Are You In A Do-It-Yourself Career?

An idea popped in my head recently as I was unclogging my bathtub drain. I could’ve called a plumber, as I had before, but…what the heck…I was able to go on YouTube and figure out how to remove the stopper myself and pull all the gross stuff out that has accumulated over the past couple years – I probably saved $75!!.  As I was doing this, it occurred to me that there are probably many “Do-It-Yourself” occupations, job titles and businesses that have become obsolete due to advances in technology and the poor economy.

….So, I began to ponder this and began writing this article.

I have actually chosen several career and business paths over the past 15 years that have ended up becoming obsolete, irrelevant or otherwise unnecessary. The main one being owner of a travel agency, travel consultant, or travel agent (however you prefer to say it). This industry was already on its way out even when I started back in March of 1997, as the airlines had started to punish travel agents by cutting commissions on airline tickets.  These cuts gradually worsened until September, 2011 when they were cut altogether.  United Airlines was always the leader in the crusade to cut us out of the deal and, ironically, they have struggled financially on and off since that time.

Other career paths I have chosen over the years which have drastically been affected by both technology and the economy are real estate and most recently mortgage loan officer (a futile attempt to use my financial skills after 911). 

This chain of events got me to thinking…what other types of businesses, job and careers could be classified or may soon become “Do-It-Yourself Occupations”?  Here’s my “Top Ten Do-It-Yourself Occupations”:

#10:  Video Store Clerk

Have you seen a Blockbuster store that’s still open?  Have you ever been in a Netflix store?  My guess is NO!  Enter Redbox, Netflix, Blockbuster online, etc., etc.

#9:  Bankers 

When’s the last time your friendly, neighborhood banker greeted you when you went to make a deposit or cash a check?  Bankers and local banks as they were back in the early days just don’t exist anymore.

According to a September 17, 2011 online article at http://www.pjmedia.com    “…They’re an endangered species, replaced by cheery, underpaid branch managers who could just as easily be the manager of a McDonald’s. Banks don’t need bankers anymore.”

#8:  Lawyers

We now have LegalZoom.com to help give us inexpensive, easy access to filing many legal documents that lawyers were once paid 100s and 1,000s of dollars to do.

Lawyers mostly exist to make themselves wealthy and wear fancy suits.  If lawyers were reined in and held to higher standards, at least a percentage of our national debt would be reduced as well as insurance and health care costs being lower.

#7:  Website Designers

There is still quite a learning curve needed in order to help you create the right content that will get your business noticed online, but the days of the pretty, fancy websites and web designers have been replaced by people that can navigate through all of the SEO and Social Media craziness to help their clients get to page one of Google.  Imagine how difficult it can be (for example) to be noticed as a “Hair Salon near Denver, CO”.  My search revealed: 4,164 results.

Does your Web Designer have the “Secret Sauce” to get you on page one?  If not, find one that does!  My personal recommendation:  Get You Started Emarketing

#6 Printers and Print Shops

Ever hear of VistaPrint, Microsoft Word, MicroSoft Publisher?  If this isn’t a Do-It-Yourself industry, I don’t know what is.

Another point is that many of these are franchises.  Who these days can afford to pay the thousands of dollars of upfront money, not to mention ongoing royalties required to keep a shop going.

#5 Tax Preparers or Accountants 

Not entirely, but there are many great Do-It-Yourself tax-preparation software programs and online services that will walk you through preparing your own return in addition to good, easy-to-use accounting software to help the average business owner do their own bookkeeping.

This is one I can attest to, as I ran a home-based bookkeeping service for 25+ years and had to adapt to the changing ways over the years.  Back in the 1980s, the personal computer didn’t exist and I never thought I’d be doing bookkeeping on the computer…boy was I wrong!

The way I adapted to these changes is by reinventing myself a bit and becoming an accounting software consultant and reseller.  This was a natural transition for me and allowed me to keep from working myself completely out of a business.

#4:  Plumbers, Electricians and related occupations

No further explanation needed…When you can find instructional videos on YouTube about various household projects such as unclogging drains, installing faucets, replacing fuses and the like, why pay $75 – $100 per hour when you can “Do-It-Yourself”?

#3:  Travel Agents and Travel Agencies

I can attest to this one, as this was my primary source of income for 10+ years.  I entered the business and built it over time knowing that changes were already coming and change it did!  Prior to 911, airlines still paid us to book airline tickets as well as other suppliers that pay commissions for vacation packages.  Technology has been both a friend and foe to the industry.  In the past 3-5 years, the big online sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Expedia and others have made it increasingly more difficult to compete on price.  When price is the only or deciding factor, the traditional agent is the loser.

#2 Financial Planners & Stock Brokers

The unpredictable, volatile stock market, greedy and unscrupulous advisors, and people taking back control of their finances have caused natural attrition in this industry.  This is a tough business to be in, not to mention the difficulty in obtaining their credentials to be licensed – Not Fun!

In addition, companies like Fidelity, ETrade, Charles Schwab have allowed the average person to do their own trading for next to nothing and even offer free advice on investing for those that have accounts with them.

If you choose to invest, you can also learn how to do-it-yourself by reading from the experts and following the way they buy and sell stocks, on the up, on the down and make money in either direction.  Frankly, the roller-coaster ride of the stock market makes me sick and I choose not to participate.

In any case, these guys are hurting!

#1 Realtors

Where do I begin! Why would ANYONE want to be in this business nowadays??  You’ve got Craigslist to buy and sell just about anything, especially real estate.  If you are selling a home and want it listed in the MLS, you can pay a nominal fee for this.

If you’re in the market to buy a home, just go online and start shopping.  What’s the purpose of a realtor for the buyer…To hold their hand through the process?  Perhaps some people need this, but if you’re savvy enough to purchase a home (and can qualify for a mortgage), a realtor sitting next to you at the closing table isn’t really a necessity.

Let’s face it, our world is changing from “Brick & Mortar” to “Click & Order”.  This has affected many industries, many of which are in my Top Ten.  If you’re in a Do-It-Yourself occupation…time to think about reinventing yourself!

One of my resources for this article…

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-obsolete-jobs-club-02012012.html

Tags: Do It Yourself

Are You Willing To Do Something Different?

There is no question we are in one of the most turbulent economic times in the history of our country.  It has been said that what we have been experiencing and what is still yet to come could be even worse than the Great Depression years.

If you have not had to do something different in the past five to ten years to keep your head above water financially, you are either independently wealthy, or living under a rock.
I am one of those individuals that has completely changed course in the past three years due to the drastic change in the way people do business.  It is said that the world has changed from “Brick and Mortar” to “Click and Order”.  This refers to the emergence of the internet which is both friend and foe.  As a travel consultant, it was both a friend and an enemy.  It may be that for you as well, depending on what industry you’re in.
Many people have happily discovered that through this horrible recession, there are vehicles that can help supplement and even replace lost income and give us a “Plan B” that (with hard work) can become our Plan A.
Ask yourself these questions in regards to your chosen business or profession:

1. What happens when you’re not working (consulting, installing, servicing, repairing, etc.)?  Is there any chance for your to earn “residual” income on what you do or are you just “trading time for money”?
2. What is it going for you to take to retire?
3. Have you had to move your retirement plans further into the future?  Is your journey to retirement longer than 10 years from today?
4. How many years will you have to work at your current business or profession in order to retire with the same lifestyle you have now?
5. If you have children, is someone else raising them?  How do you feel about that?
6. If you’re in a field or profession that requires a college degree, how much debt did you incur to get that degree?  Do you sen an end point for paying off that student debt?  Did college cause you to incure other debt in the process?

90% of the population whether they work a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke) or are in their own business working 80+ hours per week, are trading time for money.
If you don’t like your answers to the above questions, perhaps it will be worth a small amount of your time to call or email me to see what I’ve discovered that has given me hope for my own future.   If you’re willing to spend that time and, perhaps, do something different than what you’ve been doing,  Call me at 970-515-6882 or email anita@anitamcallister.com
Thank you for taking the time to read this article! Anita M.

Tags: Great Depression, Just Over Broke, Student Debt

How I Cut My Mortgage Payment in Half Without Refinancing

I have learned some very valuable money strategies in the past three years, and among them, a way to reduce the monthly principal and interest payment on my mortgage payment by about 50%. My principal and interest is going from $642 per month to $309 per month.

This method is not for everyone, but it’s certainly a way to get some much-needed relief in this severe down economy.

The process is called Recasting Your Mortgage. In a nutshell, recasting your mortgage is a modification done by your existing mortgage company for a one-time, non-refundable fee in order to lower the monthly principal and interest payment while retaining your existing interest rate.

Here’s a pretty good short article with a real-life example of Recasting Your Mortgage…not as good as my scenario, but it explains what it is, how it works, and if it applies to you.

I first learned about this process from a seasoned mortgage professional who is also a colleague in a business I’m in and very passionate about…educating and assisting individuals, families, and business owners how to create their own Privatized Banking System, mimicking what banks have done for over 100 years.

When I learned how my colleague helped one of her clients do a Mortgage Recast, I knew it would work for me.

Here are some of the rules and tips for Recasting Your Mortgage:

1. You must pay down, or already have paid-down your mortgage principal to create “wiggle-room” for your mortgage company to Recast/Re-Amortize the note. I have heard different amounts from different mortgage companies from $5,000 – $10,000. If you have this money available and it isn’t coming out of your emergency fund or won’t strap you, DO IT.
2. You must pay a fee to your mortgage company, which is most-likely non-refundable, whether you decide to go through with the process or not. I’ve heard of fees as low as $75…I paid on the high end $500, but it will save me thousands of dollars in interest as well as free up over $300 per month, which will help substantially in giving some much-needed relief.
3. Your interest rate will stay the same.
4. You will not have to go through the excruciating process of refinancing, which is next to impossible these days.
5. It will probably take about three months to get through the complete process, so you’ll need to continue to make your existing payment until your mortgage company has notified you by sending a revised coupon booklet or when you see it on your monthly statement.
6. Not all mortgage companies will do this – you need to check with your lender.

If you are in a fairly new mortgage, say, within one – five years of either a new purchase or a refinance, recasting your mortgage will probably not be an option, but keep in mind you are paying upwards of 85% each month in interest…money down the toilet for you. Even if you have a lower interest rate, say 4%, you have started out by paying almost 70% in interest. This is based on a 30-year mortgage.

I also want to point out that I created my own Privatized Banking System first (I have two branches so far) and borrowed the money I needed FROM MYSELF to pay down the principal on my mortgage and make this happen. I will pay that money back TO MYSELF, at whatever interest rate I decide (within the rules and guidelines of my bank) and will continue to earn compound dividends on the money I have borrowed, while paying back SIMPLE INTEREST. My money will be doing DOUBLE DUTY for me, not for a bank.

If Recasting Your Mortgage makes sense to you, get in touch with your mortgage company and see if they participate in this program.

From College to Car Lot

When I was in high school,  getting ready to graduate and decide what I would do with my life, the choices we had back then were totally different than they are now.  We were almost guaranteed that if we would buckle down and attend college, we’d have the career of our dreams, or an automatic ticket to (at least) middle class. 

College, in my estimation, has always been expensive, although obviously, more so now than ever before.   Today, college education is a big business. There are currently more than 18 million students enrolled at the nearly 5,000 colleges and universities currently in operation throughout the United States. There are quite a few “institutions of higher learning” that now charge $40,000 or even $50,000 a year for tuition. That doesn’t even count room and board and other living expenses.  Has the quality of education gotten better, worse, or remained the same in the past few decades?  

When graduation finally arrives, many of our college students have actually learned very little, they find themselves unable to get good jobs and yet they end up trapped in student loans they may never be able to pay off and a large percentage end up defaulting, thus, more strain on our already collapsing economy. 

The need for higher education and quality at our colleges and universities has deteriorated badly. When graduation finally arrives, many of our college students have actually learned very little, they find themselves unable to get good jobs and yet they end up trapped in student loan debt hell for essentially the rest of their lives.

Here are a few statistics that may seem obvious, but until you actually see them, it’s hard to believe:

1) Since 1978, the cost of college tuition in the United States has gone up by over 900 percent, 650 points above inflation (benzinga.com, April 26, 2011)

2) In 2010, the average college graduate had accumulated approximately $25,000 in student loan debt by graduation day. (HuffingtonPost.com, April 26, 2011)

3) Americans have accumulated well over $900 billion in student loan debt. That figure is higher than the total amount of credit card debt in the United States. (finaid.org…Watch the Student Debt Clock roll, just like our National Debt!)

4) U.S. college students spend 24% of their time sleeping, 51% of their time socializing and 7% of their time studying. (USAToday.com January 18, 2011)

5)  One-third of all college graduates end up taking jobs that don’t even require college degrees. (Businessinsider.com  April 21, 2011)

6) In the United States today, over 18,000 parking lot attendants have college degrees. (Chronicle.com  October 20, 2010)

7) In the United States today, 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees. (Chronicle.com  October 20, 2010)

In the United States today, approximately 365,000 cashiers have college degrees. (TheEconomicCollapseBlog.com  December 16, 2010)

My Point? It’s a new world, new economy and the need for a college education has drastically dwindled.  If your dream is to become a doctor, lawyer, engineer or rocket scientist, by all means, college is your only path; meanwhile, you may be joining the ranks of college graduates who are now working as dishwashers, cashiers, busboys, and parking lot attendants in order to pay off five- and six-figure loans that you may be carrying for the rest of your life.

There are many money making opportunities out there that don’t require the time and money it takes to obtain a college degree.  The income potential lying in these opportunities is practically unlimited, freedom of time and freedom from the everyday grind of a job is now a real possibility for anyone willing to seek it out and not quit on themselves.

Tags: College, Student Debt, Student Loan Debt

Don’t Take Advice From Broke People…Ever!

If you are new to network marketing, you are no doubt full of  excitement about the future you have with the company you have selected. 

You may soon discover that your closest friends and relatives will attempt to throw darts at your excitement and dash your dreams when you share your new business opportunity to them.  

DON’T EVER LET THIS HAPPEN!

Don’t be one of the 95% of network marketers that quit when they are presented with a few “No’s” or “Are You Crazy?” or “That’s A Scam!” from the people they think are shoe-ins.

I got some great advice on a webinar with one of the up-and-coming leaders in my primary company.  In a nutshell, what he said was:

Your family and close friends know you  (for example) as a plumber, accountant, nurse, hair dresser, etc., etc.  You will be tempted to go to them with your business opportunity first.  After all, they love and care about you and they will be as excited as you are, see how great the company is and want to work with you. 

Nothing Could Be Further From The Truth!

• When it comes to family and close friends, SEEING IS BELIEVING.  Chances are, they will take a “wait & see” attitude.
• On the other hand, if you are too successful, you will show your family & friends’ mediocrity and they may dispise you even more.

As you can see, it may be a ‘Lose-Lose’ situation! 

You’re much better off starting with your lesser-known acquantances.  Believe it or not, you actually have more credibility with them. 

This information turned on a light bulb in my brain!  It really freed me of the pressure I have been putting on myself  as well as eliminating the feeling of rejection and failure when those closest to me have said no to my dreams.

I hope these little tidbits of information will help you in your journey to success!  Those that stick with their dreams and don’t let their broke friends and relatives dictate their actions are more likely to end up in the 5% bracket…people that make money and are able to help others in the process. 

“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”  ~William Feather

Closed For Business? Maybe Not…

One evening a couple weeks ago, I was driving down one of the main streets in my current city of residence and couldn’t help but notice all the businesses that have closed down in the past year or so.  There are also ones that have tried to make a go of it since the “Great Recession” started, but failed for various reasons:  lack of capital, poor planning or no business plan, lack of need in the surroundng area, or bad location.  I started thinking about the paradigm shift that has taken place over the past 5-10 years in regards to the way people are doing business nowadays.  The best example…Circuit City:  They no longer exist in a traditional storefront business model, but are still very prevalent on the internet.  What is Circuit City?  They don’t manufacture anything.   They’re just a middle man like many other companies that do business the new-improved way:   On the internet. 

Anyway, as I was driving down the street, I started to make a mental list of the businesses that we still absolutely need in our cities and towns.  This is what I came up with:

• Grocery stores (at least for perishable items)
• Restaurants
• Gas Stations
• Convenience Stores (really only needed for travelers who get hungry or need to go to the bathroom along their routes)
• Liquor Stores (This one is arguable, as there are some websites that allow online ordering and ship directly; however, you have to be an attorney to understand the rules and regulations, so I’ll keep this one on the list)
• Hotels (again, only for travelers)
• Dry Cleaners
• Art Galleries
• Doctors and Dentists

Everything else (in my humble opinion) can be operated from a home-based location.  Think of the gas we will save in the U.S. alone!  Think of the reduced road-rage, pollution-reduction and even better moods everyone will be in by being able to shop from the convenience of our homes, operate our businesses by simply getting up in the morning, taking a shower (or not) and heading to another part of our homes to log in to our computers and the internet, to work the hours we choose…everything not done online is “By Appointment Only” anyway!

This is a perfect description of my average workday!

In fact, in my opinion, the internet has leveled the playing field when it comes to doing business.  Where else can little guys like:  Candle Bay, Dancing Deer Baking Company or Lucy’s Dog House get noticed and gather customers from all over the world, but on the internet??  

I welcome and challenge you to come up with any additions to the list above.  This AWESOME company gives me the opportunity to choose on a daily basis whether or not to take a shower; and when my workday starts…

Just Over Broke?

As I was walking my dog around 5:30 this morning, I couldn’t help but notice several of my neighbors leaving, presumably to head for their jobs.  I began to wonder what it must be like to have to get up early, hurrying to pottie their dogs or get their kids ready for daycare so they could deal with rush hour traffic and put up with dislikeable co-workers and bosses.

Back in the old days, J.O.B.s (just over broke)  had a sense of security to go along with them.  We felt like they would sustain us and even help us reach our goals of retiring someday. Gone are those days.  If you stay too long at a company now, you are known as a “tree hugger” and then management knows you won’t leave and you no longer get pay raises.  Keep this in mind!

I must say, I don’t miss mine. My last one ended in 1980. I would make a lousy employee!

I have operated several businesses over the past 30 years…as well as being involved in network marketing ventures.  The one thing all of these things have had in common is:  Control over my time, the amount of income I want to make and the freedom to work as much (or as little) as I want.
Here’s a link to one of my other sites - Tumbleweed Travel!

I have not always done things perfectly, but I have always felt great freedom in knowing that I was working to fulfill my own dreams.  

Wouldn’t it be nice to spend your waking hours doing something you really enjoy?  To be able to set your own hours, have the opportunity to earn an income that will do more than just sustain  you and your family? That WILL help you reach all your goals including retirement, enjoying life and even helping others reach theirs?

I know this sounds all warm and fuzzy but it really is a reality for people these days!  There are so many opportunities for you to succeed and there are strong networks out there of like -minded people (see meetup.com) to share ideas and learn new business strategies.  Don’t be shy.  Don’t think you are stuck in a dead-end job.  It’s not fun working for someone who leaves you totally in charge (for minimum wage) while they go on vacation for the 5th time that year.  Right?  Need help?  Send me an email at anita@anitamcallister.com and let me help you work from home.  Your dog will appreciate it!

Tags: ditch your job, Just Over Broke, Network Marketing, work at home

Could Network Marketing Save Our Economy?

It’s no secret that the economy in America and way beyond is in the dumper.  Personally, I don’t choose to get sucked in to the bad news that is reported daily regarding job losses, down-sizing, business closures, etc., etc.  I don’t watch the news, nor do I believe that our government has the brains or cojones to pull the country out of the hole that it created.

I do believe that every person has the opportunity to do and be anything they want, as long as they are willing to work.  I also believe that Network Marketing or Multi-Level Marketing gives EVERYONE that opportunity, 

If you think Network Marketing, MLM, Multi-Level Marketing are bad words, scams, pyramids and ponzi-schemes, THINK AGAIN!  There are, of course some duds in the mix and even some that ARE NOT legitimate businesses, but if you are willing to take the time to do your research, you will certainly find the one that fits your needs, that you can believe in 100% and could take you where you want to go in life. 

Napoleon Hill said it best:  THOSE WHO WILL NOT TAKE A CHANCE SELDOM HAVE ONE THRUST UPON THEM. Success always involves risk. You must take a chance by investing your time, money, and effort. It pays to be thoughtful and deliberate in your analyses of opportunities, but don’t let timidity hold you back.

If you don’t believe that Network Marketing is here to stay, please think again and take the time to watch this video from NBC News:   September 15, 2010 NBC News Report

Do your homework and be prepared to work…Your dreams may be closer than they appear…

Tags: MLM, Multi-Level Marketing, Napoleon Hill, NBC News, Network Marketing, ponzi schemes, pyramids

Which Home-Based Business is right for you?

Tags: Direct Selling, Home-Based Business, mlm marketing, Network Marketing, warm market

Are You Living Paycheck to Paycheck?

Tags: impulse buyer, mortgages, red box, student loans