Appleton, WI

Have you ever been so afraid and pushed yourself right through it? Felt that sinking feeling and forced yourself forward? It is said that F.E.A.R. is an acronym for "False Emotions Appearing Real". I have heard that statement on numerous occasions, but it wasn't until I was faced head on with it that I truly understood.

I like to think of myself as an adventurous gal, so climbing up a pole and jumping off appeared to be a piece of cake... right? Well I climbed that pole like a little monkey and then I got to the top. Everything changed! That 20" pole appearedto be all of 50' and my legs began to shake. Oh my goodness, now what. I had to some how get my feet ON TOP of this tiny wobbly disk, LET GO, stand up, turn around and jump - NOT WITHOUT A NET!!!!!

The F.E.A.R. set in and I was shaking like a leaf. While trying to regain my composure, I heard the crowd below yelling "The Pole Doesn't Shake, You Do" - I some how mustered up enough will to get both feet on top of that pole, stand up, turn around and jump for the bar.

It was an amazing experience. Sure I have been in situations that I was fearful of and made it through, but this was different. In a matter of seconds, I had to decide to believe in myself and move. Not hours or days, . . . seconds.

This was a really cool experience. I hope that you too get an opportunity to experience your true abilities.

"With greater confidence in yourself and your abilities, you will set bigger goals, make bigger plans, and commit yourself to achieving objectives that today you only dream about."

- Brian Tracy: author and speaker.

This was previously inappropriately posted in Wordless Wednesday - Sorry for the error....

Photo taken at High Valley Ranch - Clearlake Oaks, CA - photo by Phyllis Frates, Big Lens Photography, San Rafael, CA -

http://www.biglenses.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAFFY -

Saffy is a 2 year old Australian Shepherd - The owner was living in an apartment and could no longer care for her. I got her when she was 4 months old.

She looks so much like my Neenah, who died a few years back. I just couldn't resist that face.

Did you know that identity theft often occurs when you are obtaining your Government Free Annual Credit Report? Therefore, you must protect yourself before you become another victim of America's fastest rising crime.

So How Is Identity Stolen With The "Free Credit Report" Scam?

1. "Phishing" is the name of one of the primary scams. It has become increasingly popular. It happens when you receive emails requesting your contact and social security number from individuals pretending they are a legitimate company. For instance, your bank will never request your social security number or private information so that they can verify your account or check your credit.

2. Another popular way is to go to a website advertising a "Free Credit Report." It asks you for your name and social security number which you happily provide. Well guess what..... If it is a fake website, you have just had your identity stolen.

In either case, you may actually even receive a copy of your credit report, because they forward your information to a real website which in turn sends you a free copy of your report. In reality, the identity thieves have started your nightmare and you don't even know it. This is a very good reason of why you should NEVER put your personal information into a form from an email. If it is a link from an email, don't share your info either.

Here are some obvious signs of Internet Identity Theft

• Statements and bills are coming late or not at all to your home
• Collection agencies or creditors will contact you about accounts you do not have or charges you have not made.
• There are transfers or withdrawals that have not been made by you on your financial account statements
• You have been denied credit or are being offered unfavorable credit terms (i.e. a high interest rate with no underlying explanation)
• You are getting letters or calls from businesses or debt collectors about products or services that you did not purchase.

Identity Theft: How bad is it?

In the past year, 7 million people became identity theft victims. The average loss to an American is thirty hours of their time and over $500 in financial losses.

In the last year, total personal losses have been over five billion (with a "b") dollars.

On average, one out of every seventy-nine shopping sprees is one involving stolen identity.

What you should do if you become the victim of Identity Theft:

1. First, alert the fraud department of the three agencies which monitor credit. Tell them you are a victim of identity theft and ask them to put an alert on your credit information. (Unfortunately, you may be required to pay for this service.)
2. In addition, get your credit report from these three large credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion and closely scrutinize your credit reports looking for credit cards you did not order, inquiries you did not make and other suspicious activities.
3. Next report your case, including all the details to your local police department.
4. To report identity theft to the central department of the American government for fraud protection, call the toll-free hot-line at 1-877-IDTHEFT.
5. Close all accounts on the credit reports that you believe were opened fraudulently utilizing your name.
6. If your bank or checking accounts, or even your ATM card, have been compromised then shut those accounts down as soon as possible.
7. Your local postal inspector should be alerted, as they undoubtedly have used your personal address info, this address needs to be immediately terminated and you should create a new postal box.
8. Contact the Social Security Administration to make sure that your name and earnings are all correct.

When trying to get a credit report it is important that you know the possible scams and how to avoid them. You can receive a free credit report today by emailing me at gtanvas@patriotms.com - I will be happy get you pointed in the right direction and help you avoid an identity theft nightmare.

Gwenn Tanvas of Patriot Mortgage, is a nationally recognized expert specializing in helping release her clients from the "credit prison" that too many people find themselves in. When you or one of your friends find yourself needing real answers and real solutions to credit issues, you can confidentially contact her at 920-560-5606 or gtanvas@patriotms.com - You can find more tips and information at http://www.wisconsinloantips.com

When the House Is Not Selling

Remember . . . "Presentation is Everything!"

As a private seller, you have to make sure that your home is presentable to a potential buyer, and keep in mind that, in a competitive market with more inventory than we've seen in some time, Presentation is Everything!

By eliminating points the potential buyer may find fault with and by bringing out the positive amenities, you are more likely to sell your home and get the price you are asking for. Here are just a few tip to help support your efforts.

1. Let There Be Light. Buy some 100­watt bulbs to brighten the rooms, and open curtains or blinds to let light in. Unless a window faces a brick wall or some type of eyesore, open the drapes!

2. Garage, Not Garbage. Have a garage sale to clean out the clutter and make the garage more spacious. You will be moving and will need to start organizing anyway! So why wait until the last miinute? Clean up oil spots in the garage or carport with a good cleanser to remove that lived-in appearance. The home may not be brand new, but it is new to the potential buyer.

3.Make Scents. Get a nice potpourri air freshener, or keep some refrigerated cookie dough on hand to throw in the oven when a prospect is coming over. Make the house smell like a home.

4.Paint­relief. Consider re­painting any areas that need to be touched up, especially the front door and entryway, and any appliances that are showing their age.
5.Power Plants. Trim down any jungles outside, especially if they cover the house. Get rid of any half­dead houseplants. Water the lawns briefly before any visit, and keep lawns mowed and edged. We are getting into winter here in Wisconsin, so be sure to deadhead plants and prepare a nice winter scape in the yard. Also, bird feeders stratigically place in yard bring a warm welcome to visitors.

6.The Price is Right. Price may be a sensitive issue, but with increased inventories and declining home values in many neighborhoods, keep in mind that every shopper in a buyers market is determoned to get the best deal possible. This is a great time to compare your house with others on the market in the same area. The price is and presentation of your home are the two things that will sell your home faster than anything else.

7.The World is Your Stage. Professional staging can help to showcase the best side of a home, create more interest, and get you top dollar. With increased inventories, staging could provide the competitive edge you need. If you interested in a free local "Home Staging" workshop, please shoot us an email. We are in the process of setting several dates. email: gwennt@century.net and we will put you on our notification list for upcoming workshops.

These tips were taken from our Consumer Guide entitled: 33 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast!, a special guide we have available for FREE on our website - To obtain a copy of this Guide, please follow this link and request a copy today! Give Me The Free Guide

It is sad to say but our society seems to decide our value by our credit line or credit worthiness. With a good credit report, it is likely you will participate in and enjoy many of the finer things in life. However if your credit report is "challenged", you probably will not.

Few creditors, if any, will extend individuals with bad marks on their credit history loan options.

But what if you had no other option? What if you were forced to choose between buying food, and making the payment on your car? What if you were prevented from making timely payments by a lack of employment, a medical emergency or some other personal crisis? Should just one late payment result in up to ten years of being punished by having to pay higher rates and fees?

One wonders why this system is allowed to operate as it does. In a court of law, judges will give you a chance to defend yourself before deciding your fate - this is one very important difference not to forget. In America, we are guaranteed the right to face our accusers before judgment can be passed. With your credit record, however, this is completely untrue. The credit bureaus have the final say on your credit report.

Unbeknownst to us, creditors and credit bureaus have been trading information about us for a long time. They trade your personal information (name, address, social security number), they trade your private information (who pulled your credit, what you purchase, and the terms of your loan) and they trade your painful information (late payments, liens, bankruptcies.) Much of it amounts to hearsay, which can end up bringing you financial hardship.

Under the current credit system, your credit file is stamped with negative and damaging information, whether it is yours or not, before you have the opportunity to defend yourself. Ironically, YOU are expected to prove whether negative or erroneous information on your report is wrong. Remember, the credit bureaus will assume that you are guilty unless you can be proven innocent. This is a direct contrast to the common American principle that one is innocent until proven guilty. Why do the credit bureaus not offer us this same courtesy? It doesn't seem fair that we don't have any chance to defend ourselves before negative information is put on our report. The truth is that consumer rights would decrease the credit bureaus profits.

Credit bureaus exist to make a profit and their product is your credit file. Credit bureaus sell your credit information, which their buyer's (credit card companies, etc...) rarely question. Creditors, in return, give the bureaus whatever data they may have collected about you. Mistakes, however, are frequent. It doesn't matter if the credit report is right or not, it will be hard and expensive for you to prove that your information is false.

What can you do about it?

Every person living in a democratic nation is entitled to a defense. Consumers have the legal right to retain an attorney to defend themselves against unfair accusations. Instead of you being forced to disprove negative items, the credit bureaus should have to provide information verifying the accuracy of their report. The law and Congress are in agreement. Because of the unfair nature in which your information is collected and distributed, credit repair is both a legal and ethical right of every American.

You will probably need more than just a standard form letter to corroborate your credit worthiness. This is where our preferred attorneys come into the picture. Just as you may choose not to repair your own vehicle, you do not have to repair your own credit either. Using an attorney will strengthen your chances of having negative items removed from your credit report. After all, are you more likely to act if you get a letter from an attorney or a letter from an ordinary person?

Our attorneys question everything. If the credit bureaus issue statements that items have been verified, they are not accepted and our preferred attorneys will continue to press for validation of all negative items.

Credit bureaus have been in the driver's seat for too long. They continue winning unless you take action, so don't put it off. If you are tired of being in "Credit Prison", contact me now for solutions.

Gwenn Tanvas, Certified Mortgage Planner in Appleton, WI , specializes in helping release her clients from the "credit prison" that too many people find themselves in. If you, a friend, a family member or a colleague find yourself needing real answers and real solutions to credit issues, you can confidentially contact her at 920-560-5606 or at gwennt@centurytel.net or on the web at http://www.wisconsinloantips.com.