AaronBlaine

dr honk I think I will be shooting some geese with you this weekend up in Saratoga!

hahaaaaa thanks elmo

interesting!

its a shame we even have to worry about being robbed during a move however believe it or not it happens!

By Ann Wynter RISMEDIA, Thursday, September 18, 2014— Even when a move goes off without a hitch, it can still be one of life’s most stressful events. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard by a case of identity theft just as you’re settling into your new home. Unfortunately, moving can put a big target on your back for identity thieves. “Transporting documents and electronic devices that contain sensitive personal information, leaving a residence unoccupied and [losing] misdirected mail are all risks associated with moving,” says Stacey Vogler, managing director of insurance company Protect Your Bubble. If your stress levels are skyrocketing at the thought of having your identity stolen in the middle of your next move, take a deep breath and follow these five tips for protecting yourself against identity theft. 1. Choose a Reputable Moving Company. While a great moving company can make your relocation easier and more efficient, dishonest movers can quickly turn the process into a nightmare. Don’t forget that moving professionals often have direct access to your private possessions and information, so you always should do research to make sure a company is trustworthy. Before you hire a mover, read customer reviews online and view a company’s rating with the Better Business Bureau, recommends Robert Siciliano, identity theft expert with BestIDTheftCompanys.com. 2. Keep Sensitive Documents Safe. If you’re holding on to a large number of old bills and financial records, reduce your risk by getting rid of sensitive documents you don’t need. “Sort through stored paperwork to determine what should be moved to the new location and what can be discarded,” Vogler says. Just make sure you’ve got a shredding machine handy to prevent identity thieves from combing through your trash or recycling bins for valuable information. Organize all the sensitive documents you want to keep and separate them from the belongings your movers will be handling. Vogler recommends storing your most important records—including passports, birth certificates and Social Security cards—in a locked safe that stays with you during the move. 3. Safeguard Electronic Information. As more information is stored online and on electronic devices, it’s increasingly important to make sure no one gains access to your computers, tablets or smartphones while you’re in the midst of moving. If you’re discarding, donating or selling old electronics before your move, thoroughly wipe all data from those devices. Keep your other devices safe with password protection before the movers show up. 4. Direct Your Mail to the Right Place. Even if you shred or lock away all your existing sensitive information, you still need to consider the documents that are on their way to you. Financial records mailed to the wrong address easily can put you at risk for fraud, so be sure to set up a change of address with the U.S. Postal Service before you move, Vogler says. To further prevent these records from falling into the wrong hands, get in touch with your financial institutions and verify that they have your new address on file, says Eva Velasquez, president and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. 5. Consider a Credit Freeze. For even more peace of mind during your next move, Siciliano recommends investing in a credit freeze. The reason? When an identity thief steals your information and tries to open up new lines of credit, lenders typically run a credit check. “With a credit freeze, nobody can check your credit until you personally unlock the freeze,” Siciliano says. Without access to this information, lenders are much less likely to grant a thief a new line of credit under your name. To put this safeguard in place, you’ll need to contact each of the three credit reporting bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion), follow their credit freeze procedures and pay a small fee (usually $3 to $15) to each bureau. While you could opt for a fraud alert to protect your credit, Siciliano recommends a credit freeze because a fraud alert lasts for only three months. “A credit freeze is forever,” he says. Putting a freeze in place gives you one less thing to worry about during your next move—and all future moves. For more moving tips, visit the moving tips section of SpareFoot.com.

RISMEDIA, Thursday, September 18, 2014— First impressions are everything and your home is no exception. When your home is listed for sale, you'll want the initial look to create a positive impression that invites house hunters indoors to see what's inside. "You should be getting your home picture-ready as soon as you know for sure that you'll be selling it. The more time you have, the better," says Brett Furman, a real estate professional from St. Davids, Pennsylvania Furman stresses following these 12 tips to enhance your home's curb appeal: 1. Keep your lawn mowed and maintained. 2. Spruce up your existing landscape. Trim shrubs and bushes and clean up any dead leaves. 3. Add a splash of color by planting seasonally-appropriate flowers. 4. Keep your garage door closed. 5. Keep cars off the driveway 6. Make sure kids' bikes, skateboards and other toys are not blocking the front door. 7. Paint your front door and replace hardware. 8. Clean windows that can be seen from the front yard. 9. Make sure pets are in a secure place. 10. Place a nice, clean doormat at the front door. 11. Seep front porch and clean outdoor furniture. 12. Keep sidewalks clear. If it's winter, make sure ice and snow are removed. "Potential buyers will look at your home via pictures on the Internet first and then in person. The first few photos are usually outdoor shots. This is why keeping your home well-maintained from the outside is most important," says Furman. Sources: www.BrettFurman.com, www.homesellerhandbook.com

I agree

man that's a big bear!

Get em leakin!

By Carolyn Bigda RISMEDIA, Tuesday, September 16, 2014— (MCT)—It was a silly oversight. Back in high school, I had worked for my town’s library and accumulated a tiny retirement savings account. Years later, I was told I could transfer the funds to another retirement plan. If I did nothing, I’d get a check for the balance, minus taxes and a penalty. Can you guess which one happened? Cashing out of a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan is common, especially among young workers. According to a study by Boston-based Fidelity Investments, 41 percent of plan participants ages 20 to 39 cashed out a 401(k) when leaving their job from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30 last year, the highest of any age group. The trend is concerning because young workers, many of whom change jobs frequently, forfeit years of compound growth when they empty their retirement savings. Plus, in most cases, money that’s withdrawn from a retirement plan before you turn age 591/2 is subject to income taxes, as well as an early withdrawal penalty of 10 percent. “The last thing you should do is cash out,” says Meghan Murphy, director of thought leadership at Fidelity. So, what should you do? Roll it over. Most financial planners recommend rolling your 401(k) balance directly into another retirement account. In doing so, the cash stays out of your hands (and the temptation to spend), and you won’t owe taxes or fees. In many cases, you can roll the money into your new employer’s retirement plan. Not all companies accept a 401(k) rollover, so check with your human resources department. Andrew Sloan, a financial planner in Louisville, Ky., likes this option because many 401(k) plans give employees access to low-cost institutional funds. What’s more, your 401(k) funds, including future contributions, will be in one account, making it easier to track. Unfortunately, transferring money from one 401(k) to the next is not always easy. A report last year by the Government Accountability Office found that investors often face plenty of red tape, as well as waiting periods, to roll funds from one employer plan to the next. Plus, not all 401(k) plans offer a diverse set of funds or charge low fees, especially smaller employer plans. As an alternative, you can transfer your 401(k) balance directly into a rollover individual retirement account. Again, you won’t owe taxes and fees when you do a direct transfer. You may also have more investment choices within an IRA. “You have total control over your own money and can invest it however you wish,” says Debra Morrison, a financial planner in Lincoln Park, N.J. And you can choose “index mutual funds and keep the costs lower than a majority of corporate plans.” Morrison says that once you set up a rollover IRA, you can later decide to convert all or part of the balance into a Roth IRA. If you do so, you’ll owe income taxes on the money you convert. “That’s why I recommend waiting until November of the year to determine what your taxable income will be and, thus, what your tax bracket will be before making the conversion,” Morrison says. But once you’ve switched to a Roth, your money will grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals will be tax-free too. Leave the money be. Don’t want to bother with a rollover? If your balance exceeds $5,000, you have the option to leave your money in your former employer’s 401(k) plan, which may be a good idea if you like the investment choices in the account and fees are reasonable. If your balance is $5,000 or less, though, your employer may opt to transfer the money into an IRA for you or send you a check for the balance of your savings, minus 20 percent for federal income taxes, plus any state taxes. You’ll get a notice before it happens, so pay attention to communication from your former employer — unlike me. Carolyn Bigda writes Getting Started for the Chicago Tribune.

http://aaronblaine.coachrealtors.com/

From the experts at Pillar to Post Home Inspectors RISMEDIA, Tuesday, September 16, 2014— Selling your home? Don’t overlook some easy and relatively inexpensive fixes that can add real value to your home’s selling price. While major remodeling is costly and may not address the needs and tastes of prospective buyers, these repairs and maintenance suggestions have universal appeal and may help you sell more quickly – and for a better price. INTERIOR Bathrooms and the kitchen should be given a deep cleaning. Consider hiring a cleaning company that offers “move in / move out” cleaning services to do the job. If kitchen cabinet exteriors are in bad shape, refacing may be an option. Far less expensive than new cabinetry, refacing can give old and worn cabinets new life and can visually update a kitchen. Consider replacing kitchen or bathroom counters with a neutral colored laminate surface if the current material is badly worn or stained. This gives everything a fresh look and prevents potential buyers from focusing on an eyesore. Fresh paint on the walls and ceilings will do wonders for all rooms in the home. Stick with neutral colors so that buyers aren’t distracted by colors that make a statement. They’ll be able to imagine themselves and their furniture in the space much more easily. If carpet is covering hardwood floors, consider having it removed to expose the hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors are desirable, so they should be shown off. If carpet is staying, it goes without saying that should be thoroughly cleaned. EXTERIOR If the entire exterior needs painting, do it. Buyers notice if paint is faded and peeling. If the paint is in good shape overall, renew the doors and trim with a fresh coat. Clean the windows inside and out so they sparkle. It’s amazing what a difference this can make in a home’s appearance. Hiring a professional window cleaning company is the easiest and safest way to get the job done on a multi-story home. Clear clutter from the yard, keep the lawn mowed, and trim any overgrown shrubs that detract from the home’s appearance. Your home should look well maintained even at first glance. Plant some bright, colorful flowers along the entry path and doorway to add a welcoming touch. Save major remodeling projects—and the budget required—for your new home, not the one you’re about to sell. But implementing some of the steps above can increase the appeal to prospective buyers without a huge investment in time or money, getting you on your way to your new home sooner!

http://aaronblaine.coachrealtors.com/

In recent testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen confirmed what many aspiring homebuyers have known for several years. "It has now become the case that any borrower without a pretty pristine credit rating finds it awfully hard to get a mortgage," she says. Lenders aren't the only ones acting in a risk-averse manner. Well-intentioned but outdated federal policies are keeping America's housing sector from achieving a full recovery. In recent years, the Federal Housing Administration, which has been charged with supporting first-time homebuyers since the Great Depression, has raised its fees to levels that are pricing many creditworthy Americans out of the market. That's bad for the American dream and for the economy. What our economy needs now are fewer barriers to first-time homeownership — not more. First-time home purchases are now at historic lows. They have accounted for only 28 percent of existing home sales year-to-date, according to the National Association of Realtors. That's 6 percentage points below the five-year average and well below the long-term benchmark of 40 percent. This dearth of first-time purchasers has materially contributed to the lowest level of homeownership in nearly 20 years. A number of factors have contributed to the drop in first-time purchases. For one, the economic slowdown has been especially tough on 24- to 35-year-olds — an age group that traditionally comprises a significant share of first-time buyers. Many of today's recent college graduates are facing crushing levels of student debt. The post-crisis trend toward stricter underwriting standards has also made mortgages harder to come by. But perhaps the biggest and most surprising challenge faced by today's aspiring homeowners comes from the FHA, the very agency created to help them. Among other things, the agency provides mortgage insurance to first-time buyers. Borrowers support the agency's insurance fund through up-front charges and monthly premiums. If a buyer defaults, the FHA repays the lender with money from the fund. This affordable mortgage insurance has helped more than 34 million Americans purchase homes since the 1930s. But in recent years, the agency has been more of a barrier than facilitator for many of first-time buyers. The FHA raised its fees to cover a wave of defaults in the wake of the financial crisis. This was a necessary step. However, premiums are still at crisis levels years later. For many would-be homeowners, it's just too much. As recently as 2010, monthly premiums for an FHA-insured mortgage totaled .55 percent of the loan amount. Today, it's 1.35 percent, a 145 percent increase that translates into an additional $120 on a monthly mortgage payment for a $180,000 loan. The up-front fee that borrowers pay to the FHA has also risen dramatically, from 1 percent of the loan amount to 1.75 percent. These changes are pushing potential buyers at the margin out of the market. According to the National Association of Realtors, the FHA's higher mortgage premiums pushed 1.5 million renters over a sustainable debt-to-income level to qualify for a home loan in 2013. This year, the FHA is on track to help around 450,000 first-time homebuyers, according to the agency's most recent report to Congress. History suggests that this number is a full 33 percent lower than it should be. In the five-year period between 2009 and 2013, for instance, the FHA helped about 690,000 first-time homebuyers annually. A new approach to lending policy will be necessary if the U.S. economy is to benefit from a resurgence in first-time home purchases. To start, the FHA must adjust its policies to reflect today's realities — not the cash-strapped days of the financial crisis. Last year alone, the agency's mortgage insurance fund increased in value by $15 billion. The FHA can afford to reduce monthly premiums to pre-crisis levels. One revenue-neutral solution would shift a portion of today's monthly insurance fee into the up-front premium. By enabling borrowers to finance their mortgage insurance over the life of a loan, the FHA could improve affordability for consumers without eliminating revenue. Federal officials could also eliminate the requirement that buyers pay for mortgage insurance for the entire life of their loan and drop it when the borrower reaches 20 percent equity — just as it is done in the conforming market. Moreover, the time is right for the FHA to return to providing insurance on mortgages for condominiums, a significant part of the market for young buyers. Fifteen years ago, the FHA supported the purchase of nearly 100,000 condos. In the past 12 months, the agency has supported just 17,000 condo purchases. The FHA knows that first-time purchases are declining. In fact, the agency recently launched "Homeowners Armed with Knowledge," a pilot program for pre-purchase counseling that targets first-time buyers. While this is a good first step, it will take more than homeowner education to solve this problem. The housing sector is on the mend, but outdated government policy — along with a struggling economic recovery — is keeping the aspiring first-time buyer on the sidelines. The opportunity is in plain sight, and the time for action is now. Richard A. Smith is chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Realogy Holdings Corp. A member of the Business Roundtable, he serves on the housing commission of the Bipartisan Policy Center and the policy advisory board of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. Read this original post on www.AmericanBanker.com

SHOOT EM

best of luck with the surgery. Take the time to heal the deer will be here when you get back!

welcome aboard and good luck with the surgery

if you are hunting out east watch out for the hikers and mountain bikers! For some reason they don't seem to care about the hunting season even though they are not supposed to be there. Also make sure you cover your outer layer of clothing with a good layer of permethrin. We have a ton of nymph ticks out east and you can easily walk out with well over a dozen of these little baby tick bastards at a time. The permethrin helps. The deer out east last year weren't moving around much. We had an Indian summer and this year should def be better as its cooling off much quicker this year which I am happy to see. Watch out for other hunters even though its bow season there are a ton of guys wandering around out there after work. If you have any other questions feel free to pm me. Also make sure you print out your parking permits and leave em on your dashboard

whoooweee mannn I cant wait to get up there hahaa! Looks like so much fun! Counting down the days until the weekend!

welcome brotha!

you can always try spraying em down with some scent blocker lolol jk

back in the marines we used to put cigs broken in half in each nostril and it works pretty good especially menthols

gut shots smell horrible. For anyone who hasn't yet experienced the smell of a gut shot deer I can assure you that it is unbelievable how bad it smells. I spend more time at the range in order to prevent any future problems lol

www.vapedudes.com www.mountbakervapor.com

that's funny i was wondering if the fruity flavors would bring in a bear? they can smell up to 5 miles away and if it smells like fruit which the high end vape smells amazing maybe it would draw them in as a lure!?