"BIG TEN" APACHE SHARING CORNER (FOR "ALL" CENTENNIAL HIGH ALUMNI)!!

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Comment by Phoebe Macon on December 8, 2010 at 1:13am

Thank You Tawnette and you're welcome. Happy Wednesday & Happy Week to you and to All Alumni Apaches!!
Love and Blessings, Phoebe Macon c/o '75

Comment by Tawnette Fulton- Gilbert on December 7, 2010 at 3:01pm

EVERYONE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!
GOD BLESS
TAWNETTE (72)

Comment by Tawnette Fulton- Gilbert on December 7, 2010 at 2:53pm

PHOEBE,
THANKS FOR ALL OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS SHOPPING DEALS!!!

Comment by Phoebe Macon on December 4, 2010 at 1:46am

The Best Christmas Shopping Deals by Forbes.com

Jeans, toys and PCs lead a slew of products retailers are slashing prices on.




The Best Christmas Shopping Deals

Yes, the economy is a bit better. Compared to a year ago, the market is up and employment is holding steady. So is this what the Christmas retailers have been waiting for?

No, not really. Employment rates aren’t dropping they way they were, but they’re not climbing either. Shoppers are still cautious. And so, say industry experts, 2010 is shaping up as another big discounting year at the major retail chains.

To get shoppers in and merchandise out, there’s no other way. Price cuts are already underway, a barely interrupted extension of back-to-school season. Among those items showing the biggest markdowns through the fall: denim clothing, toys and winter wear like sweaters and flannel shirts.

Most major retailers began heavy discounting in October. Specific sales often vary from week to week, so the latest deals may differ from what will be out there later in November and in December. But don’t expect the overall level of discounting to change much as Christmas draws closer--most of it on mass-market gifts like kitchenware, jeans and kids’ stuff.


Denim
Abercrombie & Fitch touted 40% off jeans in October; most are now $10 off, along with jeggings. A Gap special allowed customers to trade in their old denim and get 30% off 1969 jeans; Facebook fans could get an extra 10% reduction.


Winter Outerwear
Sweaters at Old Navy, some normally priced as high as $39.50, were going for $10, while $10 to $15 fleece vests were marked down to $5.


Flannels
During parts of October, they've been going for 40% off at Hollister, with various sales elsewhere.

Toys
The $69 Homestyle Kitchen at J.C. Penney is now $29. Amazon.com is showcasing a host of 20% to 70% off sales on items like Buzz Lightyear dance figures, Matchbox trucks and Star Wars indoor flying sets.


Flat-Screen TV Sets
A soft year for manufacturers, so look for sub-$500 prices for the 42-inch class. Best Buy is already offering the Samsung 42-inch set for $499, a $100 discount.


Computers
Industry followers say Walmart has lots of PCs to dump onto the market, which should trigger price reductions at most outlets. Walmart is currently selling the HP Black Pavilion desktop for $448, down 50 bucks.


Jewelry & Accessories
Go to musicboxattic.com and find several $200-plus music boxes and jewelry boxes for $129 to $139. Various fine jewelry at Macys.com is marked down by hundreds of dollars.


Baby Clothes
Tyke winter jackets at Macys.com are marked down to $48 from $80, while dresses and pants sets are 25% to 40% off.


Kitchen Gadgets
Check out J.C. Penney's "Red Zone Clearance," offering up to 80% off on items like copper cookware sets and press cook pans for burgers and pancakes.


Home Furnishings
Sears has several mattresses marked down by hundreds, and a $649.99 Country Living leather recliner going for $399.99. Bed-in-a-Bag sets (basically comforters with matching with pillows, sheets, etc.) are on sale all over the place, including Target and Linens 'n' Things.

Comment by Phoebe Macon on December 2, 2010 at 8:55pm

7 Ways To Save Money On Your Mortgage

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Your mortgage payment is most likely your largest monthly expense. But there are ways you can decrease your monthly payment and pay off your loan faster.

Let's walk through the tips using this mortgage example:

•$200,000 mortgage
•30-year fixed rate mortgage
•6% interest rate
•$1,199 monthly principal and interest payment
Savings will vary based on your actual loan facts and timing of the change
----------

1. Make an Extra Payment Each Year

If you have the means, the easiest way to save money on your mortgage is by making an extra mortgage payment each year. These extra payments are automatically applied on your principal, not interest. Not only does your remaining balance drop, but you will not have to pay interest each month on that principal for the remainder of the loan term.

Savings: $47,000. By making one extra payment of $1,199 each year and applying it to your principal, you could save over $47,000 in interest and cut 5 years off the life of the loan.



2. Create Bi-Weekly Payments

Another way to pay off your loan early is by creating a bi-weekly payment plan. Put half of your monthly mortgage payment in a savings account every other Friday (or, on your pay day). Each month, pay your mortgage from the account. At the end of the year, you will have made 26 half payments, which is 13 full payments. This will leave with you an extra payment that you can put toward your principal. Most people manage the separate accounts themselves, but there are companies that you can hire to act as an escrow service and manage the payments for you.

Savings: $47,000. Same as extra payment.



3. Cut your PMI

Many people are forced to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) because their down payment is less than 20 percent. If you are in this boat, you can petition your lender to cancel the insurance as soon as your mortgage balance falls below 80 percent of the home's appraised value. This can happen if your home's value has gone up or you have repaid some of the principal. This may require a new appraisal but could shave hundreds of dollars off your monthly payment.

Savings: $130 per month. If you only put down 5 percent and had a PMI rate of .78 percent, you could save $130 per month.



4. Fight Your Property Assessment

Property taxes can be thousands of dollars a year. If you think your home's value has decreased in the last year and it was not properly accounted for in your tax assessment, you can petition your assessor and fight your assessment. Lowering your tax assessment will lower your yearly taxes.

Savings: Varies. Depends on your local tax rate and home adjustment, but could be hundreds of dollars a year.



5. Recast Your Mortgage

Some lenders are willing to recast (reset) your monthly payment when you make large payments toward the principal of your mortgage. Usually, when you put money toward your balance, your monthly payment stays the same but the term of your loan shortens. When the loan is recast, your monthly principal and interest is recalculated so you end up with a lower monthly payment over the existing term of the loan.

Savings: $120 per month. Putting $20,000 into the loan would reset the payment to $1,079, saving you $120 per month.



6. Loan Modification

If you are late on your payments and are going through a financial hardship, you may be eligible to modify terms of your loan (such as rate, term, or principal balance) to make it more affordable. The goal of these programs is to allow borrowers to stay in their homes and continue making their monthly payments. Not everyone qualifies for these types of programs, but if you do, they can save you a lot of money. To find out if you qualify, contact the servicer of your mortgage or visit the Making Home Affordable eligibility site.

Savings: Varies. It can reduce your interest rate to as low as 2 percent, extend your term to 40 years, or reduce your principal.



7. Refinance Your Mortgage

The most common way to save money is by refinancing your mortgage to a lower interest rate. Reducing your rate can lower your monthly payment and help you save on interest payments. However, there are costs associated with refinancing so you want to be sure you are going to save enough to cover the refinancing fees. Zillow Mortgage Marketplace allows borrowers to shop for the lowest mortgage rates, without sharing any personal contact information with lenders. Borrowers can compare rates, loan programs, and lender ratings and reviews, and then calculate if refinancing makes sense before contacting a lender. With rates at historic lows, if you can refinance, and you haven't already, you should.

Savings: $126 per month. By lowering your interest rate to 5 percent, you would have a payment of $1,073 which would save you $126 per month. If the refinance costs $5,000, you would recoup the fees after 40 months.

Comment by Phoebe Macon on December 2, 2010 at 8:28pm

Michael Jordan's New Home Built in Jack Nicklaus's Development

This is the first look at Michael Jordan's swank digs in Jack Nicklaus' new "Bear's Club" development in Jupiter, Fla.

Analysis by Cary Lichtenstein of PGA National Real Estate indicates that Jordan paid $4.8 million for the land and $7.8 to build the mansion, and will likely have a total commitment of $20 million in the property when all is said and done. And while Woods' property comprises three lots with both ocean and Intracoastal Waterway access, Jordan's has neither, which could compromise its resale value. (See if you can bargain him down!)

The Jordan estate has 11 bedrooms, a two-story guard house and an athletic "wing" with a basketball court (of course). You'll note that the property isn't far from the golf course, but we're betting Jordan won't have to sneak onto the course at twilight to get in a few holes.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tiger Woods Newly Built $50 Million Bachelor Pad

Comment by Tamara Johnson on December 2, 2010 at 2:50pm

The White House photos are beautiful Phoebe.

Thank you for sharing them with us!

Love Tam

Comment by Phoebe Macon on December 2, 2010 at 1:11am

Photos of the 2010 Christmas Room Decorations at the White House

Comment by Tawnette Fulton- Gilbert on December 1, 2010 at 3:36pm

HAPPY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!
GOD BLESS
TAWNETTE (72)

Comment by Andrea Williams on November 12, 2010 at 2:07am

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!
Love Andrea

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