KMP got the chance to read an amazing book that is helping change the way I manage my finances as well as they I think in regards to money. Mind Right, Money Right! 10 Laws of Financial Freedom is an amazing book that everyone must read. After reading this book I had to interview the author and find out more.
KMP Interviews presents…Ash Cash author of a new financial book that can probably change your life and the way you think; Mind Right, Money Right! 10 Laws of Financial Freedom.
Q. Is Ash Cash your real name? If not, where or how did this name come about?
A. My first name is really Ash and back in High School around the time when Juvenile, BG, Mannie Fresh, the Hot Boys and the whole Cash Money Crew came out some of my friends would call me Ash Money. Well one day a friend of mine mistakenly called me Ash Cash instead of Ash Money, I thought it had a nice ring to it so I kept it. I guess it was fate because a year later I got my first job as a teller, which started my career in finance. With my goal to become the financial expert of our generation the name is very fitting.
Q. I first learned about you through the Daily Word email I receive from DJ Kut. I enjoy the Daily Word emails and I use the quotes on there and pass it on along to other people to enjoy as well. When did Daily Word start and what made you start this?
A. Thanks so much for helping spread the word. I’ve been doing the Daily Word for about four years now and it started originally as a way to help inspire and motivate my close friends, family and associates. One year my wife took me to a bed and breakfast for my birthday and during our stay I came across a book of quotes. This was around the time Oprah was promoting the book “The Secret” I was intrigue by the theory that positive thinking can change a person’s circumstance and wanted to learn more. After reading “The Secret” and now coming across this quote book I was convinced that words had power and knew for sure that quotes can help to change peoples moods and circumstances. I began sending a regular email out every morning to everyone in my contact history. Eventually other people started to email me and ask whether I can add them on to my list. I would get emails from random people thanking me for helping them through certain situations and it became too much to manage from just an email. I decided to create a web site (www.TheAshCashShow.com) and streamline the emails using an email marketing software. The rest is history. When I started out I had maybe fifty people on my list, now I have over two thousand; not to mention the people who forward them to their list of family and friends. DJ Kut for instance has a list as large as ten thousand plus who get the Daily Word everyday religiously. Kut tells me all the time that I don’t really understand my reach but humbly I’m just happy that I can affect at least one life.
Q. I’ve read your book Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. Great title, Amazing book! This book looks like it took quite some time, there’s so much research and information put into the book. With all the financial, self-help books out there, what makes your book different from the rest?
A. The difference is that Mind Right, Money Right is written in simple and identifiable terms and gives you examples of men and woman that have become successful using these same laws. If you are looking to make a significant impact in anyone’s life it is important that you are able to relate to them and talk to them in a way that will have a real impact. Most finance books are written in finance jargon so unless you have a finance degree it may be hard to follow at times. Mind Right, Money Right solved this issue. The second difference is that to me most finance books are written for informational purposes only. I am a big fan of Rich Dad, Poor Dad; The Richest Man in Babylon, Think and Grow Rich, The millionaire next door and many others which are excellent books and great point of references but most of these books give you a theory about money and provide you with good reasons why you should follow their theory but no real concrete plan on how to go about it. With Mind Right, Money Right, my aim was to write a book that anyone from anywhere and any background can understand. Not only did I want people to understand; I also aimed to include actionable items that can be implemented immediately and have a significant impact on anyone’s finances as well as in their lives. This book provides not only the practical things that are needed to get your finances together but the mental aspect as well.
Q. Prior to starting or finishing your book, did you practice the 10 Laws of Financial Freedom yourself, and do you still practice these laws?
A. I have a degree in Finance and Investments, I’ve been in banking for more than ten years and I’ve helped many people through out my career manage their finances. The funny thing is that despite having this knowledge, I had developed some very bad habits early on in my life, which caused me to live paycheck to paycheck and go into debt with creditors breathing down my back. Eventually I had to get my Mind Right and realize that I had no excuse for living life this way. By personally following the ten laws I was able to get out of debt and free myself of the dependency of money. I became debt free at twenty-five, bought my first home at twenty-six, created a solid financial plan that my family and I follow religiously and can honestly say that I am now financially free.
Q. Your book does a great job describing how in order for our money to be right we need to make sure our mind is right, just like the title says. I like how your book goes from the psychology of the mind into financial help but still in a more advice type rather than how-to. This helps people understand why we are saving or investing or buying a home. Did you have any role models growing up that guided you in the right direction?
A. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on how you look at it I grew up a product of a single parent household, growing up in one of the most dangerous housing projects in New York City. I had no real role models or anyone around me to teach me the things I needed to know to make my life better. For some reason God sparred me. I could have easily gone down the wrong path but luckily for me my angels had better plans for my life. I was given all the knowledge that I needed to turn my life around and now I use that same knowledge to educate my people! Please understand when I say my people I am not talking about black and white, I am talking about anyone who had a rough beginning and was counted out before being given a chance. I am on a mission to financially educate the forgotten and the less fortunate! I root for the underdog! I am cut from that same cloth and no matter what I vow to show people that nothing is impossible!!
Q. What was Ash Cash like before the Daily Word or Mind Right, Money Right?
A. Whew! That’s a good one! Ash Cash before the Daily Word or Mind Right, Money Right was a lost kid. I didn’t really have any direction. I wanted to be a lawyer, basketball star, or an actor. I was pretty good in all three but no one really supported my dreams so I began to act up in school and cause havoc for no reason. I went to three high schools, repeated the tenth grade because I was expelled, and my grades were so bad that the only college that would accept me was my local community college. I never sold any drugs but definitely dabbled in the street life a little. Again God had better plans for me. I don’t think I was a bad kid I just think that I was yearning for attention.
Q. How has your life changed since then?
A. I am more responsible. I realize that I don’t have to be a product of my environment. In fact you are whatever you say you are. I now know that whatever I want in life will be mine if I put the right energy out there and stay focused! Back then I was listening to what society said I had to be even though that wasn’t really me. That’s why I advice people everyday to watch their words and watch what energy they put out there. The universe is in your control so be careful what you wish for.
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A. In five years I will be a best selling author. I will have either a TV or radio show that will attract millions of listeners and/or viewers concentrating mainly on inspiring and motivating people to be the best they can be. I’m not trying to be the next Oprah but the word on the street is that she’s retiring soon so someone needs to fill that void
Q. What’s next for Ash Cash?
A. I’m currently in the process of finishing the Mind Right series. Mind Right, Money Right went over the basic concept of how to manage your personal finances but I have three more books coming out that will concentrate specifically on credit, investments, & entrepreneurship. I am also working with a great team on putting out some motivational CD’s, and DVD’s, I have a speaking tour coming soon, I’m working with a new magazine as their financial columnist, and through my company Ash Cash Management Group I am putting together a curriculum to teach financial literacy to schools, churches, prisons, and community based organizations.
Q. How can people contact you if they have questions or comments about your book?
A. I am really on a mission to financially re-educate as much people as I can. I purposely put my email address, which is info@IamAshCash.com on the back of the book so that my readers can contact me directly. This is the email that is attached to my Blackberry so I will respond personally. Also you can contact me via my web site www.IamAshCash.com, Twitter www.twitter.com/IamAshCash or Facebook www.Facebook.com/IamAshCash. My book blog www.MindRightMoneyRightBook.com is currently under construction and will be available soon. Last but not least make sure you pick up Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom available now on Amazon.com.
**Make sure you enter the contest to win a copy of Ash Cash’s amazing financial book: Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom, Click here to enter!
Last day to enter is Friday, February 26, 2010.