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How to set adult tool gifts

It happens each Christmas. As shortly as a jacket hits a floor,
you’re removing strike adult to set adult everyone’s new gadgets. Don’t worry, this
year we’ve got your behind with a few discerning tips so that you’ll be
navigating a innumerable of menus and manuals – finished and on to a egg nog -
in no time.

DO THE DIRTY WORK AHEAD OF TIME

If
you’re giving someone tech as a present set it adult for them previously if
you can. Though this isn’t always an option, it can be a good surprise
to give a present that requires 0 work to spin on. This is a perfect
solution for folks who aren’t tech- savvy, as they can start regulating the
gift but frustration.

Simple set-up

Just about each new tool these days comes with a quick start guide
that’s easy to follow. Most new gadgets simply need to be plugged in
and charged up, connected to Wi-Fi, and related to an existent email
account. Pretty elementary stuff.

Take a second and set adult confidence features, such as Find my iPhone or Lookout .
Also, download a few of their favorite apps. If you’re not certain which
ones to choose, take a demeanour during a Editor’s Choice apps and other
curated suggestions on iTunes or Google Play.

PEGORARO: Holiday assistance table – come to a rescue with tech support

If you’re assisting set adult a present after
the recipient’s non-stop it, and it doesn’t have to go behind in a box it
came in all good and neat – something that has saved me a lot of hassle
- open all with a vast Ziploc nearby. Label a charger, put
all of a instructions, additional pieces, even a strange boxes inside
and store it away. This helps if we need to review a manual, lapse it,
or even re-sell it down a road.

When
buying a newest chronicle of a smartphone or a inscription for your family
member, be certain to behind adult and send information from his or her older
smartphone or tablet.(Photo: iStock)

Transfer critical files and settings

For
tablets, smartphones, and computers, your present target will probably
want to send their files and settings to a new device.
Unfortunately, this will be a opposite routine for opposite gadgets,
but here are some stairs to get we started:

- If your present is an
upgrade to a latest version, it competence be as elementary as subsidy adult a old
device and restoring to a new. This is generally easy with iPhone
and iPad upgrades. Syncing a device with a horde mechanism mostly lets
you transcribe selected apps and contacts on a new device in only a few
minutes.

- If we sync your contacts, mail, or papers through
any sold use – like Gmail or Dropbox – starting on a new
system can be as easy as environment adult those same services on your new
computer, smartphone, or tablet.

- For computers, a simplest way
to pierce your information is to duplicate your files from one mechanism to another
over Wi-Fi or to a gangling tough expostulate or USB drive. If you’re upgrading a
Mac, an associate during an Apple Store can perform this send for no
charge.

- Some Android phone and tablets have entrance to external
storage, that can be a good approach to behind adult files and settings and move
them to a new device.

GET THE EXTRAS READY

If it’s a
device we can’t set adult forward of time – like a new HDTV – be certain to
check a wrapping to see if there’s something additional we need. Common
culprits that competence be blank embody batteries, cables, memory cards,
and program or games. For example, a new HDTV or Blu-ray actor isn’t
likely to embody a HDMI cord you’ll need to bond it to a rest of
your party gadgets.

A few other critical add-ons include:

-
Game consoles roughly never come with a games to play on them. Be sure
to collect adult one or dual along with a complement itself to safeguard a
fun-filled Christmas morning.

- If you’re giving a digital or
video camera, there’s a good possibility it’ll come with possibly a little memory
card or no storage media during all. If you’re giving one of these, it’s a
good thought to obstacle a brawny memory label during a same time.

- Giving a
tablet or smartphone? How about an App Store or Google Play present card
along with it, so your crony or family member can bucket it adult with great
apps right away.

CONSIDER THE KIDS

If you’re giving a
gadget present to a teen or younger user, it competence be a good thought to set
up a parental controls forward of time. Set adult a cue for mature
content and share it with a recipient’s primogenitor or defender so they can
change it if they need to. Most tablets and smartphones have
easy-to-use age controls that shorten calm with a simple environment that
is easy to change by a primogenitor if needed.

The same is loyal for
new video games and movies. If you’re giving a diversion console or a Blu-ray
player and wish to embody some calm to play on a device, error on
the side of counsel and name titles that are excusable for all ages.
For movies, PG or G is perfect, and for video games you’ll wish to
select T or E-rated titles. In any case, avoiding R-rated cinema and
M-rated games will safeguard a primogenitor doesn’t have to un-gift your present
after a fact.

A Platform for Good offers suggestions for a set of manners and responsibilities to give your child with their new gadget.(Photo: A Platform for Good, www.aplatformforgood.org)

Contract cards
with a created set of manners and responsibilities are also great
resources for both kids and parents. I’ve used one to set expectations
up on both sides, so that my daughter gets transparent bounds on when and
how she can use her new device, and we guarantee not to overreact or do
something hypocritical, like play Candy Crush during dinnertime.

Amazon’s Kindle Fire(Photo: Amazon)

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

If a new present only happens to be an Amazon Kindle Fire, you’re in good fitness if we get stumped since there’s a “Mayday” button that connects we to a genuine person, right on a device. There’s also an Android App called Zikk that gives we entrance to to your family’s devices, so that we can assistance them even if you’re median around a world.

For
everything else, if we finish adult being truly in a splash for set-up tips,
and a instruction primer isn’t assisting make matters any better, the
web competence be your best friend. Many new gadgets have pages on pages of
online support.

You should be means to find answers to specific
questions – or during slightest a approach to hit support if you’re still having
trouble. If we still can’t find what you’re looking for, simply go to
your favorite hunt engine and form a product name as good as a
description of a problem you’re carrying – chances are we aren’t the
only one who’s carrying it, and someone competence have a resolution for you. If
the misfortune does indeed occur – and your present simply won’t work, or isn’t
right for a target – always keep your receipts! A operative present a
day late is improved than a damaged present on time.

Any questions? Be certain to share comments below. Happy Holidays

Guide to a lastest aptness gadgets

Guide to a lastest aptness gadgets

The latest aptness gadgets record many some-more than how many stairs we take on any given day. From nap patterns to mood, calorie intake and swell toward practice goals, few aspects of life are left un-tracked for those acid for a some-more quantified self.

These gadgets can be good for determined health nuts and cot potatoes wanting impulse to get active.

But before we get one as a gift, cruise this: Wristbands can be a commitment, style-wise and beyond. Some are meant to be ragged around a time and embody options to manually enter each dish we had. Those who remember Tamagotchis know that constantly given to your inspired tool day after day can get tedious.

Then there’s a message. Are we revelation your sedentary cousin that he needs to get in shape? Before shopping one of these, try to feel out what a present target thinks of them and possibly he or she will find it useful.

Fitbit Force ($130):

This extensive aptness tracker does a small bit of everything. It’ll record how many stairs we take, floors we climb, calories we bake and miles we move. Sync it with your mechanism or a smartphone app to set goals and see how we spend your waking — and sleeping — hours.

Pros: It’s a neat wristband with a arrangement that functions as a watch and shows a day’s activity progress. It’s gentle to wear sleeping or typing. It works as a wordless alarm and will arise we adult with a quivering if we wear it to bed. The app will assistance we emanate a food devise if we wish to remove — or benefit — weight.

Cons: The grip can be formidable to fasten; cave fell off once when we was holding off my cloak since we didn’t know it wasn’t sealed all a way. It doesn’t lane your heart rate or skin temperature, both of that are essential for some aptness gurus though aren’t enclosed in any of these 4 gadgets. The app itself is not as visible as a Jawbone’s.

Fitbug Orb ($50):

The Fitbug is a many versatile when it comes to wearability — essential for any device meant to be ragged constantly. The device itself is a turn universe with a hole of roughly an inch. You can insert it into a wristband, hang it on your belt or shave it into a bra.

Pros: You can wear it on your wrist, though we can use an enclosed “underwear clip” instead. Unlike a others, there’s no need to recharge a battery. Its replaceable battery should final 6 months or so. It’s distant cheaper than any of a competitors and will lane your sleep, distinct a Nike FuelBand.

Cons: It’s large for a device that lacks a display. Because it looks like a watch, we wish it to during slightest tell time. Instead, there’s a symbol to send information to your phone or computer, and a singular light.

It’s “splashproof,” rather than H2O resistant, so it’s substantially not good to wear in a shower. Compatibility with mobile inclination is singular to iPhones, iPads and certain Samsung Android devices.

Jawbone Up ($130):

The Jawbone motivates but being unrealistic. If it’s nearby midnight and we are 5,000 stairs from your goal, it’ll stay quiet. But if you’re usually 50 stairs away, we competence get a presentation to pull we over.

With a smartphone app, users can supplement “teammates” and lane fitness, nap goals and calories. You can supplement your mood manually. A “smart” alarm will arise we adult by moving on your wrist adult to 30 mins before your designated wake-up time. This can make it easier to get adult as it’ll quiver when we are in a state of light sleep, rather than low slumber.

Pros: Easy to take on and off. It’s a smallest and slightest overt of a four. It can roughly pass for a bracelet. The battery lasted some-more than a week on a singular assign when we attempted it, and a app is fun and discerning to use. Your “teammates” can leave comments and smileys on your activity.

Cons: There’s no display, so we need to sync it with a smartphone to see your activities. It doesn’t work with computers. As with other aptness trackers, food logging and calorie counting can get tedious.

Emphasis is on a “almost” when it comes to flitting as a bracelet. When typing, it tends to hit opposite a laptop. Then again, we don’t wear bracelets while typing either.

Nike FuelBand SE ($149):

With a absolute code name behind it, Nike broadened a interest of aptness bracelets with a initial FuelBand and softened on it with a SE. Unlike a other trackers, this tool is meant usually for your daily activity — no nap patterns or lovable mood icons here.

Pros: Motivation, pristine and simple. The wristband marks your swell as it changes from red (lazy pants) to yellow (getting there) to immature (whew). It flashes when we accommodate your daily idea and awards we badges for surpassing it. For example, we get a rainbow badge for tripling your daily goal.

The arrangement shows a time, stairs taken, calories and a series of NikeFuel points earned. Its morality is partial of a interest for those looking for an easy-to-use aptness tracker.

Cons: It’s a priciest of a bunch, nonetheless it doesn’t lane nap patterns. Nike won’t exhibit how it calculates NikeFuel points. In my tests, this one seems to have a shortest battery life of a 

Conservationists Reflect On Four Decades Of Endangered Species Act

Conservationists Reflect On Four Decades Of Endangered Species Act

redOrbit Staff Wire Reports – Your Universe Online

Saturday outlines a 40th anniversary of a Endangered Species Act, a landmark square of legislation designed to strengthen critically imperiled creatures from annihilation in a US due to mercantile expansion and development.

According to National Geographic, a law has helped redeem some-more than 30 class and prevented a annihilation of 99 percent of all class it was designed to strengthen given it was creatively sealed into law by President Richard Nixon on Dec 28, 1973.

The initial class to be announced entirely recovered underneath a Endangered Species Act was a brown pelican in 2009. Since then, a Act has been credited with saving hundreds of US class from extinction, including a bald eagle, a American alligator, sea otters and pumas.

“There have been many good and bad times that have happened over a years. Many animals on a list have started to thrive, including some that might remove insurance since their populations are doing so well,” pronounced Tina Elliott of a Guardian Liberty Voice, adding a act “has saved many class from a margin of extinction, and has stable over 1400 domestic wildlife, fish and plants, as good as 600 unfamiliar species.”

Rachel Santymire, who serves as executive of a Lincoln Park Zoo’s Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology told Justin Breen of DNAinfo Chicago a act was “one of a best things we’ve finished for a environment.”

Santymire helps guard a race of a singular black-footed ferret, that according to Elliott were believed to be archaic in 1981, though interjection to a Act have now repopulated 8 states.

The anniversary comes during a time when wildlife officials in a northern Rockies are debating either or not a hundreds of grizzly bears located in and around Yellowstone National Park should continue to be protected, Elizabeth Weise of USA Today reports. The creatures, that were initial postulated sovereign insurance in 1975, are on a highway to recovery. Those in preference of stability insurance disagree that lifting their insurance would be, in Weise’s words, “short-sighted.”

Jim Robinett, comparison clamp boss of outmost and regulatory affairs during a Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, said, “One of a many impactful changes [of a Endangered Species Act] is a partnership between zoos and aquariums and supervision agencies… These partnerships concede us to share information and techniques schooled from a animals in a caring to urge rescue and reconstruction in a wild. These profitable collaborations request sovereign efforts on a internal level.”

Robinett, who has been operative during a aquarium for a bulk of a past 40 years, called it “incredible to see a change in a public’s seductiveness in environmental charge – from a transformation embracing recycling and immature vital to today’s immature era with increasing seductiveness in safeguarding animals and their environment… I’ve seen how touching a well-spoken skin of a stingray during an aquarium can lead a immature guest to consider about what form of tolerable seafood plate to sequence during dinner. It’s those practice that have demonstrated a vicious purpose that zoos and aquariums play in conservation.”

Illinois math, scholarship academy to get $3.6M grant

Illinois math, scholarship academy to get $3.6M grant

AURORA, Ill. • The state of Illinois will yield $3.6 million to ascent laboratories during a Illinois Math and Science Academy in suburban Chicago.

Gov. Pat Quinn announced a extend for a Aurora propagandize on Saturday.

In an emailed statement, Quinn says a state has a shortcoming “to safeguard Illinois students contest and attain on a universe stage.” The Chicago Democrat says a upgraded laboratories will assistance urge a state’s science, technology, engineering and math education.

The income is from a $31 billion collateral construction module Quinn sealed into law in 2009.

It will be used to ascent 8 laboratories during a academy, that was combined by a state of Illinois.

The propagandize provides academically gifted students in grades 10 to 12 with an advanced, residential college basic program.

Four Previously Unknown Marine Species Discovered Near Scotland

Four Previously Unknown Marine Species Discovered Near Scotland

redOrbit Staff Wire Reports – Your Universe Online

Four class of sea creatures formerly different to scholarship have been detected in low H2O off a west seashore of Scotland, BBC News and other media outlets reported over a weekend.

The British news group reported that a new class were detected during surveys conducted byMarine Scotland, a supervision group dedicated to progressing a wealth and environmental sustainability of a country’s seas. They were all found in a closeness of Rockall – volcanic stays located 260 miles west of a Western Isles.

The creatures embody one new class of vast sea snail (Volutopsius scotiae), dual new kinds of clams (Thyasira scotiae and Isorropodon mackayi), and a formerly different sea worm (currently unnamed, though belonging to a genus Antonbrunnia), according to Sarah Hedgecock ofGawker.

The class were found nearby a suspected cold trickle – an area where methane and otherhydrocarbons are expelled from a seabed. The sea snail and one of a clams were named in respect of a investigate vessel MRV Scotia, while a other clam was named after mollusk consultant David Mackay, BBC News said.

“The find of these new class is positively incredible, generally when we cruise that a sea snail measures a comparatively vast 10cm, nonetheless has left undetected for decades,” Jim Drewery of Marine Scotland Science told The Courier. “Its constraint on these surveys could be due to a new techniques we are now contracting during Marine Scotland Science in a investigate on a low sea floor.”

“If true, this is no reduction critical a find as a most improved famous hydrothermal vents found in other tools of a world,” WWF Scotland executive Lang Banks combined in an talk with Robin McKie of The Guardian. “They would give us a singular event to observe some class doubtful to be found anywhere else on a planet.”

Drewery told McKie that he was generally vehement by a find of a new sea worm species, that is a initial quadruped of a kind to ever be found in a Atlantic Ocean. The worm was detected by general bivalve consultant Graham Oliver, who is dependent with a National Museum of Wales. Oliver reportedly found a quadruped while he was examining a inside of one of a new clams while in a routine of confirming it as a new species.

“The find of a Rockall cold trickle and a changed ecology has lifted concerns about trawlers fishing in a region,” McKie reported. “Scotland’s sourroundings secretary, Richard Lochhead, pronounced a seabed around a cold trickle would substantially be stable as a outcome of a find of a new species.”

John Paulson: A Celebrated Gold Trader

John Paulson: A Celebrated Gold Trader

Work actively and constantly on turning a correct idea into a useful action which will then become an unconscious habit – if you do, you can manage to be a successful trader, too.” – Norman Waltz

John Paulson was born in December 14, 1955, to Alfred G. and Jacqueline Paulson, who both immigrated to the US from different countries (Alfred came from Ecuador and Jacqueline came from Lithuania). He’s the 3rd of the 4 children born to the couple. Growing up in New York, and spending some of his time in Ecuador, he eventually received his first degree in finance from New York University Stern School of Business (then the New York University's College of Business and Public Administration). He was advised to apply to Harvard Business School – something he did, and he was admitted. After this, he earned the Sidney J. Weinberg/Goldman Sachs scholarship, and at last, bagged his MBA in 1980 (being in the top 5% of his class).
 
Paul first served as a research analyst at Boston Consulting Group in 1980. He was very good at his job but he was not yet trading or investing. He quit that company to work at Odyssey Partners. He also had some work experience at Bear Stearns and Gruss Partners LP. With $2,000,000 and one worker, he started Paulson & Co. (his own fund) in 1994, based in New York. This American hedge fund manager went short on subprime mortgages in 2007 and earned profits totaling $3,700,000,000 in the same year. In the year 2010, he earned a salary of almost $5,000,000,000. The windfall was realized when the bubbles of mortgage backed securities market went burst. The bet against the subprime mortgage bubble was one of the best trades in human history. He’s long invested his personal fortune in gold, and as a result of this, additional $3,100,000,000 was made between the year 2010 and the year 2011. In the year 2012, with a net worth of $12,500,000,000, Forbes ranked him 61st on the list of the richest individuals the world over. He’s spent hundreds of millions of dollars in buying several homes. He’s also spent hundreds of millions of dollars for various causes and charities.
 
Lessons:
What can you learn from John Paulson?
 

1. It’s common for many seemingly indigent people to be jealous, envious, livid, and become forlorn when they read how seriously affluent some are. You’re not really forlorn as you thought – only that you let great opportunities pass under your nose without capitalizing on them. There are many great opportunities in trading, but you don’t want to be a trader because you know some people are losing, and because those who’re not interest in trading have told you not to do it. You see, they aren’t doing it, and they’re telling you not to do it (simply because they lack the knowledge that can really make them winners in the markets). Some people don’t want to do it, while some do it in the face of recalcitrant hurdles and obstructions. When those who push ahead in spite of the challenges end up attaining financial freedom, then others would begin to be jealous, envious, livid, and would feel forlorn. Whereas those who’ve become rich as traders have done what you didn’t want to do: they risked their heads, necks sweats, and socks. Now, they are rich, and you’re furious and envious.
   
   When some Occupy Wall Street protesters were picketing his area, the angry John Paulson was reported as saying: We pay a lot of taxes, especially living in New York ... Most jurisdictions would want to have successful companies like ours located there. I’m sure if we wanted to go to Singapore, they’d roll out the red carpet to attract us. ... We choose to stay here and then, you know, get yelled at. I think that’s misdirecting their anger at the wrong place.”  (An interview with Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine, 2012).

2. Don’t despise the days of your little beginning. Though your beginning may be small, your latter end shall greatly increase. John’s beginning was very humble, yet he now has a place among the wealthiest hedge-fund managers in the world. Compared to what he’s worth today, the $2 million he started with when he founded his own hedge fund pales into insignificance. Your background may be humble. What you’ve now may be very insignificant, but it’s very imperative that you concentrate on being the best trader you can be, then your latter end shall be increased greatly. Your potential in trading is limitless and can’t be determined by opinions of others.

3. John hasn’t been always right, just like other successful traders. In the year 2011, he sustained some negativity when speculating on Bank of America and other business entities. In September 2011, it was reported that his portfolio was almost forty percent negative. Even recently, he announced about eighteen percent negativity. You see, these aren’t the reasons for him to quit trading as certain people do. Ultimately, John would recover his negativity and move ahead; it’s just a matter of time. No matter the trading system you use, you’ll go thru periods of winnings, roll-downs and flat performances. During these periods, you shouldn’t feel discouraged or dejected; eventually you’ll recover your losses and move ahead. Now and then, market wizards’ performances are punctuated by periods of negativity, and there’s no way around this. Ultimately, most of them (especially those who’re good at risk management) would recover their losses and move ahead.  

trick for mortgage payment

Wonderful World of Mortgage Payments
Born in India, I was brought up in a society/ulture that never liked debt. Now living in the USA, I could not avoid debt for long time. I gave a tough fight but when I bought my home, I had to have a debt. 
Surprisingly in the USA, there are two numbers very important for you: Naturally, the first number, is your Social Security Number and the second one is your average credit score. (There are three consumer credit rating companies so you have 3 credit scores as such but average score is the one that counts.). Social Security Number (SSN) is a boring number; once you get it, you are stuck with it for your life but you have to save it as precious as life. On the other hand, if you have a high credit score, it can give you bragging rights among your friends. There are so many strategies out there on talk-shows, in books, in magazines and on the Internet trying to teach you how to improve your creditbility/ credit score. There is one Credit Score expert around you wherever you happen to be- usually within 10 feet of you or only 10 digits away! Talk to 3 people around you in a gathering or at workplace, or talk to any 3 friends on phone, and I bet you one of them would give you some solid tips on credit scores! I am just trying to highlight how much our attitude has changed towards debt. (Not surprisingly, this credit thingy has extentended USA's prosperity by at least two solid decades in my opinion.Usually you earn first and then you spend but with credit/debt, you spend first and then you are supposed to pay with your future earnings. This kind of bringing forward consumption on the timeline can cause/extend economic boom in any country. Sounds confusing? Wait for my next posting on my webpages)
Most of us living in the USA pay Mortgage payment every month. It is part of the American dream- dream of owning a home. That not only gives you a home, but helps American economy in a big way. When you purchase, usually 6% of that amount is paid to brokers, around $5000 gets paid in terms of closing costs to variety of parties, when you sell, there is another 6% paid to brokers, and then every year, around 1 to 2% gets paid in the form of property taxes to state and local governments. Knowing or unknowingley, each of home buyer is doing a lot of good to the American society and contributing his/her dues to maintaining standards of living in the USA. We embrace this mortgage debt on the wonderful selling point of Internal Revenue Service (IRS)- "deduction of mortgage interest"! This whole cycle works very well- for you as well as for others.
Anyway, the purpose of this page is to play around with some numbers and to do some financial math that can help you save some money.
TRICK 1: Mortgage payment voucher comes in the mail every month with a due date of 1st of the month but did you know that you usually get 15 days of grace period to make your payment? I believe most of us pay on the 1st itself. We don't care of 15 days worth of holding onto our monthly mortgage payment. Now if you decide to delay your payment by 15 days each month, what kind of benefits do you have? Most of you would immediately tell me that it is not worth the trouble. But if you try to put some financial sense into this, I am sure you will get surprised by the magic of compounding.
If you don't care about paying 15 days late, I am sure you can stretch yourself and pay 15 days earlier too. I mean to say that if you are planning to pay your next mortgage payment on say 1st of May, please pay it on 15th of April instead and then on every 15th of the month. Now the payment you make on 15th of April, mark it as payment towards your principal. Do you know how much wonders this will do overall?

Let us run some numbers on the following scenario:
Assume this is your mortgage:

You are supposed to pay 2398 every month till January 2038:

Now instead of paying on the 1st, you change to pay it on 14th of the month and somehow squeeze in one payment by paying it early towards your principal.

> You will be punctual in paying by 15th. If you fail, there is some penalty. However with Automatic setup online, this is no longer that difficult as such. I would adivise to try to pay by 14th of the month. 
---> It is assumed that you are currently paying by 1st of the month and you have no financial difficults in paying that monthly bill 15 days earlier each month. As said, no pains no gains, and there is never a free lunch in financial markets.
---> It is important that the first time you pay on 15th, you mark it as a payment towards Principal amount else all these benefits will accrue to your lender instead of you.

How to Save Money on your Mortgage

How to Save Money on your Mortgage

nterest on the average home mortgage will cost the homeowner nearly TWO TIMES the cost of the home. 
If you were to purchase a $150,000 home with a $120,000 mortgage (80%), and you paid an interest rate of 9% for 30 years, you will have paid over $227,500 just in interest (in addition to the original $120,000). That's nearly two times the cost of the home! 
A credit card debt of $7000 (now the average) at 18% being paid at the rate of $20 principal plus interest each month will take over 29 YEARS to pay off, almost as long as a home mortgage. Interest charged on this credit card debt will top $18,400, more than 2.6 TIMES the original debt! 
If you work for a living, you know that when you are not working, you are not getting paid. But interest never gets sick, never takes a vacation and never sleeps. It is working against you 24 hours a day, seven days a week, each and every day of the year. 
So what can you do? 
You may not be able to pay off your debts or mortgage now. You may not have enough equity in your home for a loan. You may not be able to afford the refinancing costs or home equity loan costs. You may not be able to lower your credit card interest rates. 
But you can make additional or extra payments. 
So how does making an extra payment help lower your interest charges? Is it going to make next month's bill smaller? You can't scrape together too much for an extra payment so how is just $10 going to help when you owe tens of thousands? 
The secret is in making early and consistent extra payments. For example, on the home mortgage shown above, if you pay an additional $100 each month you will save over $82,000 in interest payments. Not only that, but you will also have your home paid off nine years and two months earlier. You knock nearly 10 years off your mortgage just by paying an extra $100 a month. 
How does that work? 
Well, that $100 extra you pay the first month would have cost you about $270 in interest to borrow for 30 years. Since you have paid it already, you can reduce your last mortgage payment by $270. The next month's extra payment will reduce your last mortgage payment by $268. Each month as you pay that extra $100, your final mortgage payment will be reduced until you won't need to make a final payment, then the second to last payment, then third to last and so forth. Soon you will have shaved years and thousands of dollars in interest charges off your mortgage. 
That's great, but maybe you can't spare $100 each month. How about $50, $25, or even $10? An additional payment of $50 each month will save you five years and seven months and about $52,000 dollars. $25 each month will cut your time by three years and three months saving you about $30,000. Just $10 a month will reduce your time by one year and three months and save you over $13,500. 
Every little bit helps. Some months you may only be able to add $10 to your payment; some months you may be able to add $200. And this applies to interest on credit card payments or any other kind of debt repayment. Paying down as much of the principal (or amount you owe) each month will help reduce the interest you are charged and the length of time it takes to pay off the debt. 
So why don't the credit card companies charge you more of the principal each month? 
How would you like to be making 18% on an investment? Wouldn't you want this investment to last as long as possible? Of course! So do the credit card companies. They are happy for you to pay off your balance, but even more excited for you to keep paying them that 18% interest. 
There are some other interest tips and tricks. 

• One trick your mortgage company may have played on you is to include a prepayment penalty in your mortgage. If you try to pay off your mortgage early they may actually charge you for doing so. Or they may only apply part of your payment to the principal and take the rest as a "service charge."
• Make sure when you make an additional payment that you send a check separate from your monthly mortgage payment with instructions that the amount is to be applied toward the principal of your loan. Otherwise they may just apply it towards next month's payment and still charge you the interest.
• Generally you will not have this problem with credit card companies. But watch out for late payments or going over your credit limit. They may then use these "rule infractions" as cause to raise your rate to over 25%!
• If you are looking to refinance your mortgage, look for a mortgage that lets you pay on a bi-weekly basis. Since many people receive a bi-weekly paycheck this also makes it easier to budget your money. If you are paying every two weeks you will make an additional monthly payment each year (26 bi-weekly payments vs. 12 monthly payments). Also, because you are paying the principal down every two weeks rather than every month your interest charges will be reduced.

You CAN take control of your interest charges. Make those extra monthly payments. The feeling of being debt-free will far outweigh the temporary pleasure of that burger, movie or new DVD-player.

Loans for Retired Borrowers

Loans for Retired Borrowers

For borrowers needing a purchase loan or refiance most lenders require qualification based on either"full documentation" of income (W-2's or tax returns) or "stated" income (for self-employed). There are also programs which require no income to be stated on the loan application ( "no ratio" or "no doc" programs). The catch for retired borrowers is that even with stated income, no doc and no ratio programs, the lender will require verification of 2 years employment in the same profession. 

This employment requirement is obviously a challenge for retired borrowers since generally there is no income from employment and no current employment history. So the retired borrower will fail to qualify for a mortgage loan with most lenders even though he/she may have substantial assets and a great credit history.

There are a few programs I have available for retired borrowers that are "stated income" or "no ratio" with no employment history required. The rates will vary depending on the borrower's credit profile and the loan-to-value, but are competitive in today's market. I have a 30 year fixed stated income program with an interest only option available in addition to a 30 year fixed no ratio program and several no ratio ARMS.

Mortgage Glossary

Abstract (of title)

A written summary of the title history of a particular piece of real estate.

Acceleration Clause

A provision of a mortgage or note which provides that the entire outstanding balance will become due and payable in the event of default.

ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)

A mortgage in which the interest rate is adjusted periodically, based on the movement of a financial index.

Amortization

Repayment of loan by installment payments. As the payments are made, the debt is reduced so that at the end of fixed period or term, no money will be owed.

APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

The annual percentage rate refers to the total cost of the loan, expressed as a yearly rate.

Application Fee

That part of the closing costs pre-paid to the lender at time of application to cover initial expenses.

Appraisal

A report made by a qualified person as to the value of a property as of a given date.

Assessed Value

The value placed on a piece of real estate by the taxing authority for the purpose of taxation. Also called an assessment.

Assumption of Mortgage

The purchaser takes over mortgage payments for the balance of the loan, assuming primary liability. Unless specifically released by the lender, the seller remains secondarily liable.

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B

Balloon Mortgage

A mortgage with periodic payments that do not fully amortize the loan. The outstanding balance of the mortgage is due in a lump sum at the end of the term.

Bridge Loan

A short-term loan secured by the equity in an as-yet-unsold house, with the funds to be used for a down payment and/or closing costs on a new house. There is no payment of principal until the house is sold or the end of the loan term, whichever comes first. Interest payments may or may not be deferred until the house is sold.

Broker

The person who, for a commission or a fee, brings parties together and assists in negotiating contracts between them.

Buydown

Money advanced by an individual (e.g. builder, seller, buyer, lender, developer) to lower monthly mortgage payments for a few years or the whole term.

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C

Cap (interest rate)

The maximum interest rate increase allowable on an adjustable rate mortgage. Does not result in negative amortization. See Negative amortization.

Cap (payment rate)

The maximum payment amount increase allowable on an adjustable rate mortgage. May result in negative amortization. See Negative amortization.

Certificate Of Title

A statement that shows ownership of property, stating that the seller has clear legal title.

Closing

The concluding day of the real estate transaction, when title and deed pass from seller to buyer, the buyer signs the mortgage and pays the purchase price and closing costs.

Closing Costs

Expenses (over and above the price of the property) incurred by buyers and sellers in transferring ownership of a property. Also called "settlement costs."

Closing Statement

A financial disclosure giving an account of all funds received and expected at closing, including the escrow deposit for taxes, hazard insurance and mortgage insurance for the escrow account.

Commission

An agent's or broker's fee for bringing the principals together and helping to negotiate a real estate transaction, often a percentage of the sales price or flat fee.

Commitment

An agreement, frequently in writing, between a lender and a borrower to loan money at a future date, subject to certain conditions.

Comparables

Refers to similar properties used for comparison purposes in the appraisal process. These properties will be reasonably the same size and location, with similar amenities and characteristics, so that the approximate fair market value of the subject property can be determined.

Condominium

Ownership of a single unit in a multiunit building or complex of buildings. Along with this goes a share of ownership of the common areas.

Contingency

A condition that must be met for a contract or a commitment to remain binding.

Conventional Mortgage

Any mortgage loan that is not insured by FHA, guaranteed by VA, of funded by a government authorized bond sale or grant.

Convey

To transfer real estate from one person to another.

Credit Report

The report to a prospective lender on the credit standing of a prospective borrower.

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D

Deed

A legal written document by which title to property is transferred.

Default

Failure to fulfill the terms as agreed to in the mortgage of note.

Down Payment

The difference between the sale price of a property and the mortgage amount.

Due-On-Sale

A clause in a mortgage which gives the lender the right to require immediate repayment of a mortgage balance if the property changes hands.

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E

Earnest Money

The deposit money given to seller or his agent by the potential buyer at the time of the purchase offer. If the offer is accepted, the money will become part of the down payment.

Easement

A right to the limited use of land owned by another. An electric company, for example, could have an easement to put up electric power lines over someone's property.

Encumbrance

Anything that affects or limits the title to a property, such as outstanding mortgages, easement rights or unpaid property taxes.

Equity

The value in which the owner has in real estate over and above the mortgages against it. When the mortgage and all other debts against the property are paid in full, the owner has 100% equity in his property.

Escrow

Funds and/or deed left in trust to a third party. Generally, a portion of the monthly mortgage payment is held in escrow by the lender to pay for taxes, hazard insurance and yearly mortgage insurance premiums.

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F

First Mortgage

A mortgage that has a primary lien against a property.

Fixed-Rates Mortgage

A mortgage with an interest rate and monthly payments that remain constant over the life of the loan.

Fixture

Property, such as a hot water heater or plumbing fixture, that has become permanently attached to piece of real estate and goes with the property when it is sold.

Flood Certification

An independent agency report required by the lender to determine whether a property is located in a flood hazard zone, which would then require a federally mandated flood insurance policy.

Foreclosure

A legal procedure in which property mortgaged as security for a loan is sold to pay the defaulting borrower's debt.

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G

Graduated Payment Mortgage

A fixed rate loan with monthly payments that start low, increasing by a fixed amount for a specific number of years. After that period, the payments typically remain constant for the duration of the loan.

Gross Income

Normal income, including overtime, prior to any payroll deductions, that is regular and dependable. This income may come from more than one source.

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H

Hazard Insurance

Insurance protection against damage to a property from fire, windstorms, and other common hazards.

Homeowner's Insurance

An insurance policy that covers the dwelling and its contents in case of fire or wind damage, theft, liability for property damage and personal liability.

HUD-1 Form

See Real Estate Settlement Statement.

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I

Income Property

Real estate that is owned for investment purposes and not used as the owner's residence.

Interest

A charge paid for the use of money.

Interim Financing

See Bridge Loan.

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J No terms listed. 
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K No terms listed. 
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L

Land Contract

When the buyer agrees to make payments directly to the seller at pre-negotiated terms. The seller agrees to deed the property to the buyer upon completion of the agreement. The buyer becomes the owner of equity in this type of sale. (Also see Owner Financing.)

Lien

A legal claim on a property used as security for a debt.

Loan-To-Value Ratio

The relationship between the amount of the mortgage and property value, usually shown as a percentage.

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M

Market Value

The price at which a property will sell, assuming a knowledgeable buyer and seller, both operating without undue pressure.

Mortgage

A contract in which a borrower's property is pledged as security for a loan which is to be repaid on an installment basis.

Mortgage Note

A written promise to pay a debt at a stated interest rate during a specified term. The agreement is secured by a mortgage.

Mortgagee

The lender in a mortgage contract.

Mortgagor

The borrower in a mortgage contract.

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N

Negative Amortization

A loan in which the outstanding principal balance goes up instead of down because the monthly payments are not large enough to cover the full amount of interest due. Also called deferred interest.

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O

Offer to Purchase

A written proposal to buy a piece of real estate that becomes binding when accepted by the seller. Also called a sales contract.

Origination Fee

A fee charged for the work involved in the evaluation preparation and submission of a proposed mortgage loan.

Owner Financing

A purchase in which the seller provides all or part of the financing.

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P

PITI

An acronym for payments to lender that cover principal, interest, taxes and insurance on a property.

Plat

A map of a piece of land showing boundary lines, streets, actual measurements and easements.

Point

A fee paid to the lender on closing day to increase the effective yield of the mortgage. A point is one percent of the amount of the mortgage loan. Also called a discount point.

Prepayment Penalty

A charge paid to the lender by the borrower if a mortgage loan is repaid before its term is over.

Pre-Approval

A commitment by a lender to extend credit provided that specific conditions are met.

Pre-Qualification

A preliminary assessment of a buyer's ability to secure a loan, based on a specific set of lending guidelines and buyer representations made. This is not a guarantee or commitment by a lender to extend credit.

Prime Rate

The interest rate charged by banks to their preferred corporate customers, it tends to be an estimator for general trends in short term interest rates.

Principal

The amount borrowed or remaining unpaid; also, that part of the monthly payment that reduces the outstanding balance of a mortgage.

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)

Insurance written by a private mortgage insurance company to protect the lender against losses caused by mortgage default. This is commonly required on loan transactions involving less than a 20% down payment or equity position.

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Q

Qualifying Ratios

Guidelines used by lenders to determine how much of a loan a home buyer qualifies for. Often referred to as debt-to-income ratios (or DTI).

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R

Real Estate Settlement Statement

Final settlement statement often referred to as the HUD-1 form, used to itemize buyer, seller, broker, and lender charges and credits at closing.

Realtor

A real estate broker or sales associate affiliated with the National Association of Realtors.

Recording Fee

The charges made by the register of deeds to record the legal documents.

Refinancing

Repaying a debt with the proceeds of a new loan, using the same property as collateral or security.

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S

Second Mortgage

A loan issued on property that is already encumbered by an existing mortgage (ie: the first mortgage). The second mortgage is subordinate to the first.

Secondary Mortgage Market

The market wherein home loans are sold by the lender after closing to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or a variety of other institutional investors.

Survey

A map prepared by an engineer or surveyor charting a particular piece of real estate.

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T

Title

Ownership of a property. A clear title is one without any outstanding liens or encumbrances. A cloud on title refers to any outstanding liens or encumbrances which could impair the title.

Title Insurance Policy

A policy designed to protect the buyer or lender after closing from financial losses arising from any defects in the title that may have occurred prior to purchase.

Title Search

A check of public record to disclose the past and current facts regarding ownership of a particular piece of property.

Transfer Tax

In some areas city, county or state taxes imposed when property passes from one person to another.

Truth-In-Lending

Federal law that requires lenders to disclose the terms and conditions of a mortgage, including the APR, based on certain charges incurred by the borrower. If the charges were $0, the APR would be equal to that actual interest rate on the loan.