Awesome Chili with Beans

I love a good bowl of chili and this makes a big pot of flavorful, mild chili. If you like your chili hotter use a hotter chili powder or add hot sauce to your bowl. Served with sourdough bread or cheese bread, it's great. Start with a big pot or Dutch oven and a skillet.

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 medium sized onion
  
• 1 green bell pepper
• 8 ounces mild cheddar cheese
• 16 ounces of sour cream
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 3 tablespoons mild chili powder
• 3 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1-28 ounce can tomato sauce
• 1-28 ounce can diced tomatoes-undrained
  
• 1-29 or 30 ounce can of pinto beans-undrained
• 1-30 0unce can kidney beans-undrained
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  

Dice onion and bell pepper, cook in oil over medium heat in Dutch oven until tender and transparent, turn down heat and add garlic (do not brown garlic). Brown ground beef in skillet simultaneously. Drain fat and add beef to Dutch oven after browning. Stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir in beans and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes. Cool 15 minutes and serve topped with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. If your watching calories you can skip the cheese and sour cream, however it adds a delicious flavor and makes a good chili great. Don't forget some crackers, or bread.

How to Retire Wealthy

Time is the enemy.

The biggest problem most people face when saving for their retirement is not starting soon enough. Most of us don't plan ahead far enough to ever live or retire with any kind of wealth. It does not have to be like that. If you start when your young, at the beginning of your working life (about 40 years) you can retire wealthy. If your employer offers a 401K plan, it can give you an even greater advantage. Because of the contributions often given by employers, your retirement savings can multiply even faster. This will make it much easier to retire wealthy. If you save a modest amount starting when your 25 years old, saving for 40 years, you could easily have a large retirement savings. If you wait just 5 years it becomes more difficult, you would then need to save even more to make up the difference. Try a time value calculator to determine what your own needs are. Also try several different scenarios to see the importance of time and the benefit of an early start with regards to retirement savings.

Earning more (the right career)

Earning more is also an option, but how do you do that? Finding a good paying job with room for growth is one way to earn more. Most good paying jobs require a college degree or specialized training. Make sure you pick a career that suits you, some people make career changes in the middle of their lives, however staying on the same path should benefit you because of the experience you will gain in a particular field. Years of experience is very important to most employers if and when you seek a position with another employer in the same field. Experience may also give you some leverage when it comes to salary negotiation. More you earn the more you can save and retire wealthy.

Go into business for yourself

Start your own business and leave the corporate world behind. Starting your own business can be risky, however, it may be one of the best ways to become wealthy and retire wealthy. Many Americans start their own business with a dream of financial freedom, you can do it with the right plan. Do your home work before investing time and money. Also, don't start a business you know nothing about, stick with what you know or something you can easily learn. Home based businesses are generally safer. A home business usually has a smaller investment and no store or building to lease. You can also so get some tax advantages associated with owning your own business.

Set Goals

Make sure with whatever you choose to do, you set realistic goals for yourself. Re-evaluate your goals from time to time to make sure your on track. Make sure you don't live beyond your means, watch your spending. Don't buy a bigger house than you need or can afford and don't waste money on expensive things you don't need, this makes it harder to save money and retire wealthy. Toys are fun, but do you really need them? Be careful and keep your retirement years in mind. Good luck and good savings.