Margaret's Blog

When I say I'm Broke

2008-05-27T11:52:07Z

A little old lady answered a knock on the door one day, only to be
confronted by a well-dressed young man carrying a vacuum cleaner.
'Good morning,' said the young man.
'If I could take a couple of minutes of your time, I would like to
demonstrate the very latest in high-powered vacuum cleaners.'
'Go away!' said the old lady. 'I'm broke and haven't got any money!'
and she proceeded to close the door.
Quick as a flash, the young man wedged his foot in the door and pushed
it wide open.
'Don't be too hasty!' he said. 'Not until you have at least seen my
demonstration.'
And with that, he emptied a bucket of horse manure onto her hallway
carpet.
'If this vacuum cleaner does not remove all traces of this horse manure
from your carpet, Madam, I will personally eat the remainder.'The old lady stepped back and said, 'Well let me get you a fork, 'cause
they cut off my electricity this morning.'

Saving money for office supplies and every day shopping items

2008-02-25T18:39:23Z

Just a quick help for all of us that are trying to save money. I suggest that you go to
ebates.com.

Even there you can shop online with Quills and 123 inkjet.com and get money back a check every 3 months.

I just bought three laser toners and got a ebate credit in my ebate account of 16.98 on my ebate account. It all adds up. so do take a good look at this website.

You can shop at Office Max, Staples, Office Depot and all major stores.

Good luck to all! and Happy End of the Month to all!

www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/bonusoffer/index.htm?id=33829043

Persistence is the key

2008-01-12T10:51:07Z

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.

Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan, 'Press on,' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.

~Calvin Coolidge

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!

Lower tax bill while thinking green.

2007-11-10T10:48:14Z

Record-high gasoline prices earlier this year and concerns about heating fuel costs this winter may have you thinking about outfitting your home with new storm doors and windows or buying a gas-efficient hybrid car. If you install qualified home improvements by December 31, you can claim an energy tax credit for 2006 worth 10% of the cost up to $5,000, resulting in a maximum tax credit of $500.

Among the improvements covered are 10% of the cost of installing insulation, energy-efficient windows, doors, skylights and metal roofs coated with heat-reducing pigment. But only $200 of your $500 lifetime maximum credit can be allocated to replacement windows.

The energy credits are more valuable than a deduction because they reduce your tax bill (or boosts your refund) dollar-for-dollar, rather than merely reducing the amount of income that is taxable. And you can claim the credit regardless of your income level.

Also, if you bought a hybrid car or truck this year, you qualify for a tax credit ranging from $250 to $2,600, depending on the make and model. However, the tax credit for some of the most popular fuel-efficient vehicles -- the Toyota Prius, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX 400h -- has already been cut in half now that the manufacturers have sold their initial 60,000 vehicle allotment. Credits for qualifying Toyota and Lexus hybrids now range from $1,100 to $1,575.

The energy tax credits for cars and home improvements are also available in 2007. Check http://www.energytaxincentives.org/ for details.

Veterans Day the recession stays the same

2007-11-02T12:03:48Z

Because Veterans Day (November 11) falls on a Sunday, Notary Signing Agents should know that the holiday this year has no bearing on the three-day rescission period for a loan closing.

Although many businesses will be closed on Monday, November 12, in observance of Veterans Day, November 12 is counted as a business day for loan closings. For example, if a loan signing is performed on Saturday, November 10, Monday the 12th would be counted as the first business day.

Also the time changes on Saturday night, Fall back one hour. Happy Signings!

On This Veterans Day, Rescission Period Stays The Same

2007-11-02T11:59:43Z

On This Veterans Day, Rescission Period Stays The Same

By Nevin Barich
nbarich@nationalnotary.org
NSA Now: Issue #95 - November 2007

Because Veterans Day (November 11) falls on a Sunday, Notary Signing Agents should know that the holiday this year has no bearing on the three-day rescission period for a loan closing.

For most refinance loans, federal law gives the borrower a three-day "cooling off" period before the loan closes, known as a right-of-rescission period. The borrower can cancel the loan at any time up until midnight of the third business day in the rescission period. This year, Veterans Day - one of ten federal legal holidays that affect rescission period calculations - falls on a weekend, which leads many Notary Signing Agents to think that the day of observance when banks and government offices are closed should be considered a holiday for purposes of calculating a rescission period. Always remember: the day of observance never affects the rescission period, only the date of the actual holiday it

Success is in your hands, what are you going to do with it?

2007-11-02T11:27:54Z

So. what are your ideas? Your thoughts? Your dreams? Who cares is anyone supports what you want to do?

The important thing is for YOU to believe. For YOU to ignore the people who say you can't do it-and DO IT ANYWAY! It takes courage. It takes persistence. It takes believing in that "voice inside" when no one else does.

Always remember ideas, dreams and visions are planted within you because you have the ability to make them happen. You'll learn, grow, scramble, fail, and get back up again. The important thing is to simply NEVER give up. These people I described never did and they made great things happen!

Here's to your success!

Oil Prices highest on record

2007-10-19T18:32:21Z

Despite oil's recent rally into record highs, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicted that "increased supply and lower seasonal crude demand in the United States" will likely lead to "crude prices easing slightly over the winter" in its monthly Short-Term Energy Outlook report.

While the EIA's research seems to suggest lower prices for consumers at the pump, the report was far less positive for consumers of U.S. heating oil. Prices for this commodity are expected to increase sharply due to "colder winter" conditions predicted by the government. Americans who utilize natural gas to heat their homes should anticipate increases as well.

Do Not Call List

2007-10-19T18:26:52Z

Thanks to the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call Registry, 150 million Americans have enjoyed far fewer unwanted sales calls over the last few years. It hasn't been perfect, but progress has clearly been made due to this important program.

But, just when you thought it was safe to eat dinner with your family, the telemarketers may be back in your life for good when your 5-year Do Not Call Registration expires in June 2008.

The good news is, you can always re-register for another five years, and continue to enjoy the peace and quiet. Simply call 1-888-382-1222 or visit http://www.donotcall.gov/ to register any or all of your home and cell phone numbers. Don't forget. Telemarketing companies are counting on millions of Americans to drop the ball. Don't be one of them.

A New Kind of Loan: In Reverse

2007-10-10T21:28:30Z

Have any of you done a reverse mortgage loan signing? I have been approached by several title companies to complete this signings. How much do you charge for them like any other signing or do you charge more?

Just doing a poll to see what everyone thinks. I want to know as much as I can. Thanks for the input! Happy Signings to all!

Getting Paid

2007-10-10T21:14:57Z

Hello everyone. Happy Signings to all. I have a question to ask. Does anyone know how to get paid by Sign on the X? I know, I know, bad bad. I only did two signings for them and am running into roadblocks.

I have filed a BBB complaint and sent collection letters. I have filed in the Notary Cafe a complaint also. Any other ideas? I am planning to send this to a collection agency next week.

Have you heard of this The Signing Registry?

2007-10-07T10:05:23Z

Heeelllllo all, I hope that everyone has been very busy. I do have a question about The Signing Registry The Signing Registry Home Page.

It sounds good, however I wanted to ask all of you about it. You take a test and must pass which is awesome and it costs money every year. I am a newbie, so any information would be helpful to me as marketing is still tight.

I would appreciate any feedback I can get. Happy Signings to All!

Sharpen Your Mind:10 Tips for Increasing Intelligence

2007-10-05T22:40:25Z

Webster's Dictionary defines intelligence as the ability to learn and understand, or to deal with new or trying situations. Simply put, it's the degree of one's mental sharpness.

It's easy to believe that your intelligence is set, meaning there's no way to "boost" your brainpower. However, many scientific studies have proven the exact opposite. A combination of lifestyle adjustments and mental exercises has been shown to not only increase intelligence, but also to improve general brain health and help to prevent disorders associated with aging, such as Alzheimer's disease.

According to most neurologists, the key is to stay mentally active, despite your age. The brain is a complex organ, able to create new connections between nerve cells when it is properly stimulated. These connections lend themselves to optimal brain function and increased intelligence.

Whether you're a Generation Xer, a baby boomer, or an octogenarian, the following ten tips will help to boost your mental activity and increase your intelligence:

Get Some Sleep
An adequate amount of restful sleep is an important component of brain function. While scientists argue over its effect on memory and learning, restful sleep provides energy as well as the ability to focus. Both are vital factors in achieving mental stimulation. Some studies have also shown the reverse to be true. More mental stimulation during the day equals better sleep at night.

Notice that we used the term, "restful sleep". The reason is that for many of us, sleeping can be an uneasy experience. While some people suffer from sleeping disorders, most of us can improve the quality of our rest by making a few lifestyle changes. We'll talk about some of them later, as several have positive effects on both sleep and intelligence. For now, we suggest that you do what it takes to make your bed comfortable and your bedroom peaceful. It also doesn't hurt to drink a cup of chamomile tea right before bedtime.

Increase Your Exercise
Exercise benefits our bodies in many obvious ways, but it's also been shown to increase mental sharpness. To begin with, it helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, all major obstacles in terms of learning... and sleeping.

Regarding its physical effects, exercise brings oxygen-rich blood to the brain, an important component to overall brain health. Exercise also regulates blood sugar levels. Some recent studies have shown a correlation between impaired glucose tolerance and an undersized hippocampus, the portion of the brain that controls the conversion of short-term memory into long-term.

Forms of exercise such as aerobics, dance, and martial arts all require memorization and are great for promoting mental stimulation. They also help to develop the rhythm and timing circuitry that runs through multiple regions of the brain. During these types of exercise, neural pathways that connect the regions are invoked and stimulated.

Improve Your Diet
Just like exercise, a good diet is critical to both physical health and intelligence. For babies, brain development is highly dependent on diet, especially in terms of the intake of essential and non-essential fatty acids. But as adults, these fatty acids play a major role in how our brains function.

It's important to first understand that essential fatty acids are components of fat particles that our bodies cannot produce and, as a result, they must be ingested. Non-essential fatty acids are fat components that our bodies can produce.

ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is an essential fatty acid that's part of the Omega-3 family. Thousands of studies over the last few decades have shown ALA to have a positive effect on everything from arthritis and cardio-vascular health, to learning and IQ.

The highest quantities of ALA are found in flax seed and flax seed oil. Smaller amounts can be found in walnuts, wheat germ, and cold-pressed canola oil. Trace amounts are found in dark green, leafy vegetables.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are also part of the Omega-3 family, and they are primarily found in oily, cold-water fish such as salmon. Because of the body's ability to convert ALA into both DHA and EPA, they are considered to be non-essential. But, there's a catch. Anyone who has low levels of ALA, or is deficient in the vitamins necessary for conversion, may also have low levels of DHA and EPA.

The lesson here is to eat more of the good stuff and a lot less of the bad. Stick to fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, lean meats, fish, and natural fats. Eat more whole foods as opposed to processed foods and, when consuming sugar, caffeine, or alcohol, do it in moderation as they are known to affect both brain function and quality of sleep.

Read More Often
We've all heard the term "reading is fundamental", but the question is, does it make you smarter? Well, for starters, reading has been shown to increase vocabulary quicker than either talking or direct teaching. The benefits of having an enhanced vocabulary are rather obvious and too numerous to mention.

The second benefit of reading is its ability to increase general knowledge while minimizing the absorption of misinformation. The resulting knowledge, along with the accompanying confidence it generates, contributes greatly towards becoming a more skilled speaker and conversationalist. Lastly, reading helps to sharpen both memory and reasoning abilities. As we age, the positive effects are even greater.

Write More Often
Writing is beneficial to your intelligence, as well as your perceived intelligence. Unlike conversation, a written communication is memorialized in physical form. A written document not only gives the reader more time to scrutinize your thoughts, it can also be used as proof of your grammatical and spelling abilities. These factors elevate the importance of your overall writing skills. The bottom line - the more you write, the better writer you'll become.

Writing also helps to nurture creativity by way of exercising the imagination. From "thinking outside the box" and problem solving to creating and conceptualizing, an enhanced imagination has many practical applications. A good tip for increasing your writing is to keep some sort of a daily journal. You can improve your writing skills, exercise your imagination, and reflect on your day, all at the same time.

Watch Less TV
We've all heard the expression, "TV rots your brain!" While it is somewhat of an exaggeration, watching TV doesn't do much to sharpen your thinking. The main problem is that viewing television is a completely passive activity. After plopping yourself onto the couch, the majority of your mental stimulation will come from fighting over the remote.

We are not suggesting that anyone cut out television altogether, but we do recommend limiting it. Better yet, take control of your TV watching as opposed to the other way around.

VCRs are a little outdated. DVRs (digital video recorders), on the other hand, are a great solution, as they give you the ability to record a multitude of shows without videotape. This practice accomplishes three very positive things. First, it allows you to watch what you want, when you want. No more being held captive by network programming. Second, it cuts down on channel surfing, a major contributor to frivolous viewing. Third, it allows you to bypass all commercials.

Play Games
Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, certain board games, and card games are great for mental stimulation. Each of them will exercise various brain functions such as lexical recall (memory for words that name things), attention, memory, logic, and pattern recognition. They are accessible to almost everyone, and some only require one player. The key here is that as you advance in skill, you should seek out harder, more challenging versions.

Keep Memorizing
There is no shortage of contemporary studies that show a powerful correlation between a strong working memory and overall intelligence. A good memory has also been shown to slow down mental aging. Ergo, memorizing almost anything is one of the best exercises you can give your brain.

Start small by memorizing your shopping list or your daily schedule. Step it up a notch and memorize a poem or two. Take it to another level by learning a musical instrument or a new language. Doing any of these exercises can potentially lead to quick and substantial improvement in your mental sharpness.

Get a Hobby
Gardening, bird watching, collecting, flying model airplanes, etc.; taking on any new hobby is good for mental stimulation as well as your overall mood. Finding activities you really enjoy allows you to learn and have fun, simultaneously. It provides both an escape and a passion. All of these traits are components to living a happy and rewarding life, and remaining mentally sharp.

Challenge Yourself
One enemy of intelligence and mental sharpness is our propensity to fall into overly rigid, daily patterns. It is one thing to keep a schedule, or to plan out the events of your day. What we're talking about is having the exact same routine, nearly every day.

Falling into rigid patterns promotes mental passivity, or the opposite of stimulation. At the top of this article we spoke about neurologists agreeing that the key to sharpening your mind is to increase mental activity. Same old, same old is no way to accomplish this.

Instead, we recommend mixing things up a bit. Challenge yourself by participating in new activities. Join a softball league, a reading club, or even a theater group. At the very least, play around with your daily schedule. The point is that too much regimen can dull the senses.

We wish you good luck with implementing these suggestions. May they help to bring sharpness, clarity, and happiness into your life!

The Upper Hand

2007-10-05T13:03:55Z

Setting Appointments Successfully

According to scholars, there was a simple game of chance in ancient times where each player took a turn grabbing a stick, one hand above the next. The last person able to grab the stick was the winner; they had the "upper hand."

That phrase has survived for hundreds of years, with the first figurative usages appearing in the late 1400s. It is now synonymous with having the advantage over someone else. In a game of chance, the "upper hand" is determined randomly. But in business relationships, as in life, we can seize the "upper hand" with wise actions. While we tend to associate the phrase with someone being exploitative or domineering, you can also use the "upper hand" to be gracious and to better serve your clients.

One of the easiest times to do this is when setting appointments. In our efforts to be serviceable or gracious, we can mistakenly appear unoccupied, and perhaps even desperate. Saying, "I'm free ANYTIME!" smacks of such desperation. Instead, try the following:

Suggest the time yourself.
You can still be flexible, perhaps offering more than one time to give them a choice. If none of these times work, then you can ask them to suggest a time.

Show them your calendar.
Of course, if you have limited openings, it shows how busy you are. This translates into "successful" in the minds of your clients. This is assuming your schedule is fairly occupied.

Follow up.
There's a reason your doctor's office calls and sends reminder post cards before your appointment - they want to make sure you show up! Why shouldn't your time be respected as much as your doctor's time?

By practicing these techniques, I believe you'll find it easier to steer the relationship in a friendly, non-offensive way. Most importantly, it allows them to make a choice or decision, and thus feel that they are sharing control of the relationship.

I hope these strategies help you keep the upper hand in your business relationships, and
better serve your clientele.