home and happenings february 2015

This special publication brought to you by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate

WINTER 2015

2 H&H Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com

www.STLHandHMag.com

[email protected]

WEBSITE & FEEDBACK

EDITOR IN CHIEFWade Brewer

DESIGNJosh West

FEATURES EDITORAndrew Brewer

Self published by Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate. All material herein is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.

This is a great time of year in our area. Love is in the air with Valentine’s Day just around the corner and in this issue we feature some delicious Valentine sweets, and two great articles on the holiday.

On the business side of things, interest rates are still at historic lows and our article “The Lowdown on Loans” offers some excellent information on the process of obtaining a loan.

It wouldn’t be an issue of St. Louis Home and Happenings without some fan-tastic recipes. This month, in addition to the Valentine Sweets, we offer fabu-lous recipes for utilizing popcorn for your winter entertaining as well as an interesting idea for making your own marshmallows.

If you’re looking for some fun activities around town, don’t forget that Mardi Gras is happening right now as well as many other wonderful events that are listed in the Happenings section.

Enjoy the issue, and we look forward to preparing our next issue for you with some fun Spring ideas.

A note from the editor...

Wade BrewerEditor-in-chief

H& Magazine | www.STLHandHMag.com 3

10Top Ways to Celebrate Valentines Day

CONTENTS4

6

8

12

14

16

18

Make Your Winter Party POP

Show Off Your Sweet Side

What’s Your Valentine Personality?

Driving in the Dark

Decoding Your Taxes, Health Care Law

The Lowdown on Loans

Happenings


As your winter schedule is sure to be packed with gatherings that bring family and friends closer, have plenty of treats that are gentle on the waist and wallet. Sweet, spicy, salty or with an Asian twist — any way you pop it — popcorn is a satisfying snack suitable for every chilly weather occasion.Whether you’re hosting a game-day party or simply enjoying a family movie night, popcorn’s wholesome taste can take on a variety of flavors to please every guest. Plus, popcorn snacks are healthy and whole grain, which means they’re a more nutritious alternative to traditional party nibbles and noshes.Cuddle up to these recipes and more by visiting www.popcorn.org.

Sweet and Salty Popcorn Party MixYield: 14 cups 10 cups popped popcorn 2 cups miniature pretzel twists (or another small pretzel shape) 1 cup pecans 1 cup peanuts 2 cups rice, wheat or corn

cereal squares 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup corn syrup 1/2 teaspoon baking sodaPreheat oven to 300°F. Place popcorn, pretzels, pecans, peanuts and cereal in very large bowl; set aside.Heat butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in medium saucepan. Stir mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil. Boil 3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (mixture will foam).Pour syrup over popcorn mixture in bowl and stir until evenly coated. Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan. Bake 30 minutes, stirring twice during baking time. Stir mixture a few times as it cools on baking sheet. Store in airtight container.

Asian Popcorn MedleyYield: 8 cups 6 cups popped popcorn 2 cups Oriental rice cracker mix 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1/2–1 teaspoon ground ginger (may vary to taste) 1/4–1/2 teaspoon sesame oil (may vary to taste) Preheat oven to 300°F. Mix popcorn and rice cracker mix


Coconut-Ginger Popcorn TrufflesYield: 3 dozen truffles 5 cups air-popped popcorn 2 cups miniature marshmallows 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter 1/2 cup shredded coconut 3 tablespoons candied ginger, minced Cooking spray 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate 1 teaspoon coconut oil or butterPlace popcorn in large bowl.Place marshmallows and 1 tablespoon coconut oil or butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until melted; remove from heat.Stir in shredded coconut and candied ginger. Mix well.Spray hands with cooking spray, then scoop up 1 tablespoon of popcorn mixture.Roll mixture with hands to form ball. Place ball on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Repeat to make 36 balls.Place chocolate in small, microwave safe bowl. Heat in microwave on high for one minute, until melted. If not completely melted, microwave for another 15 seconds and stir again.Stir 1 teaspoon coconut oil into melted chocolate.Place chocolate in zipper-style plastic bag and seal. Snip off tiny corner of bag.Pipe chocolate on popcorn balls in decorative pattern.Garnish with extra shredded coconut and extra minced candied ginger, if desired.Place truffles in cool place until chocolate is set.

together in large bowl.In small microwave-safe bowl, microwave butter on high until melted, about 20 seconds. Stir in soy sauce, ginger and oil. Drizzle over popcorn mixture; toss.Spread mixture on baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring once. Allow to cool, serve or store in airtight container.

Cinnamon Chocolate PopcornYield: 3 quarts 3 quarts popped popcorn Butter-flavoredcookingspray 9 tablespoons powdered cocoa mix (cocoa sweetened with sugar or sugar substitute) 3 teaspoons cinnamonPut popcorn in large bowl and lightly spray with cooking spray.Sprinkle cocoa mix and cinnamon on popcorn. Toss to coat evenly.Spray and toss again until mixture is well coated.Serve immediately.

Blazing Buffalo Ranch PopcornYield: 6 quarts, plus leftover seasoning mix 1 tablespoon ranch dressing or dip mix (from 1-ounce package) 1 tablespoon seafood spice mix (or celery salt) 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon powdered sugar (or sugar) 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon vegetable oil 6 quarts popped popcorn Cooking spray, optionalIn small bowl, blend ranch dressing mix, spice mix, garlic powder, powdered sugar and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with vegetable oil and blend until well incorporated. Place popcorn in serving bowl and spray lightly with cooking spray. Sprinkle seasoning mix over popcorn to taste and toss. Store leftover seasoning mix in airtight container for future use.


Show Off Your Sweet Side This Valentine’s Day

Treat family, friends and co-workers to something they will all love this Valentine’s Day by making easy and impressive cookies. Start with your favorite roll-out cookie recipe or simply dress up store-bought ones by adding some simple details with icing.

From the cupids at Wilton, here are three ways to leave them smitten with sweets this Valentine’s Day:

* Desserts with dimension. Triple your treats by stacking three decorated cookies in different sizes together and attach them with icing. * Complement with color. A simple piping technique looks stunning when piped in different colors on your cookies. * Get to gifting. Wrap your finished treats in a Valentine’s Day treat bag or box.

For more fun and delicious Valentine’s Day recipes, baking tips and inspiration, visit www.wilton.com.

Stackable Ombre Heart CookiesEach stacked cookie serves 1

Favorite roll-out cookie recipeRoyal icing (recipe on wilton.com)Rose Icing ColorHeart Micro Mini Icing Decorations

Prepare and roll out cookie dough following recipe direc-tions. Use 3 smallest cutters from 4-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shapes. Bake and cool cookies.

Divide royal icing into three equal portions, and tint 3 shades of rose. Thin a portion of each shade following recipe directions. Use tip 3 and full-strength tinted icing to outline cookies. Use thinned tinted icing in cut decorating bag to fill in cookies; gently tap to smooth icing. Let dry overnight.

Use icing to attach cookies, stacking largest to smallest; place icing decoration on top.

Scalloped Heart CookiesEach cookie serves 1

Favorite roll-out cookie recipeReady-To-Use White Creamy Decorator Icing Icing Colors: Burgundy, Red-Red and Christmas Red

Prepare and roll out dough following recipe directions. Use largest cutter from the 4-piece heart nesting cookie cutter set to cut out shape. Bake and cool cookies.

Divide icing into four equal portions. Tint one of each portion light burgundy, dark burgundy and combination of red-red/Christmas red. Reserve last portion white.

Starting from top edge of heart, use tip 102 and icing in dark burgundy, light burgundy, red and white to pipe V-shaped groups of two petals, one piped from left and one from right, to create row of petals in alternating col-ors. Repeat with second row between petals in first row. Continue to repeat pattern until cookies are covered.


Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or you don’t believe in Cupid at all, everyone cel-ebrates Valentine’s Day in their own special way. From a fancy date or a girls’ night in, to a festive class party with the kids, there are activities, and treats, to suit every type of Valentine’s personality out there. Which one are you?

The hopeless romantic

Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Do you look for-ward to Valentine’s Day every year as a time to celebrate the people you love? Then you are a hopeless romantic and you embrace everything that Valen-tine’s Day stands for. For you, the day should be filled with thoughtful gestures that come from the heart.

Start by sending messages to the special people in your life. For a significant other, you might text famous romantic quotes throughout the day to show your love. Then, skip the expensive flowers and get crafty by making Sweetheart Roses with HERSHEY’S KISS-ES chocolates, which come in special pink and red foils for the holiday. Simply wrap two kisses chocolates in cellophane or plastic wrap to create a rosebud shape and then attach your creation to florist wire and wrap it in green florist tape.Add a little note saying how much you care for a finishing touch. This gift is a sweet treat and you won’t have to worry about it wilting.

Does your sweetheart have a sweet tooth? New HERSHEY’S

KISSES Chocolate Truffle treats are the perfect gift for chocolate lovers.

The last-minute cupid

If you are the person who waits until the commute home to swing by the store for your sweetie’s gift, you are a last-minute cupid. You like Val-entine’s Day, but you are not known to plan ahead. Fortu-nately, there’s no need to worry with a few quick and impressive ideas for special gifts.

To start, a handwritten card is always appreciated. Simply say what’s in your heart - you don’t have to be Shakespeare. When the words are your own, your loved one will know you genuinely care. Next, attach a gift that signifies all the sweet

What’s Your

Valentine Day Personality?


things in life - like the HERSHEY’S KISSES Heart Shaped Tin, packed with KISSES Milk Chocolates, which is guaranteed to make her swoon. For more quick and fun Valentine Day’s ideas, visit www.CelebrateWithHersheys.com.

The class parent

In classrooms across the country, Valentine’s Day is a special time to celebrate friendship at school. If you’re the class mom or dad, you know the class will be counting on you to help the kids get ready for this special day and prepare all the cards and goodies.

Help students celebrate their friends by having them make their own cards. Use construction paper, ribbon, glitter and stickers to help your kids make customized cards for classmates. Then, add a sweet treat like JOLLY RANCHER Dippers that are sure to be a classroom favorite.

Parents can also start a new family tradition at home and show their kids how much they care by giving them Valentine’s Day baskets. Fill the basket with impressive treats such as a REESE’S Peanut Butter 5 oz. Heart and a HERSHEY’S KISSES Milk Chocolate Rose Cane.

The playful platonic

If you think that Valentine’s Day is more fun spent with friends, then you have a playful platonic personality. You don’t need all the mushy over-the-top romanti-cism - you know the true loves of your life are your friends and you want to use this day to celebrate everything they mean to you.

For example, you might meet with your favorite buds for happy hour or spend the evening at home swap-ping manis and pedis with your best girlfriends. This is the perfect time to flip through some pictures and take a trip down memory lane. Make your home a festive oasis by filling a candy dish throughout the night with HERSHEY’S HUGS Candies in red, pink and silver foils.

No matter your Valentine’s Day personality, there are simple ways to make the day extra special. From yummy treats to sweet gestures, you’ll show the loved ones in your life you care - today and every day of the year.


Top Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s DayFor any Relationship Stage

Whether you’re smitten after dating for only a month or your relationship has a soothing rhythm after many years of marriage, your affections deserve to be celebrated this Valentine’s Day. Finding the perfect way to say you care, however, is often easier said than done. Stop stressing and consider these top trends and unique gift ideas, all custom-fitted to the length of your relationship.

The smitten kitten

You’re infatuated with your new relationship and every time you go on a date, you get butterflies in your stomach. You just started dating a few weeks or months ago, but you want to make sure the day is extra special.

Classic Valentine’s Day gestures are time-tested ways to show you care. Start by sending gor-geous blooms to her - such as the Hugs and Kisses bouquet from ProFlowers that contains one dozen

tulips and one dozen irises. For him, go for some-thing more masculine he can put on his desk, like the Chinese Elm Bonsai from ProPlants.

Complete the gesture by wrapping up a classic rom-com movie and plan an evening in to view it together. Give the gift along with a hand-written card when you see your new love in person - it’s sure to leave a lasting impression.

Over-the-moon in love

Lazy afternoons together, inside jokes and nick-names - you’re head over heels in love. This might be the person who you want to spend the rest of your life with, so you want to do something unique on Valentine’s Day.

Show your love how sweet you think he or she is with some decadent treats and a fun scavenger hunt. Plan it out at your house or another special


location, writing hints for each step along the way on heart-shaped paper. This is a fun activity for both men and women.

You can opt to have one big sweet gift at the end or hide small treats along the way with each clue. The top trends for decadent Valentine’s Day sweets can be found at Shari’s Berries. From Handmade Valentine’s Love Bug Brownie Pops to unforgettable gourmet dipped strawberries, Shari’s Berries will have your love smiling and swooning over the delicious treats.

Honeymooners

You’re recently married and still in the honeymoon phase. Planning your life together is an exciting journey and your one-of-a-kind love should be honored on Valentine’s Day.

When shopping, look for gifts that can be used long after the day is complete. Check out Personal Creations for personalized items you won’t find anywhere else. Show your cheeky side with a fun canvas print perfect for the kitchen that says “You are the eggs to my bacon” with both your names in beautiful script. For him, a customized leather watch box with his initials is a sophisticated gift - pair it with his favorite cologne or candy and he’ll grin from ear to ear.

Personalized gifts will serve as a reminder of your love every day of the year!

The endless flame

You’ve been with your partner for many years, but just because you’ve hit your stride doesn’t mean you’re any less infatuated with him or her than when you first fell in love. Keep your flame burn-ing bright by planning an extra-special night at home for just the two of you.

Get some snacks that pair well with your favorite bottle of wine and prepare for an intimate eve-ning. Instead of running from store to store, order the Best With Wine gift basket from Cherry Moon Farms. It features carefully curated items infused with or that complement wine, like fresh Gold and Crimson pears, award-winning cheese and decadent chocolate.

Then, spend a few hours doing something that reminds you of why you are together. You might watch your wedding video or maybe the first mov-ie you ever saw together when you were dating. Go through old photos and have fun reminiscing. These reminders of special moments demonstrate why your love is endless and are sure to make for a very special Valentine’s Day.


DRIVING IN THE

TIPS AND TRICK FOR NAVIGATING AT NIGHT

Although a lack of confidence while driving at night is most commonly associated with older drivers, new survey results reveal that drivers as young as 40 feel uncom-fortable driving in dark, nighttime conditions. This time of year, when darkness falls earlier, means more low-light driving time for drivers of all ages, so it’s important to understand the factors that con-tribute to this discomfort, including one surprising culprit — your nutritional intake.Night driving is characterized by low-light con ditions and glare from oncoming headlights that impact a driver’s vision and can have serious safety implications. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that vision provides as much as 85 percent of the information drivers need to make safe decisions behind the wheel. Results from a survey conducted by Toluna and EyePromise reinforce the importance of quality vision: with nearly one in four respondents reporting that if they could see

better they would feel safer driving at night.

A problem with real consequencesConcerns about safe driving at night and in low-light conditions are valid. According to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times greater driving at night versus day. However, for many people, driving at night is not a choice. In the survey, one in five respondents said that, despite feeling anxious, they continue to drive at night out of necessity.

Protect yourself behind the wheelThe first step toward night driving safety is being aware of the issues that may disrupt a driver’s confidence behind the wheel. The vision issues related to night driving can be organized into three categories: low-light conditions, which affect contrast and the ability to gauge distance; glare, which may

Take steps to improve your safetyThere are numerous ways you can proactively improve your safety while driving at night. The experts at EyePromise offer these suggestions:

Practice safe driving Make sure the windshield and

headlights are clean. Leave more distance between cars. Use “night” setting on your interior

rearview mirror.

Improve your eyes with nutrition Research proves nutritional supplements high in dietary zeaxanthin (10 mg or above) and lutein protect and promote eye health to directly address major night driving vision issues. These nutrients help by improving contrast, reducing glare and improving recovery time.

Schedule regular eye exams to monitor for vision issuesA professional will be able to identify any issues with the aid of routine examinations.


cause a period of blind driving; and reaction time, which is reduced when visibility is hampered. You can also enhance your safety behind the wheel by adopting smart driving behaviors such as driving slower at night and watching the white line on the road. The National Safety Council recommends drivers clean their headlights, tail lights, signal lights and windows (inside and out) at least once a week. Research reveals there is an additional solution proven to directly address the major night driving vision concerns: protecting your vision quality at its source. Scientific studies show that nutrition has a signi ficant impact on visual performance, specifically the nutrients zeaxanthin and lutein. Zeaxanthin and lutein are carotenoids that make up the macular pigment — the area of the eye responsible for pro tecting vision. Trace amounts can be found in foods like leafy greens, corn, eggs, and red, orange and yellow peppers, but because it is difficult to get enough in the average American diet, optometrists recommend a nutritional supplement. EyePromise vizual EDGE is a once-daily softgel that features high levels of dietary zeaxanthin and is guaranteed to improve vision quality within three months. “It has been scientifically proven that high levels of dietary zeaxanthin taken in supplement form improve night driving visual performance,” said Dr. Dennis Gierhart, a foremost researcher on dietary zeaxanthin and founder of ZeaVision, one of the leading companies in ocular nutrition.

Learn more about the impact vision has on night driving safety at www.eyepromise.com/nightdrivingvision.

Common night driving pitfallsLow light: Low-light conditions make it harder for the eyes to see contrast and thus identify objects and gauge their distance. It is much more difficult for a person to make out an object or person in the street or to accurately measure how fast they are moving or how far away they are at night versus during the day. Glare disability and recovery: Glare and blinding light from an oncoming car’s head lights not only disables vision in the moment, but there is a period of time before the eyes recover where people are left driving blind. In fact, glare is one of the most common night driving vision issues, with one out of four respondents reporting that they feel unsafe driving at night due to glare, according to a survey by Toluna and EyePromise. Reaction time: Reaction time is slower at night. The National Safety Council reports that 90 percent of a driver’s reaction depends on vision, which is limited at night, so a person’s ability to spot danger and react is compromised. When considering the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s assertion that a typical driver makes 20 decisions per mile and has less than half a second to act to avoid a colli sion, it’s clear that hampered night vision poses serious danger.


DECODING YOUR TAXES,HEALTH CARE LAW

Taxpayers get help with IRS Free FileYou don’t need to be an expert on taxes or the new health care law to get it right. The Internal Revenue Service, in partnership with industry-leading companies, is offering free tax software that will do the hard work for you. It’s called Free File, and it’s available only at IRS.gov/freefile. Learn more at freefile.irs.gov.If you earned $60,000 or less — and 70 percent of us do — you are eligible for Free File’s brand-name software. If you made more than $60,000, you still have a free option in Free File Fillable Forms. This is the electronic version of IRS paper forms. It’s pretty basic, so this program is best for people comfortable doing their own taxes.Free File’s software programs will help you find the tax benefits you are due, help pick the right tax forms, and do the math for you. This year, Free File also helps you complete information on your return that is related to the Affordable Care Act. When it comes to the health care law, almost everyone will need to do something new when filing a tax return this year. For each month in 2014, you and everyone on your return will need to do one of the following:

Report healthcare coverage Claim an exemption from coverage Make a shared responsibility payment with your tax return

Most people will simply have to check a box to indicate they maintained health care coverage for the entire year.Free File software will ask all the right questions; you supply the answers. More than 43 million people have used Free File since it started in 2003. They have saved $1.3 billion in tax preparation fees — simply by doing it themselves. Getting started is easy:Gather your tax-related documentsCollect the tax materials needed to do your taxes. Here’s what you’ll need:

A copy of last year’s tax return Valid Social Security numbers for yourself, spouse and children All income statements, i.e. W-2 forms, from all employers Interest and dividend statements, i.e. 1099 forms Form 1099-G showing any state refunds Unemployment compensation amount Form 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement, if you purchased coverage from a Health Insurance Marketplace Records of your own and your family members’ health care insurance coverage, including employer provided, government, Marketplace or private coverage


Choose a brand-name software productOnce you’ve gathered your materials, go to IRS.gov/freefile to review the 14 company offerings. Each company sets its own criteria, usually based on age, income or state residency. You can either use a “help me” tool that will match software with your situation or you can review each of the company offerings. Most companies also offer state returns, some for free.Again, if your income was higher and you are comfortable preparing your own taxes, Free File Fillable Forms may be right for you. Find tax creditsThen, let Free File do the hard work for you. Free File software can guide you through finding tax breaks, and help you receive a more accurate refund. Some people may not even be aware that they qualify for a tax credit. For example, the IRS estimates that one out of every five taxpayers eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable credit for taxpayers with moderate income, fail to claim it. If you or anyone on your return purchased health care coverage from the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may qualify for

the premium tax credit. If you chose to have advance payments of the premium tax credit sent to your insurance provider in 2014, you must file a tax return. You must reconcile, or com pare, the advance credit payments with the actual premium tax credit you are allowed to claim on your return. Learn more at IRS.gov/aca. Get your refund fasterOnce you’ve completed your return, you can also print a copy and e-file your federal taxes, absolutely free. With electronic filing, you will receive a confir-mation within minutes that the IRS has accepted your return. Or, if it’s not accepted, you can easily find out why. E-file helps make your tax return even more accurate, which means a quicker refund. To get your refund even faster, combine e-file with direct deposit. The Free File software — designed to provide a fast, safe and free filing option — is available online 24/7, giving you the freedom to choose when and how you do your taxes.

Health Care LawEveryone needs to understand how the health care law affects tax returns. You will need to complete one of the following steps, and using Free File, brand-name software makes it easier for you.

Reporting health care coverageIf you and everyone on your tax return had health care coverage for all of 2014, simply check the “full year coverage” box when completing your return in the Free File software. For most people, that’s it!

Claiming a Coverage ExemptionIf you did not have health care coverage for all or part of 2014, you may qualify for a coverage exemption. Free File will help you complete Form 8965 and file it with your tax return.

Making a shared responsibility payment If you or your dependents had neither health care coverage nor an exemp-tion, you may need to make a payment with your tax return. Free File will help you calculate your payment and report it on your tax return.

About the Premium Tax CreditIf you or anyone on your return purchased insurance coverage from the Marketplace, you may be eligible for the premium tax credit. If you chose to have advance payments of the premium tax credit sent to your insurer in 2014, you must reconcile or compare the advance credit payments with the actual premium tax credit you are allowed to claim on your return.


Is an Installment Loan Right for Me?When deciding whether to obtain an installment loan, consider the benefits and responsibilities. According to the American Financial Services Associa tion Education Foundation, an installment loan: Obligates future income. You’ll be required to set

aside a certain amount of future income for loan payments.

Requires discipline. Borrowing wisely means not borrowing more than you can handle. Don’t let the thrill of buying or having a sum of cash obligate you to more than you can afford.

Makes it possible to meet unexpected expenses. The ability to borrow and make affordable payments can be helpful if an emergency arises that requires extra money.

Allows you to obtain products and services now and pay for them later. A loan can provide an opportunity to purchase bigger-ticket items and use them right away.

Borrowing money can help you manage your way out of a tight spot, but doing so without knowing all the facts can make your finances even tighter in the long run.

“When faced with a financial emergency, most peopledon’t think through how borrowing money might affect them down the line,” said Susie Irvine, president and CEO, American Financial Services Association Education Foundation. “With so many options available, it’s relatively easy to get a loan, but the impact on your credit and what it actually costs you over time can vary a great deal.”

Two common forms of small-dollar borrowing are traditional installment loans (TIL) and payday loans. Understanding how each loan works can help you makethe right decision for your financial situation.

Traditional installment loans are used for various purposes, such as meeting family emergencies, purchasing home furnishings or consolidating other

debts. These loans are generally short-term. Most traditional installment loans range from $500 to $3,500, with the borrower paying equal installments at regular intervals over a determined number of weeks, months or years. A typical monthly payment is around $125. With regular, manageable payments of principal and interest, the borrower has a clear roadmap out of debt.


When you take out a loan, it’s important to understand the complete cost of repaying the amount you’ve borrowed. It’s a good idea to compare offers from multiple creditors, and understanding these terms will help you calculate the real cost of borrowing to get the best deal. Here is a list of common terms from the American Financial Services Association Education Foundation.

Amount Financed: The total dollar amount of the credit that is provided to you.

Annual Percentage Rate or “APR”: A measure of the cost of credit expressed as a yearly rate.

Credit Insurance: Optional insurance that is designed to repay the debt if the borrower dies or becomes disabled.

Finance Charge: The dollar amount you pay to use credit.

Fixed Rate Financing: The interest rate and the payment remains the same over the life of the loan. Equal monthly payments of principal and interest are made until the debt is paid in full.

Length of Payment: The total number of months you have to pay the credit obligation.

Late Payment Fee: A fee that is charged when payment is made after its due date.

Monthly Payment Amount: The dollar amount due each month to repay the credit agreement.

Terms To Know

Payday loans are repaid in a single balloon payment at the end of the loan period. This payment is usually due in less than 30 days, most commonly 14 days. Payday lenders do not assess ability to repay, relying instead on a postdated check or on similar access to a borrower’s bank account as their assurance that the loan will be repaid. Although

payday loans may appear to provide a quick and easy solution, a traditional installment loan is a more financially sound choice for most people.

For more resources to help you better manage your money, visit

www.afsaef.org

Keys to Credit SuccessThe American Financial Services Associa tion Education Foundation offers this advice to help ensure that your interests are pro tected when you borrow money:Budget your money. Provide your monthly spending plan when you meet with creditors. It will help them make a responsible decision about the amount of credit you can afford.Shop, shop, shop. Compare the costs of credit from different creditors. Shop for credit like you would shop for anything else.Beware of “now or never” offers. If it’s a good deal, it will probably still be there after you’ve had time to think about it. Don’t be pressured into making a quick decision.Ask questions. Don’t sign on the line until all your questions have been answered.Read the contract. Don’t sign a contract that you don’t understand or has any blanks. A signed contract with blanks can be com pleted as anyone wishes and it will be legally binding.Keep your contract in a safe place. It’s important to keep all paperwork relating to your credit obligations. If questions come up later, you’ll have your agreement in writing.Make your payments on time and in full. This is one of the best ways to build a good credit history. Repeated late payments will trigger late payment fees, and hurt your credit report, which will make it difficult to obtain future credit.Additional products are not required to get a consumer loan. Optional products that may be offered for purchase with your loan include motor club membership, term insurance or warranties.


HAPPENINGSSAINT LOUIS

WINTER 2015

Maple Sugar FestivalFebruary 7Rockwoods Reservation - Wildwoodmdc.mo.gov/regions/st-louis/rockwoods-reservationIt’s Maple Sugar time! Experience conservation suc-cess and forest resources at their finest – and sweet-est! Visit the Sugar Bush to see trees tapped and col-lect the precious sap. Boil the sap down like Colonial Americans at the Three Kettle Station and using a more modern method at the Sugar Shack. Taste deli-cious syrup, sugar on snow taffy, and pure maple sug-ar. More importantly, learn to do all of this right in your own backyard! It’s a day your whole family will enjoy. No reservations necessary. Free parking and admis-sion.

Masters of the SkyFebruary 14-15National Great Rivers Museum - Altonwww.meetingoftherivers.orgWitness the “Masters of the Sky” birds of prey dem-onstration. Come see eagles, falcons, owls and other birds of prey at this educational and informational program. Show times at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Also, there will be a free eagle display at noon and 2 p.m. for 30 minutes in the gallery on Feb. 14 - 15.

28th Annual St. Louis Working Women’s Survival ShowFebruary 20-22St. Charles Convention Centerwww.wwssonline.comThe Working Women’s Survival Show, now in its 28th year, has food, fitness, fashion and fun. The Show fea-tures the latest and greatest in product and services from over 370 exhibitors all over the country. Over time the show has evolved into the Ultimate Girl’s Day Out. The experience is like no other; hundreds of products to purchase, complimentary manicures, makeovers, and waxes, haircuts , fitness demonstrations, fashion shows, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations, wine garden and a 5k Saturday morning of the show.

Great Train ShowFebruary 7-8St. Charles Convention Centerwww.greattrainexpo.com

The show offers a variety of operating model railroad and toy layouts for the entire family to enjoy in many different scales and gauges. Check them out and get some great ideas for your own layout! If you’re interested in joining a local model railroading club, the Great Train Show is a great place to visit some of the different clubs in your area and learn more about them. If you’re looking to sell an old toy train, you can get appraisals and offers from multiple dealers under the same roof, plus there will be dealers selling trains and train related merchandise.

St. Louis Golf ExpoFebruary 13-15St. Charles Convention Centerwww.stlouisgolfexpo.com

Start the season off right with free rounds of golf, huge savings on the hottest clubs, gear, and accesso-ries from top manufacturers, show-only specials from over 50 exhibitors, fun skills contests and more. It’s the can’t miss event of the season for all golfers!


Hermann Chocolate Wine TrailFebruary 21-22Hermann Wine Trail - Hermann, MOhermannwinetrail.comThe Chocolate Wine Trail has become a romantic Val-entine’s tradition for many couples, who spend the third weekend of February sampling luscious choco-late and wine pairings at seven stops along the Her-mann Wine Trail. A word to the wise—tickets sell out early.

Disney on Ice Presents FrozenFebruary 26-March 1Scottrade Centerscottradecenter.comThe Academy Award® winning tale will be told live for the first time in this production, capturing the dynamic of two royal sisters, Anna and Elsa. Anna, a girl with ex-traordinary heart, embarks on an epic journey to find her sister, the magical Elsa, who is determined to re-main secluded as she finally feels free to test the limits of her powers. Rugged mountain man Kristoff, his loy-al reindeer Sven, the lovable and hilarious snowman Olaf and the mystical trolls help Anna along the way in this story about love conquering fear. Audiences will get to sing along with such musical masterpieces as “Let it Go,” “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” and “Fixer Upper.”

Orchid ShowThrough March 22Missouri Botanical Gardenwww.missouribotanicalgarden.orgThe annual Orchid Show offers visitors a once-a-year opportunity to see a rotating display of hundreds of orchids from the Garden’s expansive permanent liv-ing collection amid a tropical oasis inside the Orth-wein Floral Display Hall. Journey into a world filled with beautiful flowers and their amazing pollinators. Stroll through the display to uncover a Victorian gaze-bo, pollinators of all shapes and sizes, and, of course, hundreds of orchids.

St. Patrick’s Day ParadesMarch 14 & 17Cottleville, Downtown and DogtownEnjoy being Irish for the day at St. Patrick’s Day Parades throughout the Metropolitan area. The Down-town parade is held on Saturday and begins at 12pm. For more information, visit www.irishparade.org. The Cottleville parade begins at 12pm on Saturday. For more information on the Cottleville parade, visit www.stpatparade.org. The Dogtown neighborhood holds their annual parade on St. Patrick’s Day(Tues). For more information on the Dogtown Parade, visit stlhibernians.com.

Mardi Gras STL (Dates Vary)Through February 17Historic Soulard Neighborhoodwww.stlmardigras.orgThe Gateway City celebrates its French heritage with fun filled activities throughout the historic Soulard neighborhood. Events include a Wine, Beer & Whis-key Taste (30), Cajun Cook-Off (31), Taste of Soulard (7-8), Beggin’ Pet Parade and PetSmart Wiener Dog Derby (8), Bud Light Grand Parade (14), and the Fat Tuesday Parade (17).

Susan Brewer314.540.0734

[email protected]

Diane Huesgen636.936.8600

[email protected]

Wade Brewer636.936.8600

[email protected]

Lori Pisani636.578.7781

[email protected]

Stacy Iffrig636.734.1364

[email protected]

Ashley Bahr636.373.0194

[email protected]

Tammie Meyer636.578.4399

[email protected]

Andrew Brewer636.288.4604

[email protected]

Lisa Samuels636.484.0633

[email protected]

Andi Stopke636.284.1019

[email protected]

Wendy Halamicek636.634.1152

[email protected]

Mike Lampe636.751.4442

[email protected]

Julie Alsup314.378.5146

[email protected]

Tom Budde636.734.4414

[email protected]

Steve Savory314.604.3999

[email protected]

Brittany Hale636.399.6419

[email protected]

Russ Schmidt636.634.6558

[email protected]

Fred Figura314.277.1925

[email protected]

Our team of Independent Realtors is ready to help you achieve your Real Estate dreams!

At Susan Brewer Service First Real Estate, our goal is to help you realize your real estate goals while giving you the highest level of service possible. Our office utilizes the very latest in technology and by using our proven marketing strategies and unique concepts, we

can sell our listings for higher dol-lar and in a shorter amount of time than our competitors - no matter what their size. Give us a call today

and let us show you the

Service First Difference!

MEET OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED AGENTS

home and happenings february 2015

Documents

popcorn mixture

popcorn snacks

place popcorn

issue of

cup corn syrup

baking soda mixture

cup butter

cup pecans