In The News

For the Love of Reading

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Someone once said that through the love of reading you can travel the world and be anyone you want to be without ever having to leave the comfort of your armchair.  And if you are the frugal sort like Alice Jumper, it is a whole lot less expensive as well!  In fact, through her love of reading, Alice was able to accumulate a $1 million portfolio that will be benefiting Central Michigan University and its Library well into the future.

Let’s Spread That Wealth Around A Little

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st. marysA Surprise Millionaire in Georgia thought he was doing a wonderful thing by leaving his local church a staggering bequest of $60,000,000; his entire life’s savings.  However, the momentous event seemed to be more of a burden for the small congregation instead of a blessing.  Where to use the money and how to use the money  were decisions left up to the congregation with no direction from their benefactor.  For a house of faith who wanted to remain just that, a house of the faithful; this posed some major concerns.

Would greed rear its ugly head, would they make the right decisions regarding the use of the money when there were literally thousands of worthy causes and organizations that could benefit?   These concerns were turning what was meant to be a wonderful thing in to a major stressor for the church and its congregation.

This brings me to my point for all of you potential Surprise Millionaires out there.   When determining who you will leave your wealth to, it is best to divide that wealth between several organizations, individuals and worthy causes rather than placing the entire estate and all of the pressures it may bring on one entity.  Secondly, please either stipulate or at least suggest what you would like the funds to be used for.

A little planning on your part could save some very grateful, but conflicted people a little angst in the future.

The Surprise Hero AND Millionaire

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A decorated army helicopter medic who served his country well left his adopted community quite a gift earlier this summer.   The Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity will be putting Stephen M. Florentz’ $2.25 million gift to good use.

This gentleman who grew up in the tenements of New York City bought his first home when moving to Oklahoma and never forgot the pride that home ownership brought him.  He wanted to pass that feeling along to others.

Florentz BookDuring my research of this amazing hero and Surprise Millionaire, I found a piece of information that others had overlooked.  He was a published author as well!

 

 

 

Living Right Next Door To One!

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So you suspect one of your neighbors might be a Surprise Millionaire but are not for sure. How would you be able to tell?  Well, most likely you wouldn’t.  Thankfully, Len Penzo has broken the code and will give us the scoop on the traits that set the Surprise Millionaire apart from the rest of us.

Giving To Others What They Never Had

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Melvin and Kathryn Johnson grew up during a time when educational opportunities were hard to come by; especially when you were trying to make a living and put food on the table.   That is why their recent gifts to the Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch as well as their local school districts made such a lasting impression.  It is people (and Surprise Millionaires) like these folks that make me hopeful for the future!