When my friends heard about my dental plans, they suggested I check into it and they had their friend give me a call. My interest was peaked, so I spent the next 6 months looking into it, discussing the idea in online forums, checking websites, asking friends, etc. and booked an appointment with an implant specialist.

The idea was foreign to me at first, but the more I learned about what is called "dental vacations", the better it looked.

It is a huge industry and the driving factor behind it is the huge savings. Even after travel costs, lodging and meals, I still saved over $8,300.

That includes the cost of two airline tickets from Knoxville as Martha went along and we turned it into a vacation as well.

Between appointments, there were two 3 day periods so we took off during these times.

The first trip we made was to the Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica where we saw white-face monkeys, sloths, parrots, frogs, colorful crabs and other creatures of the jungle.

On a separate day while in the area, we went on a sailboat cruise and snorkling trip out into the Pacific. This was probably my favorite part of the trip. There is something about being on the ocean that is adventureous to me, and the trip conditions were great. Nice weather, and they served us with drinks and lunch which was all included.

The whole first trip to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica was a great trip as Costa Rica is very tropical, lush and pretty. The Pacific coast towns and shoreline are very nice places to visit.

After that first trip, we returned to San Jose for another appointment and then went to the Arenal Volcano and stayed at a lush resort with many pools, some of which are fed by hot springs from the Arenal Volcano. The Los Lagos Resort is a fabulous place to stay.

On our way back to the Casa Laurin Bed & Breakfast which we used as our home base in San Jose, we toured the Doka Valey Coffee Plantation. Along with the tour, they served lunch which was served in their outdoor pavilion. The lunch, and the tour, was very nice.

I finished up my last appointment and we flew home.

About the dental clinic I used, I must say I was quite impressed. I believe it was better than the one here. The staff was very friendly, there were no problems with the language - I speak no Spanish - and the facilities and professionalism were great. My dentist is a specialist in dental implants and his staff of dentists and assistants are top notch.

One of the unique things about the whole dental vacation was the fact that I found what I call a 'dental coordinator', a guy named Charlie who was like a personal assistant in arranging travel, eating, lodging and whatever else we needed.

He answered questions before the trip, he met us on our arrival, came to the dental appointments, took us by taxi and by walking to show us the ins and outs of getting around in San Jose. Charlie played a big role in my choosing the dentist and in deciding to make the trip. He was most helpful and the cost for his services were zero.

I cannot say enough about how pleased I am to have made the decision to go on a 'Costa Rica dental vacation'. I had my concerns, but it was great, and I would be willing to help anyone who may have an interest because I know how daunting the idea was because of the uncertainty of going to another country for dental work. I am so glad I did it.

Of course, saving over $8,000 is nice, too!

Ok, now that the "Tax Man" cometh and goeth, we can get back to life. I have been building websites and going recalibrated as to using my time more efficiently.

I ran across a picture that I'm going to be using on my websites to replace the ones I've used in the past. Mainly because, I just haven't found one I like too well. I guess that's not something the handsome folks of the world can relate to or have to deal with, but us mortals must be careful that we catch one with just the right light, etc. :)-

Spring is here in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and it's hard to apply myself to anything "productive", whatever that means!

The one thing that has become clear to my as far as business goes is that I've been underselling myself. Networking is a weird business because it's so lucrative for those who work it and yet so looked down upon by those who have "tried it" and failed.

I see many "try it" and few make it. I have recently found an answer to one of the biggest problems with networking, and I will be implementing that solution throughout my system. Time will tell, but I know it will help because it solves one of the biggest problems, completely.

Now, to live up to my pledge to myself to spend my time more wisely, I best return to living life in the Spring time flowers and sunshine here in Tennessee, so we'll see you soon.

The journey continues.......

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12 Mar 2011
Today is just absolutely gorgeous outside - mid 60's, sunny with a slight breeze. Spring in Great Smoky Mountains is among the best places a person can be on planet earth. I was in my virtual world until Martha texted me and said how "beauuuuuutiful" it was out. I ditched the computer and met up with her. Life is good, but especially on a day like today.

Now, back to biz.nez! UPDATE on my 3 Mar 2011 POST: The MPBtoday business has less appeal to the masses that I thought it would. Imagine that, I was wrong!

That's one of the things I've come to love about being a business owner, i.e. that the real world will keep your opinion of the world fine tuned. Whatever I might think will work is constantly being tested by the market place.

It's test, learn, recalibrate or confirm, then test again. As a new business owner, this can be a very trying process, but in time, the successful Entrepreneur learns to love the process. It's like the old saying, "We don't get to change what happens to us, only how we react to it", or something to that effect.

MPBtoday has a much needed service - a way for a person to earn their groceries for free. That is a much needed opportunity, at least you would think that's the case. But again, the market place will determine whether that's right thinking or not.

An interesting, and probably smart, aspect to the MPBtoday program is that the buy-in is all done up front. It is a $200 one-time investment and that's it. Except for the $10/yr website, there is nothing else to pay for a year at least.

When a prospective business owner wants something that's a one-time investment with no monthly requirements, MPBtoday will be the perfect fit

I did put up two sites (www.GroceriesOnlineShopping.com and www.ShoppingOnlineGrocery.com) that I will use to post articles and news about MPBtoday, so check in from time to time, if you have an interest in the shopping online grocery concept.

I believe it will build with time and effort, so it's a keeper, but it helps to know it's limits. I hope this helps you get a perspective on it. People who actively market it can build it, in fact they are, so it's a good business model for the right person and their personal situation.

In time, the right two people will come along and then I'll 'cycle', as they call it, and I'll focus on helping those people succeed.

I will put any future news about MPBtoday on the above sites.

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3 Mar 2011
I have been looking into an online grocery business with a program that enables me to work toward getting my groceries for free. I've got a site up that explains it at www.BusinessExpr.com I'll keep you posted on the latest news as I learn more about it myself.

It was recommended by a couple of friends over the past few months, but I kept ignoring it. Today I registered there and time will tell.

They have incentives to share the site with others, and when you do, you can earn money and your choice of either online grocery ordering where the groceries are shipped to you, or you can choose a Wal-Mart gift card.

Telling two who tell two earns a $100 check and the grocery/gift card for $200, so it's a nice incentive.

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19 Feb 2011
Coupons are the rage, so I've put up a new website where you can register to receive coupons from local businesses. You can visit the site at www.MoneyWithCoupons.com I've posted the latest news and more will be coming in the days to come.

For consumers, it's a place where you can see the latest programs available, register for discounts of 50% to 90% off on local merchants, and more. For affiliate driven people, it's also a place to earn some extra money while saving money, too.

I hope you'll visit and leave some comments about any experiences you've had with coupons. It's proving very helpful for people to pay less and earn more, and in this economy, saving money and making money is significant.

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12 Feb 2011
Well, I've crossed another line in my travels through life. I'll be getting my first Social Security check, or as the old timers call it, their "government check", in April.

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3 Feb 2011

I was just 29 the other day.

Now look at me. I look at this picture and I see my life in pictures at the top of this website and I still find it hard to grasp.

The candles hardly fit on the cake, or at least that's what they say. Who knows? We don't even try any more. We just stick one on there and say, "Make a wish and blow out the candle".

Well, I wish you all the best, but that's not what I wished when I blew out my ONE candle, I can tell you that!

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30 Jan 2011
I enjoy a good chuckle now and then, and for years I've always passed along emails that made me chuckle or made me think. To organize this process, I've started a newsletter using my TrafficWave Autoresponder system.

Anyone wanting to subscribe to my newsletter can opt in and opt out anytime they choose. I keep it clean, but I must tell you, I have a dry sense of humor and I sometimes slip over the politically correct line. I'm calling it the Gross Humor Newsletter.   Catchy, huh?

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24 Jan 2011
I was asked to work on a project to help homeless veterans today by an old friend. It's a non-profit which will be providing a work-thru home to qualified veterans. They can live in it two years max and then they must move on up to make room for the next Veteran family.

The homes will be manufactured by us and they are made from material that is something that there is an excess of all around the world. I am not at liberty to say what that is yet, but it's not something I would have thought of, I don't think.

Being involved with a non-profit is totally out of my area of business experience. I am used to starting a business with little "approval" from anyone, but this non-profit requires us to basically ask someone's permission before practically every step we take. That's new to me!

He has worked for two years putting this together and it's his passion. I am trying to get my mind around the idea, what he wants from me, etc.

I told him I'd work on it for now, with limited time and no commitment right now.

Even though I have experienced the paperwork that exists in the federal government and in the military first hand, I was not ready for the amount of paperwork and "hoops" that one must go through these days. Honestly, it was depressive to see all those regs and the paperwork knowing that somewhere, in some hidden cubicle, there sat a person who had to put all those regs together, write them and make their small job duty fit into the complex and cumbersome bureaucracy.

The cause is a good one, i.e. helping veterans who have somehow found their lives come to the point where they are homeless. It's something for me to ponder, for sure.

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20 Jan 2011
Each person has a "story". Some get national publicity and the whole nation gets enthralled. Take for example the recent shootings in Tucson, AZ. Tragic life stories, no doubt.

And yet, each of us has our own story, so how do we process all this? The nation may not know about yours and my story, but we have them none the less. Knowing this doesn't help us deal with the difference in publicity or isolation, but somehow it feels important to at least realize that each person we meet does indeed have their own story.

I think the lesson is that we should treat each other from the perspective that they just might be helped a bit by being treated with a bit more love and understanding.

People may not be dropping by your house and putting a vigil of burning candles and cards out front, but you are still special.

I wonder why so few people are doing this for our soldier's families? They actually volunteer to put themselves in harms way. Isn't that deserving of at least the same respect and acknowledgement?

I think so, don't you?

No way do I mean to take away from the support for the Tucson shooting victims. I merely point to the outpouring of support in Tucson as a prod to myself that support for all people should be elevated up to a higher level toward that shown in Tucson.

This would allow me to gain from the lessons there in a way that could help everyone. We all could use a little help and support now and then, don't you agree?

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16 Jan 2011
This marks a new day in this website. Starting today, I'm writing this website for my Grandkids' sake, too.

I'm going to be adding rambling thoughts as I can best remember them from the past. Maybe they'll get a "kick" out of them someday. I know I'd sure like to read some of the thoughts my Grandparents would have wrote.

You are welcome to read along, but that's up to you.

I am a family man and a business man. For me, they are intertwined into one person.

Other than God and family, long term friendships are the most important part of life. I hope our friendship grows and I hope you will support our family business, either as a Customer or as a Business Partner, and hopefully as both.

Either way, I believe it's first the person, then the business, so here is my story. I look forward to learning your story. Enjoy!  

My name is Kurt. Martha and I own an online business that is international in scope and we live in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

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22 Oct 2009
A new chapter in life is when your first Grandchild is born and that's what happened today in our family. We truly are blessed and life was good, but it just got a whole lot better.

I look at this new life and ponder all the possibilities. Like many things in life, it reminds me to put and keep a realistic perspective on the things that REALLY matter.

The best is yet to come, but today is surely a nice day for our family!

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13 Aug 1969
I arrived at the USAF Induction Center with not a clue as to what lay ahead. Not a clue! My mother and brother took me there to see me off. This was a day that my life changed, for sure. It's one of those days you just don't forget!

Talk about a new chapter in life! There were six of us in our group and I was nominated to "be in charge". Look out!

They gave us meal vouchers that were good for "anything we wanted to eat and drink at the San Antonio, TX International Airport, so we had something to look forward to, anyway. Naturally we turned down the airline's food. We were going to be eating "high on the hog" as they say here in the South.

When we got off the plane, we headed straight for the restaurant. I noticed some guys lined up on a wall but didn't pay much attention to them, but it wasn't one minute later and we were part of that line!

What I later learned as a "Tech Sgt" approached us and asked if were had just joined the U.A. Air Force. We didn't know it at the time, but there was a neon sign hanging over each of our heads that screamed, "Country bumpkins here, lost, headed for some mythical restaurant".

It wasn't long before we realized that we had been "had" by the good ole USAF. It wasn't the last time, either!

The best was yet to come later that night, and for the next 6 weeks. Life would never be the same!

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20 Jul 1969

I had taken my Mom to her Dr. appointment and was loitering in the waiting room. It was actually an old house smack in the middle of Burlington in east Knoxville, but back then many doctors had their offices in such places, and many often lived upstairs.

What makes this day memorable is that I watched the U.S. Astronauts take the first step on the moon. It was a black and white TV and yet I felt like I was there with them. I think the whole world was watching! If they weren't, they later wished they had been.

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1961-1967
I had a neighbor that had an Oldsmobile (65, 66 or 67, I'm not sure). It was light blue and it was a "442" I believe. It was a beauty.This is NOT his, but it's the closest I could find to match my memory, and we've got these kinds of trees here, so this will serve the idea well.

Every kid in the neighborhood drooled over that car. I still remember what the Hurst 4 speed shifter looked like. The neighbors cars had "three speed on the column" but this was a 4 speed. Vrooooooooooom!

Of course, then we would WALK to the local store and buy a 6 cent "Coca Cola" and drink it on the porch of the store.

There were two reasons we drank it there. First, we didn't want to pay the 2 cents extra for the bottle and second, it had been so long since we'd had such a luxury that we could have slurped that 6 ouncer down in 2 seconds it tasted so good. Instead, we'd nurse it along with sips after the first big gulp, of course, and we'd let out a sigh of satisfaction between each drink.

Years later, we used those skills at a place called the Hi-Hat by nursing a beer all night to string out our USAF paycheck to next payday.

Later, I got a walking paper route or 62 customers and I'd take home $5/week, less any cokes or "Moon Pies" I'd eat throughout the week. Eventually I bought a $60 lawn mower from Sears and started mowing yards for $2 each. No trimming.

As my money grew, I saved up and bought a motorcycle from Sears for $300. We paid cash. That was the only "payment plan" there was at that time. It was a whopping 5 HP but hey, it sure beat walking! Later I upgraded to one of them thar new fangled "Jap bikes" called a Honda 125 and I got a "motor route" with 275 customers.

Now I was making $40/week. My Mom was a nurse and she made $55/week, so I was probably the richest kid in high school. Well, not counting parents giving the "rich kids" their stuff. I eventually traded up to a '56 Ford and man was I the "cool kid" on my block now?

Still, that 442 across the street was THE coolest car in the neighborhood and for anywhere around there that I knew. The closest competition was a "DIVORCED" (only said with a whisper back then, and that was only after you looked left and right to make sure no one would hear you say the word DIVORCED) guy up the street. He had a Mustang. It was pretty cool, but that 442 was "the coolest"!

We need to start a baby boomers blog. I bet a lot of experienced "cool cats" would get a kick out of it.

Anyway, those were the days! Too bad the USAF had to change all that.

"My Story"
Our home-based business has grown into our primary income source, but it didn't start out that way.

After high school, college and the U.S. Air Force, I was an accountant. I had bought into the idea that a job was the way to get ahead.

I spent 5 years as an IRS Agent and Bank Internal Auditor before I realized that it was those who owned the business that were in the best position to have the lifestyle and financial independence that I wanted.

Spring time here near the Great Smoky Mountains is absolutely georgeous and it made pressing that elevator button to the 5th floor very hard. Sometimes I think it was worse than Basic Training in the USAF! Neither were easy.

At the age of 29 I decided I wasn't going to work for someone else so I started my own entertainment business. Sounds like a big deal, huh? Actually we had clowns delivering balloons to parties.

We not only entertained our customers, we entertained the whole city as we went to and fro from our offices. It was a start and life kept getting better ever since.

Being self-employed and 'different' has worked well for me and I love it. Everyday is full of mystery and adventure and, like I said earlier, I've learned to enjoy the journey as I play my way toward the destination. To me, that's wisdom, and it's found all along the way AS WELL AS at the end of 'The Yellow Brick' road.

You see, I believe that if you gather wisdom all along the way, you know what you'll find behind the curtain when you get to see the wizard in Emerald City.

If you are under 50, you might need to reference the most watched movie of all time, 'The Wizard of Oz'. Don't expect any spaceships, action packed scenes or any squealing tires. It's laden with messages and morals and hidden truths that you'll only get when you start growing up.

By 1984, I was a business broker and that was a great place to learn some of the hidden lessons about owning a business, and that's where Martha and I first met.

Compared to the theory of college and the sheltered view of being a government employee, the real-world business experience was very educational and it let us clearly see the advantages of business ownership over having a job.

After five years of self-employment, we learned the value of following a proven business system rather than starting on our own. I call having a proven business system a business "recipe" because success in business is similar to success in the kitchen - if you have a good recipe then your chances for success are better.

As business brokers, we found a successful business system that had a 23 year proven track record. We took our savings, all of it, and we bought their system and opened our business in upper east Tennessee - a carpet and upholstery cleaning business!

Something neither of us ever thought we'd be doing after graduation, but there we were - in the carpet cleaning business!

Over the next six years, we expanded to six locations in four states with 85 employees. We were rolling and success was ours, finally.

However, our success was a mixed blessing - we had strong financial rewards but it also involved many headaches and a lot of overhead expenses that are typically associated with traditional business ownership. In our sixth year we had burned out and we felt trapped at a higher level.

We took six months off and told our store managers they were on their own. We had lost the desire to work and even though our income was good, we were scared because we had lost the edge to go on. Six months turned into nine months.

We travelled, we played golf, we spent time on our boat on the beautiful lakes here in east Tennessee, and we hung out with friends during this time. But we mainly just recuperated at home wondering whether we'd ever get our edge back.

In 1995, through Kurt's brother and his wife, we met a team of people who had what we wanted - income AND the time to enjoy it.

We were introduced to the world of network marketing and nothing I've seen since compares. I agree with Robert Kiyosaki when he called network marketing the "perfect business".

There is no better place to get an education while building relationships with people and a residual income.

It has it's bad side, too. Because it's so ripe with potential, it's also a rich harbor for those who take advantage of people. It represents life in that with great opportunity often comes great risk.

As we did our research we found plenty of reasons why we thought this couldn't work for us. A big concern was that some people told us that a network marketing business couldn't be successful. We wondered if perhaps they knew something we didn't.

As we researched it, we found those who had been successful and those who hadn't. We knew that if some had done it that we could, too. All we had to do was hookup with those who had the fruit on the tree.

One thing we'd learned the hard way over the years about building businesses was that if you do what the successful people have done, you'll have what they have. We decided to be teachable and follow the recipe.

That turned out to be a mixed blessing. Some of that was good and other parts weren't, but that's a long story that will rest for another day.

In my experience, the good far outweighs the bad, but one must be educated. That education always precedes success, and there are two ways to get it - the hard way and the easy way.

A good mentor is a better path to financial independence than the hard way where you learn on your own. Unfortunately, most of us take the hard path and learn it on our own.

Long story short, I have been self-employed for over 30 years now and I love living the job free life. There's nothing quite like having the freedom to choose what you do, when you do it and who you do it with.

In America, that is an option open to everyone, and for that, I am so thankful. Personal and financial freedom is spreading around the world and I believe that network marketing is playing a major role in helping others enjoy that freedom.

Looking back, it's scary to think that we almost let our friends scare us away from it. How crazy it would have been to have taken financial advice from people who were in debt and working a job!

The sad thing is, I see people make that mistake everyday. I guess peer pressure and worry about what others might think of you have a powerful influence over us. As you grow up and mature, you realize how childish that is, but at the time it's the natural thing to do. Just follow everyone else because it's comfortable, I guess.

Today, I'm part of a team that has taken the road less travelled and I can only tell you, it's been great. I've never regretted my decision to start my own business.

I have learned to listen more and talk less. I also have learned that a good network marketer does not sell or try to convince. Successful networkers explain and teach by example.

There is nothing quite like the freedom from a boss and a job, but it's not for some people. It takes self-discipline and work. It's a great feeling knowing that the best is yet to come.