Financial Tips: Some guide on how to save your home from repossession

Double-digit increases in gas and electricity prices and rising fuel and food costs are exacerbating the financial difficulties faced by homeowners with mortgages. High inflation has reduced the likelihood of base rate cuts, while the persistence of the credit crunch means that, even if the Bank of England were to cut rates, there are no guarantees that mortgage lenders would pass on those cuts to borrowers. There could not be a worse time to default on a loan: anyone with a less than perfect credit record will find it increasingly difficult - and expensive - to borrow money. So what should you do if you are struggling to meet your mortgage repayments?

1. Ask for help - now!

Speak to your lender immediately. Under the Financial Services Authority's treating customers fairly initiative it must attempt to work with borrowers who are suffering financial hardship. You could also speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau, which provides free advice.

2. Do not miss a payment

“If you miss a mortgage payment, this will be recorded on your credit file and may make it more difficult to get a mortgage, or to remortgage, in the future,” says Melanie Bien, of the mortgage broker Savills Private Finance. Your home could even be repossessed. Jonathan Cornell, of Hamptons International Mortgages, says: “Maintaining your mortgage payment should be your main priority.”

3. Stop spending

Luxuries should be sacrificed. Check that you are getting the cheapest phone, energy and broadband deals, and paying the lowest insurance premiums without compromising on cover.

4. Switch to an interest-only loan deal.

Switching from a repayment to an interest-only mortgage will reduce your monthly payments. “You must ensure that you switch back to a repayment deal as soon as you can afford to do so, otherwise the capital will not be repaid by the end of the mortgage term,” Bien says.

5. Extend the term of your mortgage.

Standard mortgage loans run for 25 years, but you can arrange to pay off your loan over 30 years or more: this reduces the monthly repayments, although it will of course increase the total amount of interest that you pay. Once again, this may be a good short-term solution: you could always reduce the length of the loan again once you can afford to do so.

6. Get another deal.

“If you are on a standard variable rate or another rate without penalties, you could ask your lender what other rates they have to offer,” Cornell says. Many lenders, including Halifax, Nationwide, Cheltenham&Gloucester, Woolwich and Yorkshire Building Society, have reduced their short-term fixed rates, while tracker rates have also been coming down over the past few weeks so you may find that you can now get a cheaper deal.

7. Find a new lender

If your lender is unable to offer you a better rate, consider going elsewhere. The market is nowhere near as competitive as it was 12 months ago, but some lenders - particularly the larger ones - are now looking to attract new business, so there are some decent deals around, particularly if you own a considerable chunk of equity in your property and if you have a clean credit history.

8. The state could help

If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for help with housing costs or council tax payments. If you have children, further help is available, in the form of child benefit (payable to all parents with children under the age of 16, regardless of income), as well as the working family's tax credit, which is means-tested.

9. Take in a lodger

Renting out a room is a tax-efficient way to boost your income: under the terms of the rent-a-room scheme, you are entitled to earn up to £4,250 a year tax-free by renting out a furnished room in your own home.

10. Sell up and downsize

If all else fails, you could put your property on the market and either downsize to a smaller, cheaper property or rent for a while until house prices fall and you can once again afford to get back on the property ladder. If you do decide to sell, do not let on that you desperately need to get rid of the property: buyers will drive a much harder bargain if they are aware that you are a distressed seller.

Travel Tips: Holiday Travel Tips

Here are some holiday travel tips I got from the net. I hope this will help.

• Give yourself enough time. Hitting construction zones or unanticipated traffic can easily send someone over the top, especially if you are already trying to meet a deadline.

• Drive the speed limit!!! Washington State Patrol will boost patrols over the holiday weekend. A speeding ticket might put a damper on your vacation.

• Drive Safe and Sane. Yes, you deserve a vacation. Yes, you deserve to get there in a timely fashion. Just keep in mind, if you hit traffic, all those other drivers are probably eager to go on vacation too. Being late or getting stuck in traffic is a minor inconvenience. Getting into an accident is much worse. Try to keep things in perspective and drive safe on the roadways.

• Pack snacks and water. Always good to have extra munchies and water in case you get stuck in traffic, or if an unexpected accident or break down occurs.

• Pack a blanket or extra clothing. Although its technically still summer, its a good idea to stash a blanket or a few heavy coats in the back seat or trunk of your car. Overnight temperatures are expected to be unseasonably cool.

• Know before you go. Look at DOT pages to see if any roads you were planning on taking are closed. Also, if you are on the road call 511 for information. Get directions from a service like Google or MapQuest.

• Charge! Make sure your cell phone is charged up in case you break down or get a flat.

• Stop Talking. Sticking with phones... Don't talk on your phone!! Unless you have a hands free device. Its illegal.

• Check the Weather. I personally recommend watching KVEW42 or logging onto KVEWTV.com to get updated on all the latest weather. Its important to know what the weather is like where you are going, and what it will be like on the way. Always a good idea to have a heads up if the weather could impact safe travels.

Financial Tips: Some tips when borrowing

Though it's tougher to get credit these days, it's not impossible. Here are some tips to ensure your small-business loan application doesn't get cast aside:

• Apply at a bank with an appetite for the type of loan you want. Each bank has a different investment philosophy; match your project to a bank's niche.



• Be prepared to offer collateral such as real estate, stocks, bonds or other personal assets.



• Know – and if possible, bolster – your credit score before walking in. A borrower's credit score can be just as important as his business plan.

Health Tips: Reduce your sodium intake and still keep foods flavorful

Ponichtera suggests making a gradual transition to using less salt and sodium-reduced products, particularly if you and your family is accustomed to sodium’s distinctive taste.

The best ways to cut back on sodium are to not use salt at the table, use less salt in cooking and avoid processed foods. Ponichtera says, “Keep in mind that a small amount [of salt] used in cooking may give just enough flavor to help you from adding too much at the table.” There is no reason to over-salt.

Here are some additional guidelines:

1. Fresh is best. Use fresh foods in place of processed foods. Fresh foods actually taste like they are meant to taste. Processed foods often just taste like salt.

2. Opt for frozen. Buy frozen vegetables instead of canned. Most unseasoned frozen veggies have no salt added.

3. Be choosy if buying canned foods. When you buy canned goods, choose the varieties with no salt added or labeled with lower-sodium.

4. Rinse canned beans and vegetables. To reduce the amount of salt in canned beans and vegetables, rinse them in a colander with water.

5. Cut the cured meats. Deli meats, ham and bacon are loaded with sodium. If using, simply add small portions to your meal. Small amounts can still add a lot of flavor.

6. Lower-sodium products. Try some of the lower-sodium products, such as reduced-salt ham or bacon. Even though many lower-sodium foods still contain a high amount of sodium, they still have less than the original products.

7. Salt-free soups. Use salt-free or reduced-salt soups, broth and bouillon. Canned soups are notorious for high sodium levels.

8. Go light on condiments. Loaded with flavor, condiments are also loaded with salt. Use ketchup, mustard and sauces sparingly.

9. Use vinegar or citrus for flavor. Sprinkle vinegar or squeeze lemon or lime juice on fish, chicken or vegetables.

10. Pass on the seasoning salt. Use seasoning powders instead of salts. For example, substitute garlic powder for garlic salt.

11. Generously include herbs and spices in your recipes. Fresh or dried, herbs and spices are not a significant source of sodium. (Give these seven super spices a try.)

12. Try unsalted snack foods. For a change, eat unsalted baked chips, popcorn and whole grain crackers. Pair them with dynamite dips and you won’t miss the salt at all.

13. Reduce the sodium in fast food. When ordering fast food items, forgo the pickles and cheese. You can even order French fries without the salt.

Health Tips: Healthy Eating Out Tips

If you are going to eat out, think about what you are eating the rest of the day so you can plan well and not blow your calorie budget.

Have it your way. Restaurants are in the business of serving customers. Don’t be afraid to ask for items specially prepared the way you want them.

Plan on a light lunch if you’re eating out at dinner time.

Try not to skip meals, which may make you overindulge later. Try not to show up at the restaurant famished.

If you’d like to splurge on a higher-calorie entr e, plan to skip dessert and commit to sticking to your plan once in the restaurant.

Order regular portion sizes instead of the jumbo sizes.

Try an appetizer, half an entr e, or share a meal with a friend and order an extra side salad.

Ask for half the entr e to be wrapped up to go before the food is brought to the table.

Get exactly what you want by ordering each item separately (a la carte).

Learn to spot which dishes are made with lower-calorie cooking methods.

Ask how dishes are prepared and if they can do it your way.

Don’t tempt yourself. Have the waiter remove the bowl of chips or peanuts, or the basket of bread, after you’ve had a small portion. Don’t sit near the dessert cart.

Limit alcohol. It’s high-calorie, has few nutrients and can weaken your will power.

Safety Tips: How to avoid injuries caused by texting-on-the-go

It wasn't the bumps and bruises that surprised emergency room physicians when they started looking into the dangers of texting. It was the fatalities. "It's like walking blind," says Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, who has heard of people stepping into moving traffic, BlackBerry in hand.

Unlike speaking on a cell phone, texting requires users to divert their eyes, Lawrence says. The growing number of users of iPhones, BlackBerrys and other handheld devices has made texting-on-the-go a risk for people of all ages.

Lawrence's group offers this advice:

1 Don't text while engaged in physical activities that require sustained attention, such as biking, in-line skating and playing sports.

2 Never text while driving.

3 Keep your phone or BlackBerry accessible, so you don't have to rummage for it.

4 Turn off the device, or ignore the call or message, whenever responding might be dangerous.

5 Avoid sending messages when you're out alone at night or in a crowded area where you could be the victim of a pickpocket.

Cooking Tips: Create the perfect burger

Here’s the procedure for making the perfect hamburger straight from the horse’s mouth.

1. Take meat out of the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes before grilling, and cover it well. When cold meat hits a grill, it makes for uneven cooking–and promotes the chances of the burgers not being cooked well enough inside.

2. Use olive oil to lightly coat the patty (in addition to your seasonings) before placing it on the grill to bolster moistness and to help prevent sticking.

3. When forming the patties, depress the middle of them with your thumb before placing them on the grill. This way, the burgers won’t have the normal rising in the middle after being cooked. You’ll have a flatter surface for all those wonderful condiments, and the burger will be easier to eat.

4. Grill traditional burgers for at least 8 minutes (4 minutes a side) and flip only once so you’re not constantly opening the grill, which lets the heat escape.

5. Make sure you use an instant read thermometer to ensure the burger is 160 degrees inside before taking off the grill.

6. Let the burgers sit for five minutes before serving; this will help keep the juices in the burger and prevent them from flowing out on the plate.