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Maintenance Tips for Your Refrigerator

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COOL TIPS FOR THE FRIDGE!

You want to keep your refrigerator running smoothly, so that during the heat of the summer you have plenty of cool drinks ready to enjoy!

  1. Is your refrigerator door shutting tightly? To test it, close the refrigerator door on a dollar bill at various places along the door, and pull lightly. If you can pull the bill out, you may need to adjust your door or replace the gasket. Doing so will save energy, reduce your utility bill, and lengthen the life of the compressor.
  2. To keep your refrigerator operating efficiently and cooling properly, it is very important to clean the condenser coils at least twice a year. The purpose of these coils, which are generally located at the bottom of the refrigerator (behind the kick plate), is to disperse heat from inside the refrigerator out into the room with the aid of a fan.
  3. To clean the coils, first unplug the refrigerator or turn off it’s circuit breaker. Next, remove the cover panel beneath the door to reveal the coils. With a long, narrow nozzle on your vacuum, clean out all of the dust and debris. You can also buy a special long-handled brush that looks somewhat like a bottlebrush for this job. The last step is to replace the cover, and restore the electricity. Remember, cleaning the condenser coils at least twice a year is the best way to lengthen the life of your refrigerator.

Philosophical Words To Live By

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There is an email running the Internet which states:  This is long  but worth reading AND something we all could learn from and live by.  Written By Regina  Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland ,  Ohio. “To celebrate growing  older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the  most-requested column I’ve ever written.” My odometer rolled  over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more.

However, her blog has a disclaimer:  The single most popular column ever written by Regina was “50 Life Lessons,” written for The Plain Dealer when she turned 50 years old in 2006.  So, despite what you may have read on the internet, Regina is NOT 90 years old !!

Regina Brett is a columnist for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Her column runs on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday.

Regina Brett’s 45 life lessons and 5 to grow on

by Regina Brett

Sunday May 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.

It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolls over to 50 this week, so here’s an update:

  1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
  2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
  3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
  4. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
  5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
  6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
  7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
  8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
  9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
  10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
  11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
  12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
  13. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
  14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
  15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
  16. Life is too short for long pity parties. Get busy living, or get busy dying.
  17. You can get through anything if you stay put in today.
  18. A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write.
  19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
  20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
  21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
  22. Overprepare, then go with the flow.
  23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
  24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
  25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
  26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
  27. Always choose life.
  28. Forgive everyone everything.
  29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
  30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
  31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
  32. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
  33. Believe in miracles.
  34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
  35. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
  36. Growing old beats the alternative – dying young.
  37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
  38. Read the Psalms. They cover every human emotion.
  39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
  40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
  41. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
  42. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
  43. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
  44. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
  45. The best is yet to come.
  46. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
  47. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
  48. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.
  49. Yield.
  50. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

rbrett@plaind.com, 216-999-6328

http://www.cleveland.com/brett/blog/index.ssf/2006/05/regina_bretts_45_life_lessons.html

Home Maintenance Tip for Your Washer and Dryer

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When you use the conveniences of home appliances, it is best to take preventative measures to keep them in good condition.

If you own your home, ask me about how a Home Warranty on your appliances will probably save you money.

Home Maintenance Tip -

Your washer and dryer are designed to be simple to maintain, and there are a few things you can do that will prolong the life of the machines and reduce service calls.

  1. Avoid overloading the washer – an overloaded washer strains the motor and transmission, shortening their lives.
  2. Once a month, remove and clean intake screens where water-supply hoses enter the washing machine, and check water-supply hoses for splits, cracks, or bulges.
  3. Once a year, disconnect your dryer from the vent hose and wall, and thoroughly vacuum and clean the lint pipe to improve your drying efficiency and remove potentially flammable lint buildup.
  4. Once a year disconnect the washer and dryer to clean underneath and check for any small leaks or hidden maintenance problems.

$8,000 Tax Credit Can Be Used for Short Term Loan

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I have had many contact me about HUD allowing first time home buyers to use the $8,000 tax credit in advance for down payment and closing costs.  Please read below for some important information about using this tax credit.  Borrower’s will still have to come up with their own 3.5% down payment for an FHA loan, but AFTER that they can use the proceeds from the short term loans to increase down payments, cover closing costs or buy down their mortgage rate.

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Federal Housing Administration – approved lenders can now provide short-term loans to first-time borrowers eligible for the $8,000 home buyer tax credit.

But under guidance issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development late last week, the loans must be on top of — not instead of — the minimum 3.5% down payment normally required on FHA-insured loans.

Buyers can still receive down-payment assistance from their parents, employers, nonprofit groups and certain government entities. But other than that, the down payment must come from their own funds.

Thus, FHA borrowers relying on the lender to finance the tax credit will have to come up with their own money for the 3.5% down payment. But after that, they can use the proceeds from the short-term loans to increase their down payments, cover their closing costs or buy-down their mortgage rate.

HUD did not estimate how many FHA buyers would benefit from tax-credit advances, which cannot result in cash back to the borrowers, cannot exceed the total amount needed for the down payment and closing costs and may not be for more than the anticipated tax credit due the borrowers.

To prevent third-party down-payment assistance outfits from “buying” the tax credit refunds from borrowers, the rules state that the buyer’s down payment may not consist of any funds provided by the mortgagee, the seller or any other person that financially benefits from the transaction. That prohibition specifically includes third-party entities that are reimbursed, directly or indirectly, by anyone benefiting from the deal.

HUD didn’t want to do anything that would allow “these seller-funded schemes back in,” a senior HUD official said at a briefing on the program. The department also plans to monitor the purchase of tax-credit transactions closely, warning that missteps would result in referral to HUD’s Mortgage Review Board, the Federal Trade Commission or the appropriate state attorney general’s office for disciplinary action.

Be sure to talk with your mortgage company about all the details involved with your loan and the available $8,000 tax credit.

The Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA)

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The Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) Invites You to Get Involved

Meetings that deal with decisions about our water are held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. Agendas are posted on the electronic marquis of the City Hall entry at 2nd and Cincinnati and online at cityoftulsa.org. We encourage our customers to participate in the decisions that affect the quality of our drinking water.

For more information about meetings, call 918.896.9621 or write to:
TMUA
8th floor – 119
City Hall at One Technology
175 E. 2nd Street
Tulsa, OK 74103

TMUA members:
Patty Eaton, Chair
Jack Neely
Jim Cameron
Richard Hudson
R. Louis Reynolds
Richard Sevenoaks
Mayor Kathy Taylor

Open House in Silvertree Subdivision – Broken Arrow

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Get information about this house on your cell phone.
dial 898372 enter 2707208

Silvertree Subdivision

Silvertree Subdivision

You’re Invited To An OPEN HOUSE
at 1312 W Twin Oaks.
Sunday, June 28th – ­ 2-4 PM

Silvertree Subdivision

Information on this house from Tulsa MLS

More Information on Realtor.com

Flyer for 1312 W Twin Oaks St

Stop by and sign up for my drawing for a 2009 Entertainment coupon book.

“Find Your Dream Home From Your Computer.”  Ask me how.
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How To Buy A House

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Are you thinking about buying a home?

The steps are really pretty easy. The hard part is putting a plan in motion.

Well, maybe the information on this site will help.

Sometimes, we make things more difficult than they really are.

I am sure you have been through the process of looking at houses, and you have probably seen some you like. What do you do next?

Most people will try to call the number that is with the house information. However, if you are going to make a better plan, there is a different approach to consider.

The best first step is to locate your Realtor. Skeptical? Don’t leave yet. Let me tell you why this is your best first step.

When you choose your Realtor first, you are going to have some truly professional help on implementing your plan. A Realtor looks at houses as a profession, it isn’t a hobby. A Realtor has been through the process countless times, so all the subtle issues have been in previous transactions.

A Realtor will know the right questions to ask, and they will have the answers to issues you haven’t even considered.

You may think looking for the house is the first step. Well, not necessarily.

This is a partial list of the process:

  1. Find your Realtor
  2. Use your Realtor to help you determine the best loan and lender for your circumstances.
  3. Use your lender to get pre-qualified.
  4. Begin the home search.
  5. When you find your home, your Realtor will write the contract.
  6. Your Realtor will help you with all the steps that follow:
    1. Loan determination
    2. Inspections
    3. Determine the closing company.
    4. Title work.
    5. Walk through
    6. Closing

Home Buyers Are Considering New Construction

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New Homes: Better than Ever

As the housing market has slowed down, buyers continue to seek answers to lots of questions about how to find the right home. The old adage of “location, location and location” may still have some truth to it, but today’s consumers are more savvy and more discerning. Location may be a part of the total equation but there are certainly other considerations such as conveniences and amenities.

As far as conveniences and amenities are concerned, it can only be logical and inevitable to consider a new construction home. Today, new homes are safer, more efficient, and more packed with popular features than ever.

Safety. Technological advances mean that today’s homes are safer, because new homes take advantage of breakthroughs in building science. Many homes now have advanced electrical systems, hardwired smoke detectors, and fire-resistant construction details. Windows in patio doors and near stairways have tempered glass, which makes them less likely to cause injury if they break.

Efficiency. Home builders also have a larger array of products and materials to enable them to make a house more energy-efficient. Many home builders participate in programs like ENERGYSTAR®, which promotes energy-efficient appliances. Green building is the hottest new building trend. Builders are placing homes to take the best advantage of sunlight and shade, and using innovative products like solar shingles (not just solar roof panels), light-conserving windows, and insulation made from recycled materials.

Lifestyle. New home floor plans reflect what today’s home buyer wants: larger kitchens for family gatherings, ample storage space, and more bathrooms. Consumers prefer greater ceiling heights, more—and bigger—closets, walk-in showers with multiple heads, three-car garages, and outdoor entertainment spaces with fireplaces and grills.

In fact, that’s a big reason why people seek new homes. Consumers want value, but they also want choices. They want to pick their carpet colors, their cabinet styles, their light fixtures and other design elements that help make a house their home.

The decision to buy a home is a personal one. The housing market has historically gone through ups and downs, and will likely continue to do so. Buyers should focus on finding a home that’s right for them, not whether economic factors make it a good time to buy.

First time home buyers, or those who have not owned their home in the last 3 years are in a unique position where the federal government is actually giving them an $8,000 tax credit. Smart buyers are taking advantage of this windfall. (And economists have proven that when the real estate market is stimulated the entire economy benefits.)

When you are considering a new home, or any house purchase, be sure to include you real estate agent. A good Realtor is your best guide in the purchase of any home, new or used. If you haven’t yet chosen your real estate consultant then contact Wayne Barnes.

Buying Your House – Deal or No Deal…

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Current Mortgage Rates

can help you
1) Buy more house for the money.
2) Get you into the house you wanted at a lower cost
3) or Both

Are you going to miss out on this opportunity? It isn’t going to last. You could compare the current mortgage situation to a popular Television show.

Just One More Case …

If you’ve ever seen the show “Deal or No Deal” you’ve likely noticed how common it is for contestants to be lured into taking additional risks to see if they can get through just one more case and keep their dream of big money alive. Sometimes it works out for them and they win big. However, more times than not, the contestant pushes the envelope too far and ends up squandering a sure thing in the hopes of obtaining that alluring million-dollar prize.

The same thing is happening in the mortgage industry lately as clients continue to risk a sure thing (the current mortgage rates) in the hopes of hitting the bottom of the market exactly and saving $160 a month instead of the guaranteed $150 savings that is right in front of them. This desire to catch the market at its absolute lowest point and save that extra $10 a month can backfire and cost thousands of dollars in potential savings. The truth is that none of us knows “what case will be opened up next,” and betting on the future can be a bit of a risky proposition considering the turbulent climate that surrounds us.

The reason I bring this is up is because of my concern that many are missing out on the current opportunity that is before us. The turmoil in the economy has created a situation where your monthly mortgage payment can be lower AND you can get more house.

To find out exactly how the numbers pencil out for you, give me a call me at 918-645-1470. Reviewing your options and knowing what your specific situation looks like will help you make the best possible decision to help you and your family.

Trying to Figure Out Your Finances? Free Software Will Help!

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decide a better way to manage it.
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Mint.com has an app for your iPhone.
You can even follow Mint.com on Twitter and Facebook!!

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Mint.com is a read-only service, no transfers are possible— in or out.

Our alerts can increase your financial security.

We notify you of possible fraudulent transactions on all accounts.

You register anonymously— we don’t need your name or any personally identifiable info.
  • All you need to use Mint.com is a valid email address, password and zip code. We don’t need your name or any personally identifiable info.
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Mint provides bank-level data security for the transaction information we store.
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You cannot move money with Mint.
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Mint alerts can increase your financial security.
Mint.com provides 24/7 protection through proactive email and text alerts to to notify you about any large purchases or unusual charges in your accounts. We let you know what’s happening and when, so you’ll be able to react quickly to recover your personal finances, credit score and identity and avoid any potential damage.

Get Out Of Debt Sooner!

Credit cards are convenient, but if you regularly carry a balance you could end up paying more in interest than you did for the thing you bought. Credit card debt can pile up quickly. Here’s how credit management from Mint can help you dig out.

Get a lower interest rate.

Add your credit cards to Mint’s personal finance software and we’ll instantly show you your APR and what you’ve been paying in interest and fees. Then we’ll analyze your spending and payment history to see if you’d save money with a new credit card— some offering 0% APR. Use our information to either get a card better tailored to your lifestyle, or negotiate a lower rate with your current company.

See where you’re spending.

With your credit and debit cards connected to Mint, we’ll automatically download and categorize your transactions for you every night. Check out your spending trends to see where you can improve.

Decide where to cut back…

Set realistic goals for the categories you’ve decided to cut back on. If you spent $200 dining out last month, try a budget of $150. Mint will send you a gentle reminder via email or text message if you spend over your personal budget.

…and reduce your debt faster.

Apply your savings to the payment on your highest interest credit card. Now you’re putting a dent in your debt. And Mint’s personal budget software will show you how your financial health improves when you do.

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