Jackson 's Blog

Internet Web Page

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 03:46:43 -0500

I have to say coming into real estate from with a teaching background has been easy in regards to working with pepole and connecting with my network of people here in Chico. I have had a nice success rate of my network of friends sending me referrals.

The hard part has been the internet phase of all of this.... the web page, getting rankings on the web pages. It has been a growing season for me but I do have to say it is fun.

http://www.eJACKSONgroup.com

http://www.myspace.com/stieb

Rental Properties

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:56:03 -0500

Cozumel Diving

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:51:25 -0500

I've been an active diver for over 15yrs now... received my 1st of 2 certifications for diving... SSI and PADI. The past 10years we have been diving ScubaClub their for around 8yrs...amazing place from the food to the people and the diving. I have all kinds of new friends from the place.

Favre

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:45:05 -0500

"GREEN BAY, Wis. - Aaron Rodgers dropped back, set his feet and prepared to release a routine slant pass when he heard the squeaky voice from behind the fence. The fourth-year quarterback paused during an individual drill late in the Green Bay Packers' training camp practice Tuesday afternoon and spied a little boy, maybe 6, among the hundreds of spectators lining the Oneida Street side of Clarke Hinkle Field.

"We don't love you," the kid said. "You suck."" By Michael Silver, Yahoo! Sports

Football is right around the corner and there is a lot of wow going on in GB... One game away from the Biggest Game in Sports and Favre retirement only to un-retire. Before we judge him... how many times have u sat in line at Burger Kind and said I want a number 3.... no... #4... no... #3 I'm sorry I just can't make up my mind today... I know... but the point of that is No person is perfect and we all change our minds all the time many times... So What... He loves the game and he was one of the top QB's and really he is great to watch and listen to when he plays and talks...I'm a Steelers Fan but Favre is good for the game... I feel that Favre needs to go to another team because the Pack has to build for the future with the new young kid out of Chico CA... Visit my web site to find out more about Chico CA.www.ChicoKW.com I'm also proud to say I coached Aaron Rodgers when he was a frosh-man and sophomore in High School. I was the offensive Line coach but I did get a nick name from him and his friends"Squats"... pretty cool... I loved to do deep squats and I felt it was the core to football strength along with power cleans. But back to my story.... Aaron is a good kid and the fans really need to back him. Every person is only human and we can only take so much and hide so much... The fans need to be 100% behind Aaron makes things a lot more easy when people are on your side.... If any of you are pack fans support Aaron, and keep on loving Favre... u can do both... they need it.

PERSONAL FINANCE TRAVEL

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:35:42 -0500

IM NEW TO POSTINGS BLOGS MOST OF MY POSTS WILL BE TAKING STORIES THAT I FEEL THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES. I WOULD ALWAYS LOVE FOR ADVICE FROM OTHERS TO HELP ME IMPROVE MY BLOGS. I WILL AT TIMES MAKE MY OWN BLOGS.

Globetrotting On A Budget

If you need a vacation but fear that you can't afford one, don't despair. You may not be able to stay in a five-star hotel or fly first class, but with a little legwork, creativity and flexibility, you can travel affordably to just about anywhere.

Let's take a look at eight areas where it's easiest to save money:

1. Travel Supplies
Don't waste your money on pricey travel gadgets you don't really need, like a new GPS system, noise-canceling headphones for the flight or sweat-wicking underwear. For the things you really do need, like luggage or guidebooks, don't pay retail. Save money by borrowing: travel guides are available from the library or at used books stores locally and online, and luggage can always be borrowed from friends or family members. Use these strategies to acquire everything on your list while saving cash for your trip.

2. Airfare
There are many ways to save money on flights as long as you plan your trip in advance. The cheapest option is to use frequent-flyer miles. You can get copious amounts of bonus miles for signing up with an airline's credit card (but watch out for annual fees, and allow yourself at least two to three months before you fly for the extra miles to post to your account). Purchasing miles is another strategy for topping off your account. This may not be the best value in the long run, but if spending $100 on miles will save you several hundred dollars in airfare, go for it. But, before you bother with either of these methods, check with the airlines to see if there will be frequent-flyer seats available on the days you want to travel.

If you're not using miles, be flexible with your travel dates and times. Often flights leaving mid-week will be cheaper than ones on the weekend, and the redeyes cheaper than the leisurely 10am takeoffs.

Travel search engines like Kayak.com and Sidestep.com are great for locating less expensive flights and figuring out how adjusting your travel date or time affects your airfare. Using a flight tracking program like Yapta can save you hundreds of dollars by letting you watch specific flights and alerting you when the price drops. Particularly in Europe, it's sometimes possible to get a cheaper ticket by flying to a city near your destination, then taking a train or a dirt-cheap, short-hop flight the rest of the way.

Sometimes, though, planning ahead isn't the best way to get a deal! There are great deals to be had on last-minute flights, but this strategy only works if you can be extremely flexible with your schedule and destination.

If you're traveling with friends, consider choosing a travel destination within driving distance and taking a road trip instead - being mindful of the license and insurance requirements for individual countries, of course. By splitting the cost of gas, you'll save a bundle. You'll also get to see lots of sights along the way that you'd miss if you were in the air.

3. Accommodations
Traveling with friends will give you safety in numbers and allow you to share lodging costs, whether that means a campsite fee or a hotel-room bill. The cheapest and easiest way to save on accommodations, though, is to choose a travel location where you have a friend or relative who will let you stay with them.

In Europe, you can find acceptable and often surprisingly nice accommodations for 15-30 euros a night in hostels and sometimes even hotels. If you feel like you've outgrown the bunk-bed scene, keep in mind that many hostels have private rooms. Regardless of your destination, you can save money by staying in a less desirable or more residential part of town that's further from the tourist attractions. In warmer months, camping may be an option, even in large metropolitan areas. Both San Francisco and Los Angeles, for example, have campgrounds surprisingly close to the heart of the city.

Those who are more adventurous and willing to take chances with strangers can look for a bed on Craigslist or CouchSurfing.com. If you're willing to let someone crash at your place while you travel, you might try HomeExchange.com (if you live in an apartment, you might need to get permission from your landlord before inviting overnight guests to your pad).

4. Transportation
Choosing a travel destination where public transportation is cheap and convenient can greatly reduce the cost of your trip. When you consider that renting a car can cost $150 per week or more plus gas, a trip to an inexpensive but car-happy city might cost as much as a visit to pricey but easily navigable New York City. If you must have a car, make your reservation far in advance, then try to get a better price at the last minute using a service like Priceline.com. If you don't need a car the minute you arrive at the airport, you can often achieve significant savings by renting a car from a non-airport location.

Here are some more options you might not have considered:

If you will only need to use a car for part of your visit and you're traveling to one of their covered cities, Zipcar's car-sharing service can provide a convenient, cost-effective way to get around.
Some cities, like Berlin, make it a snap to rent a bike.
You can choose to forgo wheeled transportation altogether, and use WalkScore.com to find a pedestrian-friendly destination.

5. Food
Every city has its cheap eats, from sausage stands in Vienna to Thai food eat-ins in St. Louis. Street meat (or vendor foods) is often a good way to get a taste for the city you're in. If you do eat at these smaller food stands, just make sure you are choosing a clean vendor who thoroughly cooks the treats.

If you're traveling abroad, even a trip to the grocery store can be a culinary adventure. Buy some local cheese, fresh bread, seasonal produce and a bottle of wine, and enjoy a gourmet picnic for a fraction of the cost of a restaurant meal. Even with the added expense of buying convenience foods that don't need to be cooked or refrigerated, by purchasing your meals at grocery stores, you can still eat for $10 a day or less. Some hostels and extended-stay hotels even have kitchens that will allow you to cook up a hot meal. Have a couple of meals out if you can afford it, but stick to breakfast and lunch, which are generally cheaper than dinner.

6. Entertainment
Before shelling out cash for any event or entry fee, ask yourself if you're really interested or if you just feel like you have to go. If you don't like art, it's okay to skip the Museo del Prado. If you hate heights, enjoy the Sears Tower from the ground. Many sights are at least as interesting on the outside as they are on the inside, anyway. You can often experience a new place best by simply by walking around, and some cities, like Barcelona, even have free walking tours.

Take advantage of free attractions and outdoor activities, like parks, local concerts and live entertainment at pubs or coffee shops. For pricier sights that truly interest you, pick and choose among the available options. Make sure to check if you can get discounted entry by attending at an off-peak time, showing a student ID, or purchasing a group tour.

7. Keeping in Touch
If you're out of your cell phone provider's network coverage area, avoid using your phone because the roaming and long-distance fees will be an unwelcome souvenir when you get home. You may be able to sign up for a special plan in advance that will reduce your roaming and long-distance charges, but you also have the option to buy local phone cards, use internet cafes, or even write a good old-fashioned letter.

If you have access to a computer, a headset and a little privacy, you can use an online phone service like Skypeto make free calls worldwide to other Skype users and inexpensive calls to cell phones and land lines.

8. Souvenirs and Gifts
The most meaningful souvenirs are often not snow globes or T-shirts, but items that tell the true story of your trip, like the label from a great bottle of beer or a few pieces of local currency. If you must buy something, make it something you'll actually appreciate or use when you get home.

Edible items also make wonderful, inexpensive gifts that will allow your lucky recipients to share your experience better than they could with a Russian nesting doll. Just be mindful of laws about transporting certain foodstuffs into and out of foreign countries.

Of course, if you can afford it or already have one kicking around, don't forget to take a digital camera with plenty of spare memory cards and batteries. Take pictures not just of the Eiffel Tower, but of details like your hotel room, what you ate for breakfast and what the street signs look like to help you really remember your trip. A scenic shot in a simple picture frame can make a great inexpensive gift.

Conclusion
To get the most out of your vacation without returning home to a pile of unmanageable bills, use these tips to strike a balance between sticking to a budget and making the most of your vacation. It's important to watch your wallet when you travel, but don't be so stingy that you miss out: Remember, you might only be in Sydney or Tokyo or London once.

Amy Fontinelle

Spring is around the corner

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:13:46 -0600

This week is going to call for temps in the upper 60's to lower 70's depending where it is that you are at between Roseville and Red Bluff. I was outside today finishing up some yard work for the winter. Some areas that had not been finished yet. Isn't it amazing how the seasons will play a vital part in our lives on how we function in life. I know bears with "lay-down" and out for a good few months after a great summer, a lot of animals will do the same. How is it that we go year round at it.... at least we try... I think a lot of times we are really just go through the motions till the warm weather comes back out... i know for me I was just sort of going through the motions and we had a great wk of 70 degree weather and wow I sure got up and going for that wk... I think over time we as humans just sort of putt, putt until something motivates us or the warm weather kicks in. Lets remember to keep our clients best interest in mind even in the putt, putt times because we might not be able to see the trees with all the brush and fullage (too close to the forrest to see the trees) but our clients can see our actions. Hang in there agents.

Gardening update.

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:16:16 -0600

I like to think of myself as a "Jackson" jack of all trades. Now some would think that I say that in a way that is saying I could be better than some. I say it in a way that I hope that people will ask me about something, anything that might help them out just a little or a lot. I think coming into this business after 15yrs of being a private investor and also a teacher at all levels has given me lots of insight to this life and I just want to share it with everyone. I was taught a long time ago that we didn't invent or come up with some of the great ideas that have helped us along the way. I know when I learn new marketing ideas, gardening ideas, or any ideas I feel could help anyone I like to share it. I would hope all agents feel the same way, but I know better and this business is not that way. My job in this business is to make sure my clients are taken care of from day one until they or I no longer want to continue this relationship with one another. It does happen. You will see that I said "or I" yes. I have no problem ending a relationship with a client if I feel that are trying to take advantage of me or that we just are not seeing eye to eye any longer. Today I'm going to pass along some gardening ideas I feel are helpful and by any-means please do not think these are my ideas. With all of this said my job is to take the information that is out there and pass it along to my clients to save them time, hassle money and to make their life easy. At least that is my goal!

It's easy to keep your lawn green over winter

Cindy McNatt Garden columnist
The Orange County Register
Go to our Online Garden Center
cmcnatt@ocregister.com

One of my favorite winter scenes is a dormant Bermuda lawn that has been over-seeded with annual rye. Rye grass offers that fresh apple-green swath at a time of year when the rest of landscape can look a bit dull.

For the past few years though, annual rye has been hard to find. The big-box stores where I used to buy it now offer only perennial rye. While perennial rye grass grows well in our area, it takes longer to sprout, is darker in color and comes back the following winter patchy at best.

Orange County Farm Supply in Orange sells annual rye seed by the pound. Go in with the approximate square footage of your lawn, and the staff will help you figure out how much you need. The general rule is 1 pound of annual rye seed per 100 square feet of lawn.

Annual rye grass is a cool-season lawn. If kept moist (a challenge during Santa Ana winds), the seed will sprout in seven days. It will keep growing green into early summer or about the time your Bermuda lawn has bounced back from winter dormancy.

The heat that gets your Bermuda lawn up and growing is the heat that will kill back your winter rye.

There are rules floating around about scalping your Bermuda lawn and raking it with a steel rake before you sow the seed. I don't do either.

I do sow seed on the day of my weekly mowing to give it a week to take hold so it doesn't get sucked up by the lawn mower.

If your lawn is very dry you may want to saturate before you sow your seed. Run your sprinklers twice a day for 20 minutes, for about three days.

Right after your lawn has been mowed, scatter a complete fertilizer with numbers like 10-10-10 or 16-16-16 or close to it. Then hold the rye-seed bag in one hand and scatter the seed with the other.

I walk in fairly precise rows sowing the seed lightly and evenly. (If you sow too thick the new rye blades will be clumpy and will eventually turn to mush.) Then I go in the opposite direction, for instance, first north to south, then east to west.

You can lightly cover your seed with manure to ensure contact with the soil. You especially will want to cover seed sown in bare spots.

I don't rake and I don't use a topper. I pull out the hose and wash the seed and fertilizer below the top layer of my Bermuda lawn so that both the seed and fertilizer make contact with the soil below. But be careful when you wash your seed in so that you don't inadvertently wash it away.

This is critical: Keep the seed moist until it sprouts in seven to 10 days. I water at least twice a day, once in mid-morning and again in the evening.

Once your rye lawn is evenly sprouted, water as usual - which could be two to three days a week, depending on your soil type.

Mow your annual rye lawn with the mower set on a 2-inch-high setting so that your green swath grows above your dormant lawn.

Relocation Specialists - www.Chicokw.com

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:29:27 -0500

I would like to set up a Keller Williams network for relocation. We would network our web sites to each other by placing a link to each others for relocation. I would represent the northern Californa areas of Roseville, Rocklin, sacramento county, yuba/sutter county, butte, glenn, tehama. I can represent both relocation and investors looking to buy california foreclosures...

My site is pretty new I would like for you to view my page and give me both the pro's and con's of my set up along with positive corrections which you could see making my page better.... I will thank you for your input in helping me make my page a great page... thanks for reading.

I also need galt ca and colorado springs agents to contact me.

Need Galt listing agent... Need col springs buyers agent.

Jackson stieb (Keller Williams) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 23:32:29 -0500

Need listing agent....client is moving and selling her home in Galt Ca. Then I need a buyers agent in col springs for her to buy a home. Thanks

WWW.ChicoKW.com visit my new site and feel free to give me feed back

Jackson Stieb

Keller Williams -Roseville office