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Mortgage
News
What the
Fed SaidOctober Meeting Contains Few Surprises
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 The Federal
Reserve met on October 23-24, 2012 for its second-to-last Federal Open
Market Committee (FOMC) meeting of the year. In a statement released
following that meeting, the Fed confirmed it will continue its latest
round of Bond buying–a policy known as Quantitative Easing or
QE3–until our economy can stand on its own two feet. This means
the Fed will purchase $85 billion in Mortgage Bonds each month through
the end of the year, and at least $40 billion per month thereafter
until the labor market shows improvement.
The Fed noted that economic activity expanded at a moderate pace since
their last FOMC meeting in September. However, employment growth has
been slow and unemployment remains elevated. In addition, global
financial markets "continue to pose significant downside risks to
the economic outlook"–meaning they are a threat to U.S.
recovery–a statement unchanged from the Fed's last meeting.
The Fed acknowledged that inflation has picked up due to higher energy
prices, but qualified that it was only a short-term uptick. While one
of the goals of QE3 is to create inflation, it is important to
remember that hints of inflation spook Bond investors, causing both
Bonds and home loan rates (which are tied to Mortgage Bonds) to
worsen because inflation reduces the value of fixed investments like
Bonds. So, if you're in the market for any type of home loan, you'll
want to keep a close eye on how this story unfolds over the next few
months.
While it's difficult to predict what will happen with the economy
overall, what we do know is that home loan rates are currently
near all-time lows. If you should have any questions about this story
or if I can offer any help navigating today's home loan opportunities,
please call or email me anytime!
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 If you know anyone who is
looking to buy, sell or refinance a home, please forward their name
and telephone number to us. We will happily provide the same high
level of service that we have provided to you. The greatest compliment
you could possibly give us is the referral of your friends and
family. |
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Finance
News
Beware of Credit Card Texting Scams
Don't be
tricked into providing your credit card information to scammers.
By Cameron Huddleston, Kiplinger.com
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 Don't panic if you
get a text message stating that there's a problem with your credit
card or that it's been deactivated. Chances are that everything is
fine with your card. The message you received is likely a scam.
Bill Hardekopf, CEO of credit card comparison site LowCards.com, says that there is a
common texting scam that prompts people to call a number to solve an
alleged problem with their credit cards. If you call, you'll be asked
to enter your credit card number. At that point, you'll be handing
over valuable information to scammers.
Hardekopf recommends that you take the following steps to protect
yourself against this and other texting scams:
Do not reply to unfamiliar texts. Any response will let
scammers know that they've reached an active phone number.
Check with your card company if you suspect there is a problem.
Even if you've signed up to receive text messages from your card
company or bank, call the number printed on the back of your credit or
debit card. The text message you receive might look legitimate but
could be a scam.
Ask your cell phone provider to block the number from which the
scam texts originate.
Forward spam texts to 7726 (or SPAM). This service provided by
wireless carriers allows you to report numbers from which spam is
sent. The carriers collect this information to identify spammers and
take action against them, Hardekopf says.
Download apps to help detect scam texts and calls. For example,
the NumberCop app lets you search suspicious phone numbers to see if
they've been reported as spam or scams and lets you report complaints
about suspicious texts from your phone.
Complain to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov.
Reprinted with permission. All Contents ©2012 The Kiplinger
Washington Editors. Kiplinger.com.
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Creative
Cuisine
Pumpkin-Curry Soup
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 Here's a recipe
for a pureed soup, which I absolutely love. Don't be afraid to serve
this at Thanksgiving or all winter long for that matter.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 medium leeks (white part only),
chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 15-oz. can of pumpkin puree
- 4 cups canned chicken stock
- 1 cup half and half
- 2 tsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- fresh cilantro
In a soup pot, melt butter together with oil until hot. Add onion,
leeks, and garlic, and sauté for five minutes. Add curry
powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, a dash of salt and pepper, and stir.
Add pumpkin, chicken stock, and the bay leaf, and stir to combine.
Simmer for 15–20 minutes. Remove mixture from stove and process
with an immersion blender until smooth. Return pot to stovetop and
add half and half. Adjust seasonings, and simmer for another five
minutes. Serve in bowls, and top with fresh cilantro.
No stranger to professional kitchens, Kirk Leins currently devotes
most of his time to cooking instruction, food writing, and producing
television. You can visit Kirk's website at www.NoTimeToCook.com.
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Street Smarts
Drunk
DrivingBe Responsible–and Mindful–This Holiday Season
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 Tis'
the season for family gatherings and holiday parties. Holiday
celebrations can quickly turn into a tragic situation when there is
irresponsible behavior, largely due to the consumption and
over-consumption of alcohol. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), "43% of
driving fatalities occur on Christmas Day."
Here are some things to be mindful of before heading out for an
evening of fun:
Pre-determine who will be marked as "the designated
driver." Remember a designated driver is not the person who
consumes the least amount of alcohol–it's the person who will
commit to being sober for the entire evening.
If you're headed to a holiday event or party, consider calling a
car service or a cab for your means of transportation. You can
also visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a
listing of various sober/safe ride programs that are available across
the country.
Call your local authorities if you see someone on the road who
appears to be driving erratically or driving drunk. Your call can be
anonymous and has the potential to save lives!
If you are hosting a party this holiday season, review this Safe Party Guide put together by MADD. Remember,
you play a key role in making sure that your guests not only have
fun–but more importantly–that they are safe.
And last but not least, remember, "Friends don't let friends
drive drunk." Consider this an obligation and know that you
are doing your friends–and everyone else who is out on the
road–a huge favor. In fact, you'll actually be considered a
"lifesaver."
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Home
News
Fall
Thermostat Check |
 The
Romans were the first society to invent the indoor heating system by
running hot water underneath their marble floors. But the ability to
control the temperature would have to wait until 1883 when Warren S.
Johnson invented the first electric thermostat.
There were earlier attempts to create thermostats but none as precise
as Johnson's, which was accurate to a single degree. And while your
thermostat probably isn't that old, if you live in a home built
before 1980, yours could still be costing you money.
Most modern thermostat troubles can be fixed simply by replacing the
batteries. Turn off the heating system power and remove the cover
according to your user manual. While you're in there, gently dust and
remove corrosion from any visible parts.
You can also check to be sure the unit is level on the wall and
located about five feet off the ground for the most accurate read.
Consider relocating any thermostat placed where the temperature isn't
consistent with rest of the house (this may require the help of a
licensed HVAC contractor).
Old thermostats are fine as a simple on/off switch for your furnace
but still a culprit for wasted energy and bigger heating bills. The
good news is that replacing an older unit usually doesn't require
professional help. You can purchase a replacement at your local
hardware store and follow the enclosed instructions.
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Facts and
Figures
Thanksgiving: More Than Just Turkey and Pumpkin
Pie! |
 Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin
pie–it's a time for families to come together and express their
gratitude. Rich with history, Thanksgiving is also surrounded by some
interesting facts. Here are just a few that you might like to
share:
- George Washington was the first to issue a Thanksgiving
proclamation in 1789. In this proclamation he asked Americans to be
thankful for the "happy conclusion to the country's war of
independence and the successful ratification of the U.S.
Constitution."
- New York was the first state to officially adopt an annual
Thanksgiving holiday in 1817.
- In 1863, Abraham Lincoln scheduled Thanksgiving for the last
Thursday in November.
- The date remained that way until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt
moved Thanksgiving up a week, to November 23, since retailers hoped
the extended holiday shopping season would boost sales. This caused
confusion, as not all states adopted the change. Congress finally
passed a law on December 26, 1941, declaring that Thanksgiving would
occur every year on the fourth Thursday of November.
- The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, originating in 1924,
stretches for more than 2 miles and attracts more than 2 million
spectators.
- One turkey is "pardoned" every year by the President of
the United States.
- Whether it's roasted, baked or deep fried, according to the
National Turkey Federation, 90 percent of Americans eat
turkey.
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Did you
know that Americans who live abroad still have the right to vote in US
Federal elections? Votefromabroad.org lists clear instructions on how
to request a ballot and vote by mail.
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The holiday season brings joy,
cheer and merriment–but the jolly holidays can quickly turn sour
for those who fall victim to food poisoning. Here are a few food
safety tips:
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Tip 1: Plan Ahead. Hot foods
need to be kept at or above 140 degrees and cold foods need to be kept
at or below 40 degrees.
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Tip 2: Don't leave out the
leftovers. Leftovers should be refrigerated–if not
immediately then within two hours of preparation.
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Tip 3: Chill out. Make sure your
refrigerator is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and that your
freezer is at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Tip 4: Avoid cross-contamination.
Don't use the same cutting board for vegetables and meat, unless
the board has been run through the dishwasher or properly cleaned with
anti-bacterial dish soap and hot water.
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Tip 5: Practice proper hand washing.
Don't just run your hands under warm water. Instead, wash with
anti-bacterial soap in hot water, being sure to scrub your hands,
fingers and even your wrists for at least 20
seconds.
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| "Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going." |
| – Jim Rohn |
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According to a recent Forbes article, which major
company announced in September 2012 that it would be hiring
80,000-90,000 seasonal holiday workers?
- Walmart
- Target
- UPS
- Best Buy
- FedEx
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For answer,
scroll down to the bottom. |
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Your Best Just Got Better: Work Smarter,
Think Bigger, Make More
By Jason Womack |
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With contagious enthusiasm, author
and productivity coach Jason Womack shows you how to maximize your
four limited resources–time, energy, focus, and
productivity–to create the best possible day.
"What makes the difference in life and in work," Womack
says, "is when people look at what they are doing that's
‘working' and then improve it a little bit at a time." But
rather than add more items to your to-do list, Womack teaches
examining your work style–clarifying "how" you best
get things done instead of focusing on "what" you need to
do.
Once armed with that information, you can be more strategic about your
day. "Most people think that their day starts on their way to
work," he suggests. "I teach them how to start their day
yesterday." He shows that the path to more effective work,
more time for yourself, and just maybe the foundation for an
extraordinary life can be obtained with less effort than people
usually imagine.
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Thank You
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As always, we wish
to thank our clients who have been kind enough to refer business to
us. We appreciate the opportunity to provide excellent service to your
family, friends, and co–workers.
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With
all the news about the economy and the potential concerns over future
inflation, a big news item to watch is the Fed Meeting that will take
place in June. Here's what you need to know!
A
few years ago, travel agents appeared to be sailing into the sunset as
options for booking vacations online flourished. But business has been
booming. The American Society of Travel Agents reports that about 75% of
its members say revenues, transactions and number of clients rose or
remained steady in the first half of 2011 compared with the first half
of 2010.
In
just a few short weeks, the bell will sound and school will be out for
the summer. And while most carefree children look forward to family
vacations, trips to the swimming pool, and going off to summer camp,
there are also some very important things that parents–and
children–should be educated about in order to ensure a safe and healthy
summer for all. Especially when venturing out to your neighborhood park!
Meal
planning is a simple and effective way to save a lot of money each
month, not to mention cut down on pricey (and unhealthy) dining out.
Serving home-cooked meals to your family not only reduces your grocery
budget, it's a healthy alternative to fast food. Here are a few tips and
ideas to get you started:
July
27th marks the opening ceremonies for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games,
which for the third time are being held in London, England. To help
build the excitement, we thought we'd share some fascinating facts about
the Games of the XXX Olympiad. 