Living the Dream

Short Sale: An Option for Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

2011-02-13T14:39:00.007-05:00

For homeowners facing foreclosure, one viable option to stop the foreclosure is a short sale. A short sale is a negotiated remedy between a homeowner and his lender which enables the homeowner to sell the property for less than what he owes on it. The lender must approve the short sale. However, if the lender's approval is conditioned upon acceptance of additional terms by the homeowner, the homeowner has the right to walk away from the deal.

If you are considering a short sale, you need sound advice from a qualified Realtor, a real estate attorney, and an accountant or tax attorney. Most lenders require that your property be listed with a licensed real estate agent if you wish to short sell it. A Realtor will explain the short sale process to you and in most cases, will assist you in gathering and submitting all required documentation to your lender. A real estate attorney can explain the legal consequences of a short sale to you and an accountant or tax attorney can explain the tax consequences of short selling your property.

The short sale process can be very long and confusing. However, hiring the right Realtor can take some of the stress out of the situtation. Rather than hiring an inexperienced real estate agent or one who has never managed a short sale, specifically seek out the services of a Realtor who has obtained the Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR) designation. The SFR designation is awarded by the National Association of Realtor to Realtors who have completed mandatory training focused on short sales, foreclosures, and other distressed properties.

If you would like more information about short sales, visit http://georgiashortsalecentral.com/.

Visionary Benefits Offers Discount Health and Lifestyle Benefits

2009-06-30T12:26:00.007-04:00

NuLegacy International, LLC recently launched its sister company, Visionary Benefits. Visionary Benefits is proud to offer its members a line of discount health and lifestyle benefits. The goal of Visionary Benefits is to enhance the lives of its members by helping to make their health care costs more affordable.

The incredible health benefits offered by Visionary Benefits include dental, physician office visits, accident medical, accidental death and dismemberment, hosptial stays, ICU/CCU stays, vision, term life, and more. In additional to all this, Visionary Benefits also offers its members lifestyle benefits such as roadside assistance, legal assistance, identity theft protection, discounts on hotels, rental cars, amusement parks, golf, and much, much more.

Plans start as low as $15.95/mo. New members must pay a one-time registration fee of $30.00 when they purchase a plan.

To learn more or to purchase a plan, visit http://vbplans.com/rx4free.

Why I Love NuLegacy: Top Five Reasons to Become a NuLegacy Rep

2009-05-09T17:04:00.003-04:00

These days you here so much about network marketing and multilevel marketing. There are thousands of opportunities out there offering promises of wealth and financial freedom. But, I'm not going to bad mouth any of these opportunities, I'm just going to tell you why I love NuLegacy.

First, as a NuLegacy rep, you don't have to sell anything! That's right, NuLegacy actually pays its reps to give away a FREE prescription discount card that can be used to save up to 75% on prescriptions at over 56,000 pharmacies nationwide. Since Sept. 2007, we've helped our members save over $6.6 million on prescriptions. And the NuLegacy Rx Card can also be used to save 40-70% on lab tests and diagnostic imaging.

Next, NuLegacy provides it's reps with a system that is easily duplicatible. NuLegacy offers superior training in an effort to ensure the success of all its reps. If a new representative follows our system, he or she can be earning money within a week or so of coming into the business.

Third, becoming a NuLegacy representative is affordable. For as little as $39.00/month, you can become a rep and start earning money immediately. Think about it. You can start working the NuLegacy business for less than it costs to buy a can of soda each day. That's right! For about $1.30/day, you can begin building the future you dream of with NuLegacy!

The fourth thing I love about NuLegacy is the compensation plan. NuLegacy is, perhaps, the only company around that is willing to pay it's reps a six figure income for giving away a FREE product. I've watched my income grow steadily over the 18 months I've been in the business and can't wait to see what the future holds!

Finally, NuLegacy's free rx discount card is actually making a difference in people's lives. With the current state of the economy, many people are struggling to make ends meet and the NuLegacy Rx Card gives them a real solution to a real problem by making buying prescription medications more affordable!

Need to Earn Extra Money, But Too Broke to Get Started?

2009-04-23T15:30:00.004-04:00

In working to build my NuLegacy business I've encountered so many people whose reason for not getting started is a lack of money. I'm very sympathetic and empathetic to people's financial woes. But I always wonder how it is that someone cannot afford a business that costs $39.00 per month. When you get right down to it, most of us waste at least that much money each week.

The NuLegacy business opportunity has got to be one of the most affordable home based business opportunities out there. Think about it. It's only $39.00 per month; that's about $1.30 per day. That's less than it costs to buy a soda. My NuLegacy sponsor asked one of her prospects whose primary objection was the cost if he thought he could save $1.30 per day for a month. And of course his response was that he could. He's signing up to become a NuLegacy rep this week!

The thing is that most of us want so desparately to change our lives, but we resist doing what it takes to make that change. What I know is this -- at some point you've got to step out on faith! You've got to invest in yourself if you want to change your life. After all, you are truly work the risk! And the reward is absolutely amazing!

Now I know it takes money to make money. That's just a simple fact. But what makes NuLegacy so special is that you can actually be making money the day you sign up to become a representative and you never have to sell anything! So, save $1.30 per day for thirty days and when you have $39.00, join NuLegacy. You won't regret it.

Breaking the Negativity Habit

2009-04-09T16:10:00.007-04:00

A few days ago, I had a conversation with a friend of mine during which I made a negative comment about my home based business and how my recruiting has been going this month. Before the comment was even fully out of my mouth, she stopped me and told me to take back what it was I'd said. As a student of the law of attraction, that conversation led me to wonder exactly how one goes about breaking the negativity habit.

I believe that the choice that's not good for us, like smoking, overeating, not exercising, or being negative, is usually the easy choice because it really doesn't require us to do anything other than what we've become accustomed to doing. Doing the right thing, though, is often very difficult because it usually requires us to get out of our comfort zone which can be a very trying and uncomfortable experience. But if doing the right thing, in this case, breaking the negativity habit, could result in some really great changes in your life, wouldn't it be worth it?

According to The Secret, if you don't have what you want, it's because you are focused more on what you don't want than on what you do want. It seems simplistic, but the law of attraction says that if you focus on whatever it is you want, whether it's money, a relationship, good health, etc., rather than on what you don't want or what you don't have, those things that you want will manifest themselves in your life.

But the question is, how do you make that change? If you are a habitually negative person, how do you train yourself to become a positive person? If your current situation is so dire, that you can hardly think of anything else, how do you change your focus? Well, you must be aware of your thoughts and your words. Both are extermely powerful. When you find yourself saying or thinking something negative, you must immediately replace those negative thoughts or words with positive thoughts or words. Martha Beck, in Just What You Need (O, The Oprah Magazine, April 2009), says that we must change our attitude from one of "just in case" to one of "just in time". Rather than focusing on what we don't have and hoarding possessions, controlling our relationships, and overeating out of a sense that we simply will never have enough, we should focus on the fact that everything we need will arrive just in time.

According to Beck, the thought "everything good is readily available" changes how the body stores fat and enables the body to actually shed excess fat. I think that focusing on this thought whenever we find ourselves being negative or worrying about whatever it is we lack can shift our attention to how much we actually have. That shift coupled with feelings of gratitude for how blessed we truly are, regardless of what we may be going through right now, opens the door for all good things to enter our lives.

Achieving Financial Freedom with the NuLegacy Business Opportunity

2009-04-07T11:27:00.006-04:00

I became a NuLegacy representative in October, 2007. When I first joined the company, I was extermely excited because I knew we had a great product - our FREE prescription discount card. Imagine helping the millions of people in this country who don't have health insurance save on their prescriptions costs! Imagine giving away the Rx card rather than selling it! Imagine making money in the process! What a concept?

Over my first few months as a NuLegacy representative, I distributed cards like crazy and sponsored a few reps into the business. Then life got in the way and I stopped working the business as diligently as I had been. Well, network marketing is unlike traditional businesses in that you can still make money even if you are not actively working the business as long as you've planted seeds along the way. And that's exactly what happened to me. From February through March, 2008, I watched my NuLegacy income continue to grow even though I was doing very little to actually grow the business. But the seeds I had planted in those first few months continued to bear fruit.

So, in August, 2008, I decided to recommit to NuLegacy; I began distributing cards again and I began working on growing my team. To that end, I joined the Home Business Connection Co-op for NuLegacy and began receiving my first co-op leads in December, 2008. Since that time, I have sponsored 29 new representatives and have watched my NuLegacy income more than quadruple. How awesome is that?

In my opinion, NuLegacy is the best home-based business opportunity around for a few reasons. First, our product is FREE and because it's free, customer attrition is practically zero. Once our members experience the savings (up to 75% on prescriptions at over 56,000 pharmacies), they tell their friends and family about the NuLegacy Rx Card. So our customer base continues to grow month after month. Think about this: since September, 2007, we've helped our members save over $5.8 million on prescriptions. Amazing, right? So, my point is that our members aren't going anywhere, unlike a lot of other opportunities where customers have a tendency to disappear, especially during difficult economic times.

Another great thing about NuLegacy is that the start up cost is so low. For as little as $39.00 per month, you can get started in this business and be receiving checks on a weekly basis. That's right! You can start today and have your first check within less than two weeks and be getting a check each and every week thereafter.

Finally, NuLegacy has an amazing compensation plan comprised of six ways to earn, including commissions and bonuses which allow NuLegacy reps to leverage their income by getting paid on the efforts of their team members. NuLegacy is, prehaps, the only company willing to pay its representatives a Six Figure Income for simply giving away a product for FREE.

If you are looking for a way to make some extra income or maybe you've decided that in three to five years, you want to be financially free, NuLegacy is the opportunity for you. There's no smoke and mirrors here. What you see is what you get. When you become a part of the NuLegacy family, you'll receive the training you need to grow your business and earn the income you need to change your life. Whether that's an extra $200 per month, $5000 per month, or $10,000 per month. With NuLegacy it's possible. All you have to do is make the commitment and you'll be well on your way.

The Role of Integrity in Living the Dream

2008-08-18T18:51:00.002-04:00

Webster's New World Compact Desk Dictionary (2nd Ed.) defines integrity as "honesty, sincerity". Most people, when asked, would say they are honest. But doesn't everyone tell little white lies? I know I have told a few in my day and I'm rather embarassed to admit, I've told a few whoppers, too.

We lie to avoid hurting the feelings of those we care about. We lie when telling the truth would cause us embarrasment or inconvenience. Governments lie to their citizens in order to carry out secret agendas, and, some might argue, to maintain control of those citizens. Employers lie to employees to protect the bottom line. Politicians lie to constituents to get votes. Ministers lie to their members to preserve membership. To put it simply, many times, lying is simply easier than telling the truth. So, the question becomes, where should we draw the line?

At the Olympics last week, U.S. tennis player, James Blake lost a critical match because of a bad call and the failure of his opponent to admit that the ball had touched his rachet. Several years ago, another tennis player, Justine Henin, refused to admit that she signaled her opponent she was not prepared to receive her serve just as the opponent was serving the ball. Bill Clinton lied about his affair with Monica Lewinski. Most recently, John Edwards lied about an extramarital affair. George Bush lied about the reasons for invading Iraq. Enron executives lied about stealing from their employees. The examples are endless.

So, how does a lack of integrity effect our ability to live our dreams? Years ago, I had a business acquaintance who engaged in what I considered to be questionable practices from an ethical standpoint. I was never quite sure what she was up to or whether she was actually breaking the law. I just had a feeling she was walking a very fine line. I worked very hard and strived to conduct myself with integrity in all my business dealings. But I struggled to build my business. All the while, this acquaintance seemed to be enjoying incredible success. Well, long story short, she pled guilty to federal mortgage fraud and other charges a few years ago and is now serving time in federal prison.

I can remember wondering how it could be that this former colleague could be so successful? A very wise person said that I had no idea what was going on behind the scenes and that all of her apparent success could be coming at a very high price. Well, that wise person was my mother and she was absolutely right. My former colleague paid the price with her freedom.

But what about those little white lies? Is it better to tell your best friend that her hair looks great rather than being truthful with her by saying it looks awful? Is it better to tell your boss you were late for the 3rd time this week because your child was sick rather than admitting you hate getting up at 6:00 a.m.? Is it better to walk away with $5.00 extra change than to tell the checkout girl in the grocery store she made a mistake and give her back the extra money?

When we fail to act with integrity, do we create bad karma for ourselves? Is it inevitable that the walls will come crashing down, eventually, and that we'll pay an extremely high price for acting without integrity?

What I have come to realize is, doing the right thing is usually much more difficult than doing the wrong thing. Whether it's losing weight, stopping smoking, or admitting that the ball touched your tennis racquet, acting with integrity, doing the right thing, is much more difficult, in the short run, than acting with a lack of integrity. But the long term benefit of knowing you did the right thing is priceless.

Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, "Cowardice asks: is it safe? Consensus asks: is it popular? Character asks: is it right?" In which category do you fall?

Taking Action and the Law of Attraction

2008-05-30T19:45:00.007-04:00

Twice within the past week, once while reading a book about writing and again while reading a daily meditation, I came upon the topic of pursuing dreams. The gist of each of these writings is that if you have a dream, once you set your mind to achieving it by taking action, the universe moves and makes resources (creativity, insight, money, people, etc.) available to you that you may never have believed possible. It's the law of attraction at its best and most powerful!

I've experienced this myself. A few months ago, I was given the gift of some free software called Promoter Full. To be honest, it is not the most user friendly software. After downloading it to my computer and fooling around with it for several hours, I became frustrated and moved on to other tasks. Well, I did not even think about Promoter Full for a week or so. Then one night as I lay in bed, it hit me. I knew exactly how to use that software!

The next morning, I got up, turned on my computer, and pulled up Promoter Full. And sure enough, I had it all figured out. I immediately used that software to post to a couple of Google Groups and other sites to which I belong. I taught three of my Success Blueprint colleagues how to use it. Somehow, I had become proficient at Promoter Full! It was incredible and the only explanation is the universe (God) at work!

It truly is incredible how we become inspired or, better, how inspiration finds its way into our hearts and minds. So, the next time you have an idea, take action and see what tools and resources the universe makes available to you and BE THANKFUL for them.

Grow Your Business With Training and Support

2008-05-19T11:31:00.005-04:00

No matter what home-based business you're growing, one thing is certain, you need training and support. Let's be honest, some sponsors are simply better than others. So, what do you do if your sponsor has abandoned you?

There are only so many books you can read. And no amount of reading is going to get people joining your team. Do you really want to spend alot of money on leads that probably aren't even fresh? I bet you answered "no" to that questions. Well, I suggest you take a look at Success Blueprint Mentorship Group. Success Blueprint is a training and mentorship group that is committed to changing the 97% failure rate in our industry to a 97% success rate.

After joining Success Blueprint a few months ago, I was contacted by a training and mentorship program that costs upwards of $3000.00. That program offered one-on-one training and mentorship and some of the other things provided by Success Blueprint, the only real difference seemed to be the cost. What if you could get training and support for less than $300.00? What if you could learn how to grow your business with techniques that are FREE? Well, with Success Blueprint that's exactly what you will get!

Whether your business is EDC Gold, Little Guy Network, My World Plus, YTB, Ignite, Xango, Reverse Funnel System or one of the many others out there, it just doesn't matter. Success Blueprint can help you take your business to the next level. The training and support is awesome. Success Blueprint offers an array of live webinars and teleseminars each week including Viral Youtube Traffic, Video Editing, and MySpace Marketing.

In my opinion, the three part webinar on web videos is invaluable, especially if you'd like to learn how to make videos that will get traffic to your website. I made this video and I probably never would have been able to do this without Success Blueprint!

As a part of the training it offers, Success Blueprint teaches its members how to get unlimited targeted prospects contacting them each day. Imagine no longer wasting money on leads or wasting time on free classified advertising. Imagine earning daily cash flow of $200-$600 while learning Success Blueprint's techniques to grow your business. And remember, Success Blueprint is not trying to switch you. On the contrary, Success Blueprint wants to help you make whatever your primary business is successful.

The other great thing about Success Blueprint is the relationships I've formed. I have met some of the nicest and most helpful people since I joined. The one thing we all have in common is the desire to succeed and be prosperous. That common goal is the foundation for a very supportive network of friends that I wouldn't trade for the world.

What the Hell Is Going On?

2008-05-15T20:26:00.006-04:00

A few years ago I read a book in which the story took place in Myanmar. I can't remember the name of the book, but it appears that the author's description of the repressive military government is accurate. How can a government refuse to allow foreign aid into the country after such a horrific natural disaster? Laura Bush and others have expressed outrage, but they're a bunch of hypocrites!

What's so interesting is that the U.S. citizens that suffered through Katrina were treated no better than the citizens of Myanmar are being treated right now. And here we are years later and much of New Orleans (the 9th Ward) remains a disaster area.

How does a government justify not providing desparately needed aid to its citizens after a natural disaster? How does a government refuse foreign aid? Why is it that when a hurricane hits Florida or wild fires burn through California, George Bush is on the J-O-B, pledging disaster funds to help folks rebuild, but many people in 9th Ward have not received any such aid?

As far as I'm concerned, this is a matter of human rights. Who determines which lives have value or which lives have more value than others? Why doesn't the current U.S. administration have compassion, empathy, and concern for all of its citizens? As citizens of the United States of America, shouldn't we all be able to rest knowing that in the event of a natural disaster, our government will be there for us? Or should we worry if we are not rich enough or we don't live in the right neighborhoods or we are the wrong color or ethnicity that when our time of need comes, our very own government leaders might turn their backs on us?

Is strikes me as ironic that the U.S. immediately pledged aid after the tsunami and now, after the cyclone, but it took days before the U.S. government made a move to rescue the citizens of New Orleans from the Superdome. How could Barbara Bush, the mother of the President of the United States, say that those people who suffered and lived in filth for days in the Superdome were better off? How callus! How out of touch with reality! As humble as an individual's life might be, no one is ever better off living through a nightmare like Katrina and then having to suffer through the horrific conditions at the Superdome.

Why are some of the Katrina survivors living in mold infested trailers, while millions of dollars are being spent in Iraq? It makes no sense to me. And until our government begins to place as much value on ALL its citizens as is does on war and power and money, none of us should sleep soundly and securely. We might be the next citizens upon whom the U.S. government turns its back.

Thankfully, though, we are on our way to a magnificient change and hopefully, no U.S. citizen will ever be treated as horrifically as the Katrina survivors were and continue to be treated by this administration!

Building Relationships

2008-05-08T16:10:00.006-04:00

One thing that has become apparent to me over the past few years is that big corporations seem to have utter contempt and disrespect for their customers. I can't even count the number of times I have called customer service at a company and been treated rudely. To make matters worse, the credit card companies charge exorbitant fees, the banks charge you to make ATM withdrawals, and the phone, utility and cable companies will disconnect your service despite the fact that you've paid the bill! Let's not even discuss what the oil companies are doing to us right now. The bottom line is that these large corporations have forgotten they need us, the customers.

So, as a home-based business owner, how will you distinguish yourself from these big corporations? Will you sponsor reps into your business and then forget about them or will you provide mentorship, support, and training? If your product is a lotion or potion, will you keep in touch with your customers and make sure they are satisfied with the products they are buying from you?

Building relationships is key in building a home-based business. You want to create a bond with your reps and your customers. You want your reps and your customers to trust you and to feel that you have their best interests at heart.

In order to gain trust with your reps, you must communicate with them. Make sure they understand the product and how to market it. Provide advice and assistance. Don't be selfish with your knowledge. Remember, by educating your reps, ultimately, you will benefit!

To build trust with your customers, you must be knowledgable about your product. That means committing your time to participate in training calls and workshops. Read any training materials provided by your company about the products you are selling. There's nothing worse than being unable to answer a question about a product you're selling!

Follow up is important whether you are dealing with a rep or a customer. As far as your reps go, set a follow-up schedule. Decide whether you are going to contact them weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. Whether you contact your reps by phone or e-mail, regularly let them know you are there for them.

With customers, send out a handwritten thank you card thanking them for their order and letting them know how much you appreciate their business. Every month or two, call them or e-mail them to make sure they are using the product correctly and to answer any questions they might have.

When your reps and customers know that you care about them, they will trust you and continue to do business with you, even if you move on to a new venture. So be consistent and always remember that relationship building is the key to success.

Living the Dream: Create an Additional Stream of Income

2008-05-06T16:23:00.009-04:00

When I started my law practice in 1997, I never even considered the possibility of having an additional stream of income. Only within the past two to three years did I come to the realization that most of us, regardless of what we do for a living, should have at least one additional stream of income.

Having an additional stream of income is important because it provides you with an added level of security in this economy where job security has become a thing of the past. Gone are the days of working at the same company until retirement. Sometimes people choose to move on to greener pastures. But more and more often these days, workers are laid off because their positions have been out-sourced, their company merged with another, or their company simply went out of business.

There are several things you should consider when contemplating creating an additional income stream. First, what do you do? There are many options to choose from like real estate, catering, home-based businesses like YTB, My World Plus, Ameriplan, etc., or direct sales businesses like Avon, Jafra, Market America, GBG, etc. If you have been blessed with artistic talents, your choice might be utilize those gifts to create an additional stream of income for yourself. Do your due diligence and educate yourself about what is going on in the field you choose.

The next thing to consider is whether your secondary career will interfere with your primary career? This is a crucial question to answer because you do not want to jeopardize your primary source of income. Will your additional income stream require you to do work that could be considered a conflict of interest with your primary career? Will pursuing your secondary career interfere with or in any way hinder you from fulfilling the duties of your primary career?

You will also have to decide how much of a financial investment you want to make to create an additional stream of income. You must be business minded. That means making a financial commitment. I'm not saying that you must invest your life savings. But, remember, ultimately, your are investing in yourself and your future.

Next, you will need to decide how much time you want to invest in your secondary career. The more time you are willing and able to give it, the more quickly you will see results. What are you willing to give up, in order to create an additional stream of income? Will you stop watching 4-5 hours of TV each night? Will you stop hanging out with the fellas at the local watering hole 4 nights a week? Will you get up 2-3 hours early to work on developing your secondary career?

How much time are you willing to wait to see results? If you expect to start your business today and be in profit in thirty days, you're being unrealistic. I'm not saying that it can't happen. All I'm saying is that it probably won't happen. Set a reasonable and realistic timetable. Give yourself at least 6 months to a year and one to two years would be even better.

While you are growing your business, get as knowledgable as possible about what you are doing. Network with successful people in your chosen field. Find a mentor. Read books. Attend seminars, teleconferences, or webinars.

Be business-minded. Set a schedule and stick to it. Set goals and outline what you must accomplish each day to ultimately achieve your goals. Don't let the naysayers get inside your head. Unfortunately, we all know people who will not be supportive. IGNORE THEM. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people. Stay focused on your goal and envision your success!

Are You Facing Foreclosure?

2008-05-05T11:21:00.010-04:00

It's all over the news; the foreclosure rate in the U.S. has skyrocketed! As an attorney, I have dealt with many clients who have ignored their financial problems until its too late. Foreclosure is a scary proposition and sometimes people allow their fear to paralyze them. Many people think that if they just ignore it, the problem will go away. Unfortunately, that's simply not true.

If you are behind on your mortgage payments, it's imperative that you be proactive. There are several things you should do. First, communicate with the Loss Mitigation Department of your mortgage company. You may be able to work out a forbearance agreement or restructure your loan.

Next, you may want to consult with a bankruptcy attorney. It is possible to stop the foreclosure and keep your home with the "fresh start" afforded through the bankruptcy process. Be aware, though, that sooner is better. With the changes to the bankruptcy laws which went into effect in October 2005, last minute filings on the eve of bankruptcy are more difficult and may raise concerns with the bankruptcy court.

There are two types of consumer bankruptcies - Chapter 7 and Chapter 13. Generally speaking, Chapter 7 relieves a debtor of the obligation to repay unsecured debt. Chapter 13 is a debt consolidation. Most people facing foreclosure want to save their homes and usually choose to file a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. In a nutshell, debtors who file Chapter 13, must submit a consolidation plan to the bankruptcy court that sets forth how they will repay the arrearage on their mortgage as well as how they will repay any other debts, both secured and unsecured. For the duration of the bankruptcy, the Chapter 13 debtor must pay their regular monthly mortgage payment beginning the first month after they file their bankruptcy petition directly to the lender. These mortgage payment must be paid on time each month. Failure of the debtor to make their regular monthly mortgage payments or to comply with any other terms of their Chapter 13 plan, may result in a dismissal of their case.

Finally, you may want to consult a realtor. If you have enough equity in your property, you may be able to sell your home and with the assistance of a realtor, negotiate a "short sale". A short sale is an agreement between the lender and the homeowner in which the lender agrees to accept less than what is actually owed on the property as a payoff on the loan. In other words, a short sale happens when, for example, a homeowner owes $90,000 on their mortgage, but the lender agrees to accept $79,000 as a payoff of the loan.

For sellers who do not have much equity in their home and do not have cash available, a short sale is probably not a good option because they would be required to bring money to the closing. Keep in mind with short sales, lenders require that the seller nets $0 at the closing. Because the lender is accepting less than what is owed on the mortgage debt, the seller cannot walk away from the closing table with a check.

A short sale is a win-win-win situation. The homeowner is able to sell the house and avoid having a foreclosure on their credit, the lender is able to avoid the costs of a foreclosure, and the purchaser, in many cases, has instant equity.

Be aware, that there are tax consequences to short sales. Any seller contemplating a short sale should consult with a tax attorney or accountant to ascertain what, if any, tax liability they may have if they sell their property as a short sale. The tax consequences on short sales of primary residences and investment properties may differ.

Rather than waiting until the last minute to try to stop a foreclosure, be proactive. Take the steps necessary to try to save your home. Even if you are ultimately unsuccessful, I think you will feel much better for having taken action, rather than allowing your fear and uncertainty to paralyze you.

For more information about short sales or for a referral to a real estate professional in your area, send an email with "Short Sale" in the subject line to sharon.smoot@coldwellbankeratlanta.com.

Getting Through the Hard Times

2008-05-05T10:56:00.008-04:00

Whether it's the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the break-up of a relationship, we all face challenges and struggles as we go through life. Sometimes those challenges are short lived and other times, we just can't seem to move beyond whatever it is we are dealing with.

When the difficult times drag on for months and months and months, many of us become depressed. We may turn to alcohol or drugs, contemplate suicide, overeat or engage in other self-destructive behavior. We wonder why we are facing such difficult challenges. Our faith in whatever higher power we believe in may falter.

However we respond to the challenges in life, I think one thing we all have in common is that we tend to look back to the time when life was good and wish we could return to that time. My question for you is this: By yearning to return to the past, do we somehow lose sight of the future? By focusing on the past, do we miss an opportunity to grow and ready ourselves for the next chapter of our lives?

Over the past few months, many times I have found myself saying, "I want my old life back!" That statement presupposes that what lay ahead for me will not be as good as my past life. I believe in the law of attraction and I realize that by focusing on my old life and assuming that my future will not be as good, I am creating a future that is not as good!

So, when we are facing hard times and wallowing in the past and are consumed with feeling sorry for ourselves, how do we change our focus? I've decided that each time I'm feeling sad and longing for my old life, I have to make an active and conscious decision to envision my future as I would have it be. I must see and feel myself living a happy, prosperous, abundant, secure, fulfilled and content life. It's hard work, but practice makes perfect, right?

Living the Dream and Making Amends

2008-04-30T18:35:00.005-04:00

I recently read an article entitled, After Slavery, Servitude in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The article focused on a forum discussion which took place in Atlanta, GA to discuss Douglas A. Blackmon's book entitled "Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans From the Civil War to World War II."

I have not yet read the book, however, according to the AJC article, the book chronicles the continued enslavement of blacks after emancipation by virtue of false arrests and rigged policitical and judicial systems.

The forum consisted of about a dozen people from various backgrounds - black and white, professionals and students. Everyone who participated in the forum seemed to agree that the very fact that most of us are unaware that large numbers of blacks continued to be enslaved after emancipation is, on its own, quite remarkable. Of course, all of the forum participants expressed their ideas and opinions about this horrific practice and at least two of the participants are the descendants of men who engaged in the post-emancipation enslavement of blacks.

After reading the article, I began wondering how making amends and "Living the Dream" relate. Are the women whose ancestors engaged in the post-emancipation enslavement of blacks, and purportedly benefitted from it, in any way responsible for making amends for the acts of those ancestors. The immediate answer, of course, is no.

But as I continued to ponder this question, I kept coming back to karma. If I refuse to acknowledge that someone I know and love or someone from whom I descend has done something wrong from which I benefitted, how will that affect me as I pursue my best life? Do I do myself an injustice and create negative karma for myself by failing to apologize for, or even acknowledge, something in which I did not play a direct role? If I feel any compunction to make amends, how would I go about doing so?

One of the forum participants shared that her great-great grandfather "bought" (stole) 10,000 acres from the Cherokee Indians and some of that land was divided up between her mother and her aunts and uncles. Then according to her, "[a]ll the wealth that was derived from it was stolen from these African-American sharecropping families. They were paid absolutely nothing . . . So the history as it is reconstructed for me is such firm evidence that the present wealth of [many] whites in the South still derives from slave labor."

So how would this women make amends to the descendants of the Cherokee Indians whose land was stolen or to the descendants of the sharecropping families who worked that 10,000 acres? Is it enough that she has acknowledged her great-great grandfather's wrongdoing and the legacy that wrongdoing carries for her and her family as well as the families of the Cherokees and the sharecroppers? Does she even have a responsibility to make amends? Would it even mean anything to the descendants of the Cherokees and the sharecroppers if she were to apologize to them for the sins of her great-great grandfather?

If this participant decides that she can't or won't do anything to make amends, to change the legacy in even the smallest of ways, is she creating bad karma? Will she be able to "live the dream?"

In our everyday lives, do we harm ourselves by being mean, spiteful, and petty? Do we harm ourselves by being selfish, greedy, and angry? How are we effected if we ignore the past? What would our lives be like if we were kind, generous, and caring? What would life be like if we could each apologize to just a few of the people we have hurt or in some way wronged?

I believe that as we journey through life, we must each answer these questions for ourselves. We must each decide whether we want to be a force for positive change and growth. We must decide whether our differences are simply too large they cannot be overcome. We must each decide what "Living the Dream" means and whether making amends has any place within that meaning.

Attention Online Merchants - Expand Your Customer Base

2008-04-28T15:16:00.011-04:00

A few days ago, I came across a really unique concept. It's called Mobillcash. Mobillcash is a mobile payment system unlike any other in the world. With Mobillcash, a customer no longer needs cash, a credit card or even a bank account to make a secure online purchase from a merchant's website.

With Mobillcash a customer can be anyone with a mobile phone in 15 different countries using over 100 mobile carriers. Among the mobile carriers with which Mobillcash has partnered are Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and Vodafone, to name a few.

With Mobillcash, an online merchant can:
-Increase Revenues by increasing customer base
-Increase Market Size & Reach
-Lower Business Risks
-Increase profits

Total Cost to Merchant to use Mobillcash is $0.00
-No Set-up Fees
-No Special Equipment Required
-No Special Software Required
-No Special Security Certificates
-No Special Bank Accounts
-No Special Licensing

Merchants can sell:
-Digital Downloads to Computers & Phones
-Membership Programs
-Recurring Billing Programs
-Any Online Service that doesn't require shipping or handing goods over the counter

Mobillcash uses a platform similar to e-commerce. Merchants can add various Mobillcash payment buttons to their websites that will appear adjacent to the Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, Paypal, Alert Pay, and other payment options currently being utilized.

Because the customer can be anywhere in the world, Merchants can potentially expand their customer base exponentially. Merchants currently using Mobillcash have seen an increase in revenues of 20-30%.

Mobillcash offers a free affilate opportunity, as well.

The NuLegacy Rx Card Is No Joke!

2008-04-28T14:21:00.004-04:00

NuLegacy International, LLC officially launched its prescription discount card program, the NuLegacy Rx Card, on September 4, 2007. Since that time, our members have saved a whopping $749,555 on prescriptions.

What makes the NuLegacy Rx Card unique is that it can also be used to get savings of 40%-70% on diagnostic imaging and lab tests. Moreover, with the NuLegacy Rx Card, our diabetic members can save up to 60% on their diabetic testing supplies.

What sets the NuLegacy Rx Card apart from some of the prescription discount cards, especially those offered by the drug companies, is that both generic and name brands are covered. Additionally, the cards offered by the drug companies only cover medications that they respectively manufacture. This can create alot of confusion, especially for a person who takes several medications. Imagine having to keep up with three or four prescription discount cards. Imagine trying to remember which card goes with which medication. There are no such worries and complications with the NuLegacy Rx Card because it can be used to get discounts on thousands of prescription medications regardless of who manufactured them. Furthermore, as long as a NuLegacy member continues to go to the same pharmacy, he or she should never have to present the NuLegacy Rx Card again, because all of the information is stored in the pharmacy's computer when the card is first presented.

Many of the prescription programs, like Partnership for Prescription Assistance and Access Rx, have income caps based upon family size. So, many people who are struggling to pay for their prescriptions do not qualify because they make too much money. The NuLegacy Rx Card program has no such caps or limitations. Everyone qualifies to use the NuLegacy Rx Card, even people with insurance. If the NuLegacy price for a particular medication is less than the insured's co-pay, then he or she would pay the NuLegacy price; it's that simple. For those whose health insurance policy carries a prescription deductible, they can use the NuLegacy Rx Card to save on their prescriptions until they reach their deductible.

Maintain A Charitable Heart!

2008-04-25T10:50:00.001-04:00

A huge part of "Living the Dream" is maintaining a charitable heart. Whether we volunteer our time, mentor at-risk kids, or make charitable donations, we must each find a way to give back to our communities. So, do whatever your heart compels you to do; JUST DO SOMETHING!

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc.
The Dog House Rescue & Adoption
Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Visualize Prosperity & Abundance

2008-04-25T10:34:00.001-04:00

The Secret Riches Visualization Tool

Each day we are bombarded with news about our shaky economy. Many of us are facing financial difficulties as gas and food prices soar. Rather than focusing on our lack of money and all the worries associated with that, we must train ourselves to focus on the positive. Each day we must practice visualizing our financial lives as we would like them to be. Feel the feelings that we all associate with financial freedom and independence, feelings of happiness, security, confidence, and contentment. Whenever a negative thought about money enters your mind, actively replace it with a positive thought.

I'm not saying that it's easy, but if you practice, you will experience a change! So, give it a try; it won't cost you a thing!

Working to Achieve A Dream

2008-04-25T09:22:00.000-04:00

When I joined NuLegacy, I was so excited. I shared the opportunity with all of my family and friends, just as most of us are instructed to do when we start a new home business. Well, I soon learned that most of my family and friends, just didn't value the notion of having an additional stream of income the way I did. I was, quite frankly, surprised and a little disheartened. But I began looking for different ways to build my business.

My search led me to free classified ads and traffic exchanges. I spent countless hours posting free classified ads and surfing on several traffic exchanges, but I didn't get any sign-ups from these efforts. I did however, get a response to one of my free classified ads from a guy named Chris. I called him and we chatted and he seemed like a pretty nice guy. During our conversation, he asked me to take a look at his website and to listen to the opportunity call for his business. I didn't know it at the time, but I was about to embark on a completely different path to growing my business!

Well, I checked out his website and listened to the call and checked out the website again. What I heard and saw was awesome! The idea that I could actually get prospects contacting me rather than my chasing them down was amazing to me! Even more astounding to me was that I could get unlimited training and mentoring for less than $200.00. So, I joined Success Blueprint.

Within the first week, using the Success Blueprint Manual, I had a sign up for NuLegacy. I was ecstatic. Now what I'd like to emphasize is that Success Blueprint complements any home business. Whether you are in EDC Gold, Little Guy Network, GBG, YTB, Ameriplan, Pre-Paid Legal, Reverse Funnel System, My World Plus, Liberty League, or any other home business, Success Blueprint can be bolted on to it and help you grow your primary business and generate daily cash flow in the process. Success Blueprint is not going to try to switch you. The goal of Success Blueprint is to turn the 97% failure rate in the network/internet marketing business into a 97% success rate by mentoring, training, and educating its members.

The tools that have been made available to me by Success Blueprint and the training and mentoring I have received are invaluable. I feel so blessed to have found Success Blueprint and I love sharing it with others and positioning them to succeed rather than fail in this business!

What Do You Dream Of?

2008-04-24T12:30:00.000-04:00

Do you dream of leaving your job? Or do you dream of driving a fancy sports car? Maybe your dream is to travel the world. Whatever your dream might be, it's not impossible to achieve.

Once you decide that you are going to achieve that dream, you have to put in some work. My dream was to retire from practicing law. I have been self-employed for over 10 years, so I knew that I wanted to do something that would allow me to maintain some degree of autonomy. That is why I got decided to start a home-based business.

The next step was deciding what type of business I wanted to start. I wanted a business that would essentially do the selling for me. I wanted a business that offered a product that would be of benefit to most people and that would help people. The desire to help people led me to the NuLegacy Rx Card. With the NuLegacy Rx Card, people can save up to 75% on prescriptions at over 56,000 pharmacies across the U.S., including Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Since September, 2007, when NuLegacy International, LLC launched, our members have saved over $749,000 on prescriptions. What a blessing! And I actually earn money each time someone fills a prescription. That's a double blessing.