Organizing a Successful Family Reunion
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a family reunion? Do you think of a boring afternoon, listening to the old folks reminisce about the good old days? Or maybe you think of meeting up with distant cousins you have never met and have nothing in common with. A family reunion doesn’t have to be something that everyone dreads! With a little planning you can have a fabulous reunion that all your relatives will be talking about for years to come.Set a Date for Your Family Reunion – EARLY!Many people drag their feet when it comes to setting the date for their family reunion. They want to make sure that everyone can come so they try to work with every families schedule. This is a good thought, but you will have a major headache if you try to work around everything! Set a date early and have everyone mark their calendars. If family members have enough notice they will find a way to be there.The best plan for scheduling your family reunion is to have it the same time every year. If your family knows your reunion is always held the third week in June they will plan on it. This type of scheduling makes planning summer easier for families plus you will have a bigger turnout at your reunion!Delegate, Delegate!If you want your family reunion to be a great success and you want to enjoy it with everyone else, delegate planning tasks to other family members. Assign each family group a major job like planning games, organizing a program, etc. For instance, maybe you want to do a service project as part of your reunion. Have one family group select a charity or person who could benefit from your help. Then have someone within that group can coordinate what you will do, for example clean up a park or tie quilts for a shelter. Someone else can make sure you have the supplies you need, and so on. This way that family group is in charge of one major part of the family reunion. Do the same with other aspects of your reunion as well.Family Reunion Food!Nothing is better than sitting around with good company and good food! But what do you feed all those people who are coming to your family reunion? Some people choose to have each family bring their own picnic lunch if they are hosting a family reunion that is just one afternoon. But for those who are planning a reunion that will last several days, you will want to have several meals that include everyone.If you are camping, one of the best ways to cook is using Dutch ovens. In fact, you could have a Dutch oven cook-off as one of your activities. This would be a fun way to sample various styles of Dutch oven cooking enjoy a little friendly competition within the family!You could also assign each family group cooking days, or to really mix it up draw names out of a hat and assign people to cook meals with relatives they may have not seen for a while. This is a great way to get to know each other better.With so many family members living hundreds and even thousands of miles apart, a family reunion is a great way to reconnect. With a little planning and delegation, your next reunion will be one to remember!
Things You Need To File a Successful Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy Advice and Bankruptcy InformationNo matter the skill and experience of a bankruptcy attorney, it is ultimately the client who determines how long and difficult the bankruptcy process is. There are several ways in which the client can assist his or her attorney in preparing their bankruptcy petition.Be Organized:A lot of the difficulty when filing a Chapter seven bankruptcy occurs in putting together all the documentation. Your bankruptcy attorney will need copies of the most recent two years tax returns (federal and state), copies of titles to any vehicles you own, and copies of deeds for any real estate you own or have transferred recently. Your attorney will also need copies of the most recent six months worth of bank statements (for any bank accounts you have) and the most recent six months of pay stubs (if you are employed). If you are receiving domestic support (alimony or child support), your attorney will need to see a copy of your divorce decree or other court document establishing what you are to be paid. Depending on the specifics of your case, he may ask for other documents as well. Its not simple, but the more you are prepared with the correct documents, the easier the bankruptcy case filing will be for you and your bankruptcy lawyer.Be Aware:Your Bankruptcy Lawyer will probably require that a three station report of your credit and they will have the software to do it for you.. While this option may cost a small fee, it is highly recommended. Most attorneys use services that provide a comprehensive review of all three credit bureaus, including full account numbers, amounts owed, and contact information for creditors. This information will be automatically uploaded Clients do have the option of compiling this information themselves, but it can be difficult and time consuming. While the free annual credit report will contain most of the information gathered by your attorney’s service, most, if not all, of the “free credit report” companies advertised on TV and the internet are insufficient. That is because they do not provide full account numbers, which are necessary for the bankruptcy petition.Remember, what ever direction you go, understand that many creditors do not send your credit information to the major credit reporting bureaus’. Who ever you owe money to regardless of their relation to you or if they have tried to collect the debt from you, many of your creditors may not be contained in. By having an idea of who you owe money to and how much you owe them, these creditors can be easily added into your bankruptcy petition to ensure that you discharge all of your eligible debts.Be Honest:Your attorney is here to help you complete this process, but he is neither a miracle worker nor a mind reader. He or she is fully capable of helping you find solutions to your problems, but he cannot work on problems he or she does not know about. When your attorney asks you for information, it is critical to be open and honest. You may find some of the questions to be prying, or just find the bankruptcy process to be embarrassing, but you must not let that stop you from giving honest and complete answers to your attorney. Your bankruptcy is not an adversarial process, but it is monitored by the Federal Bankruptcy Judge and Federal Bankruptcy Trustee assigned to your case, along with the Trustees’ Office. In your bankruptcy petition you should provide complete and forthcoming answers to help dispel the look of dishonesty, example is not disclosing property, which may create inquires from the bankruptcy court or cause a problem in your case..Be Ready:The largest problem with filing your bankruptcy is not having payment. The bankruptcy rules require that your chapter seven bankruptcy must pay your attorney all that is due.. Be ready to pay your attorney up front or be ready to have a plan in place for how you will pay for your case.Be Educated:In advance of filing your chapter seven bankruptcy there is the requirement that you take a bankruptcy credit counseling class.. The credit counseling course is required under bankruptcy law, and the credit counseling certification is attached to your original bankruptcy filing. In addition, after you file, but before you are discharged, you must complete a Debtor Education Course, also mandated by law. If you don’t finish the first credit counseling course your bankruptcy cant be filed. If you don’t finish the second bankruptcy class your bankruptcy case may not be completed. Your attorney will be able to provide you with options on how to complete your required education courses.Be Responsive:Connected to all of the above, the best way to assist your attorney and smooth out the process is to be responsive. The quicker you answer your bankruptcy lawyers inquiries and provide him documents, the quicker the whole process is. This includes returning phone calls or emails and scheduling (and showing up on time) to appointments. Being responsive, along with the other tips presented here can be the difference between your bankruptcy filing taking a couple of days to prepare or a couple of months to prepare. You, the client, more than any other factor, determine how it will play out.
20 Reasons You Shouldn’t Use A Broker When You Sell Your Business
Nearly 80% of all business owners, even highly successful ones, admit that they don’t have a plan for exiting their businesses.Owners often fail to make succession plans because they have assumptions about the future which may or may not be true.For example, a business owner may believe that his business will naturally pass to his spouse or other family member. What happens, though, if that designated family member is unwilling or unable to take the reins?Another common assumption owners make that causes them to avoid succession planning is the idea that they will be able to run the business until they die. They don’t put a plan in place because they don’t like to think about the possibility of having to leave the business sooner than planned, perhaps due to ill health or family problems.What happens in the absence of proper exit planning is that am owner can find him or herself in the unanticipated position of having to sell quickly, perhaps for less money than they need in retirement.Frustrated, tired, stressed, and sometimes ill, business owners who need to sell make what they feel is a logical decision and turn the process over to their local business broker.Over the years, my partners and I have reviewed over 300 selling deals and have come to the conclusion that using a business broker might be the worst decision any seller can make.We began to question the entire sales process, wondering why most businesses in America never sell, and those that do sell often do so under extremely unfavorable terms for the sellers.Looking for common threads in those deals, we eventually came to the conclusion that a major culprit hindering the business selling process is the typical business broker.This came as a surprise as we initially assumed the logical fallacy that someone with the title “broker” is sctuslly experienced in facilitating deals.The vast majority of business brokers we have run across, however, have disproved this assumption time and again.Here are just a few of the reasons that I believe you should NOT engage the services of a business broker if you are trying to sell your successful business.
Most business brokers have never owned a business themselves.
They are often more motivated by commissions than they are by doing what’s right for both buyer and seller.
In most states, brokers are not required to have any training, licensing, or continuing education, unlike real estate or insurance brokers.
Many of them are super at selling their services, but poor at actually providing those services once you’ve paid.
They could care less if they get referrals, so they don’t care if clients complain about them to others.
A lot of times they are simply lazy and don’t do much of anything to help the seller.
Many brokers lack basic financial literacy, business intelligence, and organization that is essential to a successful outcome.
They don’t know how to plan and excute a successful sales strategy.
They try and cover their lack of knowledge and training with slick self-serving rhetoric that makes them look better than they really are.
Many brokers get into business because they’ve failed at other ventures.
They often have no clue of how to properly valuate a business, thus potentially cheating the seller out of thousands of dollars or causing the sale to drag on longer than necessary.
They don’t understand risk.
Often business brokers let sellers think a business is worth whatever the seller wants, however unrealistic that figure may be, just to get the listing. They then pass the buck to the potential buyer, who is made out to be the bad guy for showing the seller the business isn’t worth anywhere near that much.
Business brokers often ignore confidentiality agreements.
Many are willing to lie, as long as it serves their purposes.
Commission-hungry business brokers are obsessed with getting mass listings because they know that without a listing there is NO possibility of getting a commission.
Focusing on mass listings means they don’t have the time to push the listings they get, causing listings fall through the cracks.
Many business brokers don’t understand due diligence.
Most brokers will never tell a seller the truth about their success rates: 87% of listings NEVER sell at all, and of those that do, 3 out of 4 FAIL to meet the sellers initial goals. Sellers have less than a 4% chance of a successful exit.
Brokers have been known to lie about their personal track records. Many brokers are lucky to complete just 2 successful deals in a year, much less the 10-20 about which they will brag to you.
These are only a few of the reasons why I urge potential sellers of businesses to avoid using business brokers.Instead, it is much better to seek out the advice of a business acquisition specialist; someone who has experience in the process of buying and selling businesses, who thoroughly understands valuation, and who is not focused on getting as many listings as possible but rather on the needs of the seller and buyer.Having such a mentor can assist you in developing a viable business exit plan. This means that you will not be forced into making hasty decisions if you are forced by circumstances to sell.A good business acquisition expert does not work on commissions, and has the best interests of both buyer and seller in mind. He or she also has a tried and true process for selling and a verifiable record of success, along with references and client testimonials.My suggestion is that before you ever need to sell, you should contact a business acquisition expert first. Most selling specialists are more than wiling to give you a free telephone or in-person consultation.Prior to this meeting, be sure to write down all your questions, your goals for the sale, even your fears and apprehensions about the process. This will help you make the most of this initial consultation and get a gut feeling for how this particular business solutions provider operates.If your primary reason for meeting is to ask for business succession planning assistance, discuss fees and expectations and ask for some professional references.This will help you determine if this is the kind of person you want partnering with you on one of the most important changes you will ever experience in your life.If you’d like to learn more about the selling process and how to be successful with it, please download the free resources on the website listed below or email me at [email protected]
5 Empowering Tracks From Female Icons To Make You Feel Inspired
Sometimes we all need a little lift. Whether you’ve had a recent knock to your confidence, have been going through stress in your personal or professional life, or have always struggled with your self-esteem, music is an essential tool for lifting your spirits and making you feel better about yourself.
According to a study by Heriot-Watt University, the type of music you listen to not only influences your mood, but also your personality, with indie and rock/heavy metal fans reporting the lowest levels of self-esteem, while fans of jazz, blues, opera, classical, pop, rap and soul all reported high levels of self-confidence.
So if you’re having a ‘down day’, why not boost your spirits by listening to some powerful, uplifting tracks? Here are five perfect confidence boosters.
Britney Spears – Toxic
Britney’s own struggles with her mental health and conservatorship have made her an inspiration for many people across the world.
This classic song is timelessly sensual, and the heavy beats throughout make it impossible not to dance to. A welcome blast of nostalgia, this tune has filled dance floors across the globe with fans old and new.
The video features Britney as a female spy playing the sexy flight attendant, seducing her passenger before she makes her escape on a motorbike and breaks into a high-security facility guarded by a laser security system.
This track and video is a guaranteed way to feel invincible, and deserves a place on your playlist no matter your mood.
Kelis – Milkshake
A cheesy classic that is guaranteed to make you feel all warm and gooey inside, Kelis pumps up the heat in this 00’s RnB track. Underpinned by intricate drum beats and electric elements, Kelis’ self-confidence is infectious, and it’s hard not to find yourself smiling at the lyrics.
This track is a great way to get into a flirtatious mindset, making it a great choice before going on a date or heading out for the evening.
And if you’re staying in? It’s a great mood lift. But beware! You may find yourself craving a sweet treat.
Eve (ft. Gwen Stefani) – Let Me Blow Your Mind
This RnB classic will capture your attention with its assertive rhythm and powerful vocals from 00’s icons Eve and Gwen Stefani. Featuring a laid-back – yet self-assured – beat, and catchy guitar riff, this is a great track for driving, and its empowering feel is sure to help you feel motivated.
Got a job interview lined up, or thinking of asking for a raise? This anthemic number is a quick way to feel positive and more assertive.
The video features Eve and Gwen Stefani crashing an exclusive event on quad bikes, causing a stir among the privileged attendants, and shoving the performer off stage to perform their own music, before finally being arrested and taken to the station in a police van.
This ‘baddie’ track helps you to tap into the hidden ‘bold’ side of your personality, and lifts your mood while keeping you feeling calm and cool.
Fergie – MILF$
If you have kids, it can be difficult to feel sexy. When you’re running around cleaning the house, changing nappies, or up to your elbows in dishwater, you can easily forget your sensual side – leaving you feeling frumpy and lacking in confidence and motivation.
Thankfully, Fergie’s comeback track is a quick remedy to your low mood and lethargy.
Featuring attractive mothers dressed in curve-hugging latex and silky lingerie going about their daily life in a dreamy, colourful suburbia, this track is a quick way to transform your self-esteem and transport you to a world where you are not just a mother, but a goddess too.
Why not shake off the day and tap into your feminine energy with Fergie, your sexiest PJs, and a bottle of your favourite wine?
Marina And The Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker
Low confidence after a breakup? You’re not alone. Having your heart broken can leave you feeling depressed, undesirable, and unmotivated. So flip the tables on your ex and become a heartbreaker with Marina’s catchy club classic.
This empowering dance track will make you want to move your body and get in touch with your bad girl side, with its heavy beat and pounding rhythms.
Plus, if your libido has suffered as a result of your low mood, take a sneaky peek at the video – it will get your blood pumping with its steamy shower shots and smoking hot male models.