CheckMyFees.com–Loan Tool To Compare Your Rate September 18, 2008

I just learned of a new website (www.checkmyfees.com) that will help homeowners and prospective home buyers.  It allows those who are looking for a new loan or a purchase loan to compare either their current rate or the rate they have been quoted by others to people in their area.

There is a very short survey (about 30 seconds long) for people who have recently gotten a home loan, or have recently looked into it and have been given a quote for one.  If that description fits you–you should take the survey! (This is a new website, so getting this information will help the site to be an even better tool.)

The site doesn’t require any confidential information, no addresses, or personal information required at all. The only required information someone would need to know is:

* Approximate credit score (or you can assume it is the highest available)
* The approximate value of the property
* The desired loan amount
* The rate quoted
* The APR quoted (annual percentage rate will typically be higher than the actual interest rate)
* The fixed term of the loan – most loans today are 30 year fixed but some are adjustable rate loans

P.S.  This is a perfect tool for those of us who are always wondering if we are getting a good deal.  This helps us to make sure we are getting the best rate possible.  Also, this site is in both English and Spanish! (In the top right hand corner it says, “Translate to: Espanol.”)

Check it out!

My favorite Christmas light show! December 2, 2008

If this doesn’t get you in the Christmas spirit, I’m not quite sure what will.  It is absolutely incredible what people can do with some lights and a great song.  I love this video and I’m sure glad I can watch it in my computer rather than have the neighbor across the street!  Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhCDvzr3nY

fun halloween photo October 31, 2008

I saw this idea in Family Fun magazine–take a picture of your ghouls and jack-o-lanterns with a post it note over the flash.  It turns the photo the color of the post it note!  Having a light source (like the candle in the pumpkin) creates an additional fun effect!

Getting your Political Facts Straight September 11, 2008

I wish people would just be honest and nice to each other. The world would be a much better place if that were so! Unfortunately, that is not how it always is, and during an election year, it seems to bring out the worst. Actually, The opponents try to bring out the worst in each other, and when the facts don’t do the damage they want, the candidates tend to make things up. But this is nothing you didn’t know already.

So, how do you separate the facts from the outlandish lies? In this day and age it isn’t so hard. We are blessed with some great resources. One of my favorites is Snopes for all those chain letters and downright mean emails that are passed along. Snopes sets the record straight on these rumors stated as facts. (I believe that is also called gossip!) Please check your emails through Snopes before passing them on.

Another favorite fact source is FactCheck.org. I receive email updates from them (you can also RSS feed) and find the information particularly useful when trying to decide on a national candidate. I am amazed, or rather appalled, by the outlandish lies that some of these politicians come up with. Also, I find it hard to believe some of the things I thought had to be wrong were actually right.

FactCheck.org was recently named one of the 20 best political websites by PC Magazine. They praised FactCheck’s extensive research team. I have also been very impressed by their impartial view on all candidates. They really are just checking the facts and getting them straight.

Another helpful news source for all things political is Politico. This news source started while our family lived near Washington DC. (Not that that has anything at all to do with their validity, it’s just a little tidbit of info.) They have some of the best people working on their staff, those that wanted the truth out rather than being so influenced by the agendas of those in control of their paychecks.

There is so much riding on this election and we are all obligated to truly make a valiant effort to decide who would be the best leaders for our country. And then, GET OUT AND VOTE! I won’t endorse a candidate here because I still need to know more. I am very grateful for the work of those who are diligently trying to get the real truth out, rather than hearsay or outright lies.

Again, here are those links:
FactCheck

http://www.factcheck.org/

Politico
http://www.politico.com/

Snopes
http://www.snopes.com/