tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86834667845750421562024-03-21T11:13:54.885-07:00Giuseppe StrazzeriAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-44821098942486515272014-10-27T13:01:00.004-07:002014-10-27T13:01:52.788-07:00The New Target: Auto Finance<span style="color: #5a5a5a; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #5a5a5a; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none;">By Nigel Aplin | Oct 27, 2014 <br /><br />
After several years of being the focus of
consumers over-extending themselves, the Canadian mortgage industry can
rest a little easier as rating agencies and policy makers may now have
a new target: auto finance. Both the Bank of Canada in its recent
commentary and Moody’s Investor Services, in a report last week on
Canadian banks, singled out auto loans as a possible area of
vulnerability.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> Auto
loans at Canadian banks have been growing at an annual compound rate of
20% or more over the past seven years. Prior to 2007, auto leasing was
a very popular vehicle acquisition option for consumers which offered
low monthly payments but left auto makers with large inventories of
used vehicles coming off leases which averaged between two and four
years in duration. Pricing for leases increased significantly and many
consumers began opting to purchase their vehicles and finance those
purchases with loans which extended beyond the traditional car loan
term lengths of three to five years. Auto finance loans which now
extend over 72, 84, 96 or even 108 months offer consumers low monthly
payments but create risk for lenders.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
The Bank of Canada commented last week that “auto sales have reached
record highs” as it suggested that the risks associated with household
imbalances are edging higher. The Moody’s report looked at the
potential exposure of banks which have loaded up their balance sheets
with auto loans which have grown from $16.2 billion in 2007 to about
$64 billion today. An economic shock like a sharp rise in the
unemployment rate could trigger defaults on these loans and the risk to
lenders comes from the rapid depreciation of new vehicles,
particularly in the period shortly after purchase. Loan balances could
exceed vehicle values during these periods and long amortizations of up
to eight or nine years mean that loan balances are slow to reduce.
Unlike real estate, the value of autos never increases over time.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
Canadian consumers who can finance their car loans over long terms and
enjoy relatively low monthly payments have also shown a preference for
more expensive new vehicles and this only adds to the household
imbalances to which the Bank of Canada refers. Canadian banks admit
that auto finance is a rapid growth area for their balance sheets but
they insist that they are maintaining prudent underwriting standards
and that they stress test their portfolios regularly. </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-39374691660917583922014-07-16T05:52:00.005-07:002014-07-16T05:52:46.081-07:007 Ways to Prepare Today for the Next Recession<b>Is another recession imminent? Prepare your business today, so it will survive, and even thrive, should a recession hit.</b><br /><span><br /><span></span></span>July
07, 2014 The Great Recession seems like only
yesterday. Yet it was five years ago that trillions of dollars of
consumer wealth and millions of jobs were lost. Both sales and cash flow
for small-business owners seemed to dry up overnight. It was the worst
economic crash since the 1930s. Could it happen again?<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> The Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released its final estimate of GDP for the first quarter of 2014. It <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2014/06/25/u-s-gdp-dropped-2-9-in-the-first-quarter-2014-sharply-lower-from-second-estimate/" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">shows a decline of the U.S. economy</a>
at an annual rate of 2.9 percent. That’s down from the fourth quarter
of 2013, when GDP grew at 2.6 percent. This makes the first quarter of
2014 the worst quarter since the first quarter of 2009 during the Great
Recession.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> While <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/samanthasharf/2014/06/25/u-s-gdp-dropped-2-9-in-the-first-quarter-2014-sharply-lower-from-second-estimate/" target="_blank" title="Links active once published"> economists blame the results on the severe weather</a>, could we be headed for another recession? By definition, a recession is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recessions_in_the_United_States" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">two negative GDP growth quarters in a row</a>, and historically, they have come at least once every decade.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span>
Whether the next recession is around the corner or years away, we
remember the damage the last one did. How can you prepare and protect
your business should another recession hit?<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>1. Focus on profitability, not growth.</strong>
Companies need to invest in order to grow their business, but they
should only grow profitably. Sacrificing profitability for growth may
get a company in trouble with large losses, especially if expected
sales lag behind the forecast. Don’t let invested expenses get too far
ahead of sales.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>2. Stockpile cash.</strong>
The single reason that all companies go out of business is because
they run out of cash. A sign I always hang in my office as a reminder
is <a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2014/01/improve-your-cash-flow.html" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">“It’s Cash Flow, Stupid.”</a>
Forget about the sales line on the profit-and-loss statement and
instead examine the cash flow statement. Do you have more or less cash
at the end of the month? A simple check of your bank statement will give
you the answer. Focus on getting paid from customers, extending
payments to vendors, keeping stock levels low and inventory turns as
high as possible.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>3. Draw on the bank credit line.</strong>
Banks want to give credit to companies that actually use it. Unless
your business has six months' worth of cash in the bank, draw on that
credit line. The cost of this insurance will be worth the low interest
paid.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>4. Challenge all business assumptions.</strong>
Always ask if the business can be done another way. Cockroaches thrive
during bad times because they know how to adapt or die. How can the
company increase its gross margin? How can it sell to clients at a
lower cost? What parts of the business always make a profit, and how
can you leverage it? Which are the really profitable customers?<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>5. Ask customers to substitute your products for higher priced ones.</strong>
Is your product now the cheap alternative? In a recession, price can
trump all. But why wait until then? Find out from customers if your
products can replace something similar that they’re paying a lot more
for—often it can.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>6. Cut costs now even if revenue hasn’t gone down.</strong>
No owner has ever regretted cutting costs too soon. When deciding
which costs to cut, use the “cringe factor.” Ask yourself which checks
make you cringe when you write them at the end of the month. Cringing
means that you are not getting value out of these expenses and need to
either cut them or find another vendor that offers those services.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> <strong>7. Remember resiliency.</strong>
Economic cycles come and go. You have been here before and survived.
Cheer the good times with parties, awards and trophies. Mourn the bad
times for 24 hours, but then let it go. If you place value on action,
you’ll have more chances at success.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span> It's not a matter of <em>if</em> a recession will hit, it's more of a question of <em>when</em>. Get your business ready today, and you can sleep better knowing you are prepared.<br /><span></span><br /><span></span><a href="https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/7-ways-to-prepare-today-for-the-next-recession/?intlink=us-openforum-exp-editorspick-2" target="_blank" title="Links active once published">Read the Article</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-35659420483329152742014-06-27T12:59:00.005-07:002014-06-27T12:59:44.942-07:00Steps to correct errors on you credit bureau 1. Support your case:<br /> Gather receipts, statements and other documents related to your credit account. You may need these to prove your claim.<br />
<br />
2. Contact the credit reporting agencies:<br /> Use their form for correcting errors and updating information. Do this for both Equifax Canada and TansUnion Canada.<br /> Before the agencies can make any changes, they first need to check your claim with the creditor that reported teh information.<br />
If the creditor agrees there is an error, the agencies will update your
credit report. However, if the lender confirms the information is
correct, the agencies will not make any changes.<br />
<br />
3. Contact the creditor:<br />
You may be able to speed up the process by contacting the lender
yourself about the error. Ask the lender to verify its file and provide
the credit reporting agencies with update information.<br />
<br />
4. Escalate your case:<br />
Not satisfied with the results of the investigation? Ask to speak with
someone at a higher level at the credit reporting agency or the
creditor. If the creditor is a federally regulated financial
institution, and it will not correct the error, as for information on
its compliant-handling process.<br />
<br />
5. Add a consumer statement:<br />
If you are still not satisfied, ask the credit reporting agencies to add
a consumer statement. This lets you provide details about an item o
your report, using up to 100 words and it's free of charge.<br />
Lenders and others who look at your credit report may consider your consumer statement when they make their decisions.<br />
<br />
Don't have the time or energy to deal with it, call us, we'd be happy to help 1-888-693-1439<br />
<br />
Building, Improving and Securing Credit through safe, secure and affordable solutionsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-56446342919905612272014-06-16T07:41:00.000-07:002014-06-16T07:41:25.141-07:00How to Correct Errors and Check for Fraud<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Check your credit report at least once a year for errors and signs of
identity theft. Think of it as an annual checkup for your financial
health!<br /> <br /> You have the right to dispute an information on your
credit report that you believe is wrong. You can ask the credit
reporting agencies to correct errors. it's FREE<br /> <br /> Watch out for:<br /> mistakes in your personal i<span class="text_exposed_show">nformation, such as wrong mailing addresses or incorrect date of birth.<br /> <br /> errors in credit card and loan accounts, such as a payment you made on time that is shown late.<br /> <br />
negative information about your accounts that is still listed after the
maximum number of years it is allowed to stay on your report.<br /> <br /> Why do errors matter?<br />
They may give lenders the wrong impression. You could be turned down
for an application or receive a lower credit score than you should have.
Even errors that seem minor, such as a misspelled name or a wrong
address, could cause problems when you apply for credit.<br /> <br /> What cannot be changed?<br />
You cannot change factual, accurate information related to a credit
account. For example, if you missed payments on a loan or a credit
card, paying the debt in full or closing the account will not remove the
negative history. Negative information will only be removed after a
certain amount of time.<br /> <br /> Watch out for "credit repair" companies
that claim they can eliminate negative information, for a fee, before
the date it would normally be removed from your credit report. This is
not possible.<br /> <br /> Call us today for a FREE credit report consultation at 1-888-693-1439<br /> <br /> Building, Improving and Securing Credit through safe, secure and affordable solutions</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-24014468974321699472014-06-13T07:50:00.000-07:002014-06-13T07:50:07.849-07:00HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR CREDIT SCORE!<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">The actual formulas used to calculate credit scores are the property of
private companies and are not available to the public. This means it is
not possible to know exactly how many points your score will go up or
down based on the actions you take.<br /> <br /> However, the main factors that are used to calculate your score include:<br /> <br /> Payment history<br /> Use of available credit<br /> <span class="text_exposed_show">Length of inquiries<br /> types of credit<br /> <br /> Let's discuss PAYMENT HISTORY:<br /> <br /> This is the most important factor for your credit score. It shows:<br /> *When you paid your bills<br /> *Late or missed payments<br /> *Debts you did not pay that were written off or sent to a collection agency<br /> *Whether you have declared bankruptcy<br /> <br /> Your score will be damaged if you:<br />
*Make late payments - the longer it takes you to make your payment, the
worse the impact on your credit report and score will likely be.<br /> Have accounts that are sent to a collection agency<br /> Declare Bankruptcy<br /> Withhold payment due to a dispute and the lender reports your payments as late.<br /> <br />
With Certain financial products, any payment you make on time will not
be counted and will NOT improve your credit score. However, if you miss
payment and your account is sent to a collection agency, this CAN be
included and will damage your credit score. These products include:<br /> <br /> Chequing and saving accounts<br /> Prepaid cards<br /> <br />
Telecommunications accounts, such as mobile phone and internet, are
exceptions. Payment you make on time as well as late payments MAY be
considered for your credit score.<br /> <br /> If you have any questions feel free to PM me or just post your question below.<br /> <br /> Tomorrows topic - Use of available credit<br /> <br /> Building, Improving and Securing Credit through safe, secure and affordable solutions</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-39897214676567596842014-05-14T11:00:00.000-07:002014-05-14T11:05:40.590-07:00<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>How Do Factoring Companies Price Their Agreements?</b></span><br />
<b> </b>
<br />
There is a broad range in the factoring industry when it comes to pricing. The pricing set in the<br />
factoring contract, known widely as the MPSA (Master Purchase and Sale Agreement), is dependent on a few aspects of the small business they are factoring.<br />
<br />
Here is a general list of considerations the factor bases their pricing decision on: <br />
<b>Size of the company looking to factor. <br />Industry the company is in<br />Financial strength of the company<br />Special considerations<br />Purpose and use of funds </b><br />
<br />
Everyday I will right a short description of each consideration.<br />
<br />
<b>Size of the company looking to factor. </b><br />
This is perhaps the biggest influence on pricing from the factor’s
perspective. Simply put, the smaller the factoring line (amount the
company is looking to borrow), the higher the cost of factoring. Why?
Factors need to see a worthwhile return on investment. Both the small
business owner and the factor need to take on business that is
profitable and worth the risk.<br />
We recently spoke with a small business owner with nominal sales history that received their first purchase order
for $20,000. The fee to cover the cost of this purchase order was
$2,000 which is 10%. Looking at it from an outside perspective, you may
think that is expensive. Let’s take a closer look. In this case, the
cost of goods was $20,000 and the sale price (wholesale) was $28,000 or a
40% margin. The $8,000 profit would be reduced by $2,000 to cover the
cost of financing. The companies first major sale would reduce their
profit by $2,000, but it would give them the ability to fill the order
and make the sale. Ideally, this will turn in to future business and
larger orders. This concept and way of thinking was covered in my previous blog on opportunity cost.<br />
As sales increase, the fee for financing will decrease. You have to
take what you can get in the beginning until your business is on solid
ground and the risk to lending to your business has subsided.<br />
<br />
If your business could benefit from some additional capital to take
advantage of sales opportunities, we would like to speak with you.
Please <a href="http://www.timetolend.com/contact" target="_blank">contact us </a>to discuss your needs 1-888-693-1439. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-40232422731362344802014-04-15T09:31:00.001-07:002014-05-14T11:06:50.347-07:007 Small Business Loan Myths ... Busted<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhnPD-EHoVRJnrwQyGuax_uyoi0GdYTk0Q6k3YbBMWTIfH9AUjT1QvbkjCGtx7e5biLXEd4rtPkvyK_rhbDTB8GJfNuEUXE28KlvgCb4hyphenhyphenCiGAFe-Dur0GoCup61UtecIPEGsRkx3-7FX8cLai90HHPj7ZPcDp3WNwYkJS8tyD_FVbeUjae4qBSGnTCKXr3qF_MlDetQiuI_YrY4ynIS-odNj1b9K1cfN4RUPxcgcHWh-KeA40cc1oLVg=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="irc_mut" src="http://www.banking.newstipstricks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/7-Steps-to-Get-a-Personal-Loan-from-a-Private-Lender.png" height="157" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;">Getting a small business loan can be complicated, but don't believe
everything you hear about the process. Here are seven small business
loan myths you should think twice about: </span></h3>
<b>Myth No. 1: Getting a small business loan is the hardest thing you'll ever have to do.</b><br />
<br />
While obtaining a loan for your small business is no easy feat, it
doesn't have to be an insurmountable trial. Small business lending
experts agree that you can best avoid such trouble by preparing for the
challenges that applying for a small business loan may present. While there are challenges, a lot of the frustration around obtaining
small business financing can be eased by doing your due diligence. Be prepared and have all your documents ready to present to lenders.<br />
<br />
<b>Myth No. 2: You have to have perfect credit to get a small business loan.</b><br />
<br />
Good news for those who think that bad personal credit means never
owning or expanding a business. While low credit scores might have been a
non-starter in years past, today's lending environment is actually more
open to subpar credit ratings than ever before. While traditional banks may be restrictive when it comes to obtaining credit, there are alternative options.<br />
<br />
Alternative lenders tend to base lending decisions on the financial<span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap" id="itxthook0p"><span class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap itxtnewhookspan" id="itxthook0w" style="background-color: transparent; border-color: transparent transparent rgb(0, 204, 0); border-style: none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; color: #009900; font-size: 100%; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px 0px 1px ! important; text-decoration: underline ! important;"></span></span>
realities of a business rather than the financial history of business
owners. Specifically alternative lenders take a close
look at business performance, industry type, time in business and cash flow before handing out a loan. <br />
<br />
<b>Myth No. 3: The best way to obtain a loan for my business is through a bank.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Think your bank is the best (or only) place to apply for a loan? Think
again. Traditional lending institutions have been a mainstay of small
business funding for many decades, and still are, in some industries.
But they are not the only places (or necessarily the best places) to
turn to for a loan.<br />
<br />
For business owners looking to borrow a relatively small sum (between
$5,000 and $250,000), getting a bank loan is likely to be more trouble
than it's worth. Bank loans may still be a great option for
business owners who need to borrow a significant chunk of cash, over a
long period, and still get a low interest rate. But make sure you fall under their categories before applying
through a bank.<br />
<br />
Getting a loan through an alternative lending
source is usually much quicker than obtaining a bank loan. With a simple
application, some bank statements, photo ID and proof of ownership,
business owners can have cash in hand in as little as seven days. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Myth No. 4: The worst way to obtain a loan for my business is through a bank.</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
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<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
</div>
</h3>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaRayV-PUEw/UvuG-RHJ42I/AAAAAAAAAMk/yeh61QSo6Yo/s1600/Road+to+Good+Credit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AaRayV-PUEw/UvuG-RHJ42I/AAAAAAAAAMk/yeh61QSo6Yo/s1600/Road+to+Good+Credit.jpg" height="196" width="200" /></a></div>
So you’ve had a few problems getting <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApJpfU8CAfw/UvuIETbiN-I/AAAAAAAAAM8/gKkprGWh3Vc/s1600/Raise+Your+credit+Score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a>the bills paid lately, and you’re
wondering what you can do to repair the damage to your credit.<br />
<br />
You’ve got plenty of company. Millions of people in Canada have credit
blemishes severe enough (and BEACON credit scores under 620) to make
obtaining loans and credit cards with reasonable terms difficult.<br />
<br />
Or maybe your credit is OK, but you’d like to make it better. After
all, the better your credit, the less you pay in interest.<br />
<br />
To improve your credit scores, it’s important to know where you
stand now. You can get free credit reports once a year, but you
typically have to pay to see your BEACON scores.<br />
<br />
If your scores are above 760, you’re probably already getting the
best rates. If they’re anywhere below that mark, though, they could
stand some improvement.<br />
<br />
We’d be happy to assess your credit bureau at “NO COST TO YOU” and help you get on the road to <br />
financial recovery.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #2aca0f;"><u><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Here are nine simple steps you can take to a speedy credit recovery.</b></span></u></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApJpfU8CAfw/UvuIETbiN-I/AAAAAAAAAM8/gKkprGWh3Vc/s1600/Raise+Your+credit+Score.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ApJpfU8CAfw/UvuIETbiN-I/AAAAAAAAAM8/gKkprGWh3Vc/s1600/Raise+Your+credit+Score.jpg" height="200" width="164" /></a><br />
<span style="color: #0920a6;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Get a credit card if you don’t have one </b></span></u></span><br />
Don’t
fall for the myth that you have to carry a balance to have good scores.
You don’t, and you shouldn’t. But having and using a credit card or two
can really build your scores.<br />
<br />
If you can’t qualify for a regular credit card, consider a secured
credit card, where the issuing bank <br />
<span style="color: #0b19b2;"><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>2. Add an installment loan to the mix </u></b></span></span><br />
You’ll
get the fastest improvement in your scores if you show you’re
responsible with both major kinds of credit: revolving (credit cards)
and installment (personal loans, auto and student loans).<br />
<br />
If you don’t already have an installment loan on your credit reports,
consider adding a small personal loan that you can pay back over time.
This is were our Crediplan program can help you build credit and save
money at the same time.<br />
<span style="color: #0a0ab8;"><br /> <span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>3. Pay down your credit cards </u></b></span></span><br />
Paying
off your installment loans can help your scores but typically not as
dramatically as paying down — or paying off — revolving accounts such as
credit cards.<br />
<br />
Lenders like to see a big gap between the amount of credit you’re using
and your available credit limits. Keep your balances between 30%-80%
utilization, the lower the Utilization the higher your credit score.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #180faf; font-size: small;"><b><u>4. Use your cards lightly </u></b></span><br />
Racking
up big balances can hurt your scores, regardless of whether you pay
your bills in full each month. What’s typically reported to the credit
bureaus, and thus calculated into your scores, are the balances reported
on your last statements.<br />
<br />
If you regularly use more than half your limit on a card, consider
making a payment before the statement closing date to reduce the balance
that’s reported to the bureaus. Just be sure to make a second payment
between the closing date and the due date, so you don’t get reported as
late.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1609a7; font-size: small;"><b><u>5. Check your limits </u></b></span><br />
Your
scores might be artificially depressed if your lender is showing a
lower limit than you actually have. Most credit card issuers will
quickly update this information if you ask.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #090ea2; font-size: small;"><b><u>6. Dust off an old card </u></b></span><br />
The
older your credit history, the better. But if you stop using your
oldest cards, the issuers may decide to close the accounts or stop
updating them to the credit bureaus. The accounts may still appear, but
they won’t be given as much weight in the credit-scoring formula as your
active accounts.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #140ab8; font-size: small;"><b><u>7. Get some goodwill </u></b></span><br />
If you’ve been a good customer, a lender might agree to simply erase
that one late payment from your credit history. You usually have to make
the request in writing, and your chances for a “goodwill adjustment”
improve the better your record with the company (and the better your
credit in general). But it can’t hurt to ask.<br />
<br />
A longer-term solution for more-troubled accounts is to ask that they
be “re-aged.” If the account is still open, the lender might erase
previous delinquencies if you make a series of 12 or so on-time
payments.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #210eb4; font-size: small;"><b><u>8. Dispute old negatives </u></b></span><br />
Say
that fight with your phone company over an unfair bill a few years ago
resulted in a collections account. You can continue protesting that the
charge was unjust, or you can try disputing the account with the credit
bureaus as “not mine.” The older and smaller a collection account, the
more likely the collection agency won’t bother to verify it when the
credit bureau investigates your dispute.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #050aa8; font-size: small;"><b><u>9. Blitz significant errors </u></b></span><br />
Your
credit scores are calculated based on the information in your credit
reports, so certain errors there can really cost you. But not everything
that’s reported in your files matters to your scores.<br />
<br />
Here’s the stuff that’s usually worth the effort of correcting with the bureaus:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8XAfpa71P8/UvuHXWJPjhI/AAAAAAAAAMs/5Sc1_bshGac/s1600/Credit+Report.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B8XAfpa71P8/UvuHXWJPjhI/AAAAAAAAAMs/5Sc1_bshGac/s1600/Credit+Report.jpg" height="143" width="200" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Late payments, charge-offs, collections or other negative items that aren’t yours.</li>
<li>Credit limits reported as lower than they actually are.</li>
<li>Accounts
listed as “settled,” “paid derogatory,” “paid charge-off” or
anything other than “current” or “paid as agreed” if you paid on
time and in full.</li>
<li>Accounts that are still listed as unpaid that were included in a bankruptcy.</li>
<li>Negative items older than seven years that should have automatically fallen off your reports.</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #0dbc0d; font-size: small;"><b>Get
your “FREE” Credit Score Analysis today, call us TODAY 1-888-693-1439
and let’s get you back on the road to financial recovery.</b></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-63384854290698868762014-02-04T07:51:00.000-08:002014-02-04T07:54:57.794-08:00How To Profit From Networking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkLEz50_0_c/UvEJKA2EJuI/AAAAAAAAAME/uVguDHVToM4/s1600/Networking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rkLEz50_0_c/UvEJKA2EJuI/AAAAAAAAAME/uVguDHVToM4/s1600/Networking.jpg" /></a></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42021" style="color: #990099; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
How To Profit From Networking</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42048" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42049" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Sales are frequently developed through the relationships we have created with other <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42050">people. Networking functions provide the opportunity to expand our contact list,</span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42051">particularly when we create and nurture quality relationships. It is not enough to visit a</span> networking group, talk to dozens of people and gather as many business cards <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42053">possible. However, every networking function has tremendous potential for new </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42054">business leads. Here are five strategies to make networking profitable:</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42049" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42054"> </span>
</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42055" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">1. Choose the right networking group or event. The best results come from attending <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42056">the appropriate networking events for your particular industry. This should include trade </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42057">shows, conferences, and associations dedicated to your type of business. For example,</span> if your target market is a Fortune 500 company, it does not make sense to join a group <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42059">whose primary membership consists of individual business owners. You can also </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42060">participate in groups where your potential clients meet. A friend of mine helps people</span></span>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42062" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">negotiate leases with their landlords. He joined the local franchise association because <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42061">most franchisors lease their properties.</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42062" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42017" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyCJByNAKdY/UvEKtzw7pnI/AAAAAAAAAMU/LonCsDedSQk/s1600/Hands+Exchanging+cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VyCJByNAKdY/UvEKtzw7pnI/AAAAAAAAAMU/LonCsDedSQk/s1600/Hands+Exchanging+cards.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42065"> </span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42017" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42065">2. Focus on quality contacts versus quantity. Most people have experi</span>enced the person <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42066">who, while talking to you, keeps his eyes roving around the room, seeking his next </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42067">victim. This individual is more interested in passing out and collecting business cards </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42068">than establishing a relationship. My approach is to make between two and five new </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42016">contacts at each networking meeting I attend. Focus on the quality of the connection </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42069">and people will become much more trusting of you.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42013" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42013" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">3. Make a positive first impression. You have EXACTLY one opportunity to make a <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42070">great first impression. Factors that influence this initial impact are your handshake, </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42071">facial expressions, eye contact, interest in the other person and your overall </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42073">attentiveness. Develop a great handshake, approach people with a natural, genuine </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42074">smile and make good eye contact. Notice the color of the other person's eyes as you </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42075">introduce yourself. Listen carefully to their name. If you don't hear them or understand </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42076">exactly what they say, ask them to repeat it. Many people do not speak clearly or loudly </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42015">enough and others are very nervous at networking events. Make a powerful impression </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42014">by asking them what they do before talking about yourself or your business. As I've always</span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42012"> stated, "Seek first to understand and then to be understood." Comment on their</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42013" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42009" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYl1tV4aWvw/UvEJ9zPhOMI/AAAAAAAAAMM/oJloRg92wBc/s1600/Networking+Card.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RYl1tV4aWvw/UvEJ9zPhOMI/AAAAAAAAAMM/oJloRg92wBc/s1600/Networking+Card.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">business, ask them to elaborate, or have them explain something in more detail. As <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42011">they continue, make sure you listen intently to what they tell you. Once you have </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42010">demonstrated interest in someone else, they will - in most cases - become more </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42008">interested in you. When that occurs, follow the step outline in the next point.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42006" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42006" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">4. Be able to clearly state what you do. Develop a ten second introduction as well as a <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42007">thirty second presentation. The introduction explains what you do and for whom. For </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42005">example; "I work with boutique retailers to help them increase their sales and profits."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42003" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This introduction should encourage the other person to ask for more information. When <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42004">they do, you recite your thirty second presentation. "Bob Smith of High Profile Clothing </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42002">wanted a program </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42002"></span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42002">that would help his</span> sales managers increase their sales. After</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42001" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">working with them for six months we achieved a 21.5 percent increase in sales. Plus, sales of their premium line of ties have doubled in this time frame." As you can see, this <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42000">gives an example of your work and the typical results you have help your clients</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41997" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">achieve. Each of these introductions needs to be well-rehearsed so you can recite them <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41999">at any time and under any circumstance. You must be genuine, authentic, and as I </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41998">recently heard a speaker say, "bone-dry honest."</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41996" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41996" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">5. Follow up after the event. In my experience, most people drop the ball here. Yet the <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41995">follow-up is the most important aspect of networking. There are two specific strategies </span>to follow:</span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41993" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41993" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">First, immediately after the event - typically the next day - you should send a <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41994">handwritten card to the people you met. Mention something from your conversation and </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41992">express your interest to keep in contact. Always include a business card in your </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42077">correspondence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41991" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41991" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Next, within two weeks, contact that person and arrange to meet for coffee or lunch.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> This will give you the opportunity to learn more about their business, the challenges <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41986">they face, and how you could potentially help them. This is NOT a sales call - it is a </span>relationship building meeting.</span>
</div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41987" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41987" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Networking does product results. The more people know about you and your business, <span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_41988">and the more they trust you, the greater the likelihood they will either work with you or </span><span id="yui_3_13_0_ym1_1_1391520142699_42078">refer someone else to you.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-74857805189661401882013-11-15T05:33:00.001-08:002013-11-15T05:33:51.214-08:00How small business owners can maintain a work/life balance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbY-lq1EHlM/UoYh93daufI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_ALMqOEZgr8/s1600/Couple+on+the+beach+holding+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbY-lq1EHlM/UoYh93daufI/AAAAAAAAAL0/_ALMqOEZgr8/s320/Couple+on+the+beach+holding+hands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As a small business owner, you're likely to run low on a few key resources when you first start out.<br />
Funds are one of them, and fortunately cash flow finance can help
with that. However, a lack of time is another factor that can bring
stress to many a business owner's life.<br />
Even if your business is still in its infancy and you've got your
hands full with tasks, there are some measures you can take to strike a
good work/life balance and hold onto your sanity.<br />
<br />
<strong>Set boundaries – and stick to them</strong><br />
Anyone can set deadlines and limits, but sticking to them is easier said than done.<br />
The fluid, flexible nature of start-up businesses can make it
difficult to implement strict office hours and schedules, but try to set
specific times every day and week when you cut yourself off from work.<br />
Setting these boundaries can also work in your favour as you have a
clear deadline to work towards and be more productive and targeted in
your efforts.<br />
<br />
<strong>Delegate and automate as much as you can</strong><br />
You may have handled all or most of your company's work when you
started out, but as the business grows and takes on more staff, it's
time to share the workload.<br />
Delegate tasks to the people who are most suited to carry them out,
while you focus on the core aspects of the business yourself.<br />
Minor administrative tasks such as invoicing and payrolls can also be
automated without any human input. There is a range of specialist
automation software available, so this could be a wise time-saving
investment.<br />
<br />
<strong>Don't forget to plan for 'me-time'</strong><br />
In the non-stop rush of running a small business, it's important to also pay attention to your personal life.<br />
Use the same systematic approach you use at work to plan for your
downtime as well, figuring in after-hours activities and longer projects
such as end-of-year vacations.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-74124739885725979962013-01-24T07:33:00.000-08:002013-01-24T07:34:36.134-08:00Stepping up<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 0px;">An excerpt from<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><i>Stepping Up</i></u></span><br />
by John Murphy
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 30px 10px 30px;">Listen
carefully to successful people all over the world and they will tell
you one thing. Opportunity quietly surrounds you. Information and
knowledge are within your reach. Prosperity is silently knocking at your
door. Victory mysteriously awaits you. Subtle and elusive as it may
seem, there is no scarcity of success. It is available to all of us. The
only real problem is how we choose to respond to the unlimited
abundance that is ours for the taking. Do we accept it or reject it? Do
we allow it or resist it? Do we demand it or dismiss it? Do we take it
in or turn it away?<br />
<br />
Stop and ask yourself: How do you see the world? How do you see yourself
in the world? How do you see your relationship with the world? Do you
see the opportunity? Do you believe it is yours for the taking? Do you
feel worthy of success? Do you feel deserving? Are you asking for it?
Are you looking for it? Are you listening for it? Are you open to it?
Are you allowing it to manifest in your life and your presence, or have
you convinced yourself that you do not qualify for one reason or
another? Are you seizing the opportunity to advance yourself and the
world in a mutually beneficial way or are you putting it off for another
day? Are you expecting success or suspecting it? Are you even aware
the choice is up to you? <br />
<br />
I am fortunate to work with many successful executives, professionals,
military leaders, authors, consultants, teachers, parents, coaches and
athletes around the world and a term I hear more and more frequently is
"Step Up." From North America to China to Brazil to countries all over
Europe, the mantra is the same. We need people to step up. We believe in
them. We see the potential. We know they can do better. We want to them
to succeed. We just need to see them take charge and step up. <br />
<br />
In other cases, proactive people are advancing themselves without being
asked or encouraged. They just do it, often surprising the people around
them. They use the ten "take-aways" described in this book to tap into
their true potential. This illustrates that we do not need permission to
step up. We do not need to be told to do it, or even asked. We can
apply these take-aways to our personal and professional lives wherever
and whenever we want. The key is to know that we can step up and then to
know how!<br />
<br />
The purpose of this book is to explain how to step up and accelerate
success. Why wait? Why not seize the moment? Why not get started
immediately? Why make excuses that limit us? Why rationalize our
undesirable results and restrict ourselves? This book is not about
self-imposed resistance to change. It is about flow. It is about energy.
It is about movement and motivation, insight and inspiration. It is
about "taking away" lessons learned from the best of the best, people
who in many cases overcame tremendous odds to reach levels of
performance and prosperity that many only dream of. Take these tips and
use them to elevate your life.<br />
<br />
Use this book and these take-aways to:</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 30px 30px 50px;">- Take ownership and responsibility for your outcomes<br />
- Take a good, honest look in the mirror<br />
- Take time to reflect on who you are and what you are capable of<br />
- Take measure of your current state—the good, the bad and the ugly!<br />
- Take advice from wise counsel<br />
- Take a chance<br />
- Take action<br />
- Take another look at your life and your results<br />
- Take a knee and give thanks for what you are and what you have
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://intlstore.simpletruths.com/stepping-up-10-take-aways-for-advancing-your-career-p928.aspx?cm_mmc=ExactTarget-_-TU-_-01.22.13-_-STUP&Coupon=INSP75FREE&j=45501&e=giuseppest@rogers.com&l=3516_HTML&u=2545532&mid=7001668&jb=486" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Click here to order Stepping up</b></span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-89581154036698294532012-11-17T05:18:00.005-08:002012-11-17T05:19:57.874-08:00Own Your Dreams<div style="text-align: center;">
An excerpt from</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Own Your Dreams</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by John Maxwell
What is your dream?</div>
<br />
How will you achieve it?<br />
<br />
The first question may be difficult to answer. You may have many dreams.
Yet, there must be one that stands out above all others...one that
inspires you, energizes you, and empowers you to do everything you can
to achieve it.<br />
<br />
The second question is the reason most people never realize their
dreams. They have no strategy in place for attaining it, no knowledge of
what is needed and must be sometimes sacrificed to have the dream come
true.<br />
<br />
Will you achieve your dreams in your lifetime?<br />
<br />
I'm certain that you desire to. I'm sure you hope you will. But will you
actually do it? What odds would you give yourself? One in five? One in a
hundred? One in a million? How can you tell whether your chances are
good or whether your dream will always remain exactly that—a dream?<br />
<br />
Most people have no idea how to achieve their dreams. What they possess
is a vague notion that there is something they would like to do someday
or someone they would like to become. But they don't know how to get
from here to there. If that describes you, then you'll be glad to know
that there really is hope.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-9421574315968279322012-11-09T06:57:00.003-08:002012-11-09T06:57:27.430-08:00
<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center;">
<img alt="Vintage Essays By Judy Williamson, Director of the Napoleon Hill World Learning Center at Purdue University Calumnet" border="0" height="275" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1352469628182_341" src="http://gallery.mailchimp.com/49cec019831dc24c974faa6bf/images/Vintage_Essays_Headline.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
Change is a process that most people do not like to undertake. Whether
it’s a change in jobs, homes, relationships, memberships, etc., in
almost all areas people complain about the change process. Instead of
embracing the new that is approaching on the horizon, people lament the
old that is slipping away. You might think of it as the dawn and the
sunset. Both occurrences are beautiful and serve to enhance each other.
Yet alone, a lifetime of sunsets would not be the same as a lifetime
that experiences both.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
Looking at change from a different perspective, it would be a happier
and easier process if we looked at what we are gaining rather than what
we are losing. Think of it as the yin and the yang of the universe.
Without change we would become stagnant. Stagnant water stinks. It is
not drinkable, and no one wants to swim in it. Animals avoid it and
people do too.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
Conversely, living water is water that flows and refreshes itself and
its boundaries. It invites us to its shores as we watch and listen to
the process. It invigorates us rather than depresses us. Change can be
that way too if we allow ourselves to see it from the angle of newness.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
Being part of the here and now requires us to embrace change. A change
in routine, diet, exercise, or in whatever else has become stagnant in
our lives, can change our world. It does not have to be monumental to
make a difference in our lives, but we do have to begin the process. It
could be as simple as a thirty minute walk during the day that can be
the start of further change.</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 10px 0px 10px;">
Why not challenge yourself to the change process if you feel you are
stuck in a stagnant life? Find a small change to make that is
non-threatening at first, and then do it. Like the snowball that gathers
speed and size as it rolls downhill, I just bet you will find that
everything about change is not negative. And, there is much more of the
positive that you will like to explore in this process when you take
that first bold step toward gifting yourself with more of life!</div>
<div style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 25px;">
Be Your Very Best Always,<br />
Judy Williamson</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-39503891296480121252012-06-07T05:41:00.000-07:002012-06-07T05:41:35.799-07:00It's Not Where You Start—It's How You Finish<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
An excerpt from<br /> <a href="http://newsletter.simpletruths.com/a/hBPzfYqB8PINaB8jU1YNmEqx4qQ/caprod" target="_blank"><em>Achieve Any Goal</em></a><br /> by Brian Tracy <strong> </strong></div>
<strong> </strong><br /> <br />
When I was eighteen, I left high school without graduating. My first
job was as a dishwasher in the back of a small hotel. From there, I
moved on to washing cars and then washing floors with a janitorial
service. For the next few years, I drifted and worked at various
laboring jobs, earning my living by the sweat of my brow. I worked in
sawmills and factories. I worked on farms and ranches. I worked in the
tall timber with a chain saw and dug wells when the logging season
ended. <br /> <br /> I worked as a construction laborer on tall buildings
and as a seaman on a Norwegian freighter in the North Atlantic. Often I
slept in my car or in cheap rooming houses. When I was twenty-three, I
worked as an itinerant farm laborer during the harvest, sleeping on the
hay in the farmer's barn and eating with the farmer's family. I was
uneducated and unskilled, and at the end of the harvest, I was
unemployed once more. <br /> <br /> When I could no longer find a laboring
job, I got a job in straight commission sales, cold-calling
office-to-office and door-to-door. I would often work all day long to
make a single sale so that I could pay for my rooming house and have a
place to sleep that night. This was not a great start at life. <br /> <br /> <strong>The Day My Life Changed</strong> <br /> <br />
Then one day, I took out a piece of paper and wrote down an outrageous
goal for myself. It was to earn $1,000 per month in door-to-door and
office-to-office selling. I folded up the piece of paper, put it away,
and never found it again. <br /> <br /> But thirty days later, my entire
life had changed. During that time, I discovered a technique for closing
sales that tripled my income from the very first day. Meanwhile, the
owner of my company sold out to an entrepreneur who had just moved into
town. Exactly thirty days after I had written down my goal, the new
owner took me aside and offered me $1,000 per month to head up the sales
force and teach the other salespeople what I was doing that enabled me
to sell so much more than anyone else. I accepted his offer, and from
that day forward, my life was never the same. <br /> <br /> Within eighteen
months, I had moved from that job to another and then to another. I went
from personal selling to becoming a sales manager with people selling
for me. In a new business, I recruited and built a ninety-five-person
sales force. I went literally from worrying about my next meal to
walking around with a pocket full of $20 bills. <br /> <br /> I began
teaching my salespeople how to write out their goals and how to sell
more effectively. In almost no time at all, they increased their incomes
as much as tenfold. Today, many of them are millionaires and
multimillionaires. <br /> <br /> <strong>Life Goes Up and Down</strong><br /> <br />
I have to admit that since those days in my mid-twenties, my life has
not been a smooth series of upward steps. It has included many ups and
downs, marked by occasional successes and temporary failures. I have
traveled, lived, and worked in more than ninety countries, learning
French, German, and Spanish along the way and working in twenty-two
different fields. <br /> <br /> As the result of inexperience and sometimes
sheer stupidity, I have spent or lost everything I made and had to start
over again—several times. Whenever this happened, I would begin by
sitting down with a piece of paper and laying out a new set of goals for
myself. <br /> <br /> After several years of hit-and-miss goal setting and
goal achieving, I finally decided to collect everything I had learned
into a single system. By assembling these ideas and strategies in one
place, I developed a goal-setting methodology and process, with a
beginning, middle, and end, and began to follow it every day. <br /> <br />
Within one year, my life had changed once more. In January of that year,
I was living in a rented apartment with rented furniture. I was $35,000
in debt and driving a used car that wasn't paid for. By December, I was
living in my own $100,000 condominium. I owned a new Mercedes, had paid
off all my debts, and had $50,000 in the bank. <br /> <br /> Then I really
got serious about success. I realized that goal setting was incredibly
powerful. I invested hundreds and then thousands of hours reading and
researching goal setting and goal achieving, synthesizing the best ideas
I could find into a complete process that worked with incredible
effectiveness.<br />
<br />
<strong>Anyone Can Do It</strong><br /> <br />
What I found was that these ideas work everywhere, for everyone, in
virtually every country, no matter what your education, experience, or
background may be when you begin. <br /> <br /> Best of all, these ideas
have made it possible for me and many thousands of others to take
complete control over our lives. The regular and systematic practice of
goal setting has taken us from poverty to prosperity, from frustration
to fulfillment, from underachievement to success and satisfaction. This
system will do the same for you. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-56908596335784503112012-04-18T17:06:00.003-07:002012-04-18T17:06:40.247-07:00The Power of Attitude<div style="text-align: center;">
An excerpt from<br /> <em>The Power of Attitude</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /> by Mac Anderson </div>
<br />
In
many ways, we're alike; however, one little difference almost always
makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude.<br /> <br />
William James, over a century ago, said, "The greatest discovery of this
generation is that a human being can alter their life by altering their
attitude." I believe this with all my heart, and over the years have
seen it happen countless times. What most people fail to realize is that
your attitude not only impacts your happiness and your success, it also
can impact the happiness and success of all the people around
you...your family, your friends, and your peers at work. Attitudes truly
are contagious, and from time to time we need to ask ourselves..."is
mine worth catching?"<br /> <br /> There is no way to overstate the
importance of a positive attitude in your life. However, no one can
underestimate the difficulty in maintaining it. It's not easy, and it's a
very personal thing, but it can be done.<br /> <br /> <strong><em>The Power of Attitude</em></strong>
was written with that in mind. I only can share with you what works for
me in developing and maintaining a positive approach to life. My goal
is that some of the ideas and stories I'll share will inspire you to
live the life of your dreams and to make a positive difference in the
lives of others.<br /> <br /> It's my hope that this book will be a useful tool in helping you:<br /> <br /> • Manage your energy levels<br /> • Keep your soul alive<br /> • Take new paths<br /> • Reduce stress<br /> • Develop the "Human Touch"<br /> • Attack your fears<br /> • Live in awe<br /> • Savor small successes<br /> • Burn brightly without burning out<br /> • Hang on when the storms blow throughAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-2131291152363745912012-03-28T08:37:00.001-07:002012-03-28T08:43:02.024-07:00An Empty Pickle Jar<em>A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large
and empty pickle jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.<br /> <br />
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it
was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them
into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open
areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the
jar was full. They agreed it was.</em><br />
<br />
<em>The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the
jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more
if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."<br /> <br />
The professor then produced two glasses of chocolate milk from under
the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively
filling the empty space between the sand.<br /> <br /> The students laughed.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Moral of the Story</strong> - The professor waited for the laughter to subside....<br /> <br /> "Now," said the professor, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the <strong>important things</strong>...your <strong>family</strong>, your <strong>children</strong>, your <strong>health</strong>, your <strong>friends</strong>, your <strong>favorite passions</strong>. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."<br /> <br /> "The pebbles are the <strong>other things that matter</strong> like your <strong>job</strong>, your <strong>home</strong>, your <strong>car</strong>."<br /> <br /> "The sand is <strong>everything else</strong>...The <strong>small stuff</strong>. If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. <strong>If
you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never
have room for the things that are critical to your happiness."</strong><br /> <br />
"Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your
partner to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean
the house or fix the disposal."<br /> <br /> <strong>"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities, the rest is just sand."</strong></em> <br /> <br /> This story is a wonderful reminder to focus on what is most important in our lives.<em> </em>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-38333674728678541102012-02-29T15:31:00.001-08:002012-02-29T15:35:05.405-08:00How home closing costs can add up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRCXZbmIAj8/T06voYp85BI/AAAAAAAAAIw/b2eO7Sbw-44/s1600/Homes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRCXZbmIAj8/T06voYp85BI/AAAAAAAAAIw/b2eO7Sbw-44/s200/Homes.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Home buyers are often advised to set aside one-to-three per cent of
the purchase price of their house for closing costs. These fees are
explained during the home buying process, but it is helpful to ask questions so you fully understand how these costs can affect your budget.</span></span><br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Legal fees</b>: On average you should budget $600 to
$900 for legal fees and an additional $200 to $400 for disbursements,
which includes registering the mortgage, completing a tax certificate,
and doing a title search on the property. On top of that you may pay
administrative fees for postage, faxing and photocopying.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Shop around. Some law offices specialize in handling mortgage
disbursements and offer cheaper rates. Ask your bank or mortgage broker
which law firm they recommend and then call at least 3 other lawyers
for quotes. A few phone calls can save you hundreds of dollars. I paid
$810 for legal fees and disbursements - the next best quote was over
$1,000.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Related: Never buy a house without a home inspection</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Property tax adjustment: </b>If you buy an existing
home, the previous owners have paid property taxes to the City. On
closing, you will be required to reimburse them for the taxes they have
prepaid for the year. </span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For example if the previous owners paid $2,000 in property taxes for
the year and you took possession of their home on June 30, you will be
required to pay the owner half the pre-paid taxes, or $1,000.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Interest adjustment Date: </b>Depending on the date
chosen by your lender as the interest adjustment (the date the mortgage
starts) you may be required to pay interest from the closing date until
your interest adjustment date. The maximum amount would be one month’s
interest at the rate of your mortgage.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">For example, our mortgage was advanced when we took possession of our
home on August 15. We owed an interest-only payment from the advance
date until September 1, which was our interest adjustment date. Our
first full mortgage payment came out on October 1.</span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">While it may sound like you get some reprieve by skipping a monthly
mortgage payment, most people want to start eliminating this debt as
quickly as possible.</span></div>
<br />
<b>Land Transfer Tax:</b> In general, if you buy land or an interest in land in Ontario, you must pay Ontario's land transfer tax, whether or not the transfer is registered at one of Ontario's <a href="http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/STEL02_165696">land registry office</a>.<br />
<div class="row" style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Land includes any buildings, buildings to be constructed, and
fixtures (such as light fixtures, built-in appliances and cabinetry). The land transfer tax payable is normally based on the amount paid for the land. If you are a first-time homebuyer, you may be eligible for a refund of all or part of the tax.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Calculation of Land Transfer Tax </b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">0.5% of the value of the consideration up to and including $55,000,</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1% of the value of the consideration which exceeds $55,000 up to and including $250,000, and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">1.5% of the value of the consideration which exceeds $250,000, and</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">2% of the amount by which the value of the
consideration exceeds $400,000 for land that contains at least one and
not more than two single family residences.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">On July 1, 2010, Ontario introduced a federally administered
Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) that applies to most purchases and
transactions.
The <acronym title="Harmonized Sales Tax">HST</acronym>
applies to newly constructed homes, but does not apply to resale homes.
Buyers of new homes will receive a rebate of up to $24,000 regardless of
the price of the new home.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Title Insurance</b>: </span><span style="font-size: small;">Title insurance does not replace the role of the lawyer. It simply provides
an added level of protection for the purchaser(s). Ontario lawyers still
must search title and certify the status of title before a title insurance
policy can be issued. </span><span style="font-size: small;">For a one-time premium ($150 - $299), the policy protects the purchaser(s) and mortgage lender
against losses suffered from matters set out below as well as other matters
more specifically outlined in the policy: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">defects that would have been revealed
by an up-to-date survey </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">survey errors or illegibility of survey
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">encroachments (before or after closing)
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">contravention of municipal zoning by-laws
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">unmarketability of title </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">defects in the title </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">invalidity or unenforceability of the
mortgage on title </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">liens </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">easements (other than usual easements
for utilities, etc.) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">contravention of subdivision, development
and other agreements </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">priority of certain construction liens
</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">priority of unregistered easements and
rights of way </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">fraud or forgery (prior to and after
closing) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">solicitor error, omission or fraud </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"> unpaid property taxes or local improvement
charges by a prior owner </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: black; font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Hidden costs can make it difficult to stick to a budget, especially for a first time home buyer.
Be sure to ask your Broker in advance for a detailed description of all
your closing costs so they are factored into your overall budget.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRCXZbmIAj8/T06voYp85BI/AAAAAAAAAIw/b2eO7Sbw-44/s1600/Homes.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-83418647179640786522012-02-25T12:58:00.000-08:002012-02-25T12:58:00.067-08:00Charging the Human BatteryAn excerpt from<br /> <em>Charging the Human Battery</em><br /> by Mac Anderson<br />
<br />
The
older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday morning. Perhaps it's the quiet
solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the
unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few
hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.<br /> <br /> A few weeks
ago, I was shuffling toward the garage with a steaming cup of coffee in
one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical
Saturday morning turned into one of those lessons that life seems to
hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it:<br /> <br /> I turned
the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order
to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across
an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You
know the kind; he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting
business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about "a
thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had
to say.<br /> <br /> "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your
job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away
from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should
have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. It's too
bad you missed your daughter's dance recital," he continued; "Let me
tell you something that has helped me keep my own priorities." And
that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."<br /> <br />
"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average
person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some
live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.<br /> <br />
Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is
the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire
lifetime. Now, stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part.<br /> <br />
It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in
any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over
twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be
seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I
went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up
having to visit three toy stores to round up 1,000 marbles. I took them
home and put them inside a large, clear plastic container right here in
the shack next to my gear.<br /> <br /> Every Saturday since then, I have
taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the
marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life.<br /> <br /> There's nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.<br /> <br />
Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign off with you and take
my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last
marble out of the container. I figure that if I make it until next
Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing
we can all use is a little more time.<br /> <br /> It was nice to meet you
Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you
again here on the band. This is a 75 year old man, K9NZQ, clear and
going QRT, good morning!"<br /> <br /> You could have heard a pin drop on
the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to
think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then
I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club
newsletter.<br /> <br /> Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."<br /> <br /> "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.<br /> <br />
"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a
Saturday together with the kids. And hey, can we stop at a toy store
while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-78003885775983015062012-02-20T07:41:00.000-08:002012-02-20T07:41:10.104-08:00The most powerful message I've ever heardAn excerpt from<br /> <a href="http://newsletter.simpletruths.com/a/hBPPQAsB8PINaB8f9UTNmEqx4gh/caprod" target="_blank"><em>The Strangest Secret</em></a><br /> by Earl Nightingale<br />
<br />
George
Bernard Shaw said, "People are always blaming their circumstances for
what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on
in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances
they want, and if they can't find them, they make them."<br /> <br /> Well,
it's pretty apparent, isn't it? And every person who discovered this
believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We
become what we think about.<br /> <br /> Conversely, the person who has no
goal, who doesn't know where he's going, and whose thoughts must
therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry - his life becomes
one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about
nothing... he becomes nothing.<br /> <br /> How does it work? Why do we
become what we think about? Well, I'll tell you how it works, as far as
we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels
the human mind.<br /> <br /> Suppose a farmer has some land, and it's good,
fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that
land whatever he chooses. The land doesn't care. It's up to the farmer
to make the decision.<br /> <br /> We're comparing the human mind with the
land because the mind, like the land, doesn't care what you plant in it.
It will return what you plant, but it doesn't care what you plant.<br /> <br />
Now, let's say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed
of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little
holes in the earth and he plants both seeds - one corn, the other
nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the
land...and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was
planted.<br /> <br /> As it's written in the Bible, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."<br /> <br />
Remember the land doesn't care. It will return poison in just as
wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one
corn, one poison.<br /> <br /> The human mind is far more fertile, far more
incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It
doesn't care what we plant...success...or failure. A concrete,
worthwhile goal...or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so
on. But what we plant must return to us.<br /> <br /> You see, the human
mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches
beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-45592940366090797912012-02-17T05:18:00.000-08:002012-02-17T05:21:22.787-08:00Top 10 kitchen renovation tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">By <u><span style="color: blue;">Karen
Cole Banack and Melody Duron</span></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">From the cabinets to the appliances,
find out how to ensure a successful renovation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">Renovating your kitchen will add ease
to your lifestyle and value to your home. Here are the 10 most important things
to consider when you're updating your kitchen.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 Use quality materials.</b><br />
Quality drawer slides and hinges mean cabinet doors will stay closed and
drawers won't stick. Stay away from drawers that are stapled together or made
of particleboard. For cabinet interiors, wood veneer is more durable than
melamine, laminate, MDF or particleboard. <br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2 Determine cabinet heights.</b> <br />
If you have eight-foot ceilings, choose cabinets that go to the ceiling. They
offer more storage, enabling you to use extra wall space for artwork or open
shelves. If your ceilings are higher than eight feet, leave 15 to 18 inches
above the cabinets.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3 Decide whether to paint or stain.</b> <br />
Though stained-wood cabinetry is forgiving, most finishes date quickly and
aren't easily altered. Brush-painted cabinets can lend a unique personality. <br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4 Select an elegant countertop</b><br />
White Carrara marble (honed or acid washed and sealed) and stained wood adds
elegance and warmth. We also like honed Kirk stone slate, soapstone and Wiarton
limestone, and plastic laminate with a wood edge for a sophisticated look. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">5
Install an island that works.</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> <br />
Beware of placing a bulky cube in the middle of the room. We like islands that
have an open, airy look. Ideally, an island should be unencumbered by
appliances, but if you want it to house a dishwasher-sink combo or a cook top,
try to maintain the light look of a leggy harvest table.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6 Don't overdo the details.</b> <br />
Design accents such as pediments over stoves and plaster moldings on cabinet
fronts can represent decorative excess. Remember that the style of your kitchen<span style="color: blue;"> </span>should be compatible with the rest of your home. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">7 Avoid maintenance nightmares.</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">Natural surfaces with inherent
texture -- slate, terra cotta, brick and tumbled marble -- are more difficult
to clean but camouflage the odd crumb. Smooth surfaces in light colours, such
as white laminate counters or ceramic floors, are easy to clean but show
everything. And as much as we love stainless steel, it's not easy to keep
smudge-free.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8 Stick to basic appliances.</b> <br />
Instead of lots of appliances and gadgets, consider selecting a few reliable
basics. For example, a commercial-quality stainless-steel range makes an
interesting focal point and takes up less space than separate wall ovens and a cook
top.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">9 Incorporate an adjacent dining room.</b>
<br />
A clever design, plus the appropriate lighting and furniture, will let you
adapt the room's atmosphere to suit any occasion. Consider a banquette design
combined with slip covered chairs for an efficient use of space.<br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">10 Add interest.</b> <br />
Your kitchen should reflect you, not look like a showroom. Before designing the
space, search for a piece of unique furniture and use it in your design -- a
room full of floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall kitchen cabinets looks boring and
uninspired.</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-89503754807202195122012-02-12T06:38:00.000-08:002012-02-12T06:38:26.633-08:00Love, romance and financial compatibility for couples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pws6pJIWDJo/TzfONv48F-I/AAAAAAAAAIU/2iZ4LC31svc/s1600/image_2nd_Article_LP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="139" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pws6pJIWDJo/TzfONv48F-I/AAAAAAAAAIU/2iZ4LC31svc/s200/image_2nd_Article_LP.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
This month, even though Valentine's Day might make us think of love
and romance, it's not a bad idea to bring up finance. Minimizing
conflicts over money is a smart step to take as you begin to plan a future together, whether or not it involves wedlock.<br />
<br />
<b>If you're getting serious, now's the time to talk frankly about your finances.</b>
Be open about matters that might cause conflict in the future, such as
significant debts from student loans or credit cards. Discuss reviewing your credit reports together to avoid unpleasant surprises, like finding out later about collections or bankruptcy.<br />
<b>Set short- and long-term financial goals.</b>
Figure out how much money each of you intends to spend on "fun" and how
much to set aside for important goals, such as buying a home.<br />
<br />
<b>Thinking about opening joint accounts?</b>
Weigh the risks and responsibilities. If one co-owner of a credit card
goes on a spending spree, the other person may be held responsible for
the bill. Irresponsible use
of a jointly owned credit card by one partner gets reported on both
credit histories, and that could hurt the other person's score—and
future likelihood of getting a good loan or credit card.<br />
<br />
Getting
these discussions out of the way early on might help you avoid potential
pitfalls later that have derailed many promising relationships. Here's
to love — and stellar credit!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-72363959426780897282012-02-01T06:33:00.000-08:002012-02-01T06:33:59.479-08:00"Customer service is not a department...it's an attitude."This 3-minute video is a crash course on customer service! It's a simple, but powerful explanation about making your customers feel loved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8QL7IlDizBL922lLH-K_vGIFKDhgnIVgcsEjzwMTY7hgKZID-OwK2mhD24vcC4h5fpvt_aNccT7t-g_75dQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-47815594740122646002012-01-30T12:59:00.000-08:002012-01-30T12:59:26.937-08:00The Right to Lead<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 0px 0px 0px;">An excerpt from<br /> <em>The Right to Lead</em><br /> by John Maxwell</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; padding: 18px 15px 10px 15px;"><strong>What Gives a Man or Woman the Right to Lead?</strong><br /> <br />
It certainly isn't gained by election or appointment. Having position,
title, rank or degrees doesn't qualify anyone to lead other people. And
the ability doesn't come automatically from age or experience, either.<br /> <br />
No, it would be accurate to say that no one can be given the right to
lead. The right to lead can only be earned. And that takes time.<br /> <br /> <strong>The Kind of Leader Others Want to Follow</strong><br /> <br />
The key to becoming an effective leader is not to focus on making other
people follow, but on making yourself the kind of person they want to
follow. You must become someone others can trust to take them where they
want to go.<br /> <br /> As you prepare yourself to become a better leader, use the following guidelines to help you grow:<br /> <br /> <strong>1. Let go of your ego.</strong><br /> <br />
The truly great leaders are not in leadership for personal gain. They
lead in order to serve other people. Perhaps that is why Lawrence D.
Bell remarked, "Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things, and
I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things."<br /> <br /> <strong>2. Become a good follower first.</strong><br /> <br />
Rare is the effective leader who didn't learn to become a good follower
first. That is why a leadership institution such as the United States
Military Academy teaches its officers to become effective followers
first—and why West Point has produced more leaders than the Harvard
Business School.<br /> <br /> <strong>3. Build positive relationships.</strong><br /> <br />
Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less. That means it is
by nature relational. Today's generation of leaders seem particularly
aware of this because title and position mean so little to them. They
know intuitively that people go along with people they get along with.<br /> <br /> <strong>4. Work with excellence.</strong><br /> <br />
No one respects and follows mediocrity. Leaders who earn the right to
lead give their all to what they do. They bring into play not only their
skills and talents, but also great passion and hard work. They perform
on the highest level of which they are capable.<br /> <br /> <strong>5. Rely on discipline, not emotion.</strong><br /> <br />
Leadership is often easy during the good times. It's when everything
seems to be against you—when you're out of energy, and you don't want to
lead—that you earn your place as a leader. During every season of life,
leaders face crucial moments when they must choose between gearing up
or giving up. To make it through those times, rely on the rock of
discipline, not the shifting sand of emotion.<br /> <br /> <strong>6. Make added value your goal.</strong><br /> <br />
When you look at the leaders whose names are revered long after they
have finished leading, you find that they were men and women who helped
people to live better lives and reach their potential. That is the
highest calling of leadership—and its highest value.<br /> <br /> <strong>7. Give your power away.</strong><br /> <br />
One of the ironies of leadership is that you become a better leader by
sharing whatever power you have, not by saving it all for yourself.
You're meant to be a river, not a reservoir. If you use your power to
empower others, your leadership will extend far beyond your grasp.</td> </tr>
<tr> <td align="center" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 15px 10px 15px;">~~~</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; padding: 10px 15px 20px 15px;"> In <strong><em>The Right to Lead</em></strong>,
you will hear from and read about people who have done these same
things and earned the right to lead others. Because of the courage they
found and the character they displayed, other people recognized their
admirable qualities and felt compelled to follow them.<br /> <br /> The
followers who looked to these leaders learned from them, and so can we.
As you explore their worlds and words, remember that it takes time to
become worthy of followers. Leadership isn't learned or earned in a
moment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-60746779274752811652012-01-24T15:43:00.000-08:002012-01-24T15:43:24.965-08:00The Road To Happiness<div style="text-align: center;">
An excerpt from<br /> <em>The Road To Happiness</em><br /> by Mac Anderson and BJ Gallagher </div>
<br />
A
thankful spirit is a healthy spirit. As the twists and turns of life
lead to feelings of being out of control, sometimes our attitude is all
that we have control over...the following reflection may help you
develop a thankful attitude. Sometimes life is all about how we look at
it!<br /> <br /> I am thankful for...<br /> <br /> • the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.<br /> <br />• the taxes I pay because it means that I am employed.<br /> <br />• a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.<br /> <br />• my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.<br /> <br />• the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.<br /> <br />• all of the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.<br /> <br />• my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.<br /> <br />• the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.<br /> <br />• the alarm that goes off early in the morning hours because it means that I am alive.<br /> <br />• the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.<br /> <br />• weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8683466784575042156.post-3819523193881518722012-01-22T15:54:00.000-08:002012-01-22T15:54:39.666-08:00Trying to calculate Interest Differential?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
With a little help from Ma and Pa Kettle</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581219792629172842noreply@blogger.com0