Did you know that April is National Financial Literacy month? President Obama stated that its goal is to “ensure all Americans have the skills to manage their fiscal resources effectively”. It’s never too early or late to learn about money and personal finance. So who’s the Chief Financial Officer of your family’s finances?

Have you ever heard quote, “He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”? It is so important to define your goals and when you want to reach them. What are you goals for 5 years, 10 years, 20 years from now? Do you need help figuring what it takes to get where you want to go?

I think most people would like to have financial planning assistance but are probably intimidated by the process due to lack of knowledge of what is involved or maybe they feel like they don’t have enough money. But you don’t have to feel like that anymore because I am going to introduce you to my Financial Planner, Mark Chew of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Whenever I hear Mark speak on financial topics I always leave with a good understanding of the material discussed and that is the most important thing to me. Mark is down to earth, competent and trustworthy. I encourage you to contact Mark because when it comes to saving for retirement, there are a lot of different options out there and the biggest challenge is understanding them. Mark can help you minimize the impact of an uncertain future and help you determine the amount of savings you need in order to live the life you dreamed. Whether you are dreaming of a retirement that would take you around the world or one that keeps you close to your grandchildren, planning sooner than later for all your financial goals will help make those dreams a reality!

Mark Chew | Financial Advisor
Direct 949.955.7581
mark.e.chew@mssb.com

Here are some other links to help get the ball rolling.

CNNMoney has an outstanding overview of basic personal finance topics called Money 101. Each of the 23 topics includes several pages of information, and many of the subjects include an interactive calculator or tool.

The Federal government also has a website called MyMoney.gov, which is dedicated to teaching all Americans the basics about financial education.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A healthy meal in the morning can balance your blood sugar levels and give you the sustenance you need to handle physical and mental stress throughout your business day so the So Cal BNI Power Partners has decided to do business over breakfast. Their business networking meeting will now be held at Marie Callenders in Anaheim Hills.

Don’t let the breakfast fool you they are there to conduct business and make money. Networking in its purest form is simply talking to people, making connections and developing rapport to grow our circle of influence. Business networking is essentially the same except that our primary objective in business networking is to help us grow our businesses. For most of us, building a network means meeting people we can do business with or who will do business with us, and even better refer a person who will do business with us, that is our ultimate goal.

When you create valuable networking relationships, you build them on a foundation of mutual trust, sharing knowledge, experiences and resources to help one another grow your businesses. It works like this: If you do a good job, one client might tell three of their family and friends about you. When you build a network of say 20 strong promoters, they may each tell only one person about you but now your exposure has more than doubled. With the right networking group, the ultimate in word of mouth marketing takes place…. Givers Gain, you promote your network and your network promotes you!

Wouldn’t you like to start your day by making money during breakfast? If so please visit The So Cal BNI Power Partners any Tuesday Morning 7:15am at Marie Callenders on La Palma & Imperial Hwy in Anaheim Hills.

Investing in your community is a great way to give back. Non-profit organizations do so much to help the communities that all of us are a part of, but they can’t do it alone!

As successful members of the community, we have a responsibility to help those that are less fortunate and contribute to the common good. By reaching out to help others, not only benefits the person being helped, but practicing charity also has many benefits for the person doing the helping. It is a generous way of expressing gratitude for all that you have been given.

I feel this so strongly that it’s been a longstanding practice of mine to donate my time and money to charitable organizations for the past several years. In some years, I admit, it has been a lot less money than other years, but every little bit truly helps. When my business was in the red and I wasn’t able to give money, I gave more of my time, volunteering with local organizations that were able to use my skills. There are so many organizations that need a pair of helping hands – especially a pair of helping hands that are regularly available. Reaching out a hand to lift someone else up is one of the greatest gifts for the heart. The gifts that one receives from giving back and from reaching out to help others are immense and priceless.

The Eli Home is a non-profit organization based in Anaheim that is near and dear to my heart. They have 3 shelter homes in Anaheim and Orange which house the mothers and children they take in. The Eli Home is the only shelter home in Orange County that keeps the children with their mothers. They exist to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused children and their mothers. They focus their efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach.

You may think to yourself they are just a shelter in Anaheim that has nothing to do with me or my life but you need to realize that The Eli Home has a very important role in the community of Orange County. Do you know how child abuse affects the community?? If not please click on the link to familiarize yourself with the statistics showing the outcome and consequences of untreated child abuse. If these children don’t get the help they need they will repeat the cycle of violence, crime and substance abuse in our community. http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics/#gen-stats

The Eli Home’s mission is to shelter, comfort, heal, encourage and strengthen victims of child abuse and neglect, to prepare them to re-enter the community to lead stable, non-violent lives, free from fear and intimidation – To Break the Cycle of Child Abuse.

How you can help

Individuals can help by…
o Serving on an Event Committee, Board of Directors, Sub Committee
o Volunteering at the admin offices, thrift store, shelter home or an event
o Financial Support a one-time gift or a monthly pledge

Businesses can help by…
o Organizing volunteer groups for a day
o Donating new products t the families and Thrift Store
o Donating professional services
o Financial support a one-time gift or a monthly pledge

Corporations
o Do you offer grant opportunities?
o Do you sponsor fundraising events?
o Do you offer a corporate matching program to your employees?

The list above gives you some ideas and may inspire you. As you can see there are many ways of giving back and volunteering. Just keep your ears and eyes open for ways you can give back. Seeing the smile on a child’s face and experience feelings of warmth, contentment and gratitude in your heart as you bring assistance to others will make the world a better place and only then will you begin to understand why people give back.

I will end this with a great quote by Audrey Hepburn, “As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One is for helping yourself and the other is for helping others.”

Rack ‘em and crack ‘em is something that should involve a game at a pub like pool or beer pong not your Chiropractor’s motto. I used to work for a chiropractor many years ago and it was my job to talk the clients into ongoing extreme payment plans. I eventually left that office because I felt as if those doctors were all about the money and not so much for the real health of their patients.

So, because of my past experience I was skeptical when first meeting Dr. Heather and Dr. Mark until I spent some time talking with them. If you are looking for the real deal someone who is a life enthusiast and a whole body health advocate then look no further and let me introduce you to my professionals of the week, Dr.’s Mark & Heather Hamilton of Hamilton Chiropractic in Orange, CA where they are more than just Chiropractor’s they really CARE!

I heard Dr. Heather speak last week and I can’t tell you how informative, inspiring and entertaining she was to listen to. Having worked in a Chiropractic office for a several years I thought I knew what she was going to say but I was wrong. Dr. Heather’s biggest message was to teach everyone to be their own health advocate, taking an active role in their own health care. Did you know that there is an endless list of health problems that Chiropractic can help that stem from the dysfunction of your spinal joints and nervous system, it’s not just for your back!

I read a really awesome statement from a Medical Doctor that knows the value of Chiropractic care. Specifically, he maintains that mainstream medicine is well-suited to crisis intervention, whereas alternative medicine is best utilized for prevention and health maintenance.

The body has an innate ability to fight germs and infections and heal itself. Western doctors are frozen in a disease-oriented mode, concentrating on curing disease with drugs and surgery rather than on prevention and stimulating the body’s natural healing power. Most drugs just prevent the disease from expressing itself symptomatically. Symptoms disappear but the disease actually gets progressively worse. – Andrew Weil, M.D.

So, I ask you what does your health mean to you? Do you take your health for granted? Are you ready to be proactive with your health? Because you are worth it. I invite you to take the time to come and hear Dr. Heather speak…. I promise that you will leave there feeling like you just walked out of a Tony Robbins seminar wanting to make lasting changes for your health!

Hamilton Chiropractic
2808 E Katella Ave
Orange, CA 92867
714-733-7064

In today’s market is the American Dream of home ownership still alive? With a challenging economy one must ask themselves, what does the American Dream mean to me today and how can I achieve it? Where can I get it? You might not be able to tell these days with all the bad news about the housing market, but it’s still an incredible feeling to own your own home. It’s still worthwhile and it’s still the American Dream. Don’t lose hope. The American Dream is still alive!

I am always looking for ways to help first time home buyers attain their dream of homeownership. As a member and contributor of Pacific West Association of Realtors Charity Foundation I am pleased to announce their “Opening Doors” First-Time Buyers Down Payment Assistance Program. Qualified buyers are eligible to receive up to $7500 in down payment assistance towards the purchase of their first home.

The program’s objectives are to…

• Help “challenged but worthy” first-time buyers
• Educate buyers about the financial obligations of holding a mortgage, thus making the dream of home ownership a reality for families in North OC and South LA counties

Qualifications…

• Maximum income levels (1-2 buyers) $111,480 for OC & $99,360 for LA
• Maximum purchase prices is $637,645 for OC and LA Counties
• Buyer must contribute 1% of the sales price towards the down payment
• Buyer may not have owned any residence within the past 3 years
• Minimum credit score of 620
• Pre-approval from a direct lender, not a broker
• Minimum five-year fixed-rate loan, full documentation (no stated income)
• Applicants must be represented by a PWR REALTOR® member
• Property must be located within PWR’s jurisdiction
• Short-sales must have written bank approval.

The Opening Doors program is available to any qualified buyer who purchases a property located in PWR’s jurisdiction, which represents 26 cities in Central/North OC and the Southeast LA County.

Including:
Anaheim/Anaheim Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra/La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Palma, Lakewood, Long Beach, Los Alamitos, Norwalk, Orange, Pico Rivera, Placentia, Rossmoor, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Signal Hill, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, Whittier, and Yorba Linda.

Other qualifications apply. Contact me today for more information on this or other down payment assistance information!

I know talk a lot about The Eli Home that’s because it is an organization I am passionate about but this post is different because I am not promoting a fun time at a fundraiser this is a very important plea. They are losing their biggest donor who supplies almost all the new items at their thrift store located in Anaheim, CA (off the 91 Freeway and East St). Their Thrift Store is their biggest money-maker, it’s what keeps the shelters operating. They call it the unthrift store because they were able to supply the community with a majority of new items, anything from kitchen items, computer accessories, bedding, furniture to formal dresses. The items from their donors also go directly to the shelter homes, The Eli Home motto is they give the best to those that need it the most.

They have 3 shelter homes in Anaheim which house the mothers and children they take in. The Eli Home is the only shelter home in Orange County that keeps the children with their mothers. They exist to meet the physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs of abused children and their mothers. They focus their efforts on advocacy, prevention, treatment, and community outreach.

You may think to yourself they are just a shelter in Anaheim that has nothing to do with me or my life but you need to realize that The Eli Home has a very important role in Orange County. Do you know how child abuse effects the community?? If not please click on the link to familiarize yourself with the statistics showing the outcome and consequences of untreated child abuse. If these children don’t get the help they need they will repeat the cycle of violence, crime and substance abuse in our community. http://www.childhelp.org/pages/statistics/#gen-stats

The Eli Home’s mission is to welcome, shelter, comfort, heal, encourage and strengthen victims of child abuse and neglect, and to prepare them to reenter the community to lead stable, non-violent lives, free from fear and intimidation – To Break the Cycle of Child Abuse.

So, do you know any store owners, store managers or local manufactures if so maybe you can ask what they do with outdated, irregular or slightly damaged merchandise that they can’t keep on their store floor or didn’t sell? They are also still accepting in-kind and cash donations as well as looking to be introduced to foundations.

Can you please forward this to all your friends and family you never know who someone else knows, right?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

Please contact me or Tami Galloway at The Eli Home www.elihome.org if you want to help make a difference in a child’s life and our community.

This is where I want to go on vacation!

If you don’t know yet then you will be happy to meet my professional of the week, Lisa McGregor & Associates at CruiseOne Travel! Lisa and her crew are a full service travel agency, don’t let the name CruiseOne throw you off because they do it ALL. I have almost met all of the lovely ladies on her team and they provide friendly customer service and are full of information to help you plan your entire trip.

So, what were you thinking of a maybe short weekend getaway or an around the world adventure? Now, I know what you are thinking….. I’m gonna save money and book this trip myself online. GUESS WHAT? Lisa does not charge a service fee and she can match if not beat the prices you find online PLUS you have a travel agent to tell you all the inside scoop, tricks and tips on your destination. They take care of cruise or land accommodations, air and ground transportation, hotel reservations, shore excursions, passports and visa requirements, travel insurance, and special health considerations.

Now, you can’t get that kind of attention online can you? No, you can’t so next time you or you hear about someone scheduling a vacation, having a business conference, family reunion, bachelor or bachelorette party, planning a romantic getaway, celebrating a retirement, anniversary or birthday think of Lisa at CruiseOne!

Lisa McGregor
714-782-7437
lmcgregor@cruiseone.com

June 8, 2010–Legislation that would help prevent avoidable foreclosures and deter irresponsible lender and servicer behavior recently passed out of the California Senate, 21-12.

“Simple fairness dictates that no one should lose their home while they are in the middle of trying to save it,” said Paul Leonard, director of the California office of the Center for Responsible Lending.

SB 1275, authored by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) and Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) would prevent servicers from foreclosing on homeowners who have requested modifications until a decision has been made, and the homeowner notified. It would also allow for a limited remedy for certain eligible homeowners whose homes were erroneously sold at foreclosure.

Currently, servicers are initiating the foreclosure process even when borrowers are working to reach a resolution, including when homeowners are following all the rules to seek a loan modification, or are already making payments on a trial modification. Additionally, if a homeowner’s home is sold due to servicer error, there is currently no means by which to seek recourse.

SB 1275 seeks to change this by providing recourse through what is known as a private right of action.

This would allow eligible homeowners to seek limited damages which are directly related to the severity of the servicer’s errors, or, in some cases, would allow the homeowner to reverse the foreclosure sale and require the servicer to start over and follow the law. This provides a modest deterrent to the egregious servicer behavior that can cost Californians their homes, and faces significant opposition from banks and servicers reluctant to improve their servicer practices or pay the price for their mistakes.

During earlier committee hearings for SB 1275, servicer representatives acknowledged that confusion and errors are commonplace. Bank of America executive Jack Schackett even admitted during a conference call yesterday that they “have not handled [their] customers to the standards Bank of America is accustomed to.”

Confusion and errors that cost Californians their homes, however, are not only avoidable, but they are devastating. Homeowners who have been wronged deserve the opportunity to make it right.

“One of the oldest principles of law is that a right without a remedy is no right at all,” said Lisa Sitkin, staff attorney at Housing and Economic Rights Advocates in Oakland. “In order for laws to be meaningful, violations must have real consequences, and victims must have real avenues to seek redress.”

CRL expects that homeowners’ ability to right the wrongs of irresponsible servicers will continue to be the biggest challenge to moving SB 1275 through the Assembly. It will first be heard in the Assembly Banking Committee.

Source: Center for Responsible Lending

People have been asking me all morning so how does it feel to be 35? I don’t really know how to answer that I guess this is supposed to be a landmark birthday. I am definitely grateful to God for another day. My original goal was to be done with treatment before my birthday but reports came back that I need a few more cycles. I guess you can’t always have your cake and eat it too.

Sometimes thinking about your life and sorting out what you have learned is just as important as tackling a new venture.

1. Your health is your life.
2. Marry your best friend.
3. Take lots of pictures. Someday you’ll be really glad you did.
4. Laughing, crying, happiness and anger… All are a vital. All make us human.
5. Your actions now create memories you will reminisce and talk about in your senior years.
6. Greed will bury even the lucky eventually.
7. Bad things do happen to good people.
8. Time heals all wounds… regardless of how you feel right now.
9. Most of the time what you are looking for is right in front of you.
10. Kindness and hard work will take you further than intelligence.
11. People deserve a second chance, but not a third.
12. Money makes life easier only when the money is yours free and clear.
13. Carelessness is the root of failure
14. Stepping outside of your comfort zone will put things into perspective from an angle you can’t grasp now.
15. Motivation comes in short bursts. Act while it’s hot.
16. Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation for success.
17. If you’re smiling right now, you’re doing something right.
18. It’s not so much what you say that counts, it’s how you make people feel.
19. The biggest mistake you can make is doing nothing because you’re scared to make a mistake.
20. No matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
21. Freedom is the greatest gift. Self-sufficiency is the greatest freedom.
22. If you catch yourself working hard and loving every minute of it, don’t stop. You’re on to something big. Because hard work isn’t hard when you concentrate on your passions.
23. It’s not about getting a chance it’s about taking a chance. You’ll rarely be 100% sure it will work. But you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. You just have to go for it!
24. Complaining is like slapping yourself for slapping yourself. It doesn’t solve the problem, it just hurts you more.
25. May your words be sweet and tender for you may have to eat them.
26. You can press forward long after you feel you can’t. It’s just a matter of wanting it bad enough.
27. There’s a big difference between knowing and doing. Knowledge is basically useless without action.
28. In work and business, when they need you more than you need them, you have succeeded.
29. Everything that happens in life is either good or bad. It just depends on your perspective.
30. We are all weird. And life is weird. So when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we call it love.
31. You can’t change who you are. You can only change what you know and how you apply this knowledge.
32. It is okay to be angry. It is never okay to be cruel.
33. Even when you feel like you have nothing, someone else likely has far less. Find them and help them. You’ll see why.
34. Having a thousand credentials on the wall will not make you a decent human being. But genuinely helping one person everyday will.
35. Remember, change happens for a reason. Roll with it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.

June 5th 2010
2345 N. Tustin St.
Orange, CA 92865
10am – 10pm Tattooing
3pm – 7pm Music & Food

Inked4Goodflyer