my temperament was not best suited to the role of employee!

    I am also a firm believer in an individual's right to the freedoms of thought, speech and action. As an employee, you are not always permitted to exercise these rights. What you must do in the work environment, your actions, will mostly be defined by your employer. You need to watch what you say and to whom. And even thoughts and beliefs can get you into hot water nowadays. A sad state of affairs not at all acceptable to any free spirit.

   The alternative therefore is to work for yourself – think freely, speak candidly and act in your own best interests. That is what 'The Secret World Of Self-Employment' is all about. But the book is not just another guide to the principles and practices of self-employment. It is quite different. Exceptional in fact. Why?

   There are two reasons - 

   * Successful enterprises are born in the imagination. It is there that ideas are conceived, then nurtured. They are brought into reality by action. Then everyone can see the business in operation and know what's going on. But they don't necessarily see all that's going on. Because much of what originates in the mind of an entrepreneur, stays in the mind of an entrepreneur. Their inner self houses their personal armoury of knowledge, ideas, strategies, tactics and tricks which they never share. It is in the minds of entrepreneurs that the secret world of self-employment exists. 

   * As an entrepreneur, I do not deal in theory. I am the original 'been there, seen it, done it' guy! I've been involved in a host of trade sectors, an encyclopedia of different enterprises and just about every self-employed situation imagineable - plus a good few more besides. I haven't just experienced the 'tricks of the trade', I originated many of them. It is these experiences which make up my secret world of self-employment.

     Now, for the first time, I reveal my dynamic ways of working. I show how to :

     * Finance your business for free!

     * Draw customers to you effortlessly!

     * Never pay for goods or services - ever!

     * Always profit on every single transaction - no exceptions!

     I show you how to prosper as your own boss and drive your enterprise into a different dimension altogether. Into a secret world of phenomenal achievement.

“Stand by to be blown away by Tom's astonishing revelations. Everyone will want to be self-employed after reading this!” - Martin Nuttal, MD, Caspro Enterprises, England.

THE SECRET WORLD OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this promotional article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

is the 7th of eight in my 2021 series of   Winter Warmers. The musings are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

  There is a trick to making money. You need one dollar/pound/euro to start with. Here is what you must do :

  Put one dollar under a hat. Tap the hat three times with your magic wand and say the magic words – “I am wealthy”. Lift the hat and voila! … you will find that there are now two dollars.

  Leave one dollar under the hat and put the other under a second hat. Repeat the magic process with that hat – tap it three times with your magic wand and say the magic words, ”I am wealthy.” Lift the hat and find that you now have two dollars there.

  Leave one dollar under that hat and put the other dollar under a third hat. Repeat the process as before and then again and again until you have nine hats each with one dollar underneath them plus you have your original dollar to hand. You have now turned your one dollar into ten. Fantastic!

  Now, split your nine dollars of gain into three pools of three dollars each.

  * Pool One is spending money – enjoy your profit and live a little!

  * Pool Two is to be saved - hold on to your new wealth. This is very important. The power of money lies in having it.

  * Pool Three is to create further growth ... so …..

  Place those three dollars under a hat. Tap the hat three times with your magic wand, say the magic words, “I am wealthy,” and voila! … you will find that there are now six dollars under the hat! Now continue the process as before, placing three dollars of gain under successive hats until you have nine hats each with three dollars under them. That's twenty-seven dollars of gain. Plus your starting three dollars. That's thirty dollars – plus the three dollars spend and three dollars saved from the first round and of course your original one dollar. You now have thirty-seven dollars in total.

  Add nine of these dollars to each of your spend and save pools. Add the starting three dollars to your original one dollar to create -

  * Pool Four – a fund for helping out less fortunate folks.

  Next? You've guessed it – take the remaining nine dollars and repeat the nine hat sequence. With that sequence complete you'll have one hundred and twenty-eight dollars in total. Split it into the pools as before. Then keep on repeating the nine hat routine for as long as you feel inclined to or until you're sick of the sight of money (or hats) – whatever. This is the trick to making money.

  Part of the 'magic' is that growth of the reinvested money accelerates exponentially through the power of compounding. But, before you can benefit from compounding, you must first have cash to compound. For most folks that money must first be earned. And to work profitably requires knowedge of your business, being excellent at what you do. That in turn takes learning, training and practice.

  Therefore to perform the trick of making money, the sequence to follow is :

  * First : Gain the knowledge to succeed – that's your magic hat.

  * Second : Work with excellence on your endeavour – that is your magic wand.

  * Lastly : Repeat the magic words, “I am wealthy.” – that is programming your subconscious to make success inevitable.

  All of which leaves just one question. How to make the original one dollar into two dollars? It can be done in many ways and surprisingly easily. But, like any magician, I'm reluctant to give away my secret - not just yet anyway. Here though is a clue - “I just had my best year in business ever!" - Micky Gramlin, CEO, CodeBlue For Business, Newmarket, Indiana.

  And you'll find the answer to the trick to making money which Micky profited from HERE . Try it for size. If the hat fits, wear it!

THE TRICK TO MAKING MONEY   is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Winter Warmer and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

is the 6th of eight in my 2021 series of   Winter Warmers. The musings are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

   Whatever the circumstance in which you find yourself in life, there always are reasons to be cheerful. Some of my 'constant companions' in that department are surprising – even to me!

   Love – Do you ever look in the mirror and think, “Who on earth could possibly love that geezer?” Well I do look and ask ... and then marvel at the fact that I am loved. Not just by my awesome wife but by the other less likely assortment of friends, acquaintances and those who, quite frankly, have no reason to love me at all. Fortunately, love is blind. Isn't that wonderful?!

  Humble Pie – Speaking of love, I 'love' apple pie. I also eat far too many empadas de galinha (traditional Portuguese chicken pies) and I bake pastries on a regular basis. Yet, in spite of my attachment to pies of all kinds, I never seek out humble pie. Nonetheless, servings of it do come my way from time to time. And I'm grateful for that. Occasional reminders not to 'get above myself' do me no harm at all.

  Cars – I'm also rather attached to my cars. I'm no 'petrol head' but I have owned over thirty autos in my time. From rustbucket to limo and fourtrack to sports coupé, my favourite has always been whichever model I possess at the moment. There's a sensual comfort in getting into my own car with my own bits and pieces around me. It is my personal space and I tend to 'wear' it more like a favourite jacket than just drive it. Wind in hair or just cruising, my car provides limitless access to town and country. That freedom is in itself such a boon in life.

  Walking – On the subject of mobility, nothing beats walking. Not only does it get me to where I'm going but it exercises my body too. Yet it is so easy to take walking, simple moving around, for granted. It is after all what most folks do all the time without giving a second thought to it. But I do think about it. I think of it a lot. The gift of walk is a reason to be cheerful more so than any other.

  Sports – While walking provides exercise, it is not a sport as such. But the mobility it provides is the basis of most sport. I adore contact sports, the rough and tumble of rugby and football thrill me. Then there is the sheer exuberance of running, swimming and cycling. Competitive golf requires discipline and concentration, climbing in the mountains takes preparation and endurance. The latter carried out in gorgeous locations. Participant or spectator - what is there in involvement in sport not to be cheerful about?

  Books – I was brought up with books of every kind all around me. I read them all, regardless of genre or subject matter. The broad-based education and understanding of the world which I unwittingly absorbed taught me, more than anything, to keep on reading! So I do.

  Booze – I enjoy a pint of good beer. Preferably drunk in a pub of the quaint country inn variety. I like to sample the different brews (not all at once)! their flavours, colours, body and other characteristics. My even greater passion is for wine. So much so that it influenced my decision to relocate to the Bordeaux region of France. There I learned the relaxed culture of eating in routiers, cafés and bistros while savouring some of the world's finest wines. As regards the best beers in the world, I am most cheerful when sipping Belgian Trappist beer. Several centuries ago, the monks in one of the monasteries where it is brewed, knew well that they had their own reasons to be cheerful. They carved in Latin in the stone lintel of a doorway the memorable line - “Drink your beer while you're here, in heaven there isn't any!” I'll drink to that – Cheers!

  What are your reasons to be cheerful?

REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL  is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Winter Warmer and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.

is the 5th of my 2021 series of   Winter Warmers. The musings are a blend of my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.

   Are you self-employed, an entrepreneur, an internet marketer or running your own business of any kind? Or are you simply an 'ordinary Joe' intent on leading a happy life? Whatever the case, I have a couple of questions for you. Here goes -

  * Do you think that you will perform better or worse at what you do by being self-critical?

  * Do you think you will perform better or worse by knowing what other like-minded individuals are doing and how they operate?

  * Do you think you will perform better or worse by engaging with others who have different views and aspirations from your own?

  Okay, that's three questions … but … as you no doubt realise, all three are closely connected. Each relates to questioning how you and others are going about your business. The questions highlight the importance of acquiring regular market intelligence, questioning what is going on and why, and developing strategies based on both your own and others' ideas, opinions and practices. In short you need to constantly self-evaluate and you must communicate with the marketplace, or society at large, in order to prosper. There is no other way to properly maintain the vigour and health of your life or commercial operation.

  Some sectors of society do not set a good example in this respect. There are those who show no interest in engaging with anyone expressing different views. They stick to entrenched positions with no evidence base other than the belief that 'they are right'. There is no listening to (let alone understanding of) counter views, no willingness to consider or engage with empirical evidence that challenges their position.

  There is an arrogance - the arrogance of ignorance - to this inherent belief that one is so obviously right that no opposition is tolerated. Don't let this be you. Keep an open mind, form your opinions and plan your strategies accordingly. Base your future on well researched and broad based knowledge. Then by all means zero in on a specific approach.

  Beware too - the arrogance of intellect. In this state you may be well informed, but you seek out and consider only evidence that supports your point of view and are dismissive of any counter-indications. Be self-confident but never have such belief in the rightness of your views as to leave no room for doubt. Proceed on the basis of self-awareness and justification, rather than assertion. Consider all relevant angles.

  This, for good example, is what lawyers do, also academics and politicians worth their salt. They understand that they have a common interest in knowing all sides of an issue. Even when advocating the case for one side, derived from a particular philosophy or brief, they need to be aware of the counter-arguments.

  So be it for you. Cultivate understanding of the views and abilities of others and be aware of the limitations of your own position. You can then reflect in order to overcome any weaknesses or adapt your position. Remember that success in business or life generally is dependent on having - A definitive long term goal but with short term analytics and flexibility. This approach empowers you, makes you a more formidable adversary. It is a sign of strength.

A SIGN OF STRENGTH   is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this Winter Warmer and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.