It’s the most wonderful time of the year – yes, but for many it can also be the most stressful time of the year as well. With this in mind, here are a few simple tips for stress-proofing your holiday season. Be generous…to yourself – The holidays are a time of giving and gratitude, but don’t forget about yourself and your health. Stress has been proven to be bad for your heart, heart rate, blood pressure and can make certain chronic diseases, like arthritis and diabetes, even worse. So don’t let shopping be your only exercise this holiday season. Schedule some time for yourself once a week at the gym. Splurge on a yoga class or two, or just allow yourself time for a quiet walk or jog around the block. After all, the best gift you can give your family is a happier, healthier you! Plan for success…not perfection – We’ve all heard about “the best laid plans of mice and men,” but nowhere in that famous poem is perfection mentioned. This holiday season, yes, plan ahead and avoid stressful surprises that can pop up and ruin your events. But, at the same time, expect some surprises, and give yourself permission to let some things slide. Give…and receive – A great way to cut down on stress is to share the load. Volunteering to help others will help you keep your mind off your responsibilities and remind you of how good it feels to give. But remember, this works both ways. Allow others that same opportunity. Let them help you when you need it. You just might find that these “opportunities” create the best, most enduring holiday memories.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) consistently ranks contractor fraud as its number one complaint. Don’t be a victim. If you (or someone you know) is thinking about hiring a contractor, please read or share these tips straight from the BBB before signing anything.
- Obtain bids (from at least three licensed contractors) based on building specifications, quality of materials, labor and time to complete the project.
- Ask for customer references, and be sure to contact them. If possible, check out previous work.
- Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for a report on the contractor and review site thoroughly for further advice.
- Ask to see the contractor’s pocket license and another form of ID.
- Call the Contractors State License Board to see if the license is valid and if a bond is in place.
- It’s very important that your contractor have property damage and personal liability insurance coverage, and, if the contractor has any employees, workers’ compensation. Insist that the insurance broker send you certificates of insurance.
Remember, a contractor may not ask for more than ten percent of the total contract price, or $1,000 (or two percent or $200 in the case of swimming pools), whichever is less, as a down payment. (Insist upon a lien release from all subcontractors and suppliers before you pay for any work).
Anything you sign may constitute a contract. Before you sign a final contract, be sure it includes the following:
- the name, street address (not just a post office box), and local telephone number of the contractor;
- if you must obtain a loan to pay for the project, that the agreement is valid only if you obtain financing at a given rate;
- a written description of all work to be done, including a detailed description of the kind and quality of materials to be used;
- a bid based on the job, not by the unit;
- a price breakdown for both labor and materials;
- starting and completion dates;
- the schedule for releasing payments to the contractor;
- a written statement reiterating any oral promises made by the contractor or sales representative, including any warranties on materials or labor;
- that the contractor will obtain the necessary building permits.
Don’t sign a completion certificate until you’re satisfied that the job has been completed according to the contract and inspection has been completed by local building authorities.
Shopping online is a great way to find deals. But, if you’re not careful, you could be putting your personal information at risk of being stolen by identity thieves.
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself while shopping – or doing anything – online. Follow these tips to protect your personal information while buying gifts this year.
1. Never shop online from a public Wi-Fi connection. Hackers can tap into Wi-Fi connections at hotspots, such as coffee shops, airports and hotels, to capture your personal information. If you must use public Wi-Fi, you can download for free the AnchorFree HotSpot Shield to hide your IP address while you’re online and protect your computer from snoopers. Also, never use a public computer to shop or check accounts online.
2. Don’t use your smartphone to shop. Hackers can use the same tactics for tapping into your smartphone as they use for your laptop or PC.
3. Don’t use your debit card for online shopping. If hackers steal your debit-card information and raid your bank account, you must report any misuse within two days to get the same $50 limited liability as you would with a credit card. Miss that deadline but report your loss within 60 days and you could be liable for up to $500. After 60 days, your liability is unlimited.
4. Shop online only at known retailers. Don’t let a search engine pick a site for you because it could be bogus. Even if you’re using a site that you think is legitimate, look for security labels, such as VeriSign and Cybertrust, and for https:// to appear in the url on pages that prompt you to enter personal information. Also consider downloading McAfee’s free SiteAdvisor, which tests sites for dangerous downloads, spamming and more.
5. Don’t click on pop-up ads. Hackers recently have posted bogus ads with malicious software on legitimate sites NYTimes.com, for example).
On November 6, 2009, President Obama signed a bill into law that immediately extended the popular tax credit program offering up to $8,000 for qualified first-time homebuyers (FTHBs) into the first half of 2010.
The bill also instantly expanded the program, offering up to $6,500 in tax credits for qualified repeat home buyers, swinging open the door for even more qualified homebuyers to take advantage of this valuable opportunity at a time when mortgage rates are still near historical lows.
First-Time Buyers
For FTHBs (defined as someone who has not owned a primary residence in the previous 36 months, prior to closing and the transfer of title), the basic rules remain the same, with one important exception – higher income limits are now in place, increasing the pool of potential buyers eligible for the tax credit of up to 10% of the purchase price or up to $8,000. This is money that does not have to be repaid as long you stay in your new home for at least 36 months.
Single tax filers who earn up to $125,000 are now eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap (but less than $145,000) can receive a partial credit. Joint filers who earn up to $225,000 are eligible for the total credit amount. Those who earn more than this cap (but less than $245,000) can receive a partial credit.
Repeat Buyers
The new homebuyer program offers an exciting new opportunity missing from the previous incentives – a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified purchasers who have owned and occupied a primary residence for a period of five consecutive years during the last eight years. This gives those who already own a qualifying residence some additional reasons to take advantage of lower home prices and interest rates and finally move up to the home of their dreams.
Important Deadlines
Purchase agreements must be signed by April 30, 2010, and closings must be final by June 30.
Feeling very thankful and wanting to share that with you…
On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for
Our blessings all year through,
For family we dearly love,
For good friends, old and new.
For sun to light and warm our days,
For stars that glow at night,
For trees of green and skies of blue,
And puffy clouds of white.
We’re grateful for our eyes that see
The beauty all around,
For arms to hug, and legs to walk,
And ears to hear each sound.
The list of all we’re grateful for
Would fill a great big book;
Our thankful hearts find new delights
Everywhere we look!
By Joanna Fuchs
During the holidays I love to enjoy pumpkin desserts… this recipe has become one of my favorites… bon appetite!
Amazing Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Serves 6
Bread pudding
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin
- 1 cup (packed) plus 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 10 cups 1/2-inch cubes egg bread (about 10-ounces)
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
Caramel sauce
- 1 1/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup whipping cream
- Powdered sugar
Preparation
For bread pudding:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Whisk half and half, pumpkin, dark brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and vanilla extract in large bowl to blend. Fold in bread cubes. Stir in golden raisins. Transfer mixture to 11×7-inch glass baking dish. Let stand 15 minutes. Bake pumpkin bread pudding until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare caramel sauce:
Whisk brown sugar and butter in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until butter melts. Whisk in cream and stir until sugar dissolves and sauce is smooth, about 3 minutes.
Sift powdered sugar over bread pudding. Serve warm with caramel sauce.
