You are what you drive

Education level, tech smarts and wealth are just a few traits your ride can convey

Porsches smack of success. Hondas preach practicality. And, according to a recent report, Chevys proudly proclaim of their owners, "I don't use the Internet."

Your car implies more about your life than you might think. While 13% of Chevy owners don't use the Web, by contrast, less than 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher, compared with 35% of Chevy owners and 45% of Ford owners.

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The data was released in the spring as part of this year's New Vehicle Experience Study by San Diego-based market research outfit Strategic Vision.

"Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Honda spokesman Chris Naughton. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image."

Education level and computer savvy are just a couple of the things your car says about you. We collected demographic data on 10 prominent auto brands from the manufacturers themselves, as well as from neutral sources like Strategic Vision. It turns out, your wheels also give clues to your age, gender, income level and marital status--even your political leanings.

Mini Mindset

If you'd like to cultivate an image of sophistication, try buying a Mini Cooper. The line of Lilliputian hatchbacks appeals to urbane buyers with median incomes of around $125,000. But aside from wealth, Mini owners are a tough bunch to pin down, demographically speaking, since the car has broad appeal.

"It's a certain mindset," says Nathalie Bauers, spokeswoman for Mini USA. "People who relate to the brand, there's no age to that."

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Bauers says Mini owners fall into four categories: brand enthusiasts, who relish the car's British racing roots; design aficionados, who like the car's simple elegance; social butterflies, who want to be part of the Mini community; and gas misers, who crave the Mini's fuel efficiency.

Some of the latter group trade down from trucks and SUVs not because they feel financially crunched by high gas prices, but because they want to be conscientious and reduce their impact on the environment. These "right-sizers" like the Mini's eco-friendly image; all Mini models get at least 34 miles per gallon on the highway. Says Bauers: "Many of our customers are people who get a smaller car because it's the right thing to do."

Gray Area

While Minis appeal to several different types of people, owners of the classic English luxury vehicle Rolls-Royce can't be pigeonholed beyond the fact that they're rich.

"As you can imagine, our customers do not really take surveys," says Rolls-Royce spokeswoman Karen Vonder Meulen. "The one common thread that all our customers share is a passion for life and most truly love cars."

Indeed, well-known Rolls owners range from royal families to rappers. Recording artist T-Pain, who ranks No. 9 on Forbes' Hip-Hop Cash Kings list, owns North America's first Rolls-Royce Drophead. The fire-engine-red coupe boasts a 12-cylinder, 453-horsepower engine and a top speed of 150 miles per hour. Base price: $435,000.

Similarly, the Bentley trademark screams wealth--typically at least $5 million in investable assets, to be precise--but in a softer voice than some of its competitors.

"Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance-car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers."

Such restraint can be considered especially important in the current climate. With unemployment rates skyrocketing around the world, many auto enthusiasts would rather drive an understated gray Bentley than a flashy red Ferrari.

"The most opulent part of a Bentley is on the inside," says McCullough. "Rich people are very aware of how others see them at the moment, the choices they make. Now is not the right time to be seen to be spending money when you're laying people off at your factory."

A note to those wealthy employers: Think twice about splurging on even an understated new car. If you see scads of Hondas in your company parking lot, their savvy owners may be wise to your ways. If you only see Chevys, you might be able to get away with it.

In Depth: What Your Car Says About You

1. Bentley

The Bentley trademark screams wealth, but in a softer voice than some of its competitors. "Our cars aren't as brash as some other performance car manufacturers," says Stuart McCullough, a Bentley board member. "We tend to be understated, quintessentially English. That reflects the mood and style of our customers." A Bentley also reflects its owner's bank account: typically flush with at least $5 million in investable assets.

2. Buick

Known as one of Detroit's geriatric brands, Buick is trying to shake its reputation with splashy vehicles like the LaCrosse. Owners of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse are 13% younger as a group than owners of the 2009 version, according to Buick reps. But on the whole, the sedan's owners remain a stodgy bunch: two-thirds are older than 55. They're also reasonably affluent, with a median household income of $75,000.

3. Chevrolet

On top of all the challenges facing Detroit automakers, Chevy must find a way to deal with the fact that its owners have a reputation for being behind the times, to put it nicely. Strategic Vision's 2009 New Vehicle Experience Study found that 13% of Chevy owners have never used the Web. By contrast, only 3% of Honda owners remain in the technological Stone Age. While 70% of Honda owners boast a college degree or higher, only 35% of Chevy owners can say the same.

4. Ford

Like Chevy, Ford faces a few unfavorable demographic trends. Only 45% of Ford owners have a college degree and 12% don't use the Internet. To combat this image and appeal to a younger, more tech-savvy group, Ford has introduced features in its cars such as Ford Sync, which allows drivers to play music from an iPod on the auto's sound system using Bluetooth technology. Drivers can request songs by voice command; Sync will even read text messages aloud.

5. Honda

The antithesis of flashy, Honda owners are usually pragmatic and well educated; 70% boast a college degree or higher. "Honda buyers buy primarily for the trust and dependability they find in our vehicles," says Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesperson. "Typically, highly functional vehicles deliver less image because customers didn't purchase for image." Honda users also tend to be tech-savvy--only 3% of owners don't use the Internet, compared with 13% of Chevy owners.

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How companies are using your Social Media Data....You Need to Know

Companies are mining the social web to build dossiers on you. Information posted publicly on blogs, Facebook, Twitter, forums and other sites is fair game. It is yet another reminder that people need to be aware of what they are posting on social networking sites and to whom they're connected.

Jules Polonetsky, director and co-chair of the Future of Privacy Forum, said online users have no clue that a comment they made on a blog is being added to a database for some unknown use.

"I don't think users expect that," he said, and if consumers think idle chatter and casual conversation can be used against them by institutions, it's almost certain to create a backlash, according to Polonetsky. He said the Federal Trade Commission is right now re-examining the current privacy structure in the U.S.

But at the same time, he said consumers are always very comfortable with Amazon using data to recommend books they might like. "When users are in control of it, it's a win-win - if they feel empowered."

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How Data is Being Used

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Polonetsky said aggregators like Rapleaf Inc. will collate information about individuals and sell it to companies that want to learn about those customers and what they do online.

Personal finance reporter Erica Sandberg, who covered the issue of social media datamining in a story for CreditCards.com, said that if a data mining company turns your chatter and network into a behavioral pattern, and if they can prove it has some worth, then it's valuable to companies. Sandberg said this is just more information anyone can use to help them make a decision.

"I don't think there's anything scary about it," she said. "Why wouldn't they look at it? It's public." She said she is not aware of any specific examples of those who have been negatively impacted because of it.

Entities such as airlines, politicians, and even non-profits can use this data for finding new customers or targeting products to existing ones. Financial services companies such as banks and lenders are also using the same datamining services for marketing purposes and to make lending decisions. For instance, certain types of credit products, which fit your personality, could be marketed specifically to you.

"It's a helpful tool to identify the right customers, the best customers," Sandberg said.

She said the immediate fear is the misconception that it affects your credit report. She stressed that companies that do social media datamining do not have access to your credit report, and the act of collecting the publicly available data has no effect on your credit score.

However, she said, "it can affect the credit you're offered, and the credit you receive."

Social media contacts play a role in behavioral profiles as well. "I think what's most interesting is how those in your network have an impact," she said.

Do you know if your Facebook friends have good credit histories? Likely not, but if you associate with people who are a good credit risk, than you'll probably be a good credit risk, according to Sandberg. "The whole idea [is] like follows like," she said.

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Learning About Customers to Tailor Experience

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According to a counter on their website, Rapleaf Inc. has mined social data about more than 389 million customers. They do that by crawling the Internet just like Google or Bing does, said CEO Auren Hoffman, but that they only crawl sites such as forums, social networks, review sites, newsgroups, and blogs - where information is publicly available.

He said clients they work with include car companies, airlines, hotels, banks, retailers, non-profits and politicians. If they can learn more about their customer, then they can personalize an experience for that customer, according to Hoffman. He said consumers are already expecting this high level of service, and that it's all about the product, service, and experience that you would prefer.

"The power to personalize things is much greater," he said.

Rapleaf's blog links to a SmartMoney story about how banks and financial services firms limit their use of social media data to marketing departments, and not those "charged with making credit and lending decisions," according to the post.

Sandberg said it's up to businesses to use the information from datamining companies as they please. "This is public information. They can use it any way they want."

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Social Data Helps to Prevent Fraud

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Lending Club, a peer-to-peer lending service that matches borrowers with investors, has been using a variety of tools and software to help them gather social media information for six months, according to Rob Garcia, the company's senior director.

He said Lending Club uses social media data for marketing and operational purposes and stressed that Lending Club does not use any social media data for credit decisions and that it does not affect whether an applicant can get a loan. "We use this information to benefit our customers - to prevent fraud," he said.

For operational purposes, Lending Club makes sure the user's information checks out to try to protect his or her identity, according to Garcia. So they will compare application information from a credit file against information that's publicly available. He said that if there's a mismatch, it gives them more reason to go to more strict identification procedures.

"We have found a way to use this information in a positive way," he said.

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Credit Card Companies Turn to Social Media

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Consumers might soon be seeing more credit card offers in their mailboxes. In the last quarter of 2009, the number of credit card offers mailed were up 46% from the third quarter of 2009, according to a news release on the direct mail tracking service Synovate Mail Monitor.

Anuj Shahani, director of competitive tracking services for Synovate's Financial Services Group, told me that the number of credit card mailings is still down 40% from the fourth quarter of 2008. He said the CARD Act, which is a new federal law aimed at better disclosure and banning unfair rate hikes, and the economy were reasons for the decrease in mailings of credit card offers.

He said that because of the CARD Act, there are restrictions on spending for credit card companies. Credit card companies will have to come up with targeting models, and data companies can help them figure out those models, according to Shahani.

"Issuers will have to come up with smarter ways to target the right audience because it is so much more expensive to extend credit," he said. "I think one of them will be social media."

Credit card companies are already using social media to launch new products. Shahani pointed out that theCitiForward credit card launched in March 2009 on MySpace. He said that in December 2009, American Express launched its new Zync card on social media sites.

Shahani said the credit card issuer's goal is to find the right audience and go to the right people and that's where he expects social media would come in.

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Social Media Usage Tips

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Here are some tips from Erica Sandberg on the types of content to avoid posting on the social web and handling network connections.

1. Determine whether you want to go public or private with your social media profiles. If the profiles are set to be public, then be consistent with information you are posting. "The caution lies in what you say. Be truthful," she said. For example, don't post a status update joking that you're filing for bankruptcy when you're not. "It's the off-the-cuff remarks you're going to want to be aware of," she warned.

2. Eliminate people and sites from your social networks that you don't need. "Make sure people who are around you are reflective of you as a wonderful person," Sandberg said.

3. Pay attention to your friend, invite, and connection requests. "You don't want random associations," she said. Sandberg recommends first checking out that person's profile before accepting it. "I get flooded with friend requests of people I don't know," she said. "You have no idea who these people are. It's a risky thing to do."

What if opting out of being on social media is not an option? Sandberg said she's on there for business purposes and can't really go private. In that case, be careful what you write. "It underscores the importance of being honest and projecting yourself in a positive way," she said.

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Google's New Aardvark - Move aside Facebook

Afterlaunching Buzz last week, Google have continued on the social track by now acquiring social search service Aardvark.

The deal, rumoured to be worth around $50 million, could see Google use the social search engine as an answer to, well, Yahoo! Answers. Through IM, Twitter and e-mail, Aardvark lets you ask full-text questions and then takes your social connections and attempts to identify the best person within your network (or extended network - friends and family) who might be able to assist in giving that answer.

Here is how Wired explains the concept behind Aardvark:

Users who sign up give (Aard)Vark access to one of their social networks - Facebook, LinkedIn or the e-mails in their contact list. Users then say what things they are confident answering questions about (e.g. chess, cooking, country music). Vark then routes future questions - such as what's the best country band out of the south from the 1970s or where's a good sushi restaurant near Santa Monica - to the right person. A series of algorithms keeps tuning the targeting by watching if a user's answers are quick and useful, deciding whether their friends are also experts, and checking if a user is online or has been asked to answer too many questions recently.

The news was confirmed by Aardvark CEO (and ex-Googler) Max Ventilla who emailed TechCrunch with the following: "We can confirm that Google has signed a deal to acquire us but have no further comment."

So I'm afraid that's all the news we have so far folks, but if we hear anything more, we will be sure to let you know.

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International Listings from your computer at home

RISMEDIA, February 16, 2010-Marty Van Diest lists and sells homes in the Malanuga-Susitina Borough of Alaska through his Valley Market Real Estate office located in Wasilla, Alaska. It's an area bigger than North Carolina. He lives in Palmer and his office is in Sarah Palin's hometown of Wasilla. He's been a real estate agent for 19 years. Despite having his office in Wasilla, he can't see Russia from there, but he sees success on the Internet every day.

When you are in a place as unforgiving as Alaska in winter, organization and efficiency are essential


If you ever read Jack London's great stories earlier in your life, you know that Alaska in winter can be an unforgiving place. If you saw the movie Into the Wild, you also know it's no place for beginners at any time of year. If you had to earn your living in an area the size of North Carolina, you'd do whatever you could to make your job easier and your performance stronger. Marty started trying to make the Internet work for him about three years ago: "When I started my blog about 3 years ago, I started really trying to make something happen online. Nothing happened. Then I wanted an additional lead generating website so I tried another product last summer that didn't work out. Then I found you guys. As you can imagine, it costs a fortune to advertise across a geographic area as big as North Carolina. I ran my last ad in printed media last March and decided to go online completely, and I have been happy with my decision. My Internet presence covers everywhere and over 120 real inquiries have come into me from my Compass PROLeadS™ site in the past six months; real Alaskans asking me for what they want. I sold 45 houses last year and five so far this year (things are slow in Alaska in the winter). I get more than 60% of all my leads from Compass. Most people start their research for property on the Internet, and if you are easy to find, you will be with them from the start. Many of them take many months before they actually buy, so you are helping them from the beginning. Because I have my PROLeadS™ site, I don't have to advertise, don't have to worry if I am reaching my territory, and don't have to worry where my next sale is coming from.

It took a while for Van Diest to get lead follow-up right


"I received 45 leads while I was moose hunting in September and did not get a good chance to follow-up on those initial leads. I had just subscribed in August and figured it would take a while for things to kick in. I won't make that mistake again! I had a long learning curve on responding to the leads: it took me longer than it should have to understand that immediate response is required for Internet buyers. I realized that people who find me online want answers now. They expect immediate response and whenever possible, I give it to them. I have more success with the leads I get now because I call them right away. If possible, I call the lead within 1-2 minutes of receiving it. The lead is texted to my iPhone so I can just touch the telephone number to call them. If I am in a meeting and can't call, or if they only leave an e-mail message, I e-mail them as soon as possible: The sooner the better. The telephone calls are best because they establish a real personal touch and sometimes you can set up a face-to-face appointment. After I find more details about them, I set them up for a search for their particular real estate needs. I then follow-up with them after they start receiving emailed listings. The goal is always to set up a face-to-face appointment."

Whether you're in Alaska, Alabama, or anywhere else, the speed of your personal response to the prospect's inquiry is the single biggest factor in your success cultivating Internet leads (once you get real leads). The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently published a study showing that Internet leads degrade within an hour to less than half the value they had when received. For that reason, have your leads put through on SMS text to your cell phone, as well as emailed to you. It only takes a moment to begin building a great client relationship. You'll be amazed when prospects greet you warmly with "Wow! That was fast!" It gets the entire relationship off on the right foot, plus, studies show that 81% of the time, an Internet lead sticks with the first agent they contact if that agent responds to them immediately.

It's also about the quality of the leads


"I did try another company, but they didn't build me a dedicated branded website. I think they were one of those 'lead aggregators.' I don't know where their "leads" came from; they would just send me some every month. When I called the supposed 'leads,' they did not know how I got their name and in most cases, they were not interested in finding real estate. I could have generated better leads by cold calling out of the phone book. My PROLeadS™, on the other hand, are from real people who have visited my site and who want more information about something they saw there. These real leads include the person's name, phone number and/or e-mail address, and most of the time, a personal comment. The leads are from people who are really interested in talking to me. As long as I have people to talk about houses with, I will sell houses.

It's tough in Alaska, but it is tough in your neighborhood, too


There are 444 listings for Realtors in Wasilla, Alaska. How many are there in your town? You may not have to know a market as vast as Marty's, but yours is a handful, too. How much easier would your job be if you had 8 or 10 truly interested people who know who you are and what you sell write you each month and ask you for more information about something?

It's for that reason that Professionally Managed Lead Sites (PMLS) are making themselves a name in real estate: Unless you have millions of dollars to spend and countless days to learn by trial and error what works, you can't compete with them as a prospecting tool. Hundreds-if not thousands-of agents are moving to these sites, sites where experts do everything for you and generate leads exclusively for you from people who know who you are. The average agent just can't do that themselves, especially for the $235 a month such a site costs*. Agents have realized that their frustration at being unable to succeed online can be eradicated for a fraction of what their time and effort are worth, and the new technology of combining organic with paid search and all the success practices learned in online marketing is beyond their ability or desire to try to duplicate. You see, succeeding online is not a mystery to online marketing services companies anymore. It's utilizing a set of practices, whether you're in Wasilla or Washington, D.C.

Life is so much more fun with prospects to call on, no matter where you sell and list real estate.

*multiple options exist, this is offered for budget purposes.

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Find Foreclosures Across the Country

Foreclosures: What Are They?

Foreclosure occurs when a bank repossesses a property because the owner fails to pay the mortgage. Foreclosure is not a quick process, however. Usually, foreclosure occurs when the homeowner, or borrower, misses several payments. This is called a default and starts the foreclosure process. Banks and homeowners have several options when faced with foreclosure. The home can be sold in a pre-foreclosure sale or short sale, can go to auction, or can be taken over by the financial institution and become a bank owned property (REO).

How Do Foreclosure Sales Work?

Pre-Foreclosure Sales

In a pre-foreclosure sale, a property may be bought from the homeowner of the financial institution holding the mortgage prior to the start of the foreclosure process. Generally, the seller is relieved of financial liability and the buyer is able to obtain a house at or below market value.

Auction

Some banks may place a foreclosed property into an auction to try and regain the lost amount on the defaulted property. The price for an auctioned house may begin at the outstanding amount of the mortgage, and any buyer of an auctioned property will often have to take possession of the property in an "as is" state.

REO (Bank Owned Property)

If the auction fails to attract any bids, the property may be assumed by the bank and become an REO property. If this happens, the bank will list the REO property with a brokerage, like RealEstate.com, REALTORS®, and attempt to sell the bank owned property as a normal real estate transaction. However, the bank may be willing to simple recoup the loss on the foreclosed loan.

How Can Buyers Benefit?

Buyers can obviously benefit from buying foreclosures at deep discounts off market value. Buyers may also look at foreclosed properties as investment opportunities. Buying a foreclosed property often means the buyer must be able to pay with cash and it is important that the buyer understand the local laws surrounding foreclosures and REOs. To find out more about Foreclosures, Pre-Foreclosures - visit http://www.robertjrussell.com

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On the verge of foreclosure - just stay for another six months

WASHINGTON – Citigroup Inc. plans to let homeowners on the verge of foreclosure stay in their homes for six months — if they turn over the deed to their property.

Citi said Thursday it is launching the pilot program, dubbed "Foreclosure Alternatives," this week in Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio. Initially, about 1,000 homeowners are expected to participate. Citi may expand the program nationwide.

In a normal foreclosure, a lender assumes legal control of the property and evicts the homeowner. But Citi's program, like other "deed in lieu of foreclosure" efforts, allows the homeowner to avoid a completed foreclosure. While the owner must still leave the home after six months, the program results in a less severe hit to the borrower's credit score.

The policy is an attempt to deal with what lenders see as a growing phenomenon: borrowers who choose to default on their mortgages. Close to one in every three U.S. homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth, according to Moody'sEconomy.com.

Many housing analysts say these borrowers — particularly those who owe at least 20 percent more than their home's current value — are choosing to walk away because they see little chance that home prices will come back.

Also, many states have lengthened the time it takes to complete a foreclosure, making the process more time-consuming and expensive for the lending industry.

"Why should we all go through the foreclosure process and evict people?" said Sanjiv Das, Citi's top mortgage executive. Avoiding foreclosure, Das said, is "less painful for our borrowers as well as for us."

Borrowers in Citi's program will still need to pay their utility bills. But Citi will pay at least $1,000 in relocation costs and will consider helping out with other expenses. Citi also plans to provide relocation counseling.

The program is intended to help borrowers who don't qualify for a mortgage modification or a short sale — one in which the lender agrees to sell a home for less than the total mortgage amount.

Citi's policy is similar to one announced in November by Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage finance company. Fannie is allowing homeowners to hand back the deed to their properties, then rent them back at market rates.

For more information visit: robertjrussell.com

 

 

Citi to let distressed homeowners stay for 6 months

WASHINGTON – Citigroup Inc. plans to let homeowners on the verge of foreclosure stay in their homes for six months — if they turn over the deed to their property.

Citi said Thursday it is launching the pilot program, dubbed "Foreclosure Alternatives," this week in Texas, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey and Ohio. Initially, about 1,000 homeowners are expected to participate. Citi may expand the program nationwide.

In a normal foreclosure, a lender assumes legal control of the property and evicts the homeowner. But Citi's program, like other "deed in lieu of foreclosure" efforts, allows the homeowner to avoid a completed foreclosure. While the owner must still leave the home after six months, the program results in a less severe hit to the borrower's credit score.

The policy is an attempt to deal with what lenders see as a growing phenomenon: borrowers who choose to default on their mortgages. Close to one in every three U.S. homeowners owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth, according to Moody'sEconomy.com.

Many housing analysts say these borrowers — particularly those who owe at least 20 percent more than their home's current value — are choosing to walk away because they see little chance that home prices will come back.

Also, many states have lengthened the time it takes to complete a foreclosure, making the process more time-consuming and expensive for the lending industry.

"Why should we all go through the foreclosure process and evict people?" said Sanjiv Das, Citi's top mortgage executive. Avoiding foreclosure, Das said, is "less painful for our borrowers as well as for us."

Borrowers in Citi's program will still need to pay their utility bills. But Citi will pay at least $1,000 in relocation costs and will consider helping out with other expenses. Citi also plans to provide relocation counseling.

The program is intended to help borrowers who don't qualify for a mortgage modification or a short sale — one in which the lender agrees to sell a home for less than the total mortgage amount.

Citi's policy is similar to one announced in November by Fannie Mae, the government-controlled mortgage finance company. Fannie is allowing homeowners to hand back the deed to their properties, then rent them back at market rates.

For more information visit: robertjrussell.com

 

 

 

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5 Decorating Tips for a Cozy Décor After the Holidays

The holidays are over and you're slowly getting your house back to normal. But that doesn't mean you have to pack away the cozy, comfortable feeling all those holiday decorations add to your home.

With some simple decorations or re-arranged furniture, you can keep the cozy feeling for the rest of the winter season. Here are 5 simple tips that can help.

1. Coziness is in the details

Every family has traditions and memories that are unique, so celebrate those differences with subtle reminders around your house. Just remember not to go overboard. A little here, a little there can go a long way to creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. But too much will look cluttered and chaotic. Try decorating your home with some of the following:

Family photos. Groupings of family photos should be first on your list. Find shelf space or side tables that could use a personal touch, and then add a few family photos. The frames don't have to match, but they should coordinate…and they should have the same design as the mood you're trying to create. If it's coziness you seek, try adding rich wood frames and classic designs to your décor.

Heirlooms and antiques. You'd be surprised what an antique camera can add to a display of family photos. Or how an antique vase can set the tone for an entire room. These items are inexpensive to purchase at an antique store, but if you have a family heirloom with a story it's even better.

Personal or seasonal touches. Remember, your family and your community are unique and should be celebrated. So, for example, if your family took a unique vacation to a sandy beach last year, you can fill a decorative jar with the sand and surround it with a photo or two. Or, you can simply bring natural elements-such as pinecones or autumn leaves-inside and place them in a large bowl or dish with photos or candles.

Warm the senses. Don't forget to fill the air with a fresh fragrance that fits the mood you're creating. Often, those fresh scents are the first things that visitors notice. So consider lighting scented candles, purchasing plug-in air fresheners with seasonal scents, or just baking homemade cookies before company arrives.

2. Setting the scene

This time of year, you're probably re-arranging some of your rooms after taking down the Christmas tree or packing away holiday decorations and candles. Before you settle back into your old layout though, take a few minutes to think about how your furniture can add to the coziness of your house.

Start with the seating. For instance, can you place the sofa and a few armchairs so they're facing each other-making it natural and comfortable for people to sit and visit? If you have a fireplace, this is the perfect time of year to make that the focal point of the room (you can always arrange your seating around the television once the winter season is over). Area rugs and throw pillows can help tie the furniture together and create a cohesive, warm feeling.

Also look for cozy corners where you can place two chairs and a small game table for checkers or cards. For even smaller spaces, consider placing a single chair, a lamp, and a stack of books or magazines for an inviting retreat.

3. A soft, warm glow

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to set the mood in a room is to adjust your lighting. Remember, those bright overhead lights are often harsh on the eyes and don't help create the warm atmosphere you're seeking. Try adding a few floor lamps, small table lamps, and even wall sconces for softer, more indirect lighting. Also, use lower wattage bulbs in your lights for a more relaxed environment.

During the day, make sure you're taking full advantage of the natural light that enters your house. For example, don't place larger, dark-colored objects too close to your windows; even if they don't block the light, they'll make the window feel smaller and will overpower the natural light that's trying to enter.

Finally, don't forget that the best light source is sometimes a candle. You can set a single candle on a table or create a grouping on a mantle, in a fireplace, or on a wall sconce. You can even place them in front of a mirror to heighten the impact. But don't feel like you have to overdo it…even small votive candles can make a big difference.

Of course, if you have young children or are concerned about a fire hazard in a certain location, you can opt for the warm glow of a fake candle. There are a number of sizes and options available today. Most are inexpensive and look quite real.

4. The fabric of our lives

Adding color and texture to your living space is another way to establish a mood. For example, consider using tablecloths not only on your dining room table but also on end tables in the living room. Chair covers can also warm a room. Finally, don't overlook the power of simply draping warm-colored throw blankets over a chair or loveseat. Not only will this add to the coziness of your room, but it also makes the space feel more inviting to friends and family.

5. A reading retreat

Now that the craziness of the holidays is over, it's the perfect time to relax and catch up on your reading. To help make that goal a reality, remember to design a space that's conducive to it. This may be as simple as setting out a small stack of books you've been meaning to read. Or you can actually get creative with your space and establish a reading area. You don't need much space to do this - just a chair and a lamp. To help add to the coziness, look for a small table to hold your books. You can even tip a small antique crate on its side to use as a bookshelf…that way you have function and the right mood-setting style that fits with the rest of your cozy décor.

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Cup of Coffee Pork Roast

Recipe For January!

It's a cup of joe -- as in java -- that brings this poignant pork roast to life. To say it's brewing in goodness would be an understatement.

Main Ingredient

Pork

Cooking Method

Sautée Bake

Difficulty

Easy

Course/Dish

Meat

Makes

6-8 servings

1 Cup of Coffee Pork Roast

Created by The MDM Team, Sunday, 17 February 2008

It's a cup of joe -- as in java -- that brings this poignant pork roast to life. To say it's brewing in goodness would be an understatement.

Ingredients

3 lb. pork roast, trimmed of fat


1 tbsp. vegetable oil


1/4 cup soy sauce


1 cup coffee


2 bay leaves


1 clove garlic, minced


1/2 tsp. oregano


2 onions, sliced


Additional coffee and soy sauce as needed

Methods/steps

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.


2. Heat oil in large skillet over high heat, and then sear meat on both sides. In a large roasting pan, combine one onion and remaining ingredients. Transfer browned meat to roasting pan and top with second onion.


3. Cover and bake 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Baste every hour with juices. If liquid begins to boil away, add more coffee or soy sauce as needed. Use pan juices to make gravy. Use no salt.

Additional Tips

Ready in 4 hours

For more information about Food - Visit http://www.robertjrussell.com - you won't find any recipes on this site - but I think you might like it!

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How do you Motivate Yourself ?

A long time ago, my exercise routine consisted of walking daily. I felt that my body was ready to kick it up a notch. The gym was suggested to me. I wasn't crazy about it initially, but decided to give a try. I realized after a couple of visits that I actually liked it.




I knew that one of my initial challenges would be to commit going to the gym regularly. How would I go about doing this? I knew that I wanted to motivate myself … or perhaps coach myself. So I defined goals and incentives (e.g. rewards) for achieving those goals. For instance, one reward was that for each week I would go the gym, I would purchase songs from iTunes. Listening to the new songs on my iPod, while exercising, not only felt great, but also motivated me to continue my exercise commitment.




What are some ways that you motivate yourself? I would be interested to get your feedback, thanks.

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