After weeks of getting ready for Christmas with the decorations, presents and all, it passes ever so quickly in only a day and a half. Now that it is over, if we are lucky, we get to continue visiting with family and friends, eat some additional good meals and relax before the start of another year.
Looking back on this time last year it was a time filled with fear of the future and the unknown wrapped up with promises of changes from a new president that would be sworn in by the end of January. No matter what your political affiliation, we seem to be at a better place this year than last. The economy isn’t exactly rocking along but it is much better than it was at this time last year. And though there are still many out of work, let’s all be hopeful that jobs will be the present for many in 2010.
I wish you all the best for the week remaining in 2009 and continued success and happiness throughout 2010! Let’s make it the best year ever!
When it comes to inflation, our economy seems to be on a schizophrenic thrill ride. Just last week it looked like inflation was picking up at the wholesale level so the mortgage market tanked in response. But inflation never appeared at the retail level so we gained all the losses back toward the end of the week and ended up right back where we started! So while interest rates have ticked up a bit due to the overall market, we are doing much better than it looked like we would be doing last week.
Many experts believe that the news from the Fed in regard to inflation and moving out of securing mortgage loans is a precursor to rates rising throughout 2010, making early 2010 a good bet for the lowest rates of the year. This coupled with the tax credits for both first time home buyers and those moving up in a house or downsizing makes early next year a great time to consider purchasing a home. Maybe the best Christmas present to yourself and your family is to buy a house. If you are waiting for a good deal to do so, this would be the time to get it!
Every year I read about some poor soul that spends some time in the hospital due to accidents around hanging up the Christmas lights especially outside on the house. Just because it’s Christmas does not mean you don’t have to be careful when climbing up and down ladders or crawling around on your roof! The electrical lines are also in the same place this time of year so know where they are before you place your ladder.
The one year I will never forget was when all the lights were strung; the plugs were plugged in and everybody was anticipating the beauty and majesty of a well lit house when the switch was made and a poof of smoke bellowed up from the outside outlet followed by a spark and flash of fire. Luckily, the house did not burn down but we all learned not to overload the circuits that year. So be happy and merry as well as careful and safe as you prepare for the holiday season with family and friends.
Since many of us will be making a purchase or two online this Christmas, it’s important to know what to look for on a website that can assure you that you will get good service. One of the first thing to look for is a phone number to call the company if need be. I never really looked for this until someone I trusted told me to always make sure there was a published phone number and address on the website.
The next two things are to look for a security seal as well as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) logo. The security seal lets you know that the website checkout goes through a security gate to prevent fraud or theft while the BBB logo lets you know that the business is part of the Better Business Bureau and is dedicated to making sire your shopping experience is a positive and successful one. You can also contact the BBB if there are any problems and they can help get them solved if for some reason the company is unable too.
By looking for these three things you will be able to identify online companies that are legit and ready to do business with you.
While most people will be shopping for Christmas over the next month and a half there are some that will be concentrating on selling their homes over the holidays. If you are one of those families you will want to make sure that you continue to keep your home picked up and clean just like you would anytime you would sell a home as well as making a few additional adjustments.
One of those adjustments is to tone down the holiday décor. Have fun and make it yours, just don’t get carried away and keep it tasteful and clean. Another thing you can do is make sure you have some wonderful natural decorations like evergreen wreaths. You can also keep those wonderful smelling candles out and about as well have some good smelling cookies or baked holiday items that make those buyers want to call your home theirs. The great news for you is that people who are actively looking to buy a home around the holidays are normally very serious about purchasing a home so you have a good chance to sell your home this time of year.
Think about that when the phone rings and you have to vacate your home for a showing. It might be hard to do during the holidays but it will be well worth the effort if you follow these few tips.
I am just so fortunate to be able to spend a part of my holiday season with all the kids and grandchildren, even though it is at different times over the period of a week. Our family, like most families today, are spread out across the U. S. and abroad and it’s easy to get caught up in missing everybody not around instead of enjoying everybody who is. My wish for you this Christmas is to remember all your family and friends who cannot be with you and to enjoy the company of all the ones who are.
If you are traveling, my prayer is that you will be safe no matter where you go or how far you travel. If you are spending your Christmas alone, my prayer is that you will know you are never truly alone in this world and you can always reach out to those around you, if only with a smile. If you are in the company of older generations, my prayer is that you will enjoy them as never before as this could be the last Christmas they are with you. If you are in the company of the young, my prayer is that you will rejoice with them, right where they are and if you are with someone you love this year, tell them again and again so that neither you nor they ever forget they are loved.
May You and Your Family Have a Very Merry Christmas this Year!
