American Residential Law Group Can Help Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

I know as we head into the holiday season that there's plenty of people who are still struggling with their mortgages while we weather this economic storm.

If you are facing forclosure, please visit American Residential Law Group for information on how you may be able to stop foreclosure and reduce your monthly payment.

Homeowners who can't refinance with your lender because the value of your home has fallen below the amount of the mortgage also qualify for this free service offered by The Fair Home Loan Bureau.

Relieve yourself of one more stress this holiday season by reducing your monthly debt with help from FHLB.

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of American Residential Law Group.

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Make Saving Money A New Years Resolution

As difficult as it has been for so many this past year, I think everyone has realized that it's important to save for a rainy day.

One of the best ways to get on a fast track to savings is with budgeting - especially using an envelope system.

Neobudget is an online envelope budgeting software that helps you keep track of your spending. At only $2.50 month, you'll find it extremely affordable compared to similar programs.

Try it free for 7 days with no strings attached!

What have you got to lose? Absolutely nothing, but so much to gain!

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Need Help With Your Mortgage Payments?

As the United States' economy continues to struggle against a recession and highest unemployment rate since the 1980s, there many homeowners out there facing foreclosure.

That's where Fair Home Loan Bureau can help.

If you secured your mortgage before January 1, 2009 and have a primary mortgage of less than $729,500, the FHLB may be able to help.

Enacted following the signing of the stimulus package. FHLB can help homeowners who can show proof of income and are experiencing a financial hardship to modify their existing mortgage.

FHLB is a free service provided to American homeowners. Visit today to see if you qualify!

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All The Conveniences Without The Hassle

Despite difficult economic times, bank and credit card fees are rapidly increasing leaving their customers to find better alternatives for their financial needs.

NetSpend, America's most trusted provider of Prepaid debit cards, is the perfect choice.

Just like credit cards, your Prepaid Visa Card from NetSpend can be used to make reservations, at ATMs nationwide, pay-at-the-pump gas stations, or anywhere you see the Visa/Mastercard logo.

Unlike credit cards, however, there are no over-the-limit fees, interest, or credit checks!

As the mother of a teen almost ready to depart for college, NetSpend will be our only means to make sure he has cash available while away from home but also help him keep track of his spending.

If you are one of the 84 million Americans who chooses not to use traditional banking methods or have been declined an account due to bad credit, check out NetSpend!

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Affiliate Marketing Becoming An Endangered Species

Affiliate marketing is a major backbone of Mom bloggers.

Through affiliate marketing, Mom bloggers are able to make their blogs profitable; thus compensating them for their hard work and time.

With the current economic crisis that is affecting our nation, more and more shoppers are looking to online resources as a means to finding better deals. In turn, states are seeing a rapid decrease in sales tax collections and are eager to recoup those losses.

"The trouble began in 2008, when New York passed a law requiring Amazon (and other retailers) to collect sales taxes if they had 'affiliates' in the state," writes Chris Null of Yahoo! Tech. Null continues, "New York claimed that having these local affiliates meant Amazon was operating a physical 'nexus' in that state, thus subjecting any sales there to New York state sales tax. Amazon sued the state, and lost."

Other sites with affiliate marketers, such as Overstock.com, decided to instead "fire" their affiliates; thereby eliminating any claim by states of a nexus.

As a results of New York's victory, four other states - California, Hawaii, Rhode Island, and North Carolina - have successfully or plan to institute a plan to collect sales tax on internet sales.

Amazon, one of the internet's largest affiliates, is already responding. Rather than continue their efforts to abolish internet sales tax with the judicial system, Amazon instead opted to terminate their affiliate ties with participants in those states.

Anyone who currently participates in affiliate marketing needs to be keeping an eye on their state's stance pertaining to this issue. And in the meantime, you should contact your Representatives to let them know you do not agree with such measures.

It should be taken into consideration that, as these states continue to create more havoc with their frivolous taxation, they will be creating an even greater number of those suffering income loss; which, in turn, will reduce the number of goods and services sold thereby slowing down even more an almost idle economy.

And I can assure you, just as we have seen throughout history, government won't be able to manage the money made from internet sales no better than they properly allocated funds previously collected. So what will be their next target for taxation and the excuse for doing so?

I agree with Lynn Terry as she states on her ClickNewz blog, "Personally, I applaud the merchants for taking a stand, and the affiliates who have written to their state Representatives regarding the new internet sales tax laws."

Will you take a stand? Or will you set idly by as government once again taxes us for their inability to manage a budget?

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Victim of Foreclosure? How To Apply For Section 8 Housing

After reading an emotion-wrenching article in the July 2009 issue of Parenting magazine about families that are living in shelters across America following job losses and/or foreclosure, I felt inspired to create a post that could be helpful to others in or facing a similar situation.

While it seems that most of America is focused on bailing out the car companies, little is being done in the meantime to help families who have a bigger issue at hand: homelessness.

Until we can someone convince good deeds groups (as I call them) to stop building homes in Honduras, and other like places, and take care of their neighbors first, hopefully this information on how to apply for Section 8 housing will be useful in getting shelter for those in need.

Section 8 is also known as Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is Federal housing program which provides housing assistance to low-income renters and homeowners in the form of rental subsidies; which reduces the amount (often significantly) rent paid by assistance recipient.

Applying for Section 8 subsidies is easy. Just visit your local housing authority or other designated program administrators for an application.

I encourage you can visit the Affordable Housing Online website for information on how to find your local housing authority/HUD program administration and answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Section 8 program.

• Interested persons may also wish to check with their local Habitat for Humanity program for information about their housing program.
  
  
• Those not meeting HUD eligibility requirements may also wish to visit the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development website for information on their housing loan programs.
  
  
• Veterans are eligible for special financing through the U.S. government. How to Apply for a VA Home Loan from About.com offers detailed information on this program and the application process.

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I Don't Wanna Grow Up

Somewhere around my thirtieth birthday I began to have an awakening.

And I'm not sure I'm completely okay with it.

Some of it's okay. Actually, many of things I've "grown up" about are things I really wish I'd learned a long time ago. Such as:

• Learning not to judge others until you've walked a mile in their shoes; you never know what you would do if it were your issue/crisis/situation.
  
  
• Realizing that it's not about what you have in your life but who.
  
  
• Grasping that I will be leaving a world behind to my children and grandchildren and that I need to be a little "greener."
  
  
• Learning that debt is a burden and it's time to unload it.

While I'm happy to have to have a firm grasp of those very important life lessons, unfortunately there are some not-so-good realizations. For example:

• While my own home and community may be at peace, much of the rest of the world is not. All it takes is just a minute to change the security we all enjoy.
  
  
• Understanding the financial state of America has left me fearful of the inflation of tomorrow.
  
  
• Bad things can happen to you. It won't always be someone else.
  
  
• You can't live in the moment; what you do today will affect you tomorrow.
  
  
• While I always knew that someday I would die, I have come to really understand that any day could be your last; you don't have to be old to die.

Sometimes I find myself roaming around, paralyzed by fear, worry and frustration. I would give anything to return to my late teens/early 20's - a time when my head was in the sand.

In my mid to late 20's, I remember being frustrated with young people over their unrealistic views about life, debt, politics and death.

Now I envy them.

How did that happen?

Oh that's right...I grew up.

*sigh* Why me?

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Regain Life's Balance With The Momnificent! Life (A Book Review)

I became a stay-at-home mom in 1996; and ever since the term - "stay" - has bothered me.

Webster's Dictionary defines the word as "to stop or halt," "remain behind, " and "continue in a place, position, or situation."

As far as I'm concerned, none of those definitions apply. Rarely do I have time to stop; nor do I feel left behind or as though I'm staying in the same place. (The latter could only be defined, in relation to my life, as wishful thinking!)

I am a work-at-home mom. Not to be confused with the work-from-home mother.

I am a Manager; a manager of my household consisting of four children and a husband. My physical place of employment is at home.

Therefore, I am a work-at-home mom.

To define myself in a manner that brings me a sense of satisfaction - of accomplishment - was the very first of many important life-changing steps I learned from The Momnificent! Life by Lori Radun.

And then I was hooked!

For three days, I delved into learning how to grow and prosper in my job and my personal life; which, for me, happens to be in one the same.

Don't misunderstand. The Momnificent! Life isn't just for the full time mother. This book is for any mother looking to gain a sense of balance in her life.

Readers are encouraged to evaluate several aspects of their life, including:

• Personal Development
• Spirituality
• Fun and Enjoyment
• Relationships
• Health and Aging
• Personal Finance
• Career and Profession
• Home and Family

At the end of each segment, readers are invited to engage in assignments that help to exercise the principals learned.

I personally found that practicing such assignments immediately following a "lesson" helped me to more greatly absorb it and set it in motion now versus later - which procrastinators, such as myself, tend to [never] do.

As an avid reader, I've read numerous self-help books on a wide variety of subjects. However, I found The Momnificent! Life to be the first to offer a complete manual on all the issues important to me - as a mother, wife, and a woman.

The Momnificent! Life is a book that I will keep nearby as a handy reference tool; as a means to finding a balance in an all too frequently unbalanced lifestyle.

Thank you to author Lori Radun for bringing such a wonderfully written blessing into my life!

The Momnificent! Life is available at for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, and Walmart.

I also strongly encourage you to visit Lori's website at http://www.momnificent.com/ for additional resources such as coaching programs and products, a Mini eCourse, and monthly eZine; or find out how you can have this gifted author speak at your next retreat.

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Bailouts. Islands. Octomom. Teenagers. Random Thoughts.

I am thoroughly disgusted by the announcement that the government now owns 60 percent of GM following the company's Monday filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

Instead of getting a car, however, the stockholders (a.k.a. taxpayers) are getting only the car payment - as another 20 Billion dollars in bailout funds is being tossed into the deal.

I'm not a doomsday kind of gal, but never have so much believed that America is headed for an economic crash like none before.

This free printing of nonexistent cash only creates inflation.

My husband has said for years now that he wants to buy an island and set up camp there. I've always laughed; but I'm more ready than ever to stop laughing and start searching with him.

And if the GM bankruptcy wasn't big enough news, many of the internet forums are abuzz with the news that Octomom Nadya Suleman has closed a deal with British Company Eyeworks to begin filming a television reality show based on her life of raising 14 children as a single, unemployed mother.

Leave it to the Brits to snag Octomom. I think American broadcasters knew the risk they could be taking by airing such a show.

On the other hand, though, with all the Jon and Kate drama - and most likely the end of that reality series - Octomom's show just might be hit.

It's like a train wreck. You know it's not going to be good. You know it's going to make you sick to your stomach. But you just can't stop yourself from looking.

One of the biggest complaints as relates to Octomom has been that she will be raising her children on public assistance. Now that she's getting her own reality show, that shouldn't be the case. So all those screaming and stomping their feet on that issue can breathe easier now.

I gotta be honest...I feel sorry for Nadya Suleman. She's apparently not all together. After all, who wants to have 8 sixteen-year-olds in the house at once.

I have one 17 year old and there are days that I'd like to put him out.

The other day my 17 year old son announced that he's considering moving out at 18 - three months before he graduates high school. Not because he doesn't like living here, he just wants freedom.

Okay, I understand that.

So I did the motherly thing and started asking questions.

How are you going to pay rent? He says, "I work." (Uh, yeah, that 10 hours per week job that pays minimum wage?)

Lights, water, electricity? He says, "Mom, I work." (Repeat same thought)

Enough asked. If (and that's a BIG if) he moves out, I give him less than 24 hours.

Oh, and to add the icing on the cake, he's planning on moving out with a friend; a friend who has never been employed and doesn't plan on being any time soon. (That should work out real well.)

Seriously tell me I wasn't that dumb niave at 17. I know I did some silly, immature things - made some bad choices - but I'm pretty sure I was not that clueless.

Sadly my child isn't alone in his naivete. But misery loves company, so in a way I'm happy about that part.

One more reason to move to an island. These ding-a-lings are going to be running this country when I'm an old lady.

And I'm afraid.

Very, very afraid.

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