All Forum Posts by: Jeremy M.

@Brian H. It's hard to describe exactly what works best for someone when individual needs vary so much. I'm still pretty small time so my needs might be pretty simple and completely different from someone running a large operation. I currently use Google's platform a lot. What I'm doing is just the tip of the iceberg but I'll put it down for the sake of an example.  

Calendar - about twice a week I put all my reminders on their respective calendars with notifications. Billpay Calendar, Appointment Calendar, Travel Calendar. As simple or as complicated as you want. I can sync calendars or keep them separate. I share them with my wife (who is my partner) and it notifies both of us if I want. No more trying to remember stuff. 

Keep - Rehab specific To-do lists, Shopping Lists, Lowes list, ect ect. These get shared with my wife as well. Oh, she was at Lowes today. Did she remember to get XYZ? I open Keep, the box is checked and we're good to go. Yes, I could have texted her but I like this better. I see what she sees, she sees what I see. You can set notifications on this too. 

Evernote - I'm just off the ground with this one. It looks good so far and looks like it has a ton of potential. Especially for a "paperless freak" like me. Take snapshots or scans of receipts, business cards and other "stuff" and store it online for easy access from anywhere. Organize, print and share right out of the mobile app or the online login. 

Dropbox - haven't used this a lot yet. Just for some basic storage.

GeniusScan - Snap photos of documents and convert to pdf. I use this in conjunction with documents I do want to file paper copies of. I email them to my printers email address and my docs will be printed when I get home or I save to Google Drive. 

1Password - password manager. Using this for the past 5 yrs and love it.

I also use a lot of Google Sheets/Docs with a folder system. My wife and I both have access to my spreadsheets from anywhere. You can use this with your team to whatever extent you want. It does take some effort to keep everything updated but it's been worth it in our experience. I'm looking forward to improving on our system as we move forward. I'm a big fan of mobile banking, autopay features, set-it-and-forget-it-type of things that I only have to check on periodically. 

sorry for the long epistle...

Great list! I'd add Google Keep & Calendar, GeniusScan, Evernote

Originally posted by @Michael Boyer:

I try to keep it conversational, relevant (and, of course, nondiscriminatory) and find "where are you at now" to be useful in an initial contact to break the ice.

And then be quiet to let them tell the story--

 Great reminder!  IMO, is so important to listen well. Amazing what people disclose without prompting if you listen well. Most tenants aren't used to being listened to. 

Reminds me of one of my all time favorite quotes

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. They listen with the intent to reply. - S. Covey 

thanks @Linda S. ! 

The social media thing....true story. Can't tell you how many times we've seen the "real stuff" show up there!

Looking to finalize my residential lease application and was just curious - do you have a favorite question(s) to ask tenant applicants? Either in the pre-screening, phone stage or at any stage for that matter.  This is the first time that I'm personally designing the screening process and I'd love to compare and hear some of your best sorta "off the cuff" questions that help cut through all the noise. 

Thanks!

@Johann Jells to actually answer your question....I use a Canon SL1. I don't know that I'd buy one specifically for that but I have one anyway and I love it. It's a great little camera that's traveled around the world with me. Very little post processing needed when you get the lighting right and I have great photos. Grab your favorite pancake lens and you're good to go!

@Jonathan Roveto  without knowing what you want to earn with your card spend, it's difficult to make a recommendation. For flexible rewards that you can actually get some value out of, try the Chase Freedom Unlimited (no annual fee) or the Amex Everyday Preferred ($95 AF) card. Both have a half decent signup bonus and category spend bonuses. See my Frequent Miler reference above for additional education. 

If you want a straight and simple cashback card, try the Citi Double Cash. Have used this one for years on all nonbonus spend. 2% cashback on all spend. 

@Quinton Slay  even though you've been advised, cautioned and directed in about every way imaginable here, I thought I'd add my .02 based on personal experience. I'll try to keep it simple but I'm not sure it's possible.  :)

IMHO I think you may be trying to convince yourself a little bit, that this isn't a relationship issue. In this context, when financials enter the picture, it becomes relational because it's going to affect every part of your relationship. If you make a mistake, and the two of you have any kind of hardship or stress for it, it's going to affect your relationship. And how it affects your relationship is going to depend on...guess what....your relationship....goals, views, whatever. You really want her on board before you go for it. 

IME security, both emotionally and physically are most highly prized by women. Early in our relationship, my SO was the disciplinarian in our personal finances. She couldn't trust me (and rightfully so) My doing any kind of REI would probably have shut her down. Once I got my issues sorted out and she's learned that she can trust me, she's behind me all the way. The last few houses I bought, she did not see before purchase and she's like, oh awesome, when do we close so we can start the rehab? It's great and we have a ton of fun with it together because we trust each other. It's a lot of fun now but in reality there was plenty to work through.

The Rich Dad, Poor Dad recommendation is great. If she doesn't have time/desire to read it, listen to it. That was better anyway IMO. Make it easy for her to assimilate info but do it in a manner that shows you care for her, not just pushing your point. From what I'm understanding in the OP, I'd recommend addressing relationship (5 Love Languages ect), emotional & economic maturity (RD, PD & Cashflow Quadrant), and I'd throw in The Magnolia Story (on audio) just for the warm fuzzies! Once you're on the same page on relationship, I'd dare bet that while she might not browse Zillow listings for fun, at the very least she'll be supporting you on the journey and not giving you "the look" every time the tenant in your house hack does something that grates on her nerves!  Cheers!

Rich Dad, Poor Dad -Kyosaki Building Wealth One House at a Time -John Schaub Landlording on Autopilot-Mike Butler Book on Cashflow (?) -Frank Gallinelli In that order. These books changed my mentality and then my life.

As a self professed bit of a credit card nerd I'd recommend a blog named Frequent Miler. You'll be fire hosed with information but he's really good. I've reaped the benefits of managing my business spend for years in cashback and tons of free travel redemptions/benefits. IMO it's an underutilized benefit of spending money. :) Cheers!