Gene Mundt

I know many people are already into the thick of their Holiday shopping or making plans for gift giving and party hosting. Especially in this day and age, planning for the expenditures of the holiday season is extremely important.

It's also true that in the present challenging financial climate "execution" of your holiday plans can be even more important. It's easy to fall into the lure and "trap" of holiday spending!

Figuring a budget for holiday spending and sticking to it isn't always easy, but maintaining a level head regarding expenditures protects your finances and credit ratings down the road. Something you'll be glad you did later.

An important note during holiday planning and spending?

Debit card usage is up this year. I read that statistic in the paper the other day. That means more potential for hijinx taking place on your cards!

I can tell you from personal experience ... protection of your card and its PIN number/code is absolutely vital. Even if you have never lost your card or told anyone else your PIN ... check your banking debit account daily. Thiefs and criminals can get access even without your card and wreak all sorts of havoc to your account. Be aware ... and stay financially safe!

I try to make my customers aware that now is the perfect time to do a little investigative work and "sniffing around" into their finances and record-keeping. Preparation for the future is key.

If you are able to do so within your current economic status ... now is the time to take stock of donations, contributions to retirement accounts, and more. Tax time 2010 will be upon you in no time ... and you'll be glad that you took full advantage of the maximum benefits allowed you.

At the end of the year is a very smart time to take financial action. Have a credit check and credit report run on yourself. Especially after a time of higher credit card or banking account usage, taking this pre-emptive action to protect and prepare your finances and financial abilities for the future makes alot of sense. (Catching errors or discrepancies early and before you want to make a major purchase is best and will save you headaches and time later.)

As a lender, I will perform credit reports for my present clients (and potential clients) at no charge as part of my lending and mortgage planning services. I also conduct free mortgage planning services. Other lenders might do so too.

Why wouldn't you take advantage of a valuable free service?

Also, if you have already closed a loan within the year, contact your lender now for an extra copy of your loan's Closing Statement. You'll be prepared for the upcoming New Year and have an extra copy ready for yourself at tax time.

No insomnia or anxiety suffered at tax time! All the info at your fingertips. All free. All ahead of time. That's being a smart consumer.

Planning ... Protection ... Preparation ... Action!

This last week or two I've been planning and writing my upcoming Holiday Newsletter. My wife and I work together on this effort and have a great time while doing so.

I mail an actual print newsletter about every other month to all those within my database. Attorneys, accountants, mortgage customers, realtors, friends, relatives, and more are all recipients. Typically the articles featured within this marketing piece are of an informative nature or offer up assistance on mortgage lending, home buying/selling, financial, or home care needs.

The intent of the Holiday Newsletter is quite different though from those that go out the remainder of the year. It's more warm, light-hearted, and filled with trivia, holiday food recipes, quizzes, and sentiments of appreciation. Hopefully, it's something you want to get comfy with and pour a cup of coffee for while reading.

Finding the articles and content for this newsletter is much more fun to do also, let me tell you! You can usually find my wife and I laughing about a piece of interesting holiday trivia discovered ... or reminiscing about holidays past as we work along. Our favorite holiday music or movie may be playing in the background as we work. It sets the tone for the task very well.

This newsletter seems to garner the most responses of any newsletter written during the year too. The fun we have and the time and care we take in writing and presenting it must shine through as we always receive numerous responses from those that read it. As a marketing piece, it works very well too ... as the phone calls, texts, and emails spike after it's delivered.

If you haven't tried sending a Holiday Newsletter out for your customers and friends, I'd recommend it highly. The effort is well worth it and it serves to get you (and the recipients) in the holiday spirit all at the same time.

Contact me if you'd like a copy of my 2009 Holiday Newsletter!

Last night I happened to catch a blog posted by Eric Hempler (Keller Williams Realty). I thought the subject he touched upon was worth commenting on and I did so. I later decided it also was worthy of a follow-up blog of my own today.

Eric's article noted the placement and questionable content of a recent Facebook posting by someone he knew. Seems that he thought that this particular posting, and others like it, might prove hard to explain or embarassing in the future for the author(s). He questioned whether it could prove damaging to their business or their business reputation. He raised the point that maybe caution and forethought should have been taken prior to its posting.

I had just completed a discussion with my wife regarding this very topic prior to spotting Eric's blog, so it was very coincidental and timely. We were talking over an article that we had seen in a local Chicagoland paper. It was reported that there is a new business industry springing up and being sought out more and more frequently by businesses interviewing for new employees.

What type of service does this new industry offer?

Investigative/research services.

What are they investigating and researching?

Social media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, ActiveRain, chat rooms, and etc. that might contain postings, photos, opinions, and secrets of potential employees that are of a questionable nature. They are looking for postings that can later prove embarassing or damaging to their companies should they hire the applicant. They are looking to wean these applicants out before even giving them a chance for an interview.

Those photos you posted? Trouble now! That four-letter word you used? Someone finds it offensive! That post you wrote voicing your opinion? Uh-oh! The party you attended where you got a little tipsy? It's now recorded history on your friend's or co-worker's website!

Not only do you have to worry about your own postings ... but others too!

These postings can come back to bite you ...

We all need to be aware that this is occuring! We all need to talk and discuss the potential damage this can do to us personally and to our friends and co-workers should we go ahead and post things of a personal/questionable nature ... or without permission. We all need to stop and think before typing and uploading on these sites! There can be a price to pay if we do not.

I imagine that my wife and I are like millions of other parents. We always told our children to never do anything in public that they wouldn't want the whole world to see or know. My wife went one step further, telling our boys to never doubt the power of the "Mom Network". She told them if another mom saw them do something ... she'd find out. It never failed to freak them out a little when it actually happened!

We all need to be reminded and aware of this ... now more then ever if taking part on any social media outlet of any kind. It's doubly true if you're in business for yourself. The world is watching ... and can or will report everything you do or say.

We all need to remember ... mom may still be watching!

Living in the Chicagoland area is great. You can enjoy the best of both worlds ... a little city and a little country. Drive into the city and you can enjoy museums, zoos, the lakefront, theatre, the Magnificent Mile, major league sports, music entertainment of all kinds, and more. Yet, you can drive a relatively short distance and enjoy farm fields, open spaces, and nature in its abundance.

About 3 years ago, my wife and I ventured into the city and discovered the "Old Town School of Folk Music". Located on North Lincoln Avenue, it's smack in the middle of a vibrant section of the city of Chicago. In existence for 52 years, this school and music venue offers classes and workshops to over 6,000 music, art, and dance students (for young and old) each week. Classes are held seven days a week over 48 weeks of the year, in the main branch on Lincoln and 3 suburban locations.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is located near Wrigley Field on the North Side of Chicago. It was a haven for blacklisted folk artists, like Pete Seeger, during the shameful McCarthy years. Roger McGuinn, the founder of The Byrds, learned how to play 12-string guitar from folkie Bob Gibson at the school in the early 60's. Many other folk artists have been associated with the school over the years.

The first concert my wife and I attended at this venue was simply amazing. We found that the acoustics were fantastic and every seat in the house seemed intimate and offered a great view of the performers. We also had a chance to talk, mingle, and obtain autographs with the featured performers before and after the shows.

Every concert experience has offered the same wonderful experiences and opportunities. Each show has been excellent and personal access to the artists has been thrilling.

On Wednesday nights, the Old Town School of Folk Music offers free concerts to attendees. Some summer concerts in nearby parks are free also. Can't beat that price!

Young and old, novice and advanced players, all ethnicities ... everyone mingles during the concerts and classes, providing real opportunities for learning and sharing. There is a music store available offering instruments and sheet musics of all kinds. The Old Town School of Folk Music offers financial aid to all age groups looking to arrange private lessons. Group class attendees are awarded financial aid upon financial need.

If you're ever visiting our area, please think about visiting this great venue. For further information and concert/class schedules, go to: www.oldtownschool.org. You can also call: 773.728.6000. You'll be glad you checked this fantastic city offering out ...

In the past, I've mentioned countless times that I love sports and see a direct correlation between my participation on team sports during my past and my philosophy of "team" within my present business. For me personally, this concept just seems natural and works well.

Presently, I am in "team"-building mode. I am actively seeking to expand and strengthen my team by reaching out to those I wish to broaden and build strong relationships with. This includes referral partners, co-workers, and new loan officers. I'm planning and building the foundation for a new improved expansion team.

While many others may see the present as a time to play ultra-conservatively or to just maintain the team's status quo ... as my team's "coach", I see it as a time for planning, building, and implementation of a new improved game strategy.

I've got the present team members working out harder and smarter ... and I'm out scouting for new team members as well. After the turmoil and slow challenging market of the last few years, I am eagerly anticipating the return of a healthier economy and real estate industry ... and the friendly, healthy competition it brings.

And ... I want to be ready. If there is one thing that my 30+ years of experience has taught me regarding real estate ... it's that it's cyclical and we suffer highs and lows.

Obviously this last low has been a "beaut" ... knocking many of our industry's team members off the playing field, off the bench, and out of the stadium. But the fact remains, the industry has always bounced back and survived ... and we'll play another round of games. The rules of the game may have changed some along the way, but the game will go on.

I'm increasing my "fitness" now, so I'm ready to play and compete!