Archive for the ‘Financial Practicality’ Category

How to Prepare my “Finance Snapshot,” Before I Apply for a Home Loan, Again

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

How do we get ready to apply for a home loan? There is a myth: “No one can tell you how to handle your money.” I  ask that  someone would help guide me through the mine fields and financial pitfalls! My life would  be easier. I’d rather my learning be taught and not caught. I have applied for  home loans to learn some knowledge about getting a loan.

I have applied for three loans and learned:

1. How much we owe and earn is called the Loan to Debt Ratio, which is very important.  Ideally, we would like to owe less than 25% of what you earn each month. You’re over the top, when we owe 43% of what we earn. Above 43% debt, we are a risky borrower and a red flag goes up, when we apply for a home loan.

2. Credit comes from several places. First, the credit bureaus are owned by the Retail Merchants of America. The worse your credit, the more money they make from your paycheck. Poor credit payments equals paying back more debt.  So, we need to know that the credit bureaus want us to do worse than better, then they make more money by charging higher interest rates to you. If we don’t pay or negociate a debt, and it goes to collection, we will pay a seven year higher interest  penalty. That is a long credit prison sentence. Make every effort to avoid collections. We can call the creditor and make arrangements to pay in smaller parts.

3. We need credit cards. Two cards is a maximum.  I know, everyone is saying get rid of them. How we handle them is the important issue. A mortgage lender doesn’t want us to have more than 45% of the max on each credit card. To raise your credit scores, it should be between zero and 25% owing.  Keeping payments there will raise credit scores. Pay your credit cards on time and if you can, pay them through an online account. This saves paper and your payment date is the day you pay them. Paper in the mail takes too long. I ‘ve had late charges, even though I mailed the payments on time.

4.  Where do you live and work right now? The mortgage lenders like us to live in the same place for two years. This proves your rent and shows your payment history. Moving around shows instability. Pay your rent on time every time. Your payment is like a house payment, but for someone else. Job stability requires a minimum of two years on the same job. You are rated  on your gross income. Bonuses count, but they are not part of income ratio. IRAs are important. If your company has one, use it! It is a valuable asset.

5. Start saving money, today. We could put 10% in a savings account every paycheck. If you have a 401K at work and they pay half, that is 50% interest on your money. Sign up, today. You can borrow against 401Ks for a downpayment for a home loan.

6. There is a gifting program, when we are buying a home.  Ask your mortgage lender how to do it. We cannot  ask the seller of a home to pay your downpayment. You cannot borrow the downpayment or use credit cards for it. The down payment can be gifted to us. We could ask your parents or family to gift you the downpayment. Let’s say we are getting married, instead of wedding gifts, we could ask for gifts for your future home you will buy. Set up a money tree or box that people can give at the wedding for your first home. Avoid spending it on the honeymoon, but add to the amount each month to make your downpayment grow. You could skip the honeymoon, $3,000+ and move into a home sooner. Interest rates are low right now.

7. You could ask the seller to pay the closing costs.

8. Paying your monthly bills on time is a reflection of your reliability. It counts for 35% of your credit score. So pay the lights, the garbage, phone, cell phone, cable on time. If you cannot and you are late, that is an indication you need to cut back on your spending and cut some services. I cut my cable, my home phone line, lowered my cell phone payment and car insurance. I even cut my elect bill by washing in cold water, having shorter showers, unplugging appliances that pull power all day long when not in use.

9. Look at your three credit reports. If the credit reported is older than 7 years, ask the reporting company to remove it from your report. Read the report carefully. Your current FICO score is going to be 25% less than it shows for a home loan. It is the way the mortgage companies rate it. It is lower than you see on your score. Your house payment and loan borrowing rate relies on your FICO score. The higher your credit score, the lower your interest on the loan, and the more money you save.

10. A home is your biggest purchase in your life, unless you have a major medical accident. Plan for both. With some care and planning, you’ll have a home of your own.

The loan companies want someone who gets a paycheck. You can get a loan if you are self employed. You must have 2 years Profit and Loss Statements. If you just started a business, you may have to wait to buy a house. However, Proverbs says, Plow your fields and plant your crops, then build your house (while your crops are growing). When harvest comes, your house will be built, you harvest your crops and are ready for the winter.

These habits can make you wealthy. You will pay less in interest, have more buying power, and have more to spend in your pocket, instead of the lenders. You deserve to have a better financial life. Money and Credit management are how much you  make, pay out and how much more you can keep.

When I learn more, I’ll update this post.

I’m not Warren Buffet, David Bach or Phil Town, but I can Follow the Leaders! by Grandma Kris

Monday, May 17th, 2010

I’ve made many mistakes when it comes to saving for my retirement, but I didn’t make all the mistakes! I learned some along the way. Even old dogs can learn new tricks if they want to; and I want to! I only look back to the past to find mistakes I don’t want to repeat. I can begin, again, with a new plan.
Number one. Change my mind. Number two- get a plan. Number 3 Go research the idea at the library. Number 4 Read about people who are successful in life. Number 5 Start putting them into action in your life.
I started reading the Biography of Warren Buffet. The habits of youth of successful people carry into their future. Warren liked to earn and save money when he was young. He saved his money.
A Proverb says, Plow and plant your fields, and then build your house. You go to work and earn, or plant your fields, then while the harvest grows you water and weed it. Then, build your shelter for the winter months, chop your wood, dig a root cellar and store food for the winter. You can and preserve your harvest and pay your tithes to God Almighty, and sell your abundance. Now, you are ready for the cold harsh, winter months of snow, winds and ice. You don’t spend it if you don’t have it. No credit- means no bills to pay. Cash. Pay yourself first and for every dollar you earn 10% goes to God, 10% goes to you and 10% pays your taxes, and the rest is for housing food, clothes and play. Back to Warren Buffet.
Warren took his youthful savings of $9,500 and grew it into millions and then billions. Warren looked for mentors and people who were where he wanted to be. Harvard wouldn’t admit him. So he want to Columbia and studied under Professor Graham, who wrote Analyzing Investments. He mentored with Graham and learned from him and then found his own voice and trusted his decisions. Buffett didn’t listen to the phobias and false promises of Wall Street. He researched the companies and looked for ones that were solid business with good balance sheets and were under priced on the Stock market.
I am not Warren Buffet, but I can learn from his life. People connect and work and learn from others through neighborhoods, lessons, school, libraries and working together.
Peter J. Daniels, the richest man in Australia, started out as an illiterate brick layer. He saw Billy Graham in his 20’s and accepted Christ. He knew a man who sold real estate. One day that Realtor asked Peter if he would like to learn to sell real estate. Peter left his brick laying job and mentored with the agent. It was risky and hard, but he learned to read with a dictionary, asking people to read the meaning to him. You have to connect with others to get ahead. If your family, like Peter’s, is illiterate find someone to teach you.

So, turn off your TV and get out there and get going! Put one foot in front of the other, soon you’ll be walking cross the floor. Put one foot in front of the other, then you’ll be walking out the door. Get a vision and put it to work. You must take action!

I bought an outdoor play coat this weekend. Found a hiking group and ascended Beacon Rock on the Columbia River in Washington, this weekend. I wasn’t sure I could do it, but I had to give it my best effort. I did it! I was the oldest person there. Yeah for me, I broke a belief boundary and made my world larger.

David Bach is an author and financial Planner who teaches people to learn to be wealthy. You can find his books on the Internet and in the library. I recommend his book The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach. It tells in the first chapter how a common husband and wife can amass a million dollars using the daily cup of coffee or a pack of cigarettes factor of your every day work and live way to deal with your money. You must read to get ideas. If you are not ready for retirement your actions haven’t been working, so you must follow those who are succeeding. You need ideas and then put them to work. Books are borrowed ideas.

Phil Town is an advocate of Warren Buffet’s ideas on Rule #One by Phil Town. Rule number one is: Don’t lose money! Rule number 2 is refer back to number one! His second books if Payback Time.

I know enough to learn from others. Connect and learn, grow and be part of your community.
Grandma Kris

The Homeowner Tax Credit is Over: It’s Spring:Now what?

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

Are you tired of being outbid and losing the house before the deadline? Well, the lines are over as of April 31. Housing prices were forced up due to bidding wars to find a home.
Heh! The mortgage interest rates are still very agreeable. Home prices will settle and it’s spring. It’s the best time to buy a house.

Put on your hat and coat and hurry down the byways, go out and meet folks on the selling side of the street.
All the desperate have left and it’s time to see the rest, go out and meet the Realtors and find your treat.

Honor from Childhood Throughout Life by Grandma Kris

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Remember when you were a lad or lassie, and you loved your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles? You loved to play with the neighborhood kids, and had a pact for life with those you loved: your brothers and sisters and neighbors. You kept your word, told the truth, shook hands on your honor, went to church, and believed in the ten commandments and endeavored to keep them. Your word was your bond. Contracts were not necessary. You could trust others and strived to do your best in school, while treating your elders with respect and dignity, because they treated you in a good manner, too. Your parents didn’t lock the doors of your home. Does that reflect today’s life?
It has changed in our lives since the 1950’s. What shall you pass on the the youth of today? Everyman could start with honor.

What is honor? Websters defines it in a 1940’s dictionary, because the newer dictionaries are corrupted with atheism and Darwinism. Honor-(honos, whence honestus, honest) Esteem paid to worth: high estimation: reverence: veneration: any mark of respect or estimation by words or actions: dignity: exalted rank or place: distinction: reputation: good name: a nice sense of what is right, just and true: scorn of meanness: a particular virtue, as bravery or integrity in men and chastity in females: one who is that which is a source of glory or esteem: he who or that which confers dignity(an honor to his country): title or privilege or rank or birth: one of the highest trump cards as the ace, king, queen, or nave(jack):, respect now restricted, except among the vulgar, to the holders of certain offices (judges) v.t. to respect or treat with honor.

The King James Bible defines honor in Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Deuteronomy 5:16 16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Everyman influences 200 people they know in their community along with relatives to whom they are related. This number was told me by a Funeral Home, who has funerals for people all the time. You can give anyone respect. You can be an example to your children, your neighbors, your friends and strangers. The two-hundred people was before Social Media! Now one blogger can reach around the globe and across social lines. Opinions can influence, educate, inspire and change the minds of others in a more positive way. We blog, twitter(old fashioned telephone party line), You Tube(home movies for the world to see) and Face-(ourselves and others on an Internet) Book. I love the idea that I can tell stories to all the children, besides my own.

Every person grows up and has to wrestle with our Father and Mother. It is like facing our own failings and wanting to blame them. But they are imperfect and so are we. We can accept them with all their faults and love them for the good they gave us. The way to restore yourself is to forgive them the pain and suffering in your own life you think they caused. Then, decide how you will live your life and move past their faults into your new habits. The Bible is a manual of all the faults of mankind and how the LORD can change your life into something new, for God has prepared a new thing in your life.

For those children whose Mother and Father abandoned them, there is a heavenly Father, whose Son is Jesus who said if you call on my name and accept me as Lord in your life, I will never leave you or forsake you. You will become my children, my heirs,and the adopted heirs of my kingdom for which there is no end. Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you(when you die) if it were not I so I would have told you. I know about abandonment, for my family abandoned me. It is very painful, but Jesus comes and fills that place that was designed for Him when he created you. It was His Master plan that you would never be alone. He love me and I love Him. And He will do the same for you.
So, when you are lonely, go help your neighbor. If you both walk together, you can help one another. Learn to help others and the good will come back to you. The Bible says give and it shall be given unto you pressed down, overflowing. Go and find a Christian Church and they can become your new family, for they are part of the kingdom of God on earth until we get to heaven.

I think honoring people is the best way insure that you have a place, too. However, a proverb says, “If you call evil good and good evil, evil will come into to your house forever.” You must use discernment of the character before you honor them.
You can respect everyone even when they are mean to you.

The hardest lesson I have learned in the Bible is this one. “Bless those that curse you, do good to them that revile you. . . ” When dealing with other people someone is going to offend you. It is better if you can learn not to take offense. It doesn’t matter what color your hair, your teeth or your shoe size. You cannot change that, and neither can the other person. You can change your mind, your attitude and your outlook of how we judge others. That is where we get into trouble: judging others. We have discernment between what is good and bad. That is built into us from childhood by our Creator. Judgment belongs to the Lord God. He says, “Love your neighbor, do good to them . . . ” Start there. Whatever is good, whatever is kind, make room for your neighbor to live beside you and give them graceful allowances for their differences that are not like you. One of you has to reach out to another. It might as well be you.

We desire to belong and connect with others. We want to be part of a community and neighborhood. Let it start with you. Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down and overflowing will be given back to you.

Say No to Obama/Pelosi Greedy Health Plan. Links to Call House of Representatives or Mail Info here. March 20, 2010

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

I want every American to write, call and cause such a noise in Washington DC that they cannot pass this gargantuan money pit Health Care Bill. It will implode our county into irretrievable debt. Scrap this Health Care Plan and start over!

Money will go into this plan for ten years and very little will be paid back. Attorney Sekulow says its a Ponsi Scheme! Go to American Center of Law and Justice listed below to read what this bill is really about. Jay Sekulow is telling the truth! Stop this bill from passing the House of Representatives.


US Congress
Here are the resources to find your Congressmen:
US Congress
Go to right of page: “Find your Congressmen: put in zip code,
List comes up. Click on name to get phone and numbers.


Your House of Representatives:

House of Rep. Member List


White House Phone Number- President Obama: (202) 456-1111
White House
White House Website
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461


Speaker of the House-Nancy Pelosi:
Speaker of the House-Pelosi
Blog of Nancy P. Nancy’s Blog
Office of the Speaker
H-232, US Capitol
Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-0100


American Center for Law and Justice who oppose the Health Care Plan:
American Ctr. of Law and Justice
P.O. Box 90555
Washington, DC 20090-0555
1-800-296-4529
Legal Helpline Phone: 757-226-2489
Legal Helpline Fax: 757-226-2836
Member Services: 757-802-9160
Radio call-in number: 1-800-684-3110 (from 12-12:30 PM EST/EDT.)
Petition call-in number: 1-877-989-2255
For information on broadcasting Jay Sekulow Live! or Jay Sekulow Weekend:
Phone: 770-414-0806


Obama and Pelosi refuse to be participate in the Obama Health Care plan, because they have different Governmental Insurance. I say if the President and Speaker of the House, Pelosi, want to pass this bill, they should be the first to sign up under the plan.
I distinctly heard a resounding “No” from them, because they are above the masses. So, I am not buying their lies. It must be a bad plan!

The government has no business supplying Planned Parenthood with money to kill more children. If all this sex education had worked, we would have zero birth out of marriage by now. No it has not worked. Stop funding sex education and use abstinence until marriage. Sexually transmitted diseases is beyond an epidemic proportions in America. Young people growing up will be sterile and not able to have children when they marry. Everyone of you reading this must take care of yourselves and stop depending on the government to take care of you. NO children outside marriage. No sex outside marriage will keep you from AIDS, sterility and disease. You personally make that choice. The sexual revolution is over. We don’t want to be dying like the folks in Africa. A book just published about the sexual epidemic in America is called “Hooked”. Enough is enough. If we are not pregnant, we won’t need the murders at PP.

If our US Government cannot pay the social security that is due the boomers, because the Government spent it in the 1970’s-1990’s, what makes Obama/Pelosi think they can foist their health care plan on our Great grand Children to pay a bill that they cannot pay now!

Obama and Pelosi have an Clumsy, Lumbering, Avarice Dinosaur Socialistic spending plan that has been unheard of in all the years of America. You cannot spend and create debt to get out of debt! You must find ways to stimulate the income of the public, create jobs and make businesses easier to start. We cannot rely on a dictator-like president to supply us a welfare government. America was built on an economy that comes from free democracy and free enterprise and trade.

One hundred and Fifty Years ago when the Industrial Age was booming, Britain was the power house of the world. Britians’s government decided to socialize medicine and their country’s economy. Their economy fell into a headlong deep recession and never recovered. Russia tried to socialize their government and so did China. It has been tried and failed in poverty.

I believe that Obama is trying to destroy the American Economy with Socialism. His grandeur and soothing speeches project untried and failed methods from history. Americans should resist and endeavor to regain our country. The government, ideally, is a minimum and the people would have freedom to do business. We refuse to be ruled by a tyrant such as Obama and Pelosi. They believe they have power without the vote of the people, the House of Representatives and Congress. NO. We have no kings and queens in America. If they want us to have this health care plan, they have to be on it, too. They said they don’t have to be!

We live in America. Let us remember that all men are created equal endowed with unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Senior Citizens Resources in Clark County, WA March 14, 2010

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Copyright by Michaels Media. All rights reserved.
American Senior Citizens count is around 75.8 million people Boomer Statistics. Baby Boomers born in 1946 to 1964 have begun to retire. Many Seniors are forced to continue working, because of the economic devaluation of their stocks and savings. So, Baby Boomers are reinventing themselves by going back to college to become doctors, lawyers and starting new careers. The new “vraix age” is 85, not 65.

The public must keep up with the Baby Boomers. The public can change their thinking about Seniors, whose intellectual resources can benefit and train younger generations with their education and experience. Boomers can pass their legacy to the younger generations called Echo Boomers, Generation X’s, Generation Y’s and Millennians.

The Public could see people of all ages for their abilities of contribution in society and give every group a place to reap the earnings of their labor. Businesses need to pay older citizens a fair wage, instead of offering them a place to volunteer. The current economic changes clouded Boomers retirement, so they must work.

My Grandmother, Mother and Aunts lived into their 80-90’s with adventure, activity and wisdom. I was amazed at their abilities to do such skillful work. My Grandmother liked to tell stories, she taught country school, and raised seven children on a farm. We need to see our Grandparent’s abilities to contribute and be paid for their labors. They are very independent people.

Connection and communications are keys to talk to our Senior Citizens. Healthy people are connected in society. The Traditionalists (born before 1945) read the paper, watch TV and listen to the radio. A majority talk to their neighbors on a phone that plugs into the wall. I belong to a Seniors group. Some are moving forward onto the Internet. About 25% of them are tech savvy, because their children are, but we can change and find ways to connect with most of them.

The National Home Builders Association has a program for builders called CAPS designation called “Certified Aging in Place Specialist.” I have that designation, which I used when I was a Realtor to help people decide whether they would move or remodel their home, while they continued to live in a neighborhood and places they were familiar. Remodeling builders of the BIA have the same re modelers and builders designation.

I have been reviewing Senior Services in Clark County. I see several marketing places for improvement: poor communication and isolation of older people, old methods of media such as radio, newspaper and flyers, lack of Internet connection with Traditionalists(born before 1945) and Boomers, advertising on illness verses health and antiquated ways to connect with one another between Boomers and Traditionalists for play and socializing.

I believe advertising companies can create positive ads that are better than selling sickness, rest homes and medical diseases on the television set. A study done of the 1930’s Depression Media Advertising show the same negative advertising by the marketing companies and newspapers. I find the TV ads, today, to be appalling and degrading. I click-change channels, when the doctors start talking of illness symptoms plus destructive medication that will destroy you if you swallow them. The next commercial is an attorney suing the pharmaceuticals for health damages. Even the most ignorant can see how destruction to their health if they take the pills in the first place. Who wants illness and death. If you’re dead, you can’t sue the doctor! We could focus on good food and health, which are better ways to provide medical help to our Senior Boomers. If I take responsible care of my food, sleep, exercise and connecting with others, I can live a longer healtheir life. I need health information, good food, housing and exercise. The Main social education and support to Seniors should make sure there is enough good food for healthy Senior people. Good food saves people from big medical bills, tomorrow. Food Inc. Movie

I understand the American Medical Association has a new designation, “Anti Aging Medicine.” Europe is far ahead, medically, because we are using an archaic method of medicine that focuses on catastrophic illness. Our medical system needs to get ahead of the learning curve and look beyond our current broken medical system.

I gained 20 lbs watching TV. So, I sold my couch and bought a Total Gym, when I realized that the couch was killing me in front of the TV! I have been researching Clark County resources for three months. I want productive ways to make my life better and increase the life qualities of myself and my neighbors.

The most damaging physically harmful attitude is “unforgiveness” toward others and yourself. The toxic emotion harms the grudge holder, not the offender. So, be quick to smile, slow to anger and learn not to take offense by other’s deeds or words. If you are hurt, forgive them and be free from toxic emotions.

I have a copy of the Senior Messenger, published by the City of Vancouver, next to my computer. My Messenger Paper review reveals that the Messenger needs some additional information. Where are the web sites for the ads and articles? Every ad and event needs a website and phone number. If The Senior Messenger editors add the Internet website, Boomers will search for more information on the website. Life is about change. Seniors know that, because they saw the 8 cylinder motor, six cylinder, Volkswagen, electric cars and hydrogen cars. Advertisers need to include Seniors in the Internet Age!

Jobs which pay Seniors keep them financially solvent. On the Government Clark County, WA site, there should be Education for Seniors and Job placement information. Age sixty is not old. Eighty-five is the new old. Dykewald wrote “Age Wave” in the 1980’s and said people die from being isolated, not so much from being old. They thrive in activity and social contact. We must work with all the talent and good that the Seniors have learned, earned and reserved, so we can train the next generations. I am amazed at their practical ability, smarts to create , building and making business and inventions. Their intelligence is a national asset.

These web sites connect Boomers and Traditionalists with agencies, others and fun:

Social Networking:
My favorite social website is Meet Up
Whatever you like to do, someone is planning and doing it! If you cannot find what you like, you can start a new group. You don’t have to do anything alone, again. What are you waiting for? Let’s get going!

Senior Messenger Newspaper online

Clark County Telephone Directory

AARP Safe Driving Class Locations

Go to Work:
Seniors need to work for income. We need to revise the state laws so older people can work and make our country strong and their lives useful. Americans are rebuilding our economy after our national financial crisis. Our Senior Citizens are a valuable resource, not a drag on the economy. Don’t be so fast to exit them to retirement, when their hair turns grey. Boomers have so much to offer the next generation. Society has a place for all our citizens. We will do better in the long run, when we work together, teach the next generation and share our knowledge, health and curiosity of living full lives with one another.

Go2Worksource dot com for Work

Clark County Job Openings

Federal Jobs in America

Fitness:
Vancouver Mall has an inside, morning walk. Doors open at 7 a.m. I was walking one morning. A fellow told me it’s a quarter mile around one lap of the indoor building. Coffee and breakfast stores are open, when you finish your walk. I met another man, who was 85. He told me that the doctor said he would die soon, because his heart was giving out at age 65. He could barely walk. He began with his walker and came every day. He walks normally without his walker. The doctor was wrong. He still living 20 years later. Exercise does good things for your heart and health.

Nautilus Training Playground
Nautilus has a walking, running, football, baseball and other sports at its center on Mill Plain and 164 Ave in Vancouver, WA. I stop and walk in the outdoor field, when I have business in that area.

Clark County Fitness

Senior Parks Fitness Events

Walking Guides in Clark County

Big Al’s Sports Center

Silver Sneakers Innovative Fitness Plan

WA Coalition for Promoting Health and Fitness

Firstenburg Indoor Recreation

Nevada’s County Commissioner Examples of Fitness

Seniors and Law Enforcement Together

Financial:
Coupons in Clark County

Seniors Free Tax Help

Music and Entertainers:
search: music and bands, Vancouver, WA
Sweet Adelines and Bravo etc

WA Old Time Fiddlers District 10 Vancouver

Columbia River Old Time Strings

Social:
Baby Boomers Meetup Groups National

Baby Boomers Meetup Groups near Vancouver

AARP Magazine Online Senior Fitness

Transportation:

C Tran in Clark County WA

Oregon WA Tri-Met Clark Co

Clark County Cab 24 hour service 360-887-0411

Battle Ground Cab Company– 360-666-7766
Clark County Cab 360-887-0411 or 360-666-7766

Golden Chariot Specialty Transport Service, LLC– 360-944-9833

Blue Star Vancouver Airporter3 a.m.-Midnight, door to door service, 30 minute leaving PDX, Low flat rate, 7 days a week 1-800-247-2272

Quad City Cab, LLC– 360-887-5066, Woodland, Kalama, Vancouver- Specialty Medicare and Medicaid service is billed, not a regular cab service.

Healthier Maximized Living:
Dr Troy Dreilling Absolute Life Chiropractic

I attended Absolute Chiropractic “Maximized Wellness” class on Feb 14, 2010. Many of the attendance were Senior Citizens, searching for a healing place to be healthier. I stopped eating cane sugar. My legs and feet healed and the inflammation went away. My feet look great. We should be looking for ways to heal, instead of focusing on sickness. I am very impressed with the “Maximized Wellness” teaching Dr. Dreiling. He has a TV show on Channel 11, the Community channel on Mondays at 7 p.m.

Dr. Troy Dreiling – Vancouver Mall Chiropractic was voted Clark Counties Best by by The Columbian Newspaper readers. Dr. Troy is a member of the Maximized Living Wellness Advisory Council, which offers services and advice to the governing bodies of USA Judo, USA Weightlifting and USA Wrestling. Dr. Troy airs the “Absolute Life Radio Show” – every Saturday morning at 11am on KPDQ 93.9FM. (This information was from Dr. Dreiling’s web site.)

Each of us must begin, today, and build a better, more productive tomorrow for all our selves and our citizens, regardless of our age. If we work together, we can help one another grow in our community. Copyright by Michaels Media. All rights reserved. Links only to this article.

Boomers Blogs Vancouver, WA

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

A Boomer man went to the doctor. The doctor comes into the exam room.
Doctor said, ” Hi. What is the problem?”
Boomer man said, “My right knee is painful. ”
Doctor, ” Well, you know you’re getting older.”
Boomer man said, ” Doc, my left knee is the same age an it doesn’t hurt. I want good health, so fix it Doc.”
copyright by Michaels Media. Feb 23, 2010. All rights reserved.
If your doctors gives excuses because of your age, find a new doctor. Pills mask the health

problem, so ask many questions. You’re paying for their advice, so have a list of questions before you go. Look on the Internet to get information on sites such as web md Web MD See, also, Absolute Chiropractic in Vancouver, WA talks about diet, supplements, back adjustments and maximum wellness.

Being the largest demographic group in America followed by the Echo Boomers coming out of High School, I think we can solve the financial problems of the USA and be employed while doing it. What do you say? Let’s solve these problems. We may be getting older, but we have passed the barricade of sick and old. We can do what ever we put our minds and work together on this. Let’s get going and put our heads and put our hearts into solving these problems.

Want to get active? There is Meetup where you can find 576 groups meeting in the Vancouver, Portland Area. Boomer can just type in Boomer in Search the Internet for activities and options to play and meet with 76 million people who are Boomers.
Turn off your TV warm up your computer to find out all the news in the world plus more TV. Then, go out and play with the other Boomers.

Where is my Tax Refund from the IRS? I Filed my Income Taxes.

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Feb 16, 2010
Tax Records
Did you move, recently, and forget about your IRS refund check? Were you just married? You remembered to change your drivers license and your bills. Did you change your name and address with the Social Security office?  The IRS uses this address to mail your refund check.

The IRS may not be able to find you. They could be holding your refund, because the US Post Office returned the refund to the IRS.  Are you missing your check?  There are millions of  US citizens. There is one IRS Government Office located at   
IRS.gov  . You can research your name by typing  in the search box: “Where is my Refund?”  Then, fill in the boxes and changes online.

Where’s My refund?

             How to apply for where is my refund?

 Even if you though you thought you did get your refund, sit down at your computer and check your name, your husband’s name, your working children’s names, your Grandma and Grandpa. I helped my  find my neighbor some money she  lost moving around when her husband was in  the military.

Maybe you just bought a new house. All the paperwork has to be changed with your name, new address, new everything. Make it easy for IRS to find you.  Start with your drivers license and the Social Security office.  Then, do your checking, return address stamps, and letters to everyone.

        
Newly Married: Change your records or your tax refund will be lost.

If you ignore your refund, the IRS may petition the government to keep it after a time peroid. Can you use your money right now?

Are you a first time home buyer and want to know about the $8,000 tax credit? Follow this link:

     IRS First time Home buyers credit.

The IRS has 107,831 refund checks that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors.

        IRS Tax refunds owners sought to find for your refunds.

         How do I find my IRS Refund Check?

         How to get my IRS refund?

 

Maybe you didn’t get married, move or maybe you haven’t felt well and cant remember if you got your refund. Go and check to see if you have past refunds just sitting there. You could get a surprise refund back to you!

Or, maybe you want to know if you have to pay taxes at the end of this next year. You can  check that online, too.

          Check your withholding before year end:

 Were you entitled to a tax rebate for 2008? If your financial situation changed. You may benefit by checking here. 

         2008 IRS Late Tax Rebate.

 

Earned Income Tax Credit- Remember to Apply for EITC on your 2009 Taxes

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

Tax Time 2009Filing your taxes is complicated. However, the Federal Government has been giving the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for several years. So, if you need money to make a down payment or pay closing costs on a purchase of a home, get your taxes done, early, and use the funds to buy a home, while the interest rates are low. If you have children, someone who is handicapped, caring for an elderly person in your home and other family situations, you should ask your accountant or the IRS to verify your eligibility.

This 2009 tax season, EITC could, financially, benefit you to check your tax credits and personal deductions through the IRS that you would be able or eligible for your family. The IRS has increased the Earned Income Tax Credit (a Federal Tax credit) this year. Last year’s rules have changed. So don’t “short change” your family, but go and research what your deductions shall be. So count the noses of all in your family and how much you earned last year to evaluate your Tax Credit for 2009. Even if you have no children, you will get a EITC check for approx. $457 (to be verified by IRS or your accountant).

The IRS says that one of four tax payers fail to take their tax credit last year! Did you get one? Check out the official www.IRS.gov site and look for the EITC Assist tool. It will ask lots of questions, so be ready. Also, ask a CPA to verify your answers. Be sure and ask your state, too, when you use the federal deduction. Twenty-Two state participate in this deduction. The www.IRS.gov site has a list of states that participate.

Oregon State has a program that teaches many tax people to help the public take their Earned Income Tax Credit.

So, if you are going to buy a house this year, the Earned Income Tax Credit will be a financial boost for you or your family.
It is the only check that I know, which you’ll be getting from Uncle Sam for citizen bailout for 2009.

Begin Again, From Where You Are, For Your Tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

WWI American Soldier returning from war.

WWI American Soldier returning from war.

Yesterday is gone, Today is here, Tomorrow is yet to be. You can do something to day to change your tomorrow.
You could take a paper and pencil and plan today, tomorrow and the future.
It will not all come true, but the most important is what you are doing today, that builds your tomorrow.

Let’s say you said, “Someday, I’m going to __________________________________________.” Well, today is a good day to start. One by one things get done. Beginning is one-half done, but finishing is better.

You can plan, but it doesn’t mean it will all happen like you want it to. Life is not perfect. Doing something is better than avoiding the past and frittering away tomorrow. You can begin, today. If you walk on a path with a lantern, you can only see a short way. You must be moving to make headway. The more you walk the farther you’ll go. Keep going-persistence and hard work is a winning combination.

Moving Forward by Michaels Medias
Direction and work can carry you far,
It is better than staying where you are,
New places and people can turn on a street,
A meeting can make a deal complete.
More friends and new neighbors,
Bring options and favors,
So, walk out your door,
By crossing the floor,
Have courage in your heart,
New adventures to start.
Begin again,
Make some new friends.