15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

This is from purpose fairy: http://www.purposefairy.com/3308/15-things-you-should-give-up-in-order-to-be-happy/

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change. Ready? Here we go:

1. Give up your need to always be right. There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?

2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.

“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle

5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle

6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.

8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take of all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.

9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell

10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open. “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.
“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.

13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another, attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves. You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

Real Estate Investing - Ten Myths

Is real estate investing only for the wealthy? Can you buy with no money down? Do you have to know the “right” people? Let’s answer by looking at some of the myths of real estate.

1. Real estate investing is for the wealthy. Money helps, but my first real estate investment was a $3,500 lot - which I sold for a profit two weeks after I bought it. Small deals, partners, low-down deals, or just putting aside $7 per day for a couple years until you have enough money for a downpayment - these are some of the ways to start with a little and invest in real estate.

2. “0 down” isn’t possible. I sold a rental property for $1,000 down because I trusted the buyer to make the payments, and I wanted the 9% interest and higher price. He could have gotten a cash-advance on a credit card for another $30 per month and made it a “0-down” deal. “No money down” means none of YOUR money down, and yes, it happens.

3. “0 down” is the best way. If you don’t invest some of your own money, you’ll have higher payments. You’ll also spend more time finding suitable properties, and pay more for them (generally cooperative sellers want more for their cooperation - I do). There are 0-down deals out there - they just aren’t always worth doing.

3. You need experience. Experience helps, but you get it by investing. Start with common sense, ask how you can lose money, be willing to learn the numbers, and you can start where you are.

4. Some investors have a “knack” for making money. Sort of. More accurately, some just took the time and risk to learn the market and continue their education.

5. You need to know the “right” people. It helps, so start the process. Talk to investors, real estate agents, landlords, etc.

6. You have to be great negotiator. If you learn to run the numbers and make the offers based on them, you can be the worst negotiator and still do okay.

8. You need insider knowledge. Understand one deal, and you are on your way. Read and read more, but the best “insider” knowledge comes from experience.

9. Fixer-uppers are safe. People have the idea that doing the work themselves is the safest way to assure a profit. Not true. Mis-planned “fix and flips” have bankrupted even experienced investors. Most poorly purchased rental properties will only eat a little money every month.

10. The key is lowball offers. The numbers have to work, and you need a plan. You can offer MORE than the market price and make money investing in real estate, if you understand creative financing - and how to do the math.

About the author:

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

Is Birdogging Really Real Estate Investing?

I?ve been asked the question by beginning real estate investors, ?If I only birddog, am I really investing in real estate?? Good question.

My answer is, ?Are you making money, are you learning, and are you moving forward toward your goals?? If you can answer yes to those questions, then the right answer to ?Is birdogging really real estate investing?? is ?Who cares??

First, a primer on birdogging. It?s nothing more or less complicated than finding deals for other investors. As a birddog, you will do the legwork required to hunt down property that is in distress. That means it?s either vacant or in need of repairs, or the owner is experiencing some life situation that causes him to need to sell.

When you find a likely property, you will get another investor involved, and when they purchase the property you will receive a birddog fee. This usually amounts to between $500 and $5,000 depending on how much the property sells for and how much legwork you did to bring the deal to the buyer.

Birdogging is a great way to learn the ins and outs of real estate investing. You learn not only how to find distressed property, but also how to value real estate, how to use creative financing techniques, how to talk to sellers, and much more. In short, birdogging is a great way to get an education in real estate investing and earn a good living at the same time.

So, is birdogging really real estate investing? Not technically. It?s actually closer to being a real estate merchandiser. That is, you?re really in the business of locating property, or generating leads for other investors. Based on the amount of money you can earn, the education you?ll receive, and the low risk involved, that?s not really a bad thing.

Speaking of risk, that?s one of the chief advantages of birdogging. After all, since you?re not using any of your own money, there?s nothing to lose except your time. In addition, you really don?t need any cash or credit to get started in real estate investing? a perfect solution for people who are lacking one or the other, or both.

Now that you have a grasp of what birdogging is all about, why not make it a goal to birddog a few deals this month? You?ll have a blast, learn a ton, and make some money. What could be bad about that?

For more on beginning real estate investing visit http://www.dealfiles.com/beginninginvesting.html

Tip of the Day by Stephen Oommen

U.S 1% Rich 99% Poor
This is your choice.
Please take a moment to watch this ABC News report. This is something I have been saying for years that the gap between the rich and the poor is growing.

ABC News Report

But here is something to think about because there are a few points I want you realize. There are always two ways to look at the same thing. Regardless, this gap is going to continue to grow and we will all have made our choice.

One point is that the couple, the meteorologist and school volunteer, say that they are at no fault because they did everything they were supposed to. This is a common statement I hear in which people want to blame someone else. But really think about how that makes no sense. If someone did EVERYTHING they were supposed to, then obviously they wouldn’t be worried and they would be set for retirement. So they apparently didn’t educate themselves on the right way to handle their finances based on the way the economy was going.

Point two, the news consultant says that the people are upset because they feel the rich are playing by an entirely different set of rules. Well this is 100% true. What he didn’t say is that EVERYONE has the ability to play by these same rules. Unfortunately barely anyone takes the time to LEARN the rules.

This is the major reason I am in business today: to make sure EVERYONE has the opportunity to learn these rules.

Today to be part of the 1% club you actually only have to earn 180k a year. Not unrealistic for those thinking you have to be in the millions of dollars club.

I do not agree with how some of the rich have earned their money immorally, illegally and unethically. That is flat wrong and there are too many ways to do it the right way, to risk doing it the wrong way. The news likes the paint a one sided picture of the rich, but yet I haven’t found even one person that can say they wouldn’t be a happy with a little bit more financial security.

Everyone is allowed the freedom to choose. You can be part of the 1% or the 99%. If you do nothing, then you choose the 99%. But it is everyone’s free choice.

Which is your choice?

God Bless!

–

Stephen Oommen
Real Estate Investor & CEO - Ovestments Inc.
www.OvestmentsInc.com

5 Minute Guide to Real Estate Investing for Beginners

One of the best ways to make money is to invest in real estate. There are risks, but of all the risks in investing real estate has some of the lowest. Of course, beginners need to know a lot of information before beginning in order to protect themselves as well as their interests. A real estate investing program or a real estate investing seminar are two great suggestions for beginners interested in real estate investing.

Of all the important things for real estate investors to know, most importantly beginners, is that if you don?t know real estate law as well as the rules and regulations that accompany it then you may be putting your investment at risk. In order to avoid this you need to learn as much as possible about real estate law so there is no problem and you don?t risk your investment simply out of ignorance. Once you are aware of real estate law and the market as a whole then you will be ready to move onto the next step.

The first tip is to know the current market price for any piece of real estate you are considering. Don?t take the seller?s word for it but instead find an appraiser or use your own knowledge to come up with a price for the real estate. When you know what the selling price is and the current market value then you will have a better chance at getting a deal. You want to always know more than the seller so that you can negotiate so that you end up with a bargain. Buying bargain real estate is one of the best ways to make money and if you can find a seller willing to sell for less than 20% of the market value then you should definitely buy.

Another suggestion is to simply buy real estate that has hidden potential that could easily be unlocked to increase the value of the real estate. Whatever the hidden potential is it must be capitalized on and increase the value of the home by at least 20% for it to payoff. Make sure you do this within six month?s of purchasing the real estate.

If you follow these basics then you should have no problem getting started and making money with real estate investing. Keep in mind that it does take time and hard work to make it pay off but it will in the long run.

Cadet Maxim

Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.

Real Estate Investing - Ten Myths

Is real estate investing only for the wealthy? Can you buy with no money down? Do you have to know the “right” people? Let’s answer by looking at some of the myths of real estate.

1. Real estate investing is for the wealthy. Money helps, but my first real estate investment was a $3,500 lot - which I sold for a profit two weeks after I bought it. Small deals, partners, low-down deals, or just putting aside $7 per day for a couple years until you have enough money for a downpayment - these are some of the ways to start with a little and invest in real estate.

2. “0 down” isn’t possible. I sold a rental property for $1,000 down because I trusted the buyer to make the payments, and I wanted the 9% interest and higher price. He could have gotten a cash-advance on a credit card for another $30 per month and made it a “0-down” deal. “No money down” means none of YOUR money down, and yes, it happens.

3. “0 down” is the best way. If you don’t invest some of your own money, you’ll have higher payments. You’ll also spend more time finding suitable properties, and pay more for them (generally cooperative sellers want more for their cooperation - I do). There are 0-down deals out there - they just aren’t always worth doing.

3. You need experience. Experience helps, but you get it by investing. Start with common sense, ask how you can lose money, be willing to learn the numbers, and you can start where you are.

4. Some investors have a “knack” for making money. Sort of. More accurately, some just took the time and risk to learn the market and continue their education.

5. You need to know the “right” people. It helps, so start the process. Talk to investors, real estate agents, landlords, etc.

6. You have to be great negotiator. If you learn to run the numbers and make the offers based on them, you can be the worst negotiator and still do okay.

8. You need insider knowledge. Understand one deal, and you are on your way. Read and read more, but the best “insider” knowledge comes from experience.

9. Fixer-uppers are safe. People have the idea that doing the work themselves is the safest way to assure a profit. Not true. Mis-planned “fix and flips” have bankrupted even experienced investors. Most poorly purchased rental properties will only eat a little money every month.

10. The key is lowball offers. The numbers have to work, and you need a plan. You can offer MORE than the market price and make money investing in real estate, if you understand creative financing - and how to do the math.

About the author:

Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com

Real Estate Investing: Know Your Stuff

Real estate investing involves purchasing real estate with the intent of making a profit on it. While there is some luck in doing this, most people will fail in this type of venture if they haven?t done their research. Knowing what the market will demand now and in the future plays a large role in successful real estate investing.

One type of real estate investing is called flipping. This involves purchasing a home for a small price and fixing it up. The goal is to sell the home making a sizable profit to cover your time and cost of the repairs. Then you use some of the profits to invest in another home. It is important that you purchase such homes in areas that have an excellent resell value as well as a market for homes. If the remodeled home sits on the market for a year or longer then your investment could put quite a financial strain on you.

Real estate investing in factories or apartment buildings is very common. Generally, you can make some profit on such investments. The key is to try to find property that you can purchase for a very low cost. This is easier to do in under developed areas that are anticipated to boom.

There is a great deal of risk in real estate investing. There is no guarantee your investment will allow you to break even, let alone make a profit. Taking the time to complete some research on market trends in the area will allow you to make better decisions about real estate investing, and hopefully result in your endeavors being a success.

Because of the amount of risk involved in real estate investing, it can be tricky to get financing. There are lends out there that specialize in loans for this type of venture. The internet is a great resource for helping you find the right type of lender. Other real estate investors use their savings or personal income to cover the investment.

Real Estate Investing Total Asset Protection - Real Estate Investing Total Asset Protection Guide

Despite soaring oil prices and the fact that many say the economy isn?t so strong, real estate is hotter than ever. It seems like everyone is getting involved in real estate, and for many investing in real estate is a lucrative money-maker. But isn?t real estate investing tricky? Can you have total asset protection when investing in real estate?

For many, real estate investing in a great way to make a great deal of money. With so many people buying and selling home, real estate investing is a lucrative business opportunity. Home renovations and home ?flipping? are huge right now, and this is a vastly growing field for investors interested in real estate. But how to do you combine the risk of real estate with total asset protection?

Not every property sells as well or as quickly as investors might like. While real estate investing is big right now, it?s still somewhat risky. New and inexperienced investors might lose more than they gain, depending on the property and the project. When it comes to real estate investing, it?s hard to combine your investment with total asset protection.

Total asset protection is a tool that investors of all kinds use to protect themselves from losses. By protecting assets totally, investors will be unable to lose their initial investment. In most cases, it?s hard to combine the risk of real estate with the safety of total asset protection. Buying property can rarely be fail safe, especially when profits depend on a sale. Not all sales go through, and not all properties sell for what they should. This means it?s very hard to get the safety of total asset protection when considering real estate investing.

Buying real estate means making an investment, and not all real estate is created equal. Some properties may need work before they can be sold, and other properties may need a lot of work before a sale can happen. This makes real estate investing very, very important. Investors use their money toward the future of the property, and in most cases can?t expect a payoff from their investment until after a sale has been made. Unless a pre-arranged contract is worked out between the investor and the agents involved with selling the property, real estate investing and total asset protection don?t really mix. Often, total asset protection isn?t part of the mix when dealing in real estate investing.

Real estate is a great investment opportunity, despite the risk. Before considering an investment in real estate, make sure you know about the property you?re buying, and know what the risk is. How much could you stand to lose? Even if you don?t have total asset protection, do you have any protection of assets? In other words, could you stand to get any of your initial investment back? All these things are important to consider before investing, but real estate is a great opportunity for anyone who wants to make money.

Deedless Real Estate Investing-An Overview

Are you looking to increase the number of real estate deals you can do without significantly increasing your risk and without increasing the amount of cash or credit you need? If so, then deedless real estate investing may be just the strategy you?re looking for.

Deedless real estate investing is a collective term used to describe a group of tactics that do not involve an immediate transfer of ownership of a piece of property. Among these tactics are straight lease option, sandwich lease option, and subject to.

The first of these, the straight lease option, describes an agreement between you the investor and the seller in which you lease (or rent) their property for a monthly payment, and you have a guaranteed option to buy the property at a predetermined price within a fixed period of time. Ownership does not change hands unless and until you exercise your purchase option, making this the first type of deedless real estate investing.

The second type of deedless real estate investing, the sandwich lease option, starts out as a straight lease option. You then, as the tenant buyer, would find a second tenant/buyer to assign your interest in the property to. They would lease the property from you, with the option to buy it from you. When and if they exercise their option, you would in turn exercise your option to buy from the original seller. This puts you in the middle of the sandwich, where you stand to profit with little or none of your own money at risk!

Finally, the third tactic for deedless real estate investing is the subject to, which means you buy the property subject to the existing mortgage or deed of trust remaining in place in the seller?s name- you simply start making the payments. Some investors actually do insist that they get the deed when doing a subject to deal, but they don?t record the deed until they resell the property and cash out the seller?s loan.

Other subject to investors don?t get the deed, waiting instead until they find a buyer who exercises their option and cashes them out of the seller?s loan. Doing it this way makes this a true deedless real estate investing tactic, but significantly increases the risk. I don?t recommend it!

We have barely scratched the surface of what could be said about these three tactics for deedless real estate investing, but now you have an overview. Add these tactics to your real estate investing toolkit, and more deals will be available to you.

Now, go make more offers!

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