Knee Deep In Dept

Almost everyone faces financial hardship at some point in their life but depending on the circumstances, it can almost always be overcome. That said, planning your way out of debt can be overwhelming so we've included some strategies to help make it easier. Developing a Budget - First you'll need to realistically assess how much money comes in and goes out. Start by listing all sources of income and then list your fixed expenses such as your mortgage payments. Next, list any expenses that vary such as entertainment and then prioritize the expenses to see what you can cut back on. Contacting Your Creditors - If you're having trouble making the payments, contact the creditor before they contact you and work out a plan that will reduce your monthly payments to a more manageable level. It's important to take this step before your account gets turned over to a debt collector as your credit rating may be affected by that point. Credit Counseling Services - Your creditors may be willing to accept reduced payments if you enter a debt repayment plan with a reputable organization. You deposit money each month with the credit counseling agency which is used to pay your creditors according to a pre-determined payment schedule. Mortgage Lenders - Most mortgage lenders are willing to temporarily work with you if they believe you're acting in good faith. Some lenders may even reduce or suspend your payments for a short time; however, when you resume regular payments you'll of course have to make up the difference. To speak to a Diane Turton, Realtors Signature Mortgage representative call toll-free 1.877.207.3321 or visit the Diane Turton, Realtors Signature Mortgage Website. Debt Consolidation - You'll likely be able to lower your monthly payments by consolidating your debt through a home equity loan as the interest rate will be much lower. Think carefully though before taking this on as the lending institution will require your home as collateral. If you can't make the payments on time, you could lose your home. Managing your debt may seem like a daunting task, but thoroughly investigating all your options and utilizing free resources will help you avoid a financial crisis which could devastate your credit rating and thus your ability to borrow money at attractive rates. Deciding which option works for you depends on your level of debt, your level of discipline and your future prospects.

Buy Local - It's Miles Better

Buying local produce doesn't just mean buying domestically but rather buying food that's produced and grown as close to home as possible. Here are just a few of the many advantages of buying locally grown produce: Going Green - Transporting food long distances is bad for the environment as the immense amounts of fossil fuels contribute towards global warming and air pollution. There's also a huge amount of packaging involved when transporting produce that can be eliminated when buying locally. Loaded with Taste - Locally bought produce is much fresher because its vitality isn't affected by the long distance travel that most supermarket produce has to endure. Produce picked within the last day or so will be much tastier and more nutritious. Supporting Your Local Economy - Buying local means supporting your local farmers and helping to build and preserve your local community. It also helps preserve farmland and the surrounding wildlife from urban development. Convenience - Some communities have agricultural groups set up where you're able to pay a certain amount each season for a weekly box of fresh, locally grown produce. Some are pre-boxed and delivered to your door while others allow you to go and choose your own. There are so many advantages to buying local produce; most notably - it's fresher, tastier and more nutritious than the supermarket variety. For a fun day out with the kids, why not go to a "pick your own" fruit farm. Not only are you cutting down on packaging and eating the tastiest fruit around, you'll also enjoy an educational family activity!

Today's Tip For a Greener Life

In 2007, Diane Turton, Realtors became the first residential real estate company in New Jersey to join the national U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), putting into practice several processes and policies that make the firm a more environmentally sustainable company. In 1950, the global population was 2.6 billion people. We had 53 million cars - which works out to be one car for every 50 persons. Today, there are 6 billion people and 500 million cars - more than one car for every dozen inhabitants. Get some exercise and protect our environment by sharing a ride, riding your bike or taking a walk. You'll save one pound of CO2 for every mile you don't drive.

Today's Tip For a Greener Life

In 2007, Diane Turton, Realtors became the first residential real estate company in New Jersey to join the national U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), putting into practice several processes and policies that make the firm a more environmentally sustainable company. Each year 100 Billion plastic bags are thrown away. Cut down on your use of plastic grocery bags and BYOB - Bring Your Own Bag! Either save your plastic grocery bags and reuse them on your next shopping trip or consider investing in a large cloth bag that can carry your groceries home. These days, most grocery stores even sell organic cloth alternatives!

How To Remove Wax from Carpeting

Accidents happen but if you've ever had candle wax drip onto your carpet, you know what a pain it can be to remove -- until now! All you need is a paper towel and a warm iron.

When the wax has hardened, scrape up the larger pieces with a spoon. Then place the paper towel over the wax and run the warm iron over it until all the wax has been absorbed. It will vanish from your carpet like magic!

If the candle was bright red, you may have to treat the stain with some rubbing alcohol. You may have to put some elbow grease into it but the result will be well worth it!

How to Baby Proof Your Home

With the arrival of a new baby comes many responsibilities. One of the first things you'll want to do is make sure that your home is properly baby proofed. Here are just a few things to keep in mind to prepare your home for the little one:

• Make sure cabinets and drawers are equipped with safety latches.
• Tie up blind and curtain cords so that they're out of reach.
• Install door stops/holders so their fingers don't get caught in doors.
• Keep your spare change in a sealed jar as shiny coins can attract a baby's attention and can be easily choked on.
• Securely mount your bookshelves to the wall so if your little one decides to climb them, they won't come tumbling down.
• Cover unused electrical outlets with safety plugs so they're not able to shove keys or other objects into them.
• Place a baby gate at the top and bottom of your staircase. Make sure that the gate at the top of the stairs is attached directly to the wall -- not just pressure mounted.

It's best to baby proof your home before your little one is born as once you're a tired new parent, baby proofing will be the last thing on your mind! To get an idea of potential hazards, get down on all fours and crawl around for a while to see things from their perspective. To be extra safe, consider hiring a professional baby proofer.

Hot Backyard Trends for 2008

It's no surprise that the 'green theme' is popular this year for backyard areas. More and more people are organically transforming their gardens with local plant varieties while trying to reduce water usage to help preserve our precious environment. Here are the top five garden trends for 2008:

1. The Birds & the Bees - Creating a sanctuary for wildlife is a rewarding part of gardening that's becoming an art form. Your local nursery can recommend plants and accessories such as bird baths that will provide a naturally welcoming atmosphere for wildlife.
2. Watching the Water - A rain barrel collects and stores water that you're able to use in your garden for free! They're inexpensive and with various water restrictions are almost becoming a necessity. You can also reduce your watering needs by adding drought tolerant plants.
3. Moving on Out - With homeowners spending more time outside enjoying their gardens, some outdoor areas are more comfortable and stylish than the home's interior! Fireplaces, comfortable seating and outdoor lighting are big trends this year as more of us are entertaining family and friends outside long after the sun goes down.
4. Buying Local - We're now more aware than ever of the environmental benefits of buying locally grown garden plants and accessories from community nurseries. Consumers are also preferring to buy from companies who are committed to eco-friendly initiatives such as using recycled packaging.
5. Low Maintenance Gardening - Many people prefer to spend more time enjoying their garden instead of working on it. A great looking garden that takes a minimal amount of work is a popular trend this year. New plants and products are now available that save time, money and the environment leaving you more time to relax in the hammock.

Extending indoor space outside is becoming very popular so you and your friends are likely to spend more time in the garden than ever before. It's helpful to be aware of the latest gardening trends but ultimately it's your space to design and enjoy as you wish. The important thing is that it's a haven for you and your family - happy gardening!

The Diane Turton, Realtors Blog

Thank you for your interest in Diane Turton, Realtors! Each month we will be posting some integral tips for home buyers and home sellers here at http://dianeturtonrealtors.blogspot.com! By providing you with general information, checklists, guides and advice we hope will ease the perils of home ownership. Diane Turton is an expert in the real estate industry. Having been in the business since 1966 and opening her first office in 1986, she can now boast 20 sales offices throughout Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey, 500 agents, and in 2007, reported closed sales volume in excess of $1 Billion.* The included information comes courtesy of Diane Turton with her best wishes! Visit the Diane Turton, Realtors website for Jersey Shore Real Estate Find a Diane Turton, Realtors office near you Information about Financing Your Home Diane Turton, Realtors Affordability Calculator Contact Us * Monmouth/Ocean MLS 1/1/07-12/31/07