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Archive for April, 2010

Personal Growth and Development – Day 4 – Magic is happening…. The Tide is starting to shift

April 30th, 2010

Personal Growth and Development – Day 4 – Magic is happening…. The Tide is starting to shift

Excitement:  7

Today was a good day for my personal growth and development – I can feel the magic happening.

1)  Had lunch with a friend of mine that said something to me that really resonated:  If there is any doubt in your mind that you will not hit a goal that you are achieving, then you won’t hit it.

We’ll… I do have doubt that on this 90 day, $500,000 goal.  I do.  Going from taking money out of savings to $500,000 in income is a stretch.  That’s not good.  I get his reasoning.  He means that if you have doubt, then you will look for the reasons why you cannot get and accomplish what you want to accomplish.  Your mind will look for reason why “you are right.”

I need to fix this…. I’ve done it before.  I need to start focusing on all the reasons why it is possible.  When my mind sees that it is logical, the doubts will go away.  Why this is possible?

- Because we have the structure in place with what we have built over the past 2 years

- Because our message is needed by 100 million people…  we just need to get in front of 1% of them

- Because my work ethic is unmatched.  I’m writing this at 5:29 a.m.

- Because I have a team that is unstoppable

- Because miracles happen all the time in my life, why not now?

- Because I’m thinking in terms of bigger, $500,000 wins not smaller wins

- Because this exercise of sharing my thoughts on this blog every day is so uncomfortable, that surely there has got to be some value in it!

- Because anyone who reads this blog may have an idea, and I’m open to it… that idea could be the idea to get me there.

- Because I’m not doing this alone…. I have over 25,000 people in my database, who I will be sharing my journey with, and the right people will be drawn to this story, and the right people will have ideas, and the right people will share them with me.

That feels better…. this is totally doable!  Yes!

Check this video out, it speaks right into this!

This is why it’s going to work out for me.  This is why people are going to tell me that I’m “lucky” when in reality… I created it all to!

I want to declare to everyone… that I’m open to your help.  I know I cannot do this alone, and if you are moved to email me an idea, please do so!

Being Catholic, I call the energy within us the “Holy Spirit.”  So, if the Holy Spirit gives you and idea or tell you that you should introduce me to someone, please do so!

Here is who would be a great introduction:

- Car Dealers that would want to help their clients that can’t buy a car because of their poor credit

- Real Estate Companies that would like to turn “no-buyers” into buyers by raising their credit scores

- Mortgage Companies that would like to help their clients raise their credit score so they can qualify for a better loan

- Debt Collectors that would like to help their clients raise their credit score once their debt has been paid

- Large Bankruptcy Firms that would like to help their clients after their credit has been damaged due to a bankruptcy

- Active Political Figures that would want to help change the credit laws

- Anyone else that you are moved to introduce me to.

My personal email is PhilipTirone@720CreditScore.com

On a different note, yesterday was the first day that I actually started to post these writings.  It is VERY unsettling for me.  It has crossed my mind so many times, do I really want _______ (insert name of my friend) to read this?  The funny thing is that all I’m doing is speaking the truth.  Why should this be unsettling?   Well, this is precisely the personal growth and development I’m looking for… I’m not interested in worrying about what other people think of me, I am who I am.  Everyday I strive to be the best Father, Husband, Son, and Friend I can be…. I know I’m not perfect, I know I’m not where I want to be, but I will be better tomorrow.

As a close friend of mine always says…. “Onward and Upward.”

Personal Growth and Development – Day 4 – Magic is happening…. The Tide is starting to shift

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Personal Growth and Development – Day 3 – Consider the Fact That Where I am at is Perfect

April 29th, 2010

Personal Growth and Development – Day 3 – Consider the Fact That Where I am at is Perfect

Excitement Level:  6

Well… another day of Personal Growth and Development. I had lunch with a college friend of mine today and we started talking about family members and money.  I said to him, “consider the fact that your family member is exactly where he is suppose to be, from a learning perspective.  Consider the fact that he needs to go through this growth, and there is nothing wrong with it.”  I left the meeting, asking myself – “why don’t I feel the same way?”

I need to consider, that the fact that I have lost money month after month for the past two years is exactly what was suppose to happen.  I need to consider the fact that who I am today is exactly who I am suppose to be – there is nothing wrong with what happened, as this was simply training and development for me to become the person I am suppose to be.  There was a reason for the past two years, right?  That is the question I’m asking myself deep down…. Was there a reason?

The book, “The Purpose Driven Life” sold tens of millions of copies… why?  I believe because everyone wants their life to mean something.  My friend, Brendon Bruchard, who speaks nationally asks it this way, “Did I matter?”  I want to know that the last two years of pain, the last two years of struggle, the last two years of frustrations was for something!

In my heart I believe it, yet without results it becomes an act of faith.  For me, faith is the hard part.  This is where I need to grow, this is what I need to “lean into” so I can grow faster.  Do I believing that there is a plan bigger than myself?  This is what I’m seeking, this is what I need to embrace, I am grateful for this opportunity to learn.

Confession:  I’m writing this everyday, as if they are being posted on my blog, but they are not yet (right now it’s simply on a Word Document.  I still have not decided to take on this 90 day challenge public.  I ask myself, “Why am I not doing it?”  Here are my answers to myself:

-         People don’t want to hear this stuff….

-         What if I don’t hit my goal…. Everyone will know that I failed.

-         What if I look bad in the process…

-         Will this impact my credibility with my clients?

I will tell you, when I think about those questions, I loose a lot of energy. When I think about being genuine, when I think about being transparent, I get energized.

As I write this…. It’s clear to me that it is more important to me be genuine, real with my clients and friends knowing that I’m struggling…. than fake and insincere, with all my clients and friends thinking I’m a huge success.

I write this as a human being that struggles everyday, but believes, with all my heart and soul, that there is a plan, a purpose for my life.

This is the personal growth, the personal development that I’m embracing, this is what I am focusing on, that is I’m creating in my life.

Personal Growth and Development – Day 3 – Consider the Fact That Where I am at is Perfect

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Personal Growth and Development – Day 2 – I’m Thinking Differently

April 29th, 2010

Personal Growth and Development – Day 2 – I’m Thinking Differently

Excitement Level: 7

Well, I can tell you, I’m thinking differently and the public declaration for my personal growth and development has my mind spinning.  I find myself not thinking how I can make $10,000… I’m thinking how I can make $500,000 in 90 days.  Game on!

I admit, I find I’m getting caught up with life’s thoughts…. “can this be real?”  “Phil, you are setting yourself up for failure.”

Yet, I’m not going to go there.  I’m not going to put myself in a place of scarcity or disbelief.  Who I am, and who I have been my entire life is one that believes in miracles.    I know they happen, in fact, they have happened to me my entire life.  Why should this be any different?

On the retreat, one of the speakers was Patrick Gentempo.  He talked about the conflict one feels when their personal life and business life are not aligned.  Where there is conflict, and the lack of alignment, thing just don’t work out.

I believe that is why 7 Steps has not grown like I feel it should.  I’ve always asked myself, why isn’t this the hottest topic around?  80% of American’s have an error on their credit report.  25% of the errors are so bad, that if a person applied for credit today, they would be denied.  With these statistics, doesn’t it seem like everyone would want to learn?  I thought so.

Today I’m ridding myself of all that conflict and I’m starting with how I handle my teleseminars.  Right now people come to a teleseminar for free, and on the call we give them a chance to buy a $700-1000 package.  I often ask myself – what if people cannot afford that?  This just doesn’t feel right.

So today, I’m going BOLD and NOBLE…. I’m going to let anyone on the teleseminar to name their price for the program.  I don’t want ANYONE that wants it to not get it because of money.  This makes me feel warm… this makes me feel like I’m doing the right thing.  I’ve shared this with a handful of people, and overwhelmingly, the response has been negative.  I think that is a good sign.

I hear all the time “how confident you are Phil.” Yet, that is not how I feel right now.  My commitment is to verbalize all my feelings and not make things “sound rosy.”  My commitment with this writing is to be real.

At this moment, I’m declaring to the world, to the universe, that miracles can happen and will happen, as long as there is a plan, a team, and belief behind them.  I am open to receiving the miracles.

Another speaker at the retreat was Gary Ryan Blair, The Goals Guy.  He rolled out his 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Goal Model which I’m completely embracing:

5 – Things to get done in the next 90 days

4 – Things to stop doing

3- Things to delegate

2- People to hold you accountable

1 – BIG BANG (Bold, Ambitious, Noble, Goal)

Personal Growth…. Personal Development… Making this the best 90 Days of my life…. Game on!!!!!

Personal Growth and Development – Day 2 – I’m Thinking Differently

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My Personal Growth and Development – A Declaration, $500K /90 Day /$50K to Charity

April 29th, 2010

My Personal Growth and Development – A Declaration, $500K /90 Day /$50K to Charity

Let me declare something up front, I’m very uncomfortable doing a public declaration for my personal growth and development. This is why I’m going to do it.  2010 is my year for no ego… so anything that makes me uncomfortable, I want to do. I’m been around personal growth and development my whole life, however, it’s always been a private conversation…. not any more!

I get comments all the time, “how successful you are Philip” or “I saw your commercial on TV, you must be making a fortune.”  Newsflash:  I’m not.

For the past two years I have pulled money out of my savings as I attempted to “figure  out” how to be a thought leader around credit.  As many of you know, I’m very passionate about credit.  After reviewing tens of thousands of credit reports, I’m convinced that the system is unfairly set up against the average American.

Am I making money?  Yes.  But not enough to cover my expenses.  Am I still earning money form the loan business I’ve been in for 13 years?  Yes.  But not enough to cover my expenses.   Each month I’m pulling out of savings and it is very unsettling.

I ask myself – should I just quit?  Should I do something else?  I ask myself that every day.  What type of Husband and Father am I if I cannot provide for my family?  What type of Husband or Father am I if I take money out of savings every month?

Last week I attended a four day business retreat, and I left there moved and inspired.  It talked about being aligned with my goals, goals that feel right.  About choosing Big Noble Goals.

Here is mine for the next 90 days:

Earn $500,000 in 90 Days, with $50,000 being donated to charity when I achieve it.

How will I make this happen, I have no idea.  What I do know, it will not be the way I have been doing it… it just doesn’t feel right.

Each day I’m going to report my excitement level and my progress on my personal growth and development. Today my excitement level is a 10.

My Personal Growth and Development – A Declaration, $500K /90 Day /$50K to Charity

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Credit Secrets Revealed: Purchase Credit Score from the Right Place

April 29th, 2010

Credit Secrets Revealed: Purchase Credit Score from the Right Place

In my interview with Judyth Piazza, founder of the Student Operated Press, I talked about how important it is to purchase a credit score from the right place. I wanted to share that interview with you (click on the link above) and make a few comments about the importance of where you purchase a credit score.

I keep seeing ads offering credit reports and credit scores, and I can understand why these offers might be alluring, especially now that the economy has taken a turn. But beware that you don’t purchase a credit score from the wrong place.

It’s a little confusing, but the process generally works like this:

The credit-scoring bureaus use a lot of different formula to generate a credit score. Based on who is asking for the credit score, they will apply a different formula. A lender who is considering whether to give you a car loan is interested in different aspects of your history than your landlord, so the formula will be tailored accordingly. For instance, greater emphasis might be placed on your installment payment history for the auto lender; the landlord’s score might place greater emphasis on your mortgage history.

When you pull your own credit report, the formula generates something called the “consumer score.” The consumer score is relatively generic. It places equal emphasis on your mortgage history, installment payment history, etcetera.

The problem with the consumer score, though, is that no lender will ever see it. Never. Not in a million years.

So the consumer score is worthless. Unfortunately, this is the score you will get if you purchase a credit score from most online sites.

To put this into perspective, I pulled my consumer score and my FICO score on the same day, just to see what would happen. I went to AnnualCreditReports.com and purchased my Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax consumer scores. All three reports showed a credit score above 720, the cutoff for receiving the best interest rates. In fact, my lowest credit score was 759.

This seems great, right? I can just go apply for a loan and get the best interest rate out there, right?

This is what a lot of people would have done, but I knew better about where to purchase a credit score. Through my mortgage company, I was able to purchase my Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax FICO scores. FICO is the score 90 percent of lenders use. This time, my highest credit score was 759. My lowest was 653—a whopping 67 points lower than needed to secure a loan at the best interest rate. A collection account had been added to my report (it was a mistake) and this one item was causing my score to drop significantly.

Imagine what would have happened if I had been preparing for a home loan and relied on AnnualCreditReport.com as an indicator of my credit score. I would have had two lousy options: 1) accept less-than-favorable loan terms; or 2) postpone purchasing my home while I clean up the mistake on my credit report.

This is the problem with most places you might go to purchase a credit score. If you want an accurate reflection of the credit score lenders will see, you must purchase a credit score from the right place. Go to www.720ficoscore.com to get the only score that matters: FICO.

Credit Secrets Revealed: Purchase Credit Score from the Right Place

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Beware of Loan Modification Scams!

April 23rd, 2010

Beware of Loan Modification Scams!

As if economic turmoil and a credit crunch isn’t enough, homeowners facing foreclosure are now dealing with loan modification scams and unscrupulous businesses looking to prey on their desperation and fear.

“This has not been a well-defined program from day one,” said TARP special inspector general Neil Barofsky of the government loan modification program, warning against loan modification scams. “Criminals speed on that type of confusion.”

Barofsky said that there has been in huge “uptick” in loan modification scams targeted at struggling homeowners.

Keep your eye out for these suspicious signs of loan modification scams.

  • Beware of promises that seem too good to be true. Most scams and swindles operate on the often overly optimistic hopes of homeowners who are in a world of trouble. If a business offers a guarantee to stop the foreclosure process, you should automatically be wary.
  • Avoid businesses that tell you not to contact your lender. If you are having difficulty making mortgage payments, your first step should be to contact your lender. Anyone who urges you to stonewall your lender, an attorney, or a credit counselor probably doesn’t have your best interests at heart. In fact, sometimes the only way to tell if a program is fake or real is to ask your lender. Some loan modification scams pretend to be affiliated with the government or your lender. Then they charge high fees and disappear with your money. Before signing on the dotted line, ask your lender if a program is phony.
  • Beware of companies that ask for money up front or via a cashier’s check. Most reputable services do not ask for money before they have given you a service, so strange financial requests should be a big tip off that a company is not on the level. Some scam artists tell you that they will negotiate a deal on your behalf if you provide payment. Then they run off with your money!
  • Do not give anyone money to pay your mortgage for you. This is definitely a sign that a disreputable business may be trying to get a hold of your house using disingenuous means. This type of business will tell you they are making payments, but of course they are pocketing your money. By the time you realize this, the bank may have already seized your house.
  • Never sign over your property to anyone else. Some dishonest companies offer to help you dodge foreclosure by having you transfer the deed of title to them. Frequently, the house will end up in foreclosure and you will walk away with a lot of debts but without anything to show for it.
  • Never sign any documents without reading and understanding them completely first. Don’t allow anyone to pressure you to sign documents before you completely understand them and know what you’re getting into. Some loan modification scams work by telling you that you are signing paperwork for a new loan modification when you are, in fact, transferring the title of your property. So not only should you read it before you sign it, you should also understand it before you sign it!

The most important thing to remember when trying to avoid loan modification scams is this: Keep your cool. Do your research. Call your bank, even if it seems scary. And contact trusted loan modification authorities if an offer seems too good to be true.

Beware of Loan Modification Scams!

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Chart Interest Rates and Watch ‘Em Climb

April 16th, 2010

Chart Interest Rates and Watch ‘Em Climb

Chart interest rates over the next months and years, and the diagram will keep climbing uphill.

So says a New York Times article (“Interest Rates Have Nowhere to Go but Up”) published on Saturday.

Let’s chart interest rates for credit cards, for starters. With the Federal government breathing down their throats to comply with new regulations, credit card companies will have no choice but to start increasing interest rates when they can. Indeed, credit card interest rates have steadily increased in all but one month since the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the Federal Reserve’s statistical release on consumer credit. In February, interest rates were about 14.26 percent; a year prior, they were 12.97 percent. Given the nation’s total revolving credit card debt of about $860 billion, this amounts to a hefty chunk of change that is coming straight out of your pocket and into the pocket of credit card companies.

According to the New York Times article, credit card interest rates might increase to 16 or 17 percent by autumn. (Visit our site dedicated to credit cards and credit scores for more information.)

Coupled with rising interest rates, all this credit card debt could lead to increased bankruptcies.

And if you chart interest rates for mortgages, you will see another upward trend. Last week, I wrote about the ending of the Fed’s plan to buy $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities, noting that some fear mortgage rates might climb. In last week’s blog, interest rates had already climbed to 5.08 percent from the week prior. And by this time next year, the largest percentage of primary dealers polled by Reuters and posted by Mortgage Bankers Association predicted interest rates would be at 6 percent or above.

Let me put this into perspective: On a 30-year, fixed-rate, $300,000 home loan, this is a difference of $62,455. A person with a 6 percent interest rate pays about $174 more a month and $2088 a year than a person with a 5.08 percent interest rate.

How about we chart interest rates for autos? No surprise: they jumped from 3.94 to 4.72 from January to February.

Okay, so you are probably starting to see a trend. Chart interest rates, and you’ll see them going up and up and up…

unless you do something about it. Learn how to build your credit score so you can qualify for lower interest rates!

Chart Interest Rates and Watch ‘Em Climb

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Give Your Testimonial for a Chance to Win $500

April 16th, 2010

As you know, I love receiving testimonials from my happy and satisfied clients.  So for fun, I have decided to host a challenge on who can give the best testimonial about their success with my 7 Steps system… AND I’ve made it SUPER EASY.  Just follow these simple instructions:

You will need to record your testimonial by calling 1-800-609-9006 Ext. 9038.

Please use the following script as a guideline for your testimonial (fill in the blanks):

  1. Hello, my name is ___________________ (first and last name)  from ________________ (city), _____________(state)
  2. What I love about Philip’s system is ______________________________ (make sure this flows from the heart)
  3. The specific results I achieved because of Philip’s system are_________________________________ (examples: higher credit score,  low interest rate, money saved per month, etc. – the more detailed the better)
  4. Philip, I want to thank you for __________________________________ (fill in the blank)

Be sure to end your recording with your phone number, as we will be contacting the winner by phone.

Once you have submitted your recorded testimonial, email a digital picture of yourself to info@720CreditScore.com.  Once your entry has been received, we will confirm receipt via email.  If you do not receive a confirmation email from us, call us at 1-877-720-7267.

All entries must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and submitted no later than Saturday, May 15th 2010.

The winning prize for the best testimonial will be $500.  The winner will be selected based on the following three criteria:

  1. Success with the system  – Increase in credit score (before and after score), time it took to increase your score, your savings per month due to your increased credit score.
  2. Communication - Effectiveness in communicating your success story in a clear, expressive, and genuine way.
  3. Presentation – Creativity of your script

The winner will be contacted by a 7 Steps to 720 representative and we will post the winning testimonial on this site on Friday, June 4th 2010.

Thanks for your support!

 

Consent, Waiver and Release:

By submitting your entry, you voluntarily and irrevocably give your consent to Philip Tirone, 7 Steps to 720, LLC , their assigns, successors, licensees, agents, advertising agencies, producers, publishers and legal representatives, the use of your name and story in all forms of media and in all manner, for advertising, trade or in any other lawful purpose, including, but not limited to 7 Steps to 720, LLC products, promotional materials and web sites. You therefore waive any right to inspect or approve your testimonial or any version thereof including a paraphrasing and release any obligation to make any payment hereunder or from any other liability incurred in connection with the use of any such text or other material in the manner provided; with the exception of the one-time payment to the chosen winner in the amount of five hundred dollars. Philip Tirone and 7 Steps to 720, LLC will not use disparaging references of your name in any form, and disclaims any responsibility for such unauthorized use of your published name or testimonial.  You voluntarily and irrevocably give your consent and agree to this Consent, Waiver and Release with submission of your testimonial.

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Mortgage-Backed Securities

April 8th, 2010

Mortgage Backed Securites The Federal Reserve’s program to buy $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae, Freddi Mac, and Ginnie Mae came to a close as of April 1, and some fear this means that mortgage rates could increase.

For the week ending April 1, Freddie Mac reported that the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.08 percent. This is up from 4.99 percent from the week prior.

The mortgage-backed securities program was intended to boost the economy; no one wanted to purchase these securities because they were seen as too risky. The program did succeed in driving down mortgage interest rates during the financial crisis. Perhaps it staved off a deeper recession.

But what will happen now?

It’s a game of wait-and-see. The Los Angeles Times noted that the ending of the program “came at a delicate moment,” with housing indicators “flat to softer in recent months.” The economy will now rely on private investors to buy any mortgage-backed securities created this year. Whether these securities are deemed safer than they were a year ago remains to be seen.

And what will happen with the $1.25 trillion in mortgage-backed securities that the government now owns? The government is considering whether it can gradually sell some; others will mature or be paid off.

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