With warm weather season in full swing, now is the time to start planning your fun family getaways. If you are concerned about affording it all, author and financial expert Farnoosh Torabi offers the following tips to help you have fun and save money on your next vacation. 

Bank on gas-saving apps
Look to budget-friendly websites, such as www.GasBuddy.com, which also offers an app that helps you find the closest gas station with the best prices near you. Another gas-saving app is Gas Hog. It costs 99 cents and calculates your car's fuel economy, then provides tips on ways to make your car more fuel-efficient. 

Rent a car
It turns out that, contrary to popular belief, it can actually be cheaper to rent a car for weekend getaways than it is to drive your own. According to a study by Brett Smith, co-director, manufacturing, engineering and technology for the Center for Automotive Research, when renting a compact car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car at its weekend rate, the savings can come to 12 cents per mile. If your getaway is a 300-mile round trip, the fuel savings could be more than $20. 

"By renting a car, you reduce the stress and mileage placed on your own vehicle, and you can upgrade or downgrade depending on the size of your family and fuel economy needs," explains Torabi. 

Pack and save
On road trips, most people grab a few snacks every time they stop for gas. Over time, those candy bars and sodas can really add up. A family of four can easily spend $15.00 for drinks and snacks at just one stop. "One easy way to lower the cost of your trip is to pack your own food. Pack a cooler full of bread, peanut butter, string cheese, water, juice and plenty of fruit. You'll be less likely to splurge while filling up the tank, make healthier choices, and save a bundle over all," says Torabi. 

Book hotels on Sunday nights
This is when the weekend rush is over and hotel managers have time to talk on the phone and discuss available discounts. Ask to get a free night's stay if you're staying for more than two nights. That's at least $100 saved right there. 

Better yet - skip the hotel
Find cheap -- but chic -- guest rooms in local homes and apartments through websites such as www.AirBnB.com and www.OneFineStay.com. 

"With a little planning and flexibility, your family can enjoy a vacation they'll remember for years to come," says Torabi.

When it comes to buying shoes for your children, there are so many different styles available; it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which one to choose. The most important thing to keep in mind is that your child needs proper foot support during childhood's critical growth years. 

A child's foot can grow up to about the age of 18, and the most important development happens in the first seven years. Here is a quick look at how fast kids' feet grow: 

• Under 12 months old, every 2 months.
• 12 months to 2.5 years old, every 3 months.
• 2.5 to 4 years old, every 4 months.
• From 4 to 6 years old, every 6 months. 

Shoes that do not fit properly can be uncomfortable and unhealthy. That is why it is important to always measure a child's feet before buying shoes. Every shoe fits differently, so do not buy shoes based solely on the size printed on the shoebox. Make sure your child tries on every shoe and watch them as they walk to make sure they seem comfortable and fit properly. 

Shoe Buying Tips
When you find shoes that you like, hold them in your hand and examine them. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), experts in foot health and development, recommends you look for the following features: 

Flexibility. Typically, the younger the child, the thinner and more flexible the soles should be. The sole should be easily flexible and be able to bend in your hand without effort. It should bend with your child's toes -- where the ball of the foot will be rather than in the middle of the shoe.
Toe room. While your child is standing, you should be able to press about a half inch, roughly a finger's width, between the longest toe and the front of the shoe. The area of the shoe just below the laces should crease when your baby takes a step.
Materials. The upper part of the shoe should be made of breathable materials such as leather, rather than synthetic materials. The insoles should be cushioned for comfort. Feel around inside the shoe for irregularities in stitching, glue or stapling. Look for a stiff heel cup. Press on both sides of the heel counter. It should not collapse. 

To help parents find shoes that fit properly, here are some helpful shoe buying tips:
• Make sure to see a professional trained in fitting shoes for infants, toddlers and young children. For example, Stride Rite's Fit Training Program received the APMA Seal of Acceptance. The seal recognizes products evaluated by a committee of podiatrists that contribute to better foot health.
• Have your child's feet measured every 2 to 3 months until toddler years, then every 3 to 4 months after that.
• Feet are seldom precisely the same size. Always buy for the larger foot.
• Do not buy shoes that need "breaking in." Shoes should be comfortable from the beginning. Observe your child walking around in both shoes for longer than a few minutes. Then, check each foot to make certain there are no irritation marks.
• Make sure the shoe is not too heavy. A heavy shoe can make your child walk irregularly, preventing the development of a normal walking pattern.
• If a child complains of foot pain or discomfort, schedule a check-up with your local podiatrist who specializes in children's foot care. 

Source: www.striderite.com and www.apma.org.

Due-on-sale. Clause in a note or mortgage giving the lender the right to call the entire loan balance due if the property is sold or otherwise conveyed.

Q: Which is better, a 15-year or 30-year loan?
A: The 15-year mortgage offers you a chance to save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. This is because the interest rate is typically lower and amortization is half that of the 30-year loan, which means that the total interest paid on the 15-year note, as compared to a 30-year note, is significantly less because of the shorter borrowing period. 

Put another way, a 15-year loan accrues principal much more quickly than a 30-year loan, so you get to own your house in half the time. 

However, because you are building equity faster and paying down the loan sooner, a 15-year mortgage requires higher monthly payments. 

Get a lender to help you calculate the overall savings of the 15-year loan versus the 30-year mortgage. In the end, though, base your decision on your circumstances and overall financial plan, such as whether you are nearing retirement age and also will have to shell out college expenses for children, in which case a 15-year loan may not be for you. Remember that your spending habits, budget, and financial goals should all be considered before making a final decision.

(ARA) - Sprucing up your home for spring doesn't have to mean spending huge amounts of time and money. In fact, there are many projects that you can complete in a weekend that will improve the look and feel of your home. With a little guidance and the right tools, you can easily get your home in top shape by Monday morning.

Paint refresh
Commonly recognized as one of the easiest and most cost-effective interior updates, painting is a weekend project that can completely transform the aesthetic of your home. When purchasing paint, a quality product will ensure your end results are beautiful. Low-quality, inexpensive paint will likely require a number of coats to get the coverage needed - resulting in more time and money spent. To avoid increased time and cost, use a premium line of paint like Pratt & Lambert's Accolade, which guarantees excellent hide and outstanding durability. Popular among interior designers, Accolade is available in more than 1,000 colors to complement any style. When choosing paint for your next weekend project, remember that a quality product will achieve the best end result and save you time and money in the long run.

Lighting update
Tired of the same old lamps sitting on your end tables but don't have the funds to revamp your lighting decor? A new lamp shade will completely change the look of any piece. You can also easily transform pieces by renewing the lamp bases; a quick walk down the spray paint aisle will show limitless possibilities of colors and finishes. You can even renew plastic pieces with Krylon Fusion for Plastic, the first paint of its kind. Create a cohesive look by bringing that new finish to your hanging fixtures as well.

Accessorize
Adding trendy, fun accessories will give any room a new and more put-together look. Think vases and bowls, wall art and rugs. When adding accessories, look for colors that complement what is already in the room. Plants and flowers can also add energy and color, some with the added bonus of a pleasant aroma.

Furniture renewal
One easy way to update furniture on a budget is by recovering it or using slip covers. Premade covers are available in a wide variety of fabrics and designs, or you can create a custom cover for your sofa or armchair. More ambitious crafters may actually reupholster furniture to create a completely new-looking seating option. After repadding and covering cushions, sand and stain or paint wood pieces for a completely modern feel.

Modern flooring
Carpet has seen better days? Replace it. Hardwood is scuffed and dull? Refinish it. You can also achieve the look of natural wood or stone flooring with luxury vinyl tile. This affordable option is no longer your grandmother's vinyl, now available in a variety of natural finishes that are both durable and modern. If replacing isn't in your budget, simply give your flooring a good cleaning and use accent rugs to cover blemished areas.

Check off a project on your home improvement to-do list this weekend, and enjoy the results through spring and beyond.

Source: www.aracontent.com

At some point, most everyone will need to borrow money, whether it's for school, a car, a home, a business, or to meet daily expenses during a personal financial downturn. Of course, how that money is borrowed and how it is paid back can make a big difference in the total cost and a person's overall financial standing.

"Knowing how, when, and how much to borrow can be difficult to determine," says Ken Hall, Senior Vice President, M&I, a part of BMO Financial Group. "But a little research and planning can go a long way to ensuring responsible borrowing and personal financial health."

Hall offers some advice on responsible borrowing and how to make sense of the options available.

• Know your credit score. This number is vital, and will often determine whether you can borrow money, how large a loan you can secure, and what interest rate you'll pay. Creditors will look at this score to gauge your ability to pay back a loan. It's made available via three main agencies: TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Credit reports from these agencies should be checked regularly to ensure accuracy.
• Manage your credit score. There are many factors that play into a credit score, including your credit history, outstanding debts and your total number of credit accounts and loans. Paying off debt, making payments on time, and not opening new credit accounts will all help bring your credit score up.
• Understand your responsibility before co-signing anyone else's credit or loan. If a friend or family member makes that request, be sure you know what you're signing and have the ability to make payments in the event the primary signator is not able to.
• Prioritize your debt, whether you're paying it off or taking out a loan. If you're faced with multiple sources of debt, make a list and determine which should be paid off first. If possible, make more than the minimum monthly payments to keep interest costs down. When taking on more debt, avoid new credit cards where possible and focus debt where it can help you over the long run – in a home or a college education.
• Set your kids up for success by educating them on borrowing. Give them small loans and charge interest as they're paid back. Explain how credit cards work, and how much interest is paid when the bill comes. As kids get older and closer to college, talk to them about student debt and their prospects for paying those loans back after graduation.

Source: http://www.harrisbank.com

I have promoted a number of programs and tips on saving energy, cutting costs and saving the planet. But this month, the Alliance to Save Energy (ase.org/efficiencynews) is trying to help homeowners understand which energy-efficient home improvements are eligible for federal tax credits, and which forms you’ll need to claim them. 

According to the ASE, you can get up to $500 back on your 2011 income tax return if you installed energy-efficient products in your home last year. Just use the “non-business energy property credit,” which gives back 10 percent of the cost of building envelope improvements. 

Just check the criteria because there are dollar limits for specific equipment. 

The ASE states that while you can claim the full $500 credit from improvements you made in 2011, the credit is actually cumulative, including any credits claimed since 2006. 

So what counts toward the non-business Energy Property Credit? 

The ASE says if you meet certain criteria like owning your home, and if you used eligible products to make that home more energy efficient, you may be eligible for the non-business energy property tax credit. 

Eligible products include certain energy-efficient:
• Insulation
• Roofs made of metal or asphalt
• Exterior doors
• Exterior windows, including skylights and storm windows
• HVAC and water heating systems, including central A/C, water heaters, heat pumps, furnaces and boilers

Most of these energy-efficient products reduce the heat loss or gain of your home, or heat/cool your home without using as much energy. To ensure that your product is eligible, check the manufacturer’s certification statement, which can sometimes be found in the packaging and is likely on the manufacturers’ website. 

In our next segment, we'll review the forms required to claim your energy property credit

Selling a home can be a daunting undertaking, and while you may be helpless to control the state of the market or the number of prospective buyers in your price range, here are a few ways to be proactive against some of sellers' most common pitfalls:

Problem: Competition. Are there too many homes for sale in your price range? If there are too many options open to buyers in your market, you may not see as many showings as you'd like.

What You Can Do: Unfortunately, the state of the market in your neighborhood or town is pretty much beyond your control. You'll need to think about how you can make your home a more attractive sale, either by lowering your price or providing attractive terms of sale.

Problem: Your asking price is too high. It's stating the obvious, but if your asking price is too high, you'll price yourself right out of a lot of potential showings. Further, even if you do manage to land a buyer at your price, his or her financing is more likely to fall through during the sale if the house will not appraise.

What You Can Do: Working with a trusted real estate agent to come up with a fair asking price is vitally important. Make sure you are educated about the market you're selling in, and price your home accordingly. Ask yourself whether you'd rather net a little less than you had hoped – or not be able to sell at all.

Problem: Your home lacks curb appeal. The condition of your home inside and out is critically important to making a sale. If your home doesn't show well, a potential buyer is going to head elsewhere. Most buyers are looking for a house they can move into without a ton of small repairs and cleanup.

What You Can Do: You've been meaning to fix that leaky faucet or repaint the fence in the front yard, so now is the time to do it! Of course, this should have been done when you decided to sell, but it's never too late… De-clutter your rooms and store all personal effects. Consider investing in some new curtains, bath towels and throw rugs. To make sure that you nail that crucial curb appeal, spruce up your yard with new plantings, trim hedges and weed flowerbeds, and keep the lawn short and neat. Those minor repairs that you have been living with will add up in the eyes of a prospective buyer.

Problem: Location. Everyone's heard that old maxim that real estate is all about "location, location, location!" But what do you do if you're trying to sell a home on a busy street, or too close to a major highway?

What You Can Do: There are actually a few things you can do to increase your chances of a sale. If your home is on a busier street, highlight any benefits on the flip side—maybe your backyard is fenced in, your taxes are low or you can walk to a school nearby. Make sure you pay extra attention to those highlights. If you are in an area where your home is very close to a major highway, consider some type of privacy hedge or fencing. If you have older windows consider replacing them - the benefit will be two fold, you will have new windows as a selling feature and those new windows will provide a little more sound buffering inside the home. Last, consider selling at a time when the foliage is in full bloom to help naturally block sound or visual effects from nearby highways. 

Kristin has been serving her community as a REALTOR® for the last eight years. She is a member of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board, MAR, NAR, MLS-PIN, Women's Council of REALTORS®, and a recipient of The President's Circle Award.

The summer is approaching fast bringing with it warm weather, humidity, and lots of sunshine. A deck or a patio is ideal for spending time outside and enjoying summer outdoor activities. Frontier Deck Builders, Inc. is accommodating its customers by offering several deck shading options such as pergolas, gazebos and covered pavilions. 

“Now is a great time to think about outdoor improvements to get prepared for summer cookouts with friends and family,” says Andy Merz, the owner of Frontier Deck Builders, Inc. 

According to dermatologists, sun exposure is necessary for Vitamin D production, but it should be balanced and regulated, as UV rays can cause skin cancer. Doctors recommend using sunscreens, avoiding the peak midday sun (10 a.m. – 3 p.m.), and limiting sunbathing to 10 to 15 minutes per session. 

“It’s not always possible to stay out of the sun when your deck or patio has no shading,” comments Merz. He noted that a custom-built pergola is a popular shading choice among his customers. Pergolas, or framed open-roof structures, can be built to match the style of the deck, thus seamlessly blending into the landscape. The roof can then be fully or partially covered by vines, fabric, or any other material. 

Strategically placing a gazebo or an open-wall pavilion on one’s deck or patio can also provide desired shading. “For homeowners who are concerned about maintaining a consistent look throughout their property, pergolas, gazebos, and pavilions are a better choice over canopy awnings,” points out Merz.
He explained that awnings are limiting both in design and functionality, as they attach to the side of the house, leaving little room to the choice of location and materials. Merz adds that canopies might not always fit in with one’s overall landscape, because certain features cannot be customized. 

Another effective and creative way to protect any outdoor space from excessive sunlight is by using shade sails. These large sheets of thick fabric, tensioned across several anchors, can shade decks, patios, yards, and even pools. Natural or artificial support points are required for installation. 

“Some of our customers either don’t have enough space or simply choose not to install any bulky shading constructions. In this case, we suggest using temporary portable solutions to block the dangerous rays,” mentions Merz. 

Such solutions include table umbrellas, portable tents, canopies, large plants, or trees. Trees can be strategically planted around the yard to provide necessary shade. Many plants, as well as young palm trees and some evergreens, can also be grown in planters and positioned on the deck where shade is desired. 

“Having replaced quite a few decks, I can tell you that lots of sun can harm not just people, but their outdoor structures as well,” points out Merz. Bright sun fades and dries wood, making it more likely to retain water and rot. And just like people use sunscreen, wooden decks can be protected by applying a finish with UV inhibitors. 

Source: http://www.frontierdecks.com.

Downpayment. Initial cash investment made as evidence of good faith when purchasing real estate. It is usually a percentage of the sale price