February 14, 2011
These days, perhaps more than ever, having patience is most definitely a virtue. And from where I’m standing, nowhere is patience needed more than when you apply for a mortgage loan. Whether you’re looking to purchase a home or refinance your home, being a borrower in today’s market may make even the most tolerant among us lose our cool.
But that doesn’t mean you should shy away from purchasing or refinancing. Interest rates are still historically low and home prices are more or less stable. Instead, what it means is that you should be prepared for your loan approval and funding to take at least a month and you should expect curveballs to be thrown your way during the process.
The first thing to prepare for is the fact that, online, you may see interest rates that are absolutely incredible. However, what the fine print may or may not explain is that those rates apply to 15 day lock-ins for borrowers with very high credit scores and a lot of equity. This sounds great at first glance, of course, except for the fact that it is next to impossible to fund a loan in 15 days especially given the changes in the lending industry.
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January 18, 2011
Operation Blankets of love is looking for volunteers who want to get involved and are passionate about helping needy animals. Operation Blankets of Love collects, transports and distributes recycled and new blankets, towels, pet beds and pet-related items to comfort animals in shelters, rescue groups, sanctuaries and foster grops. They are holding a volunteer training on Sunday, January 23rd in Chatsworth.
When: Sunday, January 23
Time: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Where: West Valley Animal Care Center
20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth
The training will cover the history of the organization and what you can do to help. To RSVP for the training please call Eileen at (818) 402-6586 and for more information please visit Blankets of Love.
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January 3, 2011
The new year has begun and the California Department of Motor Vehicles would like to inform and remind drivers that several new laws are now in full effect. The public must adhere to them throughout the year (and beyond), and law enforcement personnel will regulate these laws as necessary.
Details of these new laws are as follows:
Motorcycle Instruction Permit
Currently, more than 6,000 drivers 19 years of age and younger are licensed to ride a motorcycle in California. As of January 1, 2011, the new law requires any person younger than 21 years of age to complete an approved motorcycle safety course before being issued an instruction permit required to practice operating a motorcycle. The law also requires the permit to be held by an individual for six months before they will be issued a class M motorcycle driver license. Read the rest of this entry »
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December 15, 2010
The City of Los Angeles is holding a special pet adoption event for the holidays on Saturday, Dec. 18 at Animal Services centers around the City, offering discounted adoption fees.
The adoption event in the North Valley is at West Valley Animal Shelter in Chatsworth. During the holidays is a perfect time to make an adopted animal a part of your family.
Saturday, Dec. 18
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
West Valley Animal Shelter
20655 Plummer St., Chatsworth
For more information or to find a shelter location in your area call (877) 580-7387 or visit www.Foundanimals.org.
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December 3, 2010
The Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, has tips and information for consumers who use gift cards for holiday gift-giving. New federal rules that took effect in August are designed to protect consumers, and will restrict fees and affect gift card expiration dates. These new rules apply to two types of cards: Retail gift cards, which can only be redeemed at the retailers and restaurants that sell them; and bank gift cards, which carry the logo of a payment card network like American Express or Visa and can be used wherever the brand is accepted. Here are the highlights:
- Money on a gift card cannot expire for at least five years from the date the card was purchased, or from the last date any additional money was loaded onto the card. If the expiration date listed on the card is earlier than these dates, the money can be transferred to a replacement card at no cost.
- Inactivity fees can be charged only after a card hasn’t been used for at least one year, and then only once per month. But fees may be charged to buy the card or to replace a lost or stolen card.
- The card must clearly disclose its expiration date, and the card or packaging must clearly disclose any fees. There is one exception: Some cards produced before April 1, 2010, that list a short expiration time or inactivity fees in the first year may be sold through January 31, 2011. However, no matter what a card says, consumers still are protected by the new rules.
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November 22, 2010
Help the Granada Hills Women’s Club share the warmth this winter and donate your used winter coats for their Burlington Coat Factory Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive. Last year, the Burlington Coat Factory collected 1.700 coats donated in the Los Angeles area, 300 of which were collected by the Granada Hills Women’s Club.
To help you can drop off used warm coats and jackets, clean and in good condition, with no holes and working zippers, at the Council District 12 office Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The donated coats will be gathered by Burlington and given to local shelters to be distributed to people in need during the winter.
Granada Hills Women’s Club Coat Drive
November 5th through December 10th
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Council District 12 Office
18917 Nordhoff St., Suite 18, Northridge
Used coats can also be donated to any Burlington Coat Factory store in the Los Angeles area, including the one in West Hills, located at 22835 Victory Blvd., in the Fallbrook Mall. Anyone donating a coat will receive a 10% discount on store merchandise.
For more information, you can email the Granada Hills Women’s Club.
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November 16, 2010
Earlier this fall, the California Department of Motor Vehicles began issuing new versions of both the California driver license and state identification cards. This is a significant change, but it’s one that will further ensure that personal information of California motorists is more safe and secure. If you are a business owner, we hope the information below assists you and your employees in properly identifying patrons to your business.
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November 1, 2010
With our economy flailing, constant layoffs, and an uncertain political future, many people are thinking about starting their own business and becoming their own boss. Are you one of them?
There are so many pros and cons of owning your own business, like:
Pros:
- Nobody to answer to but yourself
- Set your own hours
- Do what YOU want to do, not what your boss wants you to
- Job security (nobody can fire you!)
- You’ll have the personal satisfaction of creating and running a successful business
Cons:
- Pay for your own insurance
- Fund your own retirement account
- No paid vacation or sick days
- Buy your own equipment (computer, printer, etc)
- Struggle to make enough money to enjoy your current lifestyle
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October 20, 2010
You’ve heard about the foreclosure freeze by big banks. You’ve probably also heard that their fees may be increasing, if they haven’t already. What’s next? Doing away with Free Checking.
Bank of America announced yesterday that their Free Checking account will be “nearly unheard of”. Now, like many years ago, bank customers will have to jump through hoops to get a “no monthly service charge” checking account. They’ll have to keep a high balance, have direct deposit… and BofA even has a new e-banking account that will charge you $8.95 a month if you want to see a teller or receive a paper statement. Banks are craving more revenue due to the financial reform laws enacted in the past year that left them with lower fee income. But should the consumer be punished for that?
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October 1, 2010
Has this question crossed your mind lately? Have you acted on it? Sometimes we get so busy with our day to day lives and put a lot of things on the back burner. This is one of those things that you shouldn’t put off right now.
Why? Rates are extremely low right now! You could possibly save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars simply by refinancing your car or home loan.
I challenge you to look at the rate you’re currently paying on your car or home, and then shop for current rates at your local credit union. You can go to MCCU’s Loan Calculator to see how much you can save with a new, lower rate! Plus, most credit unions, including MCCU, won’t charge you to apply for a new loan. Here’s an example of how much you can save on a car loan refinance with MCCU: Read the rest of this entry »
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