The Truth is in the Proof

TIE TV video blog; 545 politicians vs. 300 million

2011-08-25T16:59:00.000-07:00

What happens if...on August 2nd the US defaults?

2011-07-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

What happens if the US defaults on their obligations come August 2nd?

Well, Charles Plosser, president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank says, "It could be very bad.” He goes on to say; “At some level we don't really know what the consequences could be. It could be very serious. It could be less serious. Do we really want to run that experiment?"

Read that again: could be bad, we really don’t know the consequences, could be very serious or less serious. Huh???

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke last week warned that a default could have "catastrophic" effects on financial markets. I’ve been searching the internet for Bernanke’s explanation of the ‘results’ of catastrophic effects. I have yet to find his answer. If you can find anything definitive please pass along the link.

There are however a multitude of journalistic financial “experts” and an equal number of “economists” who seem to know exactly the results of “catastrophic” effects. How do these guys know exactly what is going to happen? They didn't get it out of a text book. The Great Depression can't give any real clues to what happens when the richest, most powerful economy on the globe goes belly up. Remember, it was the stock market crash, not a bankrupt government that caused the Depression. There's a huge difference. I think the talking heads keep talking to justify their own existence, but I really don't believe they have a clue either. And if they do then why aren't they giving any solutions to the problem. If they all know what is going to happen then why aren't they offering any solutions. Are there no solutions? If these catastrophic events are going to occur what are they planning for their own families and friends? Are they hoarding food, water, battery's, seeds and ammunition? Are they liquidating everything so as to have enough cash to survive the onslaught? You get me here? Doom and Gloom all day long. Democrats and Republicans bickering over the last piece of pie at Thanksgiving. Even the proposals out of Washington aren't going to help you and me. They will only make our lives harder while those piss ants in Washington continue to play in their exclusive club. I'm sick and tired of it and I want answers. I want solutions, not political rhetoric and pandering.

So, the defecation hits the rotary oscillator on August 2nd now what? Real life will continue and our personal economies will be effected one way or the other so what gets hit first. Rising interest rates is a popular choice and a catastrophe just about everyone can agree on, but what interest rates specifically? Have you noticed all the talking heads just say "interest rates", but don't get specific. Are they referring to conventional mortgage rates, the Prime rate Discount rate, Treasury rates, credit card rates, all rates? Give us a clue guys so we can plan accordingly.

Will conventional mortgage rates rise? Probably, they can’t get much lower, so how much are they going to go up? And if they do will that affect you? Only if you have to refinance or move, but if you already have your low rate then what does that really mean to you? Really, will it affect your day-to-day life? Probably no more than if Starbuck's raised the cost of a double shot Mocha.

Will the Prime Rate rise? Well, it can’t get any lower either so it will probably go up too, but by how much? Well, first of all we know the Prime rate, Fed Funds rate and the Discount rate collectively can be considered the accelerator pedal of the economy. Right now the Feds have it pushed to the floor (lowest possible rates) to keep the economy moving. Now if the pedal is pushed to the floor imagine what would happen if Uncle Ben (Bernanke) pulled his foot right off the pedal (increased rates) and increased interest rates by 1%, 2% or even 3%? Seriously, what do you think would happen? Same reaction as a vehicle; the US economy would come to a grinding halt. The economy would come to a dead stop, but without any coasting. It would be more like you slamming on your breaks at 50 mph 20 feet in front of a stop sign at a busy intersection. Now that would create catastrophic results. Do you think the Fed wants to see that happen?

My take on the current economic situation is this; nobody has a clue what is going to happen. We’ve never been here before so how can anyone predict the future if there is no historical data to base a decision? If Washington doesn’t make a ‘debt’ decision on August 2nd what will happen August 3rd? When our alarms go off that morning will we all take a deep breath and peak thru the curtains to see if our world looks the same? And if they don’t make a decision will the effects be the same as an atomic bomb being dropped on the country? What if there is resolution by say the 4th or 5th? Will that make a difference and make everything ok? Please tell me, give me specifics because I really want to know WHAT IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IF THE BOYS IN WASHINGTON CAN’T GET THEIR S*@T TOGETHER???

I know one thing for sure, on August 2nd and pretty much every day there after I am going to get up, visit the bathroom, go start a pot of coffee, take a shower and head to my desk. I will continue teaching people how to take control of their financial lives. To help them get more out of what they own and what they earn so no matter what Uncle Ben and Cousin Timothy (Geithner) do, my customers will have a leg up because they were proactive with their financial decisions and theior families futures. You see that’s what needs to happen if you plan on surviving on your own terms. You really need to take control of your own economy so you can counter the effects of “Washington’s” economy. That's right; it's not "our" economy because we have nothing to say about it, it is "Washington's economy. But there is "your" economy and you have all the power to make your own decisions regarding the day-to-day operations of your personal economy. We hope you make the decision to control your economy so Washington's economy doesn't bring you down with them.

If you’re going to wait for the boys in Washington to plan your financial future then you are in for a long hard life. You see, if you are reactive to their plans then you have no other choice but to take what they give you. However, if you are proactive and take precautionary measures that can counter act their ill-advised, misdirected plans then you have a much better chance of maintaining control, freedom and authority over your finances.

What happens in the "Nation's Economy" isn't nearly as important as what happens in "Your Economy." Visit TruthInEquity.com if you REALLY want to be a free thinking, independent citizen.
The Truth is in the Proof!

The Nations economy vs. Your economy

2011-06-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

“What happens in the nation’s economy isn’t nearly as important as what happens in your economy.”

Recent talk of economic blips and double dips may be considered critical news as it relates to the overall economy, but it may just be water-cooler fodder for most American’s.

Monday thru Friday American’s aren’t losing sleep over ‘double dip’ economic news; most American’s don’t even know what that means. American’s, regardless of financial means or stature, are freaking out about inflation and the rising cost of basic needs. Their fears and concerns hover around the rising cost of gas, food and insurance. They want to know how to stop or at least control the beast that is eating away at their paycheck, their standard of living and their future. They are far more concerned with their own economy then the nation’s economy.

The silent majority; those consumers or homeowners you don’t hear about or read about in most media outlets are searching out alternative products and services to get more out of their hard earned income. For many American’s, as far as their personal finances are concerned, are realizing traditional methods of personal finance are weak and inefficient, and may in fact be causing them more harm then good.

A huge segment of the population, primarily the low to mid-age side of the Baby Boomer population is starting to see their future and they don’t like what they see. After following the traditional rules of personal finance their entire lives they’re realizing the low rate, low payment mortgage they got a couple years ago means a mortgage payment well into their seventies. Combine that with an uncertain economic climate going forward and the need for alternative methods and expeditious results become paramount.

In a sampling of website visitors from January 2009 up to today, over 17,000 homeowners have provided us their basic economic information; what they owe, what they spend, their take home pay and what their homes are worth. This is what we know of those 17,000+ visitors: avg age; 47, credit score; 747, equity in their home; 25%, avg monthly take home income; $7973 and they spend $2880 per month on basic needs (food, gas, insurance, etc) Now this is not the type of consumer you hear about in the news. Nor is this the type of consumer looking for a government sponsored program to get them out of a jam. These are the ‘well-to-doer’s’ if you will. They are diligently seeking out smarter answers and better solutions for their long and short term financial concerns. How to eliminate and reduce the high cost of long term debt? How to recover as quickly as possible from the reduced value of their 401(k)? They are not finding the right answers with the traditional, conventional banker or advisor. They are however seeking out fresh ideas and alternative methods of personal finance. They are realizing that if they are going to maintain a desired lifestyle during a retirement that is quickly approaching they need to start seeing more production out of their monthly income. They are realizing that conventional practice put them in this position, so the notion of adopting something new, something outside the box of conventional thought and practice has appeal if the results are favorable.

However to adopt something new, to make a switch, to get to the desired result one critical thing must happen; a paradigm shift needs to occur. I know you have heard “paradigm shift” before, but do you know what the word paradigm means? Don’t feel embarrassed if you don’t, 99% of the population doesn’t either.

Paradigm: a theory or a group of ideas about how something should be done, made, or thought about

If a theory or group of ideas is acted upon and practiced over a period of time they become habit, so in essence a paradigm is a habit. ALL of us operate and function on habits or, in our own paradigm every day. Think about; pretty much everything we do is formed by habit. You can form a habit on your own or a habit can be passed from one generation to the next. Some habits are good, some bad, some we aren’t even aware of and some we just do because that is what we have always done or we just follow the heard. No matter where the habit came from or formed, if we are aware of or discover a habit to be bad and the results of that habitual action are not desirable or in our favor then we need to make a conscious decision to make a paradigm shift in our actions and behaviors.

So the paradigm in context of our finances: the collective and habitual use of long term amortized mortgages, checking accounts, credit cards, 401(k)’s etc; the use of these theories and ideas have landed us in the financial condition we find ourselves in today. Now, if we want our financial condition to ‘shift’ on a national and individual basis, then we need to analyze current practice, thought and ideas (paradigms). Through analysis we will become aware of inherent weaknesses, limitations or fallacies. Identification of such will lead us on a journey to discover alternative process and procedures. Implementation, execution and continued practice will then make the paradigm shift to a better, more efficient model a reality and undoubtedly will create the desired result.

So why does of EVERY financial institution, bank or investment firm continue to push the same old tired products and services? They are stuck and encased in a paradigm. Unfortunately, it will take unforeseen cosmic forces to break their paradigm. Take it from me; I have interviewed hundreds of bank executives and they believe their paradigm was presented by God himself in the 10 Commandments of Banking and Finance: #1 being Thou shall not change thy paradigm. #2 Covet ALL thy customers financial resources. #3 Thou shall flourish by fees.

For individuals and institutions alike: You can continue to do the same thing day after day, year after year and expect different results (Isn't that the definition of insanity?) or you can elect to initiate a paradigm shift in what you are doing today and guarantee yourself the positive results tomorrow. For all you parents out there; if you are too scared or unwilling to make a paradigm shift for yourself, do it for your kids. This country is doomed if the next generation doesn’t do things a little smarter than the generations that proceeded them.

If you want more then you’ll have to change what you are doing now. It really is that simple. And this applies to institution as much as it pertains to the individual. We all have to make a paradigm shift together if we expect the financial direction of our country to change. If ‘our’ personal economies change then the nation’s economy will change. It has to start from the bottom up, so as the opening sentence states and at this stage of our economic evolution; the nation’s economy is far less important than your economy. Get your economy squared away and moving in the right direction and the nations economy will move right along with it.

TruthInEquity.com delivers all the consultation, education, coaching and mentoring needed to make a paradigm shift. We provide the educational process of awareness and discovery. The implementation and execution expertise and a guarantee that you can and will achieve projected results. The national economy is in your hands. Are you going to help the paradigm shift or are you going to let the herd dictate your childrens future?

The Truth is in the Proof!

Unity is all it takes

2010-10-15T16:16:00.000-07:00

There is great deal of media chatter going on about the recent suspension of foreclosures by the biggest banks in the country. For the most part all the ‘biggies’ have suspended all foreclosure activities in all 50 states. I think every state attorney general is a bit peeved at the financial community. This action was precipitated by the discovery of less-than-thorough conduct on behalf of over-worked and more than likely, less than qualified staff. In conjunction with all the other bank news’ over the past two years, the nations banking community has a permanent reputation as being a primary player in the destruction of our great country.

If indeed every banker in the country is a fraudster and con artist then why are they still in business? Why don’t we simply scalpel them right off the face of the earth and remove this infectious parasite? As opposed to continuing to enable their existence. Let’s not stop there, let’s head to Wall Street. Aren’t they in the same classification and deserve removal? Did you know, in a latest poll, Wall Street executives are expecting a bigger bonus this year than last? Doesn’t that just make your blood boil? These guys are going to receive another bonus when the people whose lives they destroyed are homeless and suicidal? What gives? Why is this happening?

Well, it will continue to happen, again and again, from generation to generation. Why? Because we continue to participate in their little game!!! Hello!

It takes money to make money. Can we all agree to that, at least as it pertain to banking institutions and Wall Street? Well, then you also have to agree with the fact that these institutions don’t really ‘produce’ anything tangible, they simply collect and/or create new paper and then pass it back and forth. But in all reality they don’t produce anything you can feel, touch, see or smell. So what is the real reason these people can garner so much profit and wealth when they don’t provide anything tangible that will improve comfort or sustain life? If there are no raw materials and machinery to produce such abundance then what is their resource? Ok, they produce money which provides the means to 'purchase' something for comfort or sustain life, I get that. But by whose monetary resource are they using to produce their product; the money?

It’s our money!!!!!!!!!!!! We feed the machine. Without us there is no banks. No Wall Street. Cut off the food supply and you destroy the animal. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Quit using the banks? Pull every dime you have in your accounts and on Wall Street and put it in a home safe? Is that the message here? No, no, no. That would be catastrophic: Financial collapse and hundreds of thousands of people out of work. Not a good idea and ill-advised. We need them to sustain what we have built. The products and services they provide are vital to our economy. Let’s keep them, but let’s work with them, work with what they have to offer, let’s just not do it the way they have been teaching us and in their own minds believe they are doing right by us. And they truly believe they are doing right by us. But lets not crucify them during these troubled times. Let’s not just point the finger and blame the ugly monster for our troubles. We are just as culpable as they are. We, the consumer base of this country are guilty of laziness, apathy and complacency. These character defects are as much to blame for this mess as the financial institutions themselves. Let's practice a little humility and account for our part, but in the same breath commit to changing our bad habits.

The point I want to get to is to soften the vilification of the banking community. I really don’t believe ‘these people’ are intentionally trying to destroy us. I believe everything that has happened over the past few years within the financial castle’s of our country have simply brought to light the realization that the current business model is broken. Bottom line; it is a failed business model. The model has become too big, too convoluted, too greedy, controlled by an under educated staff and directed by visionless, non-entrepreneurial bean-counters. The model is failing and it could be easily redirected if there were people who had an interest and a vision for change. Those people don’t exist in the corridors in which they should. Those who run our financial institutions are just following the herd too. They’re just running in a different herd and are following a trail that has been in existence for decades.

Why should we expect anything new from them?

Here is the real issue at hand: it’s a one way relationship with no reciprocation. This is causing the imbalance. They get more out of us then we get from them. News flash: Free checks, online banking and cookies at the teller window DO NOT constitute a mutually beneficial relationship. And the fear that we are all facing is because our side of the scale, the one all we consumers are sitting on is about to bottom out. Once we hit the bottom there is no place else to go; we’re done. We’ll be sitting in our bottomed-out dish looking up at the institutional side of the scale and watching them having a grand old time counting, spending and investing all of the money we supplied them through deposits, interest and fees. Unfortunately, what they don’t see and the consumers don’t realize is that when the consumer side of the scale bottoms out there won’t be anything left to give to the other side. Unless some of that wealth is transferred back to the consumer we will all perish eventually. That’s what our country’s financial business model has produced; a one-way ticket to becoming a third world country. The ONLY way to stop it is the shift the imbalnced financial weight of each respective dish of the scale.

WE (the collective community of American citizenery) can change the financial landscape of this country because we are the shoulders by which the economy rests. Try this; stand in the middle of the room, send your shoulders to one wall and your legs to another. Succeed? Of course not, without unity and balanced alignment between all compnents there is no moving forward. Well, this is exactly what is happening in this relationship we have with the financial institutions of this country. There is no unified effort to move forward because the current model requires a winner and a loser. The winner has us to beleive current practice is in our best interest and actually has the majority feeling like their lives are improved because of the relationship. The loser, you and me, blindly follow along and perpetuate the imbalnce of the financial scales. We will always be on the losing side becasue we continually succumb to the winners insatiable need for more of our resources. And as we continue to be the ultimate enablers to their addiction we will continue to weaken under their strain. There is no mutually beneficial exchange going on between us. This has to change if we expect future generations to enjoy life as it was intended.

Change will come from the bottom up; from the consumer base that feeds this financial machine. Change will occur when there is a commitment to a new direction in financial education and consumerism. Change only occurs when there is a real desire to alter the current path. If that desire exists then analysis and investigation come next. Analysis of the current model; is it really working for you or us as a country? Just because it is the only model you have ever functioned with in, just because you are comfortable with the current model that doesn’t directly translate into being the right one. Investigating other options outside and within the current model needs to take place. Thorough analysis of the discovery must be conducted. The results of analysis must be viewed and assimilated through a clear lens; “yea, but” rebuttals can not be part of the decision process. The numbers and the results, at ALL levels for all participants must be the determining factor. Through this process you might ultimately discover the truth in what I am saying here; the imbalanced relationship you voluntarily participate in with your financial institution is indeed the predominate component dictating the outcome of your financial future.

Only after implementation and long term execution of a new, more efficient model will the results reveal the benefits of change. It might be difficult to start because it takes effort and enduring the discomfort of change, but in the end the ship will alter its path and set a course that benefits all parties. Now, if you multiply your individual results under the current model by hundreds of thousands of American citizens just like you, you will quickly understand why the financial balance of power, at the street level is so institutionally dominate and our position of strength is about as weak as you can get. That balance of power needs to, has to shift if we are to right this ship and get on a course of mutual and equal financial footing.

From this balanced position of coexistence we become unified in our direction. We become unified in the division and use of resources. Unity in practice, and practical application of efficient means and methods will eliminate this hierarchical tree of wealth, power and financial prowess and bring this country back to the dream our forefathers had when they gave us this great republic.

The balance of power can shift. We can coexist on a balanced foundation. WE THE PEOPLE currently possess and control the power to facilitate change. We just need to recognize it and use it, not to stick it to the 'evil empire', but unify the community as a whole. Let’s not quit because it’s too hard or too uncomfortable. Let’s act upon our desire to change. Let’s make a commitment to the generations to follow. The balance of power can shift; it has to. Unity and community is all it takes.

The Truth is in the Proof!

Americans are bad savers????

2010-02-10T14:49:00.000-08:00

We’ve all heard this before: “Americans are bad savers.” Have you ever heard ANYONE say they don’t want to save money? Have you ever heard ANYONE say; “ah, saving money is for the birds?” Probably not: so why are we not good at saving our money like we should be? Maybe it’s because THERE IS NOTHING LEFT AT THE END OF THE MONTH TO SAVE! Why is that? Is it because you don’t make enough money? Is it because you spend too much money? Or do we listen to the pundits that say you are just fiscally irresponsible? Maybe you aren’t building a ‘rainy day’ savings account because you are contributing as much as you can into your 401(k) or IRA. It’s funny how those accounts are not really considered savings vehicles. They are considered your “retirement” accounts. Maybe it’s because you can’t have that money without paying exorbitant penalties prior to reaching a government-determined-appropriate age to make withdrawals.

You don't have to live a life of scarcity to save and get ahead. You can live a life of abundance, which you derserve, if you do it right.

I have seen the financial profiles of literally thousands of Americans and I can tell you exactly why Americans are not good savers; diversification of debt. That’s right. If you look at the economic profile of most Americans in this country their mortgage debt, credit card debt and vehicle debts are scattered throughout the land with just as many lenders as there are debts. One or two mortgages, both with different interest rates and different terms of repayment. One to three credit cards, all with different interest rates, no terms of repayment and monthly payment demands factored on the monthly demands of the card issuer. Vehicles are the same; a couple car loans with different interest rates with varying payments based on repayment terms (5-7 years these days). Each one of these debts takes their own piece of your monthly pay check. Combine that with the average monthly requirement for basic needs, approximately $2500 per month and you end up with a few nickels dropping out of your wallet at the end of the month. Get the picture? Is this you?

THIS IS WHY AMERICANS ARE BAD SAVERS…CONVENTIONAL PRACITCE AND CONVNETIONAL METHODS OF PERSONAL FINANCE ARE KILLING OUR ABILITY TO SAVE!!!!!

So what’s the solution? Consolidate your debt into a financial vehicle where there is only one interest rate, one monthly payment demand and terms you have control over.

Let’s assume your debt is diversified like most everyone else and to service those debts on a monthly basis it costs you $3000 to keep everyone happy. Now let’s assume you could consolidate that debt into a more favorable environment and your monthly servicing obligation was only $1000. This would improve your cash flow AND your ability to save by $2000. Would you not take a serious look into this new environment?

Wait a minute…this proposed environment is new. It’s not being offered by our trusted banker or any other bank or mortgage company in the country. It sounds too good to be true and nobody you know is doing it. If it isn’t main stream then it must be a scam. Is Bernie Madoff involved?

Let me bring you back to the real world…YOUR WORLD.

You have a 30 year mortgage that will pay the lender well over what you originally borrowed and you won’t actually own your home for 30 years. Not to mention, everything you have paid back goes into their tightly guarded coffers. (A 15 year mortgage is just as destructive.) Who is scamming who?

You use a checking account. Within the next 5 years you will deposit $100,000 - $500,000 or more into this account. You will just pay your bills from this account, but the bank is going to invest the majority and return to you virtually nothing. Who’s getting the short end of the stick here?

Your credit card company, much like your mortgage holder, will continually take more in finance charges out of your payment then principal. As well as, change rates, features, etc at their will. Who is controlling who in this environment?

So what is the point of this rant? If you want to save you HAVE to break the status quo. You have to come to the realization that just because we’ve been “instructed” to live our lives this way DOES NOT make it the RIGHT way. You need to challenge the status quo. You have to challenge the mortgage culture and the banking culture. You have to put yourself in a position to win, to put yourself in a position to save if you want to save. Here’s a little hint: Your home is the BEST savings vehicle you have. You just need to learn how to use it to your advantage.

If you want to improve your financial condition without sacrificing your lifestyle, your relationships or the life you have spent a life time trying to build I recommend you investigate a new model. You can’t get there by continuing to play the same old game.

The Truth Is In The Proof!

Is Debt Really The Problem… or is it something else?

2010-01-14T16:38:00.000-08:00

Mainstream media, the Government and consumers themselves vilify debt as the root of the consumer’s financial plight and the root of a weakening country. Debt is not the problem; it’s the management of debt and the way debt is structured that is creating the problem not the debt itself. Unless you win the lottery, invent a cure for cancer or get adopted by Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, debt will be something you will have to face somewhere along the course of your adult life; it’s a natural component of our society.

In today’s economic environment hard working American’s are experiencing a level of fear and financial uncertainty they have never been faced with. This is keeping them up at night wondering how they are going to sustain a life they have worked so hard to build. Americans are also wondering why those we have trusted for all these years; the banks, money managers and politicians, are thriving financially, but don’t seem to be contributing anything of real value to the public? Today, the predominant questions being asked by the American public as it relates to their financial future are; what am I going to do, what can I do, how am I going to do it? We all work way too hard to be faced with these questions. The answers to these frightening questions are right in front of us. The answers lie in the use of the financial resources we use every day. You just need to know how to use them to your advantage.

The crux of the problem for consumers and the country alike lie with misaligned, improper or a shear lack of education on the use of the banking tools we use every day. The three banking tools that we use every day; checking accounts, credit cards and loans are simply being used improperly. The solution lies in educating consumers and institutions to use these tools in the proper sequence and function to manage debt properly, regain control of income and possess the authority to control the repayment of debt. It’s as simple as that. By exposing the failed business model of conventional banking and borrowing practices, realigning them into a model that actually helps consumers get more out of what they own and what they earn, we can once again grow individually, as a society and a nation.

The Truth Is In The Proof.
TruthInEquity.com

Here We Go Again...2010!

2009-12-31T10:35:00.000-08:00

Here we go again; another new year. Another new year to reflect on the previous twelve months and seemingly resolute commitments to make the next twelve months better than the last.

When you review 2009 will you do what you did last January? Reflect on and review the repetitive resolutions you once again promised yourself you would adhere to yet failed to deliver?

Yep, me too:
• I’m still practicing ill-advised vises.
• I still haven’t committed to a regular exercise routine.
• My handicap didn’t reach single digits
• I didn’t find or make the time to volunteer my time and effort to those who needed it.
• I didn’t attend church on a regular basis.
• Etc, etc, etc.

I am sure most of you can relate to this annual event and you’re probably taking inventory of 2009’s accomplishments and failures. I have just listed a few of my many failures of 2009. Was 2009 a failed year because I didn’t follow management’s directive to make improvements in certain areas of my life? On the contrary; 2009 was one of the best years of my life and results of this assessment have nothing to do with my balance sheet or material possessions.

Why was 2009 so great? I finally absorbed to my core one of the greatest quotes by Albert Einstein:

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”

“Living for others” sounds pretty vague and a little over the top doesn’t it? Living for others doesn’t mean abandoning your priorities or responsibilities or giving it all up and becoming a missionary, though I have great respect for those who do answer that calling. Living for others simply means to use your god given talents and abilities to improve the lives of others. Don’t forget, some of the most important God-given-gifts you have to offer include love, compassion, common courtesy, honor, loyalty and respect. Whether you are compensated for it or not does not matter, your reward is witnessing how others lives are better off for a moment or a lifetime just because of the relationship they experienced with you. Try it. Step out of the framework of your own existence and see how positive interactions with your fellow man improve both of your lives when you give of yourself first without expectation of equal or greater return. The natural laws of attraction will reward you beyond your wildest dreams; professionally, financially, emotionally and spiritually. Try it, I promise 2010 will be one for the books.

Need a little help in knowing how to implement the “living for others” mentality? Try this: Pick three people from three different aspects of your life; family, friends or coworkers, and write down the eulogy you would hope they could deliver at your funeral. What would you hope these people would say about you? Were you honest, loyal, giving, had unequaled work ethic, did you take on challenges with determination and guts, etc. The list could be endless based on who you want to be. This can be a tough exercise. If you are being honest with yourself you will have written down a few personality or character defects that you would just as soon ignore and avoid. This is the beauty of the exercise. Expose yourself and identify those areas that really need or want to be improved. Once you have completed each eulogy, all you have to do is live up to it. “Living up to it” won’t be easy depending on what you have written. But if you want a road map to follow to be the best you can be, to live for others, this is the best I’ve ever run across. By living up to what you have written means you are giving to others the best you have to offer and in the end they will have no other choice but to deliver a eulogy of a great human being.

(If only our government would take the time to complete this exercise and live by it when making decisions for our country.)

Happy New Year 2010!!!!!!!!!

4th and 10, No timeouts, 30 seconds remaining

2009-11-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Every pundit and every expert on investments and personal finance continually focus on finances and return on investment from the middle of the field. It's like we are all starting from the 50 yard line, focused on reaching the end zone. Why is it that the majority fails to reach the end zone, some only reach the 20 and most can't gain a yard; why is that? What is holding them back? Is it how much they make or how much they spend? To a certain degree yes, but the #1 factor in keeping us from reaching the promised land is DEBT. It's not about how much or too much debt, its HOW DEBT IS STRUCTURED. How can anyone invest in their own future when they spend 30 years of their life paying into someone else’s investment portfolio?

What am I talking about? Conventional mortgages. The conventional amortization formula is an annuity formula. Millions of homeowners are supporting a bank/lenders annuity for 30 years. How can we get stronger if we continue to support someone else's retirement plan?

The second most destructive financial instrument continually used by the American public? Checking/Savings accounts. The only difference between the two is check writing capabilities. They are virtually the same thing; a holding pen for our money. The public believes they actually get something in return, but all we are doing is handing our hard earned income over to someone else to invest and keep all the profits. Where did we decide this was prudent use of our money? The only thing we get in return is online banking and a toaster? I know the argument, I've heard it a thousand times; "But that’s how the banks earn a profit and maintain their operations." I don't care. If they want to lend money and earn a profit, then go borrow it from someone else and quit stealing mine and try to convince me that the cotton candy they just pulled from their backside is my reward. My deposits are listed as a liability on the books as a loan from me. WHERE IS MY RETURN? Do you follow where I am going? Are you following the incredible flaw in the logic of conventional banking and borrowing?

Banks only get stronger by weakening the very source of their strength; the American consumer.

If they can't borrow at a decent rate and earn a legitimate profit, then they should fail within the free market system. Don't steal and misuse my money and then come back to me for more (ie current stimulus package) Regardless of the government, the Federal Reserve, inflation, deflation, stocks, bonds, gold, commodities, an up, down, sideways market; if we don't educate ourselves and look for alternatives to how we bank and borrow WE WILL PERISH, GUARANTEED. I've got the answer and a solution. How do I know I have the answer? I know hundreds of homeowners who are flourishing by employing an alternative. Their debts are lower, their investments have increased and they now have control, freedom and authority over their finances. Taking matters into our own hands is what it will take to bring this country back to what it should be.

The Truth is in the Proof!

Where to begin?

2009-10-24T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have realized that blogging has legitimized itself as a critical component of this high tech age of socializing. So here I am, reaching out, blogging, to TruthInEquity.com practitioners and visitors.
(FYI: in the future I will refer to TruthInEquity.com as TIE).

For those of you who don't know me; My name is Bill Westrom and I am the co-founder and CEO of IFS Development Group, LLC and Truth In Equity.com, LLC. My partner, David Welles and I joined forces in 2006 to conduct a little experiment. After collectively spending over twenty years in banking, lending and technology, David and I wanted to test the validity and viability of a unique form of mortgage financing that is popular in Australia and Europe. More importantly, we needed to test public demand. We needed to see if this foreign form of financing would be accepted or refused by American home owners.

At first we approached the banking industry to see what their take might be on this new fangled financing idea. We felt banking institutions possessed the necessary components to test our theories. As you could imagine, we did not receive a warm welcome. I guess after teaching the same old thing for 100 years, get as much out of the customer and give very little back, they just couldn't see the benefits. Test results: Negative.

Since the banking idea was a bust the next logical move was to approach the public. In 2007 we launched a unique PR campaign with Jordan Goodman. As you are probably aware, Jordan agreed to promote TIE on national radio and television. Since the first radio mention in June of 2007 TIE has seen thousands of visitors to the website.
Test results: Positive. Conclussion: scrap banks, go to the public.

From those thousands of visitors we have hundreds of test cases now practicing this "too good to be true" method of banking. How have these hudnreds of customers been performing? The results are in; overwhelming success! The concept works; cash flowing thru a line of credit will undeniably accelerate the reduction of debt and provide wealth enhancement capabilities above and beyond anything offered from conventional thought or practice.

Test results: Positive
Customer retention: 100%
Current balances: within 2% of projections.
Balance reduction: 3-6 times faster than conventional amortized balance.
Cash flow improvment: Avgerage 25%-70% (Takes 25%-70% fewer dollars to service the same debt.)
Conclusion: Scrap conventional banking and borrowing practices. Implement something smarter.

So, there have been hundred of homeowners who have done all the testing for you. They played guinea pig, they implemented this method of personal finance and removed all of the mystery. What's been revealed is a proven, viable method of managing debt in such a fashion that you maintain a greater degree of control over how your debt is repaid.

The Truth is in the Proof.