tim birkmeier: Specifying Your Goals Can Help You Stick to Them This Year
- 01/03/11 05:48 AM
At the beginning of each new year, we usually take some time to evaluate where we've been and where we want to go. We make resolutions in hopes that we can change our personal situation or ourselves for the better. We write down or verbalize our goals for the future and often find that things rarely go as planned. We may get discouraged and decide to stop applying the attitude and skills necessary to stay on task. This year, resolve to stay committed! Instead of making broad statements like "I have to save more," or "I want to lose some weight," … (1 comments)
tim birkmeier: Make a Resolution to Budget In the New Year
- 12/08/10 02:59 AM
While each year, most people make a list of several resolutions, each year those resolutions often fall to the wayside after several weeks. But personal budgeting is a resolution you can't afford to break. Don't wait until January 1 to start your planning. Follow these tips to make budgeting a regular habit instead of a random practice. Write it down: Checkbooks have ledgers where you can keep track of your money, don't reserve this action just for your checks. Track your spending so you can see where your money is going. You'd be surprised how five dollars here and five dollars … (1 comments)
tim birkmeier: Find Your Dream Home
- 10/13/10 09:58 AM
Have you spent a week in your dream vacation spot and never wanted to leave? I think we've all felt that way. You can make that dream a reality by buying a home in that warm-weather vacation spot. It's important to do your research and invest time into considering how the new home will fit with your financial goals. Look around and find the home that works best. Here are a few tips to help land that dream vacation home.
1. The layout of the home is probably the biggest factor when considering buying it. This is even more important … (2 comments)
tim birkmeier: Believing in Effective Leadership
- 10/07/10 06:44 AM
As vice president of mortgage banking at Quicken Loans, I often get questions about my views on leadership. Perhaps most commonly, I'm asked, "What is the most important quality in an effective leader?" Since I see leadership as a complex and complementary set of high standards, I can't really nail down just one quality. But I will say that the concept of BELIEF is one of the most powerful forces in shaping not only internal and team values, but also a successful vision to create achievable goals. At Quicken Loans, we don't' have the typical stuffy corporate mission statement. We have … (0 comments)
tim birkmeier: Great Ways to Save Green by Staying Green
- 09/28/10 06:26 AM
It may be the dog days of summer, but fall is just around the corner. School is almost back in session and that means colder weather is coming soon. The leaves may be turning soon, but you can stay green by making sure your home is energy efficient. With energy costs rising, making your home energy efficient should be at the top of your to-do list. Getting serious about conservation can greatly reduce your energy usage, saving you hundreds. Oh yeah, it's good for the environment too. Here are some great ideas you can implement to lower your energy bills and … (0 comments)
tim birkmeier: Save Cash with the Right Home Improvements
- 09/23/10 08:56 AM
It may be the end of summer, but some of us are still thinking about unlocking our inner Bob Vila and fixing up our homes. Whether it's building a new deck, remodeling our bathrooms, or just replacing some old windows, did you know you can save money when you make home improvements through tax deductions or tax credits? Tax deductions reduce your taxable income, meaning you're taxed at a lower income than you might have been taxed otherwise. It is subtracted "off-the-top" from the amount of money you made throughout the year, your gross income. Tax credits, on the other … (0 comments)
At the beginning of each new year, we usually take some time to evaluate where we've been and where we want to go. We make resolutions in hopes that we can change our personal situation or ourselves for the better. We write down or verbalize our goals for the future and often find that things rarely go as planned. We may get discouraged and decide to stop applying the attitude and skills necessary to stay on task. 
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