Enjoy the Mall Better than a Billionaire

Good morning, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

Are you feeling motivated this morning? I certainly hope so. I know that I am!

Recently, I have been writing about many experiences that are best enjoyed if you can be anonymous. The few hundred billionaires (as measured in U.S. dollars) seldom have that privilege. As a result, they often travel with bodyguards, avoid crowds, and are always wary of the jibes of skeptical journalists.

I have read biographies and autobiographies (my latest is Trump Think Like a Billionaire). I don't remember seeing a single time when a billionaire is described as attending a mall. The closest that The Donald gets to it is when he sends one of his staff members down to pick up a hamburger for him from the restaurant at the bottom of the atrium in Trump Tower.

That observation made me think about the many special joys of visiting malls.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Watching the people. Many malls have benches you can sit on among the walkways. I especially like the ones on upper floors so you can see at least two levels at the same time. It's better than any Broadway show!

2. Looking at the window displays. It's more than just window shopping. It's also enjoying humor, different perspectives and seeing lovely works of jewelry and other fine crafts.

3. Observing social trends. I'm always fascinated to see the way that mall stores change and what that says about the people who shop there. For instance, Mall of the Americas was full of luxury and high quality stores the first time I visited. When I returned a number of years later, those stores were all replaced with discount stores. Could it be that we are poorer?

4. Getting investment ideas. Which stores are full of people? Which stores are doing a better job than their competitors? Which restaurants are packing them in . . . but have no more capacity to handle more customers?

5. Having interesting chats with sales people. This doesn't happen in every store, but it's fun to go to Nordstrom and hear their sales people talk about what it's like to work there.

6. Seeing silly fashions. When fashion is bad, it can be hilarious. You get a chance to enjoy this both by looking at what's offered in stores . . . and what people are garbed in.

7. Locating mind-boggling bargains. If you are patient, malls often give the products to you. Between discount mall certificates, buy-one-get-one-free, credit card rebates, bonuses for applying for store credit and so forth, you can do pretty well. I think it's hilarious to get things for free so I'm always trying to find ways to do so.

8. Watching for who buys the weirdest stuff. Some of the items that can be found in house wares stores are pretty unusual. I love seeing someone pick those items out and buy them.

9. Taking a break with a favorite salad. For some reason, I always get the best salads in malls. I like to sit there, munching away, and enjoy the hub-bub around me.

10. Uncovering intelligence about when what I really want to buy will be on the best sale. Many sales people don't know. Others won't tell you. The good sales people know that they will make a future sale if they tip you off. Some will even hide a little stock for you. Ask around.

11. Spotting gifts for those you love. I always seem to find the best ones when I'm not looking. Then, I stockpile them for the next big occasion. I feel so virtuous for being ahead of the curve in the meantime.

12. Enjoying a nice long walk in ideal conditions. If my legs aren't aching a little, I feel let down by my mall experience. I didn't get enough exercise!

What are your favorite activities that no billionaire gets to enjoy? Share your thoughts in a comment so we can all have the last laugh on the way to and from the mall!

Can a billionaire do any better? I doubt it.

A billionaire can certainly buy a mall and arrange to have it open just for her or his shopping. While that may be a fantasy dream for many, it's just not the same. I was also struck that Donald Trump said in his book that you should buy from only the best few retailers in the country. Is Harry Winston in your mall? I doubt it.

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N.B. As you can tell, I'm experimenting with color. Let me know what you like and what I should change about my use of color. Many thanks to Linda Grace for her suggestions which I am following!

Please let me know what else you would like to learn, and I'll do my best to help in future blog entries.

Here are some upcoming subjects:

Tomorrow, I'll pay homage to my friend and mentor, Peter Drucker, who died recently.

On Saturday, let's head to Pro Player Stadium for a close look at how to enjoy football South Florida style!

Sunday, let's consider how best to expand your spiritual library and readings.

On Monday, we'll consider better ways to pick out a good book.

Tuesday, let's look at how to run a short meeting better than a billionaire.

If you are new to this blog, be sure to check out the updated table of contents entry that I posted on November 16. The table of contents will help you find earlier entries that may be of interest. I'll update this table of contents every week or so for your convenience.

August 31 was the most frequently read blog entry to date. Be sure to check it out!

Thanks so much for your support of this blog. I'm delighted that so many tens of thousands of people have made this blog part of their regular reading habit!

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Thank you to my many friends, students, clients and blog readers who are spreading the good word about this blog.

If you are visiting today because someone invited you, I'm delighted to meet you! Let's stay in touch.

Remember to also visit

Live Spiritually Better than a Billionaire at http://livespirituallybetterthanabillionaire.blogspot.com/,

Be More Successful than a Billionaire at http://bemoresuccessfulthanabillionaire.blogspot.com/,

Create Your Own 2,000 Percent Solutions at
http://2000percentsolutions.blogspot.com/,

Enjoy Mansions Better than a Billionaire at http://enjoymansionsbetterthanabillionaire.blogspot.com/,

Enjoy Football Better than a Billionaire at http://enjoyfootballbetterthanabillionaire.blogspot.com/ and

Be a World Hero Better than a Billionaire at http://beaworldherobetterthanabillionaire.blogspot.com/.

I offer individual on-line tutorials and in-person seminars on living better than a billionaire on five dollars extra a day, creating 2,000 percent solutions (20 times the results with the same effort), developing more profitable business models and designing strategies that work regardless of the business environment. For information, contact me at ultimatecompetitiveadvantage@yahoo.com.

I am available to you as a speaker on these subjects. You can find my background at http://livebetterthanabillionaireon5dollars.blogspot.com/2005_08_30_livebetterthanabillionaireon5dollars_archive.html/.

May God bless you.

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell