Not Just a Business, But a Way of Life!

October 8th, 2007 by Amit

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Affiliate marketing & being a super affiliate is not just a business, it’s a way of life!

It’s hard to describe how radically my life has changed in the last few years. I literally went from being dirt broke, my wife and I lived in a 300 sq ft 1 bedroom apartment, and I barely had enough money to put food on the table.

Today we’re millionaires, living a life that I could not even dream of a few years ago. It’s all thanks to affiliate marketing!
Here’s what the super affiliate lifestyle means to my wife and I : how we live, how we give, and what we have become

How We Live

The Super Affiliate Lifestyle is NOT just about making lots of money, it’s about having time AND money. You can have have millions in the bank but if you don’t have time to enjoy it, what’s the point?

Here’s what it’s all about :

A Night on the Town: Dropping $1200 going out to a Broadway show and a swanky French restaurant, Aujourd’hui. We spend $1000 on two tickets to see Wicked, and $200 at Aujourd’hui, quite possibly the top restaurant in Boston.

Flying First Class & Traveling the World : Once you start flying first class you can’t go back to coach. It’s not just a bigger seat, they actually serve you food (a rarity these days), you get a separate line for check in and security, and of course you get access to the executive lounge. :)

My wife and I are flying first class in Lufthansa going to India this December, that should be a treat! The going rate for these tickets is close to $8k per person.

The trip to India will be the last in a whole series of trips I’ve taken and will take this year: Miami, Austin (twice), Houston (twice to see in laws), NJ (twice to see parents), NYC, Bermuda, Alaska, Victoria (CA), Vancouver (CA), Chicago (twice) & Alaska.

Next year we plan to go to: Turkey, Paris (France), and a bunch of other places I’ll tell you about in future blog posts. ;)

We plan to travel way more once Shilpi finishes school.

To travel you really need both time and money, which this business gives!

Designer Clothing from Nordstrom : If you’ve never shopped at Nordstrom before it’s an experience! The customer service is second to none! So you can image that my wife and I were super excited when they finally opened a Nordstrom here in Massachusetts. :)

Within two weeks we dropped about $1600 on new clothes. Now you have to understand that this was a big stretch for both of us. We grew up in modest middle class homes, where we bought our clothes at blue light specials at Kmart.

I’m not kidding.

At Nordstorm my wife was eying a beautiful designer coat. She was reluctant to get it, the price tag was $750. I told Shilpi, you can get anything you want. I encouraged her to get the coat, and WOW does it look great on her. :)

It’s the MOST expensive article of clothing she’s ever had in her life.

I bought a number of items myself, including two designer corduroy pants that I spend $350 on! Nordstrom actually tailor fitted the length of the pants for free. One of the corduroy pants were Santarelli’s, made in Italy.

Growing up I thought that designer clothing was overrated, but I have to tell you, you haven’t lived life until you’ve worn one of these Italian made corduroy pants!

WAKING UP AT 10:00am : I used to wake up at 6:00am back when I was a wage slave (working a job). There are few things I hated more than having my deepest soundest sleep shattered by an alarm clock at 6:00AM IN THE MORNING.

I hate alarm clocks.

People were not meant to wake up to alarm clocks, you’re supposed to wake up naturally when your body is fully rested.

And that’s exactly what I do now. :)

By 9:30-10:00am I’m fully rested, NOT any earlier!

So if you want to permanently smash your alarm clock, get busy on your campaigns, the longer you dilly dally the more you’re missing out on life and sleep! LOL

NOT HAVING TO SACRIFICE THE MOST VALUABLE DAYS AND YEARS OF YOUR LIFE TO JOB :

If you’re working a job right now, and it’s not your dream job and you’re not 100% satisfied with it, then everyday you go to that job, your giving up the most precious asset that you have in this world:

Your time.

Do you really want to wait until your 65 to retire? Are you excited about working a job in your 20’s and 30’s, the most productive years of your life??

Forget about the millions you can make with affiliate marketing, make your goal just buying your life back from the 9 to 5 rat race.

If you can make double your income on your part time doing affiliate marketing, then you can wake away from your day job. Make this YOUR #1 GOAL.

The last day on my job was July 15, 2006, I’ll never forget that day as long as I live. It was one of the greatest days of my life.

So stop being a wage slave.

Your life has not really begun yet until you quit your day job and joined the ranks of the financially free!

Next time I’ll talk about: How We Give

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Posted in Super Affiliate Mindset, lifestyle |

46 Responses

  1. Response by:  Kyle on October 8th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    “People were not meant to wake up to alarm clocks, you’re supposed to wake up naturally when your body is fully rested.”

    You’re absolutely right Amit. Just imagine how much happier and healthier everyone would be if they could all do that.

  2. Response by:  Eric Nagel on October 8th, 2007 at 3:46 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    “Do you really want to wait until your 65 to retire?”

    What’s your plan? Are you working living the affiliate lifestyle until there’s a certain dollar amount in the bank, or until a certain age, or simply until you’re sick of doing it?

  3. Response by:  bwb on October 8th, 2007 at 3:48 pm

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    this is the weirdest post I’ve ever read, why are you wasting all this money? Why pay 8k for a ticket when it only cost 1.2k if you can just having a slightly smaller site, it is a ridiculous waste, do you know me how much at 7k difference could have done to change the life of anyone in a developing world? or a donation to kiva.org?

  4. Response by:  Chris on October 8th, 2007 at 3:54 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Amit, I respect you to the fullest and I find your posts to be extremely uplifting. I can understand how some people can get pissed at your posts because you’re maybe “SHOWING OFF”, but I can clearly see that you are trying to motivate us to get it going, which is awesome.

    But let me ask you this, don’t you think that these types of posts are saturating the market with new people coming into the game? I mean, seriously, how many years do you think AM is gonna be around?

  5. Response by:  AmitB on October 8th, 2007 at 4:12 pm

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    Hey Amit,

    I recently found your blog. It is very inspiring to see what you are doing. I am in the same exact situation as you were (as a matter of fact I too worked at MIT)

    I was wondering I could ask you some thing offline (email/phone). I would really Appreciate it.

    Thanks,

    Amit

  6. Response by:  Jim Novak on October 8th, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Amit,
    You are right on the money, I’ve been trying
    to kick this day job forever! I’m not there
    yet, but I will never quit, ever!! why waste
    your life waiting to retire, you only get
    one chance in this life, It’s the Enthusiasm
    and Passion to be successful at all cost,
    that will get you there.

    Cheers,
    Jim Novak

  7. Response by:  Amit on October 8th, 2007 at 5:17 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Hi Eric,

    That’s a great question! I’m passionate about what I do, I don’t see it as work. And I work as much or as little as a want.

    Now some people have jobs that they’re really passionate about, if that’s the case congratulations, perhaps getting free is not your goal. However, my post applies to most people who don’t like their jobs, the exact situation I was in.

    Regarding your question, I will do affiliate marketing until I get tired of it and jump to something else. Right now I’m having a blast! :)

  8. Response by:  Amit on October 8th, 2007 at 5:21 pm

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    Hi Brb,

    Wow! This is a classic case of lack programmer: that idea that there’s a limited amount of prosperity to go around.

    Guess what? I can buy $8k tickets to Indian AND donate $10k to build a hospital in India (which I plan to do early next year), or donate to any number of causes.

    Money is INFINITE! I can manifest enough money to live the life I want and give to causes I believe in.

  9. Response by:  Amit on October 8th, 2007 at 5:24 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Hi Chris,

    First off you got it right. The PURPOSE of my post is to motivate and inspire people, trust me I don’t need to “show off” anymore than I need to share my techniques and strategies with the world.

    My goal is to help as many people as I can succeed at AM. And I believe that there’s enough to go around for all those that have the persistence and dedication to make it happen.

    The pie is getting bigger. :)

  10. Response by:  Richard on October 8th, 2007 at 5:34 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Congrats on your success Amit. Personally I don’t think first class is value for money, even if you’re a millionaire you still must remember what $8,000 was to you when you were not so well off. I’d rather take a sleeping pills and enjoy the cash when I reach my destination :).

  11. Response by:  Googlelady on October 8th, 2007 at 6:00 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Amit, your posts are really a kind of inspiration for newbies but I would like to ask you something. With all the money you are making with affiliate marketing. You are not afraid that this will go to an end? Don’t you think that you should invest your money in something else as well? In case AM will get down? I mean you already posted that don’t put your eggs in one basket (like affiliate programs) I am also suggesting that don’t put all your eggs in Affiliate marketing with PPC. You can diversify and may be create something ‘in case’ affiliate marketing will not work anymore for you.

  12. Response by:  Gagan on October 8th, 2007 at 6:17 pm

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    Amit, not sure if you got my reply. i was the first one to reply to the post. please repost if you have it. i would also appreciate if you could answer some questions in the reply i asked. thanks. gagan

  13. Response by:  Gagan on October 8th, 2007 at 6:20 pm

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    Amit, i believe that its time for you to take things to the next level. I have heard of super affiliates who started their own affiliate networks which resulted in multi-million dollar companies. just a thought.

  14. Response by:  Gagan on October 8th, 2007 at 6:25 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Amit, I think my first post got lost somewhere. anyhow, i’ll just write it again. First of all i loved your post. You’re rich but i don’t plan to be as rich. I only plan to quit my day job so that i can spend time with family, relax and not worry about meeting someones deadline.

    I took a plunge into affiliate marketing not too long ago. Im testing with clickbank products using ppc. Im struggling and im not surprised by it. But i plan to give up and keep working on it. Thanks for your inspirational post Amit. Keep ‘em coming.

  15. Response by:  Googlelady on October 8th, 2007 at 6:42 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    By the way, forgot to tell you that when I read those posts I really enjoy it! Say hi to your wife and wish her the best!

  16. Response by:  T.S. on October 8th, 2007 at 7:01 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Congrats, I noticed that you now have your own spoof blog.

    http://www.superaffiliatebullshit.com/

  17. Response by:  Tim on October 8th, 2007 at 7:08 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    You are a man with his principles and his heart in the right place. Screw the haters! You deserve what you have worked for.

  18. Response by:  browie on October 8th, 2007 at 7:20 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’s funny how you make it sound so easy. Some just don’t have the luxury of saying, meh i’ll just quit. It sounds nice when you make it. I wonder how many have not made it.

  19. Response by:  Marc on October 8th, 2007 at 8:13 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Damn 18 comments already!! I guess this post really got people going. Very inspiring stuff and I appreciate it. I can imagine you in the scene from Office Space, out in the field about to smash a printer…err Alarm Clock;)

    Although, I don’t agree with the sentiments of BwB, I think Kiva.org is a brilliant organization and you may want to look into it if you haven’t already.

  20. Response by:  The True King Carlos on October 8th, 2007 at 8:47 pm

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    A few thoughts:
    Its wonderful to hear the positive impact that being a super affiliate has had on your life and the life of your family. Consider that from this day forward, you will pass on this knowledge to your family and they too will be blessed with great increase.

    These posts are a big reason why I read this blog, I know that you do it for the right reason, to show is that it can be done if we only stick it out and continue to make the honest effort to learn. Success is inevitable to those who do the underlying fundamentals that success expects from us. You provide a portion of those fundamentals by sharing with us what you’ve learned, and by the example you provide for those of us who know it can and will happen. Your belief and faith that it would happen is also a great lesson to others who choose to chase their dream.

    To Browie,
    Friend, I too am in the same boat as you, it hasn’t happened to me yet, but I KNOW that it will. Remember, quitting his job was not an option for Amit until he MADE it a reality. He is the first to say that it wasnt easy, there was sacrifice of time and treasure, a desire to learn new things, efficient action that provided revelations of what the next step in the process is, and finally, he was able to put the puzzle of his mind into a cohesive whole- He made his vision a reality. It’s there for you too Browie, let your vision be your guide because thats where you draw your passion, and never ever quit.

    With warm regards,
    The True King Carlos

  21. Response by:  Tyler on October 8th, 2007 at 9:18 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Great post Amit! As others have said, I don’t see this as a bragging post, but instead a great way to show others what can be accomplished through hard work. It’s good to know that you’re following the Work Hard, Play Hard mentality ;)

  22. Response by:  REC on October 8th, 2007 at 10:26 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Time and Mobility is the New Rich.

    “the 4 hour work week” by Tim Ferris

    I hoping we all get there Amit, Thanks for
    being a beacon of Light. God bless

  23. Response by:  fields on October 8th, 2007 at 10:43 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Nice post Amit looks like you got a lot of responses there.

    All this talk about money is great but there are lots of options if you dont want to work for the man and want to have an interesting and different life.

    For me, it was a three year battle with a life threatening illness that led me to the decision to quit it all, dramatically change my life and travel all around south america exploring rivers in the Andes.

    Right now I work 3 times as hard for much less than the 75k I used to make as a programmer but at the end of the day.

    I may not even make it as an affiliate marketer but at the end of the day Im happy with my decisions to take the red pill and do something different.

  24. Response by:  Todd on October 8th, 2007 at 11:05 pm

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    Another entertaining post Amit! I look forward to reading about how you give. I think it is ok to treat yourself as long as you also give generously!

  25. Response by:  Randy ray on October 9th, 2007 at 1:01 am

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    Yup, affiliate marketing is one of the best way to make money online, I am banking few thousands dollar per month with affiliate marketing but still keeping my day job. I plan to quit my job when my bank account reach a million dollar just in case affiliate marketing die off. Boy I do hope one day I can live the luxurious life like you, way to go Amit, you are a great inspiration

  26. Response by:  Frank on October 9th, 2007 at 3:05 am

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    If you really want to help people - then why dont you talk about those “hot” niches you are in?!

  27. Response by:  Googlelady on October 9th, 2007 at 10:13 am

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    Frank, if he talks about it he is ruining his business. Not all affiliate marketers that are in PPC business will talk about it.

  28. Response by:  REC on October 9th, 2007 at 10:34 am

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    There are plenty of tools out there to gauge the market.
    Google trends
    trendwatching.com
    web forums (take you pick)
    spyfu
    nichbot

    It takes a lot of work. Many nights up at 3AM trying to make a dollar. I’m still trying to get there. Amit is helping people. If you read his writings, really listen to what he is saying, you will have a differant point of view.
    He is not a “red easy button” and niether is this business.
    Get to work. Get a web hosting package, google account and spent some money, so you can make some.

  29. Response by:  nn on October 9th, 2007 at 4:37 pm

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    Do you have an website up with your affiliate links that we can check out? Are you selling the IDEA of making money to people or have you actually made money yourself?

    I think you and jerry palmer are selling the IDEA. I don’t think your doing affiliate marketing any more ala shoemoney or blue hat seo

  30. Response by:  Doug on October 9th, 2007 at 7:52 pm

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    Hey “nn” what you think is not very accurate. What are your insights based on? Take time to read Amit’s blog. He is most certainly making money online.

  31. Response by:  REC on October 9th, 2007 at 11:30 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Amit,

    Will you be giving any tips on Google Adwords Editor or API any time.
    I also read on “U.K. Afiliate blog (Kristy)” that she has 90000
    keywords in one campaign and does it with. I know Campaigns are broken down in to adgroups but still how can that much be managed?
    Thanks in advance, dude.

  32. Response by:  REC on October 9th, 2007 at 11:31 pm

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    She does it wth Excel Spreadsheet. Sorry for the typo.

  33. Response by:  Frank on October 10th, 2007 at 3:40 am

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    He isnt answering any more. Too busy wasting more cash??

  34. Response by:  REC on October 10th, 2007 at 9:01 am

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    Just putting a question out there Frank. The answer or non-answer will not make or break me. Hey Check out Affiliate Summit website. ( www.affiliatesummit.com ). You can view the videos for free (you too “nn”). This is the event that others paid money to attend. Sorry but you’ll have to really put some effort into this and listen to what they are saying. Pay attention to Amit’s Video and Wil Reynold’s Video (excellant!). And most important, stop reading long copy web sites that promise the world with no effort.

  35. Response by:  Amit on October 10th, 2007 at 9:47 am

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    Hi REC,

    I’m developing an info product where I show exactly how to use Adwords API combined with Excel. It’s a totally different way of doing Adwords, and quite involved.

    I will give everyone the head up when it’s ready. All those who either bought PPC Classroom through me or bought my bonus separately will have access to these videos.

  36. Response by:  Tim on October 10th, 2007 at 10:15 am

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    REC,

    Kirsty is an enigma inside a mystery inside an enigma. Don’t expect her to tell you how she’s putting her keyword lists together or what markets she’s in–beyond pleasure devices.

    But really, why don’t you ask her on her blog? She’s an incredibly nice person and pretty open about her business. And, she and her partner Duncan live the vagabond affiliate lifestyle like no one else. They have a great perspective on how to manage (or not manage) your business from the road.

  37. Response by:  REC on October 10th, 2007 at 10:24 am

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thanks Amit,

    I have not purchased the PPC Classroom, but I will be on the look out for your new product. I love the Editor but working with a spreadsheet will be great. I just recieved my Developer and Application Tokens, but weeding thru that SOAP toolkit information has been a lot more involve for a pion like me than I though. I was considering buying some books to learn some coding, but those books are really laid out badly. I’m doing OK with the learning curve, but its a big curve. Like I said before, up at 3AM trying to put it all together.
    Well,I will have to put aside some money for the PPC Classroom, thats on my wish list right now. Thanks Amit for the quick response. God Bless

    Ron

  38. Response by:  fields on October 10th, 2007 at 10:40 am

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Rec,

    Dont waste your time with the Application and Developer tokens aka directly accessing the google adwords api. I know there are some easy libraries out there like http://google-apility.sourceforge.net/
    but I have been there and done that. If you look at the fine print they charge your 25 cents per thousand operations. Look at how they define operations and this ads up super quickly if you have a large account. Not only is it complicated - I am ex java programmer so for me it was not so hard technically but the danger is that you are going to get sidetracked and learn google adwords api and not how to make money with adwords which should be your goal.

    Having seen Amit’s method — I know its well worth waiting for his info product.

    If you are a programmer especially in text processing languages like perl, php , etc then you might be able to write a quick script to integrate with Amit’s method if you really wanted to get techy..

    Good Luck

  39. Response by:  REC on October 10th, 2007 at 10:47 am

    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thanks fields,

    That is great advice. Amit, guess I’ll have to really save my pennies for you info product. Thanks.

  40. Response by:  nate on October 12th, 2007 at 2:33 am

    MyAvatars 0.2

    I can tell that you live in Massachusetts….

    Your coming off as more and more arrogant and snobby in your posts these days.

  41. Response by:  susan on October 17th, 2007 at 10:53 am

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    amit,

    if you are making so much money, why are you still living in cold massachusetts?

  42. Response by:  REC on October 17th, 2007 at 11:11 am

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    As opposed to 100 degree temps on Florida.
    I live in Virginia and that is as far south as I would want to live.

  43. Response by:  susan on October 17th, 2007 at 11:40 am

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    how about california?

    heck, how about anywhere else in the world? afterall, isn’t that one of the benefits of being an affiliate??

    The only reason i’m still in boston is because i’m too broke to move anywhere and i’m too scared to look for another job, but if I was a rich affiliate…i’b be living la vida loca in st.bartz

  44. Response by:  REC on October 17th, 2007 at 12:18 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    I think the point has been made in you second question.
    Keep reading this blog and others like it. 99% of us reading this blog are not that successful at AM, but we are going in the right direction. Its not everyday you get the ear of a successful millionaire. I am very thankful for all that I learned so far, and it has been all free. Thanks Amit.

  45. Response by:  Amit on October 17th, 2007 at 3:10 pm

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    Hi Susan,

    My wife goes to school in Boston, this is why we live in Massachusetts. She’s studying to be an optometrist.

    Also, Boston is an AWESOME city and a great place to live.

  46. Response by:  susan on October 17th, 2007 at 3:14 pm

    MyAvatars 0.2

    oh I see (that makes sense)

    I love Boston: it’s clean, it’s diverse, it has great restaurants, but it’s just too cold for me!

    what did your wife think when you told her you were giving up a research scientist position to do AM? that must have been quite a discussion, especially since I know how much Indians value education and the careers attached to them.

    speaking of scientists…biogen is up for sale. can anyone say layoffs?


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