| Welcome
The main purpose of our monthly newsletter is to inform, motivate, educate and offer a little humor into our hectic lives.
If you have a friend or associate that might enjoy the monthly e-newsletter, please direct them to www.joestiles.com to sign up. |
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Interest Rates in Review |
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It is always interesting to reflect on where we are now compared to years past.
Periodically, I hear comments about rates being high compared to several months ago when rates were routinely below 5.000%
The following is a historical perspective that readers might find interesting:
CONV FHA
07-24-06 6.250% 6.250%
07-24-07 6.500 6.375
07-24-08 6.375 6.375
07-24-09 5.125 5.250
What is the thinking NOW about the ideal time to be a homebuyer? No time like the present!
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Belt Tightening Strategy |
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Learn all you can about coupons. Take an hour one night a week to clip the latest coupons and look at the weekly store circulars. Combining coupons with store sales can greatly increase your savings. When you find really good deals, go ahead and stockpile items that you use regularly. Even in a small house, room can be found for boxes of tissues and deodorant that can be purchased for next to nothing. As small as those cents seem at the time, they can really add up over the course of a year. (see www.thegrocerygame.com and use the promo code "Linda Stiles."
EDITORIAL COMMENT:
I constantly find it interesting to watch Linda's reaction to the grocery savings every week. If she does not realize a savings of 50%, she gets really ticked. NOW, that is real savings off our grocery bill every week!
Only buy what you need, and only buy on sale. Watch for sales on big ticket items and search for online coupon codes when purchasing via the internet. A quick search on Google for the name of your item plus the word "sale," "coupon codes," or "free shipping codes," can bring up several sites that list all of the most recent deals being offered by online retailers.
It's difficult to imagine what our lives were like before the internet, cable, cell phones, Tivo, and other technology. But overindulging in communication can send your budget skyrocketing. Instead of automatically opting for premium plans on everything, take a few minutes to explore your options. Package prices often shoot up after an introductory offer that lasts from one to two years, so check your contract and don't be afraid to ask for a reduction or haggle for a better price.
You can significantly boost your home's energy efficiency and help reduce utility bills by investing time in weather stripping and insulation. But you can make an even bigger dent by doing something that won't cost you a penny: completely turn off or unplug your appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that 75 per cent of the electricity used to power home electronics in the average home is consumed while the products are turned off. By unplugging appliances or using a power strip, the appliance doesn't continue to eat your money after the OFF switch has been flipped.
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A Child's Prayer |
One night Mike's parents overheard this prayer. "Now I lay me down to rest, and hope to pass tomorrow's test, if I should die before I wake, that's one less test I have to take."
A 5 year old boy was sitting down to eat when his mother asked him to pray for his meal. He replied, "Mom we don't have to. We prayed over this last night." His mother had prepared leftovers from the day before.
A little boy's prayer: "Dear God, please take care of my daddy and my mommy and my sister and my brother and my doggy and me. Oh, please take care of yourself, God. If anything happens to you, we're gonna be in a big mess."
One Sunday in a Midwest city a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out. Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
And this particular four-year-old prayed: "And forgive us our trash baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
A daddy was listening to his child say his prayer "Dear Harold," At this, dad interrupted and said, "Wait a minute, "How come you called God, Harold? The little boy looked up and said, "That's what they call Him in church. You know the prayer we say, "Our Father, who art in Heaven, Harold be Thy name." http://www.rogerknapp.com/inspire/Childprayers.htm
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A Veteran's Salute |
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Veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem, thanks to changes in federal law that took effect this month.
"The military salute is a unique gesture of respect that marks those who have served in our nation's armed forces," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "This provision allows the application of that honor in all events involving our nation's flag."
The new provision improves upon a little known change in federal law last year that authorized veterans to render the military-style hand salute during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, but it did not address salutes during the national anthem. Last year's provision also applied to members of the armed forces while not in uniform.
Traditionally, members of the nation's veterans' service organizations have rendered the hand-salute during the national anthem and at events involving the national flag while wearing their organization's official head-gear.
The most recent change, authorizing hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel, was sponsored by Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma, an Army veteran. It was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14.
The earlier provision authorizing hand-salutes for veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel during the raising, lowering or passing of the flag, was contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which took effect Jan. 28, 2008. # # # For the latest news releases and other information, visit VA on the Internet at http://www.va.gov/opa. The next time you see a salute from a person dressed in "civilian" cloths, be sure to thank them for their service to our country.
Joe@joestiles.com
281/381-1414 |
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"How F. A. T. Are You?" |
Please join me as my personal guest at the
HWCOC's Business Over Breakfast meeting on the
THIRD WEDNESDAY of each month.
Our AUGUST breakfast meeting is held at:
Norris Conference Center
City Centre in Town & Country Village
We begin our netweaving and breakfast meeting at 07:00 A.M. and finish at 08:30 A.M.
Be sure to say THANK YOU to those responsible for sponsoring the fabulous breakfast.
The next meeting is AUGUST 19th
The title of this month's program is:
"How F.A.T. Are You?"
This program highlights the how and where to get referrala.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR CLIENTS GROW THEIR BUSINESS, INVITE THEM TO ATTEND WITH YOU.
Do you need help with directions?
Please call me at 281/381-1414 for directions OR go to www.hwcoc.org for more information and the monthly calendar of events. |
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J. O. B. Security |
Believe it or not, the term "Job Security" is not an oxymoron term like "government service."
While we cannot guarantee our job security, we can enhance our value with the following steps. These steps are true whether we have a J. O. B. or work for ourselves.
The following are steps to consider when enhanching our value:
- What is your personal brand? Said in another way, what are you best known for or how are you best known? The answer to these questions is YOUR brand - like it or not, it is your brand. If you do not like what or how you are known, then change is an acceptable alternative. If you are not sure how you are known, ask an associate at work. Be prepared for a surprise when compared to your opinion.
- Once you have defined your (new) brand, it is time to communicate your brand. Your brand can be communicated corporately via Tweets, Blogs, a personal website or just by serving as a resource to others.
- Your brand can also incluse a personal look or image; e.g. every first Monday you are dressed in black. Perhaps you are dressed on each special day of the month; e.g. red for Valentine's Day or red/white/blue for July 4th, etc.
- Branding can also include your personal mark or trademark signature of things that you touch. An example might be a fun business card to use with friends and associates that reflects your image.
The focus in all of the above points is that if someone is thinking about you, be sure it matches your designated brand. As with any branding goal or focus, a positive image is J. O. B #1 and your job security.
Mortgage financing does not have to be stressful with "Mortgage Financing with...STILE"
www.joestiles.com
281/381-1414
joe@joestiles.com | |
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Think on these things
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"Well done is better than well said."
Benjamin Franklin
(1706-1790)
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"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
Mother Teresa
(1910-1997)
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"Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth."
George Washington
(1732-1799)
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"The time is always right to do what is right."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
(1929-1968)
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"All the adversity I've had in my life, has strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you."
Walt Disney
(1901-1966)
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"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will."
Vince Lombardi
(1913-1970)
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"It is better to light the candle than to curse the darkness."
Eleanor Roosevelt
(1884-1962)
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"A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both."
Dwight Eisenhower
(1890-1969)
Does your business offer a discount that you would like to offer to my readers? SEE BELOW
This is a great opportunity to share your expertise with many others. |
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| AUGUST 2009 |
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I invite you to take a moment to be inspired, motivated, informed and entertained by this month's newsletter. Please take a moment to share your comments and suggestions for furture articles and/or topics.
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| America's Veterans |
America's military veterans have a very special place in my heart.
With my warmest personal THANK YOU for every U. S. military veteran who finances their loan through
JOE STILES, I am offering a FREE appraisal with a copy of the DD214 - a value of $400.
I am honored to serve our country's veterans in this small way as my personal gratitude of your service to the United States of America.
NO TIME LIMIT
Joe Stiles
(USAF Veteran)
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