Me, disabled? Not in a million years! I'm healthy. I eat right. I have no intention of becoming disabled. And my husband? Of course not! That kind of thing isn't going to happen to us.

That was a nice world to live in, but it all changed with a single phone call.

"Get your affairs in order. You have two to five years to live." We listened in disbelief to the news that my husband had Stage 4 liver disease and Hepatitis C. I believed if you thought positively and visualized the outcome you desired, you'd have it. "David just needs to think positively and he'll get over it."

Little did I know what a roller coaster ride the ensuing years would be!

From a promising future, to a life of wondering if I would find him dead or alive when I returned home from work. He sufferred auditory and visual hallucinations, major depression, and potential violence. I learned first-hand how far-reaching a disabling illness can be.

It’s been eight years now, and it is still not over. David beat the odds: he is not only alive, he is in remission although he is still under psychiatric care.

While we couldn't have done anything about the liver disease or hepatitis c, we could have prevented the financial impact that his debilitating illness continues to have on us eight years later.

Like David and me eight years ago, many people think their disability insurance coverage provided through their employer is adequate. They don't realize that group disability income insurance policies, when provided through their company, likely will not sustain them through a lengthy illness and recovery.

I'm on a mission now to educate people about long-term disability plans and the gaps inherent in the employer provided options. I'm passionate about this mission because I'm living through it.

Facing the loss of someone you love dearly is difficult enough. Worrying about finances makes it worse. I do not want another family in Dallas, TX to have to WORRY about their income when the attention needs to be on the recovery of a loved one.

Many people think they can rely on their savings. We did. But the burning questions are: Can your savings last as long as the disability and recovery? Is this really what you are saving for? Most people don't know that just one year of disability can wipe out 10 years of savings if they're saving 10 percent a year! And should they require full disability, many are unable to keep making retirement contributions because they are just trying to survive.

Their focus becomes the present, not the future.

When you’re worried about having any milk in the refrigerator or gas in the car, who can think about their 401(k) or IRA?

So please let me help you, educate you, and share my hard-earned experience with you. In this way, we can work together to make sure your family is better prepared than mine was

For disability insurance in Dallas, TX you can reach Randelle at: 972.492.5345 or randelle@disability-dallas.com

Kim Boyko, Realtor, with the Keith Dobbs team of Re/Max gave the 10 minute presentation at Network Plano during their weekly meeting. Her presentation gave 6 reasons why the Dallas market is still a strong real estate market:

• Stability
  
  Home prices in the Dallas area continue to rise and are a steadily increasing market. While unlike the coastal markets that experienced extreme appreciation, they are also now suffering extreme depreciation. Since 2000, Dallas home prices have averaged a 3.3% increase and since January 2008, area home prices are down 2% while nationally they are down 11%



• Affordability
  
  The median home price is $158,000 which is in line with median household income of $60,300 so this continues to be an affordable market and one of the MOST affordable in the US.

• Fast Selling Homes
  
  Pre-existing homes is still holding at a 6 month supply which is the same as it was this time last year and consistent with our market for the last 4 years. Nationally, the inventory is over 11 months.



• Limited New Home Inventory
  
  The new home builder excess inventory has finally reached an appropriate level. Now is the final time to buy a new home at a discount due to builder's wanting to move their excess inventory.



• Strong Local Economy
  
  Dallas has a strong, diversified economy with a higher population growth and job growth than the US average. There are 58 of the fortune 500 who have headquarters here and companies are still considering the Dallas area for relocation.



• Low Mortgage Interest Rates
  
  Mortgage interest rates continue to be low at an average of 5.88% which means your home buying dollar goes farther

The great news for Dallas is that this is the strongest real estate market in the country and it is a great place to be a homeowner. I will now take questions from anyone.

Question: How do I recommend someone use you when they say their desire is to use a Realtor that specializes in their neighborhood?

Answer: Very few Realtors will specialize in just one neighborhood. They may advertise in a manner to give that impression, but they don't list homes in just that neighborhood. It's more important to work with an agent with knowledge of listing a home using the internet and who is a good listener and advocate for you.

How do you get your home to sell for more than the others?

Answer: Staging. Professionally staged homes sell for more than others every time. A professional stager will give you a list of things to do in each room, including upgrades.

Question: What are some other ideas for selling your home for more?

Make sure the home is accessible when someone wants to see it so be flexible and don't put conditions on when the home is open for showing.

Question: Is it true that a majority of people are looking on-line before visiting in person?

Answer: Virtual tours are a must which basically provides a visual 360 degree view of each room of the house.

Question: So before looking at homes with you, do you sit down with me and we look at listings on-line?

Answer: Prior to going out for an appointment, I email a range of choices so you can start giving me feedback on what you like and prefer.

Question: Do you recommend people do a pre-listing inspection?

Answer: Absolutely. You have to disclose this to the buyer but it is a really smart way to be prepared when selling your home. The buyer is going to get their own inspection so you are best to know ahead of time if there are any concerns. In fact, you are better to get a home warranty prior to the inspection so that if there are repairs required after an inspection they may even be covered by the warranty. Also, the warranty is then transferrable to the buyer.

For more information about the Dallas real estate market, housing trends or to buy and sell property, contact Kim Boyko at (972) 489-1117 or online at www.keithdobbs.com

Looking to connect your business to other business professionals? Visit our next meeting of Network Plano.com and see if a professional business networking group is a fit for you. We meet every Tuesday in Plano, TX at La Madeleine restaurant in their private room at the Preston Road and Park Lane location. Contact us at info@networkplano.com for more information.

Welcome to the Network Plano professional business group from Plano, TEXAS. This is our weekly business referral meeting at La Madeleine restaurant at Park and Preston Road. Meetings start at 7:30AM and are over in time for you to get to work by 9:00AM. Come Join us!

What a wonderful turnout this morning at our meeting. We had 16 regular members today and we express our sincere THANKS to the 5 guests who joined us!

• Tana Mossa ~ Personal in-home Athletic Trainer ~ www.tanamossa.com
• Beverly Daniel ~ Fashion Coordinator ~ www.weekendersusa.com
• Catherine Harvey ~ Sales for 5linx a global phone company ~ www.5linx.net/kuolcat
• Jan Wellls ~ Escrow Officer for LandAmerica Commonwealth Title ~ www.landam.com
• Daphne Lee ~ Client Link Cards ~ www.clientlinkcards.com

Overheard during the "I HAVE" portion of the meeting:

• "Did you know that refilling your ink cartridge cannot void your printer's warranty?" ~ Mickey Vargas of Cartridge World in Plano

• "If you want to spend 1/3rd to 1/2 off a new computer right off the assembly line, call me at DNK" ~ David Kohn of DNK Computer Solutions

• "My business is transparent to your customers and prospects, but gets your word out in a personal and unique way" ~ Daphne Lee of Client Link

• "We keep hearing that now is a great time to buy, and it is, but doesn't that mean it's not a good time to sell your home? The answer is if you take, say, a $15k loss on the sale of your home but pass on a $30k loss to the person you BUY from then you really come out ahead." ~ Ken Stampe of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Plano, TX

Deidra Graves, attorney with Graves Hawkins LLP, provided the 10 minute business presentation at the April 22nd, 2008 Network Plano Meeting. Deidra is a business attorney in Plano, TX and helps clients grow their business in a compliance and strategic manner. Her presentation was titled "Top Ten Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make" and you can read the full summary by clicking here

Overheard During the "I HAVE" portion of the meeting:

• "I told him I thought you should stay where you are with your financial investments, and he was surprised. That's the benefit of the people in this group is that people will help you with honest and objective advice and not just try to take your business if it's not what is best for you." Susan Rouke, Financial Advisor with HFG Financial about the Network Plano group.
• "Mickey Vargas ran an analysis of our cartridge use, cost and replacement versus refilling with Cartridge World and his analysis was to the penny. The savings are very real." Deidra Graves, attorney with Graves Hawkins about Mickey Vargas of Cartridge World
• "I really feel bad for our two first-time visitors that they didn't get to meet Cindy Korenman today as she was absent.", commented sarcastically by John Bottone of Knockout Specialties. "But we will end on time!", quipped Tom Pritchard of Stonebriar Business Advisors.

Anecdotally and unscientifically, it appears that Bob Grizzle with American Success Stories had at least 6 one-on-one meetings in the past week including those with Mel Williams, Ken Stampe, Kim Boyko, John Bottone, Susan Rouke, and Randelle Arena-Ash. There may be others who did not come forward and admit they met with Bob also. We are curious if Bob actually works or just has one-on-one meetings.

Kim Boyko, our President explained the path to membership to the new visitors. We have a 3-2-1 strategy for joining our group. A prospective member attends 3 meetings, 2 one-on-one meetings with current members, and brings 1 visitor. Our membership fee is $50 and our monthly dues are $10 which covers coffee on Tuesday mornings at the meeting.

Looking to connect your business to other business professionals? Visit our next meeting of Network Plano.com and see if a professional business networking group is a fit for you. We meet every Tuesday in Plano, TX at La Madeleine restaurant in their private room at the Preston Road and Park Lane location. Contact us at info@networkplano.com for more information.

Deidra Graves, attorney with Graves Hawkins LLP, provided the 10 minute business presentation at the April 22nd, 2008 Network Plano Meeting. Deidra is a business attorney in Plano, TX and helps clients grow their business in a compliance and strategic manner. Below is her list of the "Top Ten Most Common Mistakes Business Owners Make":

1. Not forming a legal entity for your business
   
   Not just forming an entity but forming the appropriate entity for your business, cash flows, taxation and liability protection.

Not keeping accurate books and records

How many of you at tax time can't find the deductible receipts you need to get the tax deductions you need? Get organized so you don't miss eligible tax deductions.

Not filing timely employment tax returns

The IRS has no patience with non-filers of employee related taxes. They will shut you down quickly and you do not have the "grace period" you may get with non-filing of personal taxes.

Treating Employees as Independent Contractors

The IRS will really come down on your company. The IRS may categorize your contract employees as W2 employees and impair you with back taxes and penalties and if you can't pay immediately they have the rights to seize assets, even close down your company. Call me and make sure you are handling those employees properly.

Co-mingling Personal and Business Assets

This will get you in big trouble with the IRS. They will assume you are cheating them out of taxes. What's worse is that you can possibly sever your liability protection. If you co-mingle these accounts and don't keep the line clear as far as cash-flows, then the courts won't see a seperation between the two if you are sued, even if you have a corporation for liability protection.

Not following Corporate Formalities

This includes having an annual meeting with officer's minutes. Your attorney will be instrumental in helping you with these "formalities".

Not planning for retirement early enough.

Owners tend to put everything into the company and see the company as their retirement. It is important once you get past the first few years and get the business established that you setup retirement accounts in case something happens to the business.

Giving away ownership too easily

Too often ownership is given to key employees, and given too easily. There are ways to give ownership-like rights in so far as incremental income based on business growth without passing on ownership rights which can cause problems if that employee leaves the company

Trusting others too readily - trust but verify

Make sure your agreements are written and not verbal. Involve an attorney to provide analysis of risk areas in new relationships, strategies, etc.

Not Talking to their attorney until it's too late

Partner with an attorney you feel comfortable that you can make a 5 minutes phone call to your attorney to get a quick viewpoint on your decision before you make it

Deidra Graves, attorney with Graves Hawkins LLP, did a great job in offering a thorough and very informative presentation for business owners. For more information about Deidra Graves, her attorney firm, or information about the 10 Mistakes Businesses Make, contact her at dgraves@graveshawkins.com

Graves Hawkins LLP

Looking to connect your business to other business professionals? Visit our next meeting of Network Plano.com and see if a professional business networking group is a fit for you. We meet every Tuesday in Plano, TX at La Madeleine restaurant in their private room at the Preston Road and Park Lane location. Contact us at info@networkplano.com for more information.

Another high-energy meeting of Network Plano. La Madeleine in Plano, TX was full of passion and motivation today. We appreciate our 5 visitors this morning:

• Jan Wells - LandAmerica Commonwealth Title Company - www.landam.com
• Janie Orr - Pack & Mail Shoppe - www.packandmailshoppe.com
• Bob Grizzle - American Success Stories
• Daphne Lee - Client Link - www.clientlinkcards.com
• Brandi Grosvenor - Metrocrest Coffee News - www.metrocrestcoffeenews.com

We had 15 members this morning as well. The tax due date may have been the culprit behind some of the absences....most notably Joseph Cusumano our CPA.

Today's 10 minute presentation was given by Ken Stampe, Retail Sales Manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage:

After opening with a list of far-fetched biographical data such as " winner of a hot dog eating contest with 24 hot dogs in 5 minutes" and " holder of a Guiness World Record for continuous square dancing of 7 days, 9 hours and 22 minutes", Ken closed his list of dubious (and false) accomplishments with a claim that he can get you a loan for "5% interest with no closing costs and no money down".

The point is that if something sounds in the neighborhood of what you will believe, you are inclined to accept it as factual if the person speaks it with conviction.

However, that does not make what they are saying any more true or accurate.

There are 4 key things that Ken Stampe and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage provide clients to assure them that .... CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL PRESENTATION

Overheard during the 60 "I HAVE" section of the meeting:

• Tom Pritchard of Stonebriar Business Advisors reported on his one-on-one meeting with Valery Satterwhite of Success Mindset Coaching - "She can be really helpful in helping you get past some mental handicaps you have".

• Susan Rouke of HFG Financial complimented Mickey Vargas of Cartidge World on his help in getting her printing issue resolved.

• Cindy Korenman of Loveable Smiles gave a testimonial about our group and how it is more than a networking group but is a "mastermind group". She characterized the members as people who care more about their business then their profit, they care about each other and ask after the cares and needs of one another. I couldn't agree more.

• Linda Epps of Lifestyles by Design commented on a business referral she gave to John Bottone of Knockout Specialties.

• David Kohn of DNK Computer Solutions announced he has one-on-one meetings scheduled with Tom Pritchard of Stonebriar Business Advisors, Randelle Arena-Ash of Mass Mutual and Susan Rouke of HFG Financial.

• John Bottone of Knockout Specialties announced a referral given to Kim Boyko of Re/Max Dallas Suburbs. He also gave a testimonial for David Kohn of DNK Computer Solutions on his ability to be flexible and do a great job on computer issues.

• Mel Williams of Fuel Freedom International reported on a converted referral from Karen O'Bryan of Ignite which resulted in the sale of a car and the receipt of a new referral from Kim Boyko of Re/Max Dallas Suburbs.

• Kim Boyko of Re/Max Dallas Suburbs reported on the one-on-one she had with Brad Moore of Boley-Featherstone Insurance. She also made a referral to Mickey Vargas of Cartridge World.

• Brandi Grosvenor of Coffee News announced an opportunity to hear Zig Ziglar speak in a small group setting. Members can get with her if they would like to attend.

Next week's 10 minute presentation will be given by attorney Deidra Graves.

Looking to connect your business to other business professionals? Visit our next meeting of Network Plano.com and see if a professional business networking group is a fit for you. We meet every Tuesday in Plano, TX at La Madeleine restaurant in their private room at the Preston Road and Park Lane location. Contact us at info@networkplano.com for more information.

At the 4/15/2008 Network Plano meeting at La Madeleine in Plano, TX I was offered the opportunity to give the 10 minute presentation:

After opening with a list of far-fetched biographical data such as " winner of a hot dog eating contest with 24 hot dogs in 5 minutes" and " holder of a Guiness World Record for continuous square dancing of 7 days, 9 hours and 22 minutes" Ken closed his list of dubious (and false) accomplishments with a claim that he can get you a loan for "5% interest with no closing costs and no money down"

The point is that if something sounds in the neighborhood of truth or at least nearly what you would believe you are inclined to accept it as factual if the person speaks it with conviction.

However, that does not make what they are saying any more true or accurate.

There are 4 key things that Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and I provide clients to assure them that...

they are working with the right lender and have estimates and qoutes on their mortgage financing that are reliable and true.

1. Closing Date and Closing Cost Guarantees - we will commit in writing to making your contract closing date and when you lock in your interest rate we will provide you an up to date estimate of closing costs and guarantee their accuracy to within $250 of our estimate
   
   Home buyers are always at an increased exposure of getting "surprised at closing" by unscrupulous lenders or brokers because they know the homebuyer has movers planned, must be out of their current house or apartment and often times comes to the closing appointment driving their U-Haul and all they own. When we lock in your interest rate, you get a written confirmation and a guarantee of your closing costs so this CANNOT happen to you. By guaranteeing the closing date, home buyers can confidently schedule movers, setup their utilities and cable, etc. and realtors love knowing the loan will close on time.

2. Relocating Home Buyers, In OR Out of Dallas - Wells Fargo is one of the biggest corporate partners in the industry in forming alliances with companies to relocate their employees.
   
   In fact, even if a home buyer is not relocating but buying locally, we have many companies who offer closing gifts, even cash rebates for doing the mortgage with Wells Fargo.

3. Wells Fargo offers more loan programs and choices for First Time Homebuyers - we are the largest FHA and VA lender in the country, and we still offer great programs for buying a first home
   
   For people with incomes at or below $62,000 we have choices for 100% financing with no private mortgage insurance. Wells Fargo participates in all of the local and state down-payment assistance programs and bond programs. We work very closely with First Time Homebuyers and our foreclosure percentage being HALF the industry average right now nationally is a big testimony to our care in fully qualifying and educating our clients.

4. I specialize in RENOVATION LOAN PROGRAMS - I am one of only 2 loan officers for Wells Fargo in Dallas certified to offer the FHA purchase plus renovation STREAMLINE program.
   
   According to Housing and Urban Development's website who oversees the FHA program, only 5 lenders in the Metroplex have provided this loan program to clients in the last 6 months. This is a fantastic loan program for people who are going to purchase a home and want to immediately put repairs, upgrades, appliances or other improvements. Why take out 2 loans or use credit cards? This is a fantastic, and little-known program but a great solution for many buyers, first time or not first time buyers.

Wells Fargo provides an incredible platform with a lot experience. While we may not offer every niche or one-off loan program, what we do we execute very, very well. Give us a chance to show you the difference of working directly with the bank and avoid the middle-man of a mortgage broker.

©2008 Ken Stampe

Ken Stampe is a Mortgage Loan Originator, Mortgage Author and Mortgage Loan Officer Instructor living in Dallas, TX. Ken provided his first client a mortgage loan in 1996 and writes about home buying and mortgages to help clients make smart home mortgage loan decisions. Contact by email at Ken@KenStampe.com

Apply on-line and save time at www.HomeLoan-Officer.com

After much anticipation, Ignite has blasted on the scene to make it's debut in the state of Georgia for gas.

That's right, gas, not electricity.

We're in the electricity market in Texas, but are working the gas market in Georgia. This is still a ground floor company, in that we've been in business just three years, but for those joining the company in the Georgia market it's like getting in on the basement level.

The opportunity to generate residual income in the electric and gas field is incredible. Take a look at what the Dallas Business Journal had to say about Ignite in a recent article:

"[Ignite] is on track to hit $1 billion in sales in 2008, just three short years after it was founded"

We're currently looking for motivated people who want to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others by referring a handful of customers. Find out what the buzz is all about and why well over 1,000 people a week are taking a look at this company in Texas alone.

Don't be left in the dark.

Feel The Power!

Karen O'Bryan
972-596-0050
www.TheEnergyGame.com