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Great News!

Great news everyone! Lily's List was so impressed with this blog that they have invited me to be a Co-author on their Lily's List Blog page! How exciting is that! Glad to see someone who recognizes talent when they see it! LOL! I'm joking! So now I'm moving my blog to their blog at http://lilyslist.com/blog/. Please follow me there....There is ample room to comment there as well so I invite any opinions or comments! Thanks guys! See you over there! 

I can't promise to fix all your problems but i can promise you won't have to face them ALONE!

Let's talk about debt....and how to get out of it!

So I've talked about Dave Ramsey before and these are his 7 baby steps...if you want to learn a little more about him you can go to his website at www.daveramsey.com

My husband and I started Dave Ramsey's program about 3 years ago and in that time have paid off $20,000 in debt so far. If you follow his principles they WILL work...so here they are

Baby step #1: Save $1000 for an Emergency Fund only AFTER you get current on any past due bills. Dave says it's not a matter of 'if' but a matter of "when" something will go wrong. For my husband and I this is very true especially when it comes to our cars!

Baby step #2: Pay off all debt using the debt snowball. > So the basic principle here is start with the lowest amount and pay it off right away....don't get worried about interest rates. Then use the money that you would have used to pay toward that debt and use it to pay toward the next debt.

Baby step #3: Save 3-6 months expenses.....This is your ultimate safety net emergency fund for if someone is unable to work etc

Baby step#4: Invest 15% of income into Roth IRA's and pre-tax retirement

Baby step#5: College funding for children

Baby step #6: Pay off home early

Baby step # 7: Build wealth and GIVE!

Let me just give you some insight into my situation....I was actually doing really well with this program until I got laid off from my job. Luckily the demand for therapists is good down here in DFW and was able to find another job but it took a bit to catch back up! We are actually still working on paying off 6 more past due bills before we can start over with our emergency fund.....problem is, there will still be emergencies so you want to try to put a "buffer" in your budget! Like Dave says you have to TELL YOUR MONEY WHERE TO GO...instead of wondering where it went.

Like I've said before, no one said it would be easy....but at least you will have a plan and a sense of resolve to get started! A lot of churches offer Dave's Financial Peace University for a fraction of the cost to buy it online. You can also use the various tools on Daves website to start budgeting etc and get some great advice!

We all have to start somewhere and as my Lily's List advertising has been put on hold for a minute while I get my work/home life back in order I thought I should at least be putting some good vibes and good advise out there! I hope this helps and feel free to leave any comments or questions. I've been through the Financial Peace University and would be happy to go through the steps with anyone interested....Just let me know!

"If your actiongs inspire others to DREAM more, LEARN more, DO more, and BECOME more, you are a leader." John Quincy Adams

Vinyl is good in theory and other seemingly good ideas

When I ordered the door decals my husband said get a magnet.... But I didn't want some jerk to steal it just for fun... So I ordered vinyl... Well it stretches when you put it on and doesn't look as awesome as I saw it in my mind. The important part I suppose is that people can read it

This is the view from the other side that turned out slightly better but also not as well as I had hoped. I'm a little concerned about washing my car as well....it needs it but it was not the cheapest thing to put on my car so hoping I can wash it without these falling off. Also....need to remind myself to listen to my husband more often. 

In other news, I ordered some pens to give out when I go talk to Financial Aid officers so hopefully they are reminded or a student is reminded of Lily's List every time they pick it up. We will see if this pays off or not.

The pens are the same as the vinyl logos on the car.

Well you may be asking yourself....what else? Here is the thing, I've been pretty busy lately and have been hoping against hope that someone would respond to my business letters I sent out. So far I haven't heard a peep since the Dave Ramsey letter. I have also been attempting to spread the word via craigslist/backpage but have just received spam instead of any genuine replies. I also have been attempting to rally the troops at Lily's List itself with little to no enthusiasm. I guess I'm not sure why this idea is not catching on....I wonder if it's with the economy, people less willing to give, more people with a more acute need than I ? I'm not quite sure. I'm still doing my part however I just don't know what will come of it. I remain hopeful as always and will continue to fight the good fight! 

They never said this would be easy.....

What a disappointing week! I went to visit our favorite sports card store here in Dallas and she told me that they don't really need to advertise because they are a "niche" market and people just "Google" them.  That was a TOTAL bummer. I thought for sure I had an "in" with these guys.

Then I found in my mailbox a letter from Dave Ramsey and I was PUMPED! Surely the guy who talks about paying off debt so you can "Give Like No One Else" would want to give like no one else. .. well as you can see that didn't happen either. I can't say anything bad about Dave Ramsey though. I think he is doing the world a great service in his own right. He is helping a lot of people get out of debt! If you've never heard of him check him out!

 Hey at least he personalized it right?!?

So here's the thing that gets me.... In all my student/business partnership letters I explicitly explain that this is an ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITY. I'm NOT asking for a "hand out" but a "hand up."  Even the Cooper Institute for Aerobics that gave me a call a couple of weeks ago...they said "we aren't able to DONATE at this time. Where oh where in my letter am I begging people for a donation? I'm simply giving them the opportunity to advertise THEIR business and in the process help some people struggling to pay down their student loan debt. Another thing I have discovered is that a lot of bigger businesses only want to donate to a 501(c) tax exempt organization so they can "write off" the money on their taxes. I get that. I mean who doesn't want a tax exemption at the end of the year to pay less taxes.

Discussing all this with the president of Lily's List she encouraged me to go to "Mom and Pop Shops" around my area. So that's going to be the next plan of attack. No one said this was going to be easy. You can't just put up a profile page and ask for help.....you actually have to start DOING something to raise the funds yourself. No one is going to do it for you. Not only that but YOU have to convince them why they should advertise with you and Lily's List instead of somewhere else. My advice to you dear reader is to come prepared! Come dressed well and have something simple to give to the business in question and be ready to ask for the manager. If the manager isn't there, give them the S/B partnership letter to give to the manager. Attach your phone number and call back or visit back. Even better you can set up a meeting with the owner/manager to discuss with them.

Here's what people don't really know about me....when I want something....I go after it. People may say "no"  a million times but you know what!?! It only takes a couple of  people to say "yes" and before you know it...you've reached your goal! So my advice for this week is don't give up! There are going to be a lot of people saying no before they ever say yes. Did you know that Abraham Lincoln tried approx 50 times before becoming president? He was REALLY used to the word "no" but that didn't deter him. Neither should we let our disappointments define our goals and dreams! Like Joel Osteen says " I DECLARE I will see my biggest dreams come to pass!" Stay around people who are positive! It's too easy to get stuck in the negativity cycle! Do your best and eventually your hard work will pay off!

On a side note, I am still working on the side door panel decals....as soon as those are installed I will post a picture! There will be more to come soon! Hope you all have a good week! 

The decal has arrived!!!

The decal got done around 330 last night and we were able to put it on! We will see if we get any new members with the help of this baby! I will be ordering the ones for my door panels on Friday. I was able to talk to the sign sales rep who informed me of the best choice! Yay! I love to see progress! ....Please feel free to add your ideas if you would like! Have a great week! Will post again soon!

My husband applying the decal!!!

The finished product!
More decals to come soon for the back doors!

The hardest part is waiting....

"CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOU'LL CHANGE YOUR WORLD." Unknown

       I start with this quote because I have come across some "naysayers" and some people asking "why are you doing this?" I simply reply that I've been "LED" to do it. It's something God has put into my heart to do and something that I have become passionate about. When people wake up in the morning they want to have a purpose for their lives....As an Occupational Therapist I thought that helping people would be enough of a purpose, however it is my job! Yes I'm still passionate about it but it's something I get PAID to do. What about doing something for someone without asking..."What's in it for me?" What happened to helping your fellow man? What happened to loving your neighbor? I came across this quote today while I was at Barnes & Noble. It comes from Stormie Omartians book about changing your life through prayer. Many of you may recognize her name from her books such as "The power of a praying wife, husband, life etc. The quote struck me so strongly I had to write it down.

"Those who have a sense of purpose are better equipped to help others."

If you don't believe in God that's OK. You don't' have to believe in a deity to believe in helping other people. I think it's all a part of the human condition. So won't you help me help others by  spreading the word about this website that was started by four women (mothers) who were passionate about helping others? Not only does this help others but it helps our economy! If you go to www.lilyslist.com and read Beverly's blog she has posted some draw dropping statistics about student loan debt! As I have said before, some people need to take out loans to get their education. I understand that, but there is also the part of paying it back so that the people coming up next i.e. seniors in high school have that same opportunity to make this world a better place! Ok. That's all I will say on the matter...I'm stepping DOWN off my soapbox now and getting to the GOOD stuff!

What are you waiting for?

     In my last blog post I discussed what I'd be up to next. So here it is. Friday I ordered my car decal for the back window of my car! Excited doesn't even come close to my anticipation to pick it up tomorrow or Tuesday! I haven't gotten door decals yet because I want to actually ask the sign guy what would be best and get Lily's List the most exposure....is it the back passenger windows? Is it car panel decals? I don't' know and since they are in the business of marketing....they are the best people to ask....don't you agree? Hey come to think of it...they might even want to advertise on Lily's List? I guess we will see on Monday or Tuesday....:-)

So I'm waiting for that....in the meantime I have been busily sending out emails to colleges around DFW explaining what Lily's List is and how it can benefit their students. On some colleges I felt like I hit the gold because they had EVERY SINGLE financial aid counselors email address....it's the law of multiples....some people may get your message and dismiss it right away, however the person right next door may get the message and say..."yeah...that's cool....lets put out some information for these student!" Especially the graduate students who I guarantee already have student loan debt and are incurring more by getting a Masters, Doctorate, or other advanced degree. There were 'on the other hand' those colleges who like to keep those fun emails to themselves and just give a generalized 'admissions, financial aid' email and who knows how many people see that. That's why it pays to go to the school and actually talk to the financial aid people in person(s). I was able to get a majority of the colleges not only in DFW but also a couple in Houston and Austin areas. I'm still working on sending out those emails as well tonight and through out this week. Whats the worst that can happen? They just don't read it and delete it. Like I said...I'm relying on the law of multiples. (btw...that's MY law....not an actual law...that I know of....) You "correctinators" out there don't quote me and tell me that's not an actual law you've heard of...I'm aware of this! What' is a correctinator? It's someone who has to correct every wrong or inaccurate thing you say. My husband is the WORST correctinator I've met....I still love him however...what are you going to do?
Here is a copy of my email to college financial aid and admissions offices if you would like to join me if you live in another state! I don't want to get a harassment charge against me or anything!

Lily’s List: Student Loan Gift Network “Paying off student loans, one gift at a time.”

Hello,

I am sending you this letter to introduce you to a new website called Lily’s List at www.lilyslist.com  that can be used by students to pay down their student loans. This is a free service! How it works is that a student can use it as a gift registry for graduation, holidays, or any special occasion. They can also use this website as a way to fundraise to pay down their student loan debt. This website uses a unique donation plan that will benefit our nation’s students struggling with student loans and help our struggling economy right itself in this crucial time of unemployment. Lily’s List is a unique opportunity for students to use during or after college to free them of student loan debt.

Why help spread the word about Lily’s List?

·         The service is FREE and gives students all the tools they will need to get started!

·         Anyone with a student loan is eligible to sign up

·         It can be used as an important adjunct to “entrance/exit counseling”

·         Can be used as a gift registry or as a fundraising tool

·         Every member gets a profile page and financial thermometer

           It is an easy, secure way to receive gift donations directly into their student loan account

          It’s the only website of its kind…no other website offers what Lily’s list does.

          Has been given an A rating from the Better Business Bureau

Your help in getting the word out would be VERY much appreciated. I am attaching some pictures that you can post outside your office. I would love to come speak with you or students about this. I would also love to post flyers for students in general areas if I can get your permission to do that. I am a member of Lily’s List and am currently writing a blog about my efforts to spread the word about this service and attempt to fundraise through their Student/Business Partnership program. If you would like to read about my journey, please feel free to visit my blog at elliejnorris.blogspot.com

I may have also mentioned that I sent about 100-150 letters out recently. I got a particularly funny call to tell me they could not "donate" at this time....however I appreciate the call. Like my husband said "at least you know they read it and now they know about Lily's List!" God love him! He encourages me even in a negative situation. I've gotten a couple back also on just bad mailing addresses but there have only been about 6! That's not too bad I think. It's pretty common for that to happen. People are always moving around!  So here I am....waiting on people to sign up to Lily's List, waiting for positive or negative responses to my letters, and waiting for comments to a blog that I don't know if anyone reads! I was encouraged however by the movie Julie and Julia....she felt that way in the beginning as well. Granted she was writing about food and I'm writing about marketing/fundraising/being crazy....I see that draws a VERY different audience indeed but never the less....I'm not into the business of worrying about those things! 

On a VERY positive note I got an email from Lily's List stating that someone had signed up and wrote my name as a referral! How awesome is that!?!? Thank you to you if you are reading this! I sent you a friend referral on Lily's List....friend me back and lets talk girl! Hey also to my fellow Lily's List members please friend me! On Beverly's blog she has listed a couple of people who have been quite successful in their journey's with Lily's List to raise funds. It's on my 'To Do' list to attempt to talk to them! We need to talk to each other and help each other out! We cannot have all the wisdom in the world....we need to share it with our fellow man! That's why we get an education in the first place! To learn from people who have come before us and traveled the road! Won't you join me? Won't you pass along your wisdom? Please leave a comment on any of the subjects I'm discussing. Would love your feedback!

What's next?

I'm always asking this question....what's next....what's the next move, the next step? Well, after emailing these schools I'm hoping to actually go and speak with someone regarding Lily's List. I am also planning on going and posting more flyers at local colleges in my spare time. Today I felt like staying close to home and figured with temperatures still high it may behoove me to send out some emails that people will see first thing Monday morning. We will see if that decision pays off! If you have any suggestions on my next move please place a comment or feel free to email me! Also I'm trying to decide what to do with next paycheck tithe money which is 10% of my take home pay. This week was the car decal with $38.00 left over....I will be thinking of ideas through out the week! Hope all of you out there in cyberspace have an absolutely wonderful week! God Bless! I end this post with this awesome quote from Elizabeth Kubler Ros...now that's wisdom!

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen." Elizabeth Kubler Ros