Don’t buy things that people don’t want. The biggest waste of money is buying something for someone that ends up on the floor of their closet or stuck on a shelf in the garage. Always remember that gift giving is about someone else’s wants and needs, and whether you like a certain item isn’t always relevant.

In cases where you’re just not sure what to get, consider a gift card or gift certificate. A gift card makes a great gift for babysitters, newspaper carriers, doormen, teachers, and others. They are a perfect way to make sure the recipient gets what they want and a great way to stick to a budget. Caveats: buy gift cards from reputable suppliers, make sure the cards have no associated fees or expiration date, and make sure that any security code or redemption number on the card is unexposed.

Don’t wait until the last minute to do your shopping. Many retailers will have limited inventory this year because of the economy. Waiting too long to make your purchase may significantly limit your choices.

Spread out holiday purchases throughout the year – or at least throughout the holiday season. Last minute shopping often results in unnecessary purchases, and getting caught in the “holiday rush” makes it more difficult to stay committed to a budget.

The sooner you know what you want to buy, the sooner you can start looking for ways to save money. Become diligent about checking weekly newspaper ads and flyers. Sign up to receive emails from your favorite retailers, regularly check their websites for special offers, and use the Internet to comparison shop. The more legwork you do from home, the more time, money, and gas you will save.

If you get your holiday shopping done early, BE CAREFUL! Just because you’re finished shopping doesn’t mean that you won’t continue to be inundated with holiday ads from retailers. Avoid the temptation to keep buying all those deals that are “too good to pass up.” If you do end up buying something, be prepared to take something else back.

Watch your personal belongings at all times when you’re out shopping – this includes handbags and shopping bags. Be particularly careful at the register when you can get easily distracted making your purchases.

Keep cash in a safe place while shopping, and pull out of your wallet or purse only the amount you need to make a purchase.

Keep all purchased items in the trunk of the car or otherwise out of sight. And whenever possible, park near a light if you know it will be dark by the time you are done shopping.

Before you leave home, make sure you write down all important credit card information and put it someplace safe. This includes the account number and the customer service phone number on the back of the card. One easy way to do this is to make a photocopy of the front and back of each card. If a card is lost or stolen while you’re shopping, report it immediately.

Make sure you keep all receipts from credit or debit card purchases. As your credit card and bank statements arrive after the holidays, compare them to your saved receipts. If you see any errors, promptly dispute the charges or debits.

Have fun shopping, and here’s hoping that you and your family have a safe and happy holiday season.

Paul Vazquez lives in Florida with his wife and four children. He is the Director of Media Relations at Keycode.com, an online discount and promotion code company.

This article is excerpted from the Holiday Gift Guide for 2011. Be sure and check it out and read other articles about the holidays. It’s also great to add to your online shopping experience! While you are at it check out Celebrate Age a perfect stocking stuffer! And for the person who has everything, buy them a domain name at WECAIDomains.com!

Join Heidi Richards Mooney publisher of WE Magazine for Women on Tuesday February 1st at 11 AM EST as she interviews the amazing women behind The Power of 3, Three of the World’s Top Marketing Experts in Million Dollar Business Building, Media Marketing & Internet Marketing Debbie Allen, Tracy Repchuck and Marie O”Riordan.

If you want to Dramatically Improve Your Business you simply MUST attend the Power of 3 where you will learn the secrets that are PROVEN and GUARANTEED to work! And you get a preview of what they will share in this FREE CALL! Debbie, Marie and Tracy will share their vision for the Power of Three, how it came to be, what they plan to share during this groundbreaking day and how you can get in on the action.

THE Power of 3 Event IS NOT a multi-speaker event. It is a unique experience of education, fun interactive activities, high-level networking and real life-changing results! In today’s challenging economy you MUST do more to just stay strong and wait it out. You need the marketing skills that will allow you to leave your competitors in the dust … make big money online… sell to an affluent market… and move your business to a much higher level of success virtually overnight.

Today, more than ever before, you MUST learn THE new era of marketing BEFORE your competition does.

At this event not only will you learn how to dramatically increase your income, work less and make more money … you will discover how to live the FREEDOM lifestyle you have always dreamed of for automatic streams of income for recurring riches for life.

Along with the value of high-powered business connections… you’ll receive even more value from the cutting-edge marketing education for both your online and offline business.

You can join us for this free call at:

Conference Dial-in Number: (641) 715-3840

Participant Access Code: 361467#

ABOUT THE Power of 3 POWERHOUSE Presenters:

Debbie Allen, The Millionaire Entrepreneur Business Builder has built and sold numerous companies in diverse industries. She is also one of less than 5% of professional women speakers worldwide to have achieved the honor of Certified Speaking Professional by both the National Speakers and International Speakers Federations and has presented before thousands in 20 countries around the globe. She is a best selling author and has been featured in five motivational movies. Learn more about her expertise and sign up for her free Millionaire Entrepreneur Club at www.DebbieAllen.com.

Marie O’Riordan has been working On-Air in Radio, T.V. & is an Award Winning Filmmaker since she was just 13 years old. Quantum leaps in her career, which has spanned almost 23 years to date, have seen her report as a Journalist for C.N.N. aged just 20. The late Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mother Teresa, gave Marie the last Interview she ever gave in her home in Calcutta, India before her death in 1997. Marie was then aged just 22. Marie O’Riordan has been Interviewing & building instant rapport with Hollywood’s Elite & scores of Academy Award winners face to face for many years such as Paul Newman, Michael Caine, Quentin Tarantino, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett, Renee Zellweger & many, many more A list legends. Marie travels around the World once per month with The Power of 3 & is the Author of ‘66 Secrets To Nailing Any Media Interview.’™ Marie is also an Enlightened Philanthropist who volunteers & makes hard hitting Documentaries in The Third World. She first volunteered abroad aged just 16.

Tracy Repchuk is the #1 Woman Speaker in the World for Internet Marketing, and bestselling author of ’31 Days to Millionaire Marketing Miracles’ shows you how to create a million dollar foundation for every idea you have. Tracy is an award winning entrepreneur, writer, coach and international speaker and has just returned from her world tour where she empowers others with her internet marketing knowledge. She is often referred to as the “Robert Kyosaki” of internet marketing. Tracy has been an entrepreneur since the age of 18, and moved from Canada to the US in 2006 where she now operates an international empire of companies. Learn more about Tracy and get a free special report at http://www.MillionaireMarketingMiracles.com

To learn more about and register for the Power of 3 Event coming to Fort Lauderdale Florida on March 19th, visit: http://bit.ly/Powerof3

Hope to see you on the call!

Heidi Richards Mooney, Publisher ~ WE Magazine for Women ~ “Empowering Women in Business & in Life”

PS. Special Thanks to Barbara Theodosiou and Chrystina Rowe for their vision and foresight in bringing the Power of 3 to South Florida!

There is no time more profoundly important to give than during the “season of giving” ~  The Holidays. And yet, for many companies, it can be the most difficult time to give. We are busy acknowledging our staff, our vendors and our clients often with gifts of products and services. And yet, there is nothing most of us want more than to be able to give to all the wonderful organizations that do such good throughout the year. I’m talking about those charities, non-profits and other service oriented groups that depend on the generosity of companies like yours and mine to survive.

In fact, in my retail florist there was seldom a day that went by without one person or organization calling requesting we support their cause either by sponsoring their event (with money), taking out an ad, or donating goods and services. My staff and I realized a long time ago that if we didn’t come up with some sort of plan to justify those contributions we want to make and to gently deny those we are unable to, there would be no profits at the end of the month, let alone the end of the year.

I was telling one of my friends that some days the phone rings more often for requests than for orders. When I shared this with a colleague, he suggested I start telling everyone who called that “I’m all out of FREE”  instead! That’s when I decided to come up with a charitable giving/sponsorship plan for my companies.

Having a plan is as important with your charitable contributions as it is with all aspects of running your business. In fact, it can be a substantial outlay of money, time and product in your marketing plan which means it is important to decide what to give, when to give, how to give and to whom. And yes, unplanned requests will come up from time to time – more often than you have put in your plan. With a plan you can account for those as well.

Create Your Giving Guidelines

The first thing you need to do is to establish guidelines for those organizations you want to contribute to. Your guidelines can include the number of organizations you can help, the amount of money you can contribute and the type of help you can offer (goods and/ or services). This will help you decide if the organization making the request falls within your own “giving” parameters.

The next thing to decide is how you will allocate those contributions. Will it be on a firstcome, first-served basis, will priority be given to your client base?
Will it be only those causes that matter to you and turn down all others?

Create a Donation Form

In 1996 we created and began using a donation request form. We keep this form handy to be faxed, emailed or handed to anyone who makes a request.
On that form we ask things like: What type of support/contribution do you need? (In kind, money, advertising,
volunteering, help spreading the word). Is the contribution tax deductible and if so, what percentage?

Are you a current customer/client of my company?

How will my company be recognized for the contribution?

Does my company have access to the list of participants (for events)?

How will my contribution be used?

By what date do you need the contribution?

Tip: If you are unable to give money to the cause, but want to contribute your product or service, ask the organization what their needs are. I have found it sometimes does not occur to the organization to ask for a silent auction item, they are only thinking about ad space or sponsorship. Most organizations are very happy for those companies that will give something, rather than nothing at all.

Establish Your Giving Timeline

One of the things on our form is a time frame for requests. In other words, when someone asks for any kind of contribution we ask by what date will they need it. Our criteria is the request must be made at least 90 days prior to their event. This has really helped us to stay on budget and focus on those requests we have already granted. By following our plan we are able to use our discretion allowing us to occasionally grant smaller in-kind donations on the spot, but this system has helped us to cut down on those considerably as well.

Having a Donation Request Form and Timeline helps us to justify all the times we have to say no and most people are very understanding, especially when they fill out the form and see our criteria in black and white. We tell them to get their requests in earlier next year and we will do our best to oblige.

Getting Your Staff Involved

Supporting causes is a great way to build a loyal staff. Your colleagues and coworkers will appreciate the opportunity to be of service to a worthy cause. Especially when they can do so on company time. That is not to say, they won’t want to get involved on their own time, however making it a part of their work
routine will give them greater job satisfaction and helps to keep employees around longer.

Your Return on Investment

While each of us likes to think that we do things out of the goodness of our hearts, it is certainly an added bonus when we get recognition for our efforts.

Here are a couple of ideas you can use to maximize your “exposure” for you time, talent and treasure: Send a media release announcing your support of the cause. I don’t recommend this for smaller contributions, however if you are underwriting an event, or providing a substantial donation of goods and services it is
certainly acceptable.

Ask the organization what you will receive in terms of media exposure for your contribution. Will you be listed as a sponsor in their print and online media such as invitations, brochures, website, signage? If it is an event, will you receive any complimentary tickets or passes to attend? I have used many event passes to invite clients, customers and potential customers. Are you allowed to put your business card or other marketing materials on the donation? With flowers, plants and gift basket donations, we include a business card and an enclosure card that says Compliments of Eden Florist.

If you receive a list of attendees (with contact information) use this list as a follow-up tool. You can send a postcard to the attendees thanking them for
their support of the cause (a subtle way to introduce your company). You can send them a small gift representative of your company, or you can call them
up and thank them.

Measure your Success

A survey by Performance Research found that of the 150 marketers surveyed, 54% said their ROI increased when they had a plan in place. Of the 46 remaining 44% said they either did not measure the ROI or saw no change. Only 2% stated a decline in ROI when they started measuring. See how measuring your success can
help you with your future “Giving” plans.

When You Give Smart – you will have more FREE: time, recognition and money at the end of the month. Donations are or should be a part of every person’s business plan, and it’s important to GIVE SMART.  Making the most of your contributions can help you to stand out in your community and in the eyes of your employees. Giving should be something you are able to do because you can, not because you feel you have to. Having a strategy or plan can help alleviate stress, hurt feelings and shortfalls at the end of the month or year.

©Heidi Richards Mooney – is a Professional Speaker, Small Business Coach, Publisher of WE magazine for women and the Author of 7 books including: “Quirky Marketing ~ 365 Ways to Promote Your Business Using Zany and Non-traditional Holidays.” Grab a free copy of chapter one at:  http://speakingwithspirit.com/quirky-marketing-2009-chapter-1-2/

I’ve been bartering since 1994  and I’ve been amazed by the things I can get by striking up a deal. Since I’ve launched my own Barter Exchange, I’m even more impressed by the services and products you can get on barter. A lot of my colleagues don’t EVER spend a dime in the store, before they check the barter exchange store first.

I know a few that are actually pretty wealthy in “barter terms” and can afford to splurge in our barter store with over 40,000 merchants to choose from. An Own Your Power Member, Suzette Caloca is actually a web designer of mine who loves to barter. She provides quality work and has a high demand, so she doesn’t have a hard time building up her Barter Bank account. I just paid her in barter bucks to do my business cards!

Her stories about bartering inspire ME to barter even more, check out why she’s barter ballin’!

What is name of your business and what do you do?
STUDIO Suzette Web and Print Design (but it not an official business name, I get paid to my name)
I design anything and everything for web and print marketing

How long have you been bartering?
Actively, 8 Months.

What makes an exchange like Give ‘n Take better than bartering on your own?
Give n’ Take’s Barter system allows me to trade with anyone in exchange for barter dollars that I can in turn use with anyone in the DoBarter Network (over 40k members!)

Why do you think you’ve been successful with bartering?
I think I’ve been successful, because I have a product that everyone needs to market themselves, their product or their business.

Top three coolest barters so far?
$9,000 in dental work (including TEETH WHITENING)
$2,200 for a brand new wooden playset with swing for my kids. (Shown in photo).
$1,225 for credit repair.

Why do you think most people don’t get bartering exchanges?
I don’t think they understand the barter system and I still have yet to find a website that knows how to explain it in plain English to someone who is not familiar with barter at all.

What would you tell these people to change their minds?
I was skeptical at first, I didn’t know how this was going to work out for me or if it has anything to offer me, but I swear by it now. What would I tell people to change their minds? Hmm… how about, I’ve bought over $15,000 worth of stuff in the past 8 months with NO CASH… wouldn’t you want that too?

Now how’s that for example of Living the GOOD Life on Zero Cash? I’ve said it time and time again; BARTER IS SMARTER!
Want to barter with Suzette for web design? Join Give ‘n Take for FREE today and we’ll connect you. Also add her as a friend in our community.

Own your power,

Simone

Tell us about your business. How you got started? Why you chose the Real Estate Industry and what you love most about it?

It was 1995 I just wanted a loan for my Home. The person I went to inquire about the loan said “I’ll gladly do your loan if you come to learn the mortgage business and work here part time”. At the time I was doing financial services, so mortgages seemed like a good addition.

It wasn’t a year and I was full time doing mortgages and loving it. Clients were chasing me rather thnt I chase clients, I liked that dynamic much better.

I must thank one of the people who were working there at the time, Jeff, who shared with me that he visits 25 real estate offices a week. As he was saying it I felt a nut in my stomach that got tighter and tighter and he continued sharing with me his system of door knocking and cold calling. That day I vowed that this will not be me. I didn’t know what and how I will do it differently but I was committed to find a different method that will suit my personality better.

I found it in a system that promotes building business based on referral and relationships rather than how many strangers I speak with in a day (known as cold calling and door knocking). It’s about 14 years now that my business is based entirely on repeat and referral clients. I love it and I get to be who I am and devote my time to serve my clients rather that chasing for new ones. It lets me play the “what if game” with clients to guide them through the process of Home Ownership. And I get to use every thing I know with Financial Services to enhance the relationships. Many tell me that I am not the “Normal Mortgage Advisor” who collects information and shuffle papers. For me a decision mad together with my clients has consequence on other areas, I point the benefits of one way over the other and share secrets on money saving ideas that are worth tens on thousands. “How come I never heard about it” is the most common comment I get.

What are some of your biggest challenges in growing your business?

In today’s market we have shifted from being totally loose on lending guidelines to being totally tight to the point of outrageous. I am fortunate to still be in the mortgage business where thousands have left. I believe that this is due to how I built my business. These days I believe that business have to be so careful to stay at float and take care of the basic of the business, rather then looking to grow. The growth is happening we just don’t see the results yet. Like a seed that take it’s time until you see the little bud picking out to become a beautiful flower. Patience is key now. Keep ‘fertilizing”, “watering” and “give sun” to your business, the results are happening and your business will bloom.

What are some of the best marketing programs you have implemented and why?

I use a referral base system to build and maintain my business. I have been fortunate enough to be trained and coached by one of the best coaching companies in the US named Buffini and Company. They cater primarily to real estate people, but the system is universal and can be utilized by any business that needs to generate new business.

“Hand Written Personal Notes” has been the most cost effective and rewarding when it comes to building relationships with clients. That’s one of the tools I utilize. It doesn’t end there it’s just the beginning of the dance. Others marketing ideas are “Clients Parties” where I invite a selective group of people for a get together. We did movies, picnics, dinners and more.

Another one that you liked Heidi were the ”quirky marketing ideas”.

How do you decide which marketing programs to use?
I look at where we are and what my clients need and come up with marketing ideas that addresses those concerns. I make a conscious effort to think of what my clients will need before they would realize they need it.

How do you measure the success of your marketing initiatives?
What you don’t measure you can’t improve .Track and test your efforts to see what needs tweaking so that you will end up with your desired outcome. You can do split testing with Headlines, Offers etc. Each has to be grabbing and engaging or it won’t work.

If you could change one thing about the Real Estate Industry today, what would it be?
I would put in place some monitoring check points so that we don’t get looped into the greed we had in the early 2000’s. A financially sound area is an area where the median home price is 3 times the median income. In south Florida during the 2005 year we reached a 7 times figure. This is unhealthy though people didn’t “FEEL” it. When I told realtors, clients and the media, that the “train has stopped it just didn’t get to the station yet” and that we will loose 30%-40% in value of our real-estate, thy looked at me like I was from a different planet.  That’s when we started to have a negative influx of people leaving the area because they couldn’t keep up with prices. Those who stayed many of them went way over their head. And now we all are facing the consequences of this ill market. We are correcting and in my humble opinion it is in the BANKS’ hands how fast we come out. The banks among other industries and the public got us here, however, the BANKS in my opinion, with the way they are handling the housing crises these days are responsible for getting us so down and keeping us way too long than is needed in the dumps. There is no logic in asking a prospective buyer to wait 4, 5 0r 9 months to get an answer if they can even buy the home at an offered price. By then the value is way down. NO BUSINESS would stay in business handling their clients that way.

What are the top 2 or 3 mistakes you see other Real Estate Professionals make?
1. They take their customers for granted.
2. They don’t keep in constant touch. So they can earn the right to get referrals
3. They don’t find out from the 1st interview what the underling “WHY” is that they are buying or selling a home. You may have to dig in with 5-6 layers of questions to find the real WHY, and all through the transaction keep the client’s eye on that WHY so the whole transaction doesn’t get derailed. It’s an art and to be successful must be learned.

What advice would you offer someone just coming into your field? 
Find a mentor that you respect Take them to lunch and ask for their advice.” Buffini and Company” had the perfect program which I am a mentor for it’s called “100 Days To Greatness” .I wish I had this program available when I started. It warms my hear when one of my realtor students told me at the end of the year she took the 100 days class that “it was my best year ever in 15 years of doing Real Estate”. Find out who is training in your area. You can call me and I will do my best to find someone for you.             

What professional organizations do you belong to/network with?
1-2 networking events per week is my goal. I belong to a few. The Ft. Lauderdale Chambers of Commerce, Women’s Council of Realtors, The women Executive Club of Ft. Lauderdale I attended and planning to join. The Women’s Council under the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce. I love the “Balance Magazine networking as it is full with very energetic women. Heidi if I am correct we met at one of those luncheons. There are more that I visit from time to time.

What do you do in your leisure time?
I rollerblade and do Yoga every week, I want to find out if there is such a thing as Rollerthon Triathlon with rollers rather than running if you know if any please let me know. Traveling is a passion, and a cup of coffee with a good friend is always great food for the soul.

What book are you reading right now?
I study and read 2-3 hours a day usually early morning. Just finished 2 great books,
“The Attractor Factor” by Joe Vitale, and
 “Permission to Succeed” by Noah St. John.
I am reading a few books now. The answer by John Assaraf,
 “Empowerment” by Gene Landrum and
“The Book of Tamar” by Shlomit Abramson.
Heidi you gave me 3 that are next. It’s amazing to me how one book roles you to the next.

What’s next for Racheli Smilovits?
Internet Marketing is something that I stumbled upon when I was looking for ways to reach more clients and realtors. People I meet and serve keep telling me “You got to share this, more people need to know, this is amazing” and so on. So since 2007 I have been studying how to use the internet so reach more people and it’s working great through utilizing Social Media Tools, TeleSeminars, writing articles, publicity, workshops and more. Heidi I see us doing something together in the near future, for the betterment of the community.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
A recession is a terrible thing to waste.
These times are ones to look within. Do you know there are 8 X more millionaires created during times like we are experiencing now than normal time? Those people find a way to seize the moment they give answers to problems and issues society face.
What are your gifts? What are your strengths? Marcus Buckingham in his book “GO Put Your Strength to Work” is suggesting that to get a head our society needs to have individuals and companies develop more of their strengths rather than try to develop and work on one’s weaknesses This book really makes you think.  
 
Take some quite time; I love the ocean, no phones, emails, text, JUST YOU, YOURSELF, and the UNIVERSE. Be in the NOW and think what would you like for yourself and the world you are in? What is really important to you what do you really want. Your thoughts, feelings and actions should vibrate that energy. Welcome to your renewed you. Touch, Connect, Inspire.

Heidi, I am Thankful for the opportunity to share with you and your readers.

You can learn more about Racheli at www.loans-4-u.com  and www.MeetRacheli.com

Tell us about your business.  
Virtual Assistant services, coaching & training, webhosting and website maintenance
 
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place?  
I wanted to be home for my 5 daughters and was fed up with the rat race corporate world.  I love the flexbility of making my own decisions and working out how I spend my time. I also like not having to ask anyone permission to leave the room or go out if I feel like it.  I have made myself unemployable, i.e. I’m a threat to anyone in management these days as they’ll think I want their job after a short time with the company.  I had this experience several years ago when I did consider returning to the workforce as an employee.

 What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why?  
No one individual person but lots of people, depending on the technology I’m using and what the latest fad is.  Clients frequently influence me into learning new skills and facilities which end up becoming new services offerings. Blogging and social networking are two of these items. 
 
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date? 
15 years in business and still going.  Also founded a new industry in my own country in the mid 90s.

 What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers? 
Never say ‘never’.

What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years? 
Don’t give up.  The answer is usually just around the corner.  Always strive to be and do your best. 
 
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? 
I’ve just reached 300 members of my Virtual Assistant team so aiming for that next 100 would be good.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?  
I once heard a man say ‘your passion is your vision’. You need to love what you’re doing otherwise when things get tough you will give up.

How can our readers find you online?  

A Clayton’s Secretary, http://www.vadirectory.net
Blog http://www.soho-life.com
Twitter ~ http://www.twitter.com/kathiemt
http://www.kathiemthomas.com (Facebook)

Have you ever thought that making financial decisions was hard, and you try to avoid the situation as much as possible.. So many people have misconceptions on buying a home, credit, investing, and lending.

Well if you knew your finances then when making a financial decision you are already completely aware of the process, and what is entailed. But it is really not that hard if you are educated enough to what is good and what is bad.

Also, why do banks ask for so much information such as 2 years tax returns, banks statements, assets, and much more?

For example someone that doesn’t have credit will say that they can’t purchase a home because they don’t have credit, well that is not true. I can get a client a mortgage with no credit history versus have a bad credit history.

Well, they want to make sure that you are responsible enough to repay any method of borrowed money, and that will reflect your credit score.

The Horrible Part is that consumers are not aware of their finances, and all that is entailed.

For example: Are you aware that you have 3 credit scores, and one of which is your beacon. Which one is your beacon, and why are they called FICO scores?

Your beacon is a name given to the credit score published by Equifax, and that is referred to your middle score.

There are really three FICO scores computed by data provided by each of the three bureaus––Experian, Trans Union and Equifax. Some lenders use one of these three scores, while other lenders may use the middle score which is your beacon.

Did you realize that the higher credit score you have the better financing term you can receive. For example: Someone with a 640 credit score will receive an interest rate of 9-10% versus have a score over 700 and receiving an interest rate of 0-5%. The interest between the two could value up to $10,000 depending on the price of the car!!

Closing credit cards is a Big No No.. By closing your credit cards it closes your available credit, and that makes your credit score go down. For example: I had a client the other day, and he had a 700 credit score a year ago. Well, his bank told him that as he pays off his credit cards to close them so he and his wife wouldn’t be tempted to use them. So they did as they were told, and in a matter of a year they had closed over 20 credit cards. By doing that you are closing open available lines of credit and that only leaves the line of credit/credit cards with a balance open. It makes it as if you only have lines of credit with balances, and the more available credit that you have not being used is the BEST. So when a client comes in we give them handouts, and really stress simple ways to keep your credit score up!

You might ask yourself, “How do I Keep My Credit Score Up”?

1. The best way to build your credit is to have a checking account and pay everything with checks and keep all statements. That way you can prove all payment history. (Avoid NSF Charges)

2. Payment history is very important. YOU ALWAYS want to pay your rent, mortgage, car, installments loans, and credit cards ON TIME EVERY MONTH. (Especially the mortgage or rent)

3. You at least want to have 3 trade lines, installment, credit cards, or mortgage.

4. NEVER CLOSING ANY CREDIT CARDS.

5. DO NOT CHARGE OVER 40 % ON CREDIT CARDS, AND DO NOT MAX THEM OUT.

Example: A credit card with a $1,000 credit limit should only have a balance of $400.

6. If you are going to buy a house or refinance do not OPEN ANY NEW credit accounts.

(Don’t buy any new furniture, cars, and DO NOT let any one run your credit.)

7. If you have ever had a Bankruptcy keep all paperwork, and DO NOT acquire any new delinquencies on your credit report.

8. If you have been a divorce MAKE SURE that you keep your divorce decree.

9. If you receive child support keep proof that you actually receive it.

Five Cs of Credit The ability and willingness of a borrower to pay is determined by five criteria.

1. Capacity – The ability of a borrower to repay a loan.
2. Capital – The amount of money the borrower has invested into the property..
3. Character – The overall feeling regarding a borrower’s credibility to repay a loan; the borrower’s length of employment is a
key measurement.
4. Collateral – Guaranteed support for a loan, generally consisting of funds or real estate, that ensures added security to the lender. Collateral can also take the form of guarantees provided by third parties, i.e. guarantors.
5. Credit – The repayment history of the borrower.

Finally, do you realize that you home is your largest and longest debt that the average person will have? Also, have you ever wondered with the rate at which technology is advancing today is their a program available to homeowners that will help eliminate some of that interest? Have you ever wondered how to pay off your home earlier without sending extra principle payments from your own money out of your checking account? How about using the banks money to pay your home off earlier, and not feel the hit on your own cash flow? You hear about Mortgage Acceleration Programs, and you wonder “Could That Help Me”? Well, without refinancing, changing your current cash flow, and without your mortgage payments going up, YOU CAN!!

What would your life be like without a monthly mortgage payment? Ask me how to pay your mortgage in 1/2 to 1/3 the time without refinancing or changing your monthly budget ~ Melissa Lang, Eagle Nationwide Mortgage (P) 985-649-2300 www.mymoneymerge.us

Well, those critics are wrong. It’s just that extroverts need a spiritual and psychological lifestyle that fits them. There are more extroverts than introverts in the world, yet if you look at the spirituality and self-help sections of bookstores, the materials overwhelmingly teach introverted practices.  Sitting quietly, eyes closed, quieting the mind, are common suggestions.  Many extroverts respond to these teachings with boredom and the jitters.
 

We know that a mature person works to create a balanced lifestyle.  All work and no play, or all play and no work doesn’t encourage psychological, spiritual, or physical health. Wisdom and wealth need to go together for a truly rich and meaningful life. So, how can extroverts, who tend to direct their attention and energy to the outside world of people and things, and who are more prone to action than to contemplation, develop  spiritual and psychological wisdom?
 
Recent brain research shows that extroverts and introverts use their brains differently. In one study, for example, when extroverts were asked to relax and let their minds go where they wished, they tended to use the rear of their brains; the parts that receive and interpret information from the senses—in other words, they turned outward, examining the room, or focusing on the people present. The introverts, by contrast, were turning inward; using the front of their brains.  Their brain activity was focused on the regions associated with planning, remembering, and problem solving
 
 
Extroverts often do well in the world of business because they make friends readily, adjust easily to social situations, and generally show warm interest in their surroundings. These are all attributes that encourage success. Yet, there are challenges for this personality, and if not acknowledged and transformed, an extrovert can be a “turn off” to co-workers, clients, and supervisors.
To read the rest of this article, check out the Fall Issue of WE Magazine for Women http://wemagazineforwomen.com/WEMagazineFall2008.pdf

Wealth. Does that sound like a foreign word to you? If you’re saddled with loads of consumer debt the way so many Americans are, it is probably a very unfamiliar word.  Consumer debt is the greatest barrier to wealth. And when you’re suffocated by thousands of dollars of debt, it may seem impossible to get out.  

There’s good news! It’s not impossible to eliminate your debt and move toward wealth.. Most people simply don’t have a system for paying off their debt, and as a result they perpetuate bad habits and remain stuck in it. By using the proper debt management system, you can get out of debt quicker than you probably imagined with minimal change to your existing lifestyle.  

To top it off, there is a system you can use that will allow you to simultaneously create and feed the Wealth Cycle™, a cycle of wealth millionaires use to consistently and exponentially build their wealth. In other words, you can simultaneously become wealthy and repay your debt. 

Skeptical? You bet. But, you’ll be surprised at how easy this is.  It’s a basic matter of good vs. bad Before we get into the how-tos, it’s important to differentiate between good and bad debt. That’s right – not all debt is a barrier to wealth. In fact, some debt actually adds to wealth.  “Do you think millionaires don’t have debt?” asks Loral Langemeier, author of the popular book, The Millionaire Maker. “Of course they do – sometimes millions of dollars of debt.” The reason their debt is of no concern, however, is because it’s what is known as “good debt.” Good debt is any low interest borrowing you’ve done to finance a mortgage or student loans, with the interest deductible against your business operations. Good debt is good because it is actual helps you make more money (or, in the case of a student loan, it’s helping you learn so you can later earn.) Bad debt is consumer debt. That’s debt for consumer items, such as high interest credit card debt that you acquired buying perishable items. This includes car loans and home equity lines of credit. To build true wealth, you need to abolish bad debt and – if you want to be a millionaire – strategically build good debt.

To read the rest of this article, check out the Winter 2008 Issue of WE Magazine for Women.

What does it take to go from worrying about money to financially self-sufficient?I know you’ve heard it said, “Success leaves clues.” So, one thing I enjoy doing is reading success stories about women (just like us) who took an idea, opportunity or challenge and turned it into financial security.

Over the past twenty plus years, I’ve read several hundred such success stories. And you know what I’ve found? I realized that there were common and powerful threads running through all the stories. Success really does leave clues.

Here are seven common traits of financially successful women who decided not to settle for less than financial independence and self-sufficiency:

1. A dream, a need and a burning desire to change from where they were to something better – something more financially and emotionally comfortable for themselves and their family. The dream became a passion and the passion became unstoppable.

2. A belief in themselves and their dream of financial security that was so strong and unstoppable, that obstacles and limitations would not and could not stop them. They were determined and motivated to make money!

To read the other Five Traits, check out the Winter 2008 Issue of WE Magazine for Women.