Wealth is a gift for everyone There are no mysterious secrets or magical incantations for gaining wealth. The very idea of using some form of witchcraft or voodoo is ludicrous. The fact is, acquiring wealth is quite to the contrary. There is no evil in the dynamics of gaining wealth, it is purely natural. Money is only paper, it is the concept of money that can be used as tool to the discretion of its’ holder. Like a seed is used to place in the ground and grow into a productive plant, so money is also used as a seed to grow and flourish into wealth.

You are Money’s Master Believe me when I say, “Money is a slave to its master and never a master on its own.” It is the lure, the seduction, the love of money that presents a problematic condition for people. When people place acquiring money above family, ethics, morals and self is when it becomes the master of the soul. The obsession with money becomes a driving force that destroys ethics, honesty, and morality. Everything and anything becomes second to the mesmerizing force of the power money contains.

In times past people used personally produced goods or services as trade objects to acquire someone else’s goods or service. A common denominator was needed because some people needed goods but had nothing to offer in exchange. Now, people use money as a trading medium. Money is simply a concept and as long as people have confidence in the system, then money will retain a certain value. When the system falters, money becomes worth less in its exchange for goods. People trade their skills and time for money and exchange money for goods and other people’s services.

Master the basics Everyone can become wealthy simply by mastering a few simple basic concepts in financial and motivational management. It’s no big deal; you don’t have to be a graduate of some preppie upper class school to succeed. The richest man in the world today was a college dropout yet was able to vision the future and seize on an opportunity mastering wealth. Don’t get me wrong; everyone must pay a price for success and its not cheap. Some choose higher education and that’s great, but they still must follow the same principles as anyone else. They must have a passion for doing, be boldly motivated and recognize an opportunity when it presents itself or even they will fail. Each step along the journey to wealth transforms the traveler little by little until the super achiever that has been hiding inside burst out. Oh, you don’t want to be a super achiever? That’s ok, but the journey will change you into a better, more confident, upright, honorable, relaxed person that knows where you are going and how you are going to get there.

Don’t question the power of one There will be no question in your mind of what you want and how you are going to get it. The more you dedicate yourself the more challenges will emerge with clear possibilities, for accomplishment and success. It’s no secret wealth abounds in our affluent society and is there for the taking. You will be a powerful driving force, speeding down the superhighway of success.

Who’s heart is in the right place Chances are, you, like so many other people, have not thought of the possibilities in the personal aspects of financial freedom. Perhaps up to this point, you have been working hard for someone else and never thought of or believed in the possibilities of your potential. You have just never taken the time to really think about it. Maybe you are comfortable in what you are doing now, but just maybe in the back of your mind, you have had a dream that has nagged you for years. Let’s face reality, it’s all about choices. The road to success and wealth is narrow and not traveled as often as those who are content in their situation. Remember, the road you choose will be your experience for life’s journey. It’s important that you take the right road for once you get on it there is no turning back until you experience the effect of your choice. In every decision there is a consequence. Some are quick while others are long lasting, many affect others around you but all have an impersonal end result. Your choice to become involved in searching for successful life solutions will have a lifelong affect on you and everyone within your circle of influence. How you conduct yourself will not only affect your and yours but will also carry over for future generations.

Many people are unhappy Unfortunately, there are many people who are unhappy in their jobs and relationships. They fear life and work hard to survive the constant pressures the world places upon them. It a daily struggle to keep their heads above water and their sanity is challenged with a deluge of violence and sex at every turn. They have become enslaved because their environment has allowed surrounding circumstance to determine how their lives are to lived. These are the masses who go to work every day with untold burdens they can’t get rid of. They have become servants to those who plunder and take advantage of their plight. (and guaranteed there many) They are threatened, abused and punished by society and government without explanation. They are unjustly fired by those who weld their power as a sword of domination.

You seen them, on the interstate in the morning, glassy eyed, hollow and unresponsive as they move toward their respective cubbyholes. There are no, smiles, joy or expatiations in fact there is little sign of life at all, only despair. And where is God? Right there, setting beside them, but they never look around. The background noise is so loud they can’t hear. They stare ahead with unseeing eyes and quenched spirit; going nowhere and dead at heart.

You are alive and well If you are to succeed in you quest for wealth, you must first have the correct mindset. Don’t be afraid to dream, for deep within your dreams is your purpose for being. Your personal ambitions and goals are there, ready for you to claim them and mold them into a well adjusted happily productive life. Reach out and embrace them, like a flower, a butterfly, a precious thing that was always there waiting . . . just beyond your grasp, in the shadows, seemingly afraid to be know. Your dreams cannot be vague or general; they must be acute, spelled out in detail, and specific. You must know exactly what you desire and then build a fire around it. You must build a burning desire, a flame that can’t be put out. Against all odds, no matter the cost, you must see this dream as your life unfolding and protect it at all cost, as you persevere to the end.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Over the course of the last six months as the market has continued to undergo a severe shakedown, I have encountered many Realtors in online forum websites who think print is dead.

The buzz words you’ll find being tossed around on many internet real estate forums are search engine optimization, website design, banner ads, internet listings/postings, email flyers and much more that didn’t exist until the coming of the digital age. Let’s be clear that those buzzwords are important and play a vital role in each client’s advertising and marketing efforts in order to attract the attention of potential buyers. However, just as these are important tools in a realtor’s tool chest, let’s not forget that the tools of the past can still play a vital role in the quest for the increasing elusive “sold” sign in the world of real estate.

One clear sign of this is the fact that so many Realtors on these internet forum sites continue to complain that their clients insist that they also place ads in local papers and home guides, or print out actual flyers. The Realtors seem to cringe when they hear those requests from their clients saying that they rarely see results from such advertisements and what they believe amounts to wasted marketing dollars. Still the clients push this approach and usually the Realtor will give in.

It’s hard to be sure that such marketing strategies are so terrible or that they produce such dismal results. As internet savvy as some people are today, it very well could be that someone sees an advertisement in a local paper and then searches a website such as realtor.com for that particular listing hoping for more information and color photos that might not have been included in the paper listing. After all it’s expensive to list a lot of info in a print source and surely the savvy buyer will know that more info on the listing will probably exist online.

So now, did that lead originate online or from the print ad? The print ad of course.

Another example is that many many couples looking for homes will narrow the area down where they are looking and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons just drive around looking at potential homes. We’ve all been there. “Oh honey look, there’s one!” as the spouse points to the home with the “For Sale” sign in front. They pull over and someone jumps out and walks up to the flyer box to grab the awaiting sheet of info. They continue this procedure in the area of interest stopping at pre-planned homes and some along the way that eluded their previous internet searches before leaving the house. They then return home to go over the collected information discarding those of little interest and keeping the ones that may warrant a call to their Realtor for a possible viewing.

It’s a scenario that plays out every spring and summer all across America. My parents did it, my wife and I have done it and probably the person reading this has done it.

There are a few companies now that offer custom flyer designs for Realtors and home sellers. Realtors should not be so quick to dismiss these forms of marketing to potential home buyers. As played out in the scenario above, when it comes time to sort through the collection of material, a well made and designed brochure listing the property’s information may be just what is needed to inspire the buyer to take a second look and schedule a viewing.

There is no doubt that we live in a visual society. People are still attracted to shiny and pretty things. That will probably always be the case. A professionally designed and graphically attractive print ad or brochure can still turn out positive results. There is a reason print is still sold as a medium of communication and that’s because people are still using it.

Chances are home sellers are still going to request print marketing for some time to come. And the simple reason for that may be that they themselves are still using it like millions of other Americans. So instead of cringing at the request, why not try to focus on what will make the ad attractive to the eye of the potential buyer.

Popularity: 32% [?]

Toys have been a perennial thing in each person’s life. Every individual passes the phase of having toys and enjoy playing with it. Toys need not to be expensive and complex, as long as the enjoyment is there then its fine having a simple one. There are also toys that are not bought; they can just be made from household things. Imagination and creativity is the key in making and creating a homemade toy.

But there are times when parents find the right toy for their infant. The toy should be soft so that the infant would not be harmed. Several toy makers are always coming up with new designs to cater to the infinite needs an infant has. But of course there are several factors that need to be considered before purchasing an infant toy.

First thing to consider is its size. The toy should not be small because the infant may swallow it thus making him choke. It should also be not that large so that the infant would not have a hard time in handling it.

Second thing that should be kept in mind is toy material. Is the toy made of plastic or cotton; or other substances that is used in making it? Individuals should see to it that the material used in making the toy would not be harmful to the health of the infant.

Thirdly, the toy’s color should also be thought of. Though children may not know what color they are seeing, it is best that they are exposed already to different colors. This exposure helps their mind develop that sense of color distinction at an early age.

Fourthly, the purpose of the infant toy should also be considered. Buying toys because of its functionality enables the infant to learn and discover new things with these. There are toys made to strengthen the grip of an infant and the like.

Fifth, look at the age group the toy is intended for. You wouldn’t buy a toy that says for ages three and up would you? Of course you want the toy to be right for the age of your child.

Sixth, asking and talking to other parents about the toys for their infants can also be helpful. Since their child is older than yours, perhaps they can share some ideas on what to toy to buy or give to your infant.

Making sure of the health and welfare of a child is always the priority of a parent. So in keeping the things stated, your infant will be ensured of having a safe yet enjoyable toy. The aforementioned tips are only a few of the many things that parents should consider in buying an infant toy. They can always do some more research and keep their options open until they find the most suitable toy for their child.

Toys are educational and at the same time enjoyable, it is up to you on which toys you think have both. Expensive toys does not necessarily mean a high quality toy, there are less expensive ones that have the same purpose. Infant toys should also be kept clean at all times since it is the nature of the infant to suck on things he grasps.

Popularity: 52% [?]

If you had trouble talking about money in your first marriage, it may not be any easier for you if you remarry. Here’s another way to think about marriage and money.

It’s counterintuitive to think about widowhood or divorce when you’re getting married. Few women do. Without thinking of the consequences of letting our husband manage our money, we set ourselves up for financial vulnerability. We trust him to be making financial choices that will benefit us both. Sometimes he is; sometimes he isn’t. The problem is that we don’t want surprises if something happens to end our marriage.

Unfortunately, if we’re not participating in the marital finances, we don’t find out what he’s been doing until we are slammed with a crisis of widowhood or divorce.

Why don’t women participate more fully in marital finances and make sure they’re protected? Theoretically, it should be as easy to talk about money as it is to talk about anything else with our fiancée or husband. The independent adults we are today have, for better or worse, been influenced by what we experienced growing up. Those thoughts and emotions still provide the starting points for the beliefs we have about money.

The problem with talking about money is that it’s rarely just about money. We bring into marriage a whole range of emotions that we project onto money. Our family history with money determines much of attitudes, beliefs and assumptions about money. The same is true for our husband. In too many cases, we’re worlds apart from each other.

Money itself- the paper, the coins, the diamonds - can’t nourish us or keep us warm. We have to think about it as a form of energy that allows us to make other things happen.If we were logical about money, our reasoning would be to earn more, spend less, budget, save for emergencies or retirement, and keep an eye on the money so we know where it is.

That’s what we would do if we started a business with a partner. We’d assume that we are an equal partner. We’d discuss the finances regularly with our partner, participate equally in financial decisions and feel we had a right to do that.

We don’t pay attention to the business side of our marriage. But the government does. It looks at our marriage as a business with assets, liabilities, income, expenses, taxes and net worth. That’s the part that could impact our future if our marriage ends.

When marriage begins, it’s all about love. Coming out of marriage, either through divorce or death, it’s all about money.

There are ways you can protect yourself before you’re slammed with a financial crisis:

Do I understand my marital finances??

What do I need financially to feel secure??

How would I manage if I were widowed or divorced??

Do I sign documents without understanding them??

Do I know where all our financial records are?

These five questions will give you a head start on practicing financially safe marriage.

Popularity: 25% [?]

There’s an old proverb that makes quite a bit of sense when applied to network marketing: “Dig your wells before you need water.” That’s right: before you need someone to sell a product for you or to recruit for you, have that person there, ready, and willing to do it. If you approach that person for the very first time with a pitch, chances are that he or she will reject your offer on the spot.

So how do you go about digging these wells? You start by surrounding yourself with the right people. That’s right: start making friends. There are a number of places where you can find friends in your field who can potentially be business partners in the future. Perhaps the best place to look for them is on Internet Marketing and Network Marketing forums. The more popular of these forums are, the better. The Warrior Forum, for instance, has over 30,000 members and boasts the membership of many industry leaders. Starting at a place like the Warrior Forum is a great way to surround yourself with people who could potentially help you in the future; however, it is important to Explosive Success In The New Age Of Internet Marketing! understand that you have to be careful when you do this. If you take the wrong approach, you could end up wasting your time and preventing partnerships.

One of the best ways in which you can approach this is to make sure to be helpful whenever you post on a forum. At the same time, try to be helpful in ways that specifically showcase your talent. For instance, if you happen to be an expert on network marketing–or at least very knowledgeable–then take the time to post thoughtful, comprehensive responses to network marketing questions on the forum. After you’ve spent some time there, you will likely start to notice people who have common interests and positions. Make every effort you can to network with these people. When the time comes to launch a product, service or business opportunity, your network will already be set in place.

Popularity: 20% [?]

Who would have guessed that the beginning of 08 there would be so many issues with the capital markets and subsequently individual entrepreneur’s options to refinance their commercial mortgages? Margins have nearly doubled in the last 6 months from 2% to as high as 4%, despite index’s and the fed rate cuts. Inflation looms and many commercial real estate owners scrabble to get into long term fixed rate financing out of fear of what the market might look like in a year or two.

We hear borrowers that lived through the Jimmy Carter days talk about 20% plus rates and a strong desire to never live through that again. We’ve even seen borrowers voluntarily refinance out of their current loan into higher rate, yet longer fixed period loans.

What is still out there? What can a borrower expect if considering a commercial refinance?

Sincere General State of Confusion

In general there is a real confusion as to what the guidelines are and what they will be in the coming weeks. Many lenders have simply bowed out and are not quoting rates until the situation stabilizes. No one likes to tie up a loan, order third party reports, only to have the loan declined due to altered underwriting guidelines. Further, the general mentality if a deal is borderline, is a very quick “no” or to simply ignore the loan request.

It is frustrating to all involved - not just the borrower. Below is a look at a few specifics but the borrower should keep an open mind as these and other guidelines are changing - in both directions.

Recourse vs. Nonrecourse Owner occupied non recourse is basically gone; exceptions on this would be for extremely liquid strong borrowers with loans above $2,000,000. Income producing properties can still qualify but criteria is tightening. Underwriting guidelines like town population have moved up to 50,000 - 100,000 minimum from a minium of 10,000 a few months ago. Debt coverage ratios need to be above 1.3 and minimum loan to value have tightened signifacantly. Essentially the deal needs to be perfect to qualify for nonrecourse. Loan to Value

Loan to value requirements on refinances vary widely based on building types. For example, flagged hotel operators now are hard pressed to find lenders that will fund 60% on a cash out refinance. 6 months ago, 75% was difficult, but doable. For your standard office, retail, or industrial buildings, loan to value on cash out refi’s have dropped to 65% across the board with a few lenders still going to 70%.

Rate and term refinance maximum have stay pretty stable, 75% is still available. However, lenders compensate by tweaking other less obvious requirements. For example, underwriting vacancy minimums have been increased to 5%-7%, from 3%-5%, management to 5- 7% from 3-5%. Essentially, by changing these smaller components the loan to value is indirectly reduced.

Term

Many borrowers confuse term with fixed period. The term can be more precisely related to when the loan balloons. So it’s possible to have a 5 year fixed, 10 year term loan that is amortized over 25 years, for example. At this point, the term has not been too affected, though fixed periods have in general been reduced. It is still possible to find lenders that offer commercial 30 year and 25 year fixed programs, though rare.

Prepayment

Like the term, prepayment penalties have not been greatly affected by the current market. From typical banks, borrowers can still expect 5% -3% for 5 -3 years. National CMBS lenders still ask for stiffer prepays often at 10% for 5 years.

Third Party Reports

Title, appraisal, environmental fees have stayed virtually the same though the timing has shortened as the demand for these reports has softened. Borrowers can expected to pay $2,000 -$5,000 for an appraisal, $800-$4,000 for title and around $2,000 for a phase one.

The general feel and advice for borrowers is to take advantage of the current, still available, options and close their commercial refinances as soon as possible.

Popularity: 48% [?]