William J Archambault Jr

Brenda and I spent an evening with Houston's Lifestyles Unlimitedyesterday. Lifestyles Unlimited is a real estate investment and real estate brokerage company. I've been on their mailing list for several years since we got serious about moving to Houston. They appear to do what I use to do, but on a grand scale. Better yet they are also a real estate company so the prospective investor doesn't have to train the REALTOR® to get knowledgeable representation.

So many consumers and agents think because home salesmen and small investment salesmen sell the same type of properties, they're interchangeable, they're not! There is a fundamental difference in the way the two look at opportunities that discourage interchangeability. But, if you're the type who believe a completed tool kit is three sizes of pliers, go for it. I suppose you also like cycling because you love coasting up hill.

Since moving to Houston I've been to several of Lifestyles's "seminars" they were good, but they were rara join our group rallies. After the last one I was ask by the guy sitting next to me "Would I join?" I told him "NO" then handed him my card and ask if what he wanted to know was should he join? I recommenced he join. Unlike anyone but me that I know of this appears to be a hands on mentoring organization, it's the real estate agents.

Then came last night! Brenda and I went because we always travel together when we can. More relevant we went because this was a financing round table being led by Lifestyles founder Del Wamsley himself. He uses some of my old articles in his news letter and I wanted to meet him.

Am I glad we went! Last nights program was simply the most positive, the most useful real estate investment program I've been to in years! Did I mention it was free. Wamsley orchestrated a panel of lenders, yes real lenders with real money available to real people not the credit equivalent of Ken and Barbie. Real practicable money today for real estate investment and home purchases even with little or no credit.

Yes, we heard what Del has done, extremely impressive, but the lenders, real live lenders were there, ready to do it for you Lifestyle member or not!

All I can say is: Thank you Mr. Wamsley, Thank You Lifestyles Unlimited.

Names you should know in no particular order:

Gateway Mortgage,

Red Door Funding,

TX Lone Star,

Capital Concepts,

Security Mortgage,

Noble Mortgage,

Jet Investor Lending,

Lifestyles Unlimited

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable and soon to be profitable evening was had by all.　

Strategic Commenting For Knowledge And Friends to get the most out of your Active Rain experience! Like any gathering of like mined people physical or virtual what you'll get out of participating depends on what you're looking for and how much effort you're willing to put into it.

I recently wrote about social networking at physical meetings in Going Stag To The High School Dance You've got to cross the room. You've got extend your hand ans say "I'm Bill Archambault" Well I'd rather you didn't! Use your own name! Please!!

It's the same in the Rain. Just being here is only a start! Like the high school dance just being here feels good. The banter here, like the dance music is inspiring, but you have to participate to truly get the most out of the experience.

Participating in the Rain requires three things.

Reading is like going to the dance and leaning on the wall. You can learn from watching and listing, but just so much.

Commenting is crossing the room, sticking out your hand and saying "Hello I'm..."

Blogging actually writing and posting your own ideas is the whole experience! Blogging to teach is the best way to learn. Nothing hones our skills quite so well as teaching others.

In October of 2006 I wrote: To Blog or not to blog? 10-12-06 I revised it: To Blog or not to blog? Two Years Later

Read: If A Tree Falls

Stay tuned for Strategic Commenting For Knowledge And Friends Part II.

Are You Reasonable? Yes, then shame on you!

Are You Reasonable? Do you compromise? Yes, then shame on you!

Are You Reasonable? Do you go with the flow? Yes, then shame on you!

Are You Reasonable? Do you do it the way it's always done? Yes, then shame on you!

Are You Reasonable? Do you prefer being liked to being right? Yes, then shame on you!

I like the joke page at: http://www.top-greetings.com/ Some are very funny. Some and mildly so. Some are hi-hum. Some are insightful! Today for example a man identified only as Andrew suggested:

"The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man."

Wisdom is where you find it! Keep your eyes and ears open.

Are You Reasonable? Yes, then shame on you!

Houston We've Got A Problem and we could use your help.

We need to let Houston know: There is Affordable Health Care In Houston!

Mother Land, Inc, a non-profit Clinic offers Affordable Health Care In Houston. People can receive quality health care for as little as $20.00! for non-emergency room basic health care. If Mother Land can't take care of you their professional medical staff will help you search for the care you need at a price you can afford!

Mother Land is a dignified alliterative for non-emergency basic health care.

No one is ever turned away for lack of insurance or ability to pay.

By appointment or walk-in you are welcome 6 days a week.

Mother Land accepts most insurance. Don't let your lack of the co-payment keep you or your love ones from the care that you need!

We need your help! we need to let people know! There is Affordable Health Care In Houston!

Please tell Family, Friends, Staff, The Guys next door.

Call Mother Land @ 713-290-0001 or visit at 4040 Yale in NW Houston about two blocks South of Crosstimbers.

Please spread the word.

Brenda and I were out exploring today as we usually do on weekends. We'd taken her car as opposed to my SUV because for local driving we can plan on 20 MPG as apposed to 15 MPG. There is another reason, by Sundays Brenda's car need filed up for the next week and I'd rather do it for her.

We were about 10 miles north of home when we stopped for our usual 12 gallons of gas. It's notable only because our normal station near home was at $2.519 / Gal, and this one was only $2.429 / Gal. Brenda mentioned we'd have to remember this station.

We've all felt like that buy gas at the lowest possible price! It makes a lot of sense and saves a lot of cents if! If the low priced gas is on your way to where you were going anyway!

But, at today's prices just how far can you go for a bargain? Filling our car averages about 12 gallons a week. My SUV averages 18 gallons a fill up, but I only fill it every 6 weeks or so, one of the advantages of working from home and not far far from the airport.

To fill up the car at $2.52 / Gal takes $30.24 or about $0.13 / mile.

To fill up the SUV at $2.52 / Gal takes $45.36 or about $0.17 / mile.

We could get a powered enclosed roller skate that gets 30 / MPG. And takes the same 12 gallons to fill up. At $2.52 that's $30.24 or about $0.08 / mile.

So how far can we go to save $0.09 / gallon?

With our car, buying 12 gallons we break even at 8.3 miles round trip or 4.15 miles one way! Any closer and we might save money any further it will cost us money.

With our SUV, buying 18 gallons we break even at 9.5 miles round trip or 4.75 miles one way! Any closer and we might save money any further it will cost us money.

With a new powered tin can buying 12 gallons we break even at 13.5 miles round trip or 6.75 miles one way! Any closer and we might save money any further it will cost us money.

Of course that's just to break even! What about a more common $0.01 / gallon savings?

Our car 0.46 miles, to break even on a penny savings / gallon.

Our SUV 0.53 miles to break even on a penny savings / gallon.

Penny Wise Gallons Foolish. A new skate board 0.75 miles to break even on a penny savings / gallon.

The reality is that unless "cheap" (cheaper) gas is on your normal route of travel you can't afford to do much more than cross the street to save money.

After thoughts:

Why keep a 15 MPH SUV? I'm comfortable in it! It rides better in town or on bad roads. It sits 5 full size adults! It halls every thing I'm capable of loading! It jumps to 22 MPH on the highway. The SUV weighs 4,200 lbs. In a collision the SUV wins more often that cars. The SUV can tow a trailer. I like stuff! If there is less than 6 going we can all ride together. I can see over most traffic! I can be seen by every body! The SUV horn commands attention!

Honking at slow trafic.

The car holds 2 adults and two small people. The car is full with a weeks groceries, if there's no holiday that week. The car gets 27 MPH on the highway, but is extremely tiring. The car weighs just under 2,000 lbs. The car has no room for stuff! If there are more than 2 adults going we need 2 cars. The car can be as hard to see as to see from. I never look at who I honk at, it's embarrassing to peep!

Death Vally.

I fit! It can tow.