Lilac City Momma

Mommy Blog

How to Prepare Your Credit to Buy a Home

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Owning a home is the great American dream, but with bad credit, such a fantasy can seem more like a nightmare. Most conventional mortgage lenders will insist upon a credit score above 700 to secure a mortgage. Meanwhile, the FHA offers loans to individuals with scores as low as 540. A low score could require a higher down payment, a steeper monthly insurance rate, or result in declined funds.

If you’re worried about a low credit score standing between you and your dream home, take a look at these helpful tips on how to repair your credit and budgeting before applying for a mortgage.

Know Your Score

Every 12 months you are entitled to a free copy of your credit report. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are the three credit bureaus that offer access to this information. It is important to check each of these, as not all accounts report to the bureau. Keep in mind, you’ll want to make this inquiry atleast 6-9 months prior to applying for a mortgage. This will allow you to repair any issues and set aside time for the bureau to reflect those improvements. Late payments, bills that went to collection, and other derogatory items should be dealt with accordingly.

Make Amends

Scrutinize your credit report for errors. If the document fails to report paid bills or collections, you need to file a dispute as soon as possible. If you notice any unknown accounts or activity, you may be a victim of fraud or identity theft. If the resolved issues fail to make it onto your credit report in time, you can apply for a letter of goodwill from the credit institution. Such documentation lets your mortgage lender know the issues are outdated or resolved. Whatever you do, check your report at least once a year, as some issues have a statute of limitations.

Keep the Old

Good standing, older credit lines are a great asset. A long history of outstanding credit looks good to lenders. Plus, since closed credit cards remain on your credit report for up to a decade following the closure, eliminating a card you no longer use or with an imperfect account record isn’t going to work in your favor. Moreover, an available but unused credit card can improve your balance-to-limit ratio.

Optomise Your Balance-to-Limit Ratio

Your balance-to-limit ratio reflects what portion of your available credit you are utilizing. In most cases, lenders look for applicants who have a 15% or less ratio. If you can stretch your limits prior to applying for a mortgage, a 10% ratio is even better. Overall, lenders don’t want to see clients who are overextending themselves. At the same time, suddenly opening an extra line of credit to boost your current ratio isn’t going to work either. Each time you apply for a line of credit your report shows a hard inquiry. Too many of these and you’ll likely see your score drop.

Balance Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Another important factor in approving your mortgage is your debt-to-income ratio. You want this number to be right around your balance-limit ratio. While it is tough to skew the numbers, reducing your spending and limiting large purchases will work in your favor. Use an online calculator to determine your ratio and then make a plan to chip away at your debts or reduce your annual spending. After you’ve purchased your home, this number will rise significantly. However, once you’ve secured a mortgage, you won’t have to play it as tight.

Make Wise Decisions

This last step is an obvious one, but still worth noting. Adulting isn’t always easy and it often means sacrificing a fun purchase for security or, in this case, a permanent home. If you’re ready to enter the world of homeownership, you probably already realize this. However, a hard look into your personal finances can be a healthy reminder to plan for the future. Moreover, you may want to seek the guidance of a professional financial advisor, who can help you to better organize your money.

In Conclusion

Securing a mortgage is imperative when it comes to purchasing your first home, but, for many, sub par credit can stand in the way. By taking the time to fix and maintain your credit history, you’ll be on the road to homeownership and a promising financial future.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who writes for Faxage a leading company that provides Internet fax service for individuals and businesses.

4 Top Technological Innovations that Impact the Construction Industry

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Technological advancements are pervading all aspect of business, and live more generally. This includes tech advances that are directly impacting the construction industry in a number of different ways. There are five technological advances that are particularly compelling when it comes to the construction industry.

Self-Healing Cement

It is a true understatement to make note that cement is one of the most widely utilized materials in construction. With the obvious stated, cement is also considered to be one of the largest contributors to harmful carbon emissions. Indeed, researchers at Bath University in the United Kingdom determined that cement is responsible for around 7 percent of annual harmful carbon emissions globally.

Carbon is emitted in the process of making cement in the first instance. It is also released when additional cement must be created to repair cracked cement.

Despite being widely used, cement is subject to cracking. Cement cracking is a significant problem in the construction industry and in maintaining structures of all types. More often than not, cement cracking is the result of exposure to chemicals and water.

The same researchers at Bath University have been developing a self-healing cement. The team at Bath utilized a mixture containing certain bacteria that were placed in microcapsules. These microcapsules are then blended into cement. If the cement cracks, the microcapsules are exposed to water, causing the bacteria to come to life.

When the bacteria germinates, limestone is produced. This results in a crack being plugged, a crack “self-healing.” The objective is for the self-healing to occur prior to the water and oxygen entering through the crack having an opportunity to corrode any steel reinforcement contained in the cement.

Photovoltaic Glazing

Another new technological development impacting the construction industry is photovoltaic glazing that is now being integrated into some new construction projects. It is also being utilized in some rehabs as well.

Photovoltaic glazing is intended to can aid buildings generate their own electricity. What photovoltaic glazing turns a building envelope into a solar panel. It really is able to turn the entire building envelope into a solar panel.

This technology is not yet widely available. Nevertheless, there are companies that are manufacturing photovoltaic glazing for building projects. Industry analysts predict that photovoltaic glazing will be in fairly broad use before the end of the decade, in many countries around the globe.

Kinetic Footfall

Different derivations on the theme of incorporating kinetic energy into buildings of different types if becoming more commonplace today. Kinetic energy represents a technology under development in a variety of forms at this juncture in time.

One derivation the kinetic energy theme might best be described as kinetic footfall. This is technology that utilizes flooring to harness the energy of footsteps. This technology is capable of being used indoors or outdoors, in high traffic areas. Kinetic footfall technology generates electricity from pedestrians. The technology utilizes an electromagnetic induction process and flywheel to generate and store energy.

Because this technology is most suited to areas in which particularly high pedestrian traffic is evident, the largest deployment of the technology to date is at a football stadium in Rio de Janeiro. The energy generated through kinetic footfall at the stadium is used to assist in powering the floodlights at the venue.

Modular Construction

Modular construction has long been something of an ugly stepchild in the construction industry. In recent years, that view of modular construction has started to change. Modular construction is more welcome and desired at this juncture in time.

At its essence, modular construction involves the offsite construction of building components. The same materials and design concepts are utilized in modular construction as is found in more conventional onsite projects.

When the components are completed, they are brought to the construction site. They are assembled at that time.

Modular construction is gaining attention among those individuals who are interested in green and environmentally friendly construction. Modular construction is gaining recognition for its sustainability benefits. Overall, modular construction results in the use of less energy, less vehicle movement, and less waste.

With advancements in modular construction, it is not being confined to smaller projects any longer. For example, a Chinese developer completed a 57-story skyscraper in only 19 working days using modular construction technology.

A great deal of focus remains on the development of new technologies designed to benefit the construction industry on a number of fronts. Odds are strong that during the coming year, some yet unheard of developments in construction industry related technology will be added to the list.

Jessica Kane is a professional blogger who focuses on personal finance and other money matters. She currently writes for Checkworks.com, where you can get personal checks and business checks.

Easy Arts And Crafts to Keep Your Kids Entertained

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How many times in a day do you hear your kids say, “Mommy, I’m bored!”Enough to make you look for ways to keep them busy during the summer afternoons, right? Here are some simple arts and craft activities for you and your kids to enjoy.

1. Bath Bombs

If you thought bath bombs could only be enjoyed by women, then you got it wrong. Kids love to see round colorful balls turning into a fizzy bath. These bath bombs are simple to make and your kids would love to add their science knowledge into it.

Things you will need

  • Half cup of citric acid
  • Half cup of cornstarch
  • One cup of baking soda
  • Half cup of Epsom salt
  • One tsp water
  • One tsp olive oil
  • A few drops of any essential oil
  • A round shaped mould

How to:

Mix the baking soda, citric acid, cornstarch and Epsom salt in a dry bowl. Combine the dry components well and set it aside. Take another bowl, add water, olive oil and drops of essential oil, and mix well.  Now add the dry mixture into the oil mixture and mix them thoroughly. Set the bowl aside for few minutes. If the mixture looks too dry, add two drops of olive oil. Divide the mixture into smaller bowls, add few drops of food coloring in each, and mix well. Lastly, take a mould and pour in the mixture of one color first, layering it over with mixture of another color. Fill in two halves of the mould tightly and let the mixture get dry in it for a while.  After a few minutes, turn the mould upside down and let the ball dry over night. After drying for 24 hours, they will be ready to use.

2. Chicken bobble heads

Your kids would love the wobbly chicken bobble heads dyed in their favorite colors. Moreover, they make cute knick-knacks for your shelves.

Things you would need:

  • Polymer clay (different colors)
  • Glass beads
  • Gauge wire
  • Chopsticks or a pencil
  • toothpicks

How to:

Take the polymer clay and make two small balls out of it, which would make the head and the body of chicken. Keep the head smaller than the body. Take another glob of clay and make tail and wings of the chicken. With a toothpick, make feather marks on the wings and tail. Press them on to the body. Take the glass beads and insert them in place of eyes. Then take yellow or any bright color of clay to make beak out of it and insert it on the head ball. For the last part, take 2 inches of gauge wire and wrap it around the pencil or the chopstick, keeping the ends of the wire straight. Remove the pencil from the wire coil and insert one end of the spring in the head of the chicken and one heading the body, joining the two balls together. Now bake the clay according to instructions specified on the clay package. Your chicken will be ready to bobble in no time!

3. Salt-Water Paintings

Watercolors infused with salt water can be used to make beautiful and unique patterns, making each painting unique with no same design. You can make salt water wrapping sheets with your kids, and wrap them around flowerpots, vase, or use them as origami sheets to make hangings.

Things you will need:

  • Epsom salt
  • Sea salt
  • Watercolors
  • Paintbrushes
  • Watercolor sheets or normal paper sheets

Lay down the paper sheet and wet it with water either by water spray or by stroking a paintbrush with water over it. Now dip the brush in the color of your choice and stroke it over the wet surface. Divide the paper sheet into two parts and sprinkle Epsom salt on one side and sea salt on one. Let the sheet dry. Once the sheet has dried, brush off the salt – you will see beautifully lined patterns formed underneath the salt.

5 Kids’ Lunch Ideas for Home and School

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Kids are very picky when it comes to food. If it were up to them, they would eat mac and cheese all day long and every day. However, a mother’s concern never goes away and that’s why most of them are always busy in the kitchen trying to whip up something good when those little monsters in the belly start screaming. Whether they are at school or at home, lunch time calls for something yummy that can be eaten quickly and is still fulfilling. So, here are 5 lunch ideas that you can try to please your kid’s palette:

Recipe 1

BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Cucumber

Ingredients

  • Small white onion: ¼ cup finely chopped
  • Small seedless cucumber: 1
  • Rice wine vinegar: ¼ cup
  • Rotisserie or boiled chicken: 1 bowl
  • Kosher salt: ¼ teaspoon
  • BBQ sauce: ½ cup
  • Country bread: 4 slices
  • Copious amount of ketchup (necessary)
  • Potato chips

Preparation

  • In a bowl, add rice vinegar and salt, and toss in the cucumber and onion.
  • Let it sit for 15 minutes, tossing it occasionally.
  • Meanwhile, shred the chicken.
  • Spread the BBQ sauce on the bread, place the chicken and toss the pickled cucumber and onion.

Note: If your kids like their sandwich with ketchup and crunchy, you can use any kind of potato chips.

Recipe 2

English Muffin Pizza

Ingredients

  • Whole grain English muffins: 2
  • Homemade or store bought tomato sauce: 1 cup
  • Slices of pepperoni: 4
  • Mozzarella slices: 4 (¼ inch thick)
  • Salt
  • Dried oregano

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Toast the muffins for 4 minutes until they turn brown.
  • Spread tomato sauce and pepperoni on the muffin and then top it with the cheese slice.
  • Sprinkle some salt and oregano and place it in the oven.
  • Bake for 4 minutes until cheese has melted.

Recipe 3

Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

 

Ingredients

  • Whole wheat tortilla: 4
  • Jarlsberg cheese: 4 triangle slices, ¼ inch thick
  • Ham: 8 thin slices
  • Baby spinach leaves
  • Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon
  • Mustard: 1 tablespoon

Preparation

  • Cut two tortillas into half and open them.
  • Mix mustard and mayonnaise together and spread it inside the tortilla.
  • Create two layers by placing one slice of cheese and two slices of ham.
  • Top with baby spinach leaves and fold it into a triangle.
  • Place it in a Panini press and cook it until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns golden.

Recipe 4

Peanut Butter and Jam Bars

Ingredients

  • All purpose flour: 3 cups
  • Large egg: 1
  • Butter: 1 cup
  • Sugar: 1 cup
  • Creamy peanut butter: ½ cup
  • Strawberry or grape jam: 1 cup
  • Salted roasted peanuts: 1 cup

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • In a bowl, beat sugar and butter until fluffy and light.
  • On low speed, add in the egg and peanut butter.
  • Now, add the flour in small amounts until a dough forms.
  • Finally, mix in the peanuts.
  • Divide the dough equally and hand press one layer on a greased foil pan.
  • Spread the peanut butter and put the second layer of dough above.
  • Now, spread the jam.
  • Bake for 50 minutes and cool it on a wire rack.
  • Place it on a cutting board and cut into strips.

Recipe 5

Spiced Chocolate-Banana Muffins

Ingredients

  • Old-fashioned oats: 2 cups
  • Brown sugar: ½ cup
  • Whole wheat flour: 1¼ cups
  • Large beaten egg: 1
  • Baking powder: 2 teaspoon
  • Chia seeds: 2 tablespoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Ground ginger: ¼ teaspoon
  • Baking soda: ¾ teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon: ½ teaspoon
  • Mashed banana: 1¼ cups
  • Bittersweet chocolate: 2 oz
  • Vegetable oil: 2 tablespoon
  • Low-fat buttermilk: 1 cup

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • In a bowl, beat sugar, oats, flour, baking soda, Chiaseeds, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and ginger.
  • In another bowl, stir buttermilk, egg, oil and mashed bananas.
  • Fold the banana mixture in the flour mixture.
  • Divide into the muffin tray and bake for 25 minutes.
  • Drizzle the top with chocolate when the muffins are hot.

You can pack these easy recipes in your kid’s lunch box, so that they can share it with their friends or you can serve them piping hot in the evening.

 

4 Pretty Hairstyles for Busy Moms

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When you are a wife and a mother, life is very busy. In the morning, you tend to your kids and then in the evening and then again, in the afternoon. After they arrive, pretty much your first 6 to 10 years are all about them. In the middle of this, when dropping them to school, going to Church or when attending your kid’s soccer game, you need to look at least socially passable. After all, you can’t go looking like a hag with messy hair and in Pj’s, and risk embarrassing your kid.

So, to help you look like the most attentive and put together mom, we bring you 4 hairstyles that are simple and pretty:

Hairstyle #1

Top Knot

You can never go wrong with a top knot. It’s every woman’s go-to hairstyle whether going out shopping or strolling. We are not talking about the messy bun but an elegant top knot that makes you look like a “mom”. Here’s how to make it:

  • Gather all your hair at the top of your head by throwing your head forward.
  • Use a thick black pony and tie your hair as high as possible.
  • Now, slowly circle the hair around the pony and create an open knot.
  • Secure the ends with pins.

Hairstyle #2

Topsy Tail

This hairstyle looks best on women with straight or natural loose curls. A great hairstyle for short hairs, it allows you to sweep every hair strand from your face and secure it in a unique ponytail. Here’s how to make it:

  • Tie you hair close to your neck.
  • Now, loosen the pony a little and insert two fingers under the pony to separate your hair from the head.
  • Flip your ponytail in this gap.
  • Make two flips to create visible twists.
  • If your hair is silky, apply some hair spray, so that the twists don’t open.

Hairstyle #3

The Blair Waldorf Look

Who can forget the iconic looks of Leighton Meester as Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl? That girl had some taste and apparently a great hairstylist, who we never saw on the show. One of her best hairstyles in the show was the twist and turn pony tail. Here’s how to make up:

  • Take a lock of hair from the right side edge of your head, twist and turn it to the back, and tie it with a rubber band with a lock of hair from the middle.
  • Repeat this on the left side and then tie both the ponytails together.
  • Now, part your hair in threes, leaving the pony tail and bring two in front on either side.
  • Now twist and turn the parted hair, bring it back from above the ponytail and tie it.
  • Repeat it on the other side and secure all the ponytails with a thick black pony.

Hairstyle #4

Simple Chignon

The ultimate mom look that all kids have been guilty of mimicking to look like their rock star. This one’s pretty simple and elegant. Here’s how to do it:

  • Twist and turn a lock of hair from the right side, bring it to the back and secure it with a pin.
  • Repeat it on the left and remove the pin.
  • Tie your hair in a ponytail and part it in the middle from above.
  • Flip the ponytail inside and roll your hair inside the pony.
  • Secure the wayward strands with pins.

So, next time, even if you are taking a stroll in your neighborhood, try these hairstyles and be the cool mom on the block.