Brigita's Blog: April 2008

 Looking to buy a home?  Not sure as to how to get started? 

      Here are 8 simple steps to take to get the finances you need in order.

•  Develop a family budget.  Instead of budgeting what you'd like to spend, use receipts to create a budget for what you actually spent over the last 6 months.  One advantage of this approach is that it factors in unexpected expenses, such as car repairs, illnesses, etc., as well as predictable costs such as rent.
• Reduce your debt.  Generally, speaking, lenders look for a total debt load of no more than 36% of income.  Since this figure includes your mortgage, which typically ranges between 25% - 28% of income, you need to get the rest of installment debt - car loans, student loans, revolving balances and credit cards - down to between 8% and 10% of your total income.
• Get a handle on expenses.  You probably know how much you spend on rent and utilities, but little expenses add up.  Try writing down everything you spend for 1 month.  You'll probably see some great ways to save.
• Increase your income.  It may be necessary to take a second, part-time job to get your income at a high enough level to qualify for the home you want.
• Save for down payment.  Although it's possible to get a mortgage with only 5% down - or even less in some cases - you can usually get a better rate and a lower overall cost if you put down more.  Shoot for saving 20% down payment. 
• Create a house fund.  Don't just plan on saving whatever's left toward a down payment.  Instead decide on a certain amount a month you want to save, then put it away as you pay your monthly bills. 
• Keep your job.  While you don't need to be in the same job forever to qualify, having a job for less than 2 years may mean you have to pay a higher interest rate.
• Establish a good credit history.  Get a credit card and make payments by the due date.  Do the same for all your other bills.  Pay off the entire balance promptly.

If you follow this 8 simple steps, you will be well on your way to getting your finances in order to purchase your "dream home".

HOLY HUMOR

Good thoughts for the day!

1.   There was a church that had problems with outsiders parking in its parking lots, so they put up a sign:
CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY
Trespassers will be baptized!

2.   "No God - No Peace.   
Know God - Know Peace."

3.   "Free Trip to Heaven - Details Inside!"

4.   "Try our Sundays.  They are better than Baskin Robbins."

5.   "Searching for a new look?  Have your faith lifted here!"

6.   An ad for one Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads, "For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."

7.   When the restaurant next to another Church put out a big sign with red letters that said, "Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with its own message:  "We are open on Sundays, too."

8.   "People are like tea bags -- you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."

9.   "Fight truth decay -- study the Bible daily."

10.  "How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Nonsmoking?"

11.   "Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"

12.   "Come work for the Lord.  The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low.  But the retirement benefits are out of this world."

13.  "It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."

14.   "Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."

15.   "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."

16.   "If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."

17.   "Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."

18.   "This is a ch_ _ ch.  What is missing?"  (U R)

19.   "In the dark?  Follow the Son"

20.   "Running low on faith?  Step in for a fill-up."

21.   "If you can't sleep, don't count sheep.   Talk to the Shepherd."

God Bless!

Sunday, March 31st was the first exhibition game for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in the brand new Coca-Cola ball park in Allentown, PA.  The game was played against the major league, Philadelphia Phillies.  It was quite an exciting game. 

The teams played in front of a sell out crowd of 10,188 fans.

Kyle Kendrick pitched 7 solid innings and Geoff Jenkins hit a 2 run homer by wrapping up their exhibition season by defeating the Iron Pigs with a score of 5-3.

Kendrick earned the win.  He allowed 3 runs, 2 earned, on 7 hits, while striking out 7 and walking 2.  Taguchi hit a 2 run double for the Philllies.

Ron Chiavacci gave up 3 runs, 2 earned, on 4 hits in 5 innings.  He struck out 5 and walked a pair.  Pete LaForest had an RBI single for the Iron Pigs.

The Iron Pigs are opening their season today, Thursday, April 3rd, against the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees at an away game.  Let's see how they do against the Yankees minor league on opening day of the season.