Using Coupons to Save On Your Vacation

So you’ve decided to take the family to Disneyworld or the Grand Canyon, or you’re planning a honeymoon to Napa or the Grand Tetons. Or you all just decided that it was time to explore Philadelphia. But you’re worried about spending so much money on the food and activities.  Worry no more!
Here’s some tips on how to shave off a lot of the extra expenses in order to have a great time. You can even use these tips for your Staycation and see places you didn’t know were in your neighborhood.

Theme Park Ideas

Look into buying your tickets in advance, or on the internet.  Many parks offer discounts over purchasing at the gates.
Some theme parks have what they call a Cooler Pass where you can bring in your own food. This saves a lot of money as well as frustration since you won’t be standing in long lines for their food which is often not very good. Even if you can’t, consider keeping a cooler in the car and have a family break at lunch time, get your hand stamped, and go eat outside of the park. Most places provide picnic tables, or at least have some trees for shade. This gives you a chance to see how everyone’s doing, reapply sunscreen, and get a few hugs in.

Sign Up for Daily Deals Where You Want to Go

Social coupons like Living Social or Groupon can have really good deals on attractions, events and restaurants. You may also be able to get deals through the local newspaper, so check it out online before you go.  Also, if you sign up ahead of time, you can learn about new places and research where they are in comparison to where you’re staying. No matter how great the price, if it’s a long drive, it may not be worth the deal.
Also look into packages from places like Jetsetter. You might find some great destinations for a very affordable price.

Before You Go and Once You’re There

If you’re staying in a hotel, they will probably have racks of coupons for local restaurants and activities. The business gives a small percentage back to the hotel usually, so take these recommendations with a grain of salt. Do your research with local review sites.
When you book your hotel, see if they have packages that include breakfast.
Find the local chamber of commerce. They often have maps with their businesses as well as discount coupons. Like the hotel coupons, you’ll want to do a bit of research to see if it’s what’s best for you. You could also call the local chamber ahead of time and have them send you a packet of information. Some towns have special tourism departments that also can send coupons.
From USA Today:

Museum admissions can add up quickly, even if you’re only seeing a handful of exhibits during your weekend getaway. Ease the pain with an admission-ticket bundle like CityPass, which conveniently packages discounted admissions to your destination’s top attractions. CityPass Seattle, for example, includes admission to six big-city draws, including the Space Needle and the Seattle Aquarium, for $69 (if you paid a la carte, you’d be forking over $128). Plus, you can buy your pass in advance, saving precious time by skipping busy ticketing lines.

Also look into using apps like Yelp and FourSquare. When you check in, they often have deals or coupons. You can research Yelp online to see who is offering a deal before you go as well. From MSN Money:

12. Use discount food apps. If you do dine out, use a restaurant-locating app to find special deals and the best prices. Some of my favorite apps include:

• Yelp Check-Ins
• LocalEats
• KidsEatFree

Split your meal in half, ask the waiter to box it up and use the hotel’s mini fridge for storage.  That way, you get two meals for the price of one.
16. Go sightseeing for free. Popular tourist attractions can be pricey, but there are plenty of places you can tour for free. For example, admission to popular plantation homes in Louisiana can cost up to $18 per adult, but the National Park Service hosts free walking tours of the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Planning ahead what you do may save you much money. It will be very useful for figuring out your budget which saves you money overall. Finally, always read the fine print before you buy or use any coupon.
If a tourist walked up to you and asked where was the best place to eat, where would you send them?

Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid and Other News

We’ll do our quick roundup of mortgage news first and then get to the four biggest mistakes to make with your mortgage.

 

Four Reasons to Refinance Before Summer

Yahoo Homes gives us this list:

1. Your home value is likely to decrease during the summer.
2. The government may stop influencing mortgage rates and backing programs.
3. You could be affected by new escrow account rules.
4. Lowering your interest rate by less than 1% can have big long term impact.

U.S. Homebuilder Confidence on Rise

The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo builder sentiment index released Wednesday rose to 44 in May from 41 in April. The increase for May was the first month-to-month gain since December. Concerns over rising costs for land, building materials and labor have been holding the confidence levels down.
So more people are wanting new homes. Materials are becoming more available. There’s still some issues with smaller builders having difficulties getting loans, but large builders are finding it easier. The biggest issue is still finding qualified labor in areas that are building up primarily in Arizona, California, Texas, Colorado and Florida.

Late Payments On Decline

So, we have more homes being built, more homeowners, more refinancing, and fewer late payments. The percentage of mortgage holders at least two months behind on their payments fell by 21% in the first quarter of this year compared to last year stated credit reporting agency TransUnion earlier this month.
California had a statewide rate of 4.2%. Florida still has the highest mortgage delinquency rate in the nation for the first quarter at 11%, but that’s down nearly 21% from the same period last year, the firm noted.

Four Mortgage Mistakes to Avoid At All Costs

You may be seeing specials like 1.99% mortgage rates and want to rush to refinance. But take a deep breath first and read these four mistakes to avoid.

1. Paying Your Mortgage Before Paying Off Higher-Interest Debt. Credit card debt and auto loans are not tax deductible like student loans and home mortgages. Also, their interest rates are usually higher overall. So pay off the higher interest debt first, and then focus on the rest. You’ll save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
2. Getting a Loan for “Free”. Often you’re trading no-cost loans for a higher interest rate. While that may be best for you right now, research all of the effects so you can make a smart choice.
3. Getting a 15-Year Mortgage, But Having No Financial Security. Can you really afford the payments? If you have some concerns, look into the 30 year and pay extra.
4. Not Thoroughly Researching Lenders. Some questions you may want to ask your loan officer include whether or not your interest rate will be fixed or variable, and if the lender offers an introductory rate, when it will expire, and what the new rate will be. A professional loan officer will want to help educate you on the rates and fees.

If you’re thinking about refinancing, make an appointment with a professional loan officer to discuss your financial situation. They study the rates and fees as well as news that impact rates. And a professional loan officer will be happy to help you find options for your mortgage.

Attics and Basements – Good Idea?

You’ve decided to add on to your home instead of trading up. And we all know adding in additional bedrooms, bathrooms, and a living room can pay off with increased living space. But what about finishing a basement or an attic?  And what if you don’t have them? Should you add them in?

Existing Basements

Finishing off an existing basement can give you safe storage room for holiday decorations, and get them out of your garage. In addition, if you expand the basement to be full height (7′ or more), you have additional living space such as a playroom for the kids, or a place to put in your media room with a large screen television and surround sound. Think how great it will sound with the thick walls. The main things to ensure you take into account for any basement are:

• controlling moisture
• adding ventilation and light
• finding a way around existing drain lines, ductwork and wiring

Finish off a basement is less per square foot than adding on an addition.

Adding In Basements

The only time it would probably ever be a good idea to add in a basement is if you needed to replace the foundation. To add in a basement, you’d need to lift up the house and dig it out, which could get very expensive.

Finishing Off an Attic

The first thing to do before finishing off an attic is to evaluate the space carefully. If you have rafters that are in the shape of a W, you won’t be able to finish off the space, but if it’s in the shape of an upside down V, you’ve got the possibility for a hidden attic hideaway.

The next thing to think about is how you’ll get up there. If you put in a staircase, how will that affect the rest of the house, and the amount of space in the attic.

Finally, you’ll need to think about headspace. Like the basement, you’ll want at least 7′ across most of the attic space.

You may need to add in skylights or windows to allow for better lighting during the day. And like the basement, you’ll want to look into ventilation and working around existing wiring, ducts, etc.
Plus, in an attic, you’ll need to add in flooring, and ensure that the extra weight will be distributed correctly so the ceiling doesn’t buckle below.

Adding In an Attic

The best time to add in an attic is when you’re re-roofing. You will need a professional to evaluate your home’s structures to ensure that you can add in the attic, and what type of roofing you should add on afterwards. They’ll look into:

1. Can the foundation handle more weight
2. Do you have any local restrictions against 7′ dormers added on to the roof
3. Changing out the framing in the attic to be able to meet code for insulation
4. Additional reinforcement or reframing to maintain the integrity of the home

So, the bottom line is, if you already have the space, it may be cheaper to finish it off than to add on to the house.  But if you don’t have the space, it could be very expensive to add it in unless you’re already going major renovations.

Would you prefer a finished basement or finished attic?

This Week’s Market Commentary

This week brings us the release of only three economic reports that are relevant to mortgage rates, in addition to a couple of Treasury auctions and the minutes from the last FOMC meeting that have the potential to be influential on the bond market and mortgage pricing. Corporate earnings season also kicks off this week, which could be instrumental in driving stock prices significantly higher or lower.

There is no relevant economic news scheduled for release today or Tuesday. The first events of the week will come Wednesday afternoon. One is the release of the minutes from the last FOMC meeting. Market participants will be looking at them closely as they give us insight to the Fed’s current thought process and individual Fed member opinions. Any surprises in the 2:00 PM ET release, particularly about inflation or the likelihood of an adjustment to their current bond buying program, could cause afternoon volatility in the markets Wednesday and possible changes in mortgage pricing.

The two Treasury auctions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. There is a 10-year Treasury Note sale Wednesday and a 30-year Bond sale Thursday. We could see some weakness in bonds ahead of the sales as participating firms sell current holdings to prepare for them. This weakness is usually only temporary if the sales are met with a decent demand. The results of the auctions will be posted at 1:00 PM ET each day. If the demand from investors was strong, the bond market could rally during afternoon trading, leading to lower mortgage rates. If the sales were met with a poor demand, the afternoon weakness may cause upward revisions to mortgage pricing Wednesday and/or Thursday afternoon.

Friday has all of the week’s highly important economic data scheduled. The Labor Department will start the day by posting March’s Producer Price Index (PPI) at 8:30 AM ET. It will give us an important measurement of inflationary pressures at the producer level of the economy. There are two portions of the report that analysts watch- the overall reading and the core data reading. The core data is more important to market participants because it excludes more volatile food and energy prices. If it shows rapidly rising prices, inflation fears may hurt bond prices since it erodes the value of a bond’s future fixed interest payments, leading to higher mortgage rates. A good size decline in prices would be good news for the bond market and mortgage rates. Current forecasts are calling for a 0.1% decline in the overall reading and a 0.1% rise in the core data.

Also early Friday morning, the Commerce Department will release March’s Retail Sales data. This piece of data gives us a measurement of consumer spending levels, which is very important because consumer spending makes up over two-thirds of the U.S. economy. Forecasts are calling for no change in sales from February to March. If we see an increase in spending, the bond market will likely fall and mortgage rates will rise as it would indicate consumers are spending more than thought, fueling economic growth. However, a weaker than expected reading could push bond prices higher and mortgage rates lower Friday, especially of the PPI gives is favorable results also.

The final release of the week is the University of Michigan’s Index of Consumer Sentiment at 9:55 AM ET Friday. Their consumer sentiment index will give us an indication of consumer confidence, which hints at consumers’ willingness to spend. If confidence is rising, consumers are more apt to make large purchases. But, if they are growing more concerned of their personal financial situations, they probably will delay making that large purchase. This influences future consumer spending data and can have a moderate impact on the financial markets. Good news would be a sizable decline from March’s 78.6 reading. Current forecasts are calling for a reading of approximately 78.0.

Overall, look for the most movement in rates the latter part of the week, particularly Friday. The PPI and Retail reports are the biggest names on the agenda. Either of them can cause significant movement in the markets and mortgage rates. Look for the stock markets to also influence bond trading and mortgage rates the a good part of the week as traders react to the earnings news, but I believe we will see the most movement in rates the latter part. I am expecting it to be an active week for the mortgage market, so please maintain contact with your mortgage professional if still floating an interest rate.

Farmers’ Markets vs. CSA Boxes

With Spring comes visions of tender peas, strawberries, and fresh radishes. Maybe your garden isn’t producing yet, or maybe it’s not large enough to produce all that you want. (But definitely get something planted, even if it’s just basil). Your next best bets for good, organic and locally grown produce are farmers’ markets or join into a Community Shared Agriculture (or CSA).

Either way, you’ll be guaranteed super fresh produce regularly. And you’ll also get introduced to new varieties of fruits and vegetables that you can have fun experimenting with.

 

Farmers’ Markets

A farmers’ market is a physical retail market featuring foods locally created sold in vendor booths, stands or tables. Some vendors sell prepared foods like hummus or sauerkraut, and others just sell tomatoes or honey. Some farmers’ markets are open year round, and others will start to open up now that the weather is nicer. Some markets are open the mornings on weekends, and others are in the evenings during the week.

Farmers’ markets are a wonderful place to hang out as they also usually have street performers and food vendors, and can be a great social activity with friends or family.

Another bonus with farmers’ markets are when your garden starts producing, you can buy only what you need.

The downside is that not all vendors show up ever week, so if you were hoping for something specific, you may be disappointed.

Here is a directory of farmers’ markets in California.

 

CSA

Community-shared agriculture is sometimes also known as community-supported agriculture. It’s a network of individuals who have pledged to support one or more local farms. CSA members pay at the beginning of the growing season for a share of the anticipated harvest. Then as the harvest progresses, the members get a weekly box with their part. Some CSAs deliver, and others have pickup sites. Some CSAs include bread, eggs, dairy products, cut flowers, honey, fruit and meat as options.

The downside of a CSA is that you are locked into what they deliver.  If you don’t like kale, and you get two bunches, you’ve got to get creative or find a friend who does like kale. Some people love the surprise factor and still others enjoy the challenge of cooking what you have.

If you have more than you need, you may want to look into preserving techniques like canning, freezing, or dehydrating to have additional vegetables in the winter.

 

Bottom Line

The nice thing about the CSA is that they email you what to expect so you can plan accordingly, and fill in gaps with a trip to the farmers’ market where you can enjoy the social aspect. Another idea is to find a friend or neighbor and share the share with them. By alternating weeks, you can still support the CSA and have the flexibility to get other items from the farmers’ market.

Do you want to try some new vegetables this year?

Natural Tips for Surviving Allergy Season

Natural Tips for Surviving Allergy Season

Last week, we talked about ways to use natural cleaners to reduce allergic reactions to chemicals. This week, we’re just going to focus on allergies since it’s Spring, and things are starting to bloom.

Have you found yourself reaching for the tissue box more yet?

 

Types of Allergies

• tree pollen
• mold
• flower pollen
• grasses

It can take seven years for an allergy to develop. So while you may have not been allergic to acacia trees when you were little, that big yellow puffball down the street may be making your eyes water  now. It’s a good idea to get checked by an allergist if you notice a change in your allergic reactions, such as if your allergies seem to be getting worse every year.

Some allergy seasons, it’s worse for everyone, so monitor the news as well.

 

Super Tips

Seven Tips from Cowrieshell

1. Start eliminating ALL mucous forming foods for the next 3 weeks, i.e. white flour, sugar, breads, pasta, bananas, tofu, milk, ice cream, chocolate, candy, sodas, cheese, etc.
2. Schedule a few colonics. At least 3-4 before spring arrives.
3. Google ‘Neti pots’, it’s a good tool to own.
4. Before having breakfast, drink a glass of warm water with half of a fresh lemon squeeze into it. This helps to alkaline your system, neutralizing the acids which accumulated in your body while you were sleeping.
5. Start juicing again if you stopped during the winter months.
6. Drink loose leaf herb teas and eat seasonal fruits for break-fast (breakfast) Also, be aware that bananas can be mucus forming.
7. Start taking a liquid B-12 supplement (stress formula).

More Quick Tips

If you take allergy medicine, start a few weeks before you know your allergies will hit. You can fight the symptoms better when your system is ready for it, and medicines like antihistamines need some time to build up.

Keep windows closed. Pollen and spores tend to be released in the early and mid-morning. So this also means that you should time outdoor activities as well. If your home gets stuffy, turn the air conditioner on a little earlier then normal. Or look into investing in a house fan. But if you’re allergic to molds and dust and other indoor allergens, throw open all the windows and doors and let the fresh air in.

Shower at the end of the day to get the pollen and spores off of you. Also, when you get home, change out of your clothes so you’re not getting the pollen all over the house.

Look into nasal irrigation to get the pollen and spores out of your nose as well.

Wash your pillowslips in hot water at least once a week.

If you want to work outdoors, like in your garden, wear a mask. No one will think it’s silly.  Look for a mask with a rating of N95 which means it filters out 95% of particles.
From HealthCentral:

Know your allergens. If you have some allergy symptoms during winter months you are probably allergic to dust mite, pets or mold spores. Indoor environmental controls may help you during the outdoor allergy seasons by reducing your response to these indoor triggers over night. Sometimes indoor triggers are more of a problem when the outdoor allergens pick up (a process called priming).

Don’t wait until you’re miserable.  If you know you historically get Spring allergies, talk to your doctor or allergist now so you can have the best tools to stay happy and healthy this season.
What are you allergic to? (and don’t say laundry or business meetings)

Sell Your Old Stuff In Consignment Stores

You’ve moved from an apartment to your first home, or you’re just ready to completely redecorate a room. What to do with the old stuff? You could list it on Craigslist, but then you’d have to meet up with someone who would probably want to haggle on the $10 price.  Or you could have a garage sale where the early birds knock on your door at 5:30am to see if you’re selling a vacuum.  Or you can let the problem be someone else’s, and you just take home the cash.  Consignment stores handle almost everything for you.

There are a few types of consignment stores. The first is the classic store where you leave your items, and they are responsible for selling.  The second type is more like a warehouse. They take your items and list them on eBay and manage the whole process for you including shipping.  Both take a percentage of the final sale price or a flat fee.

Another major positive is that the furniture is out of your house immediately allowing you to repaint, wallpaper, re-carpet, or even change over to wood flooring before buying new furniture. (Or if you’re in a consignment store and see something even better, you can bring it home right away)

eBay Drop Off Stores

Companies like iSold It provide customers with an easy, hassle-free way to sell items online. To find one near you, use an online directory like eBay Drop Off Stores or the eBay Trading Assistant.

Organizational expert Peter Walsh, from TLC’s “Clean Sweep,” confirms the trend. “eBay drop-off stores like iSold It are really the hot new trend in home organization,” he notes. “For occasions such as that yearly cleaning, they provide an easy way for you to get that clutter out of your house and earn some extra cash.”

According to a recent PEW Internet and American Life Project survey, only 22% of online American adults have used the Internet to sell items. eBay drop-off stores professionally photograph the item, write descriptive copy, list it online, collect payment and then pack and ship the item. Once the transaction is complete, the seller receives a check in the mail. For many drop-off stores there are no up-front charges; instead, commission is charged once the item sells.

The commissions can run from 25-40%, so do some research and decide what you want to receive for the item.

Classic Consignment Stores

Often, consignment stores are broken up into types of stores such as furniture and housewares, clothing, and baby items. The good news is that items often sell very quickly in consignment stores so you get paid quickly.
From the Fun Times Guide:

I would, however, recommend consignment shops for buying and selling furniture and housewares! No joke.

I’ve probably sold household items through consignment shops about a half-dozen times in Texas, Florida and here in Nashville (actually Franklin).

In my experience, you can find huge discounts on name-brand, good-quality furniture, decorations, and household accessories. (Think, big mirrors, coffee tables, framed prints, decorative throw pillows, knick knacks, and of course furniture — sofas, chairs, bedroom furniture, bookshelves, etc.).

In fact, items sell so quickly at the furniture-type consignment shops I’ve been to that you have to grab something the first time you see it (if you’re buying), and you get a hefty paycheck right away (if you’re selling).
Overall, I’ve had excellent experiences, both shopping and selling. And I’ve gotten great deals both ways.

TIP: You can find some really great deals on furniture, housewares, and baby items at the consignment shops located in trendier, more upscale neighborhoods. If there’s one several miles away, it’s usually worth the drive!

So, what do you need to know

Read the contracts carefully and know what you’re getting yourself into.  Some consignment stores require you to forfeit your rights to the piece and they can dispose of it in any way they like after two months. Different stores have different fees and commissions. Some places will pick up the furniture for you, and others won’t.

The bottom line is how much effort do you want to put into selling your old furniture. And, chances are good that you will make a larger profit selling through consignment than you would through a garage sale.  Plus, you don’t have to have anyone over to your home like you would through craigslist.

Would you use the money for more furniture or for a vacation?