Maximize Your Drive Time Tips & Tricks to Ease Your Commute
As the population continues to grow, more and more people will be clogging the highways during your commute. Rather than becoming increasingly frustrated and discouraged, why not use this time to do something productive? There are many ways you can achieve this, and here are some technologies to help you do it.
Have you ever been traveling along and suddenly had a great idea? Since it's generally not safe to jot down notes while driving, make sure you have a digital mini recorder to get those ideas down. Another solution is to put your office voicemail on auto dial and leave messages for yourself.
A great way to utilize your drive time to the fullest is to listen to audio books or enhance your professional development with informational CDs. There's a wide range of options available for download or purchase.
It seems in years gone by, I used to get all kinds of e-mail sfrom "Private Investors" or "Hard Moeny Guys" touting their cash to lend. Headlines like "close in 24 hours", "fast service" and my all time favorite ",y wallet has no bottom".
Well here we are and I have 5 deals on my desk right now that need that hard money, I-just-lend-on-equity guy and I think he has moved on, relocated or in fact, after many years of abuse, his wallet did in fact have a bottom and it was discovered by an excavator or a spelunker named Mortgage Crisis.
One would think that in times of some great cash deals, and an absolute ton of bank fall out, that these private investors would be circling the wagons, but in fact they are not.
I had a deal a few weeks back, 70% LTV, refi, 720 mid-score, full doc and no one wanted to do the deal. The best responses were that based on the "lender's appraisal", the value wasn't there. IN other words. the quotes of "up to 80% LTV" really meant up to about 30% LTV of real market consideration.
So if anyone has a real investor who wants to make some real money, please do not hesitate to call on us. We have numerous deals we could place as early as today, ranging from purchases to refis, ugly credit to impeccable scores and low LTV positions to higher one. Commercial, residential, unsecured business lines, business only loans- we have the borrowers, now all we need is the cash.
A follow up letter with a Customer Evaluation Survey can generate referrals from recent clients and associates. I have included a sample referral request below. I send a similar letter out to all of my clients, along with my own Customer Survey to make sure my team and I are maintaining our goal of 100% customer satisfaction. I have found that I get better response by including a stamped, self-addressed envelope with each letter.
Dear Customer Name,
My team and I want to thank you for the opportunity to work with you on your recent transaction. As you know, my business is based upon referrals. If you have family members or friends who you feel would benefit from the type of service you received on your recent transaction, please jot down their names and phone numbers below. My team and I will contact each referral you provide us with, and make sure they receive the same superior service we have provided to you.
I have also enclosed a Customer Service Survey. If you feel there is any way we could have improved our service, please let us know. We are always interested in taking care of each and every client as though they were a member of our extended family.
Referral Names and Phone Numbers:
1.______________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________
3.______________________________________________________________
4.______________________________________________________________
5.______________________________________________________________
Thank you for your feedback and referrals!
Do you see how this sort of letter can generate leads for you at virtually no cost? Try it out, and keep me posted on your success!
Rob Wesler rwesler@hfplending.com 813.600.5488
Robert Kiyosaki's bestseller, Rich Dad, Poor Dad,* has helped millions to create roadmaps to their financial goals. Central to his series is the notion of open-mindedness. Instead of sizing up a situation and saying, "I can't afford that," he suggests saying, "How can I afford that?" By reshaping the idea into an open-ended question, creativity is stimulated, which leads to inspiration.
Here's a list of critical thoughts and their positive replacements. I hope these help to prime your mind for money-making thoughts.
We can't afford it.
That's too expensive.
I don't have enough money.
I'll never be able to afford that.
That's a waste of money.
It's too late to get started.
I'm not good with numbers or investing.
It's too risky.
I really want to get that!
How can we afford it?
Where can I get that for less?
How can I make more money?
When will I be able to afford that?
How can I make that productive?
How can we let another day go by?
Where can I learn more?
What could reduce the risk?
Do I really need that?
As open-ended thinking becomes more natural for you, you'll also find yourself better able to help clients who have critical objections. Plus, the difference in this kind of thinking is tremendous. If you aren't already quieting your critic, you'll find that these suggestions bring excitement into your daily life.
Consider writing out this list, and adding to it when you discover new negative thoughts. Invent positive replacements, and write those down, too. Review the list frequently, and practice!
Okay, so here is the ticket.... it is early on a Sunday morning and the big party (we host an annual pool party here on the horse farm) is only a few weeks away. I can tell because all of the fireworks tents are springing up all over the county. So with today starting out sunny and cool, yet-to-be-warm, I have all of the ingredients for today's cookfest already basting and in the fridge. Later this afternoon the feasting will begin with a few frineds coming over to watch the PGA while the wives and kids blast in the pool. Maybe a few cigars too.
So my mind starts to drifting and I have to wonder about the menu for this year's big blast. While most of the food is catered, we always like to add a few of our own specialties. I figure that AR would be a great place to get some recipes from all over the country to celebrate Independence Day in true style.
So how about it Rainers, anyone want to put in their two cents? Below is my favorite recipe for a killer dish, bar-b-q shrimp. The recipe was adapted from a famous TV chef, and the BAM was decreased just a tad since it seared my kids tongues.....
3 pounds large Gulf Shrimp, in their shells 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning, recipe follows:
Cracked black pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup chopped onions 2 tablespoons minced garlic 3 bay leaves 3 lemons, peeled and sectioned 2 cups water 1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup dry white wine 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 cups heavy cream 2 tablespoons butter
Traditional southern Biscuits, recipe follows:
1 tablespoon chopped chivesPeel the shrimp, leaving only their tails attached. Reserve the shells and set aside. Sprinkle the shrimp with 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning and fresh cracked black pepper. Use you hands to coat the shrimp with the seasonings. Refrigerate the shrimp while you make the sauce base.
Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large pot over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the onions and garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add the reserved shrimp shells, the remaining Creole seasoning, the bay leaves, lemons, water, Worcestershire, wine, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat, allow to cool for about 15 minutes. Strain into a small saucepan. There should be about 1 1/2 cups. Place over high heat, bring to a boil, and cook until thick, syrupy, and dark brown, for about 15 minutes. Makes about 4 to 5 tablespoons of barbecue sauce base. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the seasoned shrimp and saute them, occasionally shaking the skillet, for 2 minutes. Add the cream and all of the barbecue base. Stir and simmer for 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp to a warm platter with tongs and whisk the butter into the sauce. Remove from the heat. Mound the shrimp in the center of a platter. Spoon the sauce over the shrimp and around the plate. Arrange the biscuits around the shrimp. Garnish with chopped chives.
Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):
It is my humble and genuine opinion that success in any business is based on genuine relationships. And the more of these strong relationships you have, the more successful your business will be. This is true in any market – good, bad, or otherwise. You probably believe in the same theory, or you wouldn't be here on Active Rain, you wouldn't be readin this, or someone who thought you could benefit from this topic wouldn't have given you a copy.
With this in mind, I'm recommending the national bestseller, The Go-Giver: A Little Story about a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann, as the latest addition to the Power Reading Series for Realtors, part of a Gift of Knowledge CD package that I give to my referral partners all across the United States.
In the book, the authors create a compelling parable as a tool for revealing the Five Universal Laws of The Go-Giver (someone who is focused on giving and not getting) and how anyone can master this art of positive persuasion and dramatically increase their bottom line!
For co-author Bob Burg, being a Go-Giver means adding value to others in a way that helps them significantly, while at the same time, increases your own sense of joy and improves your bottom line. The book, he says, was designed "to help change that common belief that you can either help others OR help yourself, but not both at once."
Here are the Five Universal Laws of the Go-Giver as outlined by co-author Bob Burg:
The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.
The Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.
The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.
The Law of Authenticity: The greatest gift you have to offer is yourself (i.e., your "authentic" self).
The Law of Receptivity: The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
Bestselling author Bob Burg, who regularly appears on the motivational rally circuit with Zig Ziglar, Coach Lou Holtz, Les Brown, and former U.S. President Gerald Ford, has become known for his entertaining style, while providing information that is hard hitting, immediately applicable, and profitable! And The Go-Giver, which he co-authored with Mann, is no different.
But, before you go out and invest your time and money in this excellent book, I have a great Gift of Knowledge interview with Bob Burg on the subject of the Go-Giver, and how it specifically applies to professionals in our industry. In the interview, Burg reveals how together we can utilize his principles to increase our success in business and in our personal lives as well.
The interview is called The Go-Giver: Cultivating Business Relationships, and if you'd like a copy of the CD, please don't hesitate to give me call @ 813.600.5488 or drop me an e-mail at rwesler@hfplending.com.
Benjie Menendez, the Cigar Master from Partagas, made a special appearance today at my local haunt to put on a show. Although I will admit most who may read this won't care (but those of you like myself who imbibe in a great smoke will know where I am coming from). I slipped out of the office an hour early, and after a day of no return calls from numerous AE's (is that indicative of the times or what?) to meet up with several friends at our favorite walk in humidor for some real relaxation. Benjie is rolling multiple samples of several blends and I am happy to report I picked up ten (10) of his finest hand rolls available. I also was able to get a deal on a few boxes of the Cifuentes Partagas 1845 line and some custom blends only available at shows just like this one. So, as I pour myself a nice Bloody Casear and prepare to smoke a fresh Partagas, I bid a fond hello to all of my friends in cigar land......
Can you believe we are just days away from summer? If you haven't gotten all of your spring cleaning done just yet, or you have other projects you've been meaning to do around the house, now is the perfect time to get going on them, before the hottest days of summer descend upon us.
OUTSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR The following tips and suggestions are for projects concerning the exterior of your home.
Shade trees and landscaping Planting shade trees in your yard is a great way to cut down on the heat inside your home. The climate where you live, as well as your home's layout, will determine the type of trees you'll want to plant, as well as where to plant them. Check with a local nursery for suggestions on both. In addition, it's also a good idea to include planting a shade tree next to your air conditioner's outside unit. Believe it or not, the extra shade will help it run more efficiently.
It's no secret that landscaping increases the value and curb appeal of your home. But there something else it provides. Vegetation that surrounds any paved areas (driveways, walkways, sidewalks, etc.) reduces the reflected heat and sunlight.
Gardening equipment Get your lawn mower tuned up by a lawn mower mechanic. You should be able to find several of them in your local yellow pages. Also, take inventory of all lawn and gardening equipment, including hoses and sprinklers. If anything needs to be replaced, now's the time to do it.
Check the roof and clean gutters Please use caution whenever you climb atop your roof. But if you are inclined to do so, late spring is the perfect time of year for a quick survey. Check for loose shingles and overly-weathered spots. While you're up there, you may also want to examine the exterior of your chimney for any cracks. Take a look at the condition of the chimney cap as well. The good news here is that most repairs can be done any time before fall, and whenever your budget allows.
Another rooftop project for late spring is the cleaning of rain gutters. Taking it on during late spring beats doing it later in the year when there's more rain. It also cuts down on dry debris that can be a fire hazard during the summer.
Wash your windows and window screens If you haven't made this project part of your spring cleaning, it's not too late. Sparkling-clean windows will only enhance your view of the outdoors. Speaking of screens, this is also the perfect opportunity to replace any worn-out screen doors.
Paint your home's exterior The heat of summer poses many difficulties for painting your house. Late spring, on the other hand, holds the perfect conditions.
Get your pool and patio ready If you own a pool, you probably already know what to do in order to get it in shape for summer. To keep your energy costs down, remember to reduce the heater temperature and keep the pool covered whenever it's not in use. Doing so will help the water to maintain its warmth. It's also a good idea to do any electronic filtering during off-peak hours.
One thing you probably haven't thought about is purchasing equipment for outdoor activities. From Super Soakers and floats to volleyball and badminton nets, they may actually be much harder to find come summertime when the demand is higher. Stores like Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Costco are great places to start your search.
While you're at it, take a good look at your patio furniture and barbecue. Can they be cleaned, or do they need to be replaced? Once again, options on these products can become minimal, and even more expensive, once the weather gets hot.
Clean out your garage If you didn't take advantage of this project during your spring cleaning, do not put it off any longer. Otherwise, there's a good chance you won't get to it until the fall. Take it from us, organizing a garage can be an excruciating experience during the hot summer months.
Create a clothesline If you have two trees in your yard that are in relatively close proximity to each other, there's a good chance you can create a clothesline. Line-drying provides a natural, fresh scent to your clothes, cuts down on your energy bill, and allows your house to stay much cooler.
INSIDE YOUR FRONT DOOR Now that we've addressed the outside of the house, let's explore some of the projects inside the home.
A/C We cannot stress how important it is to have your air conditioner in perfect working order before summer. Taking care of any issues during the summer can potentially result in an increase in price, as well as an increase in the time it takes for a technician to visit your home. It is not unheard of for a customer to wait two or three weeks for a repair to be done.
In addition to making sure your air conditioner is in perfect working order, it is now a good time to replace any filters. Simply remove the old one and take it to your local home improvement center. Sales representatives should have no problem finding its replacement.
Decorate for the season You can start by removing items like heavy throw blankets, drapes and area rugs, as well as any darker-colored decorations. Replace them with furnishings that are both lighter in color and in weight. Doing so will open up and lighten any room.
Since your fireplace will not play host to very many fires during the summer months, it doesn't mean that it can't be of use. Simply remove the grate from inside the fireplace and replace it with either a fireplace candelabrum, or several individual candles. The incandescence provided by the candles brings a wonderful ambience without turning up the heat.
Donate or have a garage sale Now that you've cleared out your winter décor (and hopefully cleaned out your garage), here's your chance to either donate any unwanted items, or sell them. You can always put the extra cash towards taking a vacation.
Paint Just like the outside of your home, late spring is also the perfect time to paint the interior. It's at this point of the year when the weather best lends itself to keeping your windows open. This practice will cut down on some of those overpowering smells that are a result of fresh paint.
If you decide to paint the inside of your home, think about lightening the existing color as opposed to darkening it. Lighter colors are not only inviting, they create the illusion of a bigger, more open space.
Buy fans Installing ceiling fans and using portable fans are great methods for cutting the heat inside your home. They are also far less expensive to use than an air conditioner. Using fans of any kind also enables you to keep windows open at night, allowing fresh air to circulate throughout the house.
Install dimmer switches Dimmer switches not only add ambience, they also cut down on energy and unwanted heat. Another tip is to use low-wattage light bulbs whenever possible.
Good luck and happy "summerizing!"
If you want to include the idea of some larger improvements and need a mortgage source, please feel free to contact me.
It seems like not a day goes by that we don't hear about the rising price of either groceries or gasoline. This might not be such a difficult pill to swallow if we were talking about luxury items, but food and fuel are hardly that. They are everyday necessities that we cannot live without. In the spirit of making your life easier, the following are our tips for saving at the checkout stand and at the pump. And be sure to watch the Kiplinger video above to see if shopping at the big box stores can really help trim your food bill.
SAVING AT THE CHECKOUT STAND Saving money on groceries comes down to the diligent practice of two virtues, self-control and organization. Let's start with self-control.
It is very important to understand that grocery stores are designed to entice the consumer into buying products. Everything from displays to promotions is geared to increase sales. If you're looking to save money on your weekly groceries, it is imperative that you combat these temptations. The following are some great tips that are sure to help.
Don't shop on an empty stomach Your pocketbook will benefit if you eat before you go grocery shopping. Stores are filled with beautiful displays and enticing aromas. Subjecting yourself to these on an empty stomach can be pure torture. Bringing along of bottle of water is good for fighting the cravings that are may hit after you pass by any number of temptations.
Shop alone Tag-alongs like children or friends will only increase the time you spend in the store. They can also be enablers when it comes to making purchases.
Coupons are good...to a point There's no arguing that coupons cans save you money. But here's the problem: many of the coupons that are issued are for new products. This is a way for companies to promote their products, and to entice consumers into trying them. If you blindly buy into this, you will quickly find your grocery bill growing instead of shrinking.
We suggest going through the Sunday paper and cutting out only the coupons for items you already buy. The rest of the coupons can either go in the recycling bin or can be traded with friends who use those particular products. If that's not an option, there are countless online message boards and forums that deal solely with coupon trading. There's a good chance there are also private groups in your area who get together for the sole purpose of trading coupons. Do a Google™ search and see what you find.
Make a shopping list It may seem that making a shopping list would fall under the category of keeping yourself organized, but it really has more to do with maintaining your self-control. Items on the list represent the things you need, or what you are budgeted to buy. By sticking to your list, you have a much better chance of not falling victim to impulse purchases. It also gets you out of the store much quicker than shopping without a list. Moving through the store quickly has been shown to limit spur-of-the-moment buying.
So now that we've addressed a few components to maintaining your self-control, let's talk organization.
Much of your organizational success depends on how well you understand your family's needs. Every family is different, so there is no way we can set forth a plan that is perfect for all. What we can do, however, is give you some really great tips to get you started.
Know your schedule There are families who eat dinner together at the same time every night. Then there are families that never manage to eat together. Where does your family fit in? The reason we ask this question is that the answer has a lot to do with how you should shop.
If your family eats dinner together regularly, we suggest planning out meals a week in advance and then shopping accordingly. This is a great for taking advantage of sales and for utilizing ingredients in several other meals throughout the week. It also cuts down on trips to the market. Simply put, it's a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck.
However, if dinner is inconsistent in your home, then it makes no sense to buy a week's worth of fresh food. There's a good chance that a lot of it will go to waste. At this point, you are better off making more trips to the store and buying lesser amounts. The key here is to figure out your eating schedule, and create a shopping schedule to match it.
Comparison shop Multi-stop shopping for the purposes of buying a product at the lowest price is not always great for saving money. If you consider the extra time and gasoline used, it can often be far more expensive. Generally speaking, the best deals for average-sized families will be found at a local grocery store, so do the majority of your shopping there.
Warehouse stores can be big money savers if you use them correctly. Remember, you are buying in bulk, so unless you have a big family and a lot of cold storage, they may not be the best place to purchase groceries. However, when it comes to non-perishable items like paper goods, household cleaners and bottled water, warehouse stores cannot be beat. Word to the wise: shopping lists are even more important at warehouse stores. Get in, buy what's on the list, and get out. Otherwise, your cart can quickly be filled with many things you don't need.
Navigate your grocery store Here are some great tips you may not have known about:
Companies pay huge stocking fees so that their products can be stocked at an adult's eye level. These will always be the most expensive products. Look at the top shelves and the bottom shelves before you decide which product to buy.
Store brands are great money savers. Many times they are produced by the same companies as the name brands and contain the exact same ingredients. The only difference is the label and the fact that they are not advertised. This savings is then passed on to the consumer.
Many stores have a bargain bin for meat and produce. It may sound unappetizing but the truth is they are merely the products that need to be sold and consumed that day, or shortly thereafter. They make a great first stop for people who shop the day of for their food.
SAVING AT THE PUMP There are two ways to save when it comes to the amount of money you spend on gas. The first way is to buy less expensive gas. Believe it or not, this does exist. The second way is to use less gas. Let's start with the former.
Gasbuddy.com If you have never logged on to www.gasbuddy.com, you should make it a point to do so. Operating since June of 2000, Gasbuddy.com is a network of 181 local gas price websites. Its unique value is that it allows consumers to share information regarding the prices at gas stations throughout the United States and Canada.
Consumers throughout North America can log on to the site on a daily basis to report prices at their local gas stations. The website then sorts through the information and lists the stations that sell the cheapest, as well as the most expensive gas.
As you can imagine, the information provided by Gasbuddy.com is not only helpful on an everyday basis, but it can also be used to help plan out driving trips. The website will even text or email price updates to your phone, allowing you to keep current with the best deals.
So, now that we know where to purchase gas at the lowest prices, let's take a look at how we can use less of it.
Carpool This is one of the best methods for using less fuel, reducing the amount of traffic, and helping the environment all in one shot. The easiest way to start a carpool is by talking to co-workers who also live in your neighborhood. If this situation doesn't exit, the Internet is a great resource for regional carpool sites that can set up matches. Many of these websites also have carpool calculators to help you determine the amount of money you can save.
Care for your car It's a concept that is very easy to understand. The harder your car has to work, the more fuel it will use. Start by honoring all scheduled maintenance as recommended in your owner's manual. If your car isn't running right, don't put off a visit to your mechanic. Postponing a repair may actually be costing you money.
Don't neglect the tires Keeping your tires properly inflated will do wonders for your vehicle's mileage per gallon. A good rule is to check your tire pressure at least once a month. The best time to do this is in the morning when the air inside the tires is cold, as it will give you the most accurate reading. Tire pressure gauges can be found at any automotive store for just a couple bucks and the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) should be printed on the side of your tires.
Keep your mind on the pedal What you do with your gas pedal will have a direct effect on how often you refill your tank. The first thing you should know is that it is always better to stop and restart your car than to allow it to idle for a long period of time. Think of it this way. Do you use more electricity by keeping the lights off and turning them on when necessary, or by leaving them on even when they're not in use?
The next bad habit when it comes to the gas pedal is what's known as "jackrabbit driving." If you are unfamiliar, it is the constant pressing and releasing of the gas pedal. It not only makes for an uncomfortable ride, it also wastes gas. When driving on the freeway, it is recommended to do so in cruise control. It controls your speed and saves on gas.
Easy on the A/C Using your car's air conditioner causes the vehicle to use more gas, so our recommendation is to use it only when necessary. Keeping your car garaged, parking it in the shade, the use of window shades and slightly cracking the windows are all good methods for controlling the temperature inside your car.
Lighten your load It's a good idea to remove anything from your vehicle that doesn't need to be there. The heavier the payload, the more gas your vehicle will burn. Simply put, get the junk out of the trunk.
Buy gas in the morning The colder the outside air, the denser the gas. Denser gas equates to more energy for your dollar. It may be a small difference, but it will add up over time.
We hope these tips help. Remember, just because gasoline and food are necessities, it doesn't mean we have to be held hostage by high prices. Good luck being a smart consumer.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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