The Lord forgives and restores us to fellowship, and in fellowship we can praise Him:
Praise the Lord!
I will praise the Lord with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. . . .
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever. . . .
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever (Psalm 111:1, 3, 10).

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Recognizing Our Own Greatness
We cannot recognize greatness in others unless we too posses that same quality in ourselves.

A person who is said to possess greatness stands apart from others in some way, usually by the size or originality of their vision and their ability to manifest that vision. And yet those who recognize that greatness, whether they display it themselves or not, also have greatness within them; otherwise, they could not see it in another. In many ways, the achievements of one person always belong to many people for we accomplish nothing alone in this world. People who display greatness rely upon others who are able to see as they do, to listen, encourage, and support. Without those people who recognize greatness and move in to support it, even the greatest ideas, works of art, and political movements would remain unborn.

We are all moved by greatness when we see it, and although the experience is to some degree subjective, we know the feeling of it. When we encounter it, it is as if something in us stirs, awakens, and comes forth to meet what was inside us all along. When we respond to someone else’s greatness, we feed our own. We may feel called to dedicate ourselves to their vision, or we may be inspired to follow a path we forge ourselves. Either way, we cannot lose when we recognize that the greatness we see in others belongs also to us. Our recognition of this is a call to action that, if heeded, will inspire others to see in us the greatness they also possess. This creates a chain reaction of greatness unfolding itself endlessly into the future.

Ultimately, greatness is simply the best of what humanity has to offer. Greatness does what has not been done before and inspires the same courage that it requires. When we see it in others, we know it, and when we trust its presence in ourselves, we embody it.

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Thousands of Americans are receiving income tax refunds from the U.S. government, with the IRS reporting an average refund of $2,940 this year. In the current economy, consumers can make strategic choices to make sure that refund pays off for them.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, am often asked about financial matters, including advice on smart ways to manage income tax returns. According to Freedom Tax Relief (www.freedomtaxrelief.com), many tax refund recipients might be thinking of creative ways to spend that cash as the economy starts to recover. But before getting carried away, they suggest thinking more long term.

Freedom Tax Relief suggests the following as the top ways to wisely spend an income tax refund:

1. Pay down credit card and other high-interest debts (including payday loans). Few investments can top the rate of return for eliminating debt. Paying off credit card debt at typical interest rates effectively makes an investment that returns 20 percent or more per year. The only caveat: Be certain you change your mindset as well. If you pay off debts, only to charge up the credit cards or sign for a new car loan a few months later, you have ultimately gained nothing. If credit card debt is your problem, cut up or freeze your credit cards to ensure you do not re-create the same problem you have left behind. Use a debit card for future purchases that require a card.

Ready to pay down your debt? List and pay secured debts first (mortgage, car). Mortgage payments should take absolute priority. Then list unsecured debts (credit cards, loans) in order of highest interest rates. Make minimum payments on all but the highest-rate card. Use every cent of available income to make large payments on the card with the highest rate. When that card is paid off, apply the big payment plus the old minimum payment on the next-highest rate card until it is paid off. Continue until all debt is eliminated.

2. Create an emergency fund. The Great Recession has pointed out the importance of an emergency fund. Those who do not yet have enough readily accessible money set aside to cover several months’ worth of expenses should consider a tax refund a prime opportunity to create a fund that ultimately includes 6-9 months’ living expenses. These amounts are not necessarily equal to salary. Instead, they should include only what the household would spend if it were in dire straits. House these savings in a money market fund or rolling CDs so that the money earns interest and cannot easily be spent — but can be accessed in an emergency.

3. Make sure you have adequate insurance. Everyone should have health, auto, and home or renters insurance. If dependents rely on breadwinners’ income, look into life insurance. Consider an umbrella policy to protect from additional liability. And if the household could not survive without an income, purchase disability coverage. This is a huge savings step – one trip to the emergency room or one minor accident can easily end up costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket.

4. Fund the future. Contribute to retirement savings, whether an individual or Roth IRA, 401(k) or other plan.

5. Invest in the home. Homeowners might consider using refunds to cover major or minor maintenance to make sure no bigger (and more expensive) problems arise down the road. In addition, these capital improvements can create additional equity in a home.

No matter how big or small the amount, and despite the temptation to celebrate and splurge, make your choice on what to do with any refund carefully, experts say. Take time to make sure your money works for you and helps build wealth.

For more information, e-mail our team , and please forward this email on to anyone you believe will benefit.

Sincerely,

Anthony Crecco & Joanne Ricciardella
Crecco Real Estate
Office: 914-449-6547
Mobile: 914-469-1861
anthony@creccorealestate.com
http://www.CreccoRealEstate.com

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A desire to understand more about yourself can put you in a contemplative mood today. Whereas once you might have been satisfied to connect with your feelings, you may now wish to connect with the root of your feelings. Since you are likely feeling meditative and thoughtful, your initial impulse may be to try to take in the whole of your inner landscape at once. Consider, however, that you will likely learn more about yourself by addressing each new aspect of yourself in stages. You may find you can glean a more complete comprehension when you see how your past has shaped your present. Formerly incomprehensible parts of your personality can take on a new rationality today when viewed in light of your experiences.

The simplest method we can employ when attempting to discover our true complexity is focused reflection. It is only when we are willing to look beyond the surface characteristics that we exhibit each day that we can peel back the layers of our personalities to find the innate depth that exists within us. As we become explorers, immersing ourselves in the inner landscapes of our minds, we can begin to explore the uncharted areas of our psyches in order to discover who we truly are. The deeper we delve, the greater our understanding of the forces that shaped our development grows. We then need no longer guess at our intentions because we can clearly see the motives underlying our impulses. As you fearlessly and boldly contemplate your life today, you will discover parts of yourself you never knew existed.

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10 Tips to Rebuilding After a Bankruptcy

As a rule of thumb, bankruptcy is the least desirable option available to you when your finances have gotten out of control. However, if your financial situation has been going downhill for an extended period of time, your credit standing is probably so bad that filing for bankruptcy really won’t do much to make it worse, with one exception: A bankruptcy remains on your credit report for 10 long years. With this in mind, creditors will know that once you file bankruptcy, you cannot do so again for seven years.

As a member of the Top 5 in Real Estate Network®, I, along with my team, am well versed in some of the ways you—or someone you know—can start to rebuild your financial life after bankruptcy. Here are 10 tips from consumer credit experts ApprovalGuard.com:

1. Plan your credit recovery. Take it slow and easy, do it right and don’t exceed what you can afford.

2. Learn more about how credit works through the Internet, counseling services or a service. Do it right and know what you’re doing.

3. If your credit report contains inaccuracies about debt that was discharged through your bankruptcy, contact the creditor or the credit bureaus to request a correction.

4. If you didn’t have enough savings to survive a setback, get serious about savings for an emergency fund. In the current economy you need at least 12-16 months.

5. If your problem was overspending, create a written budget and stick to it.

6. If your problem was related to medical bills, seek out a solution for insurance.

7. To re-establish a strong credit profile, you need a good history of payments from credit cards and installment debt such as autos, student loans or a home loan.

8. The rebuilding process requires you to use credit responsibly. Use only a small portion (30% or less) of your available credit line and ensure you make a payment every month.

9. When you start to re-establish your credit, consider a “secure” credit card. Such cards are usually backed by your savings account or money you place in escrow to cover 100% of your credit line in case you don’t pay your payment.

10. You may be able to apply for a home loan in as little as two years after the discharge of your bankruptcy, however, expect to pay higher fees and interest rates.

When you are ready to rebuild, make sure you understand credit and how to use it responsibly. Feel free to e-mail our team for further information and please forward this e-mail to family and friends to keep them in the know as well.

Sincerely,

Anthony Crecco & Joanne Ricciardella
Crecco Real Estate
Office: 914-449-6547
Mobile: 914-469-1861
anthony@creccorealestate.com
http://www.CreccoRealEstate.com
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Sell Your Own Home and Save Thousands!!!

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