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!

Teach Me Mommy Preschool curriculum book September 8, 2008

A few years ago, when my first child was three, I started thinking about preschool. As a stay-at-home mom with a graduate student husband, a commercial preschool was out of the question. Besides, I wasn’t ready to send my little one away from home for the day. Some friends were starting one of the paid curriculum programs and I thought about it until I saw how much it was and realized that I could easily do that myself without the cost. However, it would have been time consuming to gather all the materials and to create all the lesson plans.

Fortunately, I came across a great book called Teach Me Mommy. It was put together by a mom for moms who wanted to teach their little ones. The lessons plans are simple to follow, the supplies needed are things you would have around the house anyway, and there is no need to pay monthly fees–just buy the book and use it for all your kids! There is minimal preparation for the lessons plans since everything is laid out in the book. I also use the lesson topics as ideas for lesson plans of my own.

A friend and I both bought the book and created our own preschool. First we went through the book and marked which lessons we would teach and who would teach them. We met two times a week and took field trips too. Our kids loved the interaction with each other and the special time with their moms.

One very memorable field trip we went to a dairy farm while learning about farm animals. We actually milked some cows, drank fresh milk, and watched the whole process of cow-to-milk pumps-to-pasteurization tank-to-collection in the big milk truck that took it to the factory. The farmers gave us some dairy memorabilia and we were off with a memory that we still laugh about.

I’m now starting preschool with my second child and excited to have this book with everything ready to go. I noticed that there are new resources on the Teach Me Mommy website and a new blog with ideas of activities to do with your child.

Check it out. I think you will like what you see.

summer school links June 2, 2008

Here are a list of links that I’ll be pulling from for home summer school for my kids.  I want to keep their minds engaged throughout the summer.  There is a mix of things–from FHE lessons that can be used as “values” lessons to cool web videos about money and bees.  Of course, we will be spending most of our time outdoors, or reading books from the library, or building forts out of tables and sheets.  But, these websites help with the creativity and add to the experience!

http://www.ldslivingmagazine.com/subs/show/6
http://www.360financialliteracy.org/
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/alienempire/metropolis.html   (termites, bees, and a puzzle)
http://www.youtube.com/njbeemaster (This is a collection of videos that show beekeeping–however, I haven’t previewed them yet)

http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us/index.asp?nid=722 (This is a page with links that could make for some interesting lessons)
http://www.jif.com/recipes/rec_kids.asp (a collection of kid friendly peanut butter recipes for our cooking classes)
http://www.kidsafeid.com/cardmake1.asp (for making a child ID card–child safety)
http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,31-1-15-1,00.html (a huge list of family fun activity and education links)

http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/games.cfm (camping out is one of our themes this summer)
http://www.dltk-teach.com/books/littlecritter/index.htm (little critter paper dolls)
http://collectdolls.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxhome.com%2Fmyfairlady%2Fnot%2Fscn3%2Fpaper.htm (My Fair Lady paper dolls)

http://www.dltk-kids.com/ (a great preschool craft site)
http://www.momsminivan.com/index.html (travel games)
http://www.kidsgardening.com/ (lots of gardening info and activities)
http://guitar.about.com/library/blguitarlessonarchive.htm (free guitar lessons)

http://ac6v.com/help.htm#LIC (Ham radio sites)
http://storynory.com/ (free audio stories)
http://www.starfall.com/ (preschool–learn to read)
http://rainforestmaths.com/ (awesome math site for elementary grades)

http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc/kids/things_to_make/ (this is a great kids heritage paper craft page)

I hope you find something here that helps you with your summer plans.  Send me links you find fun and helpful!

great DIY videos and information March 24, 2008

I just found a great website for do it yourself information. Though there is a ton of written info on the web, a picture is worth a thousand words, and a video is worth a whole lot more than that.

It’s called ExpertVillage.com. It’s the worlds largest how-to video site.
This site had tons of info on tons of subjects. I just learned how to fix the flapper on our leaking toilet and how to flush the radiator for my vehicle. (I’ll have to let you know how the repairs go. . .)

I noticed there were subjects such as How to Bake a Traditional Challah Bread, Introduction to Bass Guitar Basics, Eyebrow Waxing: Hair Removal Tips for Home Spa Treatment, How to Raise Baby Chicks, How to Plan A Dinner Party, and Ankle Dribble Technique: Beginning Soccer Drill. That’s quite a range of topics. There must be at least one that would interest you. So check it out!