There's A Major Shift Coming ...

There is a major shift underway. If there is anything constant about Internet Marketing it is that it is in continual state of change. Either you stay up and move with it or you get left sadly behind.

I recently was listening to a recorded conversation between the late Marketing guru, Corey Rudl and his mentor, Dan Kennedy that was made just days before Corey's untimely death. When Corey first heard about the internet, he did a search for "Autos" and found 259 results. What do you think the result would be in 2006?

Okay, so things are moving fast and changing on the internet and you have to stay on top of it. One big change that is taking place has to do with the kinds of business programs that are being promoted. The old model multi-level plan is being replaced by forced matrix's and powerlines.

But wait, there is a new shift on the horizon that will soon make the matrix's and powerlines obsolete...it is the one-up systems that are quickly gaining in popularity. Originally, used in extremely high-dollar programs, more and more $50 and $100 programs are using the one or two up system where your first sale becomes a training sale and the commission is passed up to your sponsor. Thus, the one-up.

Remember, the driving force behind most business opportunities both online and offline is the development of "residual" income that continues to come in long after the initial sale. In traditional plans, that came from the thousands of people that would eventually be on the lower levels of your organization in the form of very small amounts multiplied many times. To develop any serious residual income from typical networks required the recruitment of thousands of people who would continue to stay active and create sales. It has worked and created many millionaires, but in all reality it takes a long time to develop that kind of residual income.

The one-up and two-up systems speed that process up exponentially and are creating millionaires at a much more rapid rate. Briefly, here is how it works. Bob brings you into a one-up business and you begin to promote. When you sign-up Ted, Ted becomes your "training sale" or one-up, meaning that Ted and the commission from Ted's purchase goes up to Bob and you then become "qualified." After your initial "training sale," you get to keep 100% of your commission on sales to Susan, George, and Joe and they create your "paylines."

A payline works like this. When Susan makes her first sale, it is her "training sale" and the commission and the person passes up to you as her sponsor. Then, Susan is "qualified" and able to start her own "paylines." The same goes for George and Joe as well.

Here's what that means for you in terms of "residual income." The "training sale" that comes from Susan also must make a "training sale" in order to become "qualified." That training sale and that person come to you and that person must also make a "training sale" before becoming "qualified" and starting their own paylines. Again, you get that "training sale" and this keeps happening through infinity. That becomes tremendous residual income.

It is a new concept and is quickly gaining in popularity with programs like, Coastal, PAS, and other high-dollar programs, but is now popping up over the past year in lower ticket programs like The One Step System, Free1up and others. I'll write more on the one-up concept in another article.

Gary Madden

Are You a Good Sponsor...Do You Have a Good Sponsor?

Are you a good Sponsor? Do you have a good Sponsor? This is what I want to deal with in this post.

I have been in various Network Marketing businesses for almost 30 years. Amway was my first venture back in the late '70's when people were really making big money in it. Living in North Carolina at the time, I was priviliged to personally meet Bill Britt and Chuck Yeager, two of the earlier multi-millionaires. What I learned from that early experience through to the present is the importance of one's Sponsor.

Your sponsor in any kind of network marketing, affiliate, internet or otherwise business can be critical to your success. This seems to especially be true with Internet Marketing type businesses where it is more and more impersonal and you just deal with faceless names on a computer screen. Here are some things you need from your Sponsor and this is what I feel a Sponsor should strive to be or do:

1. Credibility -- It is best to have a sponsor with experience but it is better to have one with character. Credibility is developed from one's experience and knowledge put into action through one's character. In short, your sponsor should "know what they are talking about," but have the character to admit when they "don't know what they are talking about."
2. Accessibility -- Can you get in touch with your sponsor when you need to? What if you want to bounce an idea off them before you spend a bunch of money, will they be available? Is it possible to pick up the phone and call them or do they at least return emails. I personally prefer those in my team to email me with most things because then I have a written record of their question or concern. Still, I take all phone calls and make every effort to return messages left.
3. Reliability -- Can you count on your sponsor to do what they say they are going to do. This is not always a character issue, but do they have the time, talent, or treasure to do what they intend to do...especially when you are counting on them. I have to really work on not over promising. If I say I am going to do something, I better know I have what it takes to do it.
4. Accountability -- As a sponsor, I cannot be a lone ranger, bringing multitudes of new enrollees on board, but leaving them as orphans. If I sign someone up in a program, I must be accountable to that person for what I do or do not do later. Your sponsor needs to be aware that their actions can have a big impact on your business.
5. Ability -- Finally, does your sponsor have any ability? They may be ever so nice, but if they have no ability, you need to strongly consider whether you should sign up under them or not. Some clues to look for...what kind of emails do they write, what does their personal website look like, are they professional on the phone, etc.

Finally, you probably do not want some Huge Internet Guru as your sponsor as you may only become a number to them, but you do want to seriously consider some of the above before you just blindly sign up under the first person who presents you.

It's Still Working...Here are Three Great Resources

I'm still making good money on eBay and so can you!

Do you realize how close it is to Christmas? That old saying, "Slow as Christmas" just doesn't apply anymore...it seems to come around faster every year. Course, it doesn't help that they start putting out Christmas stuff now, the day after Halloween.

Well, the scariest thing is to come up on Christmas and know that you don't have any money or at least not enough to get decent gifts for your family. I am convinced with the right tools and know-how, anybody can make money on eBay. Even as close as Christmas is right now, if you can grab these resources I am sharing below, you can be making money as soon as tonight!

Here they are, grab all three or at least start with one of them and see what you can do.

Ebay Success Guide
The Complete Guide To Making A Fortune On eBay…From Starting Out, To Finding Wholesale Suppliers For Anything You Want, To Listing Killer Auctions…This Guide Is All You Need... more

Secret eBay Marketing Secret eBay Marketing is a mother load of simple, proven ideas that work. As an active seller and author of the subject, I can tell you that this is right on the money. ... more

Powersellers Bootcamp
Actual eBay Powerseller Reveals Everything You Need To Know! Step-By-Step Instructions To Fast Track You From Poor To Powerseller In 90 Days Flat!... more

eBay Is Still a Great Source For Christmas Funds

Two years ago, we were going to be short on Christmas money and I decided to give eBay a try. This was the beginning of my online marketing experience. I went into it never having personally been on eBay before as a buyer or seller.

I began visiting Marshall's and Ross and any other large retailer that sold first quality, name-brand and designer clothing at off-prices. At the "Clearance" rack, I would search for designer items with original price tags . I found many items originally tagged well over $100 in price that were on clearance at $5 - $20 that I was able to sell on eBay at 200-400% profit!

The amazing result was that we had one of the best Christmases ever! I know that a lot of money can be made on eBay if you learn the secrets. What I was missing was that I did not have a steady product source. Let me introduce you to a great eBook that will unlock the mysteries of eBay marketing.

This book will show you how you can outdo the Power Sellers and do it all with only an hour a day. You can get it right here: http://www.membersite.biz/2/ebaySecrets.php?id=15861

You Can Have Your Own Money Generating Website

I have just run across a great little money maker website that I now own as my very own. It is a membership site called "Daily Payday.com" and is loaded with money making opportunities.

First of all, it is a membership site that anyone can join for free and they receive one just like it. That is what I did, I joined for free and received one just like the one I joined. Now, I did see the benefit of upgrading and did so, but you can have one of these websites totally FREE!

Now, when you get the site, it is loaded with tools to market the site so that others join your site and get their own money generating website. Well, that's all well and good, you might say, but how do I make money with it? Here are several ways:

1. You can upgrade for $20 per month. Then, you can receive membership fees from those who join your site and decide to upgrade. One upgrade and you are in money.
2. The site has a ton of FREE software, eBooks, marketing tools, etc with full resale rights. You can make a nice sum of money just selling them or give some of them away as incentives.
3. Dozens of additional websites marketing almost everything imaginable. You make and keep 100% of the sales price!
4. The ads you see on this site are from the Daily Payday.com website and I get to keep 100% of everything I sell through these ads! I replaced Google's ads with them because I sure don't get 100% from Google.

You really ought to check out this cash cow right now. It would be well worth your $20 investment. Heres the link RIGHT HERE

Gary Madden

Get Free Targeted Website Traffic

The internet is an awesome "Information Highway." The numbers of people on the internet are increasing daily with there presently being in access of 1 Billion users. What an awesome marketplace it has become as a result. One can do business all around the world and never leave their bedroom or office.

At first glance, one would say, "Wow, it ought to be easy to make money on the internet with that many people to market to." First, let me say that nothing is easy and making money on the internet sure isn't either. One can hastily jump on and put up a website and hope to sell millions of widgets or whatever else the imagination can concieve. Surely, you could reason, with all of those people on the internet I am going to sell a lot of widgets. A month later, no widgets are sold and if you have a means of counting, you discover that no one has even visited your website. The KEY TO SUCCESS on the internet is summed up in three words...traffic, traffic, and traffic. One must find a way to generate traffic to a website and if there is something of value there and it is presented half way decent you will get results.

I just discovered a simple, but great way to generate constant traffic to your website. Minutes after I put it to work, I was getting traffic on my website.

If you are looking for a great way to get some free traffic to your website, well look no further.

Instant Buzz allows you to drive free targeted traffic to your website just by doing what you do
anyway; surfing the web. Visit below:

http://www.InstantBuzz.com/r/?gmadden

Within minutes, this breakthrough patent pending technology will be sending quality visitors to your site just because you installed the software onto your computer.

Download this awesome tool now:

http://www.InstantBuzz.com/r/?gmadden

Thanks, and I hope you enjoy lot's of fresh traffic to your site.
Gary

New FREE EBook -- Two Keys To Success

Whew! I'm finally back.

I am so sorry if you have visited my blog the last few days expecting something new. I have been tied up writing this new EBook on the two keys to success with SFI and with the other things I am doing, I have just been maxed out time wise.

Well, Praise God! I have finished the book and it is now available. If you were reading my series I was posting in here, you will find it all and more in the EBook. There is still a fancy cover coming that will feature an art piece by my sister-in-law who is a professional artist. If you get this version now, when I get the new cover, I'll automatically send it to you.

Well, click on my email right here, then click send and the ebook will be on the way within 24 hrs. gary@garym.ws

REMEMBER, it is TOTALLY FREE and download is simple.

Strong Futures International (SFI) is a 25-year old company that operates in over 200 countries. I found this opportunity when I was desperately seeking to make money on the internet due to the progressive disability I have been battling. It is the most solid, sound business I have found on the internet for those looking to build genuine long-term residual income. It is not a get-rich-quick scheme. My EBook takes the volumes of articles and training and condenses it down to two simple steps one can easily take. If you are interested in building the kind of retirement type income many are searching for on the internet this is for you. Be advised that it WILL NOT happen overnight, but if the information in this book is applied consistently for 2-3 years, you will be able to retire with a 6-figure income. That is not bad.

Here is a quote from my book

1. Pay more attention to the things that are working positively in your life
than to the things that are giving you trouble.
2. Clear your mind of the things that are out of your control in order to
focus on and act upon your goals o f the day.
3. The words of others will be one of the primary distractions that will try
to hinder you.
4. Concentrate on one thing at a time and rule out all influences that
don’t have bearing on the task at hand.

In the Living Bible, Proverbs 4:25-26 read, “Look straight ahead; don’t even
turn your head to look. Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe.”

See you next time.

KEY NUMBER ONE To Jump-Starting Your Income Opportunity

Let's look at this brand new, shiny machine called SFI or whatever opportunity that you have chosen. It is parked in front of your home right now. It is not what you have dreamed of, but it is what can take you to what you have dreamed of. Can you imagine waking up in the morning and knowing you have been earning money while you were asleep? Do you dream of taking a vacation and returning to discover that you have made more while you were gone than you spent? What would it be like to go to sleep at night knowing that your children's college costs and financial future was secure?

Whatever you are dreaming of, your opportunity is the vehicle that can take you there! When you log on to your opportunity's member area you find training material, articles, resources, tools, etc. that will help you be a successfully market your opportunity and products. With SFI there are 100's of products that you can now market, all of which can earn you commissions of up to 80%. Any legitimate opportunity will have some product to market. You should also find your affiliate links to your affiliate sites that market your opportunity. Be sure and familiarize yourself with your opportunity's member resources.

Now, none of that helps you if you do not have the KEY. I have already shared with you the TWO KEYS to success with any internet income opportunity. Now, it is time to take that FIRST KEY and plug it in and watch what happens. Here's how to do it.

KEY NUMBER ONE: With SFI you must purchase or retail a product with 10 SV points each month. That’s it! I don't know what the particular requirement may be for every opportunity out there, but there is always some minimum purchase or monthly membership fee. What I like about an opportunity that has a product versus a membership fee is that you can generally purchase something that you are using every month anyway. You could also retail that product to a friend or family member or sell it on the internet. Just purchase or retail one product (If it is renewable or consumable, you do it once and it recurs each month) and you are set. That KEY is pretty easy to use.

Now, generally the purchase works out to about $30 per month. In most cases, you will earn a commission on all of the persons in your downline or roughly 6%. In order to be in profit, you only need 20 persons in your downline doing the same thing and you will have made a $6 profit. The nice thing is when that purchase was something you were already using and spending money for. Now, you get it free and make $6 besides.

Just remember, if you don't take the step and make the commitment, you cannot expect those who enroll under you to do it. They will generally do about what you do or less.

My challenge to you. Make a commitment to do this for 6 months. Your total investment will only be about $180. After six months of using this key and KEY NUMBER TWO, if you are not making more than that each month, more than $180 a month, then quit. Don't do anything else. Cancel your subscription and go on to something else.

Believe me, if you make this monetary commitment and use the SECOND KEY, for six months, Your income will far exceed $180 per month and you will be on your way to retirement within 2-3 years. What else can you do for 2-3 years and retire with an above average income? I have not found it.

Tomorrow, I will begin to show you how to advertise effectively for free and begin to see new sign ups every day. When I wake up and check my email each day, I have notifications from SFI that I have a new affiliate.

Visit this blog again tomorrow. If you would like this series in its entirety, I have it in an EBook that I will send you for FREE. Just email me and REQUEST THE BOOK

KEY NUMBER TWO to Putting Your Income Opportunity In Overdrive

Welcome back! You have your shiny Income Opportunity machine in front of your home all ready to carry you to a substantial residual income that can secure your future and put money in your pocket every day. I hope that all of you have already inserted the FIRST KEY.

If so, you have earned a new position or title with your organizaion. Congratulations! You have secured your matrix position and the team that may already be building under you. More importantly, you have made a sincere commitment to the secure future you have been dreaming of. Remember, do this for 6 months and you will begin to see these dreams coming true.

Now, KEY NUMBER TWO. Let's put this second key in and watch things go into overdrive. With most programs, you will be given an affiliate website with your name or affiliate number linked in it. With SFI, you literally have hundreds of affiliate websites. However, all of these websites do you no good unless someone visits them. With millions and millions of websites on the internet, no one will accidentally stumble up on your website. It just won't happen. Thus, KEY NUMBER TWO: ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE, ADVERTISE!

The purpose in advertising is to drive people to your site. Once they go on your site, the work has already been done there to capture their interest and lead them to a decision to join your opportunity. So, the important thing is, we want to get them to our site.

The internet is a super highway, Audubon, or whatever with over 1 billion people traveling it. You have a bunch of websites, but it is like sticking up a billboard with thousands of messages on it beside one of these super highways where people are traveling 70 - 100 mph. No one sees it. Your challenge is to get people to stop, look and listen to your message.

What I am going to do in my posts the rest of this week is to show you how to do that without spending any of your money. Now, if you have money to invest, you can simply accelerate and multiply what I am going to share with you. In fact, I'll take the time right now to share this with you.

If you have the money to invest, you should see whether your opportunity has an advertising coop. If so, these coops will always put new people into your downline for a relatively modest investment. SFI has a coop called "Eagle Coop" and it generally produces 15-20 new affilliates a month for one share. For $45 per month, you can buy a share of it. SFI advertises on and off line all over the world and distributes all of the resulting signups equally among those who have purchased shares of Eagle Coop. Most credible opportunities have similar programs that you should check out.

Never underestimate this benefit. When new affiliates upgrade or purchase products you will receive bonuses and earn commissions on all of their sales. Just some of the benefits of using that KEY NUMBER ONE!

I am going to share in this series at least 3-4 ways that I use to drive traffic to my SFI gateway pages. Starting tomorrow, I am going to show you how to use FREE Classified Ads to drive a bunch of people to your gateway sites and see signups begin to occur before the week is up. Remember, this is the internet and it can begin happening minutes after you post an ad. That is exciting!

Here's the deal. Have you used KEY NUMBER ONE yet? Its time to get serious. Look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself if you really want the financial security you have talked about. Do you want it bad enough to make a minor investment. Go back to yesterday's message (I hope you are saving these) and use KEY NUMBER ONE.

If you are interested, I have a great little EBook entitled, "Writing Great Classified Ads That Sell." This will give you all the secrets you need to produce great ads. Email me at FREE BOOK and I will send it to you absolutely FREE. Remember, billions of people flying down the super highway; we have to get them to stop, look and listen.

Tomorrow..."How To Use FREE Classified Ads".

You need to check out the SFI (Strong Futures International) opportunity today! Click here: Tap Into Huge Global Market

Welcome To Day Two of The TWO KEYS

OK. I told you I was going to place this key holder right by the door so that you could not miss it. Actually, I am going to make it as plain as I can, but you will have to take the initiative to hang it by the door. Adopt this simple motto, "If it is to be, it is up to me."

In this message, I am going to reveal these two very simple keys, but I will need to send you several more to expound on and explain them fully so that you know exactly what to do. I want these keys to be so plain. So visible. You can't get out the door without them!

Here they are. Very simply, SFI or any other legitimate opportunity provides you with a vehicle that can bring you the peace of mind, the time with family, the freedom to choose what you do daily, and all of the other blessings that come with having a large, secure stream of passive income. SFI is a tried and proven vehicle that has provided all of this to thousands of people all over the world for the past 25 years. Now, you own the vehicle. It is sitting in front of your home. But, you must have the keys to start it up and drive it away.

KEY NUMBER ONE: You must make an investment in your opportunity. Do you really think, you can make huge sums of money and never make an investment? Always remember, the money must come from somewhere. In any business, someone will have to purchase or retail a product or pay a membership fee. In other words, there must be some flow of cash for anyone to be paid. Therefore, if you are in a "Free" opportunity, you will need to make the commitment of upgrading to a "Paid" member or purchase a minimum product, depending on how your particular opportunity works. With SFI, you must purchase or retail a product with 10 SV points each month. That’s it! Just purchase or retail one product (If it is renewable or consumable, you do it once and it recurs each month).

That's right. At some point, if you are going to drive this opportunity machine that can bring you all of the financial rewards you have dreamed of, you will have to make a commitment. Just look at the SFI "President's Club", or the leaders in any other opportunity. All of those leaders that are successful had to make that initial commitment. What other business could you ever think of starting that can produce the financial rewards you desire that would not require anything more than a $29.95 commitment?

KEY NUMBER TWO: Here is the second thing you need to do to explode your business. Advertise your opportunity. No money is ok, because you can advertise for FREE. It won't cost you a cent! I have built an organization of around 100 SFI affiliates in 60 days without spending one cent on advertising.

You are going to need lots of people joining your business that you can help to be successful by giving them these two simple keys. The only way this can happen is for you to continually expose your opportunity. You have the whole world to show it to but you have to know how to do it. I and others in your leadership team will show you how, step-by-step.

In these messages that I am posting this week, I will explain this simple TWO KEYS system that you can use to start receiving all that your opportunity has to offer which is the financial freedom you have been looking for. Watch this blog every day this week!

Tomorrow, I will show you how easily and inexpensively you can use the KEY NUMBER ONE. This will be critical for some of you that may be nearing the end of a "free trial" period. Have a blessed day!

Be sure and check out the SFI (Strong Futures International) opportunity. It has a solid 25 year history of excellence. Click this link: Strong Futures International

Have You Ever Lost Your Car Keys?

One of my purposes in this blog is to help people who are looking for additional ways to make money, do so via the internet. For the next several days, I am going to share some keys that can be used to make money on the internet no matter the program one may be a part of provided it is a legitimate opportunity.

When I was younger, I constantly misplaced my car keys. It was a family joke that when I left the house to go somewhere, I would be coming back in in a couple minutes and be asking, "Has anyone seen my car keys?"

To me it was not all that funny. It seemed I could not keep up with those keys. I was always looking for my keys. Then, when I got married and a home of my own, I discovered a simple system for always knowing where my keys were. We purchased a little wall hanger with a line of hooks on it and hung it on the wall by the front door. When I entered the house, I put my keys on the hook. When I exited the house, there was my keys right there. Wow! Problem solved.

I am beginning this blog series to my SFI team or anyone with any income opportunity whatsoever, to help you find the keys that you have been looking for since you signed up with your opportunity and before. You did not sign up with an income opportunity because you wanted a great company and great people and great products and great compensation plan. All of that is nice, but what you signed up for was to find the keys that you have been searching for for some time. That is the keys to building a substantial residual income that can secure your future and put money in your pocket every day.

You hoped that SFI or your particular program was that key and that is why you enrolled. Since you enrolled, many of you have continued searching and have not yet found those keys.

THE SEARCH IS OVER! In these next few emails, I am going to put a wall hanging with two hooks on it right by your door so that you will always know where the keys are! If you sincerely were looking for the keys to the peace of mind, the prestige and respect from friends and family, the freedom to choose what you do daily and so much more that comes from having lots of money, you must watch this blog daily this week. I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU THE KEYS!

It's really quite simple. SFI's affiliate center and the back office of most other opportunities, is loaded with lots of amazing material and internet marketing training, but for many of us, it is very confusing and overwhelming. I have worked very hard to render it down to TWO SIMPLE KEYS. That's right. That's all it is. Just TWO SIMPLE KEYS.

I cannot give it all in one post because it might get lost. So, watch this blog tomorrow for TWO SIMPLE KEYS. Have a blessed day. This is going to be the week that turns your life around.

For information on the SFI (Strong Futures International) please click this link: MORE INFO

Futures Unlimited

Welcome back to my blog. It’s Saturday morning and I am about to go to breakfast with one of the gentlemen in my church. I wanted to sit down and type out a little communication before I go.

I remember when I first began to be given information on Post-Polio Syndrome. Everyone was concerned because they could see I was having something going on with the way I was walking. I had just completed weeks of extensive medical testing for MS or anything else that could be going on neurologically. The only thing they discovered for sure, I was happy to go home and report to my wife -- they said I definitely had a brain and it was working fine. That was comforting to know!

One night after that, I was searching the web and reading about PPS and getting depressed over the lack of hope being offered everywhere I turned. I began praying and asking God to direct me to something that would give me some hope. Of course, all this time, I'm praying for God to perform a miracle on me and just take it all away. However, I believe if there is something that we can do to fix a situation, we shouldn't expect God to just come in and make it all right. We have personal responsibility.

So, that's where I was, when I stumbled onto someone's blog. I guess that is what it was because I was blog illiterate at that time. The blog covered a several year journey of a lady that was suffering from acute PPS. I was fascinated by her writing style and reading all that was happening to her was so relative to the things I was beginning to experience. Well there was not much positive happening, but her writing style was so compelling, I kept reading...and then, it happened. She found a place in Mississippi, a clinic that specialized in treating PPS. I was eager to see how the story was going to turn out.

The short of it was that prior to her visit to Futures Unlimited, she was completely unable to walk on her own and even spent most of her time on a respirator. When she left Futures Unlimited, she was walking and breathing on her own and within one year, she had begun cross-country skiing again. I was so amazed at her testimony that I determined right then to make it to the clinic in Mississippi.

I went to Futures Unlimited a year ago this past July and was greatly helped with that one visit. However, I did not maintain my gains and that was partly my own fault and inability to follow-through on my home routine. Currently, I am planning to return to Futures Unlimited as soon as possible. If you are suffering from any kind of neurological disability, I really believe that Futures Unlimited is capable of helping you in some way. Check out their website for more information. Http://www.futuresunlimited.com

Living In Your Season

I received a comment on my post, "You Have To Learn To Wait." It was so compelling, I just wanted to bring it out front so that you all could read it. Here it is, just as it was posted:

MOMOFOLOT writes,

"Just wanted to share this story about learning to live in your season and accepting others in theirs:

Lessons on Life

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later."

I Believe In Miracles

Just a quick post this morning. If anyone out there is reading my blog that also suffers from Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS), you may be interested in how I am doing. I will get back to my talk about getting rid of debt, home mortgages and making money on the internet later.

Last week was actually pretty rough for me. My ability to stand and walk is receding daily now, it seems. Sometimes, I actually am afraid of what the future holds, but I am so glad that I have a great family that stands with me in all of my difficulties. My wife, especially, is really amazing. You should check out her blog also, at: http://drmadden.blogspot.com . My kids are a blessing to me as well. Aaron is 20 and getting all independant. He works full-time and stays on the go, but helps me as he is able. Hannah, 11, is in school, but when she is home, she often is my "go-fer" getting this and that for her "super dad" while I sit in here and work at this old computer.

Most of all, I have a strong faith in God and His purpose for my life. I have received many promises from Him concerning my condition and am convinced He has a miracle in store for me. Regardless, He has been so kind to me and blessed my life in so many ways already, I owe Him all. Keep checking this blog because one day you will look on here and see a powerful testimony to the miracle that God has done for me!

Here is a poem that Don Grant sent to me today:

START OVER!

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way...
START OVER!


When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why...
START OVER!


When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you...
START OVER!


When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along...
START OVER!


When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill...
START OVER!


When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it...
START OVER!


When the year has been to long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you...
START OVER!


Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there...

START OVER!

Ruth Carter-Bourdon

Refinancing Your Mortgage Pros & Cons

Unpaid debt can drown a person. The sooner that you can eliminate credit card debt and other types of consumer debt, the better off you will be. In my article, "Getting Out of Debt," I outlined some simple steps to take to begin reducing debt. Today, I would like to share some insights into another possible source of funds to eradicate that debt -- your home equity.

A word of caution is in order here. Have you heard of "Predatory Lenders?" These are lenders who prey on homeowners desperate for money. Since people often fall into debt due to medical bills that arise from sickness, or disabilities that unexpectedly reduce their income, it is easy to feel desperate to get the creditors off of your back and restore your good name. This does not put you in a strong bargaining position when you deal with an unscrupulous lender. Lenders should not influence you to refinance your home in a way that would not be in your best interest.

Many homeowners have built up sizeable equities in their homes due to increasing real estate costs and the years of payments. While it is attractive to be able to cash out, one must be careful not to cancel too much equity, rendering your home virtually worthless or placing your ability to retain ownership in jeopardy.

At the same time, if you are struggling with a mound of medical bills and consumer debt that you are unable to pay through your present income or the sale of non-essential possessions, it would be wise to look into debt consolidation through a home equity loan. There are two advantages to home equity loans over other kinds of debt. One, is that at this present time, one is generally able to borrow money against their home at a much lower rate of interest than what they are being charged on the other types of debt. There is a huge difference in 4.5% to 6% versus 18% to 25% plus late fees and penalties. The other advantage is the end of year, tax savings that are generally available for interest paid on a home mortgage.

When choosing a lender, you will need to find a reputable mortgage company that offers a competitive interest rate. Amazingly, the rates can vary widely at times and again, I must reiterate that if you are desperate for money you can be taken advantage of and find yourself locked into a long-term situation that is costing you far more than it should. If you have many blemishes on your credit, you may be denied alltogether or charged a higher than market interest rate. CAUTION! Don't let a lender convince you that just because you have had some recent credit problems, that they are the only ones that would consider lending to you and therefore you have to accept a rediculous rate of interest.

I have found an excellent, online mortgage company that is very aggressive in making loans to people who have suffered unexpected set-backs that have blemished their credit. PWS Mortgage has some of the most aggressive loan programs in the industry. Often times they can get you qualified when no other company can. Don't give up in despair. There is always a way if we will search for it in faith.

Click on this link, debt consolidation and fill out a quick form to allow the experts to go to work for you immediately with no obligation.

Getting Out of Debt

Many factors can cause one to fall into debt. One thing for sure, being in debt is absolutely no fun, especially when you can no longer seem to pay what you owe. In the old days, the debtor could actually become indentured to the creditor and spend the rest of their life working for the creditor in order to pay the debt.

Today, we may not become indentured servants, but the Bible still says that the debtor is servant to the lender. It sure feels like being in servitude or sometimes like being in prison to be in debt. More and more Americans find themselves falling deeper in debt and it is time we all learned how to get out of debt and avoid falling back into that trap.

When I began battling Post-Polio Syndrome (PPS), I initially incurred a mountain of medical bills that with a set income, I did not have a budget for paying them. Then, with the effects of PPS worsening, I soon found my ability to earn income affected and my overall income actually fell to half what I had been earning previously. I found myself "in debt."

Often when one falls into debt, they begin to blame themselves and feel as if it has never happened to anyone else before. Soon, self-esteem plummets and depression that paralyzes sets in. When this occurs, a person can find themselves not doing anything necessary to change their situation, only attempting to run from it. You can ignore debts and even attempt to run from them, but they will not simply "go away." Positive steps must be taken to begin to climb out of the debt pit in which you have fallen.

Step number one is to acknowledge that you have a problem and that something must be done to resolve it. You cannot afford to ignore it because things will compound and spiral totally out of control. When you are having debt difficulties and you begin to have overdraft charges, late charges, and even disconnect fees, what little you may have had to pay on your debts will soon be consumed. That is why you must early on acknowledge your situation and begin to map a strategy for resolving it.

Step two is to sit down and accurately list all of your debts -- the monthly payment and the total owed. Don't leave out anything. Make sure you have listed everything so that there will be no surprises later on. Now, list all sources of income and again be extremely accurate. Be sure to list "take home" pay and not gross.

If you are in a situation where your income is insufficient to pay all of the monthly bills that you have, you must now decide what is essential to be paid. Examples are "secured debt", food, utilities and fuel. These are things you will have to find a way to pay even if some other debts go unpaid for a while.

Once you have identified your essentials, then budget your existing income to insure you can pay each of those first. Next, you have to work on a system for eliminating the other outstanding debts with money that comes outside the budget. This can be the proceeds from garage sales and the sale of other non-essential assets you may posess. As you sell things, try to accumulate some funds before you just begin randomly paying your outstanding debts.

After accumulating a significant sum of money, you should first approach your creditors with an offer to settle your debt for less than owed. Many times, creditors are more than happy to reduce your debt when they see that you are making a good faith effort to pay. You may be able to settle in some cases, paying 40-50% of the amount.

Finally, after selling everything you can, and maintaining the minimal budget that you have set up, you need to look at increasing income. Even if you are suffering physically and are unable to work at a normal job, there are multiple ways to develop income and the best kind is residual income. That is income that is not based on what you do today, but what you did previously. You do it once and the income keeps coming and coming. For people who have become disabled, the internet is a tremendous source of residual income -- if you know how to do it. It can also be a source for those who are still working outside the home as it can become a secondary source of income.

The depression and paralysis that come from being deeply and seemingly hopelessly in debt will break when you begin to take positive action to get out of debt. And, can I encourage you, once you get out, find a way to get on a cash basis and do not allow yourself to get in that position again.

I have found an excellent website for "debt elimination" and "credit repair." This is a proven company that will not take you for another ride down the river, but will actually work with you to accomplish what we have talked about in this article. Check it out at:
http://gmadden.BetterCreditPro.com

Elsewhere on this site, you will find many opportunities to increase your income. Do it today.

Staying connected

We are living in a time when communication is at an all-time high. By that I mean, there was a time when one would take pen, ink and parchment, carefully script out a letter, roll it, bind it and deliver it to the post. After sorting, it would be given to a person with a fast horse who would then mount and ride as fast as they could to the ultimate destination of the letter. As you might imagine, many days would go by before that letter was read by its recipient -- if they got it at all.

Now, one can bang out an instant message on the computer and bingo, two are chatting back and forth. Then, of course there is email and cell phones that make it easy to stay in contact with others. And yet, it seems to me that people are more "dis-connected" than ever before. How much real communication gets done?

Since, I have struggled with PPS, it has become extremely difficult for me to walk. I get around with the use of a cane (I am still stubborn about the wheelchair or scooter idea) and it is a long and laborious project for me to get out of the car and all the way inside of a restaurant or other place of business. The result is that I tend to stay in and work on the computer rather than getting out as much as before. My connections and relationships have suffered as a result. I have found it important, however, to force my self to stay in touch. To keep up relationships with old friends and business associates.

It is summer and not a good time to be talking about campfires and fireplaces, but here I go anyway. Have you ever noticed how quickly a burning log dies out when it gets separated from the pile? Take a poker and move it over closer to the others and it rekindles into flame again.

You get the message. Don't go it alone. Even in internet marketing, there are people out there who will mentor and work with you. It is good to belong to some kind of network just for the connections and feedback and relationships you will develop.

In the Bible it says, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17. Finally, don't forget the spiritual side of it. You are essentially a spiritual being that needs that spiritual connection with your creator. Take the time daily to connect with God and you will be a far more productive person the rest of the day.

SFI Marketing group is an excellent business opportunity that provides lot's of opportunity to connect with a network. Check it out: MORE INFO

You Have To Learn To Wait

My life has been lived mostly in overdrive. I come from a family of high-energy entrepreneurs that have always believed anything is possible if you are willing to get out there and get it. My father, the consumate optimist, has always been in some business for himself all of my life. Now, at the ripe age of 80, he is still in business and dreaming of launching something new.

Yet, he even used to try to slow me down. When I was shining shoes in his neighborhood barber shop, he would often send me across the street to a little grocery store for various items. It was simply impossible for me to just walk across the street and down to the store. I ran, full speed all the way. When I would arrive back, he would tell me, "Son, slow down. You don't have to run every where. You're going to run your life away."

Well, I never slowed down until PPS hit. There is nothing to slow you down like a physical disability. It has helped me to learn some things that are very valuable -- Impatience is one big get-ahead-ache! Life goes fast enough without rushing it. I read the following story somewhere along the way.

"Time sure changes things," an airline passenger confided to his friend. "When I was a boy I used to sit in a small row-boat and fish in the lake we're passing over. I would look up whenever a plane flew over and wish I were in the plane. Now, I look down and wish I were fishing."

My grandmother used to tell me, "Haste makes waste." Jean Dutourd said, "Impatient people always get there too late." Timing is important, but how fast we get to where we are going may not be so critical. It is more important to slow down, analyze and determine the important. Then, identify the intermediate steps involved in getting there.

This is especially true when it comes to making money on the internet. There are so many "get rich quick" work at home schemes on the net that you would think we should all be instantly wealthy. True wealth however, is built slowly over time. That doesn't mean that the internet has not brought us into a new age. Things can and do happen much faster with the new technology, but don't fall into the trap of thinking it all has to happen yesterday.

My advice is to determine what you see yourself accomplishing in your home based business. This is your vision. What you see. Then, identify your goals. This is what you have to do to bring your vision into reality. Here is where it is very important to clearly identify exactly what steps you must take along the way. Break it down. Then, attach a time frame to each of the steps. This keeps you moving in the right direction in a timely fashion.

Finally, the good book says in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Life is lived in seasons, which means we are to do different things at different times. I am still learning this lesson.

Gary Madden
Check out this solid opportunity that revolves around self-improvement: http://tinyurl.com/f3avc

Recover From Any Setback and Make Money On The Internet

I began suffering from a disability two years ago. My future and the future of my family seemed to be in jeopardy. After months of careful treatment by a Chiropractor friend, He advised me to seek medical attention. Immediately, the neurologist began testing for MS (multiple sclerosis).

Finally, after months of testing and thousands of dollars spent and built up in unpayable medical bills, I was no better. Actually worse, and still with no diagnosis as to my problem. Then, I was told that since as a small child, I had had a bout with Polio; I was most likely suffering from what is termed PPS (post-polio syndrome) something that over 100,000 baby boomers are currently suffering with.

While it was comforting to put somewhat of a handle on what was going on, it was very discomforting to be told that doctors know very little about the syndrome and most sufferers could only look forward to worsening symptoms and potential total disability.

With that in mind, I began a frantic search on the internet to find some way to pay off this mass of medical debt and develop a residual income that could secure my family’s future should I become totally disabled. The internet proved to be full of “work at home” opportunities and I began sorting through them one by one.

After scouring one particular web page for an hour, I decided to make a $97 investment that I really could not afford, but hoped would produce much, much more. For my $97, I received about 24 pages of nothing. However, I read enough in it to know that there had to be something real out there that I could do. I have always been a believer and I believed that with the help of God and my determination, the internet was such a vast field, that I could surely find something that would fulfill my needs at this desperate stage of my life.

As I searched and worked, I began to find things that worked. One such opportunity was one I had never heard of even though it has been around for over 25 years –SFI Marketing Group. Here’s a link to one of my SFI websites: http://tinyurl.com/k9xph

This Company was free to sign up with and involves no monthly membership fee so I felt I could take a chance with it. What I found was mountains of free internet training, resources and tools that could help me not only build my SFI business, but allow me to develop multiple streams of internet income. In two months, I have been able to use free advertising sources and build a large and growing SFI organization and see a check earned each month, with this past check representing a 600% increase. I am looking at a 6 month plan to build SFI up to a retirement type of income. Boy, am I excited about the future. But, that’s not all!

Now, I have discovered another opportunity that can literally take what I have learned through SFI and add so much to it to really explode my earnings potential. It’s so amazing. The “Ultimate Wealth Package” was created by a 22 year old high school drop out who developed a system that has allowed him to earn over one million dollars. Mark Warren has put together a
system so complete and so simple that anyone can do it. I guess that is the benefit of being a high school dropout – you don’t complicate things too much. I know that Mark is not insulted by that comment, because he believes it himself.

The Ultimate Wealth Package will teach you how to create multiple streams of residual income. It will give you a step by step guide to making thousands of dollars weekly on the internet. Mark will build you your own money making website and much more. Here is what I believe the Ultimate Wealth Package is going to do for me: Allow me to earn over $1,000 per week in
residual income. Pay off all of my medical debts and become totally debt free – house and all! Purchase my wife a new vehicle and most of all…go to bed at night knowing that no matter what happens to me in terms of disability, my family’s financial future is safe and sound. Check it out right here: http://tinyurl.com/j6dcl