Can you do the Twist?

If you are like me, sometimes you "catch up" on the blog. Tonight, I did just that and Larry Winget's #7 principle was the best yet. I can't do all of the yoga moves just yet but I am learning to be more flexible. As Larry describes it, it's in the way you do your job and the way you are open to change. Sometimes what you see as a step back can be a good thing. It can open your eyes to new ways to do the same thing better. Find something that you do everyday and be open to a new way of doing things. It just might make you (and all of us) more money! Have a GREAT one! Yvonne

ANOTHER ONE...

We would like to say CONGRATULATIONS to Kayla Morgan she has been drinking the water that everybody else has. We now have a total of SEVEN! Just to inform you that Michelle Storey will be having a BABY BOY real SOON! We will keep you updated. YS, KW, BA, JT

It's FRIDAY!!

"Attitude is an important part of the foundation upon which we build a productive life. A good attitude produces good results, a fair attitude poor results, a poor attitude poor results. We each shape our own life, and the shape of it is determined largely by our attitude." - M. Russell Ballard I found this quote online last night and I believe what it states. Our attitudes play a big part in our lives, but it also plays a huge part with customer service in our offices. How we act toward our customers will make the decision whether or not they will do business with us. Have a wonderful FRIDAY!!! Janna

A Job Well Done ...

Many of you have already been to court this year with some of your return check customers and some of you are still waiting. We have a lady that had 4 customers scheduled to take to court last week. She was able to get 1 of the 4 customers to pay their return check out in full before their court date and another customer came and paid their check out after court was over. When that customer left from paying out his return check she immediately typed up a letter to send out to her 2 remaining customers stating they have 10 days to pay off their debt before we garnish their wages and mailed it out. Later in the week she had one more of the return check customers she had taken to court come into the office and pay off their check. As of Friday, January 18, she had 3 out of 4 return checks paid out!! Who is the employee ... Jessica Steele. Jessica is the office manager at the Iuka office. She works really hard on collections and is aggressive with growing her office. She is great with following through with tasks and staying on top of things. Jessica is extremely motivated and willing to help anyone out. We appreciate the hard work that everyone puts into their offices. Although every good move that employees make are not always pointed out, please know they do not go unnoticed. Great job Jessica! Keep up the good work! Janna

Snow, Sleet, Ice, Whatever...

This time of the year, it's a good idea to plan ahead. We don't always have ice storms or bad weather, but it's a good idea to be prepared. It's like life, it always works better with a plan. Your plan may not be a good one, but it's yours. Take a few moments each evening to plan your day for tomorrow. The morning is not as rushed and you might have a few moments to enjoy with your kids, spouse, significant other before you rush out the door. I also find that i'm in a much better mood starting my day with less confusion. Let me know how it works for you! Ya'll have a great day! Yvonne

Babies, Babies, Babies

This last year we have had babies everywhere. Some say it is in the water and some say it is in the air. We have a total of 6 ladies expecting. We have Michelle Storey, Brooke Ewing, Bellena Criddle, Stefanie Ashton, Amber Knight, and Demika Ross. Congratulations to Bellena, Stefanie, Amber, and Demika. Amber and Demika will be first time MOMMIES!

Due Dates:
Michelle = Feb. 15
Brooke = Apr. 21
Bellena = Jun. 27
Stefanie = Jul. 7
Amber = Aug. 23
Demika = Sept. 6

Congratulations to ALL!

Yvonne & Kim

Bad weather anyone??

My husband and I watch a show on television called "Twister Sisters". Two ladies go around and follow bad weather for the chance of seeing a tornado. They even have a business where you can pay and they will take you with them on the road chasing these storms. I bet a lot of you thought you were on an episode of this show yesterday. On that note you need to make sure you have a plan in place for bad weather. I know Vernon locks their doors and goes next door to the Dollar General because their building isn't very stable. I also spoke to the girls at Macon yesterday and they had a couple of plans in case the weather got bad as predicted. Just make sure you have something in mind and for no reason get in your car and try to go home. If the news tells you to take cover that is exactly what you need to do. I hope everyone has a safe and calm Friday!! Bridget

Changes in 2008

Each day we have to make changes and choices in our personal lives and at work. Some people, when confronted with a change they don’t understand or don’t want to make, will react to it as a problem. Accepting change means you understand 2 things: Why & What… I have a few tips that I think will help myself and everyone else as well. 1. Listen… Hear what is being presented to you completely before you ask any questions. 2. Stay Positive… Even if you think their idea will not work, keep a positive attitude about it. 3. Try it… Don’t just shut it out and refuse to try it because you think it will not work. I guarantee that someone has put a lot of work into their idea and we need to respect them. Just like the seasons change, our lives change. We have to be open to the changes that are coming and be willing to learn the lessons that may come with them. Janna

Good Housekeeping

Be sure to read the Housekeeping email that was sent to you. Some of you have been here a while and you may think that you already know this information, but I encourage you to go over it again. There may be something that changed or something you have forgotten that could be important in an audit. Hope you are having a great New Year! Yvonne

Baby Cooper

Please continue to pray for Michele and Cooper. Cooper has been hospitalized for RSV and pneumonia. I have not heard anything since Sunday. As soon as I hear form Michele I will update this blog. I just got a text from Michele this is what is says. Doc just left he said it will take about 4-6 weeks to get completely over this but he thinks we are alright enough to go home today. He will have a machine at home to monitor his breathing and oxygen. We will also have a nebulizer so I can give him treatments. He will be on 3 different meds. Please just remember to pray for them! Kim

Christmas Family

Thanks to everyone they gave money for the Christmas family. I was able to purchase the boys each a watch and a Playstation 2 console that came with 2 remotes and a game for them to share. My sister-n-law also purchased a playstation game, baseball, basketball, and a soccer ball that they were asking for. They took the things to the house and she said the kids went CRAZY! I just thought I would share this with you. Kim

WE WISH....

you a Merry Christmas! As we head into the holidays we want to take the time to wish you and your families a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! We appreciate each and everyone of you and the job you do for us. We will see some of you Wednesday! We hope Santa is good to you! Yvonne, Kim, Bridget, and Janna

Quarterly Prize!

The end of this quarter is really close. It is really exciting and kind of scary at the same time that a whole year has passed. However, we have to get ready to sign 2008 to everything because it is only 13 days away. Remember, now is the time to be writing down your New Year's resolutions! You begin them on January 1, 2008!

Yesterday, we had a our Area Manager's meeting and decided to annouce the Grand Prize for this quarter. If your office meets the goal set for you, then your name will go into a drawing for a $300 gift card to Wal-Mart! We truly appreciate your hard work. Good luck on meeting your goal!


Merry Christmas,

Janna

Cooper Update!

Michele texted me this morning and said that Cooper gained 2 ounces over night so he will be coming home today. Michele says that she sees nothing but doctor visits for the next week but that she sure will appreciate the comfort of her own bed. Please continue to keep Michele and the boys in your prayers.

Kim

How do you start your day??

Hello ladies! I wanted to share something with you that I read from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. This is one of the books you might have gotten from Luke in your Christmas bag. If you haven't read it I recommend that you do. It is full of interesting quotes. One of them I read I thought went with what Luke expects of us. I will share it with you.

"Never begin the day until it is finished on paper."

This goes back to your to do list. Not only does Luke think it is important but John Rohn does also. John is America's foremost business philosopher. A to do list keeps you on track and you want have to take time and think about what you have to do next. It really helps with time management. It always makes me feel like I have succeeded at something when I have my list completed. So, please continue to do your to do list and have them on your desk where they are visible to you. I have visited a lot of offices who have to do list but they are in a drawer or somewhere else. This is no benefit to you when they are not where you can see them. So, get those to do list out on your desk and take the advice of Jim Rohn, "Never begin the day until it is finished on paper."

I hope everyone has a great rest of the week!!

Bridget

A Good Time Was Had....

Saturday's Christmas Party was the best one yet. As I looked around, I didn't see one person without a smile on their face! I really enjoyed seeing each one of you! We spent alot of time and thought trying to ensure that the party had a little something for everyone! While it's still fresh in your mind, share your thoughts on the party with us! We want to know what your favorite parts are and any suggestions you might have for next year's event. If I didn't get to talk to you very long Saturday night, please know that I wish you and yours the very merriest of Christmas! Yvonne

Don't Forget To Remember...

Michele Jackson has been admitted to the hospital in Columbus. Her water broke but the baby is still very early. They are administering shots to develop his lungs and will take him in the morning. Remember her in your thoughts and prayers today. Michele will have a very special (and early) Christmas gift this year. Yvonne

SAVING

Below I have copied an article on tips for Financial Security but before you read it I would like to make sure that everyone is aware of the 2 ways that you can save for the future with our company. 1. Simple IRA – This is a program that has the same benefits as 401k. This is something that everyone should be taking advantage of. Luke will match up to 3%. You can put a % of your check or a $ amount. Luke is very generous in offering this to us; please make sure that you are taking advantage of it. If you would like more information on the Simple IRA please contact your Area Manager. 2. Savings Account – If you have a savings account you can have a % of your check or a $ amount be direct deposit into you savings account each pay period. (For example: I (Kim) have $30.00 each pay period direct deposit into my savings account. Yvonne has 5% of her pay check direct deposit each pay period.) If you are interested in doing this you need to contact Dana. Kim 5 Tips for Financial Security "No matter how much or how little you make, always save a little bit." This is a variation of "Pay yourself first". It's a reminder that whatever money comes into your life, you can (and should) be setting aside some of it. You cannot afford to overlook your company’s 401K contributions. It’s 3% extra money, in other words, it’s a raise! You’ll never miss that little amount but over time you’ll save quite a bit. "Know the difference between needs and wants." This is key to controlling your spending. When you can't distinguish between real needs and mere wants, you're constantly talking yourself into spending too much. Let’s illustrate it this way: "You need food. You want prime rib. That example is perfect for the want vs. need debate in my head!" "Think of the true cost." Anything you want to buy involves a number of costs. The price tag is just the start. Most of the time, the true cost of the item is too high for me." "Buy quality." Sally Herigstad knows what it's like living on a tight budget. Before she became a certified public accountant and author, she was a stay-at-home mom who at one point fended off calls from collection agencies (an experience she recounts in her book, "Help! I Can't Pay My Bills: Surviving a Financial Crisis." As Herigstad and her husband rebuilt their finances, though, she remembered her mother's advice to buy quality when it counts. "My mom can stretch a dollar farther than anyone I know, but that doesn't mean she doesn't buy nice things. Mom taught us to buy high-quality things at stores that stand behind what they sell. That way, if anything wore out or quit working before its time, she knew she could take it back -- and she often did. You actually save money by buying things of higher quality that last than by getting cheap stuff you have to throw away in no time." "If your outgo exceeds your income, your upkeep will be your downfall." Live within your means, or, more elaborately, "Be careful of adding new expenses to the ones you've already got." "So I'm always asking myself, am I putting out more than I'm taking in?". "If I am, I know I need to turn that around, because it is unsustainable."

6 Holiday Shopping Tips

Shop early. Don't forget that virtually everything that you buy online will have to be shipped to your door by carriers increasingly inundated by an annual year-end online shopping explosion. Goods will take longer to arrive, and busy sellers may also take longer to ship. Make shipping arrangements carefully. Be sure that you understand in advance the method of shipping that your seller uses. Demand a tracking number since packages can more easily go astray during the holiday shopping rush. Remember, too, that “signature required” packages can't be delivered when you're not at home—and many people are at home even less than usual during the holiday season—so it may pay to make arrangements with your seller for a delivery method for which no signature is required, or to make arrangements with a neighbor to accept any packages that may arrive while you are out (be sure in such cases to put a notice on your door for the delivery person indicating that the neighbor is willing to sign for your goods). Check item sizes in advance. Because it's more difficult for a variety of reasons to return or exchange items that you bought online, it's especially important to be sure about sizing or other personal criteria related to your “giftee” before you buy. Pay careful attention, too, to sellers' descriptions of sizing—phrases like “a very large medium” or “a slightly undersized large” can provide important clues that will help you to avoid mismatching the size of your purchase to the size of the recipient. Double-check exchange policies. Because the holiday season does present lots of opportunities for items to be not-quite-right or slightly-too-big (or small), it can be a very good idea to check and double-check the exchange policies listed. Comparison shop. Don't simply assume that a given item will be cheaper online. Of course, often it will be, but during the holiday season there will be no shortage of sales and advertisements in your local area for many of the same products that can be found online. If you can save money by buying locally, it may just be worth the effort to do so during a busy and unpredictable season like the holidays. Don't wait too long to buy. At the same time that you're comparison shopping, do also keep in mind that many of the most interesting and gift-worthy items online are one-of-a-kind or are at least comparatively uncommon, and that demand for such gift-worthy items is likely to be higher during the holiday season. Janna

The Worst!!

Worst Employees of 2007. This year’s most awful employees… Use bad judgment A former Chicago television reporter was videotaped with her two young children, wearing a swimsuit at the home of a man whose estranged wife has been missing since April 2007. The reporter said she was on her way to the pool with her kids when she received a call from the missing woman’s sister to come to the home to discuss the case with her. Jog in the nude A Catholic priest in Colorado went jogging one morning before sunrise – naked. The priest said that he didn’t think anyone would be around so early in the morning, and that he sweats profusely if he wears clothes while running because he’s heavyset, according to police reports. The priest was placed on administrative leave. (Source: TheDenverChannel.com) Disobey orders A bakery employee in Canada resisted an order to stay home from work while he was sick with salmonella poisoning. He was required to stay home until his tests came back negative, but he never submitted samples for testing and returned to work without permission. He was fined $1,000 and there’s no evidence customers became ill as a result of his negligence. (Source: CanWest News Service) Get Physical “Cola wars get physical as Pepsi worker attacks Coke employee” Two employees from the rival companies got into a tiff over shelf space in the aisle of a Wal-Mart in Indiana. The Pepsi worker allegedly assaulted the Coca-Cola employee, hitting him in the face, giving him a black eye and breaking his nose. Police say the two were also accused of trying to run each other over with pallets full of soda bottles. Make Bad Decisions “Wienermobile gets cop roasted” When a 27-foot-long, 11-foot-tall vehicle – known to most as the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile – was slowing traffic in a construction zone in Arizona, an officer ran its “YUMMY” license plate to make sure it was street legal. A bad computer entry erroneously showed the Wienermobile as having stolen plates, forcing the officer to pull it over. After further investigation, the officer learned that the entry should have read that license plate had been stolen – but only if found on any vehicle that isn’t a giant hot dog.