Welcome to Chez Cliff!

It’s actually cool because I celebrate two "new years" every year. 

As 2005 draws to a close, I want to say that this has been the best year of my life.  During these past 12 months I have learned more about myself and the world around me.  I have met some great, if not interesting, people this year and that has greatly enriched my life.

For all of you who read this blog, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Have a great New Years and I will definitely see you in 2006.

Today has been a great day.

Just an FYI.

As you were.

This time last year, I was sitting with my mentor at a restaurant.  During this conversation, he recommended that I read this book called the Four Agreements.  It is based on a South American religious belief that there are four basic principles that we should all live by.  The Four Agreements being (1) Be impeccable with your word (2) Don’t take anything personally (3) Don’t make assumptions (4) Always do your best.

Since I didn’t believe in New Years Resolutions (and I still don’t) I elected to make a conscious effort to live by these principles.

Well, I have to give myself a "B".  Three of the four principles are working very well for me.  The principle of "Don’t take anything personally" is where I fell short.  I realized that I am a passionate person and this rule can’t apply to me.  I take everything personally, whether it is good or bad.  And I make it a part of my life.  After all, I had three very personal events transpire in March that motivated me to move on the houses.

I wish I could add to these principles "Do what you love".  As I finish my latest autobiography, I realize that these people that I read about with such interest are doing that which they love the most.  In these books, you’ll never find someone who absolutely hated what they were doing and yet had a great life, untold riches, or affected the way the world thinks.  I’ve never heard Steven Spielberg say "I absolutely hate making films!  I wish I had never started!"

My wish for the New Years is that people start doing what it is that they love.

Random thought:  The coffee shop smells like dogfood.  That can’t be good.

Here is my first installment for my lecture on "Your Credit and You".  Maybe I’ll get that trademarked.

An innocent question that a mortgage broker will ask you, "Can I run your credit?"

Your response "When donkey’s fly!!"

Repeat after me.

"When donkey’s fly!!"

Never, ever let anyone run your credit.  Never, ever, ever!

Every single time that someone runs your credit, your credit score drops between 5 and 10 points.

A girl I know, her and her young husband were utterly confused when they discovered that his "perfect credit" dropped by over 100 points.  They thought it was because they had just purchased a Townhome.  I told them that I had purchased a real home, way more expensive than their Townhome, and my credit score didn’t drop.  Come to find out, they decided to shop around for the "best deal" and every mortgage broker asked the same question.

"Can I run your credit?"

True story:  I am standing in Macy’s department store.  I had to purchase a new pair of pants and a tie for an upcoming interview.  When I approached the counter, the lady asked me if I’d like to apply for a Macy’s card.  It would save me an additional "10% off" the already "on sale" items I had just selected.  I did the quick math and I figured that I would save another $10.  Why not?

"Can I run your credit?"

"Sure!"

Idiot.

My loan officer looked up at me through a stack of papers which was my credit report.  "Cliff, why oh why did you turn on that Macy’s account?"

"It’s only for $500!"

Turns out, my credit score was too low for the great loan deal.  I was 6 points away.  And because of that, I had to accept half a point higher (0.5%) on my loan because of it.  What does that translate to a month?

$400

Yep.  Half a percentage point on my mortgage translates to $400.

Congradulations knucklehead!  You saved yourself a whopping $10 so you could spend $400/month down the road!

Give yourself a well deserved kick in the pants!!

The next time someone asks you "Can I run your credit?"  What do you say?

"When donkeys fly!!"