General Things that have nothing to do with Theism
Offline I haven't posted or been active on the site for some time. Sorry everyone I've been busy. The RRS is still a huge thing for me so don't think other than that.
I have a few questions and require some advice that applies to my life as of now.
I found this company named Primerica Financial Services, And it seems legit, but I have a few problems with it. If anyone knows anything bad about them or has had any kind of experience with them please let me know before I waste my time. A few problems I've noticed are
- They seem to have a heavy religious (christian) underlaying.
- They don't advertise, so we basically have to call people we know, "help" them, and go off referrals.
- And a few other things I can't really think of off the top of my head.
But if it makes me money it's not that big of a deal...
My current life plans involve using this company I found as income while i'm going to college. Invest my spare money into mutual funds so I can retire pretty quickly. Then do what I love. Physics/Philosophy. 
I still don't know 100% what I want out of life.
We pop theist like Orville Redenbacher!
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Primerica is a multi-level marketing scam. A waste of your time. There is no money to be made except for those at the top who exploit the thousands of little guys at the bottom, who are desperate to make a living. I'm embarrassed to say I got sucked into it for about a week before I realized what it was, with the advice of a friend of mine to look into it a bit more closely. I was unemployed and desperate, so I forgive myself.
MLMs are basically pyramid schemes that bend the rule of law so that they are legal. The key is that you have to sell something tangible, like life insurance. However, the trick is that you earn a percentage of what those below you earn. When you earn more by recruiting people than you do by actually selling stuff, that's when you know it's an MLM. Plus, MLM products tend to be shitty, such as Primerica's life insurance (or whatever it is they're selling now). They teach you how to sell it, so it looks like it's good, but if you know anything about actual life insurance, it's crappy. The corporate big wigs use the MLM architecture to get desperate people to sell their shitty product and most of the money goes to the few recruiters at the top. For people at the bottom, on average they'll make less than minimum wage. Don't waste any more of your time, find a real job that pays hourly wages.
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I agree with Natural. I experienced Primarica Financial first-hand when my mother got involved with them. They're basically a pyramid scheme and a waste of time. Unless you like to sucker other people out of money (or be suckered out of your money), don't waste your time with them.
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Josh -
Do you currently have any money invested at all, or are you simply looking to start? Primerica is definitely bad news, but if your looking for help getting started with investing, I can point you in a couple of good directions based on experiences I've had with certain investment companies like Fidelity and Vanguard - both of which are reputable and have mutual funds that are specifically for people just getting started.
Nobody I know was brainwashed into being an atheist.
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I don't really have any investments right now... I'm 18 but I want to go ahead and get started. I really don't see primerica as bad news as of now. I do understand that other people make money off me but at the same time the overrides only go 6 generations deep. I do agree with the fact that it's sort of bullshit that you have more money potential in recruiting than in sells. I have a job that pays like 8/hour (bullshit, not even worth my time really but I need money). I was under the impression that a MLM Scam means I have to first purchase a product before I can sell. There is like, no cost to get in or start "selling" stuff (other than the cost of my time). I have to pay for a background check and part of the testing fee. I think there is money to be made there. If I even get the hint that I am making money at the expense of others I will quit and make every effort to expose them. I will take a look at Fidelity and Vanguard, but I'm talking about working with primerica not investing with them. I suppose if I work with them it would make sense to invest in them. It would be a sort of self-contradiction to tell people we are good and not trust my own money with them. My main problems are the fact that they:
1. Mass recruit (although I understand why... overrides... so basically yes, using people for their money but if it has the potential to help them, because you wouldn't really make money unless they also make money)
2. Religious overtone.
3. Call people who don't know who we are or ask us to call. (I get pissed when people call me with offers)
4. A few other things.
What I don't get is that their parent group (citi) is the #1 on the forbes (http://www.forbes.com/finance/lists/38/2002/LIR.jhtml?passListId=38&passYear=2002&passListType=Company&uniqueId=5H9W&datatype=Comp...)
and why would Citigroup fund a MLM Scam. Key word is scam. Maybe they just sell a shitty product? I don't even fucking know anymore lol. I just need money and it's a beautiful idea, lets see how it unfolds?
We pop theist like Orville Redenbacher!
DON'T DO IT!
You asked for advice, and you're getting some good stuff - and from people who've already made the mistake for you!
The moment you hear the words 'residual income', walk. Or run. That's when you know it's an illegitimate business. It doesn't matter that you don't have to spend money getting in the door or not - they're using you to earn themselves $/man hour. It's great when you're at the top, getting all that income drifting in and doing no work, but the lower the pyramid gets the more saturated the market becomes and the harder it is to find buyers or people to work under you. Soon enough, it completely stagnates - everyone at the bottom is left with virtually no return for the time and labor they invested, and the guys at the top take their earnings and shuffle-off merrily.
YOU WILL NOT GET MONEY THROUGH THIS COMPANY!
- Leon Trotsky, Last Will & Testament
February 27, 1940
Don't waste time for them mate, I was presented to similar scam ( Akuna - another MLM ) by my ex-boss. However after research and little investigation I started to have justified doubts about products and moral implication of that kind of business. I was lucky enough to waste only little of money and time.
That people are convincing, they use manipulation techniques and your friends trust. They jump from MLM to MLM as soon market will change - read: people under them in that pyramid scheme will quit. Oh yes, don't believe that their MLM is not pyramid scheme, they just call things differently.
Believe me you will only lose your money, time, often friends and respect to yourself.
All MLM, Network Marketing schemes are about manipulation, sometimes even religion/sect like manipulation. It is quite interesting subject. Amway/Quixtar,Akuna, whatever.
Quixtar:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ot31XhgE_XE
However be aware often they actually present MLM as professional business.
Ecrasez l'infame!