I was fortunate enough to be in the live audience for this monumental event. Hearing the candidates talk about their own views without being interrupted was enlightening and a nice break from what usually happens at these kinds of events. Having each candidate answer questions for an hour was a stroke of genius; especially since they both answered the same questions.

The discussion that followed afterward at dinner and later while watching political commentary on the new networks was the best I've seen to date. Both the liberal and conservative media had very similar comments to make about what happened. The shame of it is that we'll be back to politics and media biased reporting soon. For the moment, however, I'm enjoying the break.

My opinion is in line with most of what I've heard. Obama was talking more in theory while McCain gave direct and decisive answers. Obama's answers came across as he was forming his opinions as he spoke. I don't fault him for this in an age where every word is pulled apart for months in the media. Anybody remember flip-flop at the John Kerry rallies.

The problem for Obama in this scenario is that his style worked against him. When McCain answered the same questions, the answer was quick and decisive, then was fleshed out by commentary or a story. Obama was just the opposite. He would start by commentary or a story and eventually get to an answer. I think that killed him and gave McCain what he needed to ratchet up his support among voters.

Another thing that I think hurt Obama among evangelicals was the tentative nature of his answers about his faith. He did a great job answering these questions, but threw in a few words that took the punch out of his message. For instance, when mentioning being forgiven for his sins, he tacked on the words "I hope" after his comment. Christians know they're forgiven. What I'm afraid will happen is that those who argue that Obama is Muslim will use that against him. Last week I listened to a former Muslim speak on this specific issue. Muslims, according to this speaker, don't believe they will know whether or not they get to heaven until after they die. When Obama tacked on the words "I hope" in reference to the forgiveness of his sins, I think that may have hurt him when considering his audience.

On another hand, McCain had his $5,000,000 moment that the media was having a good time with today. That figure was in reference to how much do you have to make in order to be considered rich. It was obviously his attempt to make a point. However, it will undoubtedly become fuel for more political ads. When Rick Warren was asked about that today, he had a great response. He said that everybody, including him, says stupid things they don't mean and wish they could take them back. I believe Rick had one of his own during that same interview. He was pressed on the issue of McCain being in a cone of silence during Obama's portion of the interview. It turns out that McCain didn't arrive to the venue until much of Obama's interview was over. Warren was being pressed about McCain not being in a "cone of silence" when he said he was. I fully believe Warren's answer that he didn't know McCain wasn't there yet, but his answer didn't come off as a sure statement of fact. It left room for doubt about the truth of Warren's comment.

The forum was what it set out to be; an opportunity to bring civility back to the political process. The format used is the only way that could have happened; the same questions posed to each candidate one-on-one and one at a time.

Now that the forum is over, I would love to see the video edited in a way that each of the responses by the candidates can be placed back-to-back. For instance, the video would show Warren asking Obama question #1 and then Obama's answer followed immediately by Warren asking McCain question #1 and then McCain's answer. That would be very fun to see. If anybody finds a video of that, please leave a comment and I will post the link on my blog.

Back in the day I loved Cox e-mail. I could check it using my cell phone and it was a great service. Ever since they stopped allowing me to do that, I've felt out of touch when not sitting right in front of my computer. The other day I started having Cox e-mail forwarded to my Sprint e-mail address, but that doesn't really cut it, either.

Last night I signed up for a Gmail account. This is far better than Cox or any other e-mail I've seen. I highly recommend it because:

1. They give you loads of space to store your e-mail and say I never have to delete it
2. They keep track of e-mail conversations and keep them all together for me
3. It's free
4. Checking it from my cell phone is super easy
Google has it right with Gmail. The only thing I'm unhappy with is that it took me so long to start using it.

Dennis Beckner
BecknerMobileNotary.com

A frustration I've had with my Cox Internet service is that they disabled my ability to check my e-mail from my cell phone's Internet program. The other day I had a hunch that, when I checked into it, turned out to be correct. This has been helpful even though I've had mixed results.

I logged onto my Cox account online and found where I can have my e-mail forwarded by entering an e-mail address. I'm a Sprint user so I have a Sprint e-mail address attached to my phone automatically.

Since I entered that address, I now get my e-mail forwarded to my phone. The reason I say "with mixed results" is that sometimes only part of the e-mail comes through and other times I see that I got an e-mail, but can't open it.

Until the new iPhone comes out, (and until I can afford to cancel my Sprint service) this will have to do.

I hope this is somehow helpful for anybody who was burned when Cox stopped this service.

Another option I plan to do, but haven't is to change to a Gmail account. That would solve everything... especially if I end up ditching Cox.

Have a good one,

Dennis

The other day I wrote a blog post outlining how home owners can save their home by renting it out, downsizing into a smaller rental and using the net savings to pay down their debt. The idea behind writing that post is that I was trying to do just that.

Since my notary business fell by 50% recently when I lost one of my clients, I could see disaster coming if I didn't do something quick.

Within a week of deciding to rent my place out, I found some friends to take it for $1600 a month. My mortgage is $2150 a month so I'm taking a $550 loss each month (instead of a $2150 loss each month). I'm going to stay for free with friends for a couple of weeks, but then rent a room out of a house for $600/month.

Here's the bonus for me: I'm saving on storage costs because I'm leaving the condo furnished. They are happy because I have nice stuff. I'm happy because I know they'll take very good care of it, I don't have to move it, and I save on storage costs. My out-of-pocket cost will be $1150/month for housing. That's a net savings of $1000/month. That makes up for a lot of the income I lost. As I gradually work back up to where I was, I'll use the extra money to build up reserves and pay down debt... both of which were casualties of lost business.

The title of this post says $1200/month savings because my utilities, cable, and Internet costs will go way down because they will be shared. That, plus a couple of other cost-cutting ideas, will save me about $200 more per month.

Crazy times call for creative measures. Hopefully this kind of thinking can help somebody else out there. I'm fortunate enough to be single with no dependents. I know this will be more difficult for others who are married or have children. However, this can help anybody willing to bite the bullet and take drastic measures.

Out of all of this, I also have a new goal. In two years' time, I want to have my debt paid down and enough money set aside to put down on a house before the market recovers. I'll keep my condo as an investment. This could be the most productive two years of my life, even though they'll be two years of sacrifice to get there.

If you've ever read Rich Dad/Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, you'll recognize this strategy. That book was a huge help to get me started thinking this way. I highly recommend it.

Dennis

Hancock was original, fresh, very funny and action packed. I rate this movie very high. We had such a great time seeing it. It's definitely a little too violent for the little ones. We saw it pretty late at night so there weren't many people in the theater, but we were all laughing pretty hard during many of the scenes.

I give this movie a strong thumbs up. It's got some bad language, but not over the top.

The critics tore this movie apart, but don't let that stop you from seeing it. They got it wrong. Go see this movie.

Dennis Beckner
Southern California Mobile Notary Public
Specializing in Loan Document Signings
BecknerMobileNotary.com
(949) 842-7682

Today California's law went into effect requiring a hands-free device to be used while having a phone conversation and driving at the same time. My friend Randy came up with a great no-cost solution to this problem. It's not a solution I think I'll go with, but it is creative for sure. I think I'll stay with my Bluetooth.

Let me know if you decide to give Randy's idea a try.

 

Saw this movie tonight at the El Capitan in Hollywood. I'd never been there before. It was amazing. Disney bought this theater a while back and spent $10M refurbishing it. It's amazing. When we walked in, there was a guy in the middle of the stage with his back to the crowd playing a gigantic organ that lowered through the floor of the stage when he finished. Before the movie, they had a cartoon. Then they had a dance routine with several characters from various Disney animated movies. Disney made the trip to the theater as fun as the movie itself. It didn't hurt that Will Smith was outside for the premiere of his new movie. It was fun to see him, too.

Anyway, back to Wall E. The movie was fantastic. It had a lot of undertone messages that were the point of the movie, but never directly spelled out to the viewer. They just assumed you'd get the hint. You'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. Being a Disney/Pixar movie, you know it's going to be squeaky clean.

For storyline, I'd give this movie an A especially because of the use of dialogue (or lack of it) to get communicate. They did an amazing job.

For animation, I'd give this movie an A+. It was so good that I was kind of distracted by how real everything looked.

Not sure how else to rate it. Overall, I give it a big thumbs up with or without children. Probably a good date movie because there is a little romance worked in throughout the movie.

Enjoy!

Dennis Beckner
Southern California Mobile Notary Public
Specializing in Loan Document Signings
BecknerMobileNotary.com
(949) 842-7682

A problem with financially strapped homeowners with falling home values is that they have their eye set on the problem. Making more money is the obvious solutions, but it's not often possible. Here's one they may not have thought of. The market is flooded with renters right now. Of course many have bad credit because they've been foreclosed on. However, it is a landlord's market. Scenario: A family has a 3 bd/ 2.5 ba home that could rent for $2500 in California. Their mortgage payment is $3000. It wouldn't be the obvious answer to rent the house out. Solution: Rent the house out for $2500. This family then needs to go rent a smaller place, maybe a condo or townhome for $1500. On their mortgage payment, they owe $500 more than their rental income. Add that to the $1500 they are paying in rent and their total new out-of-pocket expense is $2000. Even though they owe more than they bring in on their mortgage, their cash flow just increased by $500. They'll be more cramped in a smaller place. However, if that eases their burden enough to make ends meet, they just saved their home from foreclosure. Eventually, when the market comes back or their income goes up, they can sell or move back in unscathed. I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this way. However, I know fear and panic can blind a person from seeing their options.

There's a workshop called Financial Freedom Mortgage Workshop happening Saturday, July 12. It's about how to learn to manage your mortgage more effectively.

For real estate agents and loan officers who live in the Orange County area, this is something you may want to attend. It's being taught by Robert Bernabe, former president of E*Trade Mortgage and Chris Goulard, former vice president of Fidelity Investments and Prudential Investments.

I love going to events like this to learn about the industry from people who've been at the top.

Here are the details:

Cost: Free
Location: Saddleback Church, 1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest, CA 92630 - The event will be held in Tent 3
Time: 9AM - Noon
Contact information: (949) 609-8201, Click here to send an e-mail

Topics covered:

1. How to avoid a mortgage crisis
2. What to do if you're in financial trouble
3. Steps to take if you're trying to get a mortgage
4. Valuable information about refinancing, the foreclosure process, and how the mortgage industry works

Enjoy!

Dennis Beckner
Southern California Mobile Notary Public
Specializing in Loan Document Signings
BecknerMobileNotary.com
(949) 842-7682

If you're an agent in Southern California and need an appraiser, I have a great recommendation for a person to use who has never let me down. I have NOTHING to gain from making recommending her. She's a great, reliable, quick-turn-time appraiser. When I was a loan agent, she was the only one I consistently used. Others let me down.

Here's her information:

JSR appraisals
Jodi Squires
(949) 290-1990

Thanks for reading,

Dennis Beckner
Southern California Notary Public
Specializing in Loan Document Signings
BecknerMobileNotary.com
(949) 842-7682