Monday, April 27, 2009

My work in progress!

If you're visiting my blog you're probably wondering what you came across..

Am I right?

Well don't feel bad cause I share your pain too. This will be always be a work in progress and who knows what subject you will find.. OK I know I'm going against the traditional blog that stays on the same subject but HEY that's me!

I talk about Credit and Debt, very depressing subject but a must or it will eat you alive, we talk about marketing and making money too! OK the money part gets me excited cause money equals fun and FUN is where its all at...

So just bare with me and check back soon to see "what the hell was he thinking" or not..

Oh I forgot to mention that I'm passionate about Harley Davidson motorcycles!!! something to do about freedom on the road..:)

Check back later,
Scott
http://www.fdipays.com/

Does Social Networking have you confused?

Dealing with all the Social Media networks and Web 2.0 techniques you may find yourself in total confusion to say the least. I thought I should share a few of these tools that have made it all possible for me to keep up!

It was only few years ago when I first heard the term Web 2.0 or social media and started to dig a little deeper in this technology. I visited sites like YouTube, Myspace and Facebook but wasn't sure of how or why I needed to have my own profile until I discovered Mike Dillard and a simple training program called Building On A Budget. This was my introduction to Web 2.o!

Taking the information that I learned in the BOAB program I started exploring the correct way to build business relationships by using all the tools available. It's amazing what you can do with some information and the simplicity that comes with Twitter!

Twitter has been the simplest Social Networking tool by far. The concept is simple follow people and let them follow you back. Then you post updates about your current events, pictures, ideas you may have and finally you can share URL links about your business! Most people will follow you back and many will interact with you if you are genuine so don't throw your business proposal at them the first time or you lose!

Believe me on this one as I started marketing when ICQ was the big player, only if I would have known about Magnetic Sponsoring. Let me show you a few Twitter tools that can make your Social Networking experience more enjoyable.
Start adding some friends and please don't forget me..:) next post a few updates about your day good or bad, its that simple!

Now to the good stuff..

My recommendations to make your Twitter experience enjoyable for everyone!

TweetLater allows you to auto follow or unfollow people plus much more. Check their website out for all the details.

TwitPic is a service that allows you to upload photos and share them with your Twitter Followers. Followers love pictures! You can also post the pictures from your phone through email.

Twitter Karma is a great tool to manage your followers.

TwitterTise works great for scheduling tweets and tracking your URL links when you advertise your business.

Twittad allows you to monetize your Twitter background by sponsoring ads.. now your twitter account is more than fun!

This list will be more than enough to get your Twitter account rocking, if you're mobile like myself and use a Blackberry here are a few applications for Twitter.

UberTwitter is the application on my Storm. Still in the beta form but very stable.

TwitterBerry is also a favorite of mine...

Social networking is becoming a very important part of online and traditional business models, now is the time to jump aboard. Take the time and learn how to enrich your networking abilities and it's all free! If you have any questions direct message me on Twitter!

Happy networking,

Scott http://www.fdipays.com/

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Fdipay's research on Yoga!

Yoga has been increasingly utilized as a form of relaxation thus peaking my interest. In my research I have found many different techniques from different parts of the country. I researched Ancient Yoga and Minnesota Yoga, as close as I can tell the two techniques have some similarities, however the ability to prepare the mind and soul have a dramatic difference depending on the location.

Below are the illustrations from my research.

Ancient Yoga....

Minnesota Yoga....


The Minnesota class is full for this session.I'll get back to you when it opens up again!

Fdipays on the lighter side of life...

Scott

http://www.fdipays.com/

Participant or Bystander?

Yes, I agree that things aren't so rosie for many people in today's economy, but did they become a victim or did they participate? At this point it really doesn't matter, the damage is done for many, the best defense now is the ability to identify and understand.

The Truth.. Most problems could have been avoided by acting on one simple phrase "live on less than you make". I too get envious when I see people drive their new cars or hear them talk about their vacations and buying the latest and greatest electronic items! Who wouldn't want all this stuff.. Never focus on what you don't have, instead be grateful for what you do have.

I can't speak for everyone but some of these individuals are living paycheck to paycheck, some are even going into foreclosure on their homes. Sadly enough a few people have made the statement "they deserve it"! We all deserve the best and the best will come when we are good stewards of our finances. All the stories are the same with the outcome being the same too. The feelings these people are encountering are unhappiness, stress and hopelessness, all wondering how they will make it through these economically bad times. Was it worth it?

I'm in favor of nice homes, cars, motorcycles, vacations and the latest electronic items that make my live more enjoyable. I also have multiple source or income or MSI's in place to help fund my enjoyments. Having a financial plan is always a good start, however I'm never in favor of buying on credit when it could sacrifice the the financial future of your family or your health. Did you know that money problems are the leading cause of divorce in the USA? This is the difference between participating or standing on the sidelines and watching.

Wouldn't the outcome be different if people had no debt except maybe a mortgage? If they had saved 3 to 6 months of income for emergency's, thing would be a lot different. I know this can be accomplished even on a average income. It's not how much you make that is important, its how much you keep that counts. Someone once told me that money wasn't everything, try to tell that to the bank. If you want more stuff, you need to be open on new ways to generate income!

Todays economy will come to pass, but I guarantee the same situation will come again in our future. My only question to you ... What will you do different to change your financial outcome?


To your financial success,
Scott
www.fdipays.com

Friday, April 17, 2009

BofA why me?

BofA why me?

Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from Bank of America. Now it wasn't thanking me for being great customer over the years or thanking me for my excellent ability to manage my credit. This letter indeed was informing me that they reviewed my account and lowered my available credit by 50%...

I don't want to mention the first words that came out of my mouth but to say the least I was not a happy camper. Why did BofA punish me?

It's hard not taking these things personal but it's the actions from a few that makes us pay a price. Using the power of Twitter I found @BofA_help and posted my disappointments. David contacted me through that Twitter account and asked me to send him my phone number so I did..don't worry I have LifeLock!

David called, we had a great conversation about how this credit mess is effecting customers like myself. The good news it it was only effecting about 10% of BofA customers, the bad news it BofA has a boat load of customers! I know I wouldn't have used the available credit that BofA had issued but it was the idea that they took it away that upset me. Why do good customers get punished? Well in my simple explanation you can't get blood from a turnip!
My hat goes off to David, having to deal with all the issues that arose from the current economy can't be fun.

Technology today can trigger alerts when your credit card is used for online purchases or if charges go over a given predetermined target. So why did this mess catch the financial institutions with their pants down? Was it greed or just sloppy management?

Unfortunately we all will pay the price for this credit mess. A very successful friend told me the secret to financial success is "Spend less than you make".. simple but effective!


Whats in your wallet?

Scott
www.fdipays.com

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Best explanation of the financial mess we are in!

This came from a friend of mine so don't give me the credit for this information, I know we all can relate to this explanation..

Enjoy the read....Derivative markets .... an understandable explanation

Heidi is the proprietor of a bar in Detroit. In order to increase sales, she decides to allow her loyal customers- most of whom are unemployed alcoholics - to drink now but pay later. She keeps track of the drinks consumed on a ledger (thereby granting the customers loans).
Word gets around about Heidi's drink now pay later marketing strategy, and as a result increasing numbers of customers flood into Heidi's bar and soon she has the largest sale volume for any bar in Detroit. By providing her customers' freedom from immediate payment demands, Heidi gets no resistance when she substantially increases her prices for wine and beer, the most consumed beverages. Her sales volume increases massively.

A young and dynamic vice-president at the local bank recognizes these customer debts as valuable future assets and increases Heidi's borrowing limit.
He sees no reason for undue concern since he has the debts of the alcoholics as collateral. At the bank's corporate headquarters, expert traders transform these customer loans into DRINKBONDS, ALKIBONDS and PUKEBONDS. These securities are then traded on security markets worldwide. Naïve investors don't really understand that the securities being sold to them as AAA secured bonds are really the debts of unemployed alcoholics. Despite this, their prices continuously climb, and the securities become the top-selling items for some of the nation's leading brokerage houses.

One day, although the bond prices are still climbing, a risk manager at the bank (subsequently fired due to his negativity), decides that the time has come to demand payment on the debts incurred by the drinkers at Heidi's bar. Heidi demands payment from her alcoholic patrons, but being unemployed they cannot pay back their drinking debts. Therefore, Heidi cannot fulfill her loan obligations and she claims bankruptcy. DRINKBOND and ALKIBOND drop in price by 90%. PUKEBOND performs better, stabilizing in price after dropping by 80%. The decreased bond asset value destroys the bank's liquidity and prevents it from issuing new loans.

The suppliers of Heidi's bar, having granted her generous payment extensions and having invested in the securities, are faced with writing off her debt and losing over 80% on her bonds. Her wine supplier claims bankruptcy, her beer supplier is taken over by a competitor, who immediately closes the local plant and lays off 50 workers.

The bank and brokerage houses are saved by the Government following dramatic round-the-clock negotiations by leaders from both political parties. The funds required for this bailout are obtained by a tax levied on employed middle-class non-drinkers.

Finally an explanation that is understandable. And everyone lives happily ever after ! ! ! ! !


Scott Sebenaler
www.fdipays.com

Monday, April 6, 2009

Winter, when is it enough!

Here is the most obvious sign the winter has taken its toll.
Scott Sebenaler
ssebenaler@yahoo.com
701-306-0004
www.fdipays.com

Sunday, April 5, 2009

The Red River reached 40.8 feet...What next?

We witnessed history when the Red River reached 40.8 feet...

It's not over yet, the National Weather Service predicts a 75% chance the second crest will reach 41 feet and a 25% chance of going to 43 feet in mid April. Here is some photos showing what elements people are dealing with. Special thanks to our friends Kim & Ruth for these pictures.

The start of the spring melt....




Water keeps rising....



Reaching it's peak....



Almost to the bottom of the I94 bridge deck....



The fight didn't stop behind their home, the river came up the street to the front of the house....
Bus loads of students helped place sandbags before the river over came the neighborhood.
This is what the street looked like before the crest..
Bus loads arrive!




Water is starting to move in!

Water on both sides of the house!
To this point the damages have been controlled but some have lost their homes. To anyone that has lost their home the damages are great. We are still wining the fight and everyone is preparing to do whatever it takes to save the Fargo/Moorhead community!

Check back with us later or follow me on Twitter too!

Scott

www.fdipays.com

www.twitter.com/fdipays