Everyone who takes out a mortgage hopes to be able to make payments on time, but life sometimes gets in the way. A job loss, an unexpected expense, or an illness or injury can wreak havoc on a familys finances. A mortgage that converts from a fixed- to an adjustable-interest rate can cause mortgage payments to skyrocket overnight.If you have missed payments, dont panic. You have options to help you get back on track, but the first thing you need to do is contact your lender, explain your situation and ask what can be done to help you. Your lender would rather see you get caught up than have your home go into foreclosure and will be willing to work with you"but you have to ask.How to Get Back on TrackOne option is forbearance. That means the lender will agree to reduce or postpone your payments for a period of time. You will need to make up the payments later by paying a lump sum or installments. This is a good option if you are facing a short-term loss of income or an unanticipated expense but expect things to get back to normal in a relatively short period of time. You will be considered current on your mortgage during forbearance.Your lender may suggest working out a repayment plan if the problem that caused you to fall behind on your mortgage has been resolved. You will have to make your regular monthly payments, plus an extra amount each month until you make up the amount you owe. You may also be able to make up the missed payments by paying a lump sum. The lender might charge fees if you choose this option.The lender might be willing to modify the terms of the mortgage by lowering the interest rate, extending the term of the loan or adding the amount of missed payments to the balance and allowing you to pay it off later. You might also wind up with a lower monthly payment that you can more easily afford.If you owe more money on your mortgage than your house is worth, the lender may be willing to reduce the principal on the loan. That can lower your payments and make you more willing and able to stay in the house and continue to pay off the mortgage, which is in the lenders best interest.You might be able to lower your monthly payments in other ways. If your homeowners insurance rates are high, shop around for a better deal. If you purchased private mortgage insurance when you bought your house several years ago, you might have accumulated enough equity that it is no longer required.Ask for HelpIf you are behind on your mortgage payments, you are probably feeling overwhelmed, but there is hope. Options are available to help you catch up or lower your payments moving forward. Take the first step and contact your loan servicer.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Programmable thermostats let you set the temperature in your home and have the thermostat change it based on the time of day. What makes them ‘smart’ is that they can learn from your behaviors, let you control the climate remotely, show you energy consumption in real-time and even adjust themselves based on conditions like humidity.You can tell them to shut off after you leave for work and spring back into action in time to ensure the house temperature is comfortable by the time you get home. Many models can be managed from your phone or a website.If youre thinking of upgrading to a money-saving smart thermostat, here are four models highly recommended by independent reviewers at BestReviews, WiseBread and LifeHacker:The Nest Learning ThermostatThis model tops most lists and is backed by over 17,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. The Nest is easy to use and install, and works with Amazon Alexa, the Nest App and other smart devices. It features energy-saving options, a remote control, auto scheduling, and more. This Energy Star thermostat uses Farsight for an easy-to-read display you can see from across the room, and can alert you if something is wrong in the home while you’re away. It costs about $225.Honewell Smart Wi-Fi Color TouchThe Honewell also works with Amazon Alexa, features flexible scheduling, smart response technology, on-screen comfort information, an indoor humidity sensor, auto alerts and energy-saving options. It includes an app so you can control your thermostat from anywhere. Control features include a customizable color touch-screen, simple setup and Wi-Fi remote access. Another Amazon customer favorite, it costs about $189.Eccobee 3 Light Smart This one is easy to install, with an easy-to-use touch screen display, and also takes local weather into account and can be scheduled to desired comfort settings. It works with Alexa, as well as with optional room sensors and the mobile app. At about $169, it offers hands-free control and hundreds of integration possibilities.Emerson Sensi-Smart The Emerson is also compatible with Alexa. This model is easy to install and you can remotely control temperature and timeline with a free mobile app. It uses a GPS feature for location-based temperature control and flexible scheduling to help reduce utility bills. It runs around $135.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Do you feel like you’re constantly battling clutter around the house? You’re not alone, and nothing can feel more frustrating than not being able to locate something when you need it, or wading through piles of items to get there. Below are five, easy organizational tips that can offer major upgrades:Tension Rod for Pot Lids If you store your pots and pans in a drawer, install a tension rod along the inside and slip your pot lids behind it. No more rattling pots or hard-to-find tops!Gallon Bags for Drawers Organize your underwear or t-shirt drawer by separating your items and storing them in gallon-sized plastic bags. You’ll never lose 10 minutes hunting for that pair of socks again.CD Holders for TupperwareRemember those old CD racks? Repurpose them in your Tupperware cabinet by using them to keep your lids separate, sorted and easy to grab.Repurposed Wine Rack Gifted a large wine rack that rarely feels full? Use it in a hallway or closet to store shoes, scarves and other items that need to be tucked away.Muffin Tin Magic Have a junk drawer that never stays organized? Slip a muffin tin inside to separate your odds and ends.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are just a few reasons why reclaimed wood might be the right choice for you! Its an eco-friendly option, so youre helping to preserve natural resources. You can feel good about using timber that would otherwise go to waste. Each piece of reclaimed wood is unique, and has often already developed a patina. For a long time, reclaimed wood was only used in traditional or rustic design; however, these days, it can be found in almost any setting. Unlike new materials, theres a story behind reclaimed wood that gives character to your home. While certain styles come and go, salvaged wood has timeless appeal that continues to improve with age.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Are you looking for out-of-the-box decorating ideas for your space? Below are a handful of interesting accent ideas to up the creativity of your interior design.Hanging accent lights. Caged, bubbled, modern, antique"there are myriad styles for hanging accent lights, which can be clustered, paired or used solo to fill up an empty corner or decorate a blank wall.Mantels. Who says a mantel should only sit above a fireplace? You can easily install a freestanding mantel to rest photos, art or your favorite books. Another trick? If your walls are dark, paint your mantel to match and your items will suddenly be floating.Dips. Dipped frames, art or even doors are all the rage right now. Imagine a series of white picture frames with their bottom dipped in gold. The best part? You can DIY these in a couple of hours; all you need is your item for dipping and your favorite shade of paint.Painted fireplace. Whether your fireplace is no longer active, or its only active for a few months a year, painting the inside a fun pop of color can add life to your space. Think a bright blue, merry orange or buttery yellow.Vertical garden art. That vertical garden is no longer reserved for your back patio. If you have a blank wall, hang a grid-style vertical garden and decorate it with cool succulents, your favorite herbs or a climbing vine.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

While world peace is a great idea, if you want to add a touch of calm to your life, begin with your bedroom. Your room isn’t merely the place to rest your head, it’s where you wake, and the vibe of your room can set the tone for the rest of your day. Below are five tips for bringing a peaceful vibe to your bedroom.Choose calming colors. While red or orange may be your favorite fiery hue, when picking shades for your room, choose soothing, calm colors like light blue or a gentle gray.Pick minimal patterns. Keep the fun, funky patterns for the living room throw pillows. Busy patterns can make us feel crowded and overwhelmed, so minimize zany patterns in your sleep space.Clear the room of clutter. Create a sanctuary in your bedroom by keeping it clear of clutter, from laundry to oversized furniture. Spend a few minutes before bed each day storing any items you pulled out, close the closet doors, put the books back on the shelves and dive into bed with a clear head and space.Bring in nature. Houseplants can boost mood and pump more oxygen into the room. Choose a few easy-to-care for plants, like a fern or a ficus, and place them where you can see them when you wake.Select the right lighting. While blackout shades can be great for blocking disruptive light, it can also negatively impact your sleep patterns by keeping your body from waking at its natural time. Find a set of blackout curtains that filter light but allow you to wake in the morning naturally.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Cleaning your window screens is a chore few homeowners look forward to. No matter how shiny you can get your window panes, if your screens are scuzzy, your windows will look less than well washed. Below are several tips for properly cleaning your pesky window screens.Start by removing your screens. To really deep clean your screens, you’re going to have to remove them. While it may seem like a pain, the extra effort is worth it in terms of dirt removal. However, if you’ve done a deep window clean recently and are just doing a monthly touch-up, keeping your screens in place will work fine.Death to dirt. If your screens are moderately dirty, you may be able to remove dirt with a lint roller or the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner. If your screens are grimier, they will need a scrubbing. Use dish soap or vinegar mixed with warm water. Wet your screens with a hose (do this outside, folks!), then dip a soft, clean cloth in your cleaning solution and have at it.Detail. Do your window screens still look filthy after you washed them with a cloth? TIme for detailing. Grab an old toothbrush and really get in there.Rinse and dry. Once your screens are sparkling clean, rinse them with a hose and let them fully dry before replacing, to avoid mold or warping your wood.Patch. If you found any holes in your screens, seal them with a screen-patching kit before putting them back.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Thinking about adding a home security system?Criminals are less likely to target homes with built-in security, so installing one could protect your family and valuables.Safety isnt the only benefit, though.Some systems let you control them remotely, allowing you to unlock the door for visitors and keep an eye on your kids from work.Security features could also be an attractive selling point if you put your house on the market.You might even get rewarded with cheaper homeowners insurance, meaning the system could help pay for itself.For peace of mind and financial gains, consider a home security system.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Did your toddler scribble on the walls? Or perhaps a year or two of wear and tear have your interior paints looking less than pristine. If your walls could use a little TLC, but you’re not quite ready for a fresh coat of paint, consider the following methods for freshening up.Latex PaintsWhether you have dirt or dust clogging up your paint job, all you need to do is mix a few drops of dish soap into warm water, soak and wring a sponge, and go. Be sure to wring the sponge to avoid long drips making their way down your walls and right into your electrical socket.If you don’t want to use dish soap, two tablespoons of white vinegar to one gallon of water will also do the trick.Warning: Never use a scrubby sponge, brillo pad or harsh cleaning solution, or you could risk ruining your paint job.Oil-Based PaintsIf your interior paint is oil-based and soap or vinegar just aren’t cutting it, you can safely use a mild degreaser"especially helpful on greasy kitchen walls. Just be sure to follow the instructions on your package carefully to avoid ruining your paint.Again, avoid harsh scrubbing pads or other cleaners, or you may find yourself repainting, pronto.Published with permission from RISMedia.

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 make is worthwhile and whether you can handle the responsibility that comes with accessing your homes equity.How it WorksA HELOC is a line of credit that draws on the equity in your home, which is the current value of your home minus the amount you still owe on the mortgage. You may be able to receive as much as 80 or 90 percent of your homes equity as a line of credit. You can use that credit all at once or a little at a time to lower your interest rates on credit card balances, make home improvements, buy a car or cover college costs.The money will need to be repaid at an interest rate that is based on the amount of equity you have and your credit score. Interest is only charged on the amount of equity that is used. In most cases, your payments for the first several years will only go toward interest. The interest on a HELOC may be tax-deductible.Is a HELOC Right for You?Before you take out a home equity line of credit, you need to think carefully about your personality, habits and situation. First of all, ask yourself if you are considering a HELOC for the right reasons. If your house needs a major repair that cannot wait, or if you’re struggling to pay your credit card balances because of high interest rates, a HELOC could be a wise move.Once you obtain a HELOC for one purpose, you’ll continue to have access to the remaining equity. If you can handle that temptation, it wont be a problem. On the other hand, if you know you wouldnt be able to resist the urge to use your homes equity to finance a lavish vacation or a shopping spree, you should avoid a HELOC because you could get yourself into serious financial trouble. If you get in over your head and are unable to make the monthly payments on time, you might lose your house in a foreclosure.Weigh the Pros and ConsA home equity line of credit is a tool that has helped many homeowners finance necessary purchases that they would otherwise have been unable to afford. It’s important to consider the risks and to use a HELOC responsibly. Before you sign on the dotted line, carefully consider whether you’re doing it for the right reasons and whether you can handle the temptation and responsibility that comes with using a home equity line of credit.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Like most homeowners, you probably have your water heater strapped down and you flush out the gutters every spring. But there are many other tips that make a big difference in terms of both safety and thriftiness.The home safety watchdogs at FamilyHandyman.com offer seven tips to start with:Monitor furnace filters. Clogged furnace filters cost you in both efficiency and higher bills. For peak performance, replace them every 30 – 60 days. Keep track of when you replaced them last by buying several and labeling them by month.Shut off the water when on vacation. Every insurance adjuster hears it: “We left town on Friday and returned Sunday evening to find thousands of dollars in water damage.” Before going on vacation, turn off the main water valve. In less than a minute, you can eliminate the most common cause of home damage.Dont leave the remote in your car. Anyone who breaks into your car can grab the remote for easy access to your garage, and the registration card in your glove box gives the thief your address. Ditch the remote on your visor and buy a keychain model you can take with you every time you leave the car.Think about replacing pipes. If you have galvanized steel pipes in your home and low water flow at faucets, chances are the pipes are to blame. Galvanized pipe is prone to mineral buildup, which eventually chokes off the water flow. Replacing the pipes is the best cure, especially if you live in an older home.Check the breaker first. When a light goes out or a switch doesnt work, check the main electrical panel for a tripped circuit breaker. Look for a switch thats not in line with the others. Flip it to the ‘off’ position and then back on.Get low flow showerheads. Showerheads are heavy water users and major energy eaters, since 70 percent of the water used is heated. By reducing hot-water consumption, a low-flow unit can pay for itself in just one month. Many of todays water-efficient showerheads now provide a high-flow feel.Install ceiling fans. Moving air increases evaporation from your skin and helps keep you comfortable at higher thermostat settings.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Having a student loan payment each month as a college graduate leaves little room in the budget to contribute to a retirement savings account.College grads without student loans are much more likely to save for retirement. By the time they reach age 30, grads without student loans are predicted to have double the amount saved for retirement as individuals with student loans, according to a study by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.What can those with student loan debt do to fix this?Pay Your Student Loans FirstIf you cant afford to save for retirement and pay your student loans at the same time, then start by working to wipe out your debt first. Its a debt cycle that will continue if you dont tackle it.Most federal loan borrowers are allowed up to 10 years to repay their student loans, and those with more than $30,000 in federal student loans can have up to 25 years to repay, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This long window could be incentive enough to stretch out payments.Start SavingTry to find money to put toward retirement. The earlier you save, the more money youll have at retirement. A general rule is that for every 10 years you delay saving for retirement, the amount you need to save per month roughly doubles.Someone in their 20s may need to save just 5 percent of their income to have a good retirement fund. But wait until your 30s and it is closer to 10 percent.Use the Right ToolsA workplace 401(k) or traditional individual retirement account will typically make your contributions tax-deductible. This allows you to save money now on your taxes.If your employer matches your contributions, its like giving yourself a raise that youll enjoy when retired. If you dont contribute, you wont get those matching funds.Change Your BudgetIf contributing to a retirement fund now isnt in your budget, make room for it. Cut expenses such as excessive dinner outings, and you should find enough money to get your retirement savings going.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Studies have shown that looking at certain colors can impact your mood, so if you’re looking to brighten your days, look at the walls.Orange This color boosts social connection, so paint a wall in your living room or kitchen a vivid orange and enjoy deeper, longer, joyous conversations.YellowThis sunny color is one of the most obvious mood brighteners, and there are many shades of yellow soft enough for an entire room.Green This earthy tone is a stress reliever. Roll it onto the wall across from your bed and smile your way into sleep.Violet This royal hue fosters creativity and intuition. Add it to your home office for more satisfaction in your work life.Fuchsia While this color is a tad bright for most rooms, fuchsia accent walls can still splash around enough of the color to make an impact.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Thinking of sprucing up your home with a fresh coat of paint?Keep these tips in mind:Dont forget to caulk. Caulking will help trim and wall finishes stand out.Choose the right brushes. Invest in a good paintbrush. The smaller the brush, the more control you have.Use an extension pole. If you have a large surface to paint, an extension pole will come in handy.Put your roller in the fridge. Taking an overnight break? Wrap your brush and roller in a plastic shopping bag, secure with a rubber band, and place in the fridge.Use a box cutter to remove painters tape. Score the place where the tape meets the wall for a clean edge.These steps will help you achieve a professional-looking paint job all on your own!Published with permission from RISMedia.

A cash-back credit card can result in 5 percent or more back on your purchases, essentially giving you a small discount for everything you buy with a credit card.But that perk can cost you some money in the long run, if youre not careful. Here are some mistakes to avoid with a cash-back credit card:Spending to Earn MoreBuying something for the sake of earning more cash back rewards is wasted money. If a purchase is unnecessary, then doing it just for the rewards is equally unnecessary.Why spend money to earn a little money back? Most of the purchase price wont be returned anyway, with 1 percent cash back being the norm. Even at 5 percent in rewards, that leaves 95 percent of the purchase price you spent on something you dont want or need.High Annual FeeA cash-back reward is essentially a discount on a purchase. If youre going to buy gas and groceries anyway, you might as well get 5 percent cash back on them if you can. But take into account the cost of an annual fee, as it can take a few thousand dollars in spending per year to earn enough cash back to make up the cost difference between a fee and no-fee card.If a cash-back credit card has an annual fee of $75, for example, and pays 5 percent cash back for grocery store purchases, it would require spending $1,500 to get that $75 fee back. Thats a lot of groceries to buy before getting money in your pocket.Paying InterestYour cash rewards will be useless if you dont pay off your balance in full each month or on time and incur interest. People who pay interest each month are often charged a higher interest rate on their cash-back card than on a credit card with no rewards. If you regularly carry a balance on your credit card, look for a card with the lowest interest rate instead of one with rewards.Incurring Transaction FeesPrivate retailers, government entities and public utilities sometimes charge a transaction fee to consumers who use a credit card. This fee can easily exceed the cash back youd get on a rewards card. Credit card companies dont allow many businesses to charge a fee for using a credit card, though the business cost can be passed on through higher prices or a minimum charge. Ask if theres a fee before you swipe.Published with permission from RISMedia.

Sponges are a kitchen staple, but a clean sponge can spread grime all over your eating space. How often should you clean your sponge, and how should you do this? Don’t just trash a sponge when it begins looking spotty. Instead, clean them weekly, and toss them out monthly or sooner, depending on frequency of use. Our friends at Good Housekeeping offer the following solutions:Soak ’em. Mix a third-quarter cup of bleach in one gallon of water. Soak the sponge for five minutes, then rinse. How effective is this? In testing, the bleach solution kills 99.9 percent of the three bacteria strains from the test sponges, which is the benchmark based on the EPA’s requirement for sanitization of non-food-contact surfaces.Brine ’em. Not a fan of bleach? Vinegar is nearly as effective, killing 99.6 percent of bacteria. Simply soak your sponge in full-strength vinegar for five minutes, then rinse with water.Zap ’em. Microwaving your sponge does indeed work, zapping 99.9 percent of germs. How do you do it? Saturate your sponge with water, then microwave it on high for one minute.Cycle ’em. You can run your sponge through the dishwasher to sanitize them, again killing 99.9 percent of germs. Just add your sponge to a regular dishwasher load, and, if you can, use the heated dry setting.Source: Good HousekeepingPublished with permission from RISMedia.