Happy Labor Day! 
post by Sam Collins 

Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create “a day off for the working man”.

Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894.  All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer.

Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday—a street parade to exhibit to the public “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations,” followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

I’d like to wish everyone a great labor day!  I hope you all have had a great summer and look forward to making the last 4 months of the year successful. 

Remember: keep moving forward to stay ahead in reverse.

Feeling the Pinch

Survery finds that retirement funds are being tapped by seniors, to help make ends meet.   The cost of medicine, food and energy are all increasing and adding to seniors worries.

Highlights of the story are:

• over half making $50,000 or less are having difficulty with utility bills
• 17% said its harder to make the mortgage payment
• 25% have had to draw from retirement funds pre-maturely
• 13% in the upper income range have had to draw down retirement funds
• nearly 75% reported a rise in heating and cooling cost over last year
• 79% expect the costs to go up again
• 70% are worried

For more of the story keep reading>

Remember: keep moving forward to stay ahead in reverse.

Do You Begin With The End in Mind?
post by Sam Collins

Before we can achieve success, it is important to look within ourselves to discover goals that will not only achieve us business success, but goals that will enrich our lives.

All things are created twice.  The “end in mind” principle is based on the fact that most all things are created twice.  First, you have the mental creation, next you have
the physical reality.  If you ever have done carpentry, you know to measure twice and cut once.  So it is with your blueprint.  You must work daily on your design and repeatedly revisit it to make sure you are mastering the plan.  Proceeding without a plan is like driving with a blindfold, you are just driving from memory.  When you set your goals (short & long term), make them so clear, measureable, and attatinable they must commit you to take action to accomplish.

Imagination + Self Awareness = Directed Action.   When you create a vision plus a persistence to your plan,  this focus will culminate in SUCCESS.

Remember:  Keep moving FORWARD to stay ahead in REVERSE.

Volunteering Has Its Rewards
post by Sam Collins

     Are you pressed for time?  I sure hope you are, if not you would not be so successful.  But, do you take time to give back to the community that has given you so much.  If not, here are a few suggestions:

    Do something with the sole intention of helping.

    Separate your business from your volunteer work.  Do not discuss business during volunteer time.  If someone asks you a question about what you do or about reverse mortgages, set up a time to discuss this with them later.

    Think long term.  You should get involved in volunteering because you want to help other people.  Think long term, since we all know realationship take a long time to develop, but given time they will happen.  The reputation you gain from giving back to your community will pay off in the long run.

Remember:  Keep moving FORWARD to stay ahead in REVERSE.