Like my Ferrari?

Think the wealthy are all smart, friendly, spendthrift, spoiled and privileged? You might be surprised by the real forces behind their success.

Here's secret #8:

"Like my Ferrari? It's a rental."


Why spend $3,000 on a Versace bag that'll be out of style as soon as next season when you can rent it for $175 a month? For that matter, why blow $250,000 on a Ferrari when for $25,000 it can be yours for a few weekends a year? Clubs that offer "fractional ownership" of jets have been popular for some time, and now the concept has extended to other high-end luxuries like exotic cars and fine art.

How hot is the trend? More than 50% of millionaires say they plan to rent luxury goods within the next 12 months, according to a survey by Prince & Associates. Handbags topped the list, followed by cars, jewelry, watches and art. Online companies like Bag Borrow or Steal, for example, cater to customers who always want new designer accessories and jewelry, for prices starting at $15 a week.

For Suzanne Garner, a millionaire software engineer in Santa Clara, Calif., owning a $100,000 car doesn't make financial sense (she drives a Mazda Miata). Instead, Garner pays up to $30,000 in annual membership fees to Club Sportiva, a fractional-ownership car club in San Francisco that lets her take out Ferraris, Lamborghinis and other exotic vehicles on weekends.

"I'm all about the car," she says. And so are other people, it seems. While stopped at a light in a Ferrari recently, Garner received a marriage proposal from a guy in a pickup. (She declined the offer.)

Source: Smart Money

What I like about my car

Your car, now that's something important to think about. Someone once told me that you should always take care of your car first because if something happens and you lose your house, you could always live in your car - but if something happens to your car, you certainly can't drive your house to work!

So, today, lets focus on 5 things that we like about our cars. And if it happens that you don't have a car, you could put that same focus on whatever vehicle it is that gets you around.

I'll help you get started:

1. The best thing about my car is that ...
2. And I also like ...
3. Thankfully, the ... works really well.
4. I'm so glad that ...
5. Not only that, but I love it when I put the key in the ignition, and it starts right up.

Saying thank you.

Today, we joyously accept and give thanks that the desires of our hearts are fulfilled!

Visioning Transportation

Visioning for each other and affirming right transportation and the perfect car.

For Cindy: I must sing thanks and praise for already having it! And completely and 100% owning it!!! So thank you divine spirit for my perfect vehicle, a paid-for, blue 2006 Jeep Liberty!

For Melissa: The desires of my heart are for Kurt and me to each have perfect transportation, however that looks, whether it's a paid-off Nissan Altima or a driver to chauffer me around town. I want the vehicle to have air conditioning and a CD player and get excellent gas mileage and require very little maintenance, and to be completely paid off.

For Shirley: The desires of my heart are that my little car, which is paid off, and whom I love very much... continues to run great. And when she gets old and frail... resources are made available to keep her in good running condition until she is ready to go to car heaven. I want to be assured that I have right and reliable, safe and comfortable transportation.. that is paid in full. And, if I could really have the car of my dreams... I would want a great little car to zip around town in and a van for transporting art and going on trips, both of which are environmentally sound, fully loaded with all the amenities, with excellent gas mileage and reliability. Something comfortable and fun.

For Michelle: To be able to sell my van and have enough money out of it to buy my friend's van. This would mean I would get to drive the van that the automatic sliding doors. Also, it would be great to have the newer van paid off, since we are asking for the world and are determined to get it.

For Daniel: My dream car is a white, Mercedes Benz 320Blue Tec station wagon. THat is owned by me free and clear. I love station wagons and this is rated as the most reliable with the best mileage which are both very important to me. Thank you in advance for this perfect car.

Here you go Daniel, this one's for you!

Transportation

(In complete faith and trust, speak into creation the desires of your heart)

What are the desires of your heart with regard to a vehicle?

Feng shui for your car

Here are a few hints, tips, and cures, to help create good feng shui for your car:

Car seats should be taller at the back and have a supportive influence on either side. Cars which slope away to the back, and those which open at the back can leave us feeling insecure. Cars with reclining seats, such as expensive sports models, suggest vulnerability behind.

The rear lights act as our "Tortoise" warning those behind to brake. It is therefore essential to ensure they are clean and in working order, and that spent bulbs are replaced immediately.

Stickers on the rear window can strengthen the "Tortoise" or rear position, particularly those which say "Please Keep Your Distance" or "Baby on Board" and other polite, warning signs. Jokes and stickers which are difficult to read have the opposite effect in that they encourage the car behind to come closer. Stickers should not obstruct the window.

Any ornaments that act as a distraction behind should be avoided. Moving objects, like hanging ornaments can create instability and affect concentration. Do not allow loose items to collect in the back of the car.

Talismans for the car can include a St Christopher symbol or icon as he is the patron saint of travellers. Other cultures have their own protection symbols. License plates containing the number 88 are considered especially auspicious and means "double happiness".

Fresh air is necessary in cars, in order to link the occupants with the world outside and to cleanse the air within the confined space. If the air is not fresh, the driver can become tired and lose concentration. To freshen the air we can introduce natural oils, which also affect our moods. Rosemary, neroli, and lemon oils are helpful for calming anger and promoting clear thinking.

Vision is important in the car and a clean screen and headlights enable us to see and be seen clearly on a foggy day and at night.

If we regard the car engine in the same way that we do our bodies, then we can appreciate that for the car to be healthy and function well, it's tubes have to be unblocked and its components well maintained. Regular servicing is therefore important.

from The Practical Encyclopedia of Feng Shui

by Gill Hale

Here is a 1986 BMW Art car.. cool huh?

Car bagua

Flower power for your car:

Cut a six-inch bagua shape in each of the eight outside bagua colors and cut a nine-inch circle in yellow for the center. Arrange them in the proper order and tape them together. The final configuration should look like a colorful daisy with a yellow center and different colored petals. Place this daisy under the mat of the car. The black petal of the daisy should be closest to the rear trunk, and red (Fame) toward the engine. Place this bagua under the driver's seat, or under the mat that covers the floor board.

Simply having a daisy (any size) somewhere on you (or in your brief case, shoe, or underwear) will assist you while on the road. Since this daisy is a complete bagua representation, it's hard to think of any place that would be inappropriate.

From Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life
by Karen Rauch Carter

Your car is your friend

Many people spend hours at a time in their cars which become like mini-homes. Like our homes, they become a reflection and extension of ourselves. Negative chi in cars has the power to create lasting damage and destruction to their owners and to others.

Some people talk to their cars, others give them names and personalize them. In some parts of the world they are blessed. Negative energy breeds negative response, so we should aim to build up a caring relationship with our cars.

For our de-clutter activity today, go out to your car and take a good long look. Does the outside look good and is the inside a mess? Does it look like it belongs to a bag lady? Or maybe it looks like it just came back from a mud wrestling contest. This car is your best friend. If your best friend arrived at your house, looking like that, what would you do?

So now you know what needs to be done, don't put it off for another minute. Just do it.