The John Tesh Blog

Re-finance? Save money.

Mortgage rates have gone down again, and there are many folks interested, again, in re-financing their current rate. Are you one of them? Maybe you should be. I've got some quick tips here from WalletPop.com- a personal finance site that's helping consumers keep pretty up to date on what you can do to start saving some mortgage money!

For the past year, the mortgage market has taken aspiring homeowners for quite a ride filled with lots of ups, and plenty of downs. Foreclosures have been epidemic, and interest rates have skyrocketed. In recent months, the market looked like it was staging a comeback, thanks to a drop in mortgage rates and new legislation that helped borrowers refinance even when their homes had lost value.

But these much-needed financial breaks appeared temporary -- in mid-October, rates inched back above 5%, and mortgage applications plunged almost 14% over the previous week. Low interest rates help both buyers and owners hoping to finance or refinance. The 30-year fixed-rate loan inched up to 5.07% from 5.02% this week, which is still historically low.

Interest rates had been declining steadily since August, down to 4.92% on 30-year loans and 4.37% on 15-year loans, with fees averaging 0.7 percent. Such low rates enticed new homeowners to get in on the game, but the federal Making Home Affordable plan also helped money-losing homeowners get a slice of the action, too, like one homeowner in Md. whose house value plummeted over $140,000! This homeowner didn't refinance, but qualified for the program, saving about $400 monthly off the mortgage payment.

For those who meet the eligibility requirements of being current on their mortgage payments and owing less than 125 percent of their primary home's value, the legislation can mean saving thousands per year.

But today's low rates are already inching north and probably won't stay low for long, says David Wind, president of Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company, based in White Plains, N.Y. "We anticipate that the rates will stay attractive for the next three to six months," he says.

A few tips can help homebuyers and homeowners get the best deals.

Boost your credit. Before heading to a lender, examine your credit report, and then ask for help if it needs improvement. "If someone is interested in getting a loan or refinancing, they'll have to have a FICO score of 660 or better to be a good candidate," says Wind. "If their score is too low, they might want to see a credit-counseling service."

Be persistent. Meeting loan qualifications is only half the battle. Conquering the paperwork is the other. "I called two and three times a day to get my lender to process the paperwork," says Schreiber, the Maryland homeowner. "The pleasant persistence paid off. I'm actually using the savings on the refinance to pay off a second loan."

Mind the requirements. Those relying on the Making Home Affordable plan for refinancing help should note that eligible candidates must be refinancing their primary home, have a loan owned or guaranteed by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae, and show evidence that they can reasonably make new mortgage payments.

Ready to go? Here are a few last tips about refinancing:

• Spend Less -- Refinance Your Mortgage
  If you are stretching to meet your monthly payments on your mortgage, you may need to consider refinancing options. If you can get a lower interest rate than you currently have, you'll be able to save substantially on your monthly payment. The key is to look down the road. Don't get yourself into an incredibly low interest 3 year ARM program unless you plan to sell your home or refinance again within that timeframe.
• Refinance -- Fixed or ARM?
  Refinancing is very popular nowadays, especially since interest rates have been low. There are also several different refinancing options you may explore. For instance, you can opt for a fixed rate or an adjustable rate mortgage. A fixed rate mortgage will usually be for a term of 15 or 30 years and the interest rate will stay the same for the duration of the loan. An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) means that after a term (usually of 3-5 years), your interest rate can change (usually upwards).
• Home Improvements? Cash Out Refinancing!
  If you have equity built up in your home and you have an expanding family, you may want to improve your existing home. After all, with the way many home prices are going, you might not be able to afford to move back into your own neighborhood! If you decide to improve your home, you can easily refinance and pull out money to add a bathroom, a bedroom or upgrade your septic system. Banks and mortgage companies often offer special incentives for home improvement equity loans. In some cases they even have special loan programs for higher amounts.

Enjoy your home sweet-maybe a little less expensive-home! And have a great weekend!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Clearing out your car, your computer, and then your garage. Un-cluttering, Part Two.

We talked about a lot couple of weeks back about the things in our homes that are overwhelming our lives, and Andrew Mellen, an Oprah contributor, mapped out a plan to use, discard, or donate (see Oct. 12.) This is all about some Autumn cleaning: figuring out what you should keep and what needs a good "heave-ho"; then figure out how to make what you have work for you...hope you got a good start inside your daily living areas. But how about some other areas where you spend a lot of your life, overall?

The Car (Or, "The Storage Space on Wheels")

If you have to clear off the backseat for company, there's a problem.

What shouldn't be in the car: old food wrappers, toys, the dry cleaning or recycling you've been meaning to drop off for a week (just take it out of the car until you're ready to make the trip), out-of-season tools (if it's June, you can remove the ice scraper from the trunk).

What should be in the car: registration, insurance certificate, owner's manual, maps and/or GPS, extra pair of sunglasses in case of glare, small folding umbrella, headset for your cell phone (preferably you're not talking while driving, but if you are, please be hands-free), envelope with supermarket and drive-through restaurant coupons and any gift certificates you've received (it's pointless for them to be in the drawer at home).

What should be in the trunk: tool kit, flashlight, working spare tire. In winter, add ice scraper, bag of kitty litter (for traction in snow), a small blanket.

The Chaotic Computer

You don't want to spend an hour looking for a scone recipe—or your résumé—because you're searching through all the stuff on your desktop. If you can't see the pretty picture on your computer screen because it's full of icons for documents, downloads, and photos, start making folders. Color-code them: The folder for your financial documents can be green, the one for your job search can be blue. Like goes with like—all your résumés in one folder, all photos in another. Label each one clearly. Then put all your folders in "My Documents," a master folder that you have whether you're on a Mac or a PC.

You can save e-mail correspondence, but discard the one that says, "Great, see you at 12 on Thursday!" and save the one with information about what you discussed.

By the way, if you're constantly responding to e-mail, you're being pulled away from the things that you need or want to do. Try checking it hourly. Or dare I suggest (gasp!) once in the morning, and once in the afternoon?? Try holding yourself to that rule for your Facebooking, or Tweeting, too.

The Basement (yes, you're gonna have to step in) or Garage

Where do you start? With the bad, scary corner. First, get rid of un-salvageables. If the basement flooded and a whole bunch of stuff got waterlogged, these are no longer your possessions; they're a mildew-fest. Just say goodbye.

Once you've gotten rid of the garbage, start grouping similar items, which makes it easy to see what there's too much of and what's broken. Tackle one category at a time—the holiday decorations, the seasonal clothing (yep- including all the boxes of the "don't fit right now" clothing), the journals or paperwork- now long outdated- that you've been keeping for years. If you have enough room, spread everything out to take stock of it all. And while you're getting excited for the holidays looking through all those decorations? You guessed it:

When everything has been sorted, prune. Yep- just like you do in the garden every year: Is this important enough to save? Is it useful? Discard what isn't...like that beautiful star for the tree with the twinkling lights...which haven't twinkled in three years, painfully obvious when you look at the unlit lights...time to say goodbye.

Next, containerize what's left, but don't buy storage bins until you have an understanding of what you're putting into them. It doesn't serve you to come home with two 40-gallon tubs if what you need is 19 shoe boxes. Better idea? Clear plastic storage containers (check around for a good sale price- sure to be had getting closer to the holidays); of course, you can label boxes, but if you can spare a few bucks to really set yourself up to be able to see the contents immediately- go for it. And if you also use your basement as a play space for your kids or to entertain, get rolling shelves that can be moved to one side of the room and perhaps even covered with drapes (the ones that have been packed in a box you just found- get it? Make your things work for you!)  Happy Tuesday!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

12 ways to unclutter your life

Think of this scenario: If your house were burning and your family, pets, and purse or wallet were already out of harm's way, what else would you want to save? Probably not the blender that only works on one speed, the china you inherited but never use, or that picture from last Thanksgiving that is one of the worst pictures of you ever taken! So here's a question to ask yourself: If I wouldn't grab them in case of a fire, why do I still have them in my home now?

There's no reason to be surrounded by things that don't work, that you don't need, or that you don't even like. Andrew Mellen is a professional organizer, writing for Oprah.  His job is to help his clients figure out what they should keep and what they should kiss goodbye; then they figure out how to make what they have work for them. You can do it yourself by following the steps outlined here:

The Ground Rules

1. Everything you own should have value, either because it's functional or beautiful or you just love it. Remember the question of what you'd grab if your house were on fire; that's your baseline for determining an object's worth.

2. Every item needs a place where it "lives." Setting things down on the coffee table or kitchen counter creates piles and confusion. My clients mock me when I say, "Where do your keys live? They live in a bowl or on a hook by the front door"—but you never lose anything when you put it where it lives.

3. Focus on one thing at a time. Multitasking is supposed to help you get more things done quickly, but when you try to do 19 things at once, everything ends up incomplete. You're trying to simplify your life, so simplify your approach to getting organized. Now let's get started.

 
A too-crammed Kitchen

Your kitchen is a food preparation area, not a storage space. The idea here is to weed out what you're not using, then put similar items together and in the best places.

Appliances: Machines that are broken or aren't used are just taking up space. If your Crock-Pot has a missing lid that you say you're going to replace someday, or you're keeping the bread maker just because it was a gift, get rid of it.

Food containers: All your plastic storage items should have corresponding lids. If you don't have one or the other, it's a recycling item.

Pots and pans: If there isn't a lot of space in your kitchen, use a pot rack. If you have the space, hang them along the wall for fast access.

Knives: If you're short on counter space, consider the type of knife block that fits in a drawer.

Plastic bags: Everybody has a plastic bag full of other plastic bags. Use the ones you have for trash can liners, or take them back to the supermarket for recycling. Keep canvas shopping totes in the car so you don't accumulate more plastic bags. Mesh shopping bags roll up small enough to be kept in your handbag for unexpected trips to the market.

Cookbooks: Unless you're a collector or you have a lot of room, edit them. How often do you use the cookbook? If you've had it for years but it's never gotten a single stain or burn from use, donate it.

That Pile of Mail

If you can't finish the mail, don't start the mail. You can't slice chicken for dinner and sort your bills at the same time, so when you come in the front door with a stack of mail, put it in the basket, box, or whatever container you have handy for this purpose. You don't have such a container? No wonder there are so many piles of mail around your house.

When you're ready, take your mail basket to wherever you deal with paperwork. First, pull out the circulars and flyers and set them aside; you'll either clip the coupons or put them in the recycling bin—later. Also set aside the catalogs. If you're shopping for something specific, save them. (Caveat: no multiples. The new catalog replaces the old one, which gets recycled.) If you're getting catalogs you never wanted in the first place, pull off the pages with the mailing label and put them aside; that's an action item for later. Then separate the rest: bills, personal correspondence, time-sensitive invitations, requests for charitable donations, membership renewals, new credit card offers, and so forth.

Open the bills first because they represent a relationship that must be honored; if you want the services, you have to pay. All the stuffing that says "You've been selected to receive these free gifts" goes into the recycling bin. All you want is the bill and the return envelope.

Put any invitations aside; later on, you'll transfer those into your calendar and send your response.

If there's room in your home office, have small bins in which to stack bills, invitations, and the correspondence you're keeping.

When you're done sorting, then you can read your magazines. Or get those back pages you ripped out, call the companies that sent them, and tell them what you don't want—their catalogs.

Your Overstuffed Closet

Lots of folks have a lot of "someday" best. Someday I'm going to fit into these again. Someday this trend might return. Someday I'm going to wear this. The problem is, "someday" doesn't exist; there's only today. Here's what to do with what's being worn only by your hangers.

Clothes that don't fit: If you've gained weight, keep the smaller-sized clothes that you'll get the most use from and work on fitting into them again. If you've already lost weight, don't keep a whole closetful of big clothes as though one day you're going to suddenly be struck fat; donate them.

Trend items: If you're waiting for something to come back in style, don't. Even if it does return, it will look dated—and so will you.

Special occasion outfits: The rule that says "If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it" is a fine guide for when to say goodbye.

Sentimental pieces: You say, "I really loved this jacket." I know you did. But if you haven't worn it in ages and it doesn't work with your other clothes, it's time for it to go away. If you're saving your wedding dress, be honest—do you have the space to store it? Do you have a daughter you're saving it for, and is it a timeless classic she won't roll her eyes at? If the answers are yes, keep it. If you're short on storage space, you have only sons, or your dress has puffy sleeves, lace, and buttons up the arms because you did a kind of Linda Ronstadt circa 1974 thing, give it to a thrift store or DonateMyDress.org, which provides formal wear to girls who can't afford prom or special occasion dresses.

Now that you have a closetful of clothes that you actually wear, organize them—all the short-sleeved shirts together, all the jeans together, etc. Do the same with your shoes. If you have the space, they can be kept on shelves so you can see them immediately. If not, try stacking shelves or hanging shoe racks.

The Drawer Full of Photos

If you don't have time to put your photos in an album or scrapbook, it's okay to stop pretending you're going to do it. Get clear shoe boxes to store them in instead.

Then get a kitchen timer. Why? Because sorting through photos leads to reminiscing, and suddenly it's three hours later. But you're not looking at photos now—you're organizing them so that looking at them later will be more fun. Decide how long you have and set the timer.

Group the photos by subject—the family reunion, your trip to Istanbul. While you're grouping, you're also sorting: Is it a clear picture? Do you even know who those people are? Throw away any that don't measure up, and any in which you can't stand the sight of yourself. When you're done, label the boxes accordingly: "Family Reunion, February 2008."

The Inherited Items and Mementos from Aunt So-and-So or Uncle Joe

Your home is not a museum. Many people subscribe to the unwritten rule that you're obligated to keep your great-aunt's dishes, even if you don't like them, just because she used them. But maybe your great-aunt never liked them either and also felt too guilty to let them go. Things don't have to become yours simply because they belonged to a relative. You're not living her life, and you're not a bad person for giving inherited items away.

If the acquired stuff is worth money, you may feel bound to it financially: "It's real silver—I can't give it away." Yes, you can. Donate it, document what it's worth, and take it off your taxes. Or give it to another family member who would really like it. Or sell it on eBay. And if you like something enough to keep it, consider it a replacement, not an addition—keep Grandma's reading lamp, but donate the one you already have.

Mementos from your own life are harder to part with because when you see them, you relive the story: To you, it's the cashmere V-neck you wore on your first date with the man who would become your husband; to anyone else, it's just an old sweater full of holes. The key to parting with items suspended in time is not to replay that story. Leave the room, come back in, and see what you're really holding on to—a sweater that's seen better days. Rule of thumb: If it serves no purpose, let it go.

At the end of this project, you'll have accomplished three goals: There will be less stuff, what's left will be in order, and everything will be in containers that work with your space. Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person; it's about living the way you want to live, but better. There are enough things in the world that you can't control—but you can bring some order into your home and your life.

If you think this can't be accomplished in time for the holidays, how about setting your sights now on a 2010 New Year's resolution? Start now with what you know can be finished; pick up the rest come January 1st.

Happy Monday- and thanks to all who made our Buffalo and Pittsburgh concerts this past weekend so absolutely fantastic- we loved spending time with you!

The biggest myths about swine flu- you need to hear these.

It's a pandemic!  That sounded scary enough this past Spring, didn't it?  And health officials told us we'd really be in for it come our regular cold and flu season, didn't they?  So, the time is now. But just how bad is swine flu, really?

In many ways, it's really not that different from seasonal flu, experts say. But there are some important distinctions, so we've got the word from Prevention magazine: the good, the bad, and likely for most of us who get H1N1 this season- the ugly.

It's natural to feel a little anxious, if not downright panicky, about the possibility of you or a family member catching the swine flu. But before you worry about worst-case scenarios, let's put some things in perspective. The fact is, seasonal flu—the kind that circulates every fall and winter, year after year—kills 30,000 to 40,000 people. We just don't read about every single hospitalization or complication in the news. In comparison, current government predictions are calling for anywhere from 30,000 to 90,000 swine flu-related deaths this fall. That may sound like a lot, but keep in mind that it's out of hundreds of millions of potential infections—meaning that even as a worst-case scenario, only a small percentage of the U.S. population would get seriously sick.

It's also just an early-in-the season ballpark estimate. Cases could decrease if everyone were to get vaccinated and take all the right precautions, especially washing their hands frequently and staying home when sick, says Robert Belshe, M.D., professor of medicine and pediatrics at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine and director of the vaccine center at Saint Louis University, which is conducting clinical trials for the swine flu vaccine.

We're worried about swine flu because it's new—and there are so many misconceptions about how dangerous it is, who's at risk and the best ways to avoid it. Before you stress further (it's bad for your immune system, you know) read the truth behind these seven common swine flu rumors. It might mean the difference between getting sick and staying flu free.

1. Swine flu is much worse than seasonal flu

So far, swine flu doesn't seem to be more virulent than seasonal flu (symptoms are largely the same), but it is slightly more contagious. According to a new study from Cornell University, every person infected with swine flu puts 1.5 other people at risk in the few days before they themselves experience symptoms. With seasonal flu, that number is about 1.3.

Part of the reason why swine flu is more transmissible is that most people don't have any immunity to it, unlike other seasonal flu strains, to which we may have been exposed before (this gives our immune system a leg up in fighting off the virus.)

2. Young, healthy people shouldn't worry

Unlike seasonal flu, which has the most serious health effects in people older than 65, with swine flu incidences so far, 75 percent of serious cases and 60 percent of deaths have occurred in people younger than 49, according to recent CDC data. But some experts believe that it's not so much that young people are more vulnerable, it's that older adults are less at risk. About one-third of adults over age 60 have some kind of pre-existing immunity to the H1N1 strain, according to CDC data. (There were likely strains similar to the current swine flu circulating when they were children).

What this means for you: Unless you have a chronic condition that's shown to increase complications of swine flu (pregnancy, asthma, diabetes, or heart, kidney, or liver disease), you'll likely battle the flu and come out just fine, says Allison Aiello, Ph.D., assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. But that doesn't mean you should blow off preventive measures. No matter what your age, be a vigilant hand washer and instill the habit in your kids. Get vaccinated for swine flu if you're eligible (as well as for seasonal flu). Avoid people who are sick if you can. And pay attention to symptoms (most commonly fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose, sneezing, muscle aches, fatigue/exhaustion—and in some cases, diarrhea, headache and a stiff neck). If you feel sick, don't be a warrior. Stay home, rest and drink plenty of fluids to help ensure that your body fights off the flu instead of developing complications.

3. The flu vaccine can cause the flu

"We hear this rumor all the time," says Rachel Vreeman, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics in the Children's Health Services Research Program at the Indiana University School of Medicine. "A lot of people will say, 'I don't want to get the flu shot because I got a minor case of the flu from it once.'" First, you should know that flu shots are made with dead strains of the virus, which means they can't replicate. While you can get swelling and achiness at the injection site and a low-grade fever, this is just how some peoples' bodies respond to the vaccine. They're not symptoms of the flu, only a minor side effect of getting the shot. They should pass in about 24 hours or so.

4. It's better to get the flu than get vaccinated

Because many swine flu cases in the spring were so mild, there were rumblings of some parents wanting to pull a chicken pox-party move: Bring your healthy kid into contact with a swine flu-infected one, so he could get sick, recover and develop immunity to the virus on his own. However, most flu experts, including the CDC, could not disagree with this strategy more.

The problem, in a nutshell, is that there's no way to tell how a given person will respond to flu infection. The vast majority will recover well, but in some otherwise healthy children and adults, it can take a serious, even life-threatening turn. "The risk of side effects from the flu vaccine is very low, and right now the risk of contracting the flu is very high," says Belshe.

5. If you get swine flu, go to the ER

If your flu case is mild, the best thing to do is stay home and treat the symptoms (take a fever/pain reducer, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and get plenty of rest and fluids) and avoid infecting others. A trip to the ER will likely just expose you to people who are sicker than you, increase wait times for people who really need the medical attention, and give you the opportunity to unwittingly infect others, says Stephen Morse, Ph.D., professor of clinical epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. If you're concerned, see your doctor and ask for an antiviral medication, but these are best used for people at risk of flu complications or who have severe cases—most healthy people don't need them. At best, they'll shave half a day to a day off your symptoms. Keep in mind they're most effective within the first 24 hours of symptom onset.

Of course, if you have risk factors for flu complications, see your doctor right away. And be aware of the following warning signs from the CDC, which should prompt you to get immediate medical attention:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness or confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough

6. Masks keep you safe

The effectiveness of masks for average people (not health care workers) is still debatable. Most experts agree that vaccines and perhaps regular hand washing are far more effective flu fighters than are masks. One time when they may be useful: If you're the one who is sick, donning a mask may prevent the spread of airborne particles that could then infect others. If you're taking care of sick children, wearing a mask might not be a bad idea. But to walk around with one if you're not infected is probably not doing much. In fact, some experts worry that wearing masks might provide people with a false sense of security—and make them less likely to wash their hands as vigorously or observe other healthy protective habits.

7. Go back to work once you feel better

This isn't the time to be a hero at the office. Experts urge swine flu sufferers, both kids and adults, to stay home for at least 24 hours after fever goes away without the use of fever-reducing meds. You can still shed some flu virus after symptoms are gone. Based on data from infections last spring, most non-hospitalized people had a fever for two to four days, which would lead to being out of work or school for three to five days on average.

The best defense we've all got in this first full season of H1N1 is knowledge- get it? Show your friends and family, too- I'm sure they'd rather deal with the truth than get mixed up in a whole lot of confusion.  Gotta go- washing my hands again!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Speed Clean the Healthy Way

Who isn't interested in having a clean, tidy, fresh-smelling house?  But hearing that the wrong cleaning methods can exacerbate allergies (even cause them) or asthma, or possibly spread disease-causing toxins through your home, suddenly a little mess doesn't seem so bad. Paige Greenfield, a contributor to Prevention magazine, led the way to quiz leading immunologists, microbiologists, and cleaning experts to find the healthiest ways to tidy up.

Surprise! The safest ways to clean can also be the quickest- yay, because here's the weekend! Even better: It's okay to leave behind a little grime! See if you can answer the same quiz- which is healthier?

Which is healthier: Deodorizing with a scented candle or an air freshener?

Answer: Neither. "You're just masking a foul odor by introducing a stronger one," says James Sublett, MD, chief of pediatric allergy and immunology at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. Worse, candles release particles of soot, and candles and air fresheners give off synthetic fragrances--all of which can exacerbate allergy and asthma symptoms. If you love the look of candles, don't despair--try unscented beeswax candles, which have a light honey fragrance that won't worsen symptoms. (They also produce much less soot than paraffin.) But the healthiest way to get rid of an odor is to crack open a window and turn on a fan to circulate air.

Which is healthier: Sponge mop or rag mop?

Answer: Sponge mop. Even after rinsing, more dirt and bacteria sticks to the strands of a rag mop than to the sponge. Besides, the sponge's flat surface cleans more effectively. Use a solution of 1 ounce of bleach per quart of water, plus some soap, to clean floors. When you're done, rinse the mop with a fresh batch of the solution, says Philip M. Tierno Jr., PhD, director of clinical microbiology at New York University Medical Center. Stand the mop up in the shower to dry to keep germs from multiplying.

Which is healthier: Dropping a tablet into the tank or using a toilet brush?

Answer: Toilet brush. Though tablets release cleansers with each flush, you still need to scrub to get rid of dirt, says Tierno. Try pouring 1 cup of bleach into the toilet before going to bed. The bleach breaks down bacteria and fungus overnight, making your job easier.  (Just make sure to leave the lid down in case you've got a canine friend who enjoys a good slurp out of the toilet...don't worry- your isn't the only one!)

Which is healthier: The oven's self-cleaning feature or elbow grease?
Answer: Clean it yourself. A "self-cleaning" appliance may seem convenient, but it can create a toxic home environment, says Jeff May, a certified indoor air quality investigator and author of Jeff May's Healthy Home Tips. The feature heats the oven as high as 900°F and burns off everything inside. Even if the oven is sealed tightly, it'll release smoke, fumes, and carbon monoxide, he says. Instead, sprinkle baking soda in a quarter-inch layer. Spritz the baking soda with water until damp, says Annie Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living. Let it sit overnight--the grime should lift right off the next day.

Which is healthier: Cleaning a humidifier once a week or not using one?

Answer: Not using one. Dry air parches nasal passages, making you more vulnerable to catching a virus. But a humidifier does more harm than good because it encourages mold growth, which can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms, Sublett explains. Measure the relative humidity in your home with a hygrometer (such as Honeywell's digital wireless one, $25, amazon.com), and make sure it falls between 35 and 65%, says May. Too low? Float some blossoms in bowls of water throughout the house; as the water evaporates, the humidity will rise.

Which is healthier: Bleach or ammonia?

Answer: Bleach. Ammonia fumes are more irritating to the skin, eyes, nose, and lungs, Tierno says. Bleach is better at cutting dirt and killing germs. But a little goes a long way: One ounce of bleach per quart of water will remove the toughest mold from the tightest spots. Whatever you do, don't mix bleach and ammonia. The combination creates chloramine, a gas that can damage your airways.

Which is healthier: Cleaning pet accidents with baking soda or vinegar?
Answer: Vinegar. Animal excrement is full of bacteria and possibly parasites. The most important thing to do is to break up the enzymes in the urine or stool, says Sarah Hodgson, author of Puppies for Dummies, because the enzymes are what encourage your animal to mark in the same spot again. Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half mixture of vinegar (apple cider or white) and water. Saturate the area with the solution and pat it dry with a paper towel; repeat and let dry.

Next time you're dishing the dirt- literally?  Try some natural solutions for the dirt, with these very effective, and very gentle, products next time you've got a mess to deal with:

For Stains: Use baking soda Sprinkle it on the stain until completely covered; spray with water. When baking soda is absorbed, wipe clean with a cloth.

For Mold, bacteria, and grease: Use vinegar Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar. Saturate the affected area and then simply let the vinegar evaporate.

For Soot, wax, and oil: Use washing soda (sodium carbonate) on stone or glass. A cousin to baking soda, it can be found in the detergent aisle. Make a thick paste with 1 4 cup of soda and water. Cover stain and let it set for an hour; scrub.

Weekend's here.  No one really wants to spend it cleaning the house, so it seems like a pretty good idea to do it the best way, the safest way, the fastest way, the first time!

Finally, today, we lift our hearts in memory of the victims of 9/11, and love for their families. You are never forgotten.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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Feeling a little too crowded in "your space"?

Feel like you're running out of space for all your stuff? LifeOrganizers.com is behind these 10 simple ideas for using your space more effectively. 

1. INSUFFICIENT OR INEFFECTIVE? Do you have insufficient storage space or ineffective storage space? There's a big difference. Insufficient storage space means you don't have enough space for your things. Ineffective space means you have enough space for your  things, but you're not making the best use of that space. Most closets and cabinets have the volume to hold twice as much as they are usually constructed for. And you probably have quite a few nooks and crannies for storage that you haven't even thought of. Of course, it's important to make sure you don't have things you don't like, things that are outdated, things you could be donating- but it is also important to have effective storage space for the things you do like and enjoy.

2. ADD-A-ROD. Looking for extra storage space in your closet? If you have the type of closet with two+ walls for hanging clothes, on one wall hang a rod at head height for long clothing (dresses, pants, etc.). On the other wall, hang two rods- one above the other- for shorter clothing (shirts, skirts, blazers, etc.) In other words, you're not restricted to only one clothing rod.

3. INSTALL SHELVES. Most shelves can be moved up-a-notch or down-a-notch. If you have three inches of space above your linens, you may consider adjusting the shelf so the shelf below it has more space. Or, perhaps you can add another shelf in between. Plastic, multiple level shelves are wonderful for kitchen cabinets. And corner shelves are great for picture frames, knick knacks and other small treasures.

4. USE STORAGE UNITS. Storage units, which can be picked up from housewares or hardware stores, are great space savers. Your spices can be removed from drawers and placed on a spice rack. There are racks for canned goods that, when a can is taken from it, the next can in line rolls forward. Some of these hold over 40 cans! Ice cube trays are inexpensive storage containers for smaller items such as earrings. There are coffee tables on the market with storage space hidden inside. Under bed containers are perfect for storing quilts and linens. Be creative and make use of these great tools!

5. DON'T FORGET ABOUT WALL SPACE. Look around and you're sure to find quite a bit of empty wall space. There are many uses for this new-found space. Pots and pans can be taken out of cabinets and hung on walls. Tools can be placed on peg boards. Shelves can be installed for picture frames and knick knacks. Many stores now carry corner shelves that can be installed in a snap.

6. PUT FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS WITHIN ARMS REACH. Whenever possible, store regularly used items where you use them most. You can, pretty easily, create a toilet paper holder on, say, the back of a bathroom cabinet door with just a small dowel, 2 nails and 2 loops of rope. It holds three rolls of toilet paper, and it's right near the area it's needed most. You shouldn't have to walk from one room to another to retrieve items you use every day. Store linens in the bedroom. Store videos near the television. If you use the scissors in the office area and in the sewing room, have two pairs of scissors, one in each room.

7. ADD-A-DRAWER OR SLIDING SHELF. Many hardware and housewares stores carry drawers that can be installed underneath a cabinet. These are great if you have a home with limited drawer space. In addition, you can also install shelves under cabinets that slide out when you need them, and slide back in when you're finished with them.

8. KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR. A clear desk is directly related to your productivity. You will get more done, if you're not constantly under a pile of papers and files. A sturdy, full-suspension filing cabinet is a must for any home or office. Portable file boxes that hold hanging file folders also come in handy. There are plenty of storage choices for CD-roms and diskettes. Desk supplies belong in an on-the-desk caddy or in trays inside your desk.

9. REARRANGE. Everyone is different, and has different needs. Make your home or office work for you. What if you, for example, have a dining room that you never use- even when you have company over? Maybe your friends and family gather, typically, in a large and inviting kitchen you do have, so you'll not ever be likely to start using your dining room. Next, maybe you've got your home office trapped down in your dark basement.  Starting to see the connection here? Rearrangement, my friend, is in order here, to turn that dining room into your new office. Using all your space efficiently requires new thinking about your surroundings to make them work for you, even if they seem a little out of the ordinary.

10. ROTATE. You may have many items you love in your home or office, but not enough space. Rotate them. In other words, keep some things in storage for a month or two and display some of your things. Then, once that time is up, make the switch. The items on display go into storage; the items in storage go on display.  You use all your things- just not all at once- pretty neat idea!

And the neatest thing?  A newly efficient space that makes you feel good, and that makes you, and your family, work more efficiently all the way around!

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

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New Uses for Old Things- that will save you some time, too!

Pretty cool to get some new, or "Oh!  Hadn't thought of that!" use from things you probably already have at home, and save yourself a little time in your day, too!  Real Simple shines the light, so get ready to dig through your catch-all drawers for what you need:

1.

Slow Silver Tarnishing with Chalk

Original Purpose: Drawing the lines for a rousing game of hopscotch.
Aha! Use: Slowing the tarnish on your good silver. Tie up a few moisture-absorbing pieces in cheesecloth and store them with your cutlery.
Reward: Shinier flatware that reflects well on you in no time flat. Now here's an idea.  Go ahead and do this, then wait until your spouse goes to clean the silver before your next special dinner.  How about that for an unexpected surprise?

2. 

Organize Linens with Binder Clips

Original Purpose: Keeping your morning briefing in order.
Aha Use: Restoring order in the linen closet. Store sets of napkins clipped together and they'll always be ready to set the scene at dinnertime.
Reward: No minutes wasted searching for elusive matching colors.

3.

Clean Your Dishwasher with Lemonade Kool-Aid

Original Purpose: Quenching your thirst.
Aha! Use: Cleaning lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher. Pour a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and run the dishwasher while empty.
Reward: The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains, so you don't have to.

4.

Use WD-40 to Remove Crayon Marks

Original Purpose: Greasing a squeaky wheel.
Aha! Use: Removing crayon from almost any surface: plastic, metal, TV screens, freshly painted walls. Just apply a small amount and rub away with a clean cloth.
Reward: The living room won't look like a romper room after little Sammy's visit.

5.

Use Eggshells to Clean Bottles and Vases

Original Purpose: Playing a central role in the chicken-and-egg debate.
Aha! Use: Cleaning the hard-to-reach places in bottles and vases. Drop some crushed shells in the bottle, add warm water and a drop of dishwashing liquid, and give it a good swirl.
Reward: Shells that scrape off the gunk you can't get to, so you can save your elbow grease for the dinner dishes.  Well...I guess that's a bonus.

6.

Remove Adhesive with Mayonnaise

Original Purpose: Key tuna-salad ingredient.
Aha! Use: Adhesive remover that banishes old stickers from mirrors, glass, and bumpers. Apply a generous helping to persistent adhesives and coax off with a flexible putty knife.
Reward: Unstick sticky surfaces without the noxious fumes, or the cost, of the commercial stuff.

7.

Laundry Bag as Dishwasher Item Saver

Original Purpose: Saving delicate unmentionables from getting stretched in the spin cycle.
Aha! Use: Keeping mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack.
Reward: No more diving for treasure on the floor of the dishwasher.

I'm thinking about sticking some stickers around the office walls for awhile, just so I can have a go at the mayo trick!  Have a super Monday-

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Thought a refinance wasn't possible, or worthwhile, for you? Maybe, but maybe not.

Here's a story- let's say a couple go to refinance the mortgage on their bigger city townhouse, but their appraisal comes in too low. Think they're simply out of luck?  Not necessarily.  Thanks to a new government program, a low appraisal might not kill the deal. WalletPop helps lay out exactly why you should take a second look where you may have thought you didn't have a good deal.   This couple, who have owned their townhouse for 5 years, turned out to be quite able to proceed with the refinancing, and very happy this government program is in place.

Appraisals have always been key to refinancing. Traditionally, the mortgage amount could not exceed the property's current market value. Those with Adjustable Rate Mortgages stuck with unaffordable mortgage payments, or those tempted by historic low interest rates have good reason to want - or need - to refinance their loans. Luckily, the federal government has introduced programs to help.

The Obama Administration's Home Affordable Refinance Program, launched early this year, allowed refinances for those whose first mortgage was as high as 105 percent of a comparable market analysis (CMV). A July expansion now allows participation by borrowers current on payments, but up to 125 percent "underwater." This especially helps those in down markets, such as Las Vegas, where about two-thirds of current mortgage holders owe more than the worth of their homes. Nationwide, 4 to 5 million homeowners whose mortgages are owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac might reach more affordable monthly payments through the program, which falls under the broader Making Home Affordable initiative.

Those with government-based Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans also have new refinance opportunities thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The revised single-family loan limits now reflect the higher loan limits set by the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 or the Housing and Economy Recovery Act of 2008, all determined by county or metropolitan area. Effective through the end of 2009, those limits range from $271,050 to $729,750 and permit FHA to insure loans on amounts up to 125 percent of the 2007 area median house prices.

Additionally, this past May, the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act removed some administrative and technical hurdles that made last summer's HOPE for Homeowners Act so difficult to implement that most people didn't bother trying. The bill helps homeowners with FHA or USDA rural housing loans to modify or refinance their mortgages.

Jorge Gomez, president of the Illinois Association of Mortgage Professionals (IAMP), says, "In theory, [new loan limits] will open up many new opportunities for people to refinance." Still, borrowers with a second mortgage may not benefit, since the law doesn't require second lien holders to comply by subordinating their debt.

Regarding the program for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, Marve Stockert, executive director of IAMP, urges anyone who can't sell their home to use it, "because this type of program may not come around again." Home Affordable Refinance expires on June 10, 2010.

Dan Milstein, CEO of Gold Star Mortgage Financial Group in Ann Arbor, Mich., notes that while "extra room in terms of value will be helpful in the refinance process," the true impact of the change from 105 percent to 125 percent "remains to be seen." Besides the second mortgage issue, he explains that loan guidelines remain the same, with verification required for all information. There's a slight increase of getting an appraisal waiver, but full appraisals are often still required for these transactions.

The people best suited for these programs, says Milstein, are homeowners "who originally had 20 percent or more equity in his or her home and then lost that equity not due to increased borrowing, but rather to the slump in the housing market."  If you've run into credit trouble, your refinancing task may become much more problematic.

The bottom line: The refinancing rules are changing everyday. Don't let an initial stumbling block, such as a decrease in your home value, hold you back from attempting to refinance. Be proactive and investigate how new stimulus programs might help you lower your interest rate and save on your monthly mortgage payments.

Pay off your home sooner, with a lower interest rate and possibly a lower monthly payment as well?  Sounds like reason enough to dig in a little to find out exactly where you stand.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

5 simple steps...in 5 little minutes twice a day- your uncluttered house!

OK- this is short, which is exactly the philosophy behind this plan is to keep your home clutter-free in five minutes a day, through five simple steps! We're into the work week now, but this is so quick, so manageable, and beautifully underwhelming... I kid you not- I can do this, too! Got something that looks like this?  It doesn't have to stay that way.  Here we go, from It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff by Peter Walsh, professional organizer from TLC's Clean Sweep, and frequent contributor to Oprah. 

Daily Purging
You'd be amazed at how much you can accomplish in ten minutes. Every day, take five minutes to straighten up and five minutes to focus on cleaning out the clutter in a drawer or on a shelf or flat space, and your house will always be in order. Think about it -- if you do this five days out of every week, you'll have purged 260 small areas in your home at the end of a year. Those small projects really add up. 

It's best to use the same time slot every day. If you're a stay-at-home mom, do it when the kids nap or leave for school. If you're a morning person who either works from home or never has trouble getting to work on time, then make it part of your morning ritual. If you're always in a rush in the morning, pick a time when you get home -- as soon as you walk in the door, or after dinner, or after the kids are in bed -- whatever makes the most sense for you. Like the idea of coming home to a clean house?  Try taking the 5 "straightening" minutes in the morning before work, and save your 5 "purging" minutes for the evening to be sure to finish up. These small steps really make a difference!

The Five-Minute Purge
Here's what the five-minute purge looks like:

1. Set the kitchen timer for five minutes.

2. Grab a medium-size garbage bag. You'll use this bag to throw things away or to drop them off at your charity of your choice, whichever makes more sense for the times you're purging.

3. Pick your target. Make sure to keep it small so you can be thorough. It's one drawer in the kitchen, one shelf of video tapes, the floor of the coat closet, etc.

4. Clear out anything you haven't used for the last six months to a year. Remember? That's becoming a pretty standard rule of thumb for Spring cleaning every year. Thing is, keep this in mind- a home is a living thing and what you felt you needed to keep yesterday, you may be able to let go of today. This is a constantly evolving project- it's not a one-time event in your life.  Ready? Now be ruthless. The more you get rid of, the longer you can wait before you revisit this area.

5. When the timer goes off, stop. If the bag is full, put it in the garbage (or in your car trunk so you can drop it off the next time you drive past a Goodwill or other charity). If the bag isn't full, put it with the garbage or recycling in preparation for tomorrow, when you'll surely fill it up in your next purge.  

That's all, my friend- let's both try it today- deal?  Deal. 

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.

Can't find anything? Time to de-clutter- this time for good!

Ever hear stories about people who have so much clutter lying around the house they lose important things, like a bill that, going unpaid, will bring a big late fee next month?  Sound  too familiar, like it's happened to you, or you've lost something else equally important?  It's super easy to let it happen, I know.  It might not be quite so super easy to change your unorganized habits, but it isn't hard, either.  Plus, the worry and stress you save yourself can easily make some efforts now completely worthwhile.  We shared these 7 tips for reducing clutter on the radio show.

1. The first rule is actually a reality check-..If you can't find what you need within 5 minutes, no matter what you think, yes, your house is cluttered.
2. Get everyone in your family on the declutter, organization bandwagon. Have everybody in the house pick 5 personal items that can be thrown away or given to charity.
3. If the countertop or table surface isn't visible, take action ASAP.
4. Establish a specific place for the things you use every day   especially in the entryway or kitchen--hooks for keys, a basket for the mail, hooks for coats, a basket for shoes left by the door.
5. Always give the living room a quick pickup before bedtime. Be relentless in tossing out papers, newspapers, magazines, and junk mail.

The sixth rule for reducing clutter:

6. Every time you bring something new into the house, try to make sure something old goes out.
7. And the final rule: If you aren't using it--or haven't used it in a year, get rid of it.

Then enjoy what you've done, and make a weekly commitment to yourself to keep it that way.  Let's try out a new mantra to help us keep focused on the prize of organization:  a place for everything, and everything in its place.  Repeat.

Finding yourself with a 3-day weekend?  Maybe in between picnics and parades, you can carve out a little time to get yourself started.  You'll sleep better, you'll work better, and I can guarantee you'll feel much better without monthly late fees for any bills you couldn't find!

Have a wonderful Memorial Holiday weekend as we remember, with love and gratitude, those who have served for us.

John

Email John:  johnsblog@teshmedia.com

Check out the new John Tesh Social Network. You can connect with new friends, post your own blog, visit various forums, upload your favorite John Tesh music and share your photos.  To learn more about how to join, click here.