Get your "Chip Card" yet?

Have you received one of those new-fangled "chip cards" in the mail yet? 

You'll see more and more of the "chip cards" and will receive one pretty soon.

Here's a great explanation from Dave Ramsey on the what, why and when of the mysterious....

EMV ("Europay MasterCard and Visa") Chip Card..

INSPIRE, ENCOURAGE AND MOTIVATE!!

Me and Dave

I happened to run across DR's website and was encouraged to see the current sale on THE TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER book that rocked our world about seven years ago. Thanks for that DAVE!

One of the many cool things about being a banker is I get to help folks with money stuff. Some actually seek my advice...others, not so much.

Either way though, if I see potential issues, I ask questions.  Not because I'm nosy and not even because I am a banker - but because I (we) have been in those.."It just seems like we are not getting anywhere" shoes. We know that feeling!

So, when I see "that look" or see the eyes start welling up...I know they are in a place where they need to be inspired, encouraged and motivated. That's where DAVE RAMSEY comes in to play.

That couple sitting there may not want to hear me rattle on and on...and boy I can rattle with the best. BUT, they just may take a book that I can - without a shadow of a doubt - endorse. The TOTAL MONEY MAKEOVER book motivated us and even kicked us around a little too!

Then partner with me and lets get some people heading in the right direction financially! Let's BUY SOME BOOKS and give them away!! How awesome is 10 books for $60..

"You Got This!"

The money they think they control..

As a banker of over like 20 years, I've seen multiple personalities of people and the money they think they control.  Truth is, money has a way of controlling us to some extent.

Money influences many of our daily decisions on multiple levels.  Consider the decisions you've made today based on "your" money situation.  Where you go, where you eat, if you buy their meal, put gas in the car or can you get another day...

Like me, I am sure you've seen the quotes below actually play out in lives around you...

• "Money is either a good or bad influence, according to the character of the person who possesses it." -Napoleon Hill

• "If you're rich and you're a jerk, you'll be a rich jerk! Likewise, if you're rich and you're a great person, you'll be a rich person who does great things with you're money." - Dave Ramsey (emphasis mine)

In a lot of cases we wake up, "smell the roses" and work to correct the "error of our ways".  Call it what it is: "Buyers Remorse"

Money is amoral friends...it is the holder of the money who takes action not "Uncle Benjamin".  What we do with it is an extension of who we are. 

In light of the "FRANKENSTORM" we've been watching.  How about this scenario: 

"You learn a hurricane is coming your way.  You have less than $1,000 in the bank, a car loan, a home loan and 1/4 tank of gas.  You MUST evacuate today..."

-Are you (even) remotely prepared?

-Where can your family go?

-Could you get gas as you leave town?

-Would you leave town or stay?

Do you know what your money (or other) weakness is?  Or your money character? Sometimes our own selfish tendencies endanger more than just you...

Have a great day!

PODCAST - It's International Talk Like A Pirate Day!! "Tally-Ho'"

What a difference a week makes!! A totaled vehicle (everybody's ok!), Dave Ramsey, budgets and rising healthcare costs!! Are we having fun yet?

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In pursuit of HIGH CREDIT SCORES!

Yes, that is a picture of a soundboard.. and from what I read and hear, fine tuning your credit score is about like mastering a sound board.. BUTTONS and SWITCHES everywhere!

Just about anything I've read in the mainstream press tells you that in order to have a "great" credit score YOU MUST HAVE LOTS OF CREDIT.. I actually read an article in USA Today (1/8/11) that was broadcasting that mush.. It literally said you had to "open several new credit accounts" to improve your score! Folks, that is just plain nuts.

Sorry, but I am living proof that doing the opposite works. In 2004 we got "gazelle intense" about living on a budget and paying off debt. We got really weird.. Fast forward to Jan 2011..

Today, we have paid everything off but our home - CLOSED every credit account we ever had (and we had lots) - pay with cash (debit card) and use the envelope system.. and have a few months expenses in the bank.. and our credit scores are now over 800. Not bragging - just saying you can't believe EVERYTHING you read.

We suggest a good dose of "Dave Ramsey's - Total Money Makeover" book. God used that man and book to corrupt our material side and it has been such a blessing. We still buy plenty of "stuff" .. but now we budget for it and plan ahead..real rocket science.

I suggest you get a copy of your credit report for FREE at www.annualcreditreport.com and find out what to pay off first. In just about every state you are allowed to obtain a free report by law EACH year. IF you find errors - FIX THEM. If you find bills you haven't paid - PAY THEM.

If you need help or are interested in my advice, don't hesitate to email me.

- Jay