Rene Sotolongo
As a former mortgage banker and Securities dealer I bring unique insight and clarity into what is a complicated and confusing industry. Since leaving the industry in 2005 I have spent my time writing and educating others on a wide range of topics and subjects. I am also a featured provider on other article and free -lance writing sites.
From 2005 - 2009 I wa a Marketing Director and Internet Marketing Director for two seperate companies. One of which, I am proud to say I took to Number one on Google!
I also have over 18 years in the United States Navy and hold a degree in Homeland Security and anti-terrorism and have written a number of articles and books on the matter.
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From 2005 - 2009 I wa a Marketing Director and Internet Marketing Director for two seperate companies. One of which, I am proud to say I took to Number one on Google!
I also have over 18 years in the United States Navy and hold a degree in Homeland Security and anti-terrorism and have written a number of articles and books on the matter.
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Excelsior College; Criminal Justice; Homeland Security and Anti-TerrorismInterests
reading, chess, strategy, history, travel, financial markets, FOREX, foreign exchange, beating debt collectors, gambling.Favorites
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Displaying Results 1 - 72 (of 72) for All Content
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First Person: Moving from Military to Civilian EmploymentTransitioning from Military to Civilian employment is never easy. Here are the top five things that I learned when I transitioned.
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How Your 401(K) is Stealing Money from You!The terrible reality is that, more than likely, your 401(K) plan has been stealing money from you for years. The fact is that 401(k)’s do not work and here is just one reason why.
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How to Keep Your Small Business Afloat Through the RecessionDespite what the Government is telling you, I believe that the recession is NOT over. My “bottom line” proves it. If you are like me, you are fighting everyday just to keep your business doors open. Here is how I am doing it.
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Three Property Pitfalls that Are Often Overlooked when Buying a PropertyTime and time again, when I am out scouting properties I see these three common pitfalls over and over again. How important are they? Keep reading and decide for your self. -
Secrets You Need to Know About ETFs, ETNs and ETCsETFs, ETNs and ETCs are some of the newest forms of investments today. Do you know what they are? Here is a short article discussing these investment vehicles and little secrets the industry does not want you to know.
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First Person: I Will Never Buy a New Car AgainAre you thinking about buying a new car? Here is a short article about my personal experience buying a new car and the reasons why I will never buy a new car again.Also published on:
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First Person: How I Paid Off My Student Loansusing creative financing, knowing how to use interest rates to your advantage, and knowing the changes in federal law that directly affect student loans is critical if you want to pay off those student loans.
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What You Really Need to Know About Leveraged ETFsA short article on what leveraged ETFs are and what the perils of trading a leveraged fund can be.
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Recent Changes in Federal Student Loan Programs that You Need to Know!Recently changes were made to how the Federal Government administers various federal loan programs. These changes are profound and will have a huge impact on your finances. Here is what you need to know.
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The Real Cost of College in Todays Economy and is it Worth the PriceIt is a well known fact that the cost of attending college is sky rocketing at a rate that is well ahead of inflation and many question whether attending college is worth the final price tag.
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Afghanistan Is a Protracted, Difficult and Complex BeastHaving served in the United States Navy for over 18 years, I have a very deep and personal perspective on Afghanistan. -
First Person: Funding Needed Home RepairsPeople are finding that buying a new home is out of the question so they need to make home repairs or they want to buy a foreclosed property that needs repairs. Therefore, they need creative ways to find money to make home repairs. Here are a few.
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My Career in the NavyHaving spent over 18 years in the United States Navy, both on active duty and in the reserves, I can say that I do not regret my decision.
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First Person: Why I Am Giving Up on Home OwnershipAfter losing my house and over $70K in equity in a divorce, I am done with home ownership.
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First Person: Debt After DeathNobody wants to worry about financial matters when a loved one passes away. However, unscrupulous collectors have no problem reminding you of the money your loved one owes them or the fact you can be held liable. Do you know what to do?
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First Person: The Pros and Cons of 529 PlansNot all 529 plans are created equal especially when you consider that each state administers its own plan. Make sure you know the pros and cons of your 529 plan before you invest a single penny.
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First Person: What You Need to Know About Federal Asset ForfeitureOver the last 20+ years the amount of federal statutes concerning the seizure of personal property has doubled to over 400 federal statutes.Also published on:
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First Person: 3 Home Upgrades That SellSmall investments can go a long way in selling your home. Here are some investments that you can make that can help you sell your home more quickly.
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First Person: Natural Disaster Scam PreventionNatural disasters are always difficult and always seem to bring out the cheating contractors. Do not let yourself to be ripped off! Here is what you need to know.
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First Person; Best Kitchen UpgradesKitchen upgrades can be cheap and inexpensive and will go a long way in selling your home. If you are having problems selling your home try some of these improvements.
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First Person; The Best Home Improvements You Can MakeFrom the Investor who wants to flip a property to a homeowner that wants to improve a property instead of buying a new house home improvements have become particularly important in todays economy. Do you know what improvements actually add value?
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First Person; Why Gold is the Foundation of My PortfolioA short article on the principal reasons why I choose to make Gold and other precious metals the foundation of my investment portfolio.
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First Person; Where I Am Moving My MoneyI am a believer in cycles. Everything that has a beginning must have an end and with the end comes a rebirth and a new cycle begins. A new cycle is beginning and so I am making my move.
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Millionaires Disappearing from the United StatesSince 2007 over 800,000 Millionaires have disappeared from the United States. Here is a short article on why millionaires are disappearing and what it means for you and me.
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First Person: Student Loans Are the Next Market 'Bubble'There is over $1 trillion dollars worth of private and federally subsidized higher education student loans outstanding and that number is growing. But what happens to those loans in a sluggish economy and a high unemployment rate?
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What to Do in the Worst Stock Market Crash Since the Great DepressionThe fact is that the American Stock Market is in a Stock Market Crash scenario that has not been seen since the Great Depression. Without a plan you can loose everything. Here is a plan that can help.
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What is the FHA TOTAL Scorecard?The FHA 'Å"TOTAL' Scorecard is a new technology that was launched by the United States Department of Housing an Urban Development to evaluate the credit worthiness of FHA applicants.
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First Person: Never Use a Consumer Credit Counseling ServiceA former financial adviser and mortgage banker shares a short article on the realities of Consumer Credit Counseling Services.
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What is the New VantageScore System?Do you have any idea what your credit score is under this new scoring model? Are you sure you can even qualify now? Do you even know what "VantageScore" is or whether or not your financial institution is using it?
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Dealing With My Declining Home ValueThe real estate market continues head long into a tail spin with no end in sight. Home values continue to decline. Here is a short article on how I am dealing with the fallout.
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The Top 10 Lessons You Need to Instill in Your Children in Order to Help Ensure Their Financial SuccessFinancial success is a learned trait and these traits need to be taught because we are not born with them; here are the top 10 traits your children must have!
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The Little Known Investment Secrets of the Super WealthyA short article revealing one of the most closely guarded secrets of the super wealthy and how you can capitalize on it.
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First Person: Why and How I Chose to Invest in ChinaA brief article on the leading reasons I chose to invest in China and a short description on some of the best ways to invest in China.
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What All Young Adults, and Quite Frankly All Adults, Need to Know About MoneyWhy instant gratification is, in my opinion, the leading cause of debt in our society today and how you can teach your children not to make that mistake.
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How Can I Teach My Child About Money?A short article on the best thing you can do to teach your child about money and basic money management principals.
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First Person; Why I Chose to Buy Foreign Real EstateWith the US Real Estate Market in a tail spin and with rapidly growing emerging markets overseas, I decided I needed to take a closer look at the possibility of investing overseas. I was surprised at what I found.
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First Person: Why I Chose an Online BankWhy you might want to consider switching to an online bank for your banking needs.
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Why I Have Given Up Looking for WorkA short article on the reasons why I have stopped looking for work what I have chosen to do instead and what you might want to consider doing yourself.
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Why I Hide Money from My SpouseA brief article on why I finally decided to have a secret stash of money hidden from my spouse and how having this account was the best decision I made.
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Why I Hated Moving into a RentalA short article on why I had to move out of my home and move into a rental and why I absolutely regret that decision.
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Why I Will Never Lease a Car AgainA brief article on what happened to me when I leased a vehicle and why I will never do it again.
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How Much of an Emergency Fund Do You Have?How much of an emergency fund is really needed in today's economy? How I decided how much that was and where I keep it.
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The Pros and Cons of a Reverse MortgageA first person perspective on reverse mortgages from both sides of the table; one point of view from the perspective of the mortgage banker, the other from the side of the customer and what a person needs to know before they decide on a reverse mortgage.
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The Advantages of an Inverse ETFA short article describing what an inverse ETF is, the advantages they offer and how an inverse ETF can protect your retirement in the event of a declining market.
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Teaching My Daughter the Realities of Credit CardsHow I used an expired credit card and a little ingenuity to teach my daughter everything she needs to know about credit cards.
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How Can My Child Earn Money This Summer?A short article on a great way that both the parents and the children can make money and it does not have to be just for summer!
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A Hard Lesson Learned in My Youth About the Importance of Renters InsuranceA short article as to the purpose and need for renters insurance and how it could have saved me thousands of dollars.
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First Person: Flip Real Estate or Rent It?Why I feel flipping real estate is a better option as opposed to becoming a landlord and renting real estate.
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Have a House that You Just Can't Sell, Try Staging It!By tapping into the strongest senses with the strongest emotional triggers you can tap into your buyers emotions to help you sell that house.
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First Person: Is That House Really a Good Buy?A short article on some key ways to make sure you are not over paying for that house.
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How I Make an Extra $500 Per Month By Doing NothingNo, it is not a lie or a joke. However, it takes time to get to $500 or more per month and it takes money to make money. But, you can start earning money the very day you start!
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How to Get All the Money You Need to Invest in Real EstateIt is always a good time to invest in real estate. The problem is most of us don't have the cash to do it. So how can you get the cash? Keep reading to find out.
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How I Reduced My Fuel CostsA short article on a number of ideas that I chose to implement in order to reduce my fuel costs
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First Person: $500 in Budget Cuts in 30 DaysA short article, from a former financial advisor, on how you can cut your expenses and save money; these are real world suggestions and not the same old suggestions you hear all the time; no cutting coupons or any other silly suggestions, I promise.
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How to Buy a House as a Self Employed WorkerAs a former mortgage banker and self employed worker I know first hand the difficulty in obtaining a home loan. Here is what I learned over a 10 year career as a self employed worker and mortgage banker about getting a home loan.
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The Financial Impact of DivorceA brief synopsis of what I learned about the financial impacts of divorce.
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First Person: Protecting Your Assets Against a Falling DollarThe dollar is continuing to decline and the Federal Reserve has reported that it has no plans to change its current policy and that it will continue its policies under "QE2."
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First Person: 5 Unique Tax Tips for Freelancers and ContractorsWith tax time rapidly approaching it is imperative that freelancers and contract workers take advantage of any and all tax advantages. It is even more important that they don't make a blunder that can cost them a fortune in tax liability.
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First Person: Google Marketing Basics for Small BusinessesA short article which contains specific steps for how a small business can use various Google online marketing and advertising services to significantly increase their web presence.
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Should I Get an Annuity?A short list of five questions that you must ask before purchasing an annuity.
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First Person: Common Questions and Answers About Health Savings AccountsA list of the top questions that are normally asked by those individuals or families seeking information on Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
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Teaching Your Kids to Save Moneychildren and teenagers today just do not understand what it takes to earn money and even less, how to save money. Here is a short article on how to teach them these critical life skills.
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First Person: How to Reduce Costs and Increase ProductivityA short article on how a business owner can reduce costs and increase productivity.
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Buying Gold: Is it a Good Idea?A fact based article looking at basic economic indicators such as suppy and demand as to whether or not gold is a good investment or just another bubble waiting to burst.
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Top 5 LCD Televisions of 2010A brief review of the top 5 LCD TV's of 2010 based on online ratings and selling characteristics of the LCD TV's among top online retailers.
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What Does the Weakening US Dollar Really Mean to Us?A brief history and the current status of the weakening US dollar and its eeffect on the global economy.
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Top 3 Locations for a Bachelor Party in VancouverA short list of what some would consider the top three options for strip clubs in planning your bachelor party in Vancouver and the best time to have a bachelor party in Vancouver is in the spring.
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First Person: The Falling U.S. Dollar Hits Main StreetA short opinion piece on the declining US dollar and how it has affected me.
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The Top 5 Laptops of 2010, a Year in ReviewA top 5 list of laptops for 2010, in review, based on price, dispaly and funcitonality.
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Retirement Plan Not Working? Here's WhyA short description of the top mistakes I find in my clients' retirement plans, along with some real world solutions.
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A List of My Favorite Local Wine Bars in SeattleA small and concise article on what I consider to be the top three local wine bars in the Seattle area.
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Portland Local's Insider Ways of Avoiding the Traffic on I-5a short description on a few ways of avoiding the local traffic on the I-5 corridor in Portland, Oregon.