Letter To My Brother

Dear Brother,

It has been one year since your physical being left us, but it feels like yesterday.  I can't put into words how much I miss you, and how much I think about you.  Spending this past year without you has been too much to bare. Not only were you the best brother, you was my father figure, spiritual counselor, and a great role model to my son.  I've tried not to be selfish in letting you go on to your eternal life, but I wasn't ready. Are any of us ever ready? Letting go is so hard, but I have learned to have Faith even in death. I will never get over it, but I will get through it.  Remembering the type of man you were makes me smile.

Love, Sis

The Dreamer

I've always been a dreamer. I believe it's good to dream because that displays ambition. As a child I was teased a lot for being a dreamer. My peers did not understand why I had such ambition. This would eventually carryover into adulthood. I then realized I would stop verbalizing my dreams as not to anger anyone. The years progressed, and I continued to dream in silence. Not sharing with anyone. The older I became, the larger my dreams as my dreams continue to become reality. So be a dreamer! Dream big! Even if you have to dream in silence.

Setting Goals And Reaching Them

Achieving your dreams and creating the future you want always begins with one important first step: a goal. Whether you're looking to help your child set goals so she achieves academically or you have your own financial or self-improvement goals, there IS a science to setting–and meeting–them.
A 2010 study in Applied Psychology followed college students who went through a multi-step goal setting program. Those who followed it completely showed significant improvement in their grades compared to those who did not.
While New Year's resolutions are notoriously short-lived, a clear process will put any objective you've set for yourself within reach. No matter what you have in mind, you can apply these steps to whatever goals are important to you, and the whole process should take less than 90 minutes.

1. Take a few minutes to write about the future you'd like to achieve. It's okay to start with a vague idea, but include as many specific details as possible.
   
2. Looking at the future you've envisioned for yourself, pick six specific and attainable goals that could help you achieve that future.
   
3. Number your goals according to their order of importance.
   
4. Look at each goal and write a paragraph about how achieving that specific step will benefit you.
   
5. For each goal, break it into smaller more manageable steps.
   
6. Identify obstacles that may get in the way and come up with a strategy for overcoming them should you need to do so.
   
7. Write about your commitment to reaching these goals.

That's it. Sound easy? Perhaps. But by taking the step of committing your goals to paper and working through these steps, you've laid the groundwork for success.
A goal is simply a dream with a deadline. May all your dreams come true!

Credit Report vs Credit Score

Despite what you may have heard or read, employers do not have access to job candidates' credit scores. That should come as a relief to cash-strapped job seekers with maxed-out credit cards or other score-busting blemishes, but your prospects for getting hired aren't immune from a poor credit history. In most states, employers are able to check a potential or current employee's credit report, which lists information such as balances on your loans and credit accounts, late payments, and debt collections.
About 13% of employers check credit reports for all candidates and 47% check for those applying to selected positions, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Employers are usually most interested in the credit backgrounds of applicants who will handle finances, hold an executive-level position or have access to other employees' confidential information (such as human-resources professionals). The black marks that might give an employer pause are ones that leave the deepest stains on your record: a loan default, a bankruptcy, a debt that's gone to collection.
An employer must obtain your permission to pull your credit report. But declining is "like saying no to a Breathalyzer test," says John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education for SmartCredit.com. "The consequences are sometimes worse than just getting it over with," he says – namely, the employer could choose another applicant for the job if you are secretive.
Be honest and upfront about any problems. A potential boss may be sympathetic to the financial trauma that a layoff and long bout of unemployment have caused. And keep in mind that your credit record is only one piece of your profile. According to the SHRM, credit history ranked lowest among criteria employers used to vet candidates.



Article courtesy of Nova Home Loans

Hold On Change Is Coming

There was some good news on the economic front in the U.S. as Retail Sales for September rose by 1.1%, above the 0.6% expected and the highest increase in seven months. Remember good economic news typically benefits Stocks at the expense of Bonds (including Mortgage Bonds, to which home loan rates are tied), as investors move their money from the safety of Bonds into Stocks to try and take advantage of gains.
And good news here wasn’t the only thing that pressured Bonds and home loan rates last week. The European Central Bank (ECB) said they will announce a plan by early November for addressing the Greek debt crisis and make recapitalizing their banks a priority. As part of this plan, the International Monetary Fund is going to dedicate more resources to help the European debt crisis. A lot of money is needed to make investors feel confident that the debt crisis will be contained, so investors saw this as positive news.
So what does this mean for Bonds and home loan rates? Should the overall present optimistic tone continue, Bonds and home loan rates could face additional pressure. However, if there is pessimistic or uncertain news, investors may return to the safe haven of Bonds, meaning home loan rates could benefit. We did see a little of this trend the week of 10-10-11 when there was word that China's exports came in lower than expectations, which brought concern that global growth could continue to slow.
Either way, the volatility is sure to continue so the most important thing to remember is that now is still a great time to purchase or refinance a home, as home loan rates remain near historic lows. 

article courtesy of Nova Home Loans 10/2011

Home Ownership Matters

About ten years ago those who did not own a home made home ownership a priority. Banks were lending to everyone, some with credit scores as low as 550. However, with the recent economic decline, it has discouraged many potential buyers due to the frustration with the current way banks due business. Now is not the time to defer your dream of home ownership. Today is the best time to buy a home due to the extremely affordable prices and low mortgage rates. There are definitely reasons to delay home purchase such as divorce, new to the area, or uncertainty in your job. If you are one of the many with less than perfect credit, or not enough cash, these obstacles can be overcome. The pre-qualification process is extremely important. Please do not let this process intimidate you, and prevent you from succeeding. This process will determine how much house you can afford, and sellers only want to entertain offers from pre-qualified buyers. It will also reveal credit issues that may need to be addressed that you can begin working on. If you are declined for a home loan, the mortgage professional will provide you with a list of items, and instructions to improve your credit score so that you can receive the loan. There are also local agencies who will assist you with home buying education, credit repair, and down payment assistance. However, you must stay on track with the plan, be patient, and not get frustrated. The most obvious reason to buy a home is the tax deduction. What about renting versus buying? Renting does not produce an investment for the tenant, it only maintains the landlord's investment. What about rent increases? You can definitely expect a rent increase annually or more frequently based on the terms of your lease. However, if you get a fixed rate mortgage, you will have the same monthly payment for 15 or 30 years. Imagine how much money you could save.  Imagine the freedom of buying your home such as home improvements and increase in space. As the real estate market recovers, your  home will appreciate in value around 5% although this number will vary depending on factors. Here are some helpful links:

www.hud.gov/buying
http://www.fanniemae.com/
http://www.homepath.com/
 
If you have not yet applied for a home mortgage, or have been turned down, it's not too late. Your dream of home ownership can still be realized.

Changing Seats

Yesterday, my son and I decided to have a mother/son day and take in a movie.  Once again, I was greeted by TOES! Yes toes. Some people in the theatre who feel the need to act like they're at home, and place their feet on the chair in front of them.  Despite the fact that everyone has purchased a ticket (in some cases more than one), and want to enjoy the movie in peace.  Feet above my head is not my idea of enjoying a movie in peace! I see it more and more; I'm tired of changing seats.  Is it a generational thing? Back in the day, I did not see that.  I can't enjoy my movie with a pair of strange feet in my face.  Let's be real, I don't want someone I know feet in my face!  Is it only me? That's just rude.  If it's not toes, it's shoes. A big pair of dirty shoes propped up in your face as if to stare at you while you try to enjoy your snacks.  How about creating sections, like when there used to be smoking sections.  What about a foot section vs nonfoot section.  For those who like to prop their feet, they will purchase the applicable ticket, proceed to where there will be a designated area for foot proppers only with zero seating in front of their row;instead a space reserved  for their feet to be propped, and the nonfeet section will have peace & harmony.  Can't do that? Is that discrimination? What ever happened to the theatre attendants? Used to see them checking for disturbances; not anymore. Forgive me, for I am about to tell my age; I remember in the late 90's friends and I went to a movie with our young children.  One of the children fell asleep,and began to snore. Despite her mother's efforts to stop the snoring, someone near by was annoyed, and went to get an attendant.  The attendant approached my friend, and requested she leave or stop the child from snoring.  Now some of you may  say snoring is much worse than feet because feet do not make noise. Um...I don't want to hear snoring in a movie or have feet in my face; that simple.  Some of you may say why don't you get the attendant for the person with their feet in your face?  Because this is 2011 not 1999.  Mentally unstable people follow you to your car and cause you bodily harm, or how about the ones that physically assault you on the spot over a mere suggestion? Yeah, now you get the picture.  I don't call the attendant, and I definitely don't say anything to the juicy foot.  I'm tired of changing seats.