Where's The Financial Freedom?

 When I was an Amway IBO, I often saw my upline diamond driving around town in his used Mercedes dressed in a business suit. I used to think why does he keep working if he can walk away and collect residual income? My sponsor told me that the diamond only works because he cares about his downline and wants to help them. So, there are two possible scenarios. The diamond is working to help his downline out of a genuine concern, or possibly he is working because he has to. The only difference now is that the diamond works the night and/or graveyard shift. Because many IBOs are building the business after they complete their day jobs, a diamond has to work nights and weekends to be able to meet and work with them. Some freedom. **We should also note that my former upline diamond dropped down to the emerald level around 2005 and has since re-established his diamond level a few years later. Who knows where he's at today?  A diamond pin is forever just as an Olympic Athlete is considered a gold medal winner years after the Olympics are over.

Now Amway has stated (In their disclosures - not Q12) that the average diamond earns about $150,000 a year.   However, now Amway reports that the average diamond earns $600,000 per year but that is for Q12 diamonds.  My informed guess is that regular diamonds (The Norm) still earn about $150,000 a year, maybe a little more or less.  That is a decent income, but after taxes and paying for basic expenses such as medical and dental insurance, the average diamond probably lives a very middle-class lifestyle. Keep in mind that a large portion of a diamond's income comes in the form of an annual bonus, thus a diamond's monthly income may be quite small. Yes, diamonds may have other sources of income such as speaking engagements and income from standing orders and functions. But this income depends on the diamond's continued appearances and efforts. There is no large barrels of cash rolling in with no work.

So, is it likely that a diamond is "free"? I would have to conclude that a diamond is not free and may actually have to spend more time maintaining their group than if the diamond simply had a 9-5 job. For one thing, a diamond needs to maintain a personal group to keep qualifying for bonuses. With a poor retention rate in Amway, I am fairly sure that a diamond spends much time recruiting personally sponsored IBOs to maintain this group. Additionally, a diamond must help his six or more groups of downline platinums to maintain their businesses or face the possibility of falling out of qualification. My former diamond dropped down to the emerald level but has since re-qualified at diamond. A diamond must also dedicate time to reward up and coming movers and shakers, to keep them motivated. I got to spend time with my upline diamond when I was considered a promising up and coming pin. We had "play days" and had the opportunity to "earn time" with the diamond.   Some IBOs went into massive debt to buy their next level because they wanted time with the diamond so badly.  It's really sad.

In order to continue to receive tools income, a diamond must also travel to numerous functions and speaking engagements. Although the tools income allegedly doubles a diamond's income, it also adds a lot of expenses, especially if the diamond and his family travel first class to show off the diamond lifestyle. Sometimes I wonder if diamonds can actually afford to fly first class to all functions?   Do you know what a first-class ticket costs from Hawaii to the mainland US for example?   I can fly coach from Hawaii to California R/T for around $600 but first class would cost about $1500.  Not a big deal for a diamond?   Try paying for a wife and 2 kids plus yourself.   Now you're paying $6000 for airfare to a function not including hotel and other expenses.  Can you afford that with numerous functions each year?   Probably not!

After breaking down projected income and considering projected expenses, I can only conclude that a diamond probably lives a very middle-class lifestyle, and probably works as much as a man with a 9-5 job, except that a diamond works nights and weekends. A good portrait of this is shown in Ruth Carter's book (Amway Motivational Organizations: Behind The Smoke and Mirrors). In the book, the diamond had a net income of over $300,000, but lived in debt, could barely pay his mortgage, and was always on the run from one function to the next.

I believe that diamonds may actually be busier at the diamond level than an average Joe who has a 9-5 J-O-B. The difference is that the diamond works the night shift. Is this the freedom you are seeking?