8 Ways to Save Money & Get Organized for Black Friday!

It's almost time for BLACK FRIDAY and if you intend to get out and fight the crowd then this blog is for you!!  

Black Friday is a great day for saving money but it can be difficult to know if you are getting the best deal and the day can turn into a financial disaster if you don't do your homework and set some guidelines for yourself.   Here are a few tips to help you get organized, save money and maintain some level of sanity during the chaos!

1. Set a budget.  Do not allow yourself to venture out on Black Friday without some guidelines of how much you will spend.  Balance your checkbook, transfer your holiday savings and know your limits!
2. Arrange trade lists with friends.  You cannot be in two places at once...but chances are that you have a friend that will be in one of the two stores that you need to shop.   Arrange a trade-off so that both of you can get the items you are looking for.
3. Get a babysitter.  Get a babysitter.  Get a babysitter.  Avoid the stress of getting your child in and out of the car, standing in lines and the chaos of Black Friday by having a friend or family member watch your child.  
4. Use social media for additional savings - many of your favorite stores will offer additional coupons just for following them via social media!
5. Read the fine print to know exactly when and where your best deals are located.
6. Black Friday Apps will help you find the deals you are looking for and allow you to shop while you stand in line!
7. Plan your Black Friday Shopping to help you get more done and reduce anxiety.  Determine which stores you need to hit first for the best deals.
8. Enjoy the day!  Although there are many great deals available, keep in mind there will be many more to come in the next few weeks.  Maintain the attitude of Gratitude that you celebrated on Thursday as you head out on Black Friday!

Good luck and happy holiday shopping!

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

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Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

4 Gift Ideas for Busy Business People during the Hectic Holiday Season

Black Friday is just around the corner and after that, the busy holiday season.  Just because others are fighting over the "next big thing" on the shelf, doesn't mean shopping has to be hectic OR expensive.

Instead of racking your brain at the last minute, trying to find that perfect gift to express your appreciation, just try these easy-to-get, inexpensive, but always appreciated gift ideas.

• Gift Cards Aren't Generic. Anyone who says a gift card is too impersonal has obviously never received one. It doesn't get any more personal than giving someone the opportunity to pick out a gift they will want and use. Gift cards are always well received, and nowadays, offer hundreds of options. Find them at your local grocery or big-box retailer.
• Chocolate Crazy. Diehard chocolate lovers swoon at the sight of a Godiva label and Godiva.com offers several gift selections for under $25.  It's not only a delicious product, but receiving chocolate in a little gold box is nearly as iconic as receiving jewelry in a little blue one!
• Tickets for Two. For movie fanatics who can't get enough, free tickets are an ideal gift. Combine this with idea number one above, and you've got the perfect "dinner and a movie" evening--and one very appreciative recipient.
• A Case for Baskets. Putting together a gift basket for someone allows you to tailor the gift precisely to the interests of the person who's receiving it--limitless themes and items will fit practically any budget.

Good luck and happy holiday shopping!

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Good News Comes to Those Who Wait

That was certainly true last week, when the delayed Jobs Report for October came in better than expected. Read on for details.

The Jobs Report for October revealed that employers added 204,000 new jobs, well above the 100,000 expected. In addition, the number of job creations for August and September was revised higher by 60,000. The Unemployment Rate ticked up to 7.3 percent from 7.2 percent and was in line with estimates. The Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), a measure of how many people are looking for work, fell to 62.8 from 63.2 and remains at 35-year lows. It's important to note that in a recovery, the LFPR should be moving higher, not lower. Overall this was a good report on the surface, but there are still hurdles to jump in the coming months.

In other key news, the first of three readings on third quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed that the U.S. economy expanded by 2.8 percent, up from the second quarter reading of 2.5 percent and well above expectations. The rise was due in part to a buildup in inventories, a pickup in trade, and increased spending by state and local governments.

However within the report, consumer spending--the main driver of the U.S. economy--fell to a paltry 1.5 percent, the slowest rate in three years. This is one reason the strong Jobs Report was significant: If consumers aren't confident about their jobs or are out of work or underemployed, spending will continue to be soft. That would not a good sign for the U.S. economy going forward.

What does this mean for home loan rates?  Is it a good time to buy a home at Lake of the Ozarks? The Fed's current Quantitative Easing program continues to help keep home loan rates attractive. Remember that the Fed has been purchasing $85 billion in Bonds and Treasuries each month to stimulate the economy and housing market. The Fed has said that its decision regarding when to taper these purchases will be dependent on economic data. If economic data in the coming weeks is strong, like the Jobs Report was, the Fed could discuss tapering its purchases in its December meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee. This could have a big impact on home loan rates heading into 2014.

The bottom line is that Lake of the Ozarks home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels and now remains a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

10 Ways to Ensure an Easy Process when Applying for a Home Mortgage Loan

Are you considering purchasing a Lake of the Ozarks Home?  If so, applying for your mortgage loan is one of the next steps to finding your dream home.  Applying for a mortgage loan is an ongoing process and there are a few things that will help you through the processs. 

Check out these "10 Commandments" and consider implementing them to ensure that your loan process will go smoothly!!

The Borrow's Ten Commandments

1. Thou shall postpone any career moves until after your closing.  If at all possible, try not to make a career move during the time between your mortgage application and the closing on the home you are purchasing. One of the factors mortgage companies consider is the length of the present employment; they are partial to stability.
2. Thou shalt not apply for new credit.  Why not? Because applying for new credit changes what is called “debt-to-income ratios” (the relationship of your income to your debt). This could impact your ability to qualify for your mortgage loan and may initiate a new round of paperwork. 
3. Thou shalt not incur new debt such as purchasing or leasing a new vehicle. This should go under the general heading of “no new debt.” As with any debt, this will change your “debt-to-income ratios” and may cause you not to qualify for your mortgage.
4. Thou shalt not charge up your credit card balances.
5. Thou shalt not make a very large deposit or withdrawal from your bank account.
6. Thou shalt not change your mind after locking a rate.
7. Thou shalt not co-sign for someone else’s loan.
8. Thou shalt not spend your down payment money.
9. Keep holy thy closing date and paperwork.  Please try to schedule vacations for AFTER your closing date. If you have started packing for a move, remember to keep out any bank statements,  tax returns, or other important paperwork. 
10. Thou shalt not file for divorce prior to closing.  I know this is a sensitive subject, but filing for divorce affects your marital status in a court of law and this change of status may sometimes complicate the process when paperwork is being finalized.

If you have questions about any of the “Borrower’s Ten Commandments,” please give me a call at 573-746-7211.

For resources and tips on financial services, please 
LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson
Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2140 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite 303B
Lake Ozark, MO 65049
Direct:  (573) 746-7211
Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141
Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com
NMLS #: 493712

How did the Government Shutdown Effect Home Loan Rates??

Better late than never. With the government shutdown over, the Jobs Report for September was finally released--and the markets and home loan rates reacted.

The Labor Department reported that 148,000 new jobs were created in September, below the 183,000 expected. For July and August, the numbers were revised higher by a total of 9,000 jobs. The Labor Force Participation Rate, a measure of how many people are looking for work, was unchanged at 63.2 percent after falling in August to a 35-year low.

The Unemployment Rate hit a 5-year low in September, falling to 7.2 percent. This was fueled to some degree by workers entering retirement and those Americans opting out of the workforce in a stagnant job market. And in the latest Weekly Initial Jobless Claims Report, claims fell by 12,000 in the latest week but still came in above expectations. The bottom line is that we are simply not seeing any meaningful improvement in the labor market.

What did this mean for home loan rates? Remember that weak economic news normally causes investors to move their money into safe investments like Bonds. This includes Mortgage Bonds, to which home loan rates are tied. We saw that dynamic in the markets last week, as Bonds rallied after the weak Jobs Report was released, helping home loan rates reach their lowest levels in four months.

Also still helping Bonds and home loan rates is the Fed's current Quantitative Easing program, in which the Fed has been purchasing $85 billion in Bonds and Treasuries each month to stimulate the economy and housing market. With key economic reports delayed due to the shutdown--and with the September Jobs data weaker than expected--there is not much chance the Fed will taper its purchases at its meeting this week. This should help keep home loan rates attractive through the remainder of 2013.

The bottom line is that home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels and now remains a great time to consider a home purchase or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

I would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712

Actions Speak Louder than Words...

That familiar phrase is especially true at the moment, as we wait for decisive action on both the government shutdown and the debt ceiling debate. Read on for details.

Economic reports continued to be delayed last week as both the Retail Sales Report and the wholesale inflation measuring Producer Price Index for September were not released due to the government shutdown. One report that was released was weekly Initial Jobless Claims, which jumped by 66,000 in the latest week to the highest level in six months. However, the Labor Department said that ongoing application processing problems in California and government shutdown related layoffs accounted for nearly two-thirds of the increase.

There was also some important housing news to note last week as research firm CoreLogic reported that foreclosure inventories in August dropped by 33 percent nationally compared to August 2012. This was the twenty-second consecutive month with a year-over-year decline. As of August 2013, the foreclosure inventory represented 2.4 percent of all homes with a mortgage, compared to 3.3 percent in August 2012.

The minutes from the Fed's September meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee were released, showing that all FOMC members except one want to see more evidence of sustainable economic progress before they trim their Bond purchases. Remember that the Fed has been purchasing $85 billion in Bonds and Treasuries each month to stimulate the economy and housing market. With key economic reports delayed due to the shutdown, there is not much chance the Fed will taper its purchases in the near future.

But the biggest news continues to be the ongoing debate regarding the debt ceiling. Reminder that the debt limit, currently at $16.7 trillion, is the total amount of money that the United States government is authorized to borrow to meet its existing legal obligations, including Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, interest on the national debt, tax refunds, and other payments. If an agreement is not reached by the October 17 deadline and the U.S. defaults on its debt, the results could be catastrophic for our economy. This is a key story that needs decisive action in the days ahead.

The bottom line is that home loan rates remain attractive compared to historical levels and now remains a great time to consider Purchasing a Lake of the Ozarks Home or refinance. Let me know if I can answer any questions at all for you or your clients.

3 Ways to Increase Your Productivity at Work

Many people think intellect is a matter settled at birth, and mistakenly believe there's no way to boost their brain brilliance. But scientific studies prove just the opposite. In fact, small lifestyle adjustments combined with a few mental gymnastics can not only increase intelligence, but also improve general brain health, helping prevent aging disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.

According to most neurologists, the key is staying mentally active, whatever your age. The following tips will help boost your mental acuity and increase your intelligence.

All You Have To Do Is Dream. An adequate amount of restful sleep is an important component of brain function (its effect on memory and learning is contested among scientists). Restful sleep provides energy as well as the ability to focus, both vital factors in achieving mental stimulation. Some studies have also shown the reverse to be true, that is, that more mental stimulation during the day gives you better sleep at night.

Jumpin' Jack Flash Memory. Exercise brings oxygen-rich blood to the brain and regulates blood-sugar levels. Exercises such as aerobics, dance, and martial arts all require memorization and are great for promoting mental stimulation. They also help to develop the rhythm and timing circuitry that runs across multiple regions of the brain.

Playing Those Mind Games Together. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku, board games and card games are all excellent for mental stimulation--now you can add video games to the list. Each type of game makes various demands on brain function such as recall, hand-eye coordination, attention, memory, logic, and pattern recognition. The key here is to keep upping the skill or level of challenge as you progress.

Don't forget to pass these helpful tips along to your clients and colleagues.

We would love the opportunity to help you manage your Lake of the Ozarks Mortgage Loan or refinance.  Give me a call at (573) 746-7211 or send me an email at mlasson@fsbfinancial.com with any questions you may have!!

For Lake area news, resources and tips on financial services, please 

LIKE my Facebook Page, Follow me on Twitter or Connect on LinkedIn

Michael Lasson

Sr. Residential Mortgage Lender

2265 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Suite B

PO Box 1449

Lake Ozark, MO 65049

Direct:  (573) 746-7211

Cell: (573) 216-7258

Fax:(573) 693-9141

Email:  mlasson@fsbfinancial.com

NMLS #: 493712