GettingBackMyCredit's Book List - Keep Moving Forward

GettingBackMyCredit’s Book List ~ Keep Moving Forward

Like so many of you out there, I too have had my share of struggles with the economy and pursuit of the American Dream and building a strong foundation for one’s self and for one’s family. It is this continuous pursuit of the American Dream that pushes me to keep reading, keep learning, and keep challenging myself to be a better person.

With that said… I wanted to start a list of books that I have read along the way for your consideration…I love to read business books and if you have a suggestion…please comment below. Thank so much!

This list will be an ongoing list. So feel free to check back from time to time to see the updated list. Keep reading, keep learning, and keep moving forward.


I will try to separate the books by category for your convenience. I am not a librarian so if I mess up…sorry about that. If there is a category you would like me to consider adding…please comment below and I will see what I can do. Thanks again for your input.

Together we can accomplish anything that our minds dare to imagine.

Any couple out there that “thinks they are on the same page” or thinks their debt is not an issue…please read Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s book (see below) and watch her show. I am so concerned that we are all headed not only to double dipping into the recession but I think we might be ready to lick the bowl clean. I really don’t want to see that!  If you are wondering why would I mention any of these books for Getting Back Your Credit or any of my articles for that matter??? I find that if someone is not doing well in these areas in their life…than their credit ratings usually will follow right behind the wall of dominoes. When one area starts to fall…they all seem to fall one after another. So hopefully these topics, these ideas, conversations, etc., can help out in some way.


Personal Finance

(Michael Lewis) The Big Short– by Michael Lewis*
Wow! If you are looking for answers to why our econonmy went down the toilet...this is a MUST READ!  WARNING! Reading this is a bit like finding out that there is no Santa Clause but you are an adult now and there is no Easter Bunny, and mixed in with seeing the Wizard of Oz behind the yellow curtain. Completely disburbing!

Or as Vincent Daniel, one of the characters in the book says... "I saw how the sausage was made in the economy and it was really freaky."  This is my new favorite quote!!!


(David Bach) Smart Couples Finish Rich – by David Bach
*Great book for any couples trying to work as a team and finish strong.

The Automatic Millionaire – by David Bach
*David has awesome suggestion to saving your money automatically and making sure you follow through with your plan.

Start Late Finish Rich – by David Bach
*If you are starting out late or over again….this might be the perfect book.
***David Bach has a whole series of books so it is worth checking out his other books as well.

****Debt Free for Life - by David Bach.
Now Out!  Looking for action steps to getting debt free and living a better life? This might be worth the read!


(Robert Kiyosaki) Rich Dad Poor Dad – by Robert Kiyosaki
*A timeless classic. I think I have read this book 4 or 5 times now and I am still not tired of reading it. Just a great reminder that old ways….mmmm. may need to be thought differently.

Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant – by Robert Kiyosaki
*A great follow up read on Robert Kiyosaki’s philosophies.

Increase Your Financial IQ – by Robert Kiyosaki
*One of my favorite books to read. I love how Robert thinks. It makes me think we still have a chance out there.
***Robert Kiyosaki has a whole series of books so it is worth checking out his other books as well.


(Peter Lynch) Learn to Earn – by Peter Lynch and John Rothchild
If you are thinking of investing in the stock market this is not a bad book to pick up. Peter is down to earth and makes it simple to understand.

*Peter Lynch is also a coauthor of the bestsellers “One Up on Wall Street" and "Beating the Street,” which he wrote with John Rothchild.


(Suze Orman) Suze Orman’s Action Plan – by Suze Orman
*Suze just rocks and that is all that needs to be said.
***Suze Orman has a whole series of books so it is worth checking out his other books as well. Suze has her show every Saturday night on CNBC so if you have not watched it…for goodness sake…record it and do yourself a favor.

The Money Class – New! by Suze Orman
****The New American Dream is not the things we accumulate, says Orman, but the confidence that comes from knowing that which we’ve worked so hard for cannot be taken away from us. In THE MONEY CLASS, Orman teaches us how to take control over our present—right here, right now—in order to build the future of our dreams.


(Steven K. Scott) The Richest Man Who Ever Lived ~ King Solomon’s Secrets to Success, Wealth, and Happiness – by Steven K. Scott
*Steven Scott has a brilliantly taken the proverbs and brought them into today’s language where we can truly understand the lesson at hand. Good stuff.


(Thomas J. Stanley) & (William D. Danko) The Millionaire Next Door – by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
*****Thomas Stanley and William Danko ~ I really recommend getting this book if you have not already read it. Especially with everything going on today and the economy. We are spending ourselves into poverty over “stuff” and this really concerns me.


(Loral Langemeier) The Millionaire Maker’s Guide to Creating a Cash Machine For Life – by Loral Langemeier.
*Good book to go along with Robert Kiyosaki’s philosophy on “income earning” assets. We all need ways to rethink and create opportunity. This book might help out with that.
*Loral Langemeier is also the author of “The Millionaire Maker.”


(Gail Vaz-Oxlade) Debt-Free Forever – by Gail Vaz-Oxlade
One of my recent books that I am reading. If you have not seen her show on CNBC “Until Death Do Us Part” you should check out her TV show. Great stuff. Any couple out there that “thinks they are on the same page” or thinks their debt is not an issue… *****Please read Gail Vaz-Oxlade’s book (see below) and watch her show. I am so concerned that we are all headed not only to double dipping into the recession but I think we might be ready to lick the bowl clean. I really don’t want to see that!


Social Media, Marketing, Sales, and Business


(Jim Collins) Good to Great – by Jim Collins
*Jim Collins talks about building up business that are not just OK but take it that extra step to becoming great. He is also the coauthor of “Built to Last” which is another excellent book to read on building up a business worth standing the test of time.


(Marc Gobe) Emotional Branding – by Marc Gobe
*Marc Gobe ~ If you are into marketing and pursuing how people respond to your products and your overall campaign this is great book to pick up.


(Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah) Inbound Marketing – by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah
*Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah – If you want to get a handle on Social Media than this is a must book to read. Plus if you are on a shoestring budget for marketing then this is a definite must read list.


(Mark Hughes) Buzzmarketing with a New Preface – by Mark Hughes
*Like so many of us (including myself) we have a zero dollar marketing budget! We have to work with our creativity…that is the power. If you find yourself in that situation...then this is a must have! I love this book. If you are into marketing…you need this book.

(Jay Conrad Levinson and Shane Gibson) Guerrilla Social Media Marketing – by Jay Conrad Levinson and Shane Gibson
* Jay Conrad Levinson and Shane Gibson have provided an excellent source of information on this social media and tips on how to master this arena. I would say this book and Inbound Marketing (see above) are two excellent books to get started on the social media scene.


(Gary Vaynerchuk) Crush It! – by Gary Vay*ner*chuk
*Gary Vaynerchuck book "Crush It" really got me started on blogging. Thank you Gary! And he got me really thinking about Personally Branding and Social Media. This is where I think it really does help to either start reading, get a mentor, watch shows on CNBC, or wherever, and start moving forward.


(A small thought:) If you are waiting on someone or something to come along and save the day…do yourself a favor and stop waiting. Get out there and make it happen. It won’t be easy by any stretch of the imagination. But I truly believe we can either get up to bat and take a swing (at least try) or we can call the coach from home and say we just don’t feel well – not even try. I cannot accept that last choice. If you strike out trying…hey…at least you got up to bat and you took a swing. There is no shame in that.

Just don’t give up and keep moving forward. We can do this!

(More Books to Come – Keep Checking Back!!!)

***This list will be an ongoing list. So feel free to check back from time to time to see the updated list.

Keep reading, keep learning, and keep moving forward!


Email: GettingBackMyCredit@gmail.com

The Economy - Make 2011 an Opportunity and Take Action

Feeling like the world is crashing down on top of you like life itself is crushing you and there is nothing that can be done? The waves just keep coming in and there is no end in sight???

If you are….YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

This weight can be heavy and I offer two choices to think about….

Choice A… we accept our doom and gloom and continue down Alice’s Rabbit Hole.

Or…

Choice B… Let’s take this pressure cooker and make it work for us! Let’s find out how we can take this “energy” and create it into some “positive energy” or an “opportunity”.

Notice that I did not say negative energy. I believe we have the power to turn this “challenge” this “problem” this “constant pressure of the economy” …this “energy”….and turn it into whatever we want it to be. We just need to figure out how to visualize and turn it into our dreams.
And that can be challenging but I have to believe it is possible. Isn’t that the true American spirit? To be able to take our obstacles, our fears, our struggles, and turn it into something fantastic…to live the life that you have imagined.

Take a look at the image above…the tidal wave generators. I chose this image because it got me thinking… How long did mankind have to stand infront of the waves....staring at the waves crashing into the shore... before we had that big “aha moment”? Thousands of years went by!!!! We stood there...looking into the waves…..until that one day…. Bam!!!! What a fantastic idea!!! To take the very force of nature…and transform it into energy. I find that inspiring!

So let’s take this constant pain in the ass struggles that never seem to end…just like the waves that keep crashing in…and turn it into an opportunity.

Let’s turn some darn lights on in this rabbit hole!!!! Let’s make work!!!

- What do we need to do to make things brighter in our environment? What tools can I sharpen, find, revamp, or whatever, to get things moving and working again?

- Who can I partner up with? Sometimes partnering with various people can really help get things moving in the right direction.

- What about a business coach or a mentor? Find someone who can help you take that next step or overcome whatever is blocking you.

- What other websites can I explore to expand my business? What about Craig’ List?

- Can I submit any articles to get my name out? What about articlesbase.com? How about Ezinearticles.com ~ by the way if you have not explored these options I would recommend doing so. See what else is out there?

- What about creating “my own blog” to help brand my business and my company?

- Facebook page for my business?

- What else????? Keep thinking. Keep Moving Forward!

- Keep brainstorming for new ideas. Take a walk around your neighborhood and brain storm. This really works!

I suggest this choice B because I sincerely think we might be in a slow economy for some time to come. But I think this could be an OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFE TIME at the very same time. Yes, that is what I said. I think this crappy economy can also be a pot of gold for the person who can visually transform that pile of “stuff” into a pile of gold. Turn it into energy!

Think about it. Everything is on sale right now and there are a lot of opportunities out there. Houses are selling at fantastic prices. Stocks are available for low prices. There are a lot of great deals out there. We just need to figure out how to succeed in our current conditions.

I am not saying this is easy. I struggle with the same challenges myself every day. But I choose to wake up and see what changes I can make. What new things can I try? What else can I do to improve my situation? What are my possibilities? What opportunities can I create??? How can I turn waves (challenges and obstacles) into energy that I can use????

We can do this! Let’s create a way to be successful no matter what the conditions may bring.

Don’t let your past keep you from moving forward. Let’s turn our challenges into an opportunity!

"You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."Zig Ziglar

"It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going."Brian Tracy

"You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have a story to share? Love to hear it! Please feel free to comment. It is not about me....it is about "us."

Also...Feel free to email me at GettingBackMyCredit@gmail.com

Would You Toss Out 12 Ounces of Silver Into The Trash?

Let me ask you.... If I stacked up 12 one ounce silver coins in front of you and then handed them to you... Would you turn around and then toss them out into the garbage?

I am going to go out on a limb and say that across the board, that no one in their right mind would throw out the coins. You would of course keep them.

But what if we are doing that right now and we didn't even realize it? You might be!

What's this? It's recycling! Every month so many of us, throw out our aluminum cans and plastic bottles and this can actually add up. All of those "silver" lites we drink during the football games or other sports that many of us watch. All those Diet Cokes, regular Pepsis, Cokes, Root Beers, Red Bulls, etc. get tossed out the trash by quite a few of us. And let's not forget the bottled water, the sport drinks, and other plastic bottle beverages that we drink up each week. This starts to add up!

You might be surprised on how much your family consumes in one month. Let's say on an average your family is drinking about $25.00 a month in recyclables. You might think... "Brad, that is not that much. It is only $25.00 bucks." Well that is about one ounce of silver. (I realize the price may change as I type this.) But if you added that savings up for one year that is about 12 ounces of silver!

When I started to put it in these terms it really made me stop and think. Yeah, it may only be $25.00 dollars here and there....but if I see it in the form of silver one ounce coins...that really makes me see things a little differently.

And if you are looking to pay down a little more on a credit card debt or you wanted to start saving some money but the cash flow was too tight...this may help out some. I do realize it is not a huge amount of money but every bit does start to add up over time...One ounce at a time.

Go "Green" and Go Silver!

Holiday Gifts – Something Else To Consider

I have been wondering how to approach this topic because it can be a difficult one to talk about with your significant other. Even the slight mention of this topic can create an explosion between couples. I know. I have been there myself. But…if you can overcome the pain, come to a neutral place, than you both might be glad you took the risk to even discuss this subject.

What’s the big topic? Holiday Gifts ~ spending on something else instead. Why can this be a ticking time bomb to discuss??? Ladies…let me ask you this question and be honest…if your man comes up to you and asks… “Honey, what if instead of buying each other expensive gifts this year…ummm…we set up an account with Scottrade or Fidelity? (Or something along those lines)
Ladies…be honest…Spending on something “practical” is NOT what you want to hear. Am I way off? I know…something romantic and something that makes you feel beautiful, right? That sounds better?

Now…I am not trying to pick on the ladies for this topic or blame the ladies here. Guys… we are just as guilty. We buy a lot of “crap” on our sports, cars, and well…more “man” crap. So we are just as guilty on spending money on “stuff”.

Look, the thought of a backlash between couples in suggesting that you both spend money on an investing account or on some other assets, rather than buying some jewelry, some nice outfits, a new pair of golf clubs, or whatever “stuff” you might desire, can be a scary subject to bring up. Who likes to argue and fight with your significant other? It is not fun. So of course…we avoid it. Better to continue the debt?

But what about the debt that follows us when the holidays are over? Doesn’t that “debt” also create those “lovely” conversations about money? And then let’s talk about the credit card debt that we rack up over the holidays. Is it really worth it?

The holidays can be a wonderful time, don’t get me wrong, but the after effect of spending money we don’t have can create larger debt which can lead to late payments, collections, or even worse…short on the mortgage or rent. And if that starts to happen…then our credit goes down the drain. And trust me on this…that is NOT a conversation you want with your partner.

What if instead we took Robert Kiyosaki’s advice and we put that holiday money this year towards some assets? Or what if we listened to Suzi Orman and we put that holiday money to our emergency back up so we get a little closer to her 8 month cash reserve that she recommends?

I know…but then we have to “delay” our immediate gratification and that’s not very fun. Hence this topic is not a popular one for sure. Hmmm…but what if we could create some assets that generated money in the future? What if those assets grew over time and because of it, we could start buying those cute pairs of shoes and golf clubs because we learned to increase our financial IQ (as Mr. Kiyosaki suggests). Yes, I am a big fan of his if you cannot tell. But it really starts to make sense. Create assets to generate more cash and then we can have our “stuff” from the money generated by those assets.

It seems the difficult part on this idea is to delay our purchasing “stuff” like the holiday gifts because we are so used to satisfying our needs “today” as opposed to later.

But what if we could delay our immediate desires? What if we could get excited about buying some stocks, gold, silver, or some kind of asset that could get us closer to financial freedom?
Just a thought… I expect this one will be rejected by many but I prefer to face the topic head on and so I do think it is worth bringing it up.

However you decide to “spend” your holidays…Enjoy!

Some Conversation Starter ~ Suggestions

“Honey, suggesting this idea doesn’t mean I don’t love you…actually because I do love you, because I do love “us”, I want to ensure our family is secure.”

And maybe add the following ~

“Honey, in place of a gift this year…I would like to cook you dinner for a week”; or do laundry for the week, take her to a museum, a play, or cook a romantic dinner, etc.

Do something she would like to do so she knows that you do love her and that you do care and that you just want was ultimately is the best for your family.

Don't Listen To The Negative Noise - Break Out Of Your Past And Become Your Future!

Sometimes the voices inside our heads from our past can create obstacles or current challenges in our present moments. These voices can be discouraging and keep us from trying something new, to reinvent ourselves, or from moving forward in life. These are the voices in our heads that put us in the “box” in how “they see us” fit into the scheme of things. You know…the voices that see us doing this type of work or that type of employment. “That is the “box” you should stay in!” Do you ever hear those noises?

These voices could be friends from when you were in high school, maybe a co-worker, perhaps a sibling, a relative, or even a parent… and these voices keep telling you that “You can’t be successful in that field.” Or “I don’t see you doing that job…why don’t you see if you can be a grocery clerk, a waiter, or something like that instead.”

Now…for the record…I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a grocery clerk, a waiter, a bar tender, etc. I absolutely respect that line of work and the people who provide these invaluable services. But “what if” you wanted to pursue something else outside “That Box” that your friends, family, society, and yes, YOUR HEAD…have created for you to live and work in? What if you wanted to break out of that old box and reinvent yourself?

What if you needed to reinvent yourself because that line of work is becoming outdated? Or maybe you are not making enough money and now you want to challenge yourself and do more with your life. Well, I think sometimes these negative voices inside our heads…can hold us back. This noise that echoes in our heads creates us from trying something new. This noise keeps us from going out of our comfort zone. We are afraid and we don’t want to hear from our peers that we will indeed fail. “You cannot do that line of work.” “Not you.” “Maybe your friend “so and so” can or maybe your sisters can...but not you.”

Well…why the hell not? Why not you? Who made them the chief?

What if we stopped listening to those negative noises and decided to break out of this old box? What if instead… we decided to challenge ourselves, reinvent ourselves, and allow ourselves to become the person that YOU want to become? Seriously...why not you?

For many of us out there right now we might find ourselves going through a difficult time period, perhaps because of the economy, and we need to make changes right now. Well maybe now is the time to break out of that old box and create a new one. Maybe now is the time to stop listening to the past and start listening to the possibilities? Again, why not you? If one person can do it…why can’t you do it?

Seriously… Isn’t that “Other Person”… also… “Just a Person” like you, like me, your neighbor, your friend, your colleague, like all of us? And if he or she can make it happen…why not you?

So if you hear those noises in your head…ignore them! Become the person you want to become not what “they” want you to be and break out of that old box. It’s “your life”.

Break out of your past and become your future!

No one has a monopoly on the human spirit! So don’t let those voices tell you otherwise. Don’t let the noises of your past hold you back from moving forward. Negative Minds Only Offer Negative Solutions!

Keep moving forward!

What is Your Sleep Number?

I am sure you might have seen those entertaining commercials showing those cool looking beds that customize to the individual’s bodies to get the best sleep at night?

Well I have another sleep number and it’s the number of months you need for your cash reserves in case “things don’t go according to plan.”

Suze Orman, on her television show quite often suggests that you should have an 8 month back up plan. And I can’t really argue with this. But if I may…I would like to perhaps add a thought to this.

My question is…how many months of back up cash will let you sleep a restful night?

If it is 8 months…great! But if it is not…then maybe you might need 10 or 12 months of back up money in order not to wake up in a cold sweat. Maybe your number is 18 (18 months) or maybe it is “24” months?

And if you are married…then that sleep number is not just about you! That number needs to keep both of you sleeping restful at night. It might be a question to ask your significant other. No sense in guessing their number, just ask. For my wife, she feels more comfortable at 24 months. Yes, she wants 2 years of back up to feel “secure”. And that is OK. It is her number. Now…I don’t have this “sleep number” just yet…In fact, I need to really figure out how I am going to reach this number. But there we go. At least I know what my “sleep number” is. It is 24. It might take me a while to reach this number but at least I know what my family’s comfort zone is and what I need to strive for in order to sleep easy at night.

I bring this up because I am sure a lot of you hear this topic quite a bit. Again I agree with Suze that you should at least have 8 months of cash reserves at the very minimum. You just never know if your job will be there the next day or if something else happens in life where that back up cash will be needed. So it’s a good idea.

But if you are like me your sleep number might be slightly different. Maybe you need a larger number to feel secure at night. Whatever the number is I think it is important to figure it out and to set this as a goal so you don’t continue to stay up late at night stressing out.

So what is your sleep number? Love to hear your comments!

Letting the Calm Become the Power – overcoming our fears

Do you remember when you first learned how to swim? Or at least, you have watched someone take their first swimming lesson. There was that beginning fear or panic of being in the water. There was that feeling of helplessness and being in uncharted territory…the body tensed up, the arms became rigid, and fear took over. Then the arms started flailing and thrashing in the water as panic swept over our minds that we were certain that we would drown. Pure horror and absolute fear engulfed our very fiber and our soul. Death was imminent.

Ahhhhh….but then something magical happened. We learned the big secret! By being “calm” and motionless we could be in control.

We learned that by lying on our backs and taking deep breaths and calming our bodies down to a still, we could float effortlessly on the water. Now we were floating on our backs in the water and using hardly any energy at all. We did not even really need to do anything else but relax.

It is this absence of fear and helplessness that makes it all possible to float. The “calm” becomes our power.

And this is my point for us to ponder on...

If we find ourselves in a desperate situation, in a new situation, an uncharted territory in life…Maybe if we take some deep breaths, take a long walk, calm our bodies and our minds down…then maybe we can learn to feel that comfort zone of this new challenge in life that is presented to us. Perhaps we can let the calm allow us to think of a way to resolve our present issues instead of letting the panic set in and start to flail and thrash in the water.

I am not suggesting that a walk and some deep breaths will make everything horrible go away, by no means. But I would like to suggest is that perhaps if life is throwing some punches…that we reflect back to when you first learned to swim or perhaps riding a bicycle for the very first time. It was frightening at first… but once you “stuck with it” and once you relaxed, calmed your nerves down a bit…you did it! You learned the basics. You learned how to overcome the challenge. In fact, you even got better at it.

So with this in mind… when the economy continues to challenge us, when we don’t get that job or perhaps lose one, or whatever the challenge may be…remember to take some deep breaths, not to panic, and find your calm. You will find the answer.

Hang in there and keep moving forward. If another person can do it…why can’t you?

You can do this!

Fallen down Alice's rabbit hole - making it work

If you have fallen down Alice’s rabbit hole you are not alone. In fact, I suspect there are quite a few of us out there who have fallen down the hole but either have not realized it yet or simply don’t want to accept the matter of fact.

Ahhh…and there lies the rub….We all may be staying in this giant rabbit hole for quite a period of time.

And this brings me to the following two choices that I have to offer.

Choice A… we accept our doom and gloom and wait until someone has found where that darn cheese was moved. “And they lived grumpily ever after.”

Or…

Choice B… since we are staying in Alice’s lovely rabbit hole. Why not…make it work! Let’s find out how we can make it a success living in slower and darker times. What do we need to do to make things brighter in the rabbit hole? What tools can I sharpen, find, revamp, or whatever, to get things moving and working again.

I suggest this choice B because I sincerely think we might be in a slow economy for some time to come. And I think this is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that no one wants to talk about. But I suggest…let’s go there…let’s face this topic head on! What if…we have another 2 years, 5 years, or even longer living in the rabbit hole? What if the economy takes another 7 years to bounce back??? What then? Choice A?

But what if we make ourselves successful during these slow times? What if we can use this time to improve ourselves and become even that much better? What if we can learn to thrive living in the rabbit hole? Guess what…then we have successfully transformed ourselves to being able to function in any economy!

What if we make this our choice…to thrive in Alice’s rabbit hole and make it work!
Why not create a way to be successful no matter what the conditions may bring.

Let’s make Alice’s rabbit hole not only tolerable but outright enjoyable. And if we all achieve that…then we are out of the rabbit hole.

And there is the answer to the rub… We are only in a hole if we allow ourselves to be. Do we see a hole? Or can we see it as an opportunity?

As a friend of mine often says…. “Make it a powerful day!”

Not seeing results in LinkedIn? Get active and don't collect dust

I hear this quite a bit from fellow business associates all the time. “I signed up on LinkedIn…Why am I not getting results?”

If this is your dilemma with LinkedIn or other social media, then think of your situation in this way…

“Brad, you said if I bought a beach cruiser bicycle that I could have a lot of fun on my weekends. But I went and bought the bike like you suggested…but I am not really having a lot of fun. My bike is sitting in my garage every weekend and I just don’t see the fun in having it?”

And this brings me to my point… if you are not “using” it then you will not see any results.

So like our friend who wants to have fun on the bike, he needs to go out and ride the bike to have fun. He needs to “use it” to see results. Letting the bike sit and collect dust will not bring any enjoyment.

If you are using LinkedIn and not seeing a lot of results at the moment…my question to you is… are you “active” in LinkedIn? Are you joining in the conversations? Are you starting conversations? Are you joining a lot of groups? Are you sending invites for others to join your connections? Are you accepting connections? Are you asking other group members for advice? Are you asking a lot of questions? You MUST be active to get results! Don’t be like the bike in the story and collect dust.

Are you reading books like Inbound Marketing? I am constantly learning more each week. I have learned a lot but I push myself to learn more. How can I connect more and how can I bring more value to others? How can I keep adding to my plate?

If you are not seeing the results that you want than you need to get more active, perhaps change it up, connect more, join conversations, join more groups, keep learning, and keep taking action.

I have to believe if you continue to stay proactive…you will see more results.
I would love to hear your comments or suggestions on LinkedIn or other social media.

Thanks for tuning into my blog.
Keep moving forward!

Fees, Fees, Fees - they just keep crashing in

Below are some wonderful ideas from my business associate, Ms. Elaine Kwoh. She has some great suggestions on how we all can save some money by reducing or eliminating those nasty fees.

If you can, help us out and add to our list below. Thanks so much!

Do you realize how much you are really paying in fees?

1) 411 - For free directory assistance try 1-800-FREE 411 or 1-800-GOOG-411. You can even text the business name and location to GOOGLE (466453) on your cell phone.

2) Credit Cards - If you must have a credit card, you really should not have to pay any annual membership fees. There are plenty of cards out there that do not charge. Shop around. Are balance transfers really worth it if the credit card company typically charges 5% up front? Pay your bill on time to avoid any late fees.

3) Free Checking - You really shouldn't have to pay for a checking account. It is getting harder to find free checking accounts but they are out there. Do a little research and check out your community banks.

4) Insurance - You should never pay a brokerage fee. Insurance agents should earn your business by providing you honest quotes. Quotes are free.

5) Online Trading and Investing – T. Rowe Price and Fidelity are two excellent companies with very little fees. For example, T. Rowe Price let’s you start with just $50.00 a month in numerous investments, funds, etc. Great way to get investing, save money for retirement and without paying those ridiculous fees.

6) Internet – Starbucks is FREE! Maybe consider dropping the payment and fees and grab a cup of mojo and some free Internet access. Think of how much you will have more at the end of the year. This can really add up.

****We would love to hear your thoughts??? Please comment and add to the list!

We all can benefit from coming up with ways to save money during these challenging times…so please…comment below and add the ways we all can save by reducing our fees.

7)

~ Elaine Kwoh, Elaine.servpro@gmail.com
SERVPRO of San Clemente/San Juan Capistrano
Flood/Fire/Water/Mold
24 HR: 949-366-0293
Cell: 714-321-0291
www.ServproOfSanClemente.com
www.facebook.com/SERVPROofSanClemente

Do you need Good Credit? Not if Cash is King.

If you are paying by cash…straight up…than you may not necessarily need good credit.

Cash is KING!

If you can live a life of “cash only” and not be dependent upon credit cards and avoid purchasing everything on credit and have the discipline to save up for things you want to buy… use cash only…then might not need good credit. If you can pay for your car outright, pay for your home outright or at least have a large down payment, you may be one of few in our recent generation that doesn’t need good credit because you don’t need it. You pay for things by cash.

My grandparent’s generation never had credit cards. They saved their money when they wanted to buy something. If they could not afford it…they didn’t buy it. It was that simple. Maybe this is why they were called the greatest generation. They lived in their means, planned things out, and didn’t go overboard.

Unfortunately…from the boomers and beyond we have successfully brainwashed ourselves to thinking we must buy everything on a credit card. We cannot wait and save for something we want. “I want it and I want it now daddy!” the girl cried in Charlie in the Chocolate Factory. Are we this kid? Is this our generation?

Have we been taught not to budget, not to save, not to appreciate what we truly have? We can no longer wait and save up for something. We need it now. The problem with this is it leads us down the rabbit hole. Our lives grow desperate for wanting the next must have item. We are consumed with debt and the hole gets deeper with each passing purchase. Is it really worth it? Can we strive to live like our grandparents did?

I encourage all of us…including myself…to pay by cash and get off this addiction of using credit cards.

The author David Bach from the #1 bestselling author of The Automatic Millionaire has some awesome suggestions on how to save. Also, I would recommend his other book… Start Late, Finish Rich….for anyone who is looking for ways to invest, save money, and enjoy life, even if you are starting late…or starting over. I highly recommend his books.

***If you must use a credit card or some form of credit...Than absolutely you should have good credit because otherwise you will get hit with heavy interest rates and pay much more compared with someone who has an excellent credit rating.

Someone with bad credit will pay A LOT more than someone who has a high credit score.

See posting for details on How Much does a Low FICO Score Cost You? http://gettingbackmycredit.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-much-does-low-fico-score-cost-you.html

Things To Do On A Low Budget - Enjoy The Day

What are your favorite things to do on a tight budget with your spouse or special friend?

I listed a few ideas on ways to still have fun with your partner with very little money but still have some fun and enjoy each other’s company. If you can, please add to my list.

I would love to hear your ideas. This can help us all enjoy life a little more and help our wallets at the same time.

- Share an appetizer and a salad at your local restaurant. For very little cost, the two of you can split a dish, share a drink, and enjoy an afternoon lunch together.

- Take a stroll in your local park. There are a lot of waterscapes, country sides, cityscapes to take a walk together. Let's not forget our national and historic parks.

- Single? Take a jog or walk in your area. See if there is a local walking club or bike club to join. These activities are usually free and a great way to meet people and just have fun.

- Local museums. Great to go see whether you are single or with someone. Many local museums are free of charge and the larger ones usually don’t cost too much.

- Let’s not forget renting movies. Now, at your local grocery stores, offers movies to rent for only $1.00. This is a great way to see some recent movies without those high charges.

- Reading!!! Go to a local park and lay down a blanket and read a great book! Wonderful way to relax and get out for zero cost. Or go to a coffee shop or a local tea shop. There are many great places in your area to read books and magazines and enjoy the day.

- Saving Tip - you can put money away each week into a glass jar and slowly save up for those special nights out. You will be surprised on how extra change and a few dollars here and there can start to add up.

- What do you like to do with your spouse on a low budget? Love to hear your comments and add to this list.

- Single? Same thing. Love to hear your ideas on how you save money and still enjoy going out with your friends.

- Do you live where it is cold?  Ice skating is fun! Build a snow man? Also, during bad weather you can take a walk in your local indoor strip mall.

- Indoors? Bowling is always an all time favorite. If you have not gone in a while...try it again!

- Also Indoor Board Games. There are so many new games out there too. And don't forget the classics.

- Invite some friends over and have everyone bring a dish / Potluck. For those guests who don't like to cook, have them bring a bottle of wine. Now the party is ready!

- What Our Your Suggestions?

2011 - take action and make it a fantastic year

Do you want a fantastic 2011???

Then you MUST not slack off this October, November, and December!

This is the time to STEP IT UP. Seriously, if you want your 2011 year to take off, improve, ramp up, or doing as Rock Port suggests… “Put Your Best Foot Forward”…. Then we all need to pick up the pace, not slow it down.

We need to take action! If you have not written your 2011 business plan, action plan, goals, etc. you should start that today!

I really think it is being “proactive” by all of us that will turn this economy around. I say “proactive” and not optimistic. Without “action” then being optimistic is simply wishful thinking.
I try and make measurable action steps to take to achieve my goals.

For example…

The number of phone calls I need to make today to potential prospects. How many hours will I devote in the morning to prospecting new clients?
What is the amount of emails I will send out today?
Can I write something new to my blog? Or can I send out an older post and “refresh” it again.

Who are my referrals? Who can I contact and see if I can create some forward movement. Don’t forget about your team. How can you best help one another to achieve your goals?

I can post something on LinkedIn…or I can post something on Facebook. What about other social media?

What books can I go out and buy today to enhance my skills? What value do I bring? How can I increase my value???
A great book on socail media is “InBound Marketing” by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah. Another suggested book is “Buzzmarketing” by Mark Hughes. I suggest these 2 books because one, they have great ideas! And 2…they have ideas that run on creativity and using your head not spending your hard earned money! “You can’t have a monopoly on creativity” Mark Hughes.

The point is to keep pushing yourself and see what action can be done to keep moving forward. Again, if we don’t take any action then nothing new is going to happen.

"Success and rest don’t sleep together."

So take action today, decide on your goals, keep pushing forward, and make 2011 a fantastic one!

Together with action we can turn this economy around!

If You Are in a Hole....Stop Digging!

If you’re in a hole…Stop digging!

I was guilty as the next when it came to buying something when I did not have the money for it. This really can be the down fall for so many of us. Impulse buying can literally bankrupt someone over a short period of time and with that said… I myself have gone to cash only. I don’t use credit cards anymore because they simply got me into too much trouble.

Now, if I come across something that I don’t have the cash for… I simply don’t buy it. It is not worth it! The stress alone having a credit card bill every month is something I never want to experience again.

What I recommend doing as an alternative is to get a second debit card to be used as your credit card in its place. This way you can say no to paying 22% interest and feeling like you just got punched in the stomach when you received the bill.

If you can, put a small amount into that 2nd account each month and let it build a little bit. Then when (not if) the car needs maintenance you have the money to pay for those expenses without going into debt. Perhaps even get a 3rd debit card – one for emergencies and one for entertainment like the days you want to purchase those cute shoes or that new cell phone. But this way you don’t have to go into debt while you make your purchase. Instead… this is your money, you saved for it, and now you can treat yourself without going down that spiral path.

If you must have a credit card…to build your credit…I get that but then do NOT keep it in your wallet or purse. Put that card away in a drawer for a “real” emergency. Use that 2nd debit card as your backup instead when you go out…you don’t have to stress over buying that new outfit.

If you have the money…great! Go for it!

We don’t own expensive things… They own us by the expense of supporting them.

Referral Power - your best lead source

One way to get your credit back on track is to keep your business on target and keep your income and cashflow flowing in.

There is no faster, stronger or better way to build a business than through referral of new customers. In fact, if you’re not doing referral selling, you’re losing 25 percent of your potential business.

"When we ask for and get a referral from an existing customer or business associate, there’s more than simple familiarity working in our favor. We’re tapping into strong, existing relationships, which can and do accelerate our ability to obtain new business."

"Why is the referral so valuable? Here are a few reasons:

1. Referrals come from people we already know – We shorten the cycle of familiarity by simply working with someone who knows someone we know. Common ground already exists through a friendship, acquaintance or business relationship. This eases the pressure on the initial getting-to-know steps of selling.

2. Referrals extend the network – We widen the circle of relationships with each new referral, thereby increasing our ability to tap that network for additional business, new business and additional referrals.

3. Referrals reduce sales expense – We reduce not only time but expense by asking for and following up with referrals. In our experience it costs 6 times more to sell a new prospect than it does to sell a referral. Think about it. A sales force is full of expenses for a business; customers are very inexpensive, since we already own them.

4. Referrals add value to the source of the referral – When we follow up on the referral, get the business and create a delighted customer, value is delivered to the party who gave the referral. The referral source is credited and often thanked by our new customer. Many industries emphasize value by offering credits for those who refer new business.

5. Referrals help you use your best sales force – Happy customers constitute our strongest sales force because word of mouth is the single most effective form of advertising. Product or service claims we make often require proof sources for credibility in the eyes of a prospect. Claims from existing customers carry instant credibility and seldom require additional information. (This is why unhappy customers can be such a detriment, because their claims of poor product or service performance are likewise seldom questioned.)"

I would suggest creating a criteria list to identify your referral partners.

Remember to go after those referrals. They will be your best lead source by far.

Credit Repair - some common questions and a few myths

How long does information remain on my report?
Credit bureaus report credit information for a period of seven (7) years. Some states have special provisions for collections and paid liens. Chapter 7, Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 Bankruptcies are each reported for 10 years and the date is measured from the date of the filing.

Does paying off my bills repair my credit?
The credit reporting system doesn't work that way. When you pay an old debt, the negative credit listing doesn't disappear. In fact, it re-ages and the seven year clock begins again with that negative listing. The most ironic thing is that a paid, current negative listing is not any better than an unpaid negative listing.

How does a Credit Bureau make money?
A credit bureau is a commercial business. It makes money by selling your credit report to others. A person with bad credit means more business for them as such a person applies for credit about ten (10) times more than a person with good credit.

Why do Credit Bureaus not want me to use a Credit Repair Company?
The credit bureaus will tell you that it is easier and less expensive to do it yourself. While it may be true that you have the right to repair your credit yourself, many individuals do not have the time, experience and organizational savvy necessary to deal with bureaucracies. You must also spend hours of study to gain a working knowledge of the consumer laws available to you. Many who start repairing their credit turn to a credit repair company after months of work.

What can you take off of my credit bureau report? Aren’t these items impossible to remove?
We can take off unpaid collections, charge-offs, repossessions, bankruptcies, medical bills, foreclosures, tax liens, civil liens, judgments, student loans, credit card debt, inquiries, slow pays, old addresses and all incorrect names.

How does TRW Credit Group do this legally?
Disputing your credit report is your right. Credit restoration is as legal as pleading "not guilty" in a court of law.

The Federal Trade Commission and The Consumer Credit Protection Act have enacted 100’s of regulations, that reporting and collection agencies have to adhere to in order for an item to remain on credit reports. The Fair Credit Reporting Act gives you the legal right to dispute items on your credit reports that may be inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or unverifiable.

For more information on removing negative items off the credit reports:

http://www.gettingbackmycredit.com/

Sales - Don't Give Up; Keep Connecting!

In these tough economic times sales can be and is challenging to say the least. And now more than ever we need to remind ourselves not to give up, be patient, and keeping following up so we can bring in more sales. I especially bring this topic up because I know many of us out there are really trying to turn things around in our businesses and this is a terrific example of why we all need to follow up as much as possible and never give up too quickly.

Here is why…

Here is some eye opening statistics according to “Brilliant Selling” by Jeremy Cassell and Tom Bird which shows that making as much contact with prospects, really does translate into results.

48% of salespeople never follow up with a prospect.
25% of salespeople make a second contact and stop.
12% of salespeople only make three contacts and stop.

“So – only 15% of salespeople make more than three contacts. What does that mean, then?
Well it means 85% of salespeople consistently waste golden opportunities to sell!”

Because….

2% of sales are made on the first contact.
3% of sales are made on the second contact.
5% of sales are made on the third contact.
10% of sales are made on the fourth contact.
80% of sales are made on fifth to twelfth contact.

“So, if you are like almost half of all the salespeople and make no more than one follow-up to your prospects, you are leaving 98% of your income on the table for someone else to come along and pick up.”

Again, I bring this up because getting your credit back is only one small part of your life and it is only one small part of the bigger picture. I really think that much of everything we do is all connected and every bit we can do to get back on track, health, wealth, mental, personal, business, etc. will make a more prosperous life. And I truly hope we all can have this precious opportunity.

If you have a story to share, some advice to share with others, please feel free to comment. I would love to hear it!

Let'st Keep Connecting and Keep Moving Forward!

Are you on LinkedIn? Send me an invite to conncect. Send me an invite to connect and I will accept.
Use brhoades@trwcredit.net for the email on the invite to conncet.

Are you on Twitter? My twitter name:  Credit_Fix_1  
I will follow you back.


Facebook? Send me an invite to connect and I will accept.


~Brad

Run your own race and compete with yourself

A colleague of mine told me this story where she entered a running race. It was about 7 miles or something like that.

At the start of the race… as she stood there, she started to size up other competitors and thought to herself… “Well, I should be able to beat that guy at least.” And then the race began… and “that other guy” really took off and my colleague quickly found that she could not keep up with that guy’s pace. He was way too fast.

So she decided not to worry about that other guy’s pace and started to run her own pace, “her own race”. And about half way into the race she looked over and saw “that other guy” stooped over on the side of the road. He was getting sick because he ran too fast, too quickly, and he did not pace himself.

My colleague ended up finishing about 15 minutes ahead of “that other guy.” She ended up doing better not because she competed with him but because she finally competed against herself and she ran her own race at her own pace. If she had ran against this other guy and ran his speed… than she too would also be on the side of the road, puking up and getting sick. But by competing against herself and not worrying about “what others are doing” she did much better in the end and was definitely much happier with herself.

If you honestly do the best that you can and you give it your best effort… than you will sleep well at night and you will definitely improve in your life.

So don’t worry about that “other guy”. Run your own race and do the best that you can and then you have already won! Don’t compete with others in life….compete with yourself.

You can do this!

Walking - stress relief and recharging the mind

You are not alone if you ever get stressed over paying the bills, paying down debt, worrying about losing your job, findind a job, keeping your spouse happy, getting over a divorce, cleaning up your credit, putting food on the table, supporting the family, and how do I step it up and make things work?; the list goes on forever and so does the stress that comes along with it.

So if you are “human” and feel stress from the daily grind of life YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Personally, I like to take walks to relieve my stress for a couple of reasons. One great reason…it is free! For many of us, we simply do not have the budget to join some awesome gym, take those Pilates and yoga classes, and pay a personal trainer to get us into shape.

Walking is a great way to not only relieve stress but for general exercise. Seriously, if you go for a 20 minute walk it really helps clear your head of those daily demons that enter our thoughts. Relieving stress is a huge benefit to your health and state of mind. And clearing those negative thoughts really helps us get back on track and stay on track.

I bring this topic up because like most of us who are struggling through things right now, stress is going to be one of the biggest obstacles to overcome. And walking is a great way to get outside, clear your thoughts, reenergize our batteries, and give us that little break we need to keep on trying and never give up. I will sometimes keep on walking if my mind is really stressed out. This helps out a lot when I find myself against the wall in life... LONG WALKS.

So if you find yourself stressed out these days… take a walk and recharge!

How Credit Is Counted - some helpful tips

HOW CREDIT IS COUNTED
• 35% Payment history
• 35% Amounts owed
• 15% Length of credit history
• 10% New credit
• 10% Type of credit

Stay away from small department store cards; they have a low limit and tend to bring down your overall score
You must use credit in order for it to report to the bureaus
If you do not use a card it may be cancelled by the bank – this WILL hurt your score
Never use more than ½ of your available credit line
Ask for line increases

How Do They Calculate a Credit Score?
Different credit bureaus calculate your Fico or Beacon Score slightly different. Each credit bureau makes the score their own and gives it a different name. Equifax calls the score a Beacon Score, Experian calls it a Fair Isaac Score and Transunion calls it an Empirica Score. Every time something changes on your bureau, your score will change. A lot of information is used to calculate your score; however, there is no formula that has ever been given to the public. Lenders will look at your score along with your income and the kind of loan you are applying for to determine interest rates.

Improving Your Credit Score
Now that you know how your score is calculated, you can begin making changes.

• Pay your bills on time. This sounds simple, but this is the biggest thing you can do to keep your score high. Delinquent payments and collections have a major negative impact on your score.
• Keep your balances low on unsecured revolving debt like credit cards. High balances still owed can affect a score.
• The amount of unused credit is an important factor in calculating your score. You should only apply for credit you need.
• Make sure the information on your credit report is correct. If it is not, dispute it with the Bureau Company or lender directly.
• Removing negative accounts on your credit report has the biggest impact on your score.

Generally negative things can stay on your credit for 7 to 10 years. But you can hire a professional credit repair service to do it for you.

http://gettingbackmycredit.com/

How much does a Low Fico Score Cost You?

Prime, Alternative A, Subprime and Hard Money (Jilted Loans)

If your score is 680 or above, you are considered to be Prime and can get the lowest interest rate. This means that you should not have a problem getting the best interest rate on a loan. Another major factor could be debt to income, which means the amount of debt you have in comparison to the amount of income you make. Do you have the income to pay back the loan?

If your score is 620-679, you are considered Alt A. This will give you a interest rate a little higher than Prime.

If your score is 500-619, you are considered Subprime. This will give you an even higher interest rate.

If your score is 500 or below, you will probably get a Hard Money or Jilted Loan. You may still be able to get a loan, but you will have to pay fees and a much higher interest rate. THIS IS NO PLACE TO BE. A low score can keep you from getting insurance or even a job.

(This information is based on mortgage information in March 2008.)

Auto Loans

Your payments on an automobile will go through the roof with bad credit. Here are examples.
$20,000 auto loan over 5 years

Category_________Interest Rate_____Payment____Total Cost After 5 Years
Prime______________7%___________ $405____________$24,300
Subprime___________14%___________$477____________$28,620
Hardy Money (Jilted) ___21%__________$557 ____________$33,420

Home Loans
$100,000 mortgage over 30 years

Category_________ Interest Rate_____ Payment_____ Total Cost After 30 Years
Prime______________ 6.50%________ $632 ____________$228,625
Alternative A _________7.50% ________$699 ____________$251,715
Subprime ____________10% _________$877 ____________$315,925
Hard Money (Jilted) _____14% ________$1,184 ___________$426,553

Having a low score can cost you thousands of dollars.

The Big Bluff - what cards are you holding?

If you find yourself envious of your next door neighbor, a close friend, relative, or perhaps a coworker, you might want to consider if that person truly has a winning hand or if they bluffing their way through the game. They might be bluffing and “fake it, until you make it” like a good many of us are doing in our everyday lives.

It really seems that the majority of us are playing the hugest game of liar’s poker and we all have pretty crappy cards. However, we of course want to keep up with our neighbors and friends so we look like we are doing great. But be careful with this! It is one thing to look busy so you can attract more business so you do start succeeding.

But if you start buying huge flat screen TV’s on credit cards, taking out cash advances to dine out like a king, and start deleting your equity in your home in order to appear that things are fine… then things are spiraling down.

I would, at least suggest to be honest with yourself if not to anyone else. Don’t let your neighbors “stuff” spiral your life down the rabbit hole...that will become a living hell to climb out of. This direction is a one way ticket to Alice's rabbit hole. And that is not the way to Kansas. So at least be true to yourself and be kind to yourself. Don't spend your way into poverty simply to impress the neighbors or other family members for that matter.

Avoid paying for all of this stuff on credit cards all together if you can. I would suggest getting a second debit card in place of the credit card and use that as your “back-up” card. Cash is King! Try to add $50.00 a month to it or whatever amount you can. And that way, when “life happens” and when you want to purchase those things in life, you can use this back-up debit card to pay for these occasions or emergencies. Then instead of going into further debt, you have the money, it is yours, and you don’t have to worry about paying interest to anyone. It is a small step but it might make a HUGE difference down the road.

So what is your poker hand? Are you bluffing like so many of us??? Be careful! I think if we all starting getting a little more realistic, at least with ourselves, we would have a little less headache and hopefully a little more cash in our pockets as a result.

Do you have a story to share? Love to hear it.

No hero is coming to save the day - accepting the truth

Do you remember those old western movies where the town was being harassed by the bad guys and they were depending upon the hero to save the day. The hero is supposed to come riding in at the last moment, kick ass, and save day? Well, we are not in that movie!!!

Don't kill the messenger but there is no hero coming in this story. In fact, YOU ARE THE HERO, in this story. So pick up whatever pick-axe, shovel, gun, stick, or anything you can find and start fighting. Not literally of course. But you, me, we, need to dust off our jeans, pick our selves back up and make it happen.

If you are like me you work on commissions then you know those times when the checks don't always coming "riding into town". Or perhaps you just got laid off? Whatever it may be.

If this is your situation you might want to consider getting a second or even a third job if you need to. I know you most likely don't want to hear this... but if the bills are piling up you have to do something, and the sooner you realize that there is no hero coming... the sooner you will realize you have to do whatever it takes, to make things work.

Personally, I don't think the economy is going to pick up anytime soon and I certainly don't think the past or current government will make any kind of difference to the situation. It is up to you to make it work. You can do this but it is not going to be easy.

So if getting a part-time job at night, late afternoons, or the weekends is what it takes... then I would suggest doing that. Yes, it sucks. But the hero is not coming and we need to turn this fight around.

And for that other guy who looks like he is kicking butt??? Maybe not? Personally I think we are playing the hugest game of liars poker.... stay tune for The Big Bluff.

Keep fighting and don't give up!

http://GettingBackMyCredit.com

Starting Over

In my current job of credit restoration I come across a lot of people these days who are starting over in life due to the economy, being laid off, separating from their spouse, lost their home and had to do a short sale, their job has become "outdated" or several other circumstances in which life has thrown them a blow. This can be a difficult path to walk.

And to those people I have to say this.... Don't give up!!!

I know it sucks. And I know it sucks because I have been in those same shoes. I use to have my own business selling wine gifts, promotional items, etc. And then one day I realized I could not keep financing the whole operation and I had to close up shop. I was forced to declare bankruptcy and so I know that feeling in the stomach that you get when it all comes rushing in like a huge wave that you did not see coming and it knocks you off your ass, you feel like you have to throw up, you get light headed, your throat hurts, your eyes are red, and you can't sleep because you are so worried. So I do get it because I walked in these shoes and I know how difficult it is to wake up and be optimistic. I know what it is like to feel like there is no one to talk to and everyone seems to be so negative which only makes it harder to cheer up.

One thing that has helped my continuous journey building my life back and helping lift my spirits is reading books on marketing and sales. I know that might seem strange but reading books which have uplifting solutions, positive messages, and ways to rebuild my life... have been a great source of energy for me. Sorry, but when it came to getting advice from family and friends it seemed never available. But with the books I found refuge and a way to fight back and regain my life. I am not saying this is the only solution of course, but it is one small step you might consider if you are walking on that path right now.

More to come... Keep fighting and don't give up. You can do this! We can do this!

Fighting Back the Economy - keep fighting

I don't know about you but I feel that with this economy there is always "something" ... some kind of "challenge" or "extra step" for anything that I do. There just seems to be something that will get in the way, break down, not work, or whatever it is, in any task that I am working on.

So if you feel like you are in some kind of boxing match....you are not alone. Times are still tough and my personal challenge has been trying to stay energetic, not get down on myself, and stay motivated...especially when all of these extra challenges seem to keep pouring in....one after another.

And that has been a challenge.... there seems to be no time to rest. As soon as I sit down the bell rings again and the economy starts throwing and landing punches in my face. And my opponent, "The Sluggish Economy" .... doesn't seem to be tiring too much and he is ready to land some more punches.

I don't know about you but I am ready to fight back and turn this fight around.

I just need to hang in there, gain my footing, stay focused, and figure out a way to turn this fight into my favor. Find a way to work smarter and improve my success rate. We can beat this guy!

If you feel this way... Don't give up! WE are definitely not alone. Hang in there! Keep fighting!

I would suggest trying to "step it up" each week. Maybe add 5% increase each week. Go to the local bookstore and buy some marketing and sales books. See what you can do to improve your daily output and work smarter. It can be done but we just need to keep plugging and keep in the game.

Wake up and make it a powerful day!

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't." by Jack Dempsey

"Don't count the days...Make the days count!" by Muhammad Ali

Two great books to read are...

"Inbound Marketing" by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah

"Buzzmarketing" by Mark Hughes

Remember...Fall seven times.... stand up eight! Keep fighting!

http://www.gettingbackmycredit.com/