I'm A Beaver

I'm A Beaver

Take the test: Here


Hope you enjoyed the Smalley Personality Quiz! Your score report is presented below.  Your dominant personality is your highest score, but you will also notice how strong you are in the other three types.  Your unique personality style is a combination of each type.

Your Result

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The Beaver

Strengths: Beavers have a strong need to do things right and “by the book.” In fact, they’re the kind of people who actually read instruction manuals. They’re great at providing quality control in an office and will thrive in any situations that demand accuracy, such as accounting, engineering, etc.

Because rules, consistency, and high standards are so important to beavers, they’re often frustrated with a mate who doesn’t share these same characteristics. Despite deep feelings for those they love, beavers must learn to communicate their softness and warmth in a way that’s felt and clearly understood by others.

Areas of Growth: Beavers need to accept that it’s all right to make mistakes and that it’s healthy to call for help when they’re struggling.

The Lion

Strengths: Lions are leaders. They’re usually the bosses at work, or think they are. They’re decisive, bottom-line folks who are not watchers or listeners. They love to solve problems. Unfortunately, if they don’t learn to tone down their aggressiveness, their natural dominating traits can cause problems for others.

Areas of Growth: Lions need to learn that meaningful communication takes time. They need to slow down to involve others in decisions.

Your score for each result type

Element	Density
The Beaver	50
The Lion	42
The Otter	27
The Golden Retriever	17

17

How You Compare To Others

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

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Starting a business

 Many folks ask me how to start a business, here are the steps, in general.

1. Choosing a Type/Structure:

The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has a ton of information about starting, structuring, and launching a business. The SBA.Gov website has a special topic on choosing a Business Structure.

Most Common:

Business structure	Ownership	Liability	Taxes
Business structure: Sole proprietorship (often uses a DBA / ABN)	Ownership: One person	Liability: Unlimited personal liability	Taxes: Personal tax only
Business structure: Limited liability company (LLC)	Ownership: One or more people	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Self-employment tax Personal tax or corporate tax
Business structure: Corporation - C corp	Ownership: One or more people	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Corporate tax
Business structure: Corporation - S corp	Ownership: One or more people, but no more than 100, and all must be U.S. citizens	Liability: Owners are not personally liable	Taxes: Personal tax

2. Entity Filing in Idaho

The Idaho Secretary of State website contains all of the forms one could need to star their business filing. On the left, select Business Entities, the select the entity type you are interested in creating.

Most common are:

• Assumed Business Name (ABN) / Doing Business As (DBA)
• Corporation (INC)
• Limited Liability Company (LLC)

You will print out the form, sign it, and send it by mail with a check for the filing fee ($25 or $100, typically). The Secretary of State in Idaho takes FOREVER to complete the filing. Could be two weeks, could be six weeks. Could be longer.

 3. EIN / Tax ID

If you are any type of business except a Sole Proprietor using your name or an ABN/DBA, you'll need to have a Tax ID (EIN). Simple, easy, and Free process. Just go to IRS.Gov, select "Apply for an Employer ID Number (EIN)", under step 3 select Apply Now, then select Begin Application. Follow the prompts and make sure to save the PDF at the end before closing the screen.

 4. Opening Your Business Accounts

Once the Secretary of State shows the filing on their website, we're ready to open accounts. We can pull that paperwork directly from the site, so you just bring your ID, opening deposit, and EIN/TaxID.

DarrellWolfe 

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Debt Disputes: What to do with collections, charge-offs, and unknown items on your credit report.

Quite often, over the years, I've worked with people who had old items on their credit reports. Sometimes they don't even know what the items are for. Other times they disagree with the legitimacy of the report, or the reason the company says they still owe money. 

The following is my advice for any such individuals. Take it for what it is. I'm not an "expert" but I've been a loan officer for over 12 years and I've seen quite a bit. 

• Step One: Debt Validation Letter
• Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle
• Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

Step One: Debt Validation Letter

See TheBalance.com , I borrowed their letter and made it better. Here's my revised template:

Date

Your Name
Address
City, State Zip

Debt Collector’s Name
Address
City, State Zip

Re: [insert account number]

This letter is sent in response to an item showing on my credit report. I am requesting that you provide validation of this debt. A validation of this debt includes a signed copy of the contract, statements, and notices.

If you are unable to comply with a debt validation, you are required to remove this debt from my credit reports. Please provide me a letter confirming this was completed.

If you do not comply with this request, I will may seek remediation through filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and/or the Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG). Civil and criminal claims may also be pursued.

Sincerely,

Your Name

CC: ID AG
CC: CFPB

********

Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle

If they validate the debt, and you are satisfied that you owe it. Work on settling the debt for less than you owe.

• Dave Ramsey Article on Debt Settlement
• Letter Templates

Sample Lump Sum Debt Settlement Offer Letter::

Date

Acct Number: [insert account number]
Credit Card Company Name
Company’s Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Re: Requesting Payoff of my Credit Account

Dear [insert company name]:

This letter serves as my official offer to pay my past due balance of [insert type of product] with your company [list the name of the card company, account number Account Number]. As you are aware, I am unable to pay the full balance, however, I am able, at this point in time, to gather an amount that I believe will be an agreeable payoff amount.

I would like to request that if I pay the amount of [insert total amount here], my account will be considered paid in full.

If this is agreed upon, I would also request the following:

My account be closed and no further interest or penalty charges would be applied.

A written confirmation of your agreement to this proposal be sent to my address below.

After agreeing to this proposal and receipt of your written confirmation, I will pay the amount of LUMP SUM AMOUNT via certified check within 10 days of receiving your letter.

After you receive and post the payment, I request the following:

An official letter indicating that my account is closed and my balance is $0.

The account status as reported to the Credit Reporting Agencies be “CLOSED BY REQUEST OF CARDHOLDER” or “PAID IN FULL”

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me by mail at the address below, by phone at the telephone number, or by email.

I look forward to resolving this matter.

Sincerely,

Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Phone
Email
Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

If they do not validate the debt, or they do and you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file a complete. The two best resources are the CFPB and ID AG.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
File A Complaint: Here

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG)
File A Claim: Here

Office of the Attorney General
700 W. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
Phone (208) 334-2400
Fax (208) 854-8071

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

Read more →

Debt Disputes: What to do with collections, charge-offs, and unknown items on your credit report.

Quite often, over the years, I've worked with people who had old items on their credit reports. Sometimes they don't even know what the items are for. Other times they disagree with the legitimacy of the report, or the reason the company says they still owe money. 

The following is my advice for any such individuals. Take it for what it is. I'm not an "expert" but I've been a loan officer for over 12 years and I've seen quite a bit. 

• Step One: Debt Validation Letter
• Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle
• Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

Step One: Debt Validation Letter

See TheBalance.com , I borrowed their letter and made it better. Here's my revised template:

Date

Your Name
Address
City, State Zip

Debt Collector’s Name
Address
City, State Zip

Re: [insert account number]

This letter is sent in response to an item showing on my credit report. I am requesting that you provide validation of this debt. A validation of this debt includes a signed copy of the contract, statements, and notices.

If you are unable to comply with a debt validation, you are required to remove this debt from my credit reports. Please provide me a letter confirming this was completed.

If you do not comply with this request, I will may seek remediation through filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and/or the Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG). Civil and criminal claims may also be pursued.

Sincerely,

Your Name

CC: ID AG
CC: CFPB

********

Step 2.1: Debt Validated/Settle

If they validate the debt, and you are satisfied that you owe it. Work on settling the debt for less than you owe.

• Dave Ramsey Article on Debt Settlement
• Letter Templates

Sample Lump Sum Debt Settlement Offer Letter::

Date

Acct Number: [insert account number]
Credit Card Company Name
Company’s Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Re: Requesting Payoff of my Credit Account

Dear [insert company name]:

This letter serves as my official offer to pay my past due balance of [insert type of product] with your company [list the name of the card company, account number Account Number]. As you are aware, I am unable to pay the full balance, however, I am able, at this point in time, to gather an amount that I believe will be an agreeable payoff amount.

I would like to request that if I pay the amount of [insert total amount here], my account will be considered paid in full.

If this is agreed upon, I would also request the following:

My account be closed and no further interest or penalty charges would be applied.

A written confirmation of your agreement to this proposal be sent to my address below.

After agreeing to this proposal and receipt of your written confirmation, I will pay the amount of LUMP SUM AMOUNT via certified check within 10 days of receiving your letter.

After you receive and post the payment, I request the following:

An official letter indicating that my account is closed and my balance is $0.

The account status as reported to the Credit Reporting Agencies be “CLOSED BY REQUEST OF CARDHOLDER” or “PAID IN FULL”

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact me by mail at the address below, by phone at the telephone number, or by email.

I look forward to resolving this matter.

Sincerely,

Your Signature
Your Typed Name
Phone
Email
Address
City, State and ZIP Code

Step 2.2: Debt Not Validated/Still Not Removed.

If they do not validate the debt, or they do and you are not satisfied with the outcome, you may file a complete. The two best resources are the CFPB and ID AG.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
File A Complaint: Here

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office (ID AG)
File A Claim: Here

Office of the Attorney General
700 W. Jefferson Street
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0010
Phone (208) 334-2400
Fax (208) 854-8071

Darrell G. Wolfe

Storyteller | Writer | Thinker | Consultant | Multipotentialite

Read more →