Mothers-Everything

How to Refinance Your Mortgage in 2009

2009-09-12T15:35:00.000-07:00

Rates have never been lower than they are in 2009. A thirty year fixed home mortgage refinance is currently priced between 4.750% and 5.250% charging the borrower minimal or no points for a Rate and Term refinance. The rates fluctuate daily for home mortgages depending on market conditions, but haven't deviated from this range since early April 2009. This plan is beneficial for borrowers who have suffered the loss of a percentage of their income and/or devaluation of their property due to general economic conditions in the housing market.

Each lender has the opportunity to offer their service portfolio a government stimulus package program from the U.S. Department of Treasury called the “Making Home Affordable” Plan. This mortgage loan plan allows refinance with property valuation from a lender automated valuation process and qualifying with a higher debt to income ratio than normally allowed.

What the Plan Will Not Allow:
-The automated valuation cannot show the home over 105% of the current loan amount, 110% in certain cases.
-The borrower must be employed and cannot have become self-employed in the last 2 years.
-The refinance must show a benefit to the borrower by lowering rate and payment or taking the borrower from an adjustable rate mortgage or pay option ARM to fixed program.

Lender participation is voluntary and each lender’s approach will differ slightly, but requesting your current lender’s version of the “Making Home Affordable” plan should be enough to let your lender know the specific program you’re interesting in exploring. It appears lenders are rolling out this program in phases. The first phase pertains to the refinancing of 30/20/15/10 year fixed mortgages for the majority of lenders. Some lenders, but not all, added the 5/7/10 year adjustable rate mortgages. The mortgage loan is basically a streamline refinance, but with the added advantage of no appraisal. In this economic atmosphere of declining market values and rampant job losses, it allows a much lower monthly payment and a substantial monthly savings.

Government VA and FHA home loans always did and still allow the Interest Rate Reduction Loans with no appraisal except under certain circumstances. Borrowers currently in an FHA or VA loan should use this option as the stimulus plan cannot make the change from a government loan to a conventional conforming program and FHA and VA loan rates are comparable to conventional conforming rates.

No "cash out" is allowed on the "Making Home Affordable" plan, but with rates dropping to below 5% from a median 6.5% six months ago, it is translating to sizable monthly savings for most refinanced mortgages. Paying points will allow an even lower rate, but a borrower should plan to remain in the home long enough to recoup the cost of the points paid. Each point represents 1% of the loan amount. The closing costs may be added into the loan and refinanced as well so that no out of pocket charges will be incurred by the borrower, however, a borrower has the choice of paying closing costs at the closing table or rolling them into the mortgage loan.

Rates for loans less than the 30 year term are less attractive. It appears lenders are more interested in locking in a long term borrower than a short term one. Adjustable rate mortgage loans, 20, 15 and 10 year terms give no measurable break in rate from a 30 years fixed. It is suggested a borrower refinance on a 30 year term, but make the payment they wish above that based on the payment for the term they wish.

It is unknown how long this program will be in play, but it is widely anticipated not to be for too much longer due to the no appraisal option. Contact your current lender for information specific to your mortgage loan and refinancing tips.

How to Refinance Your Mortgage in 2009

Being a Single Father Isn't for Sissies

2009-09-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

Being a single father isn't for sissies, especially if he's a single father to daughters. Fathers and sons can always relate through sports or building something, but unless a single father truly appreciates ballet dance classes and dolls, being a single dad to a little girl can be a real challenge. The very act of combing her hair may prove a task beyond his capability, shopping for little girl clothes can be puzzling at best, downright daunting at worst. Listening to the trials and tribulations that make up little girls' days can sound like a well written mystery novel, especially to a single father with no wife and mother to help decipher things.

Doing a really good job with a daughter may mean doing so with a lack of knowledge and practical experience. Although growing up in a house filled with sisters can possibly help, it only takes the edge off of raising a little girl without his wife and her mother. Sacrifice becomes his middle name especially if the ball game is at the same time as the dance recital. A night on the town with buddies takes on a whole new meaning where spontaneity, drinking too much beer and staying out past eleven become things of the past. Never mind putting in extra hours on the job or career.

Attentively watching a two hour dance show in which his daughter spends all of three minutes on stage is true pride and love. Just learning how to put together the costume, what and where to buy the accessories and donning the costume can test the best of moms, but for a single dad to sew pink ribbons on ballet slippers must feel like climbing the tallest mountain with asthma.

A lonely single father raising a daughter may feel isolated if there are no other children in the home because its his job to make a home, establish the family traditions and set the family mood. The face he presents to his daughter at the end of the day will remain in her memories for the rest of her life and will teach her the value of rising above the daily trials and tribulations of life. The only thing harder than raising a daughter might be raising two daughters. They have each other and if he has no one special in his life, he may spend an extraordinary amount of time alone, even if his daughters are in the next room.

Fortunately, the father/daughter bond is a strong one that can overcome most anything, even the loss of a mother and wife through death, divorce, abandonment or other. The single father that relates to his daughter through her life and not his is most probably a man who is not only a wonderful father, but a caring and thoughtful life partner.

Discounting a man to begin a relationship with because he has children is a potential mistake. Eliminating the major segment of single men with children to date may have you missing out on meeting the match of your life. Giving them a chance before moving on will make sure you don't miss out on your special someone and may also prove to be fun.

Being a Single Father Isn't for Sissies

Single Mom Dating

2009-09-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

Where is a person for her to lean on?
Where is the strength from someone other than her?
Where is the sounding board when she needs to vent?
Where are the arms to hold her when she feels afraid, lonely or sad?

Believe it or not, a single Mom who is serious about finding someone can indeed say "I found my perfect match" because there most probably is a perfect match for every single Mom dating. Single Moms dating doesn't have to be hard. It's all a matter of choices. Choose wrong, it can be a challenge, but choose right and her whole will change.

Being a single Mom is not for sissies and not every woman can do it. In fact, very few can handle it, but that doesn't seem to matter. Single Mothers come from all walks of life and end up as single Mothers for a variety of reasons.

Whether by choice or not, it is and will always be a fact of life that there are women raising kids in this world without the support of a good man. They are dealing with the needs of children in a world harsh with the reality of the worst economic times ever, where temptation abounds for a growing child. No one expects or wants a single Mom to be both Mother and Father in these times, nevertheless she must. Its difficult enough being a Mother in a two parent family, but in a world with no parent instruction manual, its near impossible for a Mom alone.

While the love and support of extended family is needed and appreciated, that hardly is of comfort to a Mom on a cold, late night of anxiety. A single Mom must hide her feelings and emotions to aid her children's sense of security, but who helps her with her sense of security?

A single Mom who dreams is truly a strong woman. The stuff dreams are made of do not flourish in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, but dreams are necessary for hope of a brighter tomorrow. They are necessary for each next step for steps without dreams hold no reason to continue.

Good men are no harder to find than good women. What is a good man to one woman may not be one to another woman. There are fits for everyone out there. One just needs to know where to go to find a good man who will appreciate her for exactly who she is and who thinks she is a better woman because she has her children.

A good man who will be able to share with her the guidance and nurturing of her children. They're out there and they want to find a good person to share their life. The idea of kissing a lot of frogs before the prince appears may have some validity, but anything worthwhile takes some effort. So for every single Mom who is looking for a companion to begin living life with, there is a match because good men have the same fears and anxieties as anyone else does. Sharing the hard times with someone always makes them easier. Open your heart and look around in the right places, your life companion is there, you just need to put a little smart effort into finding him.

Single Mom Dating

Words for Special Occasions

2009-09-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

Need words for special occasions to express your feelings when you're not a writer? Need a poem for your mom or need words to put to lyrics for a melody you've written? Needs words to write a greeting card to mom or need a quote for a speech on Mom's special day? Need words for a tribute to Mom on her birthday, Mother's Day or just because? Maybe you just need words to put to an I miss you poem.

You might need just the right words to put to absolutely any kind of poem, a lost love poem, a funny love poem or a love and friendship poem. Poems about love reach people deep in their hearts if they contain the right words. Short love poems you can write at a moment's notice will get your point across as well as long ones.

Depending on your religious preference, there are numerous sites on the web who will construct and author christian poems for you. It may be best to let someone else put your feeling in writing if that's not your strong suite if you want to send the very best love poem possible. Need someone to write love letters for you. It's available all over the internet.

thoughtful and considerate way to express your thanks for gifts or good things that have been done for you is to personalize your thank you cards.

Emotions run high on big days and words sometimes fail to convey or perhaps coming up with words for special occasions isn't your strong suit. Your feelings may overwhelm your words. You know how you feel, but putting it into words, a poem or song can come hard and awkward if you're not a gifted or even a good talker. On the other hand, you may be so overcome by your feelings and emotion, especially on special occasions, that you do write something magnificent, if not truly inspired.

Here's where writing down your feelings comes in. Try writing poems, song lyrics or greeting card sayings. These can be short, sweet and to the point. Using high emotion to write down your feelings can make you put down on paper in a coherent way things you could never in a million years say to someone,. The structure of a poems or song allows the writer to perhaps add rhyme or not, add paragraphs or not.

The ability to write can come from high emotion whether or not you're a talented writer. You may never again be the writer that these emotions make you. You may be skying with your words in a way that makes you pour out every good feeling and more. The words may just flow like lava in a way they've never done before. You're thinking that this is great, you've been a writer your whole life and never knew it.

Maybe your newfound talent will last, maybe it won't. Fortunately, for those of us that need writing help, its out there in abundance and its not bad. Unlike the majority of subject sites on the internet, there are numerous sites out there specializing in poems for all occasions, musical lyrics, greeting card sayings and quotations, but unlike a good many disappointing subject sites on the internet, the sites offering poems for all occasions are pretty good. There are also numerous sights that offer poems at no charge. They tend to be pretty specialized and offbeat, but still pretty good. Whatever your circumstances dictate, there are many ways to pay tribute to mother, father, children, siblings, spouses. Shop well, while they all seem to be good, there are some that are better than others. You're not alone when you need composition help. Mothers-Everything.com has the links you need for Words for Special Occasions

Words for Special Occasions

Jewelry for Mother

2009-09-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Personalized Family Jewelry specially made for mother and grandmother keeps her family close to her heart and serves as a memory of each and every family member. Personalized Family Jewelry called family rings, birthstone mom ring and mothers ring can be purchased from top of the line jewelers to discount stores. They contain the birthstones of each child and sometimes Dad and Grandpa. They're stylish, affordable, personalized and mothers seem thrilled to receive them as gifts.

Proudly worn as a badge of honor to work and anywhere else every day, they're shown off to co-workers with pride. The mothers ring is a sign of accomplishment to a mom, a reminder of how much love and pride she has in each of her loved ones and they have in her.

The rings were first introduced as a hugely successful marketing effort more than 35 years ago as right hand rings. They were an instant hit. Mothers who were lucky enough to score a mother's ring from her family or children for Christmas, Mothers' Day or a birthday considered themselves very special. It was an up-to-the minute present.

Ring designs have evolved into exquisite pieces of jewelry. Gorgeous rings can be had whether you have two birthstones or 10, $20.00 to spend or $20,000. Their designs range from exquisitely simple to stackable rings, one for each birthstone. High-end jewelers report requests for custom made mothers rings in any and every design conceivable.

Mother's necklaces and bracelets specifically made for mothers followed the mother's ring craze and were well received. Though not as popular as mother rings, they continue to steadily sell. Stackable bracelets, italian mothers charm bracelets and just about any other bracelet design has recently appeared in jewelry stores. The italian charm bracelets allow a mother to memoralize certain times in her life such as the birth of children or other occasions special to her. Grandmothers also received the rewards of the mother jewelry industry. Though not as plentiful, there are plenty of jewelry items made for grandmothers only. Mothers and grandmothers continue to appreciate these gifts and their marketability shows no signs of slowing.

Jewelry for Mothers

You Don't Have to Sacrifice Fashion

2008-08-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

Locating plus-size clothing for larger women or mothers can be difficult, but that's no reason to sacrifice fashion. Fortunately, more businesses are beginning to cater to this previously underserved segment of the population with attractive and well fitting plus-size garments in a variety of styles and sizes. Plus-size clothing should be selected according to your own personal preferences such as vibrant colors and flagrant prints. Accessories such as belts and scarves can update an outfit that is now out of fashion.

Is there a plus-size bra in your lingerie collection? If there isn't, there should be. A recent study showed that 70-85% of womens' bras are the wrong size no matter a woman's size. Getting measured for a well-fitting bra doesn't have to be uncomfortable or embarrassing. You may not even need to take off your shirt. Most plus-size clothing stores have someone on staff that is trained to find your bra size and the perfect bra for you.

It's almost time to set out on your large-size clothes shopping spree. Consider the events in your future. Are there any weddings on your calendar or maybe a cocktail party at work? This is the time to buy that perfect large-size outfit. Take the time to select a dress that's just right for you now that you can choose from such a large choice of plus-size fashions. Perhaps you would look best in an elegant gown with empress sleeves or maybe you'd enjoy a sexy little short-skirted shift. You may be a larger woman, but you don't have to wear garments down to your ankles. Do not fear purchasing completely different eras and designs. Purchase items you enjoy wearing, and that complement your body type. It's time bigger ladies wear daring dresses. Show more cleavage emphasized with showy necklaces to draw the eye to that area.

Be honest with yourself. Simply try clothes on and ignore the size numbers. If the item fits and feels good, buy it. Don't be upset if you are a size 18 and the item says a size 20. Remember, you are not your dress size, so make sure to buy what feels and looks best on you.

Plus Size Women - No Need to Sacrifice Fashion

Baby Picture Frames

2008-08-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

If you want to make your own baby picture frames, find a plain frame in the right color. If you can’t find them anywhere, look in your local craft store. They usually have something for just about everyone. You can then decide what you want to do with your baby picture frames. If you like to paint, you can add your own design if you wish. If you want to make it a bit more simple, you can find many great things you can simply attach to the frame with a bit of glue. You can add a theme or even your child’s name. You can do both if you wish. You imagination is your only limit.

If you feel you don’t have the talent or the time to make your own baby picture frames, don’t worry, there are many great ones out there now. If you look around online, you can find places that sell things you may never have imagined. Some will customize any frame you want, and will then mail them out to you in a secure package to minimize breakage during shipping. These can be personalized with almost anything you wish, and don’t have to cost a lot of money either. Great gifts for any occasion!

There is one thing you should keep in mind if you are making or buying your own baby picture frames. Though many will go on the wall and little hands will never touch them, some are placed on nightstands or other places that are in reach. If this is the case for the frame you are going to buy or make, make sure they do not have small pieces that can come off and be a choking hazard, and that the paint on the baby picture frames is safe if your child were to put the frame in their mouth. Children under the age of two often explore the world with their mouth, so keep that in mind as you choose.

Happy hunting for the frames in which to put your keepsake photos.

Baby Picture Frames

Mothers of the Bride and Groom Outfits

2008-08-19T06:46:00.000-07:00

Your children are in or just out of college and are engaged. You are going to many of their friends' weddings. Mothers of the Bride and Groom outfits suddenly are important.

Going to the different weddings has been a good way for you and your children to decide what you liked and disliked about each wedding attended so you can plan the weddings you may have coming up in your family.

One of the things to consider is the mother of the bride and groom outfits. It is easy to notice when the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom share with each other what they are wearing, it is also obvious when they do not. On the occasions they coordinate efforts the mother of the bride outfits and mother of the groom outfits compliment each other as well as the attendants' outfits. When the parties do not coordinate their choices, the outfits often clash with each other and those of the attendants.

My daughter was an attendant in the wedding of one of her friends. The mother of the groom was upset through most of the planning stages for the wedding because her ideas were not chosen. The bride’s mother called her to discuss what they would wear for the wedding and suggested that they go shopping together for mother of the bride outfits and mother of the groom dresses. The groom’s mother went along, but refused to try on anything. The bride’s mother selected one of the most beautiful mother of the bride outfits that I have ever seen. She looked wonderful and complimented the bridesmaid’s dresses. The groom’s mother decided to wear the same dress that the bridesmaid’s wore, but in a slightly different shade. She was too old for the dress and much too heavy. Her attempt at looking young and being defiant to the bride back fired and she spent the day looking ridiculous.

Attending this wedding has taught me that the wedding days of my children are their days. I will support them and offer advice if it is asked for, however, all the decisions need to be what they want. I will even let them decide on the mother of the bride outfits so that I will not embarrass them as their friend was embarrassed. Best of luck to all mothers of the bride and groom who read this. I hope you thoroughly enjoy being a part of one of the most wonderful days in your kids lives.

Mothers of the Bride and Groom Outfits

Everything for Mothers

2008-07-16T09:12:00.000-07:00

Mothers Everything.com strives to bring mother and woman related interests closer to them. Everything for mothers is the goal of the site staff. Your articles and comments are welcome here and we look forward to hearing from you.

Staff has released a job search website and currently has a spa website in production. Bookmark and visit often.

New Motherhood

2008-06-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

New motherhood is a heady time full of unfamiliar emotion. Once out of the recovery room your baby is brought to you either to feed or just because. As you meet your baby for the first time, the realization dawns that the birth concept is truly miraculous. Staring into the baby's face, seeing their fully formed hands and feet, you begin to see who they have turned out to be. Their eyes look into your face, trusting and innocent and you know, without a shred of doubt, that you will do whatever it takes to keep this baby safe, no matter how old they get. Those first few minutes open up a world to you that you had no idea even existed.

The love that begins to blossom inside of your chest for this baby is nothing like you have ever experienced before, full of wonderment, hope and awe. Throughout the next few months of physical healing, two a.m feedings, interrupted sleep and all the other new mother stress, one look into that beautiful baby's face is all it takes to get your situation back into perspective. A whole new set of priorities come into place. No longer in the me mode, you're instantly transported into the baby mode, where everything you do in life is to the betterment of your child. Not a bad place to be if you're ready for this change. To turn your focus on someone else for once in your life may be a new thing for a lot of new mothers in this day of the entitlement generation. They may come to find that this is what makes them the happiest.

New Motherhood

Mother's Day

2008-05-04T20:28:00.000-07:00

It's that once a year time when we get to honor our Mothers. A meal out, a gift or the trip of her lifetime, whatever you can give your Mother will be appreciated for no other reason than it came from you. See Mothers-Everything for gift ideas.

Your Daughter's Announced She's Getting Married

2008-04-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

Maybe you, as Mother, saw it coming, already knew it was going to happen or were completely stunned to hear this announcement. Nonetheless, as her mother, you have now assumed the role of mother of the bride. Now, a wedding has to be planned and chances are, your daughter is ready to go all out for her special day. See mothers-everything for additional hints, tips and advice.

As the mother of the bride, you do have some obligations. Of course, tradition has dwindled as the years have gone on, so don’t feel that you have to stick to tradition if it simply isn’t possible. Traditionally, the parents of the bride pay most of the costs and wedding supplies related to the wedding. That’s the first matter of business for the father and mother of the bride. Determine whether or not you can afford to take on the wedding expenses. If so, perhaps you want to set some limits. If not, ask what else you can do in order to assist with the wedding plans and offer to pay for some smaller items that will be needed at the wedding. Perhaps you can pay for the DJ, the cake or decorations.

The mother of the bride must look radiant on her daughter’s special day, not more beautiful or stunning than the bride, but it is a special day for the mother of the bride too. A lot of people will be congratulating you and approaching you on the wedding day. Millions of photographs will be taken, so everyone wants to look their best.

When picking out a mother of the bride dress, make sure to ask the bride what she has in mind and if possible, take her along for fittings and to help pick out what she may possibly want for you to have and wear. Sometimes, dress shops will have designated mother of the bride dresses for some hefty prices. Keep in mind that you don’t have to purchase your dress from a dress shop. Lots of regular department stores sell formal dresses for certain times of the year. Guaranteed, those dresses will be less money than a dress in a dress store.

However, if the bride has picked out something specific in a particular store, you may want to honor her by getting it. If you truly cannot afford it, remind her that you are on a budget and see if you can find something similar. If she is still adamant, find a way to pay for it and just make the purchase. Just remember, this is her special day and it involves cooperation, love and support from the mother of the bride. Once you feel the tears start flowing at their wedding, every hassle will disappear and you’ll be the happiest mother of the bride in the world.

Your Daughter's Announced She's Getting Married

Mothers Everything

2008-03-02T14:57:00.001-08:00

This blog is intended as a clearing spot for information, advice, news, personal stories and anything else pertaining to mothers, mothers-to-be, those who have been mothers. Join us by providing your posts.