The February Arbor Greene Newsletter Gazette

ARBOR GREENE GAZETTE FEBUARY 2013 PAGE 16

Phone: 813-991-9741 Fax: 813-973-1609

www.arborgreene.org

18000 Arbor Greene Drive Tampa, Florida 33647

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID TAMPA FL

PERMIT NO.1579

Overwatering In Winter Can Encourage Pests and Disease

The Southwest Florida Water Management District is reminding residents who irrigate their lawns to “Skip a Week” or more of watering during the cooler months of December, January and February. According to research by the University of Florida, grass doesn’t need to be watered as often during the cooler months. One-half to three-quarters of an inch of water every 10–14 days is sufficient. In fact, if your lawn has received any significant rainfall, then you can turn off your irrigation system and operate it manually as needed. “Overwatering can encourage pests and disease in your lawn,” said Robin Grantham, Florida-Friendly Landscaping project manager. “Too much irrigation can also make lawns less able to survive droughts.” Skipping a week of watering is as easy as “off” for residents with irrigation timers. “Turn the timer to ‘off’ for the week that you want to skip, and ‘on’ for the week that you want to water,” said Grantham. Watering only every other week at most during the winter will help conserve drinking water supplies that the public needs for critical uses during the dry season. In fact, if everyone skipped one week of irrigation this season, it could save an estimated 1.9 billion gallons of water.

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Community Center

February 2013 - Happy Valentine’s Day

IN THIS ISSUE

Community Activities 2,3 HOA & CDD Message 3 Prevent Bicycle Theft 5 Financial News 8

No Trespassing 12 Neighborhood Watch Message 13 Tennis News 14

Trash Talk 9

FEBRUARY 23rd is FAMILY FUN DAY AT ARBOR GREENE!

Join us on the Community Center grounds, from 10:00am-1:00pm for a morning of Carnival Games with prizes,

a Tattoo Station, Pony Rides, and a Bounce House for the little ones.

For our older kids we’ll have Laser Tag and a Video Game Arcade Truck

and much, much more! There will also be free cotton candy and a popcorn stand!!!

This is a free event. Guests are welcome.

Food & drinks will be available for purchase.

Event

Date

Day

Time

CDD Workshop

2/21

Thursday

6:30pm

CDD Meeting

2/25

Monday

7:30pm

HOA Design Review Board

2/26

Tuesday

6:00pm

HOA Meeting

2/26

Tuesday

7:00pm


Arbor Greene Hello New Residents!

The Arbor Greene website: www.arborgreene.org has useful information to help with your transition to our community. You will find information related to the CDD, HOA, including meeting dates and past meeting minutes. Additionally, there is community information, a calendar of events and an online newsletter.

Welcome to Arbor Greene!

The final approved CDD Meeting and CDD Workshop Minutes are published on the

Arbor Greene website at

www.arborgreene.org.

Community Boards and Staff

AG CDD Board of Supervisors

Adam Tanenbaum, Chairman (Term 11/08 GE to 1/16) Seat #3 Preserve Christine Nelson, Vice Chairman (Term 11/04 appt. 11/14) Seat #1 Estuary Michael S. Candella, Supervisor (Term 11/12 GE to 11/16) Seat #5 Preserve Steve Eckhardt, Supervisor (Term 11/12 GE to 11/16) Seat #4 Enclave Toby Thomson, Supervisor (Term 11/10 GE to 11/14) Seat #2 Avalon

Arbor Greene HOA Board of Directors

Sean Kiehl, President Parkview Betty Jackson, Vice President Heather Sound Mike Konicek, Treasurer Landing Sheryl Greenlee, Secretary Parkview Dhanni Sukhai, Director Enclave Greeneacre Properties, Inc. 600-1100, ext. 163 Mark [email protected]

Devonshire HOA Board of Directors

Stuart Marofsky, President

Julia Rogers, Vice-President Nick D’Andrea, Secretary Robert Hennig, Treasurer

Melody Peterson, Board Member at Large Wil Alvarez, Unique Property Services, 879-1139

[email protected]

Carriage Homes HOA Board of Directors

Bruce Metts, Board of Directors Graig Silverstein, Board of Directors

Bob Winter, Board of Directors Laurie Dykeman,Board of Directors

Lorraine Thomas, Community Manager, Rizzetta & Company, 813-933-5571

[email protected]

Arbor Greene CDD Staff

General Manager Bob Farrell 991-9226 [email protected] Club Manager Mike Candella 991-9741 [email protected] Maintenance Manager Gary Smith 991-9226 [email protected] Administrative Manager Claudia Mayo 991-9226 [email protected] Newsletter Editor Geri Burke 991-9226 [email protected]

Arbor Greene Landscape Maintenance

Feb 4 – 9: Rake and remove lake debris, mow ponds, treat turf and shrubs for any insects.

Feb 11 – 16: Apply herbicide for broad leaf weeds in turf, remove lower branches on sidewalk and streets for high vehicle clearance, eradicate ant hills.

Feb 18 – 23: Apply non selective herbicide in planter beds for weed control, cut and remove dead branches in roadside Wax Myrtles, fertilize seasonal color beds.

Feb 25 – 28: Apply pre-emergent herbicide on all turf areas, spot treat turf for any weedy grass intrusion, rake and remove leaf debris.

Complimentary Notary Services for Arbor Greene Residents

Contact Claudia Mayo or Geri Burke

Monday-Friday from 9-11:30 AM & 1-4 PM, In the Administration Office.

Please call 991-9226, before arriving.

Photo ID is required

ARBOR GREENE GAZETTE FEBRUARY 2013

PAGE 15

Book Club Diane Wheeler 994-9262Bunco Carol Traska 994-7312Girl Scouts https://www.gswcf.org/Infant Swim Lessons Emma Grymbal 748-6142Mahjong Julia Rogers 833-7314Meditation Class (Sun @10AM in Aerboics Room) Jeremy Williams 528-6285MOM's Club Anna Iwanski 973-8983Neighborhood Watch Hally & Paul BoucherNeighborhood Watch [email protected] Training (by appointment) Davida Constant 240-1375Social Activities Valerie Casey 317-8886Starka Boot Camp (Mon thru Sat 5:30AM and 8AM) Meg Clawson 333-2800Starka Personal Training (by appointment) Meg Clawson 333-2800Starka Pilates Classes (Mon & Wed 7:30PM) Meg Clawson 333-2800Swim Team and Lessons (lessons by appt.) Julia Lamb 240-9428Tennis Alan Williams 610-7301Triathlon Coaching Doug Kugley 995-4628Yoga (Monday @6PM) Ruben Vasquez 727-771-3612Zumba (M, W, F @9AM and T, Th @7:30PM) Maguie Blasini 732-7011

Day Open Close

Mon-Fri 6:30 AM 9:00 PM

Sat 9:00 AM 9:00 PM

Sun 9:00 AM 7:00 PM

Fitness Pool Hours November—March

Arbor Greene Activities & Program Coordinators

February 2013

The activities listed above are privately run and any questions pertaining to them should be directed to the individual activity directors. For the most up to date information, please see online calendar at: http://arborgreenereservations.com


Play Tennis Arbor Greene! Winter/Spring Junior Tennis

Junior Tennis continues through the Spring at Train Smart Tennis! Coached by Alan and Kathy Williams and Peter Chow, twice weekly clinics are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays on a drop-in basis.

Junior Future Champs (young beginners 5-7 years old) meet from 4-5pm Junior Group (intermediate to advanced 8+) meet from 5-6:30pm Junior Beginner Clinics:

If you are interested in your children starting the year right, try tennis! We start as young as age 3. A special program for 3 and 4 year olds with Young Junior Specialist Dennis Kirchoff is being offered starting in January. To get started contact Coach Alan at [email protected] or 813-610-7301. Ladies Beginners Clinics:

Ladies, are you looking to try something new? How about learning to play tennis! Ladies groups started in January with our Beginner Specialist Julie Vazquez, but it’s never too late to get started. Contact Coach Alan at [email protected] or 813-610-7301 for more details. Winter Adult Tennis Clinics

Tuesday 8-9am & 10-11am Ladies 10 S FIT 9-10:30am Ladies Advanced Beginners 7-8:00pm Men’s Work-Out Friday 9-10am Ladies Advanced (3.5-4.0)

Please call Coach Alan for Ladies Beginners and League Groups at 610-7301. Tennis Events For February 2/15 Friday - “What’s Mine Is Yours” Mixed Doubles Round Robin, 6:30pm (limited courts that evening) The following USTA Winter Season leagues began in January.

Beth Keenan ([email protected] ) Monday morning Ladies 3.0 Eileen Farrell (lovatennis@ gmail.com) Tuesday night Ladies 3.5 & Saturday morning Sr. (55+) Ladies 3.5 Kristin Cherry ([email protected]) Thursday night Ladies 4.0 Paul Williams ([email protected]) Saturday morning Men’s 4.0 Susan Sommerfield ([email protected]) Sunday Mixed 7.0 Combo Paul Williams ([email protected]) Sunday Mixed 8.0 Combo The following ALOT teams are full, but are always in need of subs. Please contact one of the team captains if you are interested in subbing on a team; it’s a great way to meet other AG players! MaryJo Lefcourt - ALOT “A” [email protected] (3.5 & 4.0 players)

Caralyn Paul - ALOT “B” [email protected] (3.5 players)

Beth Hart - ALOT “C” [email protected] (3.0-3.5 players)


PAGE 3

Community Activities Message from the HOA

As many of you are aware, we’ve reached the fifteen year mark of our beautiful community. With age comes a significant amount of climatic changes to outdoor structures that must be addressed in order to maintain our highly sought after community. We are in the process of updating the mailboxes in the community due to maintenance, disrepair, discoloration and most importantly rot, for those in the community with wooden or plasticized polyvinyl chloride (pvc) structures. It is our goal to create an opportunity where the residents will have a relatively maintenance free mailbox. The HOA is pleased to announce that on behalf of the residents, we have been in the process of receiving bids for the privilege of designing mailboxes that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but will make a seamless entry into the architectural design of our lampposts, street signs and other outdoor fixtures. All planned changes to the exterior of your home must be submitted to the Design Review Board (DRB) via an Alteration Application. And, DRB approval must be obtained before any work is begun. All Arbor Greene HOA documents and forms can be found on-line at :www.greenacreproperties.com. Click the “Resident Login” link at the top of the page to sign in. It is each homeowners responsibility to know what is covered in the Declaration of Covenants (Deed Restrictions) and Design Review Board Standards.

MOMS CLUB

Ever feel like you're the only mother who stays home? You are not alone! Join the MOMS Club of New Tampa. It’s a great way for you to meet other stay at-home mothers in the area, as well as a great way for your children to meet new playmates and engage in stimulating activities while encouraging their social skills. We offer support for at-home mothers through: planned monthly activities calendar, age-appropriate playgroups for your children, monthly Moms' night out, service projects within the community.

For more information contact us via Email: momsclubnew-

[email protected] Website: www.momsclubnewtampa.webs.com

Message From the Chairman

Dear Fellow AG Residents:

Almost all AG homeowner documents (covenants, bylaws, design review criteria, mailbox colors) now are available on the CDD website - www.arborgreene.org. The HOA president indicated that changes may be coming up for a vote by the homeowners at their HOA annual meeting. If you would like to reacquaint yourself with your homeowner documents before that meeting, you may do so easily by visiting the CDD website. Any homeowner who chooses to submit a proxy rather than attend the annual meeting in person should remember that unless specified otherwise, the proxy gives the president an extra vote to do as he sees fit regarding election of board members and any other issue that comes before the HOA membership. If you choose to submit a general proxy without specific instructions, first confirm that the president has the same view you do regarding the matters to be considered at the annual meeting.

The CDD’s policies and internal operating procedures will be streamlined, revised, and updated over the next few months. Included will be the gatehouse post orders, rules governing usage of the pool and tennis courts, and procedures for operating the clubhouse. Residents are invited to attend the workshops and meetings where these changes and updates will be discussed.

The CDD board is reviewing our tennis pro’s concessionaire agreement, which expires this spring. Alan and his staff add value to the community’s prized amenity, the tennis courts, by making professional tennis instruction available within the neighborhood to children and adults. That review likely will include reconsideration of how the CDD utilizes the gazebo between the resort pool and lap pool. Some residents have suggested bringing back concession sales (read: snack bar) to the gazebo during the spring and summer months. Any resident with comments or ideas regarding this topic may offer them at the board’s February board meeting or forward them by email to [email protected].

Our CDD is a maturing community, and some of its assets are beginning to show some age. For instance, the tennis court “quad arm” brackets on the light poles are being replaced because of structural damage caused by rust; and the clubhouse exterior soon will be repaired and repainted for the first time since its construction. The CDD board soon will consider soliciting input from residents to help review various aspects of the CDD (e.g., grounds and landscaping, conservation areas, clubhouse, tennis courts/pool, community outreach) and develop specific proposals for improvement to be considered by the board. Any resident who might be interested in assisting may send me an email at [email protected].

Other matters the board will consider soon include the following: increased child safety measures at the resort pool; addition of crosswalks at Arbor Wind Drive (near Preserve/Alcove) and Arbor Creek Drive (at Arbor Greene Drive); enhancement of internal clubhouse aesthetics; and improvement of the CDD website and increased utilization of social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The board consistently explores ways to maintain the resort-style living experience to which AG residents have become accustomed. Do not hesitate to let us know if you see an area that could be improved—but please be specific. Have a great month.

Adam S. Tanenbaum Chair, CDD Board of Supervisors

The Arbor Greene Book Club

The Arbor Greene Book Club invites you to join them in a discussion of Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, on February 4th in the Gathering Room at 7PM.

The next selection to be discussed this winter will be, Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys on March 4th.

Please contact Diane Wheeler for more information about the Book Club at: 994-9262


PET BOARDING & DOG WALKING

Are you planning a vacation or going on a business trip?

Do you need a Pet Sitter?

Located in Arbor Greene, we offer a cage free “pet vacation” at our house. We can also walk and care for your pet (dog or cat)

at your home.

Please contact me to determine your pet’s needs! Randy Kriesel: [email protected]

or call 813-777-6573(cell).

Fitness & Weight Room Improvements

Have you noticed the new upholstery in the Fitness and Weight room? All of the padded benches and seating in both rooms have been completely redone to insure the comfort and safety of our residents when they use the equipment.

We’d like to remind our residents that the Fitness and Weight rooms are for residents 16 years of age and older. Those aged14 and 15 must be

accompanied by an adult to use the equipment.

Proof of Arbor Greene residency must be shown when requested by an on duty AG club attendant. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!


PAGE 13

MESSAGE FROM YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH DIRECTORS

PAUL AND HALLY BOUCHER

“THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO REDUCE CRIME THIS HOLIDAY SEASON” Arbor Greene residents deserve a huge “thank you” for their active involvement in helping to keep our community secure over the 2012 holiday season. The holiday season is one of the busiest and most lucrative times for petty thieves and burglars, largely due to the high number of new gifts, packaged, unopened, and ready to be returned to stores with no-receipt return policies. Although Arbor Greene and neighboring communities experienced an expected increase in suspicious activity during this time, our residents came together to ensure a majority of these activities did not evolve into criminal acts. Increased Tampa Police Department (TPD) patrols, coupled with residents’ suspicious activity calls to the TPD, contributed directly to a lower overall crime rate throughout our entire community. For those who enjoyed a crime-free holiday, Arbor Greene has proven to be one of the best communities to raise a family; however, anyone who experienced any level of crime, stating that our community has experienced less crime provides little comfort. The criminal element rarely takes a break, and with a questionable economy, our efforts to deter and expel this element must also be ongoing and vigilant. One of our most important methods of deterring crime in our community is to quickly report any suspicious activity to the TPD. TPD Chief Jane Castor continues to express that the “best eyes and ears” in any community are its residents. She frequently points out that the police are not all knowing, and although patrolmen are aware of criminal hot-spots, the TPD relies on calls about suspicious activity to know where patrols need to focus their efforts. So, please do not hesitate to immediately call the TPD Suspicious Activity line (813-231-6130) if you see suspicious person(s) or activities or immediately call 9-1-1 if you see a crime is about to be committed or has occurred. In either case, do not confront these individuals and call the TPD from a safe location. We would suggest you take a moment now and add the TPD Suspicious Activity phone number to your cell’s phonebook so it is there when you need it. As one of your New Year’s resolutions, consider becoming a member of your local volunteer Neighborhood Watch Association (NWA). Stay informed regarding community security alerts, tips, TPD Crime Trends and Reports. The Arbor Greene NWA is a dedicated group of residents who wish to stay informed while only getting as involved as much as each member wishes. Consider joining a group of neighbors who care about and wish to contribute to the safety and security of our community. Please email us at [email protected]. Joining this email distribution group does not obligate you to any other NWA activity, but should help you and your family to be better informed and more secure, and make Arbor Greene an even better place to live.


Jane Crabtree Broker Associate

[email protected] Owned And Operated By NRT LLC. 19026 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Tampa, FL 33647

20+ Years Experience

What is your home worth? Call for A FREE market analysis

(813) 943-5477

NO TRESPASSING INTO

FLATWOODS

We have recently received a number of complaints from residents about the continual use of their backyards as an entrance to Flatwoods Park.

Residents should note that there is no direct legal access from anywhere in Arbor Greene into the park. Anyone entering Flatwoods, either on foot or on a bicycle, through the backyard of a resident, is illegally trespassing on private property.

Entrances to Flatwoods Park are located on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. and Morris Bridge Road.

Please continue to be respectful of your neighbors property and privacy!


PAGE 5

Rick’s Pressure Cleaning LLC.

Non-Pressure Roof Cleaning Paver Sealing - Pressure Washing

Driveways Homes Pool Enclosures

Phone: (813) 404-2526 Licensed & Insured [email protected] Free Estimates

Prevent Bicycle Theft!

Arbor Greene’ s Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Paul Boucher, recently reported the occurrence of stolen bicycles in a neighborhood on Cross Creek Blvd., very close to Arbor Greene. It seems the suspects unlawfully entered the victim's garage via an open garage door. Once inside, suspects stole two bicycles and fled undetected.

Hmmm….how many of us occasionally leave our garage doors open during the day or forget to close them at night? It takes a thief only a few minutes to enter a garage, take a bicycle, or something else of value, and ride off.

Paul advises our residents to keep their garage door(s) closed at all times. He also suggests that we photograph and write down the serial numbers of our bicycles. Registering bicycles at online bicycle registration web sites is another option.

Please remember to lock up bicycles when using the facilities at the Community Center!



PAGE 11

Light Pole Damage

Between Christmas and New Years there were two unfortunate car accidents in AG. The first occurred on a wet evening when a light pole was felled near the entrance into the community and the second when a vehicle ran off the road taking down a sign towards the exit.

While thankfully no one was injured in either incident, it serves as a reminder to slow down!

Look What’s New In Tennis at Arbor Greene?

Thanks to Julie Vasquez, the last 6 months have been an active time in ladies tennis at Arbor Greene. Alan Williams has enlisted Julie with the task of getting more AG ladies involved in the sport. Julie has set up a variety of clinics, her own brand of tennis aerobics which she calls 10-S-Fit, and tennis

socials to bring these beginners together with other more experienced players in the growing AG tennis community. Julie’s first social event, held just before Christmas, “Jingle Bells and Tennis Balls”, had teams “naughty” and “nice” pitted against each other for a morning of tennis excitement!

Her next event, “What’s Mine Is Yours”, (2/15 @6:30pm) will be a mixed up doubles affair with both men and women playing with and against each other. Sounds like fun!!!


The Arbor Greene Newsletter is on-line

GO GREEN in 2013!! If you would like to stop receiving a hard copy of the AG Newsletter, please e-mail the Newsletter Editor, at:

[email protected]

Upcoming Spring Events at Arbor Greene

Don’t forget to save the date, and mark your calendars, for the following annual events taking place this spring in Arbor Greene.

The Arbor Greene Easter Egg Hunt will be held on Saturday, March 23rd, from 10-11:30 AM.

The Arbor Greene Community Garage Sale will be

held April 27th from 8am-Noon. The Goodwill Truck will once again be on site to accept your unsold items.

Arbor Greene Team Battles in Daytona

The Men’s 7.5 Combo Team had a strong showing at sectionals in Daytona the weekend of 1/12, but came up just short in the deciding last match which came down to an exciting third set tie-break. Captained by Paul Williams, residents who made the trip to Daytona were, Scott Bishop, Paul Zack, Doug Sommerfield, Steve Hirsch, Bob Farrell, Dustin Mathews, Joe Kaim, and Sai Gollapothu.

The men were our first team of 2013 to play in Daytona. Next month we’ll report on how the AG Ladies 6.5 Combo Team did the weekend of 1/19.


PAGE 7

GVS System

As we’ve been informing the AG community for the last few months, the new GVS (Guest Verification System) went into effect on January 14th. Since that date, residents with phone numbers in the GVS database, have been called when they have a guest arriving between the hours of 10pm and 6am, and can either consent or deny access. Likewise, if residents have submitted names to “always admit with no call”, the guard on duty will verify your guests through an ID check and grant or deny them entry. If there is no information available for a resident on the GVS then their guest will be turned away. The system will be continually updated when information is provided from residents in one of the following ways:

Use the CDD Service Request Form, found on the Arbor Greene.org homepage. (http://www.arborgreene.org/resources-cdd-service-request.html)

Call 991-9226 with your information; e-mail, [email protected], with your information.

Scoop on Poop

A gentle reminder to our dog owning residents; please be respectful of your neighbor’s and their property.

Keep your dogs leashed when out for a walk, always clean up after them and properly dispose of their waste!


WHAT THE BANKS DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW

Debt Reduction While Increasing Personal Wealth (Part-9)

Last month’s installment of this series of articles provided a glimpse into one of the leading financial hindrances to most American’s financial independence. Overspending has become a daily hazard that benefits lenders and merchandisers alike; however, tends to keep many of us in some form of debt. Learning to avoid unnecessary spending is one of many skills we can all use to halt the cycle of revolving debt. Consider reading on to discover a different and refreshing financial perspective.

Before reading further, please note that if you have a critical financial situation, this article is not meant to address it. I would strongly urge you to avoid any hesitation and sit down immediately with a financial manager, your current lender, or a debt consolidator. If you’re not in a critical situation, read on to gain a new perspective on achieving financial independence.

Many of us are familiar with the phrase that “good things come to those who wait;” however, waiting isn’t easy when we’re continually urged to purchase whatever we want every day. It doesn’t help that many businesses employ immensely successful marketing campaigns that prey on the human ego, often designed to create a false image of success. These businesses try every day to convince us to buy bigger homes, nicer cars, and all sorts of “toys” that are usually more than we need or can truly afford. Unfortunately, in a society that celebrates individual achievements, a marketing campaign that enables a false appearance of great success, is a very profitable business. It’s not an easy task for any of us to remain focused on a budget and reduce our debt when we’re continuously led to believe that almost anything we want can be ours for a low monthly payment. The full affects of this campaign are not immediately obvious and typically last longer than the payment schedule. This campaign can often create a reliance on debt in order to feel successful. By the time many of us realize the extent of our debt, financial independence can start to seem unobtainable.

How many times have you heard the comments, “If I had a million dollars I would…,” or, “If I won the lottery I would…”? It’s always fun to fantasize about situations like these; however, if we’re fantasizing, we’re not likely planning and working towards these potential realities. This is usually because the fantasy of financial success is believed to be unobtainable by many of us. A fantasy fortune that’s been won, or gifted, is not typically as valuable and carefully managed as a fortune that’s been earned through hard work. This is the leading reason why a majority of lottery winners end up in more debt than they started with in the first five years following their winning. The cycle of revolving debt is typically born from the highly successful marketing campaign of offering the fantasy of wealth and success for little effort, or a low monthly payment. The longer we allow this campaign to drive our spending, the greater the debt we incur and the harder it is to reverse the trend. But make no mistake, for most of us, the cycle of debt is reversible, and the fantasy of financial independence is actually achievable. Instead of viewing success and wealth as an unobtainable fantasy, why don’t we plan for it?!

“What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” This quote came from personal-success writer Napoleon Hill and was meant to draw attention to one of the most basic concepts that has led to the growth and prosperity of this nation, i.e., boundless imagination. Without limits, many people are capable of wondrous achievements. In 1975, Mr. Gary Dahl surprised and concerned colleagues and family members when he placed a plain small rock in a cardboard box and called it the Pet-Rock. Within a few short years, he was a millionaire. Mr. Dahl conceived an idea that he knew would be difficult and risky to market, and despite enormous initial negativity about his idea, he became financially successful. Mr. Dahls’ accomplishment displays that breaking free from mainstream thought allows many people to achieve great success. It’s up to us to realize that the image of true success does not have to be a fantasy and is actually achievable for most of us. This kind of success and financial independence is not immediate and takes some work. However, we can propel ourselves closer to this reality by first targeting, reducing, and eventually eliminating our own debt.

To first realize that the seemingly impossible is truly achievable, we need to have some proof. Most of us have that proof at our fingertips but it takes a change of perspective. Millionaires are generally categorized by their sustained net-worth, which accounts for their available cash as well as the cash value of all of their assets. A millionaire is not likely to maintain all their cash assets in the local bank where their money earns less than typical inflation rates.

Continued on page 9


PAGE 9

Trash Talk

As a reminder to our residents, trash pick up within Arbor Greene is Wednesday for household refuse, and Saturday for household, recyclables and plant matter.

Garbage items should be neatly placed curbside no earlier than the night before pick up. Garbage cans and recycle bins should be brought back into your garage the evening of pick up.

Often times when garbage is put out too early, or not properly contained, the elements and wildlife can carry your garbage into the street or your neighbors yard.

Let’s all keep Arbor Greene beautiful!

Arbor Greene Monthly Rainfall Comparison

October 2011 - 5.33 October 2012 -1.26

November 2011 - 0.70 November 2012 - 0.00 December 2011 - 0.20 December 2012 - 1.98

Even with 0” of rain in November, the rainfall total for 2012 was 55.28 vs. 51.46 in 2011, or 3.82 inches greater.

Continued from page 8 Instead, much of their cash is turned into investments, like stocks and property that provide better investment returns. The combined value of all of these assets is what is used to categorize a millionaire. Would it shock you to learn that you are more than likely a “fractional millionaire”? Forget for a moment that the bank may own your home and vehicles, but instead, consider what their current values may be. Now combine these values with the cash amounts you probably have in your savings account. Most Americans don’t take the time to review their net-worth and usually convince themselves that crossing the millionaire boundary is a fantasy. You might be surprised to realize that your potential net-worth may be between $100 and $500 thousand or more. This actually makes you a “fractional millionaire.” The key at this point is to take ownership of your possessions back from the lenders and claim that net-worth for yourself. After a short reflection on our actual net-worth, becoming a “full millionaire” may not look so impossible anymore. Financial independence is within the grasp of most Americans, but it first starts with altering our perspective of where we really are financially and where we want to be. Realizing that we’ve already started the journey toward financial independence should provide the vast majority of “fractional millionaires” with the motivation to move further towards financial independence.

Lastly, please be careful of who you take your financial advice from. Before accepting debt reduction or investment advice, ask your advisor if they are completely debt free. Many of us believe we own our home and vehicle, but in reality, a loan means that the lender owns these assets. If your financial advisor is not truly debt free and still has a mortgage or vehicle loan(s) or other loans, you should be very cautious about taking debt reduction or debt limination advice from them. Please watch for future articles meant to further assist you on your way to financial freedom.

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The February Arbor Greene Newsletter Gazette