Introduction Community Focus - Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center Caling All Open Minds - What Beliefs are Holding You Back Practical Prosperity Buy the Book - New Audio Book Available! Hear Me Speak      Dear ,   A lot is happening at The Advisory Team!  We are celebrating 25 years in business this fall!  As part of our celebration, we are unveiling our new brand identity.    Many of you remember that for the first 20 years the Company was Mackey McNeill Mohr, PSC.  In a moment of taking very poor marketing advice (my own no less!), I changed the firm name to The Advisory Team.  To say the least, it has been forgettable!  Not to mention lacking an identity that fits our mission and vision.   To that end, we have just completed a branding and identity process with a master marketing wizard, Jon LoDuca of The Wisdom Link.  Our new name is Mackey Advisors and our new logo will soon be popping up everywhere, on letterhead, our web site, on e mail signatures, etc.   We appreciate your patience as we make this change.  It is a daunting task!   As always your feedback and comments are welcome and appreciated!   Create a prosperous fall, Mackey   PS   Deb Ooten, PhD, and I will be facilitating a workshop, The Dynamics of Money on December 1st.  The day will focus on practices for self observation, allowing participants to release old beliefs that hinder their experience of prosperity.    If you would like to receive an e-flyer describing the workshop, click here, and one will be e mailed to you within a few days.  Watch for more details on our web site, and see my article this month, What Beliefs Are Holding You Back?   back to top

Commmunity Spotlight - Carnegie Center for Visual & Performing Arts   Each month we strive to bring you a story about our exciting clients, shining employees, or special people and places in our area.  To build upon our 25th anniversary celebration on October 6th, this month we profile The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center, our hosting venue.    The Carnegie center has literally been raised from the dust over the last twenty-five years through the hard work, determination, and true passion of many Northern Kentuckians.  The center served as the primary library in Kenton County for nearly 70 years before closing its doors in 1973.  The Carnegie was more than just a library, with winding staircases and an adjoining theater; it was a place to be proud of.   Throughout the urban development of the 1970s that destroyed many buildings of either their character or existence, the designation of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places, enabled the Carnegie to stand the test of time awaiting its would-be restoration.   In the 1980s, with its walls crumbing and ornate moldings falling into disrepair, new life was given to the once grand structure on Scott Street.  Gradually, room by room, the library once again began to glow and become a sanctuary for knowledge.  In March of 2006, the theater of the center reopened with its 1904 murals still overhead to provide near as satisfying an image as the performance on stage.   The Carnegie Visual and Performing Art Center is a testament to what community involvement and pride can achieve.  With amazing performances and a gallery open 6 days per week year round, make the trip to see this priceless Northern Kentucky treasure.   Go Team – The Mackey Advisors™ Trophy Case Grows in Size We are proud to announce that our always cheerful Senior Accountant, Natalie Linstruth was recently presented with the 2007 President’s Award from the Covington Business Council.  Join us next time you see Natalie and offer hardy congratulations for all her hard work to help make Covington a successful and exciting place to do business! by Andy Pulsfort back to top

Calling All Open Minds - What Beliefs are Holding You Back?     What beliefs are holding you back? If your first response is none, look again.  The only obstacle to anything you desire is within you.    Beliefs are conscious and unconscious.  Our outer reality is created by our inner belief system.  We have beliefs that we are present to and can see clearly operating in our life and we have beliefs that are so habitual we have forgotten we created them.   Remember when you first learned to drive a car?  Remember when you first learned to dance? Or you studied the first text in your career field?  When you are learning, you are present to every step.  Each step seems like a big deal because it is so new.  Once you assimilate the learning, it comes easily and naturally, you hardly notice the activity.   Look at how driving a car is for your now.  You get in the car to drive to work, as you arrive at the office, you really don’t remember much about your trip.  You were thinking about your work day, issues at the office, or upcoming challenges.  You didn’t notice the turn signals, the application of brakes and the gas pedal, how you turned the car, and all the other details you participated in, unconsciously, to arrive at your destination.   Our beliefs are the same.  You create beliefs with two steps.  One, observing a situation, and two, making up what it meant.  All meaning is self created.   Many of our beliefs were created in our childhood, when you applied your child perspective to a situation.    In order to live a full and prosperous life in the now, you must observe and release the beliefs that are limiting you and replace them with affirming and supportive beliefs.   If you choose, you can spend lots of time and energy, remembering the events or stories of your life.  And then link the stories to the beliefs you created.  If you have heard me speak, or read my book, you know of my story.  You can find it on page 17 of The Intersection of Joy and Money.   My belief structure had many facets, such as, Hold onto your money for safety Don’t ask for much Your needs are not important. As I integrated these beliefs, I began to create an outer reality to reinforce them.  In other words, I found what I believed to be true.   So what is the journey out?  How does one unlearn and bring to consciousness the old beliefs and patterns you created?  How do you discover and unwind all the meaning you attached to your story?   There are many ways, and the simplest notice that you are not your thoughts, feelings, and behavior, is when you determine that you are the observer of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.  Once you make this leap, all there is to do is practice observing and letting go.  Of course, it sounds easier than it is in practice.  You have had many years creating your belief structure.  Be patient with yourself as you observe, let go, and replace your old self defeating beliefs with new supportive ones.   Here are a few of the new beliefs I have chosen: Money is a tool for joy My needs are important I ask for what I want with grace and ease. Life unfolds as you believe.  Become the observer of your thoughts, feelings, and behavior.  Then watch your life transform.   by Mackey McNeill  back to top

Practical Prosperity   Spring Into Fall Cleaning   Spring may be the traditional cleaning season, but the cooler, crisp days of Fall are also great times to open up the windows and clean your home for the months ahead.  Most of us spend more time in our homes when the days are cool and the sun sets early.  Fall cleaning will make that time in front of the fire with a good book even more rewarding.   When such activities are undertaken it is not unusual to see stacks of bags on the curb for either trash or recycling.  We can do our share during these times to go green and keep our mark on the earth to a minimum.  We have all heard the saying “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.  Remember this before you head to the dump.  Freecycle.org or Craigslist.com will connect you with people in your area looking to give away something that might otherwise end up in a land fill.   Items available today include computer desks, television sets, couches, and even automobiles.  Your dusty, old chair may be just the thing someone has been looking for, whether it is to reupholster into a gem or use as a gymnasium for their cats.   When you are upstairs cleaning in the attic also remember it’s a great time to make sure the roof is sealed and the windows are tight.  These practices along with plenty of the proper insulation will not only keep your house cozy during those winter months but you will save money and fossil fuels by saving energy.    Through December 31st the IRS is offering a tax credit equal to 10% of the cost of insulation, so act now to stay warm and reduce your carbon footprint.   September 2007 News You Can Use This month we wanted to thank everyone for participating in our last-minute economic poll.  Your answers were greatly appreciated and extremely informative.  Congratulations to Tina Neyer of Neyer Construction, winner of our free dessert drawing!  Here is a briefing on a bit of what we learned: It is pleasant to see that here in Greater Cincinnati people have positive economic outlooks for 2008.  The consensus of the business owners we surveyed suggested that their revenues, profits, employee count, and market share would be growing in 2008.  On a national scale, this is not necessarily the inclination.  This positive business outlook trends along with their overall view of the Greater Cincinnati economy in 2008.  46.7% of participants feel that the next year holds better for the local economy than 2007.  Given the current economic news and uncertainty, this attitude is promising. The non-business owners responding were not as bullish as others; however they too believe 2008 will be a better year and place more dollars in their pockets.  Interestingly when asked about the greatest economic concern the United States faces, business owners stated that politics and consumer credit were tied to be the greatest concern, while non-business owners did not give politics so much as a glance.  Are business owners more in tune to the political scene?  We hope to learn more from you soon and give great thanks for those participating. The Credit Crunch, Adjustable Rate Mortgages and You At Mackey Advisors™ we make it a goal to keep you prosperous.  Through our monthly newsletters, books, and audio publications we strive to bring our knowledge and expertise to you when you need it most.  In the midst of the economic news we have been hearing about, consider this individual: “Mackey, do I need your help!  Two years ago my wife and I purchased a $600,000 home in Indian Hill.  We found a great deal with an online mortgage company and began to live our dream life.  About 5 months ago we were adjusted to a much higher interest rate and I am late in my payments.  I don’t think we can handle it much longer.  Have you tried to sell a $600,000 home lately?  Should I try to negotiate with other banks, go hungry, or simply let them foreclose?  Help me please Mackey!" There are plenty of people out there who have found themselves in this position recently, thanks to their temptation in the past to live beyond their means.  Usually it becomes impossible to make the monthly payments, and in this market you now owe more than the house is worth.  Currently, you can't afford to sell and no lender will refinance the loan at any better terms than what you have. It's a dire situation, but foreclosure isn't the only outcome. Options include a repayment plan, where you would try to stick things out and negotiate to repay the missed payments over a period of 18-24 months.  Loan modification will also sometimes work depending on the lender.  In this situation, the lender simply agrees to wrap the missed payments back into the principal value of the loan.  A combination of this and placing the house on the market may be your best solution.  It is a temporary fix, but might allow you to sell the home prior to foreclosure. I am not recommending you try to make this home permanent, as you have clearly extended yourself too much.  Rates have not changed all that significantly, so you were probably cutting it close to begin with.  Be patient, downsize, and find joy and security in much simpler surroundings.  You might be surprised at the contentment you find. by Andy Pulsfort back to top

Buy the Book: "Prosperity begins as a state of being and thereby must be initiated from within."   Mackey's new audio book, The Dynamics of Money, Using the Enneagram for Conscious Transformation gives you the power to discover your personal key, unlocking the door to your true potential for unlimited prosperity. Through the power of the Narrative Tradition of the Enneagram you will hear three exemplars of each of the nine personality types sharing their unique perspectives on the subject of money and prosperity.     * Do you find yourself worrying about money?     * Are you concerned about your current level of savings?     * Would you like more options in your money life? If you answered yes to any of these questions or simply desire to understand yourself and others in the realm of finances, this audio book will provide you with insights not found elsewhere.  Allow The Dynamics of Money to consciously transform your financial life to one of unlimited prosperity.   To order your copy of this newest release from Prosperity Publishing by Mackey McNeill and Dr. Deborah Ooten, please click here!  back to top   Also from Prosperity Publishing, Mackey's first book, The Intersection of Joy and Money, exposes the fantasies and illusions that sabotage your money life, and then offers a step-by-step guide to create a life of prosperity and abundance.  To purchase your copy of The Intersection of Joy and Money please click here.   back to top Hear Me Speak: Sunday - September 16 - 10:30am Cultivating a Culture of Prosperity New Thought Spiritual Co-op   Location: Vernon Manor Hotel, Cincinnati, OH 45219   This will be Mackey's second sharing of Cultivating a Culture of Prosperity to a spiritual community.  If you were not able to make it to Beacon of Life in May, please join us with New Thought Spiritual Co-op.  We would love to see you there. Wednesday - September 19 - 7:30am Cultivating a Culture of Prosperity Life Success Business Breakfast Networking Series   Location: West Chester Conference Center, West Chester, OH 45011   Mackey has been invited to present to a Life Success audience.  This will be an exciting opportunity for those of our friends who have not yet seen Mackey offer her lessons of prosperity to join us.  For more information about the breakfast networking series, please visit Life Success. Wednesday - September 26 - 8:00pm 14 Keys to Living in Prosperity Teleseminar - Click Here to register   Join Mackey as she answers your questions on how to live in prosperity and change your relationship with money. Monday - October 1 - 12:00pm Cultivating a Culture of Prosperity Top Tier Leadership - NKY Chamber   Location: 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 330, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017   Mackey will once again join the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in offering a program aimed at providing concrete tools and resources to build visionary top tier leaders.  Applications are being accepted for the fall series through Friday, August 17.   For more information, contact Ruth Eger at the NKY Chamber.  You may reach her by phone at 859-578-6388 or email her. Monday - October 22 & Thursday - October 25 - 6:00pm Achieving Financial Independence Mackey Advisors 2007 Fall Seminar Series   Location: TBA   Refreshments and FUN will be provided.  We hope to see you there!  Look for more details in late September. Saturday - December 1 The Dynamics of Money Workshop Click Here for More Details   Please remember to contact us to have Mackey speak to your group of twenty or more. back to top