Merry Christmas! Mortgage and Financial Idea to Talk Over Dinner

What a great time of the year it is…for some, almost time to unwrap those presents!

Nothing but last minute shopping for me today, wrapping presents, listening to Christmas music, eating, drinking, spending time with the family and heading to church.

It is a great time for friends and family to reflect on what matters most.  Christmas is more about giving, than receiving and I hope we never lose sight on the true matters of our lives, even in the midst of chaos.

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Today’s Career Woman: A Moving Target for Bullies

GUEST POST

It was at the Power Move Summit 2008, that I had the honor of meeting Zondra Hughes for the very first time.  She was a panelist during a discussion about women, business and the rising minority community taking leadership positions.  I was impressed by her smarts, her drive and focus.  It is a pleasure to work with her at N’Digo, her talent as an editor, improves all those who are around her.  She has already gotten a few of her books published already at such a young age…watch out America!

I call her not only an extremely talented writer, incomparable editor but most of all…my friend.

Her new book, Living the Ebony Life: E-Mails from the Plantation, has just been recently released…great timing for a Christmas and Holiday present!

Also, be sure to check out her blog on Chicago Now, the city’s hottest blog community.  Perhaps she may include Money Smart Radio one day, as a show with “swagger”?  C’mon someBODY!!

Enter Zondra Hughes -

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($)SMART MONEY Choices Equal a Brighter Future

NFCC Announces Annual National Financial Literacy Poster Contest

Silver Spring, MD – Financial experts agree that starting early is one of the keys to financial success.   Thus, $mart Money Choices = A Brighter Future was selected as the theme of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s (NFCC) 2010 Poster Contest.  In an effort to increase interest in financial literacy to our nation’s youth, the NFCC is once again sponsoring the Be Money Wi$e National Financial Literacy Poster Contest for 2010. The contest is designed to get young students thinking about how to manage money effectively and offers them a creative outlet to demonstrate their knowledge. It also provides the opportunity for local and national recognition for student artwork and rewards winners with U.S. savings bonds and other prizes.

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FICO Reveals Points Cost to Credit Scores

GUEST POST:

I was spending a night at a hotel in Salt Lake City while traveling on business, that I bumped across Phil Tirone’s popular infomercial.   We are so honored to have Mr. Tirone, a highly accomplished mortgage professional and creator of the 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score program, contribute to our blog.

We have had the pleasure of having Phil Tirone, whom I met  a few years ago through my financial mentor, Douglas Andrew.  Phil has spoken to our mastermind group of financial planners, insurance agents and small business owners with great feedback.  He will help you pull back the curtain on the credit game, so you can learn the rules and WIN!

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Financial Independence: How to Become a Millionaire by 30…or, 60?

It seems that the path to financial independence has taken a detour and set back many plans for several more years.  One has to ask themselves, can I still be a millionaire by 30, 40 or even 50?  Or even at all?

How many people do you know who have aired their deep concern with losing money in their 401(k) retirement plans or equity value of their real estate properties?

Is there a solution to all the financial and economic problems we are facing?  How is the “lost generation” supposed to graduate from college and follow the dreams from four to five years ago that was so enticing before entering college?

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City Church Notes: Peopleology – Dealing with Dissatisfaction

Another great message tonight by Pastor Steve Munsey of City Church Chicago.

This is my way of recharging the batteries for the week so here are some notes you can glean from.  Also, if you are in Chicago, consider dropping by one Sunday night with your family and pay a visit!

Pastor Kent Munsey -

Is anyone here in an agreement that money and “things: really don’t buy happiness?

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Chicago’s New Media and Old Media Converge over the Weekend!

I had the pleasure of being invited by Chicago Now’s Fernando Diaz to the Chicago Association of Hispanic Journalists, blog publishing workshop.

Masterminding with Chicago’s finest journalists and bloggers was a phenomenal experience in being able to share in a community of “new media” revolutionaries.

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Personal Finance: The REAL Purpose of Christmas

Habits of Successful People: Five Traits We Can Model from Millionaires

Working with high-net worth families, aspiring millionaires and multitudes of successful people, I have had the rare opportunity to ride shotgun taking notes and discovering what makes them who there are.  The amazing guests and experts we have on Money Smart Radio are no different and therefore display many of the similar habits discussed below, if not more.

Growing up in a typical middle-class family in America had not developed me to think and act as a millionaire would.  It wasn’t until I entered the business world, invested in personal coaching and seeking the right mentorship networks, to realize that I was standing in my own way.

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