A recent survey from Wachovia Bank shows we women must start to take control of our financial future NOW. The third annual fitness survey of 2008 along with Richard Day research and the U.S. census bureau show that only 30% of women track and manage retirement assets compared to 58% of men. 17% of women make investment decisions compared to 49% of men. Why? What are we afraid of?

I want to challenge everyone who is reading this blog to start today and get control of your financial life. I am not a financial guru. I am someone who has won and lost with investing but is still in total control of my finances and has a financial retirement plan. You’ve got to start somewhere. If it is just a little seed money, grow that seed corn because no one else will!

I am challenging you not to be dependent on your husband or partner or your children or anyone else! Please, listen to Lisa….if I can do, this so can you!!! Not sure where to start? Email me and I can suggest some publications or people to help you get started. Today, we celebrate Independence Day. But are we truly independent? Think about it!

Have a happy 4th!

I have recently started investigating the benefits of investing in foreign currency Certificates of Deposit (CDs). I had read that a CD in Australia was paying 7.7%. This sounded like a safe bet to me. You deposit money for a fixed period of time with the rate the bank sets for you. If you go through certain U.S. banks you can get FDIC insurance on the foreign CD you are buying.

This is fine if you realize that the money you are investing will need to be converted into the currency you are investing in—in this example Australian dollars. You do take a risk on exchange rates going against you if the dollar gains against the currency you invested in. Make sure you understand what you are getting into before you do it. Do that due diligence on every investment, even if you think that the investment is safe. Know what you are getting into and assess the risks and rewards associated with that investment. Better to be safe than broke!

Attention Investors! I will be presenting at the NoteWorthy Convention (October 2-5) in Las Vegas, Nevada! Wise Women has made special arrangements for you to attend this valuable convention at a reduced price -click here for registration form. Hope to see you there!

Whether you invest with your self-directed IRA or personal funds, tax lien certificates can make sense for slow and steady growth in your portfolio. Tax liens are booming in states where homeowners are missing mortgage payments.

What is a tax lien certificate?
Counties have a responsibility to provide police, fire, schools and other services to their citizens. These services are paid by property taxes from homeowners. When a homeowner does not pay their property tax, they become delinquent and a lien is put on their property. The delinquent lien is sold at auction in order to raise the funds needed to pay police, fire, etc. Some counties auction off delinquent taxes at face value through a lottery system while others do a bid for lien system.

My story:
In the 90s, I bought tax lien certificates in Wyoming where the interest rate the first year was 18% which was paid upon redemption of the tax certificate that the homeowner or lender paid off. With little competition and a lottery system of ping pong ball selection, buying these were easy. The most important thing I had to know was what I was buying! I did not want any hazardous waste or condemned property. Once, I paid a local resident in bagels from NY to provide me the research to determine if I wanted the property or not.

Then word got out and competition for these babies got fierce, especially with interest rates falling and house prices rising…the banks became competitors and bought their own liens for obvious reasons.

Now, with the real estate mess we are in, tax liens are on the rise. Chances are if a person did not make their mortgage payments they will probably not be paying their property taxes either.

Rules of the road if you are interest in buying tax liens:
1. Know the rules where you are buying. Whether the auction is live or online, how are these advertised, are they in a tax lien state or a tax deed state?

2. What is the redemption period (how long do you have hold the certificate) before you sue for the deed and get the property?

3. Understand that tax liens take precedence over mortgages. This is why lenders may come in and buy tax liens. The only thing senior to a tax lien is an IRS lien.

These make ideal investments in a self-directed IRA as you can invest few dollars for a nice return. For more on how to buy tax liens in your IRA visit www.theentrustgroup.com.

Whether you are a real estate investor or a homeowner, whether you own one property or one hundred, PLEASE read on and save yourself some money. According to the Tax Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, property taxes are rising at more than twice the rate of inflation in this decade. That was bad enough when home values were on the rise. Now, if you don’t take action on proposed higher property taxes, your cash flow may suffer even more.

This is the time of the year when properties are reassessed. Property Tax authorities or assessors offices will send property owners an update on the “assessed” value of their property which, in 9 out of 10 cases, will be higher than the past value. What should you do to protect yourself and fight?

Appeal the Proposed Increase!

1. Call the assessor’s office and find out how they arrived at this value. In some counties the tax value is based on a percentage of the property’s estimated value. Find out how this value was established—this is vital in markets where property values have dramatically declined.

2. Research property values in the neighborhood and verify the properties’ assessed values within one mile of your residence. Several years ago I appealed the proposed property tax for a rental property I owned. I won the appeal because I was able to prove 2 of the houses in the neighborhood with identical floor plans had lower assessed values. Since I was able to prove this, the county had to lower my assessed value. In my case, it made a $200 difference on my tax bill! So it was worth the effort.

3. Build your case and do it quickly. There will be a deadline on your proposed assessment to file an appeal. Do it immediately. There is no cost to do this and the worst that can happen is you lose and the property stays at the proposed value.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
‘If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning.’

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
‘You better pray that will come out of the carpet.’

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL .
‘If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week!’

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
‘ Because I said so, that’s why.’

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
‘If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.’

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
‘Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you’re in an accident.’

7. My mother taught me IRONY
‘Keep crying, a nd I’ll give you something to cry about.’

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
‘Shut your mouth and eat your supper.’

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
‘Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!’

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
‘You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.’

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER .
‘This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.’

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
‘If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!’

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
‘I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.’

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
‘Stop acting like your father!’

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
‘There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.’

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
‘Just wait until we get home.’

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
‘You are going to get it when you get home!’

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
‘If you do n’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way.’

19. My mother taught me ESP.
‘Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?’

20. My mother taught me HUMOR .
‘When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.’

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
‘If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.’

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
‘You’re just like your father.’

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS .
‘Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?’

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
‘When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.’

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE
‘One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you.’

Every worn out woman needs a place to think, to recharge those batteries and renew. Whether it is yoga, a day spa, or a soak in your bathtub, taking a “timeout” everyday does help your perspective. This is especially true when life seems like an endless treadmill of stress, distractions and long hours. We may have a lot of experiences but are we really enjoying our journey?

When your children throw temper tantrums, do you issue a time out? When they take the time out, do they come back quieter and calmer than they were before the tantrum? This is the same for us. Take a time out and get perspective, and balance in your life! You will be happier and more productive, and your kids, spouse, employer and clients will notice! Time outs are not just for kids!

Happy Mother’s Day. May you get the best gift of all…time.
Lisa

Everyone thinks an auction is about getting a deal. What they may forget is that with auctions you compete against savvy investors who know current property values and are monitoring the marketplace constantly. How could you compete against someone who day trades property?

Or, think about the problems with the banks foreclosing on property. They, the banks, are now upside down on their loans as property values have plummeted. So what is a wise woman investor to do? Go back to the basics of foreclosures! That’s right—the old days when investors got good deals without internet auctions, eBay and more.

There are 3 ways to buy foreclosed property:
1. Pre-foreclosure – this sale is directly from the homeowner who knows they are about to lose their property.

2. Foreclosure – at the court house steps. You buy the property there “as is”.

3. REO property – Foreclosed property that the banks took back and are now forced to sell.

With the percentage of mortgage loans entering foreclosure at an all time high, the third option might make the most sense. Why?

The number of foreclosed homes is expected to quadruple this year adding more than one million properties to the market in 2008, and again in 2009, according to Leahman Brothers.

The banks will be forced to take back property and resell it for deep discounts just to get it off their books. Plus, if you have good credit and are in need of a loan, the bank that owns the property may be willing to make you the loan just to get rid of it.

Foreclosure laws vary from state to state and sometimes county to county so it’s important to know how the process works in your local area.

Here are a few basic foreclosure dos and don’ts to keep in mind.

DO
Do your research. The courthouse is your friend. Foreclosures are public record. Look for multiple mortgages and tax or utility liens against the property.

Do realize if you buy at the foreclosure stage, you better have the cash. These are generally quick closings, all cash in 30 days or less.

Do consider waiting for the property to become an REO. This way you get into the property, conduct an inspection and know what you are getting into before you bid.

DON’T
Don’t expect to get a deal at auctions or even in a pre-foreclosure. People have a hard time coming down off of a price until they are forced to or, in some cases, never do.

Don’t harass homeowners in foreclosure. Do this the right way; send a letter, followed up by a phone call, followed up by a face to face visit. Remember to put yourself in their shoes.

Don’t think of foreclosures as an easy way to buy property cheap. This takes work. Doing the research to find a bargain takes time and effort. Dealing with the hardship factor of the homeowner losing their property can be difficult and negotiating with banks that have distressed property could be time consuming.

Potential buyers should consider working with a realtor experienced in the foreclosure market. Foreclosures can be a good opportunity for the investor looking to pick up additional property; just don’t be sold by the ads that make it look easy!

Earth Day is today, April 22nd but you can celebrate all year long by taking advantage of these three earth friendly ideas that will help you use resources wisely at home.

1. Do an energy audit. Zero in on your home’s problem areas and you may be able to cut utility costs and help the environment at the same time. Check out the U.S. Department Energy Audit at eere.energy.gov to help you get started.

2. Consider a solar water heater, especially if you plan on staying in your home for the long term.

3. Cut back on water usage. According to the American Water Works Association, 69.3 gallons of water are used daily per person in a single family home. Surely we could do something about this.

Let’s all do our part for the environment! Happy Earth Day. Lisa

I wanted to inject a humor on this April Fools Day! Enjoy….Lisa

You know times are bad when:

• Workers in your company starting coming into work an hour earlier each day.
• It’s not just the kids who are looking under the sofa for spare change.
• The January winter sales are still going on….in April!
• Your mother starts talking about the credit crunch and the economy.
• Your kids ask what repossession means.
• You’re buying supermarket brands of wine and beer.
• You embrace recycling so you don’t spend the money on new stuff.