US Housing Crisis – Negative Equity Infographic – Zillow

Peoria - My House from the Air

 

You think you got it tough? You think, how am I ever going to get out from under this crushing debt? You are not alone.

 

Click on this link for the Zillow Negative Equity Infographic. It shows in startling detail the percentage of homes by county throughout the U.S. that are Underwater and delinquent on payments.

 

US Housing Crisis – Negative Equity Infographic – Zillow.

 

At the peak of the housing crisis over 40% of homeowners owed more on their houses than the houses resale value. According to the most recent information (I could find) from September 2012 over 22% were still underwater. In a healthy housing market only 5% of homes are underwater, or have negative equity.

 

The effects on the economy are enormous. When a family has negative equity their ability to borrow money is extremely limited, preventing wanna-be entrepreneurs from using seed money from their homes, their largest investment, to start a new business. Families can’t refinance in order to take advantage of record low-interest rates. And they can’t sell their house and buy a new one because in most cases they won’t have money left over after the sale to use as down payment on the new home.

 

Snowcapped peaks are a backdrop to many Puget ...

 

In the Puget Sound 26% of King County homes are underwater and 10% are delinquent on their mortgage payments. In Snohomish County it’s 40% and 11%. Pierce County is the worst; 45% and 12%. Throughout the Puget Sound and south to Portland, OR not one county is below 21%. Most are above 30%.

 

Since a decade low of only 60% of Americans own homes we can then do some simple math to determine a majority, over 53%, either don’t own a home or have negative equity in the homes they do “own”. 

 

As someone who isn’t underwater on our home (in fact we have pretty descent equity) but is extremely familiar with the suffocation of debt let me tell you I can relate. A recent ABC News report indicates that a majority, 55%, of Americans have more credit card debt than money in savings. Sadly, I would be among the majority.

 

Getting out of debt is one of my families top priorities. And for this economy to flourish all Americans should make that a priority.

 

As an AdvoCare Advisor Distributor I’m happy to have the award-winning DebtBuster program provided to me for free by AdvoCare. The methods for getting out of debt are simple to understand and follow. If great nutrition, weight loss, muscle gain, and great financial opportunities are not enough to compel you to get happily involved in this great company perhaps the kind and generous help and advice AdvoCare provides FOR FREE to get the stress and suffocating burden of debt off your back will allow you to make this wise decision.

 

We’re following the DebtBuster program and we’re making more money thanks to AdvoCare. I invite you to contact me to learn more. And based on statistics…a majority of you need to do so.

 

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

 

Go to our website, read our story and try some AdvoCare. You won't regret it.

Go to our website, read our story and try some AdvoCare. You won’t regret it.

 

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March 23, 2013
Categories: Business, National Politics, Washington State, Weight Loss . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on US Housing Crisis – Negative Equity Infographic – Zillow

Things I Want In Life

What I was reminded of last night while attending Vision Quest, a speaking presentation by Ron Reynolds, at the Hilton Hotel in Bellevue, Washington is something I have heard many times and even practiced at brief periods of my life. Like others Reynolds explained the seemingly magical benefits of writing down goals.

Reynolds is the Vice-President in charge of Distributor Development for AdvoCare. He’s an author and creator of the DebtBuster System.  He used to work with motivational speaker Jim Rohn

Jim-rohn-PASSES-AWAY

The Late Jim Rohn

as President of Jim Rohn Productions. On several occasions last night he quoted from one of my favorite authors, Richard Bach.

Cover of "Jonathan Livingston Seagull"

Jonathan Livingston Seagull

He quoted from Bach’s most famous book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. And he quoted from my favorite Bach book, Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. He said, “You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true”. I’ve written goals before, with success. Perhaps you have to. I’m saddened by my foolishness, procrastination, and inability to focus and do something I know from experience and from education works. Writing down goals, and doing it regularly is perhaps the single most important self-improvement tool anyone can do. Just ask yourself, who’s more likely to be a success or overcome obstacles…a person with a written list of passionate goals, or a person just getting through life day-to-day? Isn’t the answer obvious?

So, following Reynolds advice and countless others I’ve finally made my “Things I Want in Life” list. I thought it would be too personal to share here as I do so many of my other thoughts. But after writing it I don’t feel it’s anything to be ashamed of; and making it public may make me more accountable and make the list that much more powerful. Don’t you think?

Here it is:

1. A house on a lake or river where I can regularly go fishing. 

This has been a dream of mine for years. Now it’s no longer a dream it’s a goal. Soon it will be a reality.

2. Freedom from debt.

Debt is suffocating. And it’s suffocating me and my family and my business too much right now.

3. Financial freedom.

This may seem to be simultaneous with #2; but it’s not. I’ve seldom had debt problems in my life. I’ve even less seldom had financial freedom. Though, it’s true, #2 will HELP achieve #3.

4. The respect of my children.

I hope I already have this. But at times I’m not sure. Two of my kids are adults. I want to be sure.

5. Respect of my wife.

See above.

6. To live until at least 80 years of age.

This may seem like a low target. But my family history suggests that it’s a rather lofty goal.

7. A home in a sunny place. 

Goal #1 is most important. And if we can get it in a sunny place Goal #7 is fulfilled. But then again, I’d settle for two homes.

8. A self-sustaining company.

My company Total Broadcasting Service as well as our Plan-B income, AdvoCare are both capable of achieving this goal for me. First one to the finish line wins. 🙂

9. Clothes that fit.

I’ve lost 35 pounds with the great help of AdvoCare, but our debt problems make buying new clothes impossible right now. So this is actually a pretty important and immediate goal.

10. An inheritance for my kids.

My Dad left me and my brother nothing, because he had nothing. My Mom will do likewise. I won’t do this to my kids.

11. A red 1965ish Ford Mustang Convertible.

What good is it to have financial freedom, Goal #3, if I can’t enjoy it with the occasional toy.

12. Lots of friends.

I am grateful for all my friends. I want more.

13. Time, money and ability to vacation with friends all over the world.

I’ve never travelled much. I want to do so.

14. Seahawk, Mariner, and Sonics season tickets.

Currently we have Seahawk tickets.

15. A vacation home in Wenatchee. 

Burch Mountain above Wenatchee, Washington

Burch Mountain above Wenatchee

I love Wenatchee. My wife…not so much. So a permanent home there seems unlikely. So I’ll settle for a vacation home there instead.

16. Ability, time and money to help family and friends any time any where. And their confidence that I will help them. 

I feel that I am currently hamstrung in any efforts to benefit people I love. And that hurts.

17. A college education for all my kids, fully paid for by me.

I didn’t get this when I was young. Ever since I have wanted to provide it for my kids. We began to do so with my oldest. She then dropped out and that was that. We have one more left to go. Fortunately she repeatedly talks of going to college and I don’t want to let her down.

18. Be a leader.

Hopefully I am. But I can do better.

19. To write and publish a book that will be read by others for years.

As evidenced by this blog I enjoy writing. I hope I’m good. I hope I get better.

20. A fishing boat.

21. My wife’s happiness, always.

22. A complete genealogical account of my families history.  

23. A historic memorabilia collection.

24. A safe, secure retirement.

25. A savings account. 

26. Ability to always find positive words in any situation.

27. A new pool table and time and ability to use it, preferably with friends.

28. Laser eye surgery.

29. Shoulder surgery.

30. To establish a truly worthwhile charity to address literacy. 

The list isn’t in any particular order of priority. I want it all, so there seems no need to have any order of priority. It is complete. I thought hard about adding to it. But, there is little else that comes to mind, or that I would write here.

Some of the list is superficial. Some of it is more “spiritual”, in a sense. But having finally written it down, I’m filled with confidence that everything on the list is bounding my direction at this very moment. So I’ll stop writing and get busy achieving.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

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March 19, 2013
Categories: Business, Uncategorized, Washington State, Weight Loss . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: 1 Comment

The American Dream Needs Revisiting

The Statue of Liberty front shot, on Liberty I...

The big lie about the American Dream is the concept of upward mobility through dedicated effort to a career and a job. Statistics and surveys indicate THAT just doesn’t happen any more in America. The fact is great economic upward mobility comes from those who work not only harder, but smarter.

An article in the Seattle Times yesterday made us all aware of how bad things have gotten. “Problem With Paychecks” took much of its content from Parade Magazine’s annual “What People Earn” survey. Here are just some examples of what the story reported. The following list names the person, their location, and their annual income and descends from highest to lowest:

…11. Lorri Froid, Seattle
Office manager
$49,000
12. Heather Murphy
Woodinville elementary school teacher
$39,032
13. Anne Fogarty, Kirkland
Event planner
$37,760
14. Mary Purdy, Seattle
Dietician and adjunct college professor
$36,000
15. Nan Lammers, Skykomish
Forest services snowshoe ranger
$33,414
16. Curtis Hodgson, Burnaby, B.C.
Lacrosse player
$26,500
17. Ned Whalen, Seattle
Car sales professional
$26,000
18. Cara Sullivan, Seattle
Barista
$15,000
19. Betsy McPhaden, Seattle
Artist
$2,000

I didn’t list the Top Ten on the actual Seattle Times list since most of us are not them; i.e. Major League baseball pitchers, NFL running backs, CEO’s of billion dollar corporations, etc.

I know the income that my wife and I earn, and I know how much we struggle to meet our bills and live in what could only be described as a middle-Middle-Class lifestyle (8-10 years ago I would have said upper-Middle-Class, but that’s another story). Nine years ago when we bought our home in the Seattle suburb of Renton, WA it’s purchase price was exactly what the King County Association of Realtors was identifying as the median-price for homes being sold in King County at that time.

Map of Washington highlighting King County

Some up-grades may have pushed its price slightly above the local median price/value; but for the most part it serves as a pretty evident measuring stick for middle-Middle Class. My point is…for the people listed above…I don’t know how they make it.

The American Dream as it is defined by one on-line dictionary is as follows:

a·mer·i·can dream
Noun
The traditional social ideals of the United States, such as equality, democracy, and material prosperity.

The term was coined in 1931 by historian James T. Adams. It’s changed over the years but basically came to represent:

Owning a home and a car or two

Raising a family, with kids that grew up to do much the same as you

Working 40 hours per week for 40-50 years in a job or career

Taking 1-2 approximately week-long vacations every year to Disneyland or the big regional beach

Retiring in comfort to regularly play golf, bingo, and visit the grandkids once in a while. 

It became:

Leasing (buying) your home from the bank who charges you a low-interest rate for the right to do so; a home of 2500 square feet or more, 2-3 cars, and an RV.

Have kids raised by someone other than Mom or Dad who are too busy at the office to be home for dinner, let alone after school (whether as a family or not is optional); or raised by your 55-inch tv, or by Facebook. Pay $15,000-$20,000 per year per kid for 5-6 years for them to get drunk at college.

Work 50-70 hours per week for a wage capable of allowing you to save for retirement, or (as with the people listed above) 40 hours per week to barely scrape by and have zero retirement.

Vacation every year for 2 weeks in some exotic location, paying for all of it on your credit cards.

Retiring in your 70s with a reverse mortgage praying the 20-30% equity you’ve managed to accumulate in your primary residence is enough to maintain your lifestyle.

That’s some lifestyle. That’s a lifestyle in which children are sacrificed in favor of “stuff” and “status”.

Today working a job that keeps you from your family, or your recreations, 50-70 hours per week is something people wear like a badge of honor. Why? Wouldn’t you be better off working only 30-40 hours per week, making as much money or more, and devoting the rest of the time to your children, your wife, your husband, vacations, etc?  The obvious answer is, yes. And you can do it. But the key is to get money working.  Get multiple streams of income. The earlier mentioned Seattle Times article points out that median hourly income has rose only 11-percent since 1973. Additionally, in 2011, wages for males with college degrees were JUST 5 percent greater than in 1979. For men with only high-school degrees, entry-level wages were 25 percent lower than in 1979. Your single-solitary job is making you poorer and requiring you to work more hours. The 1-job, 1-career American Dream doesn’t work. You need money coming in from elsewhere.

We used a very large sales-commission check to buy our first home in 1994. Two years later being home owners allowed for us to borrow enough to move-up into a bigger house and keep the other house as a rental. We did the same thing again in 2003. My wife and I acquired nearly all our most valuable possessions, went on our most expensive vacations, and spoiled our kids during the time we had the additional income stream from owning rental property from 1996-2006. Warren Buffett, among others, is one who cites multiple streams of income as key to being successful.

The Missus and I have finally re-learned what we knew before. In our case AdvoCare is already giving us a new income stream. Based on the $20-25-thousand per month incomes our friends achieved with AdvoCare in just 3-years, we expect it to be a sizable stream, growing into a river. We’ve met many others who also are earning over $1000-per month with AdvoCare while working a mere 5-10 extra hours per week. And it’s a growing business. And it has the added benefit of paying us while we aren’t even doing anything. It has the added benefit of only paying us when we genuinely help other people. And it has the added benefit of being a continuing inheritable business and income stream, meaning should my wife and I die the income generated by our AdvoCare business becomes our children’s. Then they will have multiple income streams too.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Click to go to our AdvoCare website.

Click to go to our AdvoCare website.

March 11, 2013
Categories: Business, National Politics, Washington State, Weight Loss . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on The American Dream Needs Revisiting

You’ve Got to Sharpen Your Ax.

Logs for use as firewood, stacked to dry.

A new day dawned on the forest. And two woodsmen together headed into the forest to ply their trade of cutting and splitting wood. 

The two had not worked together before, but it mattered little. In swinging an ax through the day splitting rounds into firewood there was very little working together that took place. Each man would chop and split as many logs as each could manage.

This day the sun bore down on them and made them long for recreation. The first logger stayed on the hillside, swinging his ax, splitting the rounds, and throwing the results of his efforts into a pile. He was a strong man, blessed not only with strength but endurance. He could withstand a long day on the hillside making firewood. He prided himself on his work ethic. 

English: Axe splitting a log Italiano: Scure c...

Throughout the course of this long day the first logger continually noticed his cohort walking away from his labors and taking a break from the work they each had. Several times he noticed the second logger casually walking with his ax back to their truck for what he presumed were periods of relaxation. He always returned to work. But it seemed clear to the first logger that this second woodsman lacked his endurance, or at-worst, had a weak work ethic.

When the day ended the first logger made his way across the hillside to the place where the second logger had been toiling through the day. As he came upon the second loggers wood pile he was surprised and astonished. The second loggers pile of firewood far exceeded his own efforts. He was dumbfounded. And he asked the logger how this was possible. “I worked throughout the day. I never took a break, and I never slowed down. But you were constantly walking away from your work and constantly taking breaks. And here, I find your wood pile far exceeds my own. What sort of magic did you perform to accomplish this?”

The second logger merely smiled and said, “What you didn’t see when I was taking my breaks is that I was sharpening my ax each time.”

English: Firewood stacked up to promote drying.

I was told this parable many years ago. From what it originates I have no idea. But it was always a story from which I need reminding. See, I am far more like the first logger than the second.

The lesson from the story is simple. You must continually sharpen your ax as you work. If not it becomes dull and your work becomes harder. Whatever you do in life you must take the time to educate or re-educate yourself. Motivational speaker and sales trainer Zig Ziglar

Live video feed of Zig Ziglar speaking at the ...

The late Zig Ziglar speaking at the Get Motivated Seminar at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California.

said it best “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” Besides motivation, you can also apply the same lesson to education and training. Our brains are like a slowly leaking bucket. If you are not continually refilling the bucket it will eventually be empty. But as long as you’re refilling it you will always have a full bucket.

One of the best ways you can sharpen your ax is to read. Traditional or online newspapers and magazines, articles and blogs are good. But books are best. The best sales trainer I ever heard was Brian Tracy. This millionaire businessman says of reading, “If you read one hour per day in your field, that will translate into about one book per week. … Regular reading will transform your life completely.” If you are not in the habit, it’s hard to do. Like physical exercise you have to make it a priority. If I didn’t work-out when I first get up in the morning I would never do it and I would be a soft,  flabby, unhealthy person. Reading has to be the same way. Find the time. Schedule it into your routine. And keep it a high priority.

So take the time to read and re-fill your leaky bucket. Sharpen your ax and see the chips fly and your wood pile grow. You’ll thank me later. I promise.

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

March 3, 2013
Categories: Business, Uncategorized, Weight Loss . Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: Comments Off on You’ve Got to Sharpen Your Ax.

AdvoCare Success School Changed My Life

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~ Zig Ziglar

A lot of cynics might look at the title of this blog and scoff. There was a time I would have been amongst them. Which is why I opened this blog with the well-known quote from one of America‘s All-Time great motivational speakers and sales trainers.

AdvoCare

“Learning is finding out what you already know. Doing is demonstrating that you know it. Teaching is reminding others that they know just as well as you. You are all learners, doers, teachers.” ~ Richard Bach 

When my wife and I combined to lose nearly 70 pounds in 3 months using AdvoCare and specifically the 24 day Challenge I was happy to sign up as an AdvoCare Advisor Distributor because I was convinced of the products quality, and I was convinced they could help others who, like us, struggled for years to lose weight and get fit. But I was less inclined to buy-into all the overwhelmingly positive, enthusiastic and happy life all those associated with this fine company perpetually represented. After all, I’ve been in sales most of my professional life and I’d seen it all before…or so I thought.

 I attended AdvoCare Success School the weekend of February 15-17 in Fort Worth, Texas, not far from AdvoCare’s home in Plano. The School, which others would call a convention, was jam-packed with 23,000 of the most beautiful people I’ve ever had the privilege of surrounding myself with. By beautiful I mean- physically.

NFL Man of the Year Jason Witten and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

NFL Man of the Year Jason Witten and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The huge predominance of people there walked around in bodies a sculptor would happily use as models for efforts to replicate Michelangelo’s David or Aphrodite. I remain only 5-15 pounds overweight, but I felt self-conscious walking around amongst all these hard-bodies; as if I were my old chubby self again. By beautiful I also mean- spiritually, intellectually, and morally. Smiles greeted me where ever I turned. And to say the enthusiasm was contagious would be like saying Michael Jordan was an OK basketball player. It’s an understatement of biblical proportions.

“When you see someone without a smile, give them yours.” ~ Dolly Parton, Best Little Whorehouse In Texas

I came home from my four-day excursion committed to being a better man. My wife of 26 years will see a better husband and provider. My kids will see more love and less reprimand. My friends will hear more praise and less teasing.  And my work efforts will be more focused. Writing this blog is part of that. It’s important to note that I don’t think I was a bad guy before this past weekend. But I was far from perfect. I am proud to be a business owner, a father, a husband, and a home owner. I am proud to be independent. But far too often I also resented how alone I was. Official Logo JPEG I started my business Total Broadcasting Service eight years ago with numerous friends and co-workers expressing a desire, and in some cases promises, to join me and work together at building a profitable radio advertising, audio production, and video production company. Ultimately, none of them joined me, making efforts to build a company and its profitability a struggle. Through this time my wife and I raised two teenagers. And anyone who has done this knows the volatility that comes with parenting young people who are struggling to break free from Mom and Dad‘s authority. My wife and I clashed often over how and what to do with and about our kids. And again I felt resentment, far too often. 

I made my company profitable, but not as much as we have always envisioned. And now I know in my heart that my heart has held me back and not allowed me to provide for my family as much as they deserve. I know my kids have seen the indifferent or aloof Dad more than they should; and they need to see more love. I still believe its important for my kids to see a Dad, a counselor, an authority. But thanks to my weekend experience at AdvoCare Success School and my friends in Texas I now know more than ever my kids can be happier if I’m also their friend more often than I have been; and more of a helper as they continue their lives. I have seen an alternative to how I had been. And I prefer the alternative.

Drew Brees and a host of AdvoCare endorsers take the stage.

Drew Brees and a host of AdvoCare endorsers take the stage.

I am a strong man. I will remain so. Being kinder and more positive doesn’t make one a push-over. But I will find words that lift up in all I say and do and avoid words that condemn or suppress. And since I pride myself on my writing it will be a challenge I welcome; finding words that promote good and as a subsequent byproduct promote me, my beliefs, and my efforts. The proverbial Win-win situation. Though promoting myself will remain a by-product, not a primary goal. Goal number 1 is to help my children achieve their own happiness. And Goal #2 is to help in any way all those I come in contact with. #3 is to reach out and contact more people, so I can help more people.

Like Zig Ziglar says at the start of this piece a person’s motivation, mine included, can wane. But in surrounding oneself with the positive, happy, ever-accomplishing people I’m now blessed to be fully cloaked with I feel like Superman and know that should I face kryptonite my friends and partners in life who aren’t negatively effected by the green alien rock will kindly chuck it out of my sight. We all are Supermen and Superwomen and just like the cartoon super-hero we all have our own kryptonite that brings us to our knees on occasion. But always remember mere mortals feel no ill-effects from kryptonite. Just the Man-of-Steel. Going forward this super-hero will be flying high rejuvenated with love, and sharing that love wherever I can. God Bless. 

Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.

Go to our website, read our story and try some AdvoCare. You won't regret it.

Go to our website, read our story and try some AdvoCare. You won’t regret it.

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

Call for Video Production Services: 425-687-0100

February 21, 2013
Categories: Business, Sports, Washington State, Weight Loss . . Author: Michael Schuett . Comments: 5 Comments

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