Spam - What Is It?

So what exactly is spam?

The name today is commonly associated with unwanted, uninvited viral electronic communications, usually emails.  With the increasing popularity of social media platforms it is now also associated with unwanted, uninvited viral advertising and promotional links.  

The real SPAM though is a relatively harmless manufactured meat product.  The original product was made of chopped pork shoulder meat, ham meat, salt, water, sugar, sodiumnitrite (preservative) and potato starch (binder).  As the meat stock cools it forms the gelatinous glaze or aspic which is characteristic of the product. The name is believed to be derived from 'SPiced hAM' and today is often associated with low socio-economic groups.

I can recall eating spam as a child in the 'wilds' of Papua New Guinea where I spent the first 16 years of my life.  We had it lightly fried like steak, in stews and curries, on sandwiches and so on.  The fact that it came in tins and could be stored for months made it a valuable addition to a lot of pantries, especially when fresh meat was not readily available.

Spam is still popular today in many countries.  China is one of the company's most profitable divisions and it is also becoming increasingly popular throughout the rest of Asia and the Pacific.  In the US, Hawaii has the highest consumption per capita and the local Maccas outlets even have Spam Burgers on the menu.  Because of its popularity there, a variety of Spam products not seen anywhere else are available like Hot and Spicy Spam, Spam with Bacon, Honey Spam etc.

So... how did a popular pantry item wind up as the name of one of the main curses of the modern electronic communications era?

Most likely through a 1970 sketch of the same name performed by the infamous Monty Python where it was the overwhelming, and often unwanted, ingredient in every dish served by the cafe in which the sketch was set.  Overwhelming to the point where the quantity of it smothered just about everything else in the dishes.  Hmmm, sound familiar.......?!

Change Your Financial Situation

 Determination Is A Fine Thing

Did you know that the U.S. Social Security Board reports that 85 out of 100 Americans reaching age 65 don't possess as much as $250. And only 2% are self-sustaining (the rest are dependent on family, church, or the government)!  In other words, more and more people are spending the best 40 odd years of their lives earning $40,000 a year or less just so that they can retire on 40% of what wasn't enough in the first place.

And because what most of us earn through regular employment is barely enough to get by on, debt is also becoming a huge problem for many people - is this you?  Are debt problems taking over your life?  Are you worried about where the money is going to come from to pay those bills on the table or feed your family?  And if you have those worries now, what's going to happen when you retire and you are reduced to living on 40% of what isn't enough to live on properly now?

How You Can Change Your Financial Situation

Find out how you can change this and solve your debt problems once and for all ....

Financial problems can strike anyone at any time.  There's no shame in it.  It happens to many different people in many different situations.  The difference between those who let it take them over and dictate their life and those who choose to turn their circumstances around and fight for a better life, is determination, mind set, resolve and commitment.  If you are determined that this 'minor set back' is not going to rule your life and if you can develop a mind set that says WHEN not IF, if you can visualize yourself doing the all things you want to do, having all the things you want to have, living the life you want to live then you're already a long way down the path to achieving those very things. 

Simple Tips To Turn Your Debt Situation Around  

But back to practicalities - there are a range of simple little things that anyone can do to try and turn their current debt condition into something more positive.  By sticking to a few simple resolutions, by finding various ways to do thing differently you can save money and you can get out of debt.  And it is possible to do this without feeling as though you're missing out on anything.  Life does not have to become more difficult because you're cutting down your spending.  You may also gain some insight into your finances which is a valuable, helpful tool that will stand you in good stead throughout life.

• Reading up on debt and financial management can alter your perspective on money and how you view your financial future.  The internet is full of information and advice on debt management, how to get out of debt, how to save money and how to be financially secure.  Make the time to study some of this advice.  Then make sure you take appropriate action because the bottom line is that you will not improve your situation, you will not get out of debt, unless you have the determination and are armed with the knowledge of what it is going to take for you to have financial freedom.  So instead of simply worrying about it but doing nothing, get up and do something about it TODAY before you get in too deep and run out of time to find easy solutions.

• One of the most obvious ways to solve your money problems is to simply start spending less money every chance you get or can think of.  Do this diligently and you will almost certainly save quite a bit of money, probably more than you would think possible.  Start out small - save a few dollars here and there every day and by the end of the month you could well be quite surprised by how much you've managed to save.

Making the effort to alleviate any debt and secure some financial stability early in life is the best gift you can give your future.  It will save you stress and will allow you to take advantage of opportunities that may never have come along had your finances not been in order. And you know what??  Pinching pennies doesn't mean that you can't still have fun and enjoy yourself.  It just means that you need to put a bit more thought into what you spend money on and be a bit more conservative in your spending habits.

Improve Your Debt Condition

Your debt condition can and will improve but only if you take the appropriate steps required to get you to that position. You are the one who should be in control of your life and your finances.

Commit To Making The Changes That Matter

So, back to that self sustaining 2% who are in the enviable position of being financially secure with the freedom that comes from knowing that they don't have any debt or money concerns.  What have they done differently to the other 98%?  You can bet that at least a percentage of them, and probably more than you think, have struggled with debt and financial problems too at some point in their lives.  The difference is that they made a commitment to turn their situation around instead of just wishing and hoping that things would get better.  They visualized themselves living the way they wanted to live and that is the secret.  Once your mind decides that is how something is going to be, the body automatically takes action and you find a way to make it happen.

Make it so today is not like yesterday and tomorrow will be different forever ~ Tony Robbins.