Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better: For us, that means better information, better support, and better choices. Life brings challenges. We bring empowerment, because we’ll never underestimate women.

Housing

Is an Assumable Loan Right for You?

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Looking for options to buy a house? Are you worried about being able to afford a new house and know someone with a VA or FHA loan that needs to get out of their house loan? Assuming a mortgage might be a good solution for you. What is an Assumable Mortgage? An Assumable Mortgage is a mortgage in which a person can assume another person’s FHA or VA mortgage, often with … [Read more...] about Is an Assumable Loan Right for You?

What are Tenant Unions and How Can They Help You

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Have you had trouble with a landlord? Has your landlord been unresponsive or evicted you improperly—even though you have followed your lease agreement? Did they raise your rent suddenly and drastically? You have a new tool in your tool kit to address these problems! Tenant unions are a relatively new phenomenon where tenants from a particular building, neighborhood, or … [Read more...] about What are Tenant Unions and How Can They Help You

Cool Ways to Keep Cool

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Managing the Cost of Air Conditioning During intense heat waves, and in some parts of the country, air conditioning is a necessity. It can also be expensive!  Know that for lower income households, you may qualify for a free air conditioner. Contact your local department of social services, United Way, or Community Action and ask about available energy assistance … [Read more...] about Cool Ways to Keep Cool

21 Ways to Keep Your Home Warm in Winter

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Winter is cold. That is one universal fact. Sometimes, it can be a struggle to keep the cold out and keep the warmth in. It’s hard to go about your day when your house is freezing. Here are 21 tips (most of which are cheap or free) to keep your home warm during the winter months. Reverse the fans. Your fans need to be going clockwise to push the warm air from the ceiling … [Read more...] about 21 Ways to Keep Your Home Warm in Winter

7 Steps to Keep Your Home Winterproof

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Every season has its own challenges that come with it. Winter is certainly no different. If you own or rent a house, there are some things that you need to keep in mind to make your winter easier and keep your house warm. Here are 7 steps to making and keeping your house ready for winter. Keep in mind your pipes and hoses. Water freezes, and it can do lots of damage. Never … [Read more...] about 7 Steps to Keep Your Home Winterproof

What to Do in a Power Outage

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One of the biggest annoyances even on a good day is a power outage. When there’s snow and ice outside, it can feel even worse. Here are some ideas to get through a power outage. Stock up in advance. Items to buy include: Flashlights and batteriesNon-perishable food items that do not require cooking, for example: peanut butter, canned meats, and canned fruits.If you have … [Read more...] about What to Do in a Power Outage

Prepping Your Nursery!

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As your little miracle continues to grow in your womb, naturally the time comes to start thinking about setting up her or his new room. Ideally it will be comfortable for you and your little one as well, as functional. According to pediatrician Scott W. Cohen, M.D., it is easy to overbuy items for babies. In his book, Eat, Sleep, Poop: A Common Sense Guide to Your Baby’s … [Read more...] about Prepping Your Nursery!

Home Fire Safety Tips

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One of the scariest things that could ever happen to your home is a house fire. It is likely that you were taught in school some basic fire safety tips, such as, “Stop, drop, and roll.” In the list below, we have more tips for fire safety. How to Prevent Fire in Your Home: Do not leave open flames, including candles and fireplaces, or heat sources, such as your stove, … [Read more...] about Home Fire Safety Tips

How to Find Legal Help for Evictions and Foreclosures

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Are you struggling to pay your rent or mortgage? Are you worried about losing your home? Here is some information about what could happen if you can’t pay all of your rent or mortgage. If you haven’t paid your rent, your landlord may try to evict you. An eviction is a lawsuit for a landlord to get a court order to make you (the tenant) move out of a rental unit, such as a … [Read more...] about How to Find Legal Help for Evictions and Foreclosures

6 Ways to Stay Safe While Celebrating the Holidays

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’Tis the season for celebrations! Bright lights, fun activities, and pretty decorations — no one wants this joyous time of year to be complicated by injuries and hospital visits. Here are our 6 top tips on how to keep safe this holiday season. Don’t overload light sockets. So many of the prettiest things this time of year require electricity to run. Get a power strip with a … [Read more...] about 6 Ways to Stay Safe While Celebrating the Holidays

Practical Tips When Caring for Our Elders

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If you are a caretaker of an elderly person, help is here. Learn where help is available:The Administration on Aging offers many services such as fall prevention, aging and disability programs, brain, oral, and behavioral health programs, elder abuse prevention, legal assistance, and retirement planning, and has chapters in most of the U.S. Find AoA services in your area.The … [Read more...] about Practical Tips When Caring for Our Elders

Where to Find Help Paying for Housing

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Learning to navigate confusing systems while also trying to cope with change can be hard, but asking for help is not only OK—it is a sign of strength. Our society often doesn’t make it easy and is quick to judge, but a lot of people need help and a lot of people want to help. You are not alone. Each new challenge you conquer will make you stronger and, in the long run, will … [Read more...] about Where to Find Help Paying for Housing

Tips for Furnishing Your Home

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Finding a home and making it your own can be one of the most rewarding—or stressful!—accomplishments. When you have young children, keep in mind that sturdier, more durable items will withstand some wear and tear. While there are many places to buy new furniture for your home or baby’s use, there are also some great places to take advantage of gently used … [Read more...] about Tips for Furnishing Your Home

Your Housing Rights: Leases, Landlords, and Children

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What are my rights? Housing discrimination does occur, which is why it is good to know your rights. Under the Fair Housing Act, there are things that are illegal for landlords and realtors to do. You cannot be discriminated against based on the following: Race or color National origin Religion Sex Familial status (families with children) … [Read more...] about Your Housing Rights: Leases, Landlords, and Children

Tips for Buying Your First Home

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Thinking about buying your first home? Here are some information and good sources to look to when preparing to purchase a home. Owning a home may or may not be the right choice for you, but if it is a goal, with careful planning, a lot of patience, and good advisers, it’s a very achievable dream! When Planning to Buy Your First Home: Figure out how much you can … [Read more...] about Tips for Buying Your First Home

7 Questions to Ask When Considering Where to Live

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Everyone needs a place to call home, and on a tight budget, housing costs can seem staggering. However, with some creativity and flexibility, you can find affordable housing and create a home of your very own. The first thing to consider when deciding where to live is the location. Ask yourself these questions: Do I feel safe in this home and this neighborhood? … [Read more...] about 7 Questions to Ask When Considering Where to Live