Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2018-04-09T10:09:00

(BPT) – Whether you’re a millennial looking to buy your first home or a boomer thinking about downsizing your empty nest, you’re probably aware that it’s a seller’s market out there.

Homes are selling at lightning speed, bidding wars are commonplace, buyers often have little to no room for negotiation and the price of those homes keeps rising.

But don’t worry! Just because it’s a seller’s market doesn’t mean you can’t get a good deal on the home of your dreams. Here are some insider tips and tactics from the pros at RE/MAX, LLC to help you get your slice of the American dream at a price you can afford.

Work with a full-time, experienced agent. This is critical, vital and non-negotiable. Things move so fast and offers are made within minutes of seeing a home. If you don’t have a real estate agent, you can easily be overwhelmed by this thrill ride. Your agent can help you with negotiation, serve as your champion, and can guide you through this process as a pro.

Get pre-approved with a lender. When you’re pre-approved, you’ve done all the paperwork upfront. The bank has decided what you can afford to spend. This tells the seller you mean business and are ready to roll.

Use technology. If you aren’t using technology, you are missing out. Hop on remax.com and view homes within your price range or in your desired school zone or neighborhood. You can also get a sense of what’s selling at your budget, and even calculate your estimated mortgage payment.

Don’t wait to request a showing. If you’re checking out houses online, ask your agent to request a showing as soon as you see one you like. Don’t wait until the weekend. You know what they say about he who hesitates …

Don’t wait to make an offer. If you like it, jump on it. Make your offer clean (no contingencies such as the sale of another property), if possible, and consider offering favorable concessions to the seller such as a flexible closing date.

Think outside the box. You might have come into your home search wanting to live in a specific neighborhood. What if you expanded your horizons a bit? Cast your net wider into areas you hadn’t considered. A lovely gem might be waiting out there for you.

Don’t make a major purchase between offer and closing. If you do, it could upset your debt-to-income ratio. Your lender could run the numbers again, and you’d be sunk. Hold off buying furniture or ordering new appliances until after closing documents have been signed and the place is yours.

Following the advice of your agent is always critical, but it’s even more important in a seller’s market. He or she will guide you through the process, and you’ll be unpacking boxes in your dream home in no time!

2018-04-05T10:53:00

(BPT) – Spring is in full bloom, but are your plants keeping pace? If the answer is anything but a resounding yes, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of time to get into the spirit of the season and grow your most beautiful bed of flowers.

“There’s nothing like the start of the season,” says Emily Murphy of Pass the Pistil blog. “I love planning my space, buying seeds and starts, and making sure I have the right tools to make the gardening season a success. Before I start any project, I do a quick inventory to be sure I have everything I need, like my circular sprinkler. It makes customizing water coverage easy, with shape control collars that move to mirror the area you want to water, which is a real lifesaver throughout the season.”

A lush bed of flowers or a row of beautiful plants is an instant focal point in any outdoor space. To help create a flourishing bed that everyone will notice, follow these easy tips.

* Plant based on your zone. Not all flowers succeed in the same weather conditions, which makes planting based on what grows best in your geographical area crucial. Use this planting map as a great tool to learn more about what to plant based on your zone. For example, geraniums thrive best in zones that have mild winters and hot summers, like Zone 10. If you live in Zone 1, look for a drought-tolerant and tremendously cold hardy plant, like sunflowers.

* Preparing the soil. Each plant has different soil requirements. If you’re looking to complement your garden with vegetables like artichokes, you should be sure the soil crumbles and doesn’t clump together when squeezed in your hand. If you wish to plant chrysanthemums, well-draining soil with consistent moisture is essential. In both cases, regular watering helps bring your soil to the right consistency. The Gilmour Thumb Control Watering Nozzle with Swivel Connect offers eight spray patterns that let you water individual plants — or their bases — perfectly with a swivel connection to reduce hose twisting and kinking.

* Plant properly. Similar to zone and soil, the depth and spacing of the holes you dig also vary per plant. Hydrangeas, for example, should be planted in a hole that is two feet wider than their root ball and shallow enough so that it sits slightly above the ground. This way, once filled in, water will drain away from the plant. On the opposite end of the spectrum, lettuce seeds can be planted in a much smaller space, roughly one quarter to one half inch deep in the soil. Thin leaf lettuce seeds can be planted four inches apart, while romaine lettuce seeds should be planted six to eight inches apart. Following the guidelines for each type of plant is the best way for them to get a healthy start to the season.

* Apply the right amount of water. Water is essential for growth of both plants and herbs, but the proper quantity varies drastically depending on what you’re growing. For tender herbs like basil, dill and cilantro, use plenty of water, about 1-2 inches per week. For hardy herbs like rosemary, thyme and mint, be sure to let the soil dry out between watering. To navigate around plants smoothly, use a Flexogen Hose. It’s durable and kink-resistant, so you can weave throughout the garden with ease.

Get started in your garden today

Successfully growing spring plants requires a strategy as diverse as the plants themselves, so it’s important to learn as much as you can about each plant before diving in. For more helpful gardening tips and information, visit Gilmour.com.

2018-04-05T08:01:00

(BPT) – Everybody loves brunch, but without the bubbly, it’s just breakfast. Add a festive cocktail to the mix, and suddenly you’ve got a celebration.

The next time you’re cooking up a weekend morning meal, be it a brunch-in-bed with that sweet someone or a noon-ish feast for friends, add authentic Italian flair to your crafty cocktails with Riondo Prosecco Spago Nero Frizzante, the number one Prosecco in Italy.

This vino frizzante, with scents of apples, pears and acacia berries, is as soft on your pocketbook as it is on your palate, making it easy to bubble up your brunch in style. Prosecco is definitely the bubbly on trend right now, gaining popularity as an approachable, affordable cousin of champagne. Here are five killer ways to use Riondo Prosecco to put the punch back in your brunch.

Italian Mimosa

Orange juice and bubbly is a little passe. Mix it up with this delicious Italian twist on an old favorite.

2 Oz. Orange Vodka

4 Oz. Blood Orange Juice

6 Oz. Riondo Prosecco

Mix the first two ingredients and divide among two flutes. Top each with Prosecco and garnish with a blood orange.

(Serves two.)

Blush Crush

Welcome the rum renaissance with this perfectly refreshing cocktail.

2 Oz. White Rum

2 Oz. Fresh Lime Juice

2 Oz. Simple Syrup

6 Chunks Fresh Watermelon

10 Fresh Mint Leaves

Riondo Prosecco (enough to fill glass just below the rim)

In two tall glasses, muddle lime, simple syrup and watermelon. Add ice, rum and Prosecco. Stir. Garnish with mint.

(Serves two.)

Veranda Mojito Fizz

This Italian take on a Cuban classic is perfect for a patio brunch party.

2/3 Cup Blueberries

12 Mint Leaves

2 Tablespoons Sugar in The Raw

4 Oz. Light Rum

5 Tablespoons Lime Juice

2 Oz. Riondo Prosecco

Divide blueberries, mint, sugar and lime juice into two tall glasses. Muddle until blueberries are smashed. Fill the glasses with ice and add the rum. Stir slightly. Top with Prosecco and garnish with blueberries and a mint sprig.

(Serves two.)

Venetian Mule

This cocktail is a fresh spin on the famous Moscow Mule, which, legend has it, was created in New York in the 1940s.

1 Lime

4 Oz. Vodka

1 Oz. Ginger Liqueur

Prosecco (enough to fill glass just below the rim)

Ice

In two chilled copper mugs, squeeze the lime over ice. Add the vodka, the ginger liqueur and finish with Prosecco. Garnish with a slice of lime.

(Serves two.)

La Vita Margarita

Take the classic to the next level with refreshing Italian bubbles!

3 Oz. Tequila

2 Oz. Lime Juice

2 Tablespoons Agave Nectar

Salt (optional)

Prosecco (enough to fill glass just below the rim)

Shake the first three ingredients with ice. Strain into two glasses rimmed with salt if you desire. Top with Prosecco and garnish with a lime wedge.

(Serves two.)

Adding these festive Prosecco cocktails to your weekend menu will make yours the most sought-after brunch invitation in town. And if you’re not in the mood to host, consider the following hot spots across the U.S. best known for their brunch pours: https://vinepair.com/articles/10-best-brunch-programs-nationwide-2017/.

Saluti!

2018-04-03T12:01:00

(BPT) – With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 having been signed into law, here are some of the things you should be thinking about as tax season approaches, according to Robert Fishbein, vice president and corporate counsel, Prudential Financial Inc.

2017 tax returns

The new tax law is generally effective starting in 2018, which means that your 2017 income tax return is largely unaffected. However, there may be actions you can take now to benefit from the change. For example, assuming you are eligible, you could fund a traditional IRA before the due date of your tax return; the income exclusion may be more valuable under higher 2017 tax rates.

Lower tax rates and new withholding

The hallmark of the new tax law is lower marginal tax rates for individuals. The IRS has issued withholding tables employers started using in February to reflect these lower rates. While this could mean lower tax withholding and more take-home pay, you should evaluate your personal income tax position to determine if you will pay more or less under the new law and adjust your withholding accordingly.

If you make estimated tax payments, you should also estimate your tax liability under the new tax law and make necessary adjustments to your quarterly tax payments.

Assuming your withholding or estimated tax payments need no adjustment may create an unpleasant surprise if you are under-withheld and owe penalty tax and interest when you file your 2018 income tax return.

Higher standard deduction

The new higher standard deduction of $12,000 for individuals and $24,000 for married couples will greatly reduce the number of taxpayers that itemize deductions. If you did not itemize in 2016, and your tax position is similar now, you will probably not itemize in 2017. The increased standard deduction, combined with lower marginal rates, may mean your tax liability will go down.

If you itemized in 2016, compare your total itemized amount to the new standard deduction. If less, and assuming a similar tax position in 2017, you will likely no longer need to itemize.

For many, this provision will turn out to be the greatest simplification aspect of the new tax law, since they no longer must track itemized deductions or complete multiple associated forms.

No personal exemptions

Some taxpayers will need to look more closely to determine if they will pay less or even more. The new law eliminates personal exemptions and reduces deductible items, such as limiting the total deduction for state and local income taxes to $10,000, reducing the amount of deductible mortgage interest and eliminating the deduction for interest paid on a home equity line of credit. Therefore, if you itemized deductions in 2017 and your deductions were greater than the applicable standard deduction, you will have to consider what deductions are available in 2018 and estimate your tax liability.

In states with higher income taxes and property taxes, it is possible that the loss of itemized deductions will be greater than the benefit of lower rates and your tax liability could increase.

Increased child and dependent credits

The new law increases the child tax credit for children under 17 to $2,000. The income limits to phase out the credit are also significantly increased so more taxpayers will be eligible. In addition, there is a $500 credit for other qualifying dependents. Depending on your tax bracket, this could be better or worse than getting an exemption for each dependent.

Increased AMT exemption

Adding one more layer of complexity to your 2018 planning is the new tax law’s modification of the Alternative Minimum Tax or AMT. The AMT is a parallel tax system that requires you to calculate your income tax under the normal rules and then again under AMT rules, paying the higher of the two. The new tax law increases the AMT exemption, or the amount you can earn and not be subject to this alternative tax. If you have been subject to AMT in the past, you should review the new increased exemption and whether that will change.

The bottom line

The bottom line for most is whether they will pay more or less income tax in 2018 than in 2017. While it is likely many will pay less, you need to consider all the above before you know how you will be impacted by the new tax law.

Please consult your legal or tax advisor concerning your particular circumstances. The Prudential Insurance Company of America, Newark NJ and its affiliates.

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2018-04-03T10:15:00

(BPT) – Throughout the month of April — National Volunteer Month — L’Oréal Paris is calling on men and women throughout the country to nominate extraordinary women who find beauty and strength in giving back to their communities. Women like Shandra Woworuntu, a survivor of human trafficking, who founded the program Mentari to provide resources, advocacy, education and mentoring initiatives to help other survivors reintegrate into society.

For 13 years the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth program has championed passionate women like Shandra, who are as multifaceted as the communities they serve — providing them with the platform, resources, and support they need to make an even bigger impact with their voice and vision.

National Volunteer Month is about shining a light on the incredible people who devote their time and talents to changing the world and inspiring others to take action. And whether it’s spearheading anti-bullying projects, providing meals to neighbors who are food insecure, or showing women and children impacted by incarceration how to move on with their lives, L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Honorees bring to life the brand’s philosophy “because you’re worth it,” and prove that there is no limit to what women are able to achieve when they set out to make a difference.

“Women of Worth is the cornerstone of the L’Oréal Paris brand and embodies our mission to empower women across the country to celebrate their worth,” said Tim Coolican, L’Oréal Paris USA President. “Now, during National Volunteer Month, we’re asking for people to nominate fearless women who are championing life-changing work and making an impactful difference.”

“National Volunteer Month is a reminder that every individual has the power to ignite change and make the world a better place,” said Karen T. Fondu, President Emeritus and Chairwoman of L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth. “Through Women of Worth, we have the opportunity to honor the heroic women in our lives — our family, friends, and neighbors — whose courage and strength empower and inspire worth within others.”

L’Oréal Paris, in partnership with Points of Light, the world’s largest volunteer service organization, is calling for nominations through May 1, 2018. Anyone can nominate women who are philanthropists, volunteers and change-makers for a chance to become a Woman of Worth Honoree and receive up to $35,000 in donations for her cause at WomenofWorth.com.

In addition to receiving financial support for her organization, each Women of Worth Honoree will also have a platform to elevate her story and opportunities to build her network, foster connections and touch even more lives with her work.

The final 10 honorees will each be awarded a $10,000 donation for her cause. One honoree, chosen by popular vote, will be selected as the National Honoree and awarded an additional $25,000 donation for a total of $35,000 to support her organization. All 10 of the 2018 honorees will be recognized in December at an awards ceremony hosted by L’Oréal Paris in New York.

For more information about the Women of Worth program, to nominate a woman making a difference or to learn more about past Honorees, visit www.WomenofWorth.com.

2018-03-30T07:01:00

(BPT) – When it comes to business travel, more women are taking to the road and sky to get to their destinations. In fact, women account for 47 percent of all business travel worldwide, reports the Global Business Travel Association.

With female business travel on the rise, many brands are taking note of this growing consumer group. This year, Hertz is continuing its heritage of supporting the needs of female road warriors through award-winning customer service with its new “Her in Hertz” campaign.

Before your next trip, take note of these savvy travel tips and expert advice from frequent traveler Kristina Portillo, founder of BusinessTravelLife.com.

Plan ahead

“Productive business travel starts before I leave for the airport. I can save hours during my travel day by simply planning ahead and not wasting time. Many of my travel accessories never leave my luggage. I have two sets of chargers, headphones, toiletries, etc., so the ones in my bag stay in my bag. I also pack items I need during transit on top. I always travel with a few healthy snacks, so I don’t have to waste time finding snacks at airports.”

Choose reliable brands

“In addition to planning ahead, who you chose for your business travel is equally important. As a mom and frequent business traveler, I need brands that have earned my trust and provide dependable, consistent service. That is why I, and so many other women, choose Hertz, a six-time consecutive winner of the annual Women’s Choice Award.”

Carry-on only

“I save at least an hour by traveling with only a carry-on. If I were to check my bag, I would wait in line at the airport to check it (10 minutes), then wait for it to come to baggage claim (20 minutes) when I reach my destination, and then repeat when I fly home. Traveling with only a carry-on also significantly reduces my chances of luggage being lost.”

Join travel loyalty programs

“Travel loyalty programs reward travelers for their business. These programs come with perks that make travel more efficient and enjoyable. Travel programs also reward their members with upgrades and expedited services (aka less time spent waiting in line).”

Download and use travel apps

“Travel apps are a huge time saver. I use TripIt to organize my itinerary. I use OpenTable and TripAdvisor to find places to dine. And of course, I use airline, car rental and hotel apps during my trip. My airline app will allow me to check in online, serve as a mobile boarding pass and notify me of gate changes and delays. Many hotels now have apps that offer digital check-in and digital keys.

“The goal of a productive business trip is to complete my work before I get home. Therefore, I channel my inner Rihanna and ‘Work, work, work, work, work, work’ as much as possible during my trip. Once I get through security, I find a quiet place to work (preferably a lounge). If my flight has Wi-Fi, I work during my flight. Even without Wi-Fi, I clean out my inbox and reply to email (they will send once I connect to Wi-Fi). Once I get to my hotel, I do not turn on the TV unless I’m caught up on work. As we all know, watching TV is a major distraction and time suck. On the way home, I wrap up any reports and reply to necessary emails to close out my trip.”

2018-03-28T09:01:01

(BPT) – Everyone wants the inside scoop on how to get the best deal. Ironically, consumers will do a bunch of research over a $500 smart phone and relatively little for the largest purchase of their lives, their homes.

Most home buyers focus on price and payments, however, factoring in a home’s energy consumption costs could save tens of thousands of dollars over years of ownership. Comparing the performance and construction quality of one home to another is often not apples to apples. Newly built homes tend to be more energy efficient than older homes, but total performance is also influenced by the builder and design, said CR Herro, a building scientist and vice president of environmental affairs for Meritage Homes.

Home Energy Rating Score

When buying a new or resale home, buyers can use a shopping tool to help them understand the anticipated costs of a home’s energy bills. The Home Energy Rating Score, or HERS, is the industry standard for measuring a home’s energy efficiency. It was created by the not-for-profit Residential Energy Services Network (RESNet), an independent consortium of building scientists and construction experts.

Think of HERS like miles-per-gallon fuel economy for your car, except that a lower HERS is better:

* According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical resale home in the U.S. rates a HERS 130 and costs approximately $200,000 in utilities over a 30-year mortgage.

* Utilities for a home that scores 100 would cost 30 percent less, saving $60,000 in operating cost.

* Utilities for a home that scores 65 would cost approximately half, saving $100,000 in operating cost over 30 years.

Some builders, such as Meritage Homes, design homes to capitalize on energy efficiency and can achieve HERS scores lower than the 2016 U.S. average of 62 by including high-efficiency heating, cooling, windows, lighting and insulation in all their homes.

How to know the score

“Knowing the HERS score of your home can be the difference between a European vacation every few years or a kiddie pool in the driveway,” said Herro. “A lower HERS score could also raise the value of your home because the rating is being added to home appraisal standards.” Proposed federal legislation also could provide mortgage borrowing advantages for homes with low HERS, he added.

More than 2 million homes in the U.S. have been HERS rated for energy efficiency, generating energy savings of $268 million in 2016 alone, according to RESNet. More homes are being rated as home builders increase their participation in the HERS program and post the ratings for the homes they build. To find the HERS for a home, a list of participating home builders and tips for improving the energy efficiency of your home, go online to: http://www.hersindex.com/knowthescore/.