Help the victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School!

UPDATE  - Another AWESOME way to donate stuffed animals is by purchasing them through Kohls.com (select the Kohl’s Cares animals and they will donate the profit so it’s a way to help in more than one way!!).
Also, if you can think of ANY other ways or have a shop where you sell stuffed animals etc, please feel free to leave it in the comments.
So I got to thinking…I have received several emails from several readers who want to support the Sandy Hook Elementary students and families of the victims by sending Stuffed animals/teddy bears and letters to them. Below is a P.O. Box that was set up to do just that!
And…I scoured Amazon looking for what I thought was a good deal on stuffed animals (see below, most are around $5 shipped). I was thinking, we could purchase these animals right on Amazon and have them sent DIRECTLY to the P.O. Box…that way you don’t have to worry about shipping them yourself and you can support them from your living room. Imagine if we all sent a stuffed animal or letter… what an impact!!
Here is the address to send letters (and stuffed animals if you choose):

Messages of Condolence for Newtown
P.O. Box 3700
Newtown, CT 06470

Amazon deals on Stuffed Animals to send directly to them:

You will get FREE shipping with Amazon Prime (sign up for a FREE 30 day trial here) or when you spend $25 or more with super saver shipping! OR, many of these are about the same price with shipping (just took to the right side of the screen to see more buying options).

Webkinz Velvety Elephant $6.29 shipped (Reg.$14.99)

Aurora Plush 12″ Baby Slushy Aurora Babies Polar Bear $8.99 (Reg. $11.99) My favorite!

Aurora World 12″ Teo The White Tiger $10.88 shipped! My second favorite!

Aurora World Esmeralda $5.49 (Reg. $9.99!)

Webkinz Pinto $6.49 (Reg. $14.99!)

Melissa & Doug Baby Roscoe Bear – Vanilla $8.75 + FREE Shipping So Loving and Cute

Webkinz Charcoal Cat $6.29 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Hippo $5.10 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Pom Pom Kitty $8.40 (Reg. $14.99!)

Webkinz Caramel Lion $5.99 (Reg. $14.99!) I LOVE this one!

Aurora World 14″ Lucky Puppy $5.99 (Reg. $14.99!) Super cute! 

Aurora World Shepherd Dog $6.08 (Reg. $9.99)

Webkinz Hedgehog $6.65 (Reg. $14.99!) 

Aurora Plush 12″ Perry Flopsie $9.36 (Reg. $12.99) This one is bright and cheery

Gund Matisse Brown 14″ Bear Plush $13.18 Shipped – More expensive but SUPER cute and nice

Webkinz Pink Pony $6.60 (Reg. $14.99)

Melissa & Doug Luster Dragon $12.22

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys 12″ Plush Sunny Yellow Lab $12.04

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys Thatcher Bear

Melissa & Doug Princess Soft Toys 16″ Plush Lovey Lamb $11.86 Shipped $11.86

Look for more HERE!

Originally posted HERE.

Do you know the danger of Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a growing problem in the United States. Do not be a victim of this crime! Here are a few ways to protect yourself:

Credit Reports
Check your credit report! If you discover anything suspicious, especially in the form of a credit card you don't have or debt that does not belong to you. 

You are entitled one free credit report every year from each of the three nationwide credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.

To get your free credit reports, go here or call (877) 322-8228. (HINT: To monitor your credit year-round, request a report from a different bureau every 4 months)

Security Freeze
A security freeze prevents credit bureaus from releasing any information about you to new creditors without your approval, which can stop identity thieves from obtaining credit in your name. For details, visit this website. All North Carolinians can get security freezes online. 

Social Security Number
Your social security number is a helpful tool for crooks who are trying to take out credit in your name. Protect it! Don't carry your social security card in your wallet. Do not print it on your checks. Do not give it out unless it is absolutely necessary. Always ask why it is needed, who will have access to it, and how it will be kept confidential. 

Shred
Your records often contain confidential information. Shred or erase hard drives from old copiers, printers, and computers that might hold private information. Clear all date from old cell phones to ensue that your private information can't be recovered. Shred outdated tax records, credit card applications, old financial statements, insurance forms, etc.

Finances
Watch billing cycles for missing bills, which can be an indication of ID theft or other financial fraud. Review monthly statements. If you discover incorrect charges, notify the company and dispute the charges. Reduce the private information on your checks and limit the number of credit card you carry. 

Notify your credit card company in advance when you travel, especially out of country. Photocopy credit cards (front and back) and keep the copies in a safe place in case a card is lost or stolen. Review your Social Security Earnings and Benefits Statement for errors. Call (800) 772-1213 to order a statement.

Passwords
Carry PINs and passwords in your head, not in your wallet or purse. Do not share PINs  or passwords with anyone, even close friends or relatives. Don't over-use the same PINs and passwords. Create different ones for different accounts. Passwords should have at least eight characters. Use letters, number and symbols (#%$). (HINT: Avoid consecutive numbers, family names, birthdates, SSN, phone numbers, etc.)

Online
Use public wi-fi hotspots for casual web surfing ONLY. Only access email, financial information, or enter private information on a secure wireless system. Make sure your home wireless router is encrypted and password-protected. Create a long, complex password to deter hackers from breaking in. Confirm that your computer is protected by an active firewall. Keep your operating system, spyware and virus protection up to date. 

Shop with online merchants that you trust. Do not click on pop-up messages or ads offering prices too good to be true. Never enter private data like your SSN or a credit card account number online unless you are on a secured website. Look for https (instead of http) in the web address and a "lock" icon somewhere on the screen. When you place an online order, print out your order confirmation. Keep receipts and copies of communications about your order, along with a description of the product and its price. Read refund and privacy policies.

When selling items online, watch out for (real-looking) fake checks and money orders. Be wary of overpayments and endorsed checks. Never wire "excess" payments back to the buyer or to someone else. Pay for online purchases by credit card. 

Email
Beware of emails that ask you to confirm your personal information or account number, or to transfer money. Avoid clicking on anything in an email, even it appears to come from a trusted source like your bank or a friend.  Forward spam emails to spam@uce.gov. Never send your SSN or financial account information by email unless they are encrypted. (HINT: Emails that say you have won money, can make a lot of money, or please for help are usually scams).

Mail
Stop pre-approved credit card offers by calling (888) 5-OPT-OUT or visit this website. Place outgoing mail containing private information into a locked mailbox. Avoid leaving your incoming mail in an unlocked mailbox. Consider getting a locking mailbox. Don't send money to cover taxes or fees on a prize, lottery or sweepstakes winning. It is a scam.

We are having a contest!

We are celebrating the holidays the best way we know how! With an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest! Here are the details:

You have from today, Monday, December 3rd, 2012 until Thursday, December 6th, 2012 at 11:59 PM to email a picture of you wearing your Ugly Christmas Sweater to HMcGowin@gmail.com. They will be uploaded to the facebook page daily. Do not upload it directly or it will be removed.

In order to be eligible, YOU MUST "LIKE" MY FACEBOOK REALTOR PAGE! 
Amanda Parmer REALTOR Page
Then it is time to tell all your family and friends to vote! They must also "like" my facebook REALTOR page for their vote to count! In order to vote, they must simply click "like" on your photo.

Voting ends on Thursday, December 13th, 2012 at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced the following day. The winner will receive a Dunkin' Donuts gift card!

Why Should I Buy A House Now??

We can go back and forth all day about the pros and cons of buying a home now.  When you ask Google, the top results will be compelling arguments for either side.  

Basically, it boils down to what you want and how much you want it for!

If you are definitely only going to be in a specific location for just a few years, renting just might be your best option....unless  you have a guaranteed income or allowance for housing and you can purchase a home for less than you rent- and then rent the home when you move and earn money on your investment...

Check it out:

Rent a home for $800/month means you're going to put down a $800 security deposit, plus the $800 rent every month, and that's not including utilities and pet fees and the 4% inflation every year.  You can exponentiate that for a period of three years and find that renting will cost a little over $31,000.

Spending the same amount of money every month, but investing it in a mortgage will buy a home priced right around $150,000.  And as a homeowner, you can enjoy the added tax benefits, inflation to add value and equity, not dealing with a landlord, having the freedom of painting, having pets, remodeling to suit your tastes and the list goes on and on.

Among historically low mortgage interest rates (check them here!) , buyer incentives to include:  closing cost assistance, buyer possession, furniture allowances, remodeling and decorating allowances, home warranty, landscaping packages and more, as well as depressed sale prices, this is a great time to make the financial decision to buy a home!

Experts agree that while home ownership still carries some risk, it's still a steady and worthwhile investment.  It is, in fact, the only investment that you can use at the same time you pay for it and it will steadily appreciate.  Not quickly, but how many quick investments work out in the end anyway?

Of course buying a home and making any type of investment is not a decision to be taken lightly and will impact your entire lifestyle for many years.  But it can definitely set your financial future up for success as well as give you the peace of mind and somewhere to call home.

Check out my website for home buying tips and to browse homes, both for rent and for sale, that are available!  I would love to assist you with all of your real estate needs!

www.AmandaParmerSellsHomes.com

"I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!"

Get in the Christmas Spirit with these fun websites!

Here are a few fun websites to use during the holidays!

Want to watch Santa feed his reindeer?  Go to this website and you can watch the reindeer 24/7, or at 11am, 6pm, and 9pm EST, you can watch Santa feed them!

Or maybe you'd like to send someone a real video message directly from SANTA!!  Go to this website and experience the magic in giving a free personalized message to your loved ones!

And you can even take a picture of Santa in your home!!  All you have to do is go to this website and upload a picture of where you want Santa to be, choose your Santa, then download the results!

Hope your holidays are full of fun and cheer!  Want Santa to visit you in a NEW home this year?  Call me!  I'd love to help you get there and send Santa your forwarding address!!

I'm never too busy for any of your referrals!

Tips for buying a house

The top 10 things you need to know when buying a home.

Originally published on money.cnn.com

1. Don't buy if you can't stay put.
If you can't commit to remaining in one place for at least a year, then owning is probably not for you, at least not yet. With the transaction costs of buying and selling a home, you may end up losing money if you sell any sooner - even in a rising market. When prices are falling, it's an even worse proposition.
2. Start by shoring up your credit.
Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. A few months before you start house hunting, get copies of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover.
3. Aim for a home you can really afford.
The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford.
4. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan.
There are a variety of public and private lenders who, if you qualify, offer low-interest mortgages that require a small down payment.
5. Buy in a district with good schools.
In most areas, this advice applies even if you don't have school-age children. Reason: When it comes time to sell, you'll learn that strong school districts are a top priority for many home buyers, thus helping to boost property values.
6. Get professional help.
Even though the Internet gives buyers unprecedented access to home listings, most new buyers (and many more experienced ones) are better off using a professional agent. Look for an exclusive buyer agent, if possible, who will have your interests at heart and can help you with strategies during the bidding process.
7. Choose carefully between points and rate.
When picking a mortgage, you usually have the option of paying additional points -- a portion of the interest that you pay at closing -- in exchange for a lower interest rate. If you stay in the house for a long time -- say three to five years or more -- it's usually a better deal to take the points. The lower interest rate will save you more in the long run.
8. Before house hunting, get pre-approved.
Getting pre-approved will you save yourself the grief of looking at houses you can't afford and put you in a better position to make a serious offer when you do find the right house. Not to be confused with pre-qualification, which is based on a cursory review of your finances, pre-approval from a lender is based on your actual income, debt and credit history.
9. Do your homework before bidding.
Your opening bid should be based on the sales trend of similar homes in the neighborhood. So before making it, consider sales of similar homes in the last three months. If homes have recently sold at 5 percent less than the asking price, you should make a bid that's about eight to 10 percent lower than what the seller is asking.
10. Hire a home inspector.
Sure, your lender will require a home appraisal anyway. But that's just the bank's way of determining whether the house is worth the price you've agreed to pay. Separately, you should hire your own home inspector, preferably an engineer with experience in doing home surveys in the area where you are buying. His or her job will be to point out potential problems that could require costly repairs down the road.

This article was originally published on www.onemoneydesign.com.

The $50 Christmas Budget

The $50 Christmas budget is a true story … AND it’s a love story.
Every husband (and wife) who has ever said, “Just make me a Christmas list, and let me buy what’s on it” needs to read this.
It’s a fact that most people spend hundreds (even thousands) on Christmas gifts.
Most of us want all the thrill of giving and receiving gifts, but the price tag is rarely worth the return on Christmas day.
As a wife, most of us expect our husbands to possess some sort of mental gift-giving telepathy. I want to feel that my husband knows me well and wants to give me gifts. In my mind, his selection of gifts reflects how well he knows me.  We think husbands should know what we want intuitively. But of course, they don’t.

And I don’t want to give my husband a Christmas shopping list, either! But I know what’s on my list. Maybe I could just go out and buy the stuff myself!?
A few years ago I noticed that my husband’s gifts weren’t reflecting how well I wanted him to know me. He gave nice Christmas gifts: a pair of diamond earrings, a leather handbag, gift certificates to spas, and so forth. But these gifts didn’t feel personal. I felt he often selected whatever the sales clerk wanted him to purchase.
I wanted to rein in the Christmas budget AND I wanted my husband to really care about the gifts he was selecting. I wanted to feel he was selecting something especially for me.
My solution: Set a $50 Christmas budget.
You’d think that lowering the Christmas budget from that which could purchase diamond earrings to that which could barely purchase a sweater would mean poor gifts and possibly disappointment.
Not the case!
I purposefully wanted to limit what each of us spent on each other so that we would focus less on the commercial aspect of Christmas and more on learning more about each other and listening to one other.
I relayed my Christmas budget plan in a whirlwind of excitement, “Guess what we’re going to do this Christmas?”
His reply, “No problem; I’ll just go to the dollar store.”
“Wait a minute … let’s set some rules,” I quickly replied.

The $50 Christmas Budget Rules

Each gift must be something the other person would really want. It must reflect their hobbies, interests or personality. No generic gifts!
One more rule: the gift giver had to write the cost of the gift on the tag!
The First Gift Under the Tree
I got right to work. I filled out online surveys for free magazines and gifts cards and received a year’s subscription to The NewYorker and Savour Magazine. My husband loves to read and loves to cook so these were great gifts. I wrapped the first issues of the magazines along with the gift cards and my gift tag read, “free.”
Let the competition begin!
Not to be outdone, my husband felt the heat. The $50 Christmas budget became a game. Who would get the best gifts at the best price?
His first conquest was a rhinestone brooch purchased at an antique/junk shop. He had to talk the owner down from $15 to $7. After all, he only had $50 to spend.
This was truly an act of love (or competition) on my husband’s part because he would NEVER have bargained so fiercely before. Knowing I love to get a great deal and am a sucker for sparkly jewelry, the antique rhinestone brooch scored big points!
On Christmas day, I had 9 gifts under the tree. He had 7. With every gift was the thrill of hearing the story behind it. He proudly told where he went to get it, why he selected to purchase it, and if he had to strike a bargain to stay within budget. He was so excited to give me his gifts, and I loved every one of them
It was the best Christmas ever! For 10 years since, we referred to that Christmas as the “$50 Christmas.”
It was a bit of work. We took the time to reflect on each other and went out of way to do things we wouldn’t have normally done.
This year, after 15 years of marriage, we’re returning to the $50 Christmas budget. What fun it’s going to be!