Improving Your Partner's Low Credit Without Hurting Yours
If your partner brings poor credit to the relationship, it can be an issue you should probably fix together.A spouses poor credit score wont hurt yours, and credit reports for both people dont merge when they get married, but continued poor credit habits by a partner can affect each persons credit score if they have joint accounts together, such as a shared credit card.Here are some ways to help y...
How Does a Home Equity Line of Credit Work?
If you want to make an important purchase but do not currently have the money, you dont necessarily have to put things on hold. If you own a house and have been paying your mortgage for several years, you may have enough equity to qualify for a home equity line of credit, or HELOC. Before you take that step, you need to understand how a HELOC works and ask yourself whether the purchase you want to...
A Guide to Butcher Block Countertops
Heres everything you need to know about butcher block countertops…The BasicsThere are three different types of butcher block counters to consider:Edge grain is made by stacking planks together so the side of each piece is seenEnd grain is built using square-shaped pieces that give it a grid-like appearance.Face grain is made by laying slabs of wood flat together so the width of each plank is vis...
5 Financial Tips for First-Time Parents
So a babe is on the way? Congrats! Along with the chaos of, well, everything that is to come, your finances are about to experience an upheaval, as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost upwards of $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18"and this does not include college. Feeling that bank account burn already? Below are five tips for rocking your budge...
What to Do If You Find an Error on Your Credit Report
Lenders look at your credit report to determine whether you qualify for a loan or credit card. Inaccurate information could lead to an unfavorable interest rate or outright denial of your application. You should periodically request copies of your credit reports and check them for errors. If you find a mistake, act immediately to have it corrected so it doesn’t hurt your chances of obtaining cre...
5 Design Features for a Luxurious Shower
Here are 5 features to create the perfect shower area in your home…Dual ShowerheadsDual showerheads allow for a spacious shower area where couples can go about their routine without having to wait.Rain ShowerRain showers create a relaxing and luxurious feeling of water cascading down on you.Vitamin C-Infused ShowerVitamin C-infused showers reduce chlorine levels in your water and leave your skin...
Making Financial Lessons a Family Tradition
Teaching children manners and how to tie their shoes is one thing, but financial lessons are often pushed to the wayside until it’s too late. Budgeting and financial planning should be a focus in every household. Whether you are passing along your lessons to your children, nieces or nephews, keeping financial sense in the family can have longstanding benefits.Here are some financial lessons you ...
Quick Fixes for Your Common Household Problems
It may seem like there’s always something going on as a homeowner, from silencing a squeaky hinge to unclogging a temperamental toilet. But many household problems can be easily fixed without calling a repair service.A can of WD-40, a toilet plunger and a bottle of vinegar are great basics to keep on hand for easing sticky fittings, clearing the toilet and making short work of common stains. Her...