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Managing Your Mortgage, Your Money And More

By
Editor
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0

(NAPS)—Settling into a new place can be an exciting time. You’re unpacking, meeting new neighbors, getting the “lay of the land” and making decisions about how to furnish and decorate your home. At the same time, you’re assuming many new financial responsibilities, such as mortgage payments and maintenance costs. That’s one reason it’s important to protect yourself and your family by making sure you have a sound financial foundation.

Savings: More Important

Than Ever

While setting aside money for emergencies is a good idea no matter what, it’s essential that, as a homeowner, you keep a reserve handy in case the unexpected happens. Homeowners can find themselves facing expensive repairs that shouldn’t—or can’t—be delayed. Adequate savings can keep you from having to choose between postponing a needed repair and risking further damage to your home—which may require spending beyond your budget. Savings can also be used to pay for home improvement projects, such as remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or building an addition, that may enhance the value of your investment and help you make the most of your home.

An obvious place to put your savings is in a traditional FDIC-insured bank account. Another alternative would be to place your money in a money market fund. These are conservative investments that offer competitive interest rates and check-writing privileges, so assets in money market funds can be easily used to pay your mortgage and expenses in case of an emergency.

An investment in a money market fund is not FDIC insured or guaranteed by any other government agency.

Pay Yourself First

It can be difficult to think about saving money when you’re a new homeowner; you may have just spent a significant amount of money on a down payment, and you are already diverting a large portion of your income toward the mortgage, property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Even on a tight budget, however, saving money doesn’t have to be a painful experience.

Simply get into the habit of “paying yourself first.” Every time you get paid, put aside a set amount before using any of it to pay bills or make purchases. Many financial companies, such as First Investors, can facilitate this by making the process automatic; a fixed amount can be automatically deducted from your paycheck or your bank account on a regular basis and put into a mutual fund account.

Protecting Your Home

Most owners buy homeowner’s insurance, and for good reason. Your home is likely your largest single asset and investment. It must be protected in case of fire, burglary or natural disaster.

But a home is also a major source of expenses: mortgage payments, property taxes, maintenance and the like. If your household loses the earning power of a loved one, your family might not be able to afford those costs. That’s where life insurance steps in. Its benefits can be used to help cover mortgage payments and other home-related expenses so that your family can remain in their home.

Don’t Overlook Life Insurance

Life insurance can also help:

  • Replace lost income, so your family can maintain its current lifestyle;
  • Ensure that goals—such as a child’s education—can still be achieved;
  • Pay final expenses, such as medical bills and funeral expenditures.

Speak With Your

Insurance Representative

An insurance representative can also discuss what products may be suitable for your unique needs and make specific investment and insurance recommendations.

Learn More

For further information about First Investors funds or variable products, you can get a free prospectus and summary prospectus by contacting a representative, calling (800) 423-4026 or visiting www.firstinvestors.com. Since 1930, First Investors has been helping individuals and everyday families reach their financial goals with competitive investment, life insurance and annuity products.

 

 

A good insurance policy can help protect your home and your family’s ability to live in it.

Top 10 Pantry Essentials for Fast, Healthful Cooking

By
Editor
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0

(NAPS)—Stock your kitchen with these basic building blocks for a wide variety of good-for-you recipes that are quick and easy to create.

“Keeping healthy foods on hand is one of the easiest ways to get started with a healthy eating plan,” said registered dietitian Sarah-Jane Bedwell, author of “Schedule Me Skinny.”

  1. Canola Oil—This kitchen workhorse is one of the most healthful cooking oils available and excellent for almost any kind of recipe. It contains the least saturated fat and most plant-based omega-3 fat of all common cooking oils, plus its neutral flavor and light texture work well with many different dishes and cooking styles.
  2. Vinegar—The acid in vinegar, including white wine, red wine or balsamic, brightens and balances flavors. It’s key to salad vinaigrette, and a splash can add depth and sweetness to soups and sautés.
  3. Peanut Butter—An inexpensive source of protein, peanut butter is a healthful addition to baked goods. It’s also a quick base for Asian-style peanut sauce on noodles or meat.
  4. Lower-Sodium Chicken or Vegetable Broth—Boost flavor by using broth for homemade soup in a flash, whole grains or a braised dish. Store-bought broth tends to be higher in salt, so look for the lower-sodium varieties.
  5. Honey or Brown Sugar—Sweetener isn’t just for baked goods. Use a touch to help caramelize foods and bring out the natural sweetness in vegetables.
  6. Whole Wheat Flour—Essential for baking, flour is also useful for thickening sauces, binding veggie pancakes and more. The white whole wheat variety can be a great way to add extra whole grains but maintain a light texture.
  7. Basic Spices—No need to buy a whole rack’s worth of spices. For most dishes, you’ll be good to go with pepper, cinnamon, cumin, chili powder, garlic flakes, thyme and an Italian herb blend.
  8. Whole Grains—Brown rice, whole grain pasta, oats, barley and quinoa are packed with nutrition and nicely filling. Keep them on hand to round out any meal.
  9. Quick Protein—Canned or dried beans and lentils as well as canned salmon and tuna are excellent pantry staples: nutritious, affordable and versatile. Toss them into salads, mix with whole grains or mash them into burgers.
  10. Canned Tomatoes—Essential for sauces, soups and stews, canned tomatoes are faster (and, at most times of the year, tastier) to use than peeling, seeding and chopping your own. Select those that are lower in sodium.

“These are ingredients I reach for again and again,” Bedwell added. “With a well-stocked pantry and a little bit of planning, it’s truly possible to prepare healthy meals in minutes.”

 

 

This entrée or appetizer is a delicious way to incorporate whole grain and other pantry essentials.

 

Salmon and Quinoa Patties

Yield: 8 patties

Serving size: 1 pattie

 

2 Tbsp canola oil, divided

1 cup minced onion

½ cup finely chopped celery

1 cup cooked quinoa

2 cans, 6.5 oz each, salmon, rinsed and drained

3 eggs

2 Tbsp green relish

½ tsp salt

 

In large nonstick pan, heat 1 Tbsp canola oil over medium heat. Add onion and celery and sauté for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. In large bowl, combine prepared quinoa with cooked onions and celery. Add salmon, eggs, relish and salt. Stir well to combine. Shape mixture into 8 patties, about 1⁄3 cup mixture each. In saucepan, heat remaining canola oil over medium heat. Cook patties for 3 to 4 minutes, undisturbed, or until golden brown. Flip over and continue cooking for about 4 additional minutes.

Nutritional Analysis per Serving: calories: 150; total fat: 9 g; saturated fat: 1.5 g; cholesterol: 90 mg; sodium: 360 mg; carbohydrates: 7 g; fiber: 1 g; sugar: 1 g; protein: 10 g.

 

Learn More

Find more flavorful recipes using heart-smart canola oil and other pantry essentials at www.CanolaInfo.org.

 

 

You can enjoy delicious, simple and wholesome Salmon and Quinoa Patties with grilled vegetables on whole grain rolls or as mini appetizers.

 

Growing your own firewood

By
K-State
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0

With high energy costs, some homeowners are turning to wood for heat. I’m one of them.
Fortunately, the farm has a number of volunteer trees that can be used for firewood. The most common species is Siberian elm but there are also some hackberry and mulberry. Though there may be enough volunteer trees to supply the need, better firewood trees would reduce the time and effort required to supply the wood needed. Actually, storm-damaged trees or trees in the wrong place will always provide a measure of the demand but a significant supply could be supported by a firewood “plantation.”
Plant species is an important consideration as not all trees have the same density and therefore heat value. The greater the dry weight, the better. The highest value for trees commonly found in Kansas is Osage Orange (Hedgeball tree) at 4,800 pounds per cord. Osage orange has a gnarly growth habit and a nasty set of thorns. This species also sparks which isn’t a problem in a wood-fired boiler but certainly would be in an open fireplace.
Black locust is next with 4,200 pounds per cord. Black locust is a fast grower and also has excellent burning qualities and makes a nice bed of coals. However, it is hard to split, suckers, and has some relatively small thorns, especially on young trees. Bur oak and red oak come in at 3,800 and 3,500 pounds per cord respectively but are not fast growers. Mulberry, however, has the same weight as red oak but grows more quickly.  Silver maple has less heat value (3,000 pounds per cord) but is a very fast growing tree.
Black locust would be my first choice for this purpose though you may wish to plant rows of several species. However, each situation is different and another species may work better for you.  So how do you set out your plantation? Dr. Wayne Geyer, one of our retired forestry professors, has done many woody biomass studies over the past 35 years. Following are some recommendations that have come out of his studies.
– Plant locust a few rows in from a field edge to reduce suckering in the field.
– Plant on a close spacing, 4 to 6 feet apart. This maximizes yield and reduces side branching.
– Control weeds the first two years.
– Harvest every 5 years, most trees will resprout and can be reharvested.
– Plant about 1 acre per year for 5 years if you wish to supply the majority of the firewood needed to heat your home.

 

By: Ward Upham

Radish roxanne

By
K-State
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0

Roxanne is a hybrid radish with uniform bright red color and a beautiful creamy white interior. Roxanne is a great tasting radish with no pithiness or bleeding even at a larger size. This radish stays firm and solid even when oversized, and holds well in the garden. Roxanne grows well in a wide range of climates, as verified by our judges who have trial grounds all over North America. In mild climates Roxanne can be sown at intervals in fall and winter for harvest during these seasons. This radish can easily be grown in a pot at least 4 inches deep.
A very pretty and tasty radish!  Nice bright red color with beautiful creamy white interior. Nice shape, size and uniformity.

Start trees off right

By
K-State
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0

Research from K-State’s John C. Pair Horticultural Center has quantified the effect of controlling grasses around newly planted trees.
Jason Griffin, William Reid, and Dale Bremer conducted a study to investigate the inhibition of growth of transplanted, seedling trees when lawn grasses were allowed to grow up to the trunk. There were five treatments, including three with different species of grass:
1. Bare soil maintained with herbicides.
2. Area under tree mulched 3 inches deep.
3. Tall fescue allowed to grow under tree.
4. Bermudagrass allowed to grow under tree.
5. Kentucky bluegrass allowed to grow under tree.
All treatments were applied to Eastern redbud seedlings as well as to pecan seedlings. All trees were fertilized according to recommendations and watered during the growing season with up to 1 inch of water if rainfall was deficient. At the end of two years, trees were measured and harvested. Data was taken on caliper (diameter) 6 inches above the ground, weight of aboveground portions of the tree, leaf area, and leaf weight. There were no differences in any measure between the mulched treatment and the bare soil treatment for either tree species. All measures showed significant growth increases if lawn grasses were controlled around the tree.
Results include the following:
1. Caliper: Caliper measures 6 inches above the soil surface were twice as large for plots without grass than for those with either fescue or bluegrass, but only 50% larger when compared to the bermudagrass plots.
2. Top growth weight: Redbuds showed a 300% weight advantage for plots with grasses controlled than those without. Pecans showed a significant 200% increase.
3. Leaf area and leaf weight: Leaf areas were 200% larger in plots without grass competition and leaf weight showed a 300% increase.
The obvious conclusion from this study is that grasses must be controlled under a newly transplanted tree to get the best possible growth. Though there were no differences in growth whether mulch was used or not, you may still wish to mulch for aesthetic reasons or to help control weed growth. How far from the trunk should the grasses be controlled? Try a minimum of 3 feet.

By: Ward Upham

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