My New Blog

It's Beautiful Women Month? Here's to all Beautiful Women......

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.  For
lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim
figure, share your food with the hungry.  For
beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers
through it once a day. For poise, walk with the
knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more
than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived,
reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will
find one at the end of each of your arms.  As you grow
older, you will discover that you have two hands; one
for helping yourself, and the other for helping
others.

Audrey Hepburn

The future home of Ladybug Coffee Galleries.....

1.  The dollar-a-month plan.  By adding an extra dollar to your monthly  mortgage payment each month - a dollar the first month, two dollars the second month, three dollars the third and so on, you would pay off your 30 year fixed rate mortgage in 22 years says Ginita Wall, CFP, CPA.  To make an even larger dent start at $20 a month and then $21, $22 and so on.

2.  The biweekly booster plan.  Use the mortgage calculator on my homepage to calculate this savings in time and money.  Call your lender before beginning this one.  Some banks charge a fee for the service.  You can't just begin making payments every two weeks.   If your mortgage company does not offer this service or charge a fee, try this, divide your monthly payment by 12 and add that amount to each of your monthly payments.

3.  The 15-year swap.  Typically interest rates are lower on a 15 year than on a 30 year, consider refinancing your 30 year for a 15 year.  This does make your payment increase, however the interest savings is substantial.  Refinancing with your existing bank often will keep the closing fees to a minimum.  Watch for other banks offering special refinancing terms as well.  The bottom line may be worth the effort.  

Not certain about any of these plans, use the mortgage calculators on my homepage to check out the results.  Thank you for reading.

Becky

ARE YOUR CHILDREN AT RISK??

If your deck, children's play set, or picnic table was built prior to 2004, it could be made with CCA wood.  To order a test kit go to ewg.org/reports/poisonwoodrivals/orderform.php and you will be able to order a kit ($20 to$35) to find out how much arsenic is in your wood and the soil surrounding.  Then do the following:

Remove or replace structure (or at least the highest traffic area, such as handrails, steps, or floorboards) with a non-arsenic alternative. Such as cedar and recycled-plastic composite lumber.

Seal any wood you can't replace with a penetrating stain or sealant.  According to the EPA, these stains and sealants reduced the amount of loose arsenic for up to12 months.  However, sealants lose their effectiveness after six months.

Wash your hands and your children's hands after exposure.  Especially before eating.

Cover picnic table with a plastic table cloth when you go camping.

Never sand or pressure wash your deck.  This could spread the harmful around your yard.  Use soap and water instead.

Keep kids and pets off rough wooden surfaces.  CCA wood splinters can increase the risk of exposure.

THINK YOU MAY HAVE MISSED THE SUMMER RUSH FOR A VACATION HOME.  YOU MAY GET LUCKY.  TRY THESE WEBSITES: 

Lastminuteusvacations.com

homeexchange.com or intervac.com

homeaway.com