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<channel><title><![CDATA[Allan Marston - Home]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home]]></link><description><![CDATA[Home]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 28 Sep 2025 17:16:26 -0700</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[AI – Just Use It: How No-Code Tools Helped Me Build Apps Without Writing a Line of Code]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/ai-just-use-it-how-no-code-tools-helped-me-build-apps-without-writing-a-line-of-code]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/ai-just-use-it-how-no-code-tools-helped-me-build-apps-without-writing-a-line-of-code#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:09:55 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/ai-just-use-it-how-no-code-tools-helped-me-build-apps-without-writing-a-line-of-code</guid><description><![CDATA[       Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now. It&rsquo;s on the news, in boardrooms, and in everyday conversations. But despite all the noise, most people still hesitate to actually use it.That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;ve been encouraging people through my newsletter and social posts with a simple slogan: AI &ndash; Just Use It.You don&rsquo;t have to be a developer. You don&rsquo;t have to be a tech genius. You just need to be willing to experiment. And the best part? Today&rsquo;s no-code [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;margin-right:0px;text-align:center"> <a href='https://zenoshiaio.com/' target='_blank'> <img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/just-use-it-final_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">Artificial Intelligence is everywhere right now. It&rsquo;s on the news, in boardrooms, and in everyday conversations. But despite all the noise, most people still hesitate to <em>actually use it</em>.<br /><span></span>That&rsquo;s why I&rsquo;ve been encouraging people through my newsletter and social posts with a simple slogan: <strong>AI &ndash; Just Use It.</strong><br /><span></span>You don&rsquo;t have to be a developer. You don&rsquo;t have to be a tech genius. You just need to be willing to experiment. And the best part? Today&rsquo;s no-code platforms make it easier than ever to turn an idea into a working app in hours&mdash;not months.<br /><span></span>In this blog, I want to show you why I&rsquo;ve been building small apps with no-code, what I&rsquo;ve learned, and how <em>you</em> can do the same. By the end, you&rsquo;ll walk away with simple app ideas you can build this week&mdash;even if you&rsquo;ve never coded a day in your life.<br /><span></span><br />Why I Believe in &ldquo;AI &ndash; Just Use It&rdquo;The gap between people who talk about AI and those who actually use it is massive. I meet people all the time who are curious about AI but think it&rsquo;s &ldquo;too technical&rdquo; or &ldquo;not for them.&rdquo;<br /><span></span>That&rsquo;s just not true.<br /><span></span>The reality is, if you can use a computer and follow basic instructions, you can use AI. And if you can drag, drop, and type into text boxes, you can build apps with no-code tools.<br /><span></span>For me, the best way to learn has always been by doing. So instead of just talking about AI, I started applying my own advice. I decided to build small web apps&mdash;mostly for practice, fun, and learning.<br /><span></span>The results have been surprising. Not only did I sharpen my skills, I also discovered just how much you can do today without ever writing a single line of code.<br /><span></span><br />My App Experiments (So Far)Here are a few examples of the apps I&rsquo;ve built using different no-code platforms. Each one taught me something new and reinforced my belief that the best way to learn AI is by <em>using</em> it.<br /><span></span><ul><li>&#127918; <strong><a target="_new" href="https://app--hangman-3-d-deluxe-96c19436.base44.app/">Hangman</a></strong> (Built in Base44): A modern take on the classic word game, built quickly to explore Base44&rsquo;s features.<br /><span></span></li><li>&#129315; <strong><a target="_new" href="https://pun.quest/">PunQuest</a></strong> (Built in Replit): A word game full of puns, designed to be fun and lighthearted while testing how AI could assist with content generation.<br /><span></span></li><li>&#128226; <strong><a target="_new" href="https://streampostai.com/">StreamPostAI</a></strong> (Built in Replit): A practical tool that helps streamline social media posting for creators.<br /><span></span></li><li>&#9997;&#65039; <strong><a target="_new" href="https://story-genesis-allanmarston1.replit.app/">Story Creator</a></strong> (Built in Replit): A simple story-generation app that lets anyone spark ideas or draft quick fiction.<br /><span></span></li><li>&#9889; <strong><a target="_new" href="https://rapidshooter.floot.app/">RapidShooter</a></strong> (Built in Floot): A fast-paced clicker-style game, made mostly to see what could be done with a different no-code builder.<br /><span></span></li><li>&#127919; <strong>Rapid Shooter (Emergent)</strong>: Another game variation built in Emergent.sh, showing how easy it is to prototype across platforms.<br /><span></span></li></ul>None of these are billion-dollar startups. They don&rsquo;t need to be. Each app gave me hands-on practice, taught me new workflows, and reinforced the idea that the only barrier to entry today is <em>hesitation</em>.<br /><span></span><br />What I Learned from Building Small AppsEvery app, no matter how small, gave me lessons that apply far beyond no-code building.<br /><span></span><ol><li><strong>Perfection is the enemy of progress</strong><br />If I had waited until I had a &ldquo;perfect&rdquo; idea, none of these apps would exist. Launching small taught me speed matters more than polish.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Every tool has strengths and weaknesses</strong><br />Replit is great for flexibility, Base44 makes building super-fast, Floot and Emergent each have unique perks. You don&rsquo;t need to marry one platform&mdash;experiment with many.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Users value creativity more than complexity</strong><br />People smiled at PunQuest not because it was complex, but because it was <em>fun</em>. Simplicity resonates.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Confidence grows by doing</strong><br />Every small project built my confidence. Now when I talk about AI and no-code, I&rsquo;m not just repeating theory&mdash;I&rsquo;m speaking from practice.<br /><span></span></li></ol><br />Why No-Code + AI is a Game-ChangerTraditionally, building apps required years of coding knowledge. No-code tools flip that equation. You can now:<br /><span></span><ul><li>Drag and drop elements onto a page.<br /><span></span></li><li>Connect databases with a few clicks.<br /><span></span></li><li>Integrate AI features (like text generation or image creation) by pasting in an API key.<br /><span></span></li></ul>The combination of <strong>no-code + AI</strong> lets you build apps that aren&rsquo;t just static, but smart. Instead of waiting for a developer to &ldquo;someday&rdquo; help you launch your idea, you can test it yourself this weekend.<br /><span></span><br />Simple App Ideas You Can Build This WeekIf you&rsquo;ve been hesitating to start, here are a few beginner-friendly ideas you can build using no-code platforms like Replit, Bubble, Glide, or Base44:<br /><span></span><ol><li><strong>Habit Tracker with AI Motivation</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>Users log daily habits.<br /><span></span></li><li>AI generates short motivational messages based on their progress.<br /><span></span></li><li>Use it for fitness, journaling, or productivity.<br /><span></span></li></ul></li><li><strong>Daily Gratitude Journal</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>A simple web app where users enter three things they&rsquo;re grateful for each day.<br /><span></span></li><li>AI suggests prompts if they feel stuck (e.g., &ldquo;What&rsquo;s one small win you had today?&rdquo;).<br /><span></span></li></ul></li><li><strong>AI-Powered Quiz Generator</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>Users enter a topic (e.g., &ldquo;history of Canada&rdquo; or &ldquo;basic coding&rdquo;).<br /><span></span></li><li>AI generates a 5-question quiz instantly.<br /><span></span></li><li>Great for teachers, students, or trivia fans.<br /><span></span></li></ul></li><li><strong>Simple Recipe Finder</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>Users type the ingredients they have in their kitchen.<br /><span></span></li><li>AI suggests quick recipes using those ingredients.<br /><span></span></li></ul></li><li><strong>Mood-to-Music Recommender</strong><br /><span></span><ul><li>Users select their current mood.<br /><span></span></li><li>AI recommends playlists, songs, or even generates a poem/lyric to match.<br /><span></span></li></ul></li></ol>These aren&rsquo;t complex apps&mdash;but that&rsquo;s the point. They&rsquo;re fun, useful, and achievable in a weekend with zero coding experience.<br /><span></span><br />How to Get StartedHere&rsquo;s a step-by-step approach if you&rsquo;re new to no-code and AI:<br /><span></span><ol><li><strong>Pick a no-code platform</strong><br />Start with one that feels easy to you. Replit and Base44 are great for beginners. Glide and Bubble are also popular.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Choose a tiny idea</strong><br />Don&rsquo;t try to build &ldquo;the next Facebook.&rdquo; Pick something small, like a daily habit tracker.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Add AI where it fits</strong><br />Use AI for text generation, recommendations, or fun interactions. Most platforms let you connect to ChatGPT or similar models easily.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Publish and share</strong><br />Once your app is live, share it with a few friends or on social media. Feedback helps you learn.<br /><span></span></li><li><strong>Repeat and scale</strong><br />Each project gets easier. Soon you&rsquo;ll be confident enough to tackle bigger ideas&mdash;or even build a business around them.<br /><span></span></li></ol><br />Final Thought: Don&rsquo;t Just Learn AI&mdash;<em>Use It</em>The truth is, most people will never go beyond reading about AI. They&rsquo;ll stay on the sidelines, waiting until things &ldquo;settle down&rdquo; or until they feel &ldquo;ready.&rdquo;<br /><span></span>But here&rsquo;s the thing: <strong>you&rsquo;ll never feel ready until you start.</strong><br /><span></span>My advice, and the message I keep repeating in my newsletter, is simple: <strong>AI &ndash; Just Use It.</strong><br /><span></span>Start with a small, silly app. Build something just for fun. Get your hands dirty. You&rsquo;ll be amazed at what you learn and how quickly your confidence grows.<br /><span></span>Because the people who <em>use</em> AI today are the ones who will be miles ahead tomorrow.<br /><span></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Urgency Code: Why AI Education Alone Isn’t Enough]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-urgency-code-why-ai-education-alone-isnt-enough]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-urgency-code-why-ai-education-alone-isnt-enough#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2025 20:49:42 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-urgency-code-why-ai-education-alone-isnt-enough</guid><description><![CDATA[       When I founded ZenoshiAI, I had one goal: make AI education accessible to everyone. That&rsquo;s why our academy is completely free, with over 60 bite-sized videos (each between 1 and 5 minutes) that anyone can watch to learn how AI can enhance their lives and businesses.But when I published my book, The Urgency Code &ndash; Why We Must Act Now Before It&rsquo;s Too Late, something surprising happened.Many people assumed it was about teaching yourself AI skills, suggesting tools to try, o [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/published/chatgpt-image-may-4-2025-02-49-43-pm-pdf.png?1751835509" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>  <div class="paragraph">When I founded <strong>ZenoshiAI</strong>, I had one goal: make AI education accessible to everyone. That&rsquo;s why our academy is completely free, with over 60 bite-sized videos (each between 1 and 5 minutes) that anyone can watch to learn how AI can enhance their lives and businesses.<br /><br />But when I published my book, <strong>The Urgency Code &ndash; Why We Must Act Now Before It&rsquo;s Too Late</strong>, something surprising happened.<br /><br />Many people assumed it was about teaching yourself AI skills, suggesting tools to try, or giving a roadmap for skilling up quickly before the AI wave swallows us whole.<br />It&rsquo;s not.<br /><br /><font size="4" color="#5040ae">This Book Isn&rsquo;t About Learning AI. It&rsquo;s About Surviving It.</font><br />While AI education is critical, The Urgency Code tackles a much larger issue&mdash;one that no individual alone can solve. It&rsquo;s about what&rsquo;s going to happen if <strong>governments and corporations don&rsquo;t act immediately</strong> to protect humanity from the massive job losses AI is already setting into motion.<br /><br />We&rsquo;re not just talking about a few jobs here and there. We&rsquo;re talking about a <strong>fundamental shift</strong> in the global workforce.<br /><br />And education, while vital, won&rsquo;t be enough.<br /><br />I don&rsquo;t stop at outlining the problems. The book offers real ideas and solutions, things that can be implemented now to soften the blow and create a future where technology benefits everyone, not just the few.<br /><br /><font size="4" color="#5040ae">Yes, It Gets Dark (But It Doesn&rsquo;t Have to Be)</font><br />Some readers have called the second third of the book dystopian. And yes, it is. Because if we don&rsquo;t act now, that dystopia is exactly where we&rsquo;re headed.<br /><br />But I didn&rsquo;t write The Urgency Code to scare you. I wrote it to wake us all up, to start a movement around these ideas before it&rsquo;s too late.<br /><br />We, all of us, need to have this conversation. We need to demand change.<br /><br /><font size="4" color="#5040ae">Available Now</font><br /><strong>The Urgency Code is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Urgency-Code-Must-Before-Late/dp/B0F7HKS344/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1PI5RJN24LU7H&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4VCV6U2NZnvD1OH4-82uW40AQOa122tjic8JTuEMsHw.MRxetuzGJfcGFw0zmw677CGdsKoYxxaTvyPylRSr_2E&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+urgency+code&amp;qid=1751834944&amp;sprefix=%2Caps%2C296&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank">available on Amazon</a> in both Hardcover and Kindle formats. If you&rsquo;re a Prime member, you may even be able to read it for free.</strong><br /><strong><br />If you do read it, and I hope you will, please consider leaving an honest review. It helps more than you know.</strong><br /><strong><br />Together, we can build a future where AI works for humanity, not against it.<br /><br />There is more information <font color="#5040ae"><font size="4"><a href="https://theurgencycode.com/why-we-must-act-now" target="_blank">The Urgency Code website</a></font>.</font></strong></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Give - Live - Enjoy!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/give-live-enjoy]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/give-live-enjoy#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 19 Jun 2022 16:36:16 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/give-live-enjoy</guid><description><![CDATA[There is a new way to support charities, non-profits and community organizations, and sports teams. And at the same time you can earn by helping them.I call that Earn A Living, Giving!​Check It Out!Play if you want. Good Karma may smile on you.AND, Share with everyone you know, for maximum impact. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;"><table class="wsite-multicol-table"><tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"><tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"><td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:62.142857142857%; padding:0 15px;"><div class="paragraph"><font size="5">There is a new way to support charities, non-profits and community organizations, and sports teams. And at the same time you can earn by helping them.<br>I call that Earn A Living, Giving!<br>&#8203;<br><a href="https://tinyurl.com/2z9xvtu9" target="_blank"><font color="#5040AE">Check It Out!</font></a><br><br>Play if you want. Good Karma may smile on you.<br><br>AND, Share with everyone you know, for maximum impact.</font><br><br></div></td><td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:37.857142857143%; padding:0 15px;"><div><div id="153493454788440495" align="center" style="width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;" class="wcustomhtml"><a href="https://m.doublejack.online/Redirect.aspx?mid=9&amp;sid=1001&amp;cid=&amp;pid=&amp;affid=1039" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://m.doublejack.online/renderimage.aspx?mid=9&amp;sid=1001&amp;cid=&amp;pid=&amp;affid=1039" border="0" style="display:none;"><img alt="" src="https://brand.doublejack.club/Banners/20210202163007928.jpg" border="0"></a></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Money Machine]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-money-machine]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-money-machine#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 19 Aug 2021 00:28:06 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-money-machine</guid><description><![CDATA[ I love anything that makes me money as I sleep or as I go to work.&nbsp; And so far this trading robot has done that for me.&nbsp; And here are some reasons I like it:&nbsp;https://app.bitsgap.com/bots-sharing/ef33b975My money stays in my Binance account and is connected through an API. In other words, I am in control and not giving my money to someone elseYou can back test any pair of currencies before you start trading to see if you even want to trade those pairsLots of YouTube videos where y [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/bot_orig.png" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;">I love anything that makes me money as I sleep or as I go to work.&nbsp; And so far this trading robot has done that for me.&nbsp; And here are some reasons I like it:&nbsp;https://app.bitsgap.com/bots-sharing/ef33b975<ol><li>My money stays in my Binance account and is connected through an API. In other words, I am in control and not giving my money to someone else</li><li>You can back test any pair of currencies before you start trading to see if you even want to trade those pairs</li><li>Lots of YouTube videos where you can learn how to set up the bot.</li><li>Once set, you can basically forget about it.&nbsp; Out of excitement I check it 2 to 3 times a day just to see how much I made</li><li>The first 14 days is free and then it is just $19 per month and you can run up to 2 bots.&nbsp; In my first 14 days I made $62 so I had no problem paying the $19 fee.&nbsp; In all I made $148 in that first 30 days.</li><li>You can click on <u><font size="4"><a href="https://app.bitsgap.com/bots-sharing/ef33b975" target="_blank">THIS LINK</a></font></u> and see how my current trades are going.&nbsp; Then if you want you can sign up for your 14 day trial.</li></ol> Wanna Give It a Try?&nbsp; <u><font color="#f5041d" size="4"><a href="https://app.bitsgap.com/bots-sharing/ef33b975" target="_blank">CLICK HERE NOW</a></font></u></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[BitCoin - Are You a Newbie?]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/bitcoin-are-you-a-newbie]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/bitcoin-are-you-a-newbie#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 29 Mar 2021 22:12:51 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/bitcoin-are-you-a-newbie</guid><description><![CDATA[As Bitcoin climbs towards a potential rendezvous with its predicted Hundred Thousand Dollar mark, I can&rsquo;t help but think of the millions, indeed billions of people who still don&rsquo;t have a clue what it is.&#8203;Most of these people are either being fed misinformation or they don&rsquo;t have enough information to realize the revolution they are missing out on. Let&rsquo;s start with the first one;MisinformationThrough the spreading of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt also known as FUD, by  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">As Bitcoin climbs towards a potential rendezvous with its predicted Hundred Thousand Dollar mark, I can&rsquo;t help but think of the millions, indeed billions of people who still don&rsquo;t have a clue what it is.<br />&#8203;</span><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Most of these people are either being fed misinformation or they don&rsquo;t have enough information to realize the revolution they are missing out on. Let&rsquo;s start with the first one;</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"><font size="4">Misinformation</font></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Through the spreading of Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt also known as FUD, by governments and financial institutions who have the most to lose, ordinary people everywhere are missing out on an opportunity to build generational wealth.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)"><font size="4">Lack of Information</font></span><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">This one is more of a mystery to me since technology is almost ubiquitous these days. If anyone wants to learn about Bitcoin and other Cryptocurrencies there are numerous websites, apps and courses that educate and inform.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">If you know little or nothing about Bitcoin, isn&rsquo;t it time you learned? This is the most affordable, simplest, easy-to-understand course on what it is and why it&rsquo;s rising the way it is.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">There is even a Free Introductory Session that helps you decide whether the course is for you or not.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://www.udemy.com/share/104jEO/" target="_blank"><font size="4">https://www.udemy.com/share/104jEO/</font></a><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">It&rsquo;s extremely basic and meant for newbies.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">Besides understanding the concept of Bitcoin, one needs to understand how to buy it, where to buy it, where to keep it after you buy it and how to turn it into cash if you need to or want to.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">One needs to understand the opportunities and the land mines.</span><br /><br /><span style="color:rgb(34, 34, 34)">One study found that only 1.3% or less than 100 Million of the world&rsquo;s population own any Bitcoin at all. That leaves more than 5.6 Billion adults on the sidelines.</span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Book Recomendation]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/book-reccomendation]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/book-reccomendation#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 17 Oct 2019 22:19:26 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/book-reccomendation</guid><description><![CDATA[ You have to read this awesome eBook. Only $3.99 on Amazon and you can read it on your phone. Then pick 1 of the 57 ways and start making money. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z34FJNN or &#8203;for Canada Click here: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z34FJNNPlus it's a quick read. If you have Amazon Prime it's free to read.Especially great for anyone looking to start a side hustle (make some money on the side). One of these 57 ways just might work for you.&nbsp;  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:left;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:left;max-width:100%;;clear:left;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/published/57-ways-to-make-money-now.jpg?1571350939" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:0; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"><font color="#1c1e21">You have to read this awesome eBook. Only $3.99 on Amazon and you can read it on your phone. Then pick 1 of the 57 ways and start making money. </font><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z34FJNN" target="_blank"><font color="#0805f8">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z34FJNN</font></a><font color="#1c1e21"> or <br />&#8203;for Canada Click here: </font><a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z34FJNN" target="_blank"><font color="#0805f4">http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07Z34FJNN</font></a><br /><br /><font color="#1c1e21">Plus it's a quick read. If you have Amazon Prime it's free to read.</font><br /><br /><font color="#1c1e21">Especially great for anyone looking to start a side hustle (make some money on the side). One of these 57 ways just might work for you.&nbsp;</font></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[New Interview on CJAY92]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/new-interview-on-cjay92]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/new-interview-on-cjay92#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 10 Oct 2019 22:37:13 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/new-interview-on-cjay92</guid><description><![CDATA[      [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wsite-youtube" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:10px;"><div class="wsite-youtube-wrapper wsite-youtube-size-auto wsite-youtube-align-center"> <div class="wsite-youtube-container">  <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ar_u_wJRu0g?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Old Blogs - Where Did This Wisdom Come From?]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/old-blogs-where-did-this-wisdom-come-from]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/old-blogs-where-did-this-wisdom-come-from#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 29 Jun 2019 22:47:45 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/old-blogs-where-did-this-wisdom-come-from</guid><description><![CDATA[ I was trying to set up a new blog and I stumbled on some old blogs I used to have that I had totally forgotten about. In fact reading them now, I am astonished at what I was writing about such a long time ago. Like this one from 2011. https://exittheratrace.blogspot.com/ I must have been going through some tremendous personal growth at the time.&nbsp;Or how about this one from 2009? https://thefreedomtrain.blogspot.com/&nbsp;Some of you might remember this one: https://themoneyseminar.blogspot. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:224px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:20px;*margin-top:40px'><a><img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/old-blogs-new-tricks_orig.png" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:0; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="display:block;"><font size="3">I was trying to set up a new blog and I stumbled on some old blogs I used to have that I had totally forgotten about. In fact reading them now, I am astonished at what I was writing about such a long time ago. Like this one from 2011. </font><a href="https://exittheratrace.blogspot.com/">https://exittheratrace.blogspot.com/</a><font size="3"> I must have been going through some tremendous personal growth at the time.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">Or how about this one from 2009? </font><a href="https://thefreedomtrain.blogspot.com/">https://thefreedomtrain.blogspot.com/</a><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">Some of you might remember this one: </font><a href="https://themoneyseminar.blogspot.com/">https://themoneyseminar.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><font size="3">Here's another one from 2012:&nbsp;</font><a href="https://littleideascanchangetheworld.blogspot.com/">https://littleideascanchangetheworld.blogspot.com/</a><font size="3">&nbsp;<br /><br />W.I.S.E.craks:&nbsp;</font><a href="https://wisecraks.blogspot.com/search/label/Waterfalls">https://wisecraks.blogspot.com/search/label/Waterfalls</a><br />&#8203;<br /><font size="3">This one is 13 years old: </font><a href="https://cashflowcreation.blogspot.com/">https://cashflowcreation.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><strong><font size="4">Old Blogs - New Tricks?&nbsp;</font></strong><br /><font size="3">So now I have to figure out if I can use these old blogs again in some way by integrating them with current businesses. <a href="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/theshoppingclubbiz.html">Can I use my old Blogs</a>?</font></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Interview on Empower Media TV]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-on-empower-media-tv]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-on-empower-media-tv#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 26 Mar 2019 23:59:33 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-on-empower-media-tv</guid><description><![CDATA[      [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wsite-youtube" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:10px;"><div class="wsite-youtube-wrapper wsite-youtube-size-auto wsite-youtube-align-center"> <div class="wsite-youtube-container">  <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gRT5vLguCk0?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Interview with FCM - Filipino Canadian Magazine - Talking About Zenoshi]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-with-fcm-filipino-canadian-magazine-talking-about-zenoshi]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-with-fcm-filipino-canadian-magazine-talking-about-zenoshi#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 16 Feb 2019 04:36:37 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-interview-with-fcm-filipino-canadian-magazine-talking-about-zenoshi</guid><description><![CDATA[ [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div id="891279051388743693" align="left" style="width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;" class="wcustomhtml"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffilcanmagazine%2Fvideos%2F299093897395748%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Goal Setting Formula]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-goal-setting-formula]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-goal-setting-formula#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jan 2019 05:00:07 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/my-goal-setting-formula</guid><description><![CDATA[      [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-image wsite-image-border-none " style="padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:10px;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;text-align:center"> <a> <img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/canva-my-goal-setting-formula_orig.png" alt="Picture" style="width:auto;max-width:100%" /> </a> <div style="display:block;font-size:90%"></div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Customer Attraction Technology Where EVERYONE WINS]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-customer-attraction-technology-where-everyone-wins]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-customer-attraction-technology-where-everyone-wins#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 11 Oct 2018 02:13:08 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/the-customer-attraction-technology-where-everyone-wins</guid><description><![CDATA[Anyone who knows me, knows I have been an entrepreneur all my life.&nbsp; Through failures and successes I have learned a lot and I am bringing all of that into my new venture.&nbsp;I founded Zenoshi Inc last winter with 2 goals in mind. One is to disrupt the Loyalty Rewards industry and the second is to launch a service to help small business owners get more customers. Most importantly, I wanted to help them become better at managing their advertising expenses and to eventually spend less on ad [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="3">Anyone who knows me, knows I have been an entrepreneur all my life.&nbsp; Through failures and successes I have learned a lot and I am bringing all of that into my new venture.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">I founded </font><strong><a href="http://zenoshi.io/" target="_blank"><font size="4">Zenoshi Inc</font></a></strong><font size="3"> last winter with 2 goals in mind. One is to disrupt the Loyalty Rewards industry and the second is to launch a service to help small business owners get more customers. Most importantly, I wanted to help them become better at managing their advertising expenses and to eventually spend less on advertising.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">Yes I know those are 2 big, hairy, audacious and crazy goals that I took on.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">But here I am now days away from launching the latter, the service to small businesses, called <strong><a href="https://zenoshioffers.com/" target="_blank">ZenoshiOffers.</a></strong>&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">If you are a consumer, you are going to love ZenoshiOffers as we bring you the best of what our small businesses have to offer. These offers help you to shop local and enjoy the best service.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">ZenoshiOffers has created a software platform that we use to bring leads and customers to small businesses and we are focusing on restaurants in the beginning. We do this via social media as well as offline advertising.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">At the same time we build a database made up of these leads and customers for each small business and they own that list.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">The biggest thing we offer is that <u><strong>WE</strong> do all the work</u> for them.&nbsp; We realize that many small businesses are extremely busy doing what they do. Many of them are understaffed. And small business owners are among the hardest working people I have ever met.&nbsp; I proud to say that I personally have belonged to that group and understand their needs well.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">That is why we decided that we would be the ones to drive all the marketing for them.&nbsp; Not only run the advertising, but then once the list was created to also market to that list.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">Finally, we want to make sure that what we charged was affordable and that's why we built the software platform. It helps us reduce the time and effort of our labor force which in turn keeps costs down.&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">If you are a business and you're curious go ahead and check out our site and enter in your information after clicking on the <strong><a href="https://zenoshioffers.com/merchant-signup/" target="_blank">Merchant Tab</a></strong>.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">If you are a customer, please tell your favorite restaurants about us. Give them our website address and ask them to schedule a conversation with us.&nbsp; We can and will help them increase their customers and their cash flow.</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Never, Ever Stop...]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/never-ever-stop]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/never-ever-stop#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 24 Feb 2017 00:40:03 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/never-ever-stop</guid><description><![CDATA[Never, Ever Stop Chasing Your Dreams... Ever!I know it's hard. People have laughed at me; they've mused among themselves that I'm crazy. They have told me that I should be practical and just get a job. &nbsp;And quite often I have listened and got a job. &nbsp;But I never, ever gave up on my dream.A job is awesome to have because it takes the pressure off the bills and its great for meeting new people in most cases. &nbsp;That's why I don't like people that refer to a job as Just Over Broke (J.O [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="3">Never, Ever Stop Chasing Your Dreams... Ever!<br /><br />I know it's hard. People have laughed at me; they've mused among themselves that I'm crazy. They have told me that I should be practical and just get a job. &nbsp;And quite often I have listened and got a job. &nbsp;But I never, ever gave up on my dream.<br /><br />A job is awesome to have because it takes the pressure off the bills and its great for meeting new people in most cases. &nbsp;That's why I don't like people that refer to a job as Just Over Broke (J.O.B) even though that's somewhat true. &nbsp;<br /><br />So what I have always done is work on something on the side. &nbsp;Instead of an hour or two in front of the TV I work on chasing my dream. &nbsp;<br /><br />Here's another reason why you should chase your dream and build something on the side. &nbsp;I call it job insurance. We go out and get insurance on our cars, get warranties on our TV's but what about building a business that may one day serve as Insurance in case you lose your job? &nbsp;</font><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[What If We Are Being Duped? The Trump Headfake...]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/what-if-we-are-being-duped-the-trump-headfake]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/what-if-we-are-being-duped-the-trump-headfake#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:52:58 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/what-if-we-are-being-duped-the-trump-headfake</guid><description><![CDATA[The Immigration Ban is a Headfake, and We&rsquo;re Falling For&nbsp;It? &nbsp; By&nbsp;&#8203;Jake FuentesThe following post appeared in Medium and was brilliantly thought out and written by Jack Fuentes. The link to the original article can be found at the bottom of this post. I think Mr Fuentes may be on to something quite brilliant here. What if there is something much more devious going on than an awful immigration ban?&#8203;When I read about the&nbsp;incredibly active first week&nbsp;of th [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="5">The Immigration Ban is a Headfake, and We&rsquo;re Falling For&nbsp;It?</font><font size="3"> &nbsp; By&nbsp;&#8203;</font><a href="https://medium.com/@jakefuentes">Jake Fuentes</a><br /><br /><font size="3"><em><strong><font color="#0505ee">The following post appeared in Medium and was brilliantly thought out and written by Jack Fuentes. The link to the original article can be found at the bottom of this post. I think Mr Fuentes may be on to something quite brilliant here. What if there is something much more devious going on than an awful immigration ban?</font></strong></em><br />&#8203;<br />When I read about the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/jan/27/heres-what-donald-trump-did-first-week-president-u/" target="_blank">incredibly active first week</a>&nbsp;of the Trump administration, I struggle with two competing narratives about what&rsquo;s&nbsp;<em>really</em>&nbsp;going on. The first story is simple: the administration is just doing what it said it would do, literally keeping its campaign promises. Lots of people won&rsquo;t agree, but it&rsquo;s playing to its base. They&rsquo;re also not really good at this whole government thing yet, so&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/29/us/politics/donald-trump-rush-immigration-order-chaos.html?hp&amp;action=click&amp;pgtype=Homepage&amp;clickSource=story-heading&amp;module=span-ab-top-region&amp;region=top-news&amp;WT.nav=top-news" target="_blank">implementation is shaky</a>. The second is more sinister: the&nbsp;<span style="font-weight:700">administration is deliberately testing the limits of governmental checks and balances</span>&nbsp;to set up a self-serving, dangerous consolidation of power.</font><br /><font size="3">A legitimate argument can be made for the former: a relatively extreme and inexperienced administration was just put in place, and they haven&rsquo;t yet figured out the nuances of government. But a few of the events in the past 72 hours &mdash;the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/index.html" target="_blank">intentional inclusion of green card holders</a>&nbsp;in the immigration order, the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/RepDonBeyer/status/825797672258961409" target="_blank">DHS defiance of a federal judge</a>, and the timing of Trump&rsquo;s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/01/19/inside-trumps-shadow-national-security-council/?utm_term=.d19cb9496c69" target="_blank">shakeup of the National Security Council&#8202;</a>&mdash;&#8202;have pointed to a larger story. Even worse, if that larger story is true, if the source of this week&rsquo;s actions is a play to consolidate power, it&rsquo;s going really well so far. And that&rsquo;s because mostly everyone&#8202;&mdash;&#8202;including those in protests shutting down airports over the weekend&mdash; are playing right into the administration&rsquo;s hand.</font><br /><font size="3">I obviously can&rsquo;t pretend to know the intentions of the new President, but let&rsquo;s pretend the power consolidation move is what&rsquo;s actually happening. In fact, let&rsquo;s pretend we&rsquo;re the Trump administration (not necessarily Trump himself, more likely his inner circle) for a second. Here&rsquo;s our playbook:</font><ol><li><font size="3">We launch a series of Executive Orders in the first week. Beforehand, we identify one that our opponents will complain loudly about and will dominate the news cycle. Immigration ban. Perfect.</font></li><li><font size="3">We craft the ban to be about 20% more extreme than we actually want it to be&#8202;&mdash;&#8202;say, let&rsquo;s make the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/donald-trump-travel-ban/index.html" target="_blank">explicit decision</a>&nbsp;to block green card holders from defined countries from entering the US, rather than just visa holders. We create some confusion so that we can walk back from that part later, but let&rsquo;s make sure that it&rsquo;s enforced to begin with.</font></li><li><font size="3">We watch our opposition pour out into the streets protesting the extremes of our public measure, exactly as we intended. The protests dominate the news, but our base doesn&rsquo;t watch CNN anyway. The ACLU will file motions to oppose the most extreme parts of our measure, that&rsquo;s actually going to be useful too. We don&rsquo;t actually care if we win, that&rsquo;s why we made it more extreme than it needed to be. But in doing so, the lawsuit process will test the loyalty of those enforcing what we say.</font></li><li><font size="3">While the nation&rsquo;s attention is on our extreme EO, slip a few more nuanced moves through. For example,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/josh-rogin/wp/2017/01/19/inside-trumps-shadow-national-security-council/?utm_term=.d020b596f0b2" target="_blank">reconfigure the National Security Council</a>&nbsp;so that it&rsquo;s led by our inner circle. Or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/29/state-department-purge-trump-foreign-policy" target="_blank">gut the State Department&rsquo;s</a>ability to resist more extreme moves. That will have massive benefits down the road&#8202;&mdash;&#8202;the NSC are the folks that authorize secret assassinations against enemies of the state, including American citizens. Almost nobody has time to analyze that move closely, and those that do can&rsquo;t get coverage.</font></li><li><font size="3">When the lawsuits filed by the ACLU&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/28/federal-judge-stays-deportations-trump-muslim-executive-order" target="_blank">inevitably succeed</a>, stay silent. Don&rsquo;t tell the DHS to abide by the what the federal judge says, see what they do on their own. If they capitulate to the courts, we know our power with the DHS is limited and we need to staff it with more loyal people. But if they&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jan/29/customs-border-protection-agents-trump-muslim-country-travel-ban" target="_blank">continue enforcing our EO until we tell them not to</a>, we know that we can completely ignore the judicial branch later on and the DHS will have our back.</font></li><li><font size="3">Once the DHS has made their move, walk back from the 20% we didn&rsquo;t want in the first place. Let the green card holders in, and pretend that&rsquo;s what we meant all along. The protestors and the ACLU, both clamoring to display their efficacy, jump on the moment to declare a huge victory. The crowds dissipate, they have to go back to work.</font></li><li><span style="font-weight:700"><font size="3">When the dust settles, we have 100% of the Executive Order we originally wanted, we&rsquo;ve tested the loyalty of a department we&rsquo;ll need later on, we&rsquo;ve proven we can ignore an entire branch of government, and we&rsquo;ve slipped in some subtle moves that will make the next test even easier.</font></span></li></ol> <span><font size="3">We&rsquo;ve just tested the country&rsquo;s willingness to capitulate to a fascist regime.</font></span><br /><br /><font size="3">Assuming this narrative is true (again, I have no idea what the administration intends), the &ldquo;resistance&rdquo; is playing right into Trump&rsquo;s playbook. The most&nbsp;<a href="http://fortune.com/video/2017/01/29/watch-sen-cory-brooker-show-his-support-for-protesters-at-washington-dulles-international-airport/" target="_blank">vocal politicians</a>&nbsp;could be seen at rallies, close to the headlines. The protests themselves did exactly what they were intended to: dominate the news cycle and channel opposition anger towards a relatively insignificant piece of the puzzle. I&rsquo;m not saying that green card holders should be stuck in airports&#8202;&mdash;&#8202;far from it. I&rsquo;m saying there might be a much larger picture here, and the immigration ban is a distraction.</font><br /><font size="3">So for those that believe that the power consolidation narrative is true and want to oppose it, how does that happen?</font><br /><font size="3">First, stop believing that protests alone do much good. Protests galvanize groups and display strong opposition, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/19/womens-march-washington-occupy-protest" target="_blank">they&rsquo;re not sufficient</a>. Not only are they relatively&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/04/why-street-protests-dont-work/360264/" target="_blank">ineffective at changing policy</a>, they&rsquo;re also falsely cathartic to those protesting. Protestors get all kinds of feel-good that they&rsquo;re among fellow believers and standing up for what&rsquo;s right, and they go home feeling like they&rsquo;ve done their part. Even if protestors gain mild, symbolic concessions, the fact that their anger has an outlet is useful to the other side. Do protest, but be very wary of going home feeling like you&rsquo;ve done your job. You haven&rsquo;t.</font><br /><font size="3">Second, pay journalists to watch for the head fake. That&rsquo;s their job. Become a paying subscriber to news outlets, then actively ask them to more deeply cover moves like the NSC shakeup. We can no longer breathlessly focus media attention on easy stories like the immigration ban. The real story is much more nuanced and boring&#8202;&mdash;&#8202;until it&rsquo;s not.</font><br /><font size="3">Third, popular attention must focus less on whether we agree with what the government is doing, and more on whether the system of checks and balances we have in place is working. It is a&nbsp;<em>much&nbsp;</em>bigger deal that the DHS felt they could ignore a federal court than that Trump signed an EO blocking green card holders in the first place. It is a&nbsp;<em>much</em>&nbsp;bigger deal that Trump removed a permanent military presence from the NSC than that he issued a temporary stay on immigration. The immigration ban may be more viscerally upsetting, but the other moves are potentially far more dangerous.</font><br /><font size="3">Once again, I&rsquo;m desperately hoping that none of this narrative is actually true, and that we merely have a well-intentioned administration with some execution problems. I&rsquo;m also hoping and praying that the structure of our democracy is resilient even to the most sophisticated attacks. I&rsquo;m hoping that the better angels of our nature will prevail. But with each passing day, the evidence tilts more in the other direction.<br /><br />Original Article Link:&nbsp;</font><a href="https://medium.com/@jakefuentes/the-immigration-ban-is-a-headfake-and-were-falling-for-it-b8910e78f0c5#.nd8e5o63m&#8203;" target="_blank"><font size="3">https://medium.com/@jakefuentes/the-immigration-ban-is-a-headfake-and-were-falling-for-it-b8910e78f0c5#.nd8e5o63m</font></a><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Beware of History Repeating Itself?]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/beware-of-history-repeating-itself]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/beware-of-history-repeating-itself#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jan 2017 04:43:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/beware-of-history-repeating-itself</guid><description><![CDATA[How to let a populist beat you, over and over again.The following article appears in it's entirety in the Washington Post. Click the link at the bottom to read it all. I highly recommend that for all my American friends and even my Canadian friends who could soon find themselves in the throes of their own Trumpism with Mr O'Leary.&nbsp;Donald Trump is an avowed capitalist; Hugo Ch&aacute;vez was a socialist&nbsp;with&nbsp;communist dreams. One builds skyscrapers, the other expropriated them. But [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="5"><strong>How to let a populist beat you, over and over again.</strong></font><br /><br /><font color="#050cf3"><strong><em><font size="4">The following article appears in it's entirety in the Washington Post. Click the link at the bottom to read it all. I highly recommend that for all my American friends and even my Canadian friends who could soon find themselves in the throes of their own Trumpism with Mr O'Leary.</font></em>&nbsp;</strong></font><br /><br /><font size="4">Donald Trump is an avowed capitalist; Hugo Ch&aacute;vez was a socialist&nbsp;with&nbsp;communist dreams. One builds skyscrapers, the other expropriated them. But politics is only one-half policy: The other, darker half is rhetoric. Sometimes the rhetoric takes over. Such has been our lot in Venezuela for the past two decades &mdash; and such is yours now, Americans. Because in one regard, Trump and Ch&aacute;vez are identical. They are both masters of populism.</font><br /><font size="4">The recipe for populism is universal. Find a wound common to many, find someone to blame for it, and make up a good story to tell. Mix it all together. Tell the wounded you know how they feel. That you found the bad guys. Label them: the minorities, the politicians, the businessmen. Caricature them. As vermin, evil masterminds,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/516382177798680576?lang=en">haters and losers</a>, you name it. Then paint yourself as the savior. Capture the people&rsquo;s imagination. Forget about policies and plans, just enrapture them with a tale. One that starts with anger and ends in vengeance. A vengeance they can participate in.</font><br /><font size="4">That&rsquo;s how it becomes a movement. There&rsquo;s something soothing in all that anger. Populism is built on the irresistible allure of simplicity. The narcotic of the simple answer to an intractable question. The problem is now made simple.</font><br /><font size="4">The problem is you.</font><br /><font size="4">How do I know? Because I grew up as the &ldquo;you&rdquo; Trump is about to turn you into. In Venezuela, the urban middle class I come from was&nbsp;cast as the enemy in the political struggle that followed Ch&aacute;vez&rsquo;s arrival in 1998. For years, I watched in frustration as the opposition failed to do anything about the catastrophe overtaking our nation. Only later did I realize that this failure was self-inflicted. So now, to my American friends, here is some advice&nbsp;on how to avoid Venezuela&rsquo;s mistakes.</font><ul style="color:rgb(17, 17, 17)"><li><strong><font size="4">Don&rsquo;t forget who the enemy is.</font></strong></li></ul> <font size="4">Populism can survive only amid polarization. It works through the unending vilification of a cartoonish enemy. Never forget that you&rsquo;re... <u><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2017/01/27/in-venezuela-we-couldnt-stop-chavez-dont-make-the-same-mistakes-we-did/?utm_term=.a206298605e0" target="_blank">Continue Reading Here</a></u></font><br /><br /></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[﻿Which Generation Are You?]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/which-generation-are-you]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/which-generation-are-you#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 26 Jan 2017 00:06:21 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/which-generation-are-you</guid><description><![CDATA[ The GenerationsWhich Generation are You?By&nbsp;Michael T. Robinson&nbsp;Founder and Career CoachCareerPlanner.comThese are Western Cultural Generations. Japan and Asia and portions of Europe will have their own generational definitions based on major cultural, political, and economic influences.Notes on Each of the Latest Cultural GenerationsGen Z: Born between 1996 and 2010As of 2013 most of these folks are still too young to have made an impact. However the older ones might be fighting our w [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/which-generation-are-you.png?250" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:0; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><font size="5"><strong>The GenerationsWhich Generation are You?<br />By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.careerplanner.com/MichaelTRobinson.cfm">Michael T. Robinson</a>&nbsp;<br />Founder and Career Coach<br />CareerPlanner.com</strong></font><br /><br /><font size="4">These are Western Cultural Generations. Japan and Asia and portions of Europe will have their own generational definitions based on major cultural, political, and economic influences.<br /><br />Notes on Each of the Latest Cultural <strong>GenerationsGen Z</strong>: Born between 1996 and 2010As of 2013 most of these folks are still too young to have made an impact. However the older ones might be fighting our war in Afghanistan. The younger ones are hopefully still in school and planning on careers and jobs that will have strong demand and generate new opportunities.<br />If you are Gen Z, please pick a major in fields where there will be plenty of jobs and avoid fields where the jobs are limited. Unless of course you are so different and truly exceptional.<br />Healthcare and high tech are the booming fields now and that will continue for decades.<br />Thus careers in science, engineering, software, and medicine are a good choice.<br />There won't be many jobs for people who major in English, history, geology. Sorry.<br />Electrical Engineering and Software Engineering look really good. As does nursing, and being a family doctor.<br />Civil Engineering offers very few jobs since we are not building a lot of bridges and buildings. So avoid that. Automotive engineering is tough. Not many US jobs.<br /><br /></font><font size="4">Gen Y: "The Millennials" Born between 1980 and 1995</font><font size="4">The Millennials grew up and began their careers in a time when:</font><br /><span></span><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><font size="4">Almost every home (except 3rd world countries) had an internet connection and a computer</font></li><li><font size="4">2008, the largest economic decline since the great depression</font></li><li><font size="4">911 Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon</font></li><li><font size="4">The effect of 20+ years of offshoring of American jobs is finally felt</font></li><li><font size="4">Enron - energy trading scams and corporate fraud on a national level</font></li><li><font size="4">Global warming becoming obvious with unusually severe storms, hotter weather, colder weather, more droughts etc</font></li><li><font size="4">President G. W. Bush, Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney deceived the entire nation about weapons of mass destruction and the subsequent invasion and occupation of Iraq</font></li><li><font size="4">The explosive growth in online companies such as Google, Facebook, SalesForce.com, LinkedIn, EBay, PayPal</font></li><li><font size="4">A revolution in the way we work, including widespread acceptance of flex-time, work from home, freelancing</font></li><li><font size="4">The US is divided 50:50 with different and opposite fundamental beliefs and values</font></li><li><font size="4">Way too many crazy people are shooting their fellow Americans with weapons of rapid destruction</font></li><li><font size="4">Congress becoming dysfunctional</font></li><li><font size="4">Housing prices growing beyond most young people's reach</font>&#8203;<br /></li></ul><br /><font size="4">Gen X: Born between 1965 and 1979</font><font size="4">According to WikiPedia, Gen X was originally called "Gen Bust" because their birth rate was vastly smaller than the preceding Baby Boomers.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Gen X'ers were the first generation to experience:</font><br /><span></span><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><font size="4">The highest level of education in the US to date</font></li><li><font size="4">The 1976 Arab Oil Debacle and the first gas shortages in the US</font></li><li><font size="4">The price of gold soaring to $1000/oz for the first time</font></li><li><font size="4">The fall of the Berlin Wall and the splitting apart of the Soviet Union</font></li><li><font size="4">MTV and the rise of Disco</font></li><li><font size="4">China's momentary flirtation with personal freedom and the tragedy of Tiananmen Square</font></li><li><font size="4">Fighting in the first Gulf War</font></li><li><font size="4">NAFTA where President Bill Clinton paves the way to give away millions of American jobs</font><br /></li></ul><br /><font size="4">Baby Boomers: Born between 1946 and 1964</font><font size="4">Baby Boomers are defined as being from the huge population increase that followed World War II, and the Great Depression.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They grew up in a time of prosperity and an absence of world wars. They were the Flower Children, taking LSD and protesting the war in Vietnam.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Unlike their parents who grew up during the Great Depression, Boomers became the great consumers. They became famous for spending every dollar they earned.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">This was the first Western Generation to grow up with two cars in every garage and a chicken in every pot.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Baby Boomer spending and consumerism has fueled the world economies.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">The Baby Boomers fought for environmental protection.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Baby Boomers were the first generation to experience:</font><br /><span></span><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><font size="4">A time of unparalleled national optimism and prosperity</font></li><li><font size="4">The Cold War, fear of a nuclear attack from Russia, bomb shelters and hiding under a desk at school</font></li><li><font size="4">The assassination of President John F. Kennedy</font></li><li><font size="4">The assassination of Martin Luther King</font></li><li><font size="4">The confidence building from putting a man on the moon</font></li><li><font size="4">The incredible waste and destruction of the War in Vietnam</font></li><li><font size="4">The Civil Rights Movement</font></li></ul><br /><font size="4">The Silent Generation: Born between 1925 and 1945</font><font size="4">Those of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression. Their parents were mostly of the Lost Generation.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They grew up expecting a hard life. This was the era when a Christmas present might be a orange or a full meal.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They are called the Silent Generation because as a group they were not loud. They did not protest in Washington. There were no major wars to protest.</font><br /><span></span><br /><br /><span></span><font size="4">The Greatest Generation: Born between 1910 and 1924</font><font size="4">Those of the Greatest Generation grew up during the Great Depression and probably fought in World War II. They are also known as the GI Joe Generation.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They are the parents of the Baby Boomers.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They were named the Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, famous News Broadcaster. Brokaw said they were the greatest because they fought for what was right rather than fighting for selfish reasons.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">They certainly made great self sacrifices, fighting to protect people in other countries from the likes of Hitler, Mussolini and Japanese Kamikaze suicide bombers.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Makes one wonder what they will call those bankers and insurance company executives who fought only for personal gain thus creating the 2007-2009 financial collapse.<br /></font><br /><span></span><font size="1">Primary Sources for our Data on Generations:</font><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation"><font size="1">WikiPedia</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Generation"><font size="1">The Lost Generation</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interbellum_Generation"><font size="1">The Interbellum Generation</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greatest_Generation"><font size="1">The Greatest Generation</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Generation"><font size="1">The Silent Generation</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Boom_Generation"><font size="1">The Baby Boom Generation</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X"><font size="1">Gen X</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y"><font size="1">Gen Y</font></a></li><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Z"><font size="1">Gen Z</font></a></li><li><a href="http://www.census.gov/"><font size="1">US Census Bureau</font></a></li><li><a href="http://housingperspectives.blogspot.com/2012/11/defining-generations.html"><font size="1">Harvard</font></a></li><li><a href="http://www.pewresearch.org/methodology/demographic-research/definitions/"><font size="1">Pew Research</font></a><br /></li></ul><font size="4">Why the Overlap in Dating Generations?</font><font size="4">In the USA, there are two different methods for marking the borders between generations.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">The US Census Bureau appears to use census data (duh) and the rise and fall of the birth rate to mark borders between generations.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Other researchers, such as Pew, use major cultural events to define the borders between generations.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Here is an example of using the birth rate fluctuations to define borders between generations:</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">What Generation Are You If You Are On The Cusp?</font><font size="4">If your birth date falls on the border between two generations, which one do you pick?</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Pick the generation that you relate to the most, and the one you want to be part of.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Why so arbitrary? This is not a precise science with firm definitions.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">Updates and Revisions</font><font size="4">On 9-29-2016 we made the following adjustments to the date ranges of Gen x, Millenials, Gen Z:</font><br /><span></span><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><font size="4">Changed Gen X last births date from 1981 to 1979</font></li><li><font size="4">Changed Millennial start birth date from 1975 to 1980</font></li><li><font size="4">Changed Gen Z start birth date from 1995 to 1996</font></li><li><font size="4">Changed Gen Z last births date from 2015 to 2010</font></li></ul><font size="4">On 11-9-2016 we made these changes, based on further research:</font><br /><span></span><ul style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51)"><li><font size="4">Changed Silent Generation start from 1923 to 1925 and end from 1944 to 1945 based on more research</font></li><li><font size="4">Changed the end of births for the greatest generation from 1925 to 1924 - for the convenience of having less overlap</font></li><li><font size="4">Changed Gen X start from 1961 to 1965 - and end back to 1979 - based on more research and to be consistent with Pew</font></li></ul><font size="4">Why make these changes? The cut off dates for each generation vary over time as the characteristics of that generation become more well understood. In the US, it appears demographers are trying to stick to ranges of 15 years (Japan uses 10 years). Finally, as the public pays more attention to generations, such as Millenials, certain dates become more accepted.</font><br /><span></span><font size="4">The bottom line is that the experts do not agree on when generations begin and end. Sorry for this confusion. I would prefer to have things nice and tidy, precise and exact.</font><br /><span></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[﻿I Just Deleted My Empowr Account & Why You Should Too]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/i-just-deleted-my-empowr-account-why-you-should-too]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/i-just-deleted-my-empowr-account-why-you-should-too#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2017 00:25:28 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/i-just-deleted-my-empowr-account-why-you-should-too</guid><description><![CDATA[ I have had a few people contact me over the last 3 weeks asking me what I think of the new social network, Empowr.&nbsp; I felt it was important for me and anyone who has any influence in social media to step in and stop their friends from being scammed. Yes, it is one huge scam folks.&nbsp;And here are a few reasons why:1-&nbsp;In order to cash out, you have to provide either your credit card details or a PayPal account, and when you provide your payment details, you have to agree to this:2- W [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:251px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:20px;*margin-top:40px'><a><img src="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/uploads/6/1/4/6/6146552/empowr-auto-billing-768x204_orig.png" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><font size="3">I have had a few people contact me over the last 3 weeks asking me what I think of the new social network, Empowr.&nbsp; I felt it was important for me and anyone who has any influence in social media to step in and stop their friends from being scammed. Yes, it is one huge scam folks.<br />&nbsp;<br />And here are a few reasons why:</font><font size="3"><br /><br />1-&nbsp;In order to cash out, you have to provide either your credit card details or a PayPal account, and when you provide your payment details, you have to agree to this:</font><br /><br /><font size="3"><br /><strong>2- Without you knowing</strong>, when you post something on Empowr, you automatically use their Ad Credits. If you have provided your payment details and have accepted the above terms, you will automatically be charged on your credit card or your PayPal account if you use more than $2 worth of advertising fee. Remember, this advertising fee is levied each time you perform an activity on Empowr, moreover, you will be charged a 2.9% ad platform fee on a monthly basis.</font><br /><font size="3"><br />&#8203;3-&nbsp;Any earnings that you make from Empowr takes 90 days (3 months) to mature, but it takes you a few seconds to pay their advertising fees. Does it make sense to you? Why you can&rsquo;t&nbsp;cash out immediately if you have paid their advertising fee?</font> <font size="3">&nbsp;<br /><br /><strong>HOW DOES EMPOWR MAKE MONEY?</strong><br />&nbsp;<br />This is the first question I asked and no one had an answer. Now I know!<br />&nbsp;<br />You are required to do several things - 4 in particular to make money on Empowr.<br />1- Post - Photo's, comments, etc.<br />2- Share - others, photo's and comments<br />3- List - Products for sale<br />4- Bid - which also lets you reshare what you bid on. &nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Every time you do any of these you get 'paid'. You also get charged. (CATCH)&gt; You have to complete all four tasks every single day so that the money you are supposed to get paid will mature in 90 days. One of those tasks by the way, LIST is the most frustrating as your listings get rejected no matter how closely you follow their rules. And if you get rejected enough times they put you in LIST JAIL for a period of time.<br />&nbsp;<br />But all this Makes Sense now!<br />&nbsp;<br />This is how they make money. If you and I can't achieve our daily goals but are being charged for all our activities, every day for 90 days, we are not going to have enough income from Empowr to cover our expenses.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>HANGING ON...THE ILLUSION</strong><br />&nbsp;<br />There are a lot of people hanging on in Empowr because they see their balances growing. That's what I did. My balance was over $10,000 and I couldn't cash out even though I was active enough to be frequently in the top 100.&nbsp; What I didn't realize is all that activity was costing me money.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>That money you have in Empowr is the beautiful illusion they put in front of you while they pick your back pocket. </strong><br />&nbsp;<br />My clue came when PayPal sent me a notice saying my account was in arrears. I was shocked as I had not used my PayPal account for any purchases. So I logged in and low and behold Empowr had their hand in my PayPal account to the tune of about $140 USD. I filed a complaint with PayPal BUT that didn't work because I had signed their agreement (see point #1 conveniently and fraudulently called their FREE Automatic Account Protection.&nbsp; Who were they protecting the account from? Ha I'm such an idiot...<br />&nbsp;<br />When my PayPal balance gets negative they try to get the money from one of the credit cards I provided. So I cut off that credit card. Just in time as well.<br />&nbsp;<br />December 22nd the Empowr Alligators come again this time for $142.43 which my credit card denied.<br />December 22nd again they now try to get $158 and again denied.<br />&nbsp;<br />No way I was going to let these scum bags get more money. So my final act was to delete the account with the following comments. I make a promise in those comments that I am going to keep. And if you will share this with your friends and loved ones to keep them from getting scammed that would help me spread the word.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>My Comments Upon Deleting My Account and the Illusory $9,000 I had in there.</strong><br />&nbsp;<br />I am tired of you lot taking money from my paypal account and me not earning enough to cover that even though I'm listed in the top 100 in Canada. I will not be associated with these types of scams. I am social media guru with over 50,000 followers on various social media platforms and I am going to blast you guys across all of them.<br />&nbsp;<br />I realize I probably don't have much hope in winning my battle to recover $140 USD in funds that were taken from my PayPal account but I am working on it.&nbsp; But you're about to get a shit load of publicity. So I will bow down and you can kiss my ass.<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>MORE NIGHTMARE STORIES</strong> can be found in the comments of this link: <a href="http://barenakedscam.com/empowr" target="_blank">http://barenakedscam.com/empowr</a></font></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nearly 60% of Albertans say $200 could push them over the financial edge]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/nearly-60-of-albertans-say-200-could-push-them-over-the-financial-edge]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/nearly-60-of-albertans-say-200-could-push-them-over-the-financial-edge#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 03 Oct 2016 01:13:27 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/nearly-60-of-albertans-say-200-could-push-them-over-the-financial-edge</guid><description><![CDATA[Nearly 60% of Albertans say $200 could push them over the financial edgeFrom Calgary HeraldPublished on: September 28, 2016 | Last Updated: September 28, 2016 8:22 AM MDTA $200 change in their financial fortunes could leave more than half of Albertans unable to cover their bills and debt payments, according to a new survey.Fifty-eight&nbsp;per cent of respondents to the MNP Ltd. survey said&nbsp;they were $200 or less away from financial strife &mdash; an 18 point increase from February.That inc [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="3">Nearly 60% of Albertans say $200 could push them over the financial edge<br /><u><span style="color:rgb(85, 85, 85); font-weight:bold"><a target="_blank" href="http://calgaryherald.com/business/local-business/nearly-60-of-albertans-say-200-could-push-them-over-the-financial-edge">From Calgary Herald</a></span></u><br />Published on: September 28, 2016 | Last Updated: September 28, 2016 8:22 AM MDT<br /><br />A $200 change in their financial fortunes could leave more than half of Albertans unable to cover their bills and debt payments, according to a new survey.<br /><br />Fifty-eight&nbsp;per cent of respondents to the MNP Ltd. survey said&nbsp;they were $200 or less away from financial strife &mdash; an 18 point increase from February.<br /><br />That included 35 per cent who say they already don&rsquo;t make enough money to cover bills and debts, &ldquo;technically making them financially insolvent,&rdquo; MNP said in a release. That number was up 14 points from February.<br /><br />The survey found 53 per cent of Albertans are concerned about their current debt levels (up 11 points), with more than half saying they regret the amount of debt they&rsquo;ve taken on (up seven points).<br /><br />&ldquo;Given the downturn in Alberta, it&rsquo;s not surprising that Albertans are concerned about their finances. What is surprising is the number who say they are living on the edge of financial crisis,&rdquo; said Donna Carson, a Calgary-based insolvency trustee with MNP, in the release. &ldquo;With so many feeling unable to cover their bills and debts, there is tremendous vulnerability to any kind of economic shock; the loss of a job, an emergency, a divorce, even things like a reduction in overtime pay or bonuses or an increase in interest rates.&rdquo;<br /><br />According to the survey, 39 per cent of Albertans say they&rsquo;re worried an increase in interest rates could push them towards bankruptcy, up nine points from February.<br /><br />Despite those concerns, MNP said overspending &ldquo;remains a reality&rdquo; in the province. It noted that 43 per cent of Alberta parents said they spent more on back-to-school shopping than budgeted, while 33 per cent say they spent more than they intended on summer recreation or vacations.<br /><br />&#8203;&ldquo;Albertans have come to rely on cheap credit to fund their lifestyles and a significant number are now adding even more debt obligations as a result of job losses,&rdquo; Carson said in the release. &ldquo;But interest rates will eventually rise. Those who already feel overwhelmed by their debt should seek professional help now. One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until the point of devastation before getting help.&rdquo;</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[7 REASONS TO GO SOLAR                                                          ]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/7-reasons-to-go-solar]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/7-reasons-to-go-solar#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 22:52:30 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/7-reasons-to-go-solar</guid><description><![CDATA[Solar energy is a cost-efficient and eco-friendly way for homeowners and businesses to get their power. The energy created is clean, safe, and simple. Going solar can give your family or business immediate cost savings as well as ownership in your own power source.&nbsp;1- 100% financing - so no money upfront.2- Payments should not exceed your average monthly electricity bill3- Own Your Power Source - Your monthly electricity bill should be eliminated4- The Carbon Tax that starts in January will [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="3">Solar energy is a cost-efficient and eco-friendly way for homeowners and businesses to get their power. The energy created is clean, safe, and simple. Going solar can give your family or business immediate cost savings as well as ownership in your own power source.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">1- 100% financing - so no money upfront.</font><br /><font size="3">2- Payments should not exceed your average monthly electricity bill</font><br /><font size="3">3- Own Your Power Source - Your monthly electricity bill should be eliminated</font><br /><font size="3">4- The Carbon Tax that starts in January will also be eliminated for us in Alberta.</font><br /><font size="3">5- Lock in your power bill (no more rising energy costs) = Cost Savings until it is paid off, then - No More Power Bills!</font><br /><font size="3">6- Typically increases value of the home by 5% to 15%</font><br /><font size="3">7- Reduce your carbon footprint - Clean &amp; Green</font><br /><br /><u><strong><font size="4"><a href="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/contact-allan.html">Get Your Free No-Obligation Quote NOW</a></font></strong></u><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">Excess Solar Power you produce goes into the grid and is called Net Metering or (Net Billing in some provinces) &nbsp;- </font><u><a target="_blank" href="http://hespv.ca/residential-solar-energy-systems/canadian-energy-programs"><strong>Check your province</strong></a></u><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3">In Ontario you can actually earn money from your solar installation. &nbsp;On a roof with good solar exposure, a system can generate up to $450 per year for each kilowatt of solar. Solar is so dependable it&rsquo;s like a 20 year GIC, but on your very own roof! And it's green energy, replacing coal fired electricity in Ontario.</font><br /><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br /><strong><font size="5">USA</font></strong><br /><font size="3">In the United States there is a 30% Federal Tax Credit as well as States have their own incentives and rebates. <u><strong><a target="_blank" href="http://www.dsireusa.org/">Here is a comprehensive list.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://allanmarston.weebly.com/contact-allan.html">Request Your No Obligation Quote NOW<br />&#8203;</a></strong></u></font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Allan Marston 7.0﻿]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/allan-marston-70]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/allan-marston-70#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 04:46:50 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/allan-marston-70</guid><description><![CDATA[After 40 years in Canada I am into my 7th Career.&nbsp;I arrived as a welder, was lounge lizard playing guitar and singing, then entered sales after hurting my back in a welding accident.&nbsp; Door to door sales led me to a 25 year retail career. I also spent many years as an entrepreneur and businessman that led me to the Technology industry including a stint in Silicon Valley. Then I became a very successful network marketer.&nbsp;Now I have started a Cardio Screening business after serious h [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph"><font size="3">After 40 years in Canada I am into my 7th Career.<br />&nbsp;<br />I arrived as a welder, was lounge lizard playing guitar and singing, then entered sales after hurting my back in a welding accident.&nbsp; Door to door sales led me to a 25 year retail career. I also spent many years as an entrepreneur and businessman that led me to the Technology industry including a stint in Silicon Valley. Then I became a very successful network marketer.<br />&nbsp;<br />Now I have started a <u><a href="http://www.cardiowellness.ca/" target="_blank"><strong>Cardio Screening business</strong></a></u> after serious heart disease problems led me to discovering a Health Canada Approved device that is very accurate in discovering what stage of heart disease a person may have as well as giving them their biological age.<br />&nbsp;<br />So as I turn 60 in a couple of months I am reimagining who I am and how I can best serve my family, my friends, my community and the world.<br />&nbsp;<br />Welcome to Allan Marston 7.0&nbsp;</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dear Steve Jobs]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/dear-steve-jobs]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/dear-steve-jobs#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2016 05:03:11 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/dear-steve-jobs</guid><description><![CDATA[&#8203;Dear Steve Jobs,&nbsp;Wherever you are in the Universe I just wanted you to know that soon after you died, your beloved company, Apple started to go into decline as well.&nbsp; In fact I don't think they know it yet but they are going nowhere fast.&nbsp;With no new innovations on the horizon and customer service declining rapidly, we, your beloved customers can already see the writing on the wall. Sure they will sustain the market they have, for now, but their market share will slowly dwi [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="text-align:left;">&#8203;Dear Steve Jobs,<br />&nbsp;<br />Wherever you are in the Universe I just wanted you to know that soon after you died, your beloved company, Apple started to go into decline as well.&nbsp; In fact I don't think they know it yet but they are going nowhere fast.<br />&nbsp;<br />With no new innovations on the horizon and customer service declining rapidly, we, your beloved customers can already see the writing on the wall. Sure they will sustain the market they have, for now, but their market share will slowly dwindle and they will become a has been like Blackberry in my country of Canada.<br />&nbsp;<br />I know I can't be the only one experiencing some of the worst customer service I have seen from any company and the fact that it is coming from Apple is incredibly sad.&nbsp; The helpful staff and managers in your stores have now simply become clerks, standing behind 'policy' and not standing behind products in your stores. &nbsp;I know this because I recently bought a Native Union Belt Cable that broke 30 days after I bought it from your store in Chinook and they won't take it back because it is past the "15 day return policy". Now I have to deal with Native Union. Even WalMart has better service than that because they stand by ALL the products in their store.<br />&nbsp;<br />Also recently my son had a problem with his phone that was obviously an Apple software defect. Again it was a few days outside of the one year warranty and they hid behind "Policy" again.<br />&nbsp;<br />I love Apple but bad customer service especially when things go wrong is something that truly shows the character of a company. &nbsp;After all anyone can look after a customer when everything is going right.<br />&nbsp;<br />Maybe it's time to move to Android and Google... Yikes... Did I just say that? Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love my iPhone and my iPad. But I can't afford to take the risk that should anything go wrong, Apple won't be there to help me.<br />&nbsp;<br />So until another Rebel, another trouble maker, another who sees things differently, another Steve Jobs comes along, I can see Apple joining Blackberry in the digital graveyard.<br />&nbsp;<br />If you're ranting and crying wherever you are Steve, this time you have every reason to.<br />&nbsp;<br />Your biggest fan!<br />&nbsp;<br />Allan</h2>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[GAME ON!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/game-on]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/game-on#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2016 21:29:43 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/game-on</guid><description><![CDATA[It never ceases to amaze me at how God (insert whatever you want here like the Universe) works in our lives. Stay with me and see if there is a moment in your life where my story resonates with you.&nbsp;In the fall of 2012, I saw a business that I didn&rsquo;t have time for but it looked so appealing that I decided to partner with friends and sign up. That company was Lyoness, the only worldwide loyalty reward card. That was August and through September and October we did nothing. Then a day af [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font size="3">It never ceases to amaze me at how God (insert whatever you want here like the Universe) works in our lives. Stay with me and see if there is a moment in your life where my story resonates with you.<br />&nbsp;<br />In the fall of 2012, I saw a business that I didn&rsquo;t have time for but it looked so appealing that I decided to partner with friends and sign up. That company was Lyoness, the only worldwide loyalty reward card. That was August and through September and October we did nothing. Then a day after my birthday in late October I lost my job of 3 years.&nbsp; In December my business partner in Lyoness shattered his arm in a skating accident with his granddaughter and couldn&rsquo;t do his job anymore.<br />&nbsp;<br />So in January 2013 we looked at each other and said &lsquo;game on&rsquo; &ndash; let&rsquo;s do this.&nbsp; And do it we did. By the end of 2013 we had done very well and by the end of 2014 we had another successful year. Then came far too many changes and 2015 was a disaster for our business.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong>The Next Chapter</strong><br />&nbsp;<br />Then in November 2015 another opportunity presented itself and even though I had seen dozens of other opportunities this one really looked awesome. So I jumped in. And within 3 weeks I qualified for the company vehicle, a Jeep of my choice.&nbsp; And that brings me to now.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Today I got laid off from my job of just under 2 years as my business is taking off.&nbsp; So here we go again. Game On!</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[More Vacations - Would You? If You Could?]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/more-vacations-would-you-if-you-could]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/more-vacations-would-you-if-you-could#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2015 23:29:45 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/more-vacations-would-you-if-you-could</guid><description><![CDATA[Vacation membership presentation from Allan MarstonOver the years I have owned everything from Timeshares to RCI and ICI vacation memberships. I stayed away from these over the last few years because I got tired of the all the fees from maintenance to booking to transfer and so on.&nbsp;&nbsp;I have found something through a friend that I think has solved all the problems that I saw with everything I mentioned above.There are no annual fees, maintenance fees, transfer fees, or booking fees. In f [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div id="663213095709494788" align="center" style="width: 100%; overflow-y: hidden;" class="wcustomhtml"><iframe src="//www.slideshare.net/slideshow/embed_code/key/aqNJxWG12Xfvq" width="425" height="355" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" style="border:1px solid #CCC; border-width:1px; margin-bottom:5px; max-width: 100%;" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><div style="margin-bottom:5px"><strong><a href="http://allanmarston.weebly.com//www.slideshare.net/AllanMarston/vacation-membership-presentation" title="Vacation membership presentation" target="_blank">Vacation membership presentation</a></strong> from <strong><a href="http://allanmarston.weebly.com//www.slideshare.net/AllanMarston" target="_blank">Allan Marston</a></strong></div></div></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font size="3">Over the years I have owned everything from Timeshares to RCI and ICI vacation memberships. I stayed away from these over the last few years because I got tired of the all the fees from maintenance to booking to transfer and so on.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>I have found something through a friend that I think has solved all the problems that I saw with everything I mentioned above.<br></font><ol><li><font size="3">There are no annual fees, maintenance fees, transfer fees, or booking fees. In fact no fees at all.</font></li><li><font size="3">There is only a one time membership cost that lasts a lifetime.</font></li><li><font size="3">The membership gets members significant discounts on vacation accommodations.</font></li><li><font size="3">Massive amount of choices from over 200 countries around the world.</font></li><li><font size="3">Since we in Calgary, live so close to the world&rsquo;s most popular resorts, Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis, we get to benefit even more from incredible savings with this membership.</font><ol><li><font size="3">A recent &lsquo;Hot Weeks&rsquo; offer had the Rocky Mountain Resort in Banff for just $99 for the whole week.</font></li><li><font size="3">Another one from the Fairmont Hot Springs for just $100 for an entire week.</font></li><li><font size="3">At the above rates we could drive up to the mountains and enjoy these vacations several times a year, even if we only stayed for a long weekend.</font></li><li><font size="3">These vacations alone save anywhere from $900 to $1,500 a week.</font></li></ol></li><li><font size="3">Some people are using these vacations to take clients out for some one-on-one time.</font></li><li><font size="3">Because of the US Dollar difference with the Canadian Dollar we anticipate the membership price rising significantly by the end of the year.</font></li><li><font size="3">Ask how your organization/non-profit can use this as a Fundraiser.</font></li><li><font size="3">Major Promotion: From now until November 15th 2015:</font><ol><li><font size="3">Receive a $250 Visa or MasterCard gift card which could make the first vacation, if it is to Banff, free. Or contribute towards airfare for a more elaborate vacation.</font></li></ol></li></ol></div><div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conscious Capitalism - Game Changers 500 - a new model of business success]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/conscious-capitalism-game-changers-500-a-new-model-of-business-success]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/conscious-capitalism-game-changers-500-a-new-model-of-business-success#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2015 03:10:18 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/conscious-capitalism-game-changers-500-a-new-model-of-business-success</guid><description><![CDATA[      [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="wsite-youtube" style="margin-bottom:10px;margin-top:10px;"><div class="wsite-youtube-wrapper wsite-youtube-size-auto wsite-youtube-align-center"> <div class="wsite-youtube-container">  <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GYAQISAQKoc?wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> </div> </div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Digging Your Well BEFORE You Need It]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/digging-your-well-before-you-need-it]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/digging-your-well-before-you-need-it#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2015 20:21:44 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://allanmarston.weebly.com/home/digging-your-well-before-you-need-it</guid><description><![CDATA[Just as with the seasons, Spring always follows Winter and Summer always follows spring, this pattern has been around for most if not all of our existence on this planet and most certainly in our lives.&nbsp;    The same patterns tend to take place with our economies.&nbsp; We can't predict our economic summers and winters as accurately as we can the weather seasons but we know with certainty that they exist.&nbsp; We know that bad times will always follow good times.&nbsp; So why do we not pay  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2 class="wsite-content-title" style="text-align:left;">Just as with the seasons, Spring always follows Winter and Summer always follows spring, this pattern has been around for most if not all of our existence on this planet and most certainly in our lives.&nbsp;<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    The same patterns tend to take place with our economies.&nbsp; We can't predict our economic summers and winters as accurately as we can the weather seasons but we know with certainty that they exist.&nbsp; We know that bad times will always follow good times.&nbsp; So why do we not pay attention to these economic cycles like we do with the weather?&nbsp; We prepare for winter by putting snow tires on our cars but most people don't prepare for an economic winter by making sure they have a backup plan in case they lose their jobs.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    In the stock market when most shares are rising it is called a Bull Market.&nbsp; When the shares are declining it is called a Bear Market.&nbsp; There is a saying amongst stock brokers that one must pay close attention to.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    <strong style="">"The Bull walks up the stairs while the Bear jumps out the window."</strong>&nbsp; This means that the market drops faster than it rises.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    What does this mean for you and me?<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    When everything is going well, we tend to get lulled into a state of complacency. We love our jobs or at least we think we are going to have our jobs forever.&nbsp; Markets seemingly collapse overnight and companies panic and lay off people.&nbsp; They have to get lean or lose money.&nbsp; You lose your job and because most people don't have a backup plan they end up losing their homes as in 2008 and things get really bad.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    When things get ugly is when most people try to build a business on the side.&nbsp; That is akin to digging your well when you have run out of water and are thirsty.&nbsp; I can tell you from experience that building a business when you have no money or when you are in panic mode is never a good idea.&nbsp; The best time to dig your well is BEFORE you need it.&nbsp; <br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    For almost four decades I have been telling people to make sure they have a job and make sure as well that they are building a business on the side.&nbsp; So what should you build?&nbsp; In my opinion you have 3 basic options:<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    1- Do what you love.&nbsp; If you love making candles or jewelry or like to knit, build a business around that.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    2- Partner with someone else.&nbsp; Maybe you have not figured out what you love to do. Or maybe you are better at sales and marketing than creating something with your hands.&nbsp; Then go ahead and find someone who is making candles and jewelry and partner up with them to increase their profits.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    3- Franchise!&nbsp; If you have the money get a franchise as it eliminates some of the risk because of the support and systems you get from the franchisor.&nbsp; If you don't have the money get involved with a good network marketing company for the same reason.&nbsp; They have the systems and support in place.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    The main thing is to DO SOMETHING.&nbsp; Make something happen on the side as insurance against you losing a job.&nbsp; There are of course many other reasons to build a business on the side like padding your retirement account, having the ability to travel more and leaving a legacy for your kids and grandkids.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    You can also lower your risk by seeking mentorship from a friend, family member or a coach like me for Ideas, strategies, planning and implementation.&nbsp; Just make sure they have been there and done that before.&nbsp; Everyone has advice and the worst advice is the free advice you get from people who have just read something in a book. &nbsp;On this subject let me leave you with some advice from Anthony Robbins.<br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    "Everybody's got a tip.&nbsp; Everybody has an answer. But I'll give you a hint: they rarely have one that will really help you. People without any knowledge or mastery will promote their own theories and criticize others' strategies with such vehemence, even though they have no proven track record.&nbsp; It's like a psychologist on Prozac telling you how you can have a fulfilled life. Or an obese person telling you how to get thin and fit. I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of hearing from all these "experts" who tell us what to do, but haven't produced results in their own lives." <br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span>    Go ahead and make 2015 the year you look back on as the year that set you up for a life of sustainable financial abundance.<br /><span style=""></span></h2>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>