Call for Artists: Memory Box Program

Hello. My name is Gloria Benaroch-Garland. I live in Sea Bright, NJ and volunteer for the Memory Box Artist Program. I have been honored to have sent several of my boxes to local hospitals right here in New Jersey, New York area.

Example Memory Box Painted by Juanita

About the Memory Box Artist Program...

The Memory box Artists Program, Inc. started in 1998 as a volunteer program that would provide boxes for families of infants that pass away in the hospital.

The memory box is a way to represent that child’s life; it is also a way to ensure that families leave with a tangible link to their child. The memory box can be used to save those mementos that represent their child’s life, no matter how brief.

In 2003 The Memory box Artists Program, Inc, became a registered California Non Profit Corporation Organization. It is still an all-volunteer program with volunteers representing every state in the US and every province in Canada. Currently 681 hospitals participate in the program with many more on a waiting list. There are still not enough volunteer decorative artists to fill current demands.

Example Memory Box Painted by Catherine LaPointe

If you are creative and would like a way to express your creativity and give to others at the same time, this program may be for you. There are as many ways to create a memory box as there are individuals that make them, such as stamping, scrap-booking, decoupage, painting, one stroke, colored pencils, watercolor, or crayons.

You don’t have to be an artist to do this; you just need the desire to reach beyond yourself. You can go on the website at www.memoryboxes.org, where you can learn about the program’s history, how you can participate, and see examples of boxes. You can also contact me at, gloria@gloriab.com.

Example Memory Box Painted by Cheryl Buotte Hopkinson

I will be happy to talk/email with you and answer any questions you might have and to share my own experience with the program.

What makes this program so perfect is that it fits today’s lifestyles. You can make as many boxes as you want, as often as you like. There are no commitments you must fulfill. You are free to choose when to create a box and how often. You can either make your own boxes or buy already made boxes. Most craft stores carry ready-made boxes and all the supplies you might need. One box will impact a family, and like a pebble in the water, it will continue to touch others long after it has been received. I hope this blog has piqued your curiosity and touched your heart.

How Credit Cards Affect Home Purchase

"Should we pay off our credit cards before saving for a down payment?

On the positive side, a history of timely payments on credit cards builds a positive credit history and a correspondingly high credit score. That's important when you start applying for a home mortgage.

On the other hand, when there are indications of financial stress in your credit-card history, this will reduce your credit score, even though you may be making all payments on time.

Indications of stress include getting new credit cards, high balances on your cards-- credit being maxxed out based on balance and credit given.

As you plan ahead for a home purchase, get your credit cards below 50% of what your credit limit is and avoid taking out new cards.

Credit cards can also affect your ability to qualify for the loan you want because the required monthly credit card payments are added to the payments associated with the mortgage in determining how much you can afford.

The "total expense ratio" calculated by lenders and used in qualifying borrowers is the sum total of the proposed mortgage payment, property taxes, homeowners' insurance payment, and other debt service, which includ credit cards, all of this is then divided by the borrower's gross income.

So, when you can keep your total monthly debt payments below 8 percent of your gross income, it will not limit the amount you can borrow.

You will need some cash to buy a house, for down payment and closing costs.

At the end of the day, when your credit card utilization is below 50 percent, and your total debt service payments below 8 percent of your gross income, and your target down payment is in hand, you are ready!

With the different programs that are out there it is ALWAYS best to speak to your mortgage person and have them tell you in more detail what is best for you and your situation.

This information just gives you a brief overview as to how they look at your credit and spending habits.

To Keep or Not to Keep?

Eliminate the monthly mountain of paperwork by keeping only what you need.


You probably have dozens of documents you know you should hold on to, whether they're in clearly labeled, well-organized files or scattered around your house or office. Trouble is, when you finally get a chance to sort through them and weed out the ones you don't need anymore, it's not always easy to know what's essential and what isn't.

That's why I created the charts on the following pages. Keep in mind that what often separates the papers you need -- and how long you keep them -- is whether they're related to anything you deducted when you filed a tax return.

Save every tax-related document for at least three years after you file the return, which is the length of time that the IRS has to determine that you owe additional taxes -- that is, if you reported all of your income. If you didn't, and the amount that you didn't report is more than 25% of the gross income on your tax return, the IRS has six years to assess additional tax. And if you didn't file a return or filed a fraudulent one, the IRS can knock on your door anytime.

However, you might want to save most tax-related documents for seven years or more -- even though that's longer than the IRS and some accountants recommend. (We'd rather be pack rats than show up empty-handed to meet with someone from the IRS.)

Of course, you should keep the most recent version of legal documents, such as a will, forever. But as for bills, statements and receipts for items and services that you aren't deducting -- it's your call. Just remember -- shredding is the best way to dispose of papers with your account or Social Security number on them.

For the official IRS guidelines, read Publication 552: Recordkeeping for Individuals.
• IRS Publications


Toss After One Year


Item: Automobile records (for a car you no longer own)
Exception: If you donated the car to charity, keep proof of donation and related documents for at least seven years.

Item: Cable bills (household)
Exception: If you're deducting the cost of cable, keep the bills for seven years.

Item: Cell phone bills (personal)
Exception: If you're deducting the cost of the cell phone or of any calls, keep the bills for seven years.

Item: Certificate of deposit (that's expired)

Item: Credit card receipts and statements (personal)
Exception: If you're deducting items or services you've charged, keep the receipts and statements for at least seven years.

Item: Passport (expired)
Exception: If you've replaced the expired passport, you can destroy the old one or keep it as back-up ID.

Item: Professional dues (that you're not deducting)
Exception: If you're deducting the dues, keep receipts and canceled checks for at least seven years.

Item: Receipts (for items you didn't deduct or get reimbursed for)

Item: Service agreements (expired)


Item: Social Security statements (from prior years)
Exception: Keep the most recent statement.

Item: Telephone bills (personal)
Exception: If you're deducting any calls or the cost of telephone service, keep canceled checks and itemized bills for at least seven years.

Item: Utility bills (household)
Exception: If you're deducting any utilities, keep canceled checks and bills for at least seven years.

Item: Warranties (expired)


Toss After Three Years


Loans (that you've paid off)

Promissory notes (that you've repaid)

Toss After Seven Years


Item:

Accident reports and claims (related to a closed case)
Automobile records (for a car you donated to charity)
Bank account statements
Back-up copies of financial documents on your computer's hard drive
Brokerage statements (for stocks or mutual funds you've sold)
Cable bills (that you're deducting)
Canceled checks (for expenses you're deducting or for legal matters)
Cell phone bills (that you're deducting)
Certificate of deposit (that's related to your business and has expired)
Capital improvement receipts (related to rental income from real estate)
Charitable contribution receipts
Child care payment receipts
Credit card receipts and statements (for expenses you're deducting)
Dependent care payments
Flexible-spending account (receipts, statements)
Home office equipment, supplies (that you're deducting)
Insurance policy (for a home you've sold)
Interest expenses (that you're deducting)
Invoices (for items and services you're deducting)
IRS Form 1099
IRS Form 1099-G
IRS Form 1099-R
Lease agreements (related to rental income from real estate)
Mortgage interest payment receipts
Property records (related to property you've sold)
Professional dues (that you're deducting)
Purchase documents (related to property you've sold)
Sale documents (related to property you've sold)
Stock option agreements (which you've exercised)
Tax returns (personal and business)
Telephone bills (that you're deducting)
Title (to property you've sold)
Utility bills (that you're deducting)

Keep Forever


Item: Adoption papers

Item: Appraisals
Exception: If you donated the item to charity or sold the item, keep appraisal and related documents for at least seven years.

Item: Bank account statements (that include alimony payments you received)
Exception: If you aren't going to sue for back alimony, you can destroy these after the payments have stopped and the person paying alimony dies.

Item: Birth certificate (certified copy)

Item: Brokerage statements (stocks, bonds and mutual funds)
Exception: After you sell the stock, bond or shares of a mutual fund, keep the statements for seven years.

Item: Citizenship papers

Item: Closing statements (related to property you've sold or to rental income from real estate)

Item: Confirmation slips (from the purchase or sale of securities)
Exception: After you sell the stock, bond or shares of a mutual fund, keep the confirmation slips for seven years.

Item: Custody agreement(s)
Exception: Once all of your children have turned 18, you can throw out any custody agreements.

Item: Deed(s)
Exception: Keep even if you sell the property -- you never know when you'll be hit with a lawsuit.

Item: Deferred-compensation agreements

Item: Divorce decree(s)

Item: Distributions from tax-deferred retirement plans


Item: Financial aid documents
Exception: After the student has graduated and begun repaying loans, keep the documents for at least one year.

Item: Gift-tax returns

Item: Home improvement receipts

Item: Home inventory

Item: IRS Form 942

Item: IRS Form 2119

Item: IRS Form 4070A

Item: IRS Form 5498

Item: IRS Form 8606

Item: IRS W-2 forms

Item: Lawsuits or other legal actions

Item: Marriage certificate (certified copy)

Item: Medical records

Item: Military records (including discharge papers)

Item: Partnership agreements

Item: Paycheck stubs (the last one you receive each year)


Item: Pension plan documents

Item: Power of attorney



Item: Property-related paperwork
Exception: If you sell your home and don't roll over your profit/gain to the next house you purchase, you can toss the following seven years after the sale: title, insurance policy, purchase price, settlement or closing costs, cost of any improvements, casualty losses you've deducted and insurance reimbursements for casualty losses.

Item: Religious documents (ketubah, baptism certificate)

Item: Retirement plan contributions

Item: S corporation documents

Item: Separation agreement

Item: Stock certificates

Item: Service agreements (in effect)


Item: Stock option agreements
Exception: Keep until you've exercised them; then keep for at least seven years.

Item: Tax returns


This information is for informational use only. Consult your accountant, lawyer etc for professional advice.

Sources: Canby, Maloney & Company, Framingham, Mass.; Cleveland Financial Group, Cleveland, Ohio; Dennis & Dennis, Rancho Bernardo, Calif.; Financial Planning Association; Larry Foster, CPA/PFS and partner, Richard A. Eisner and Company, New York; IRS publications. Better Homes & Garden Article.

Name That House Style

Cape Cod- some of the first houses built in the country. Its inherent modesty and simplicity made it popular with the early suburban developers. Just about every baby boomer either lived in a Cape Cod - or knows someone who did.
The look is basic: square or modestly rectangular one story house with steeply gabled roof - many dormers - unadorned facades, walls usually brick or clapboard.



Victorian - Common to some degree almost everywhere. Victorian architecture, which datesfrom the second half of the 19th century, has two main styles: Second Empire and Queen Anne.
Second Empire is big, boxy with mansard roofs, symmetrical facades and heavy ornamentation one of these that comes to mind is on Seven Bridges road in Little silve heading south on the right side. When Walt Disney decided to recreate at Disneyland the main street of a typical 19th century small town, the style he is was Second Empire.
Queen Anne is a much quirkier affair, with assymetrical facades, curved towers and porches, protruding bay windows, steeply pitched roofs and elaborate spindlework ornamentation. Perfect examples of this type house is in Monmouth Beach the 2 houses opposite each othe on Beach Road one on the left and on the right.

Federal Ubiquitous up and down the East Coast. Federal style architecture dates from the late 1700's and coincided with the reawakening of interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. There's an appealing plainness and symmetry about federal houses. Red brick is the most commonbuilding material. Doors often have sidelights and fan lights and whatever is happening on the right side of the facade is echoed on the left. Doublehung windows and shutters are common as is a certaine restraiend classical ornamentation around cornices, doors and windows.

Tudor is the architecture most popular in the 1920's and 1930's and continues to be a mainstay in suburbs across the nation. The defining characteristics are half timebering on bay windows and upperfloors and facades that are dominated by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls are common, as are rounded doorways, multipaned casement windows and large stone chimeneys.

Prairie In suburban chicago in 1893, Frank LLyod Wright, Americas most famous architect, designe dthe first Prairie style house and it's still a common style throughout the Midwest. Prairie houses come in two styles - boxy and symmetrical or low slung and assymterical. Roofs are low pitched, with wide eaves. Brick and clapboard are the most common building materials. Other details: rows of casement windows, one story porches with massive square supports and stylized floral and circular geometrid terra cotta or masonry ornamentation around door, windows and cornices.

Spanish Most common in the Southwest and Florida. Spanish style architecture takes its cues from the missions of the early Spanish missionaaries - such as the one at San Juan Capistrano in California (if you get a chance to go there it is great - swallows come back every year to nest and there is a train station where you can have lunch and shop) and includes details from the Moorish, Byzantine, Gothis, and Rennaissance architectural styles. The houses usually have low pitched tiled roofs, white stucco walls and rounded windows and doors. Other elements may include scalloped dormer, windows and balconies with elaborate grillwork, decorative tiles around the doorways and windows and a bell tower or two.

New Jersey TRIVIA!

1. The NJ State Bug is the honey bee (apis mellifera) designated by the NJ State Legislature in 1974.

2. The NJ State Fruit is the blueberry, designated in 2004 after a campaign of fourth graders at Veteran's memorial Elementary school in Brick new Jersey.

3. The NJ State Vegetable is the "Jersey Tomato", designated in 2005. the tomato, although technically a fruit, is legally considered a vegetable as a result of a 1893 Supreme Court Decision.

4. New Jersey is second only to MIchigan in the production of blueberries.

5. New Jersey is ranked fourth in the country in cranberry production.

6. New Jersey's top five in 1995 agricultural commodities,(excluding horses) were greenhouse and nursery, dairy products, chicken eggs, tomatoes and blueberries.

7. Agriculture in New Jersey ranks third behind pharmaceuticals and tourism in economic benefits to the state.

8. The majority of farms in New Jersey are samll, family run operations. The number of farms in the state has decreased from 26,900 in 1950 to 9,000 in 1995 however productivity per acre has increased.

9. When you see the sign "Jersey Grown" on a plant label you know that the plant was grown right here in the garden state. "Jersey Grown as green as green gets!"

Garden State of mind

One of the newest trends these days is "eating local" - and New Jersey has some of the best produce into he country - after all we're not called the Garden State for nothing! We have so much right here in New Jersey - so "buying local" also includes loads of outstanding products, nursery stock and cut flowers to smoked salmon, fresh mozzarella, honey, and even maple syrup.

• Sickles Market in Little Silver supports this "frame of mind". Sickles is located on Rumson Road it is open Mon. -Sat. 9am to 6pm 732-741-9563 you can get everything there and the quality is the Best! www.sicklesmarket.com

• Dear Born Market Farm Market & Delicatessen is located inMiddletown on 2170 Route 35 Holmdel Twp. www.dearbornfarms.com

• Delicious Orchards located inColts Neck Rte 34 Tuesday through Sunday 10:00 - 6:00 (732) 462-1989 . http://www.deliciousorchardsnj.com/

• Dean's Natural Food Market 490 Broad Street • Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 Phone: 732-842-8686 www.deansnaturalfoodmarket.com

Sand Sculpting Contests:

Jul 8 Ocean Grove North End Beach. Begins 10 am. Judging 2pm. Call 732-775-0035

July 9 Monmouth Park Race Track, Oceanport Ave. Oceanport. Rain or shine. Contest &
festivities 11:30 to 6pm call 732-222-5100

July 12 Belmar (rain date July 19)18th Ave. Beach 9am to 12 noon. call 732-681-3700 or call 732-863-1900 x101.

Summer Fun At the Jersey Shore!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

SUMMER CONCERTS:

Summer Beach Concerts at Sandy Hook: Every Wednesday until Aug. 30, 6pm Beach Area E rain cancellations call 732-291-7733.

Jazz on the Beach: Every Sunday until August 27 7pm. West End Park (Long Branch) corner of Brighton and Ocean Ave. near the Original Windmill. Call 732-923-2044.

Red Bank Street Performers: July 8,15,22 and 29. 7pm to 10pm. Music, poetry, magic. Downtown.

Long Branch Thursdays by the Sea: until August 27 7pm. Weeknight music series featuring local talent at Pier Village, Long Branch.

Red Bank Jazz in the Park: 7pm. July 6,13,20,27. Cool live music for hot summer nights. Riverside Gardens Park, Red Bank. Call 7423-842-4244.

Freehold Summer Concerts: until August 24 Call for times 732-462-3584. Hall of Records parking lot.

Belmar Summer Concerts: until end of August Pyanoe Main St. Belmar Call 732-681-6700.

Highlands Summer Concerts: Tuesdays July thru August. 7pm Veterans Park parking available Municipal Lot on So. Second St. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.

CRUISE NIGHTS:

Cruise Night 1 West End: (Long Branch) July 15 & Aug 12. 6pm to 10pm. Brighton Ave. Classic car show and entertainment. Call 732-923-2044

Sunset Cruise Saturday Nights: until September 3. 7:30 to 10pm boarding 7pm .Watch the sun go down over New York City and enjoy spectacular view of the New York skyline. Atlantic Highlands Municipal Marina Call: 800-262-8743

Freehold Kruise Night Thursday: July 27 & Aug. 31 6pm to 10pm Main Street. Live entertainment, vintage cars, hot rods, motorcycles.

Keyport on Wheels: July 27 12 noon to 5pm. East Front Street Let the good times roll for the entire family at this tradional soapbox derby.

Sand Sculpting Contests:
Jul 8 Ocean Grove North End Beach. Begins 10 am. Judging 2pm. Call 732-775-0035

July 9 Monmouth Park Race Track, Oceanport Ave. Oceanport. Rain or shine. Contest & festivities 11:30 to 6pm call 732-222-5100

July 12 Belmar (rain date July 19)18th Ave. Beach 9am to 12 noon. call 732-681-3700 or call 732-863-1900 x101.

Red Bank Movies under the stars July 11,18 &25 showtime 8:45pm Daddy Riverside Park Day Care, Grease & Bad News Bears.

Ocean Grove Family Movie Night at the Pier. July 14 8:30 pm. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, PARADES etc.

Monmouth County Fair July 26 to 30. Shows, crafts, rides and more. East Freehold Park, Kozloski Road, Freehold. Wed. & Thurs. 5-11pm; Fri. 10am to 11pm; Sat. 11am to 11pm; Sun. 11am to 6pm. Call 732-842-4000

24th Annual New Jersey Festival of Ballooning: July 28,29 & 30.Solberg Airport, Readington NJ pre purchase adults $17. at door $20. Balloons ascend at 6:30am and pm weather and wind permitting. Concerts, rides and much more. Call 800-HOT-AIR9. or http://www.balloonfestival.com/

Asbury Park Guitar BarBeque Festival July 8 & 9 across from Paramount Theater. 11 am to 8 pm Smok'n guitars and sizzling bbq. Call 732-774-1143

Asbury Park Convention Hall Arts & Wine Festival Aug 5-6 12noon to 5pm. Wine sampling, wine making seminars. Call 732-775-3533

Asbury Park Pro BeachVolleyball: Aug 12-13 10am to 6pm. Come see the best players on the East Coast play.

Asbury Park Children's Festival with Baby Parade and Model Search: July 22 & 23 10 am to 5pm Beach and Boardwalk. Call 732-775-3533.

Belmar Para Sail: 618 5th Ave. Fly single or with a friend. Reservations required. Cal 732-528-8680.

Belmar Crafters & Farmers Market: Saturdays until Sept 2. 9am to 2pm. 9th Ave & Main St.. Fresh produce, gourmet foods, crafters, jewelry makers, music.

Belmar Social Dancing: July 6, 13, 20, 27. 8pm. Taylor Pavilllion at Silver Lake Park Ocean Ave and 5th ave. Call 732-681-3700

Bradley Beach Mayor's Clam Bake: August 12 6pm Ocean and Fifth Ave. under tent.

Bradley Beach 4th Annual Antique & Collectibles Show: August 14. Boardwalk
Highlands 12th Annual Clam Fest: August 4,5,6 Huddy Park rain or shine. Freshest seafood from local restaurants, live music, rides, crafters,. Friday festival 6to 11pm woith fireworks at 10:30pm.

Red Bank 52nd Annual Sidewalk Sale. July 28 to July 30 Downtown stores participate in largest summer sale.

I am starting a lending library

In going through my books I find I have alot of them :)))
Any way someone may benefit from them. so here we go:
1: The New Apartment Book - space strategies for high rises, lofts, co-op, condos, brownstones and even houses

2: Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Design, fearless, fabulous decorating

Anyone interested just email me.

First quarter of 2006

A report updated for the first quarter of 2006 shows what areas have the most overvalued housing. You can view the report here. The report says it takes 3 and a half years to correct the overvaluation.

Price Over Valuation
Atlantic City, NJ $254.200 63.9%

Edison, NJ $349.000 33.0%

Newark, NJ $381.900 27.2%

Ocean City, NJ $310.100 54.6%

Trenton, NJ $276.100 15.4%

Vineland, NJ $164.100 30.0%

Did You Know? Happy 4th of July!

Did You Know?
-
The distinguished American novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald (author of "The Great Gatsby") was a descendant of Francis Scott Key, who wrote our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner". Fitzgerald's little known first name? Francis.
John Hancock was President of the Second Continental Congress at the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1737, and his large, bold signature is probably the most famous of them all.

We don't use Square Footage at the Jersey Shore

We don't use square footage

To all who are moving into Central Jersey. We DON'T use square footage in Monmouth County.

Now, this bothers some people from areas where they know that the Jones' house is 2,500 square feet and their home is 2,800 square feet.

Why is that you may ask? Well, like most things, years ago there was a lawsuit. An agent put basement and/or garage into total square footage measurement. (Everyone measures and includes different things in the measurement. Some people may include an enclosed porch with no heat others not.) Anyway agent and company lost the suit. So, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and others decided that the safest course was to drop the requirement for square footage.

And, now the only people who put square footage into their listings are the builders of new construction, and other agencies who are not afraid or have had a letter signed by the seller acknowledging that they are the ones giving this information or it came directly form the tax records and we can hope that is correct and that that he doesn't change the design, by moving this to do that(you get the picture)and the square footage is accurate!

Our homes cannot be compared to your home back from where you are relocating. It just doesn't compute. Like apples and oranges. One is red and round; the other orange and round.

At the end of the day...when you like the house, does an extra square foot really matter?

Is the sky falling? or has the sky fallen on the Real Estate Market?...

Following a disappointing April, residential contract-sales activity in New Jersey trended higher in May providing some balance to the housing market.
However, while buying activity in May increased 7% from April, it still ran 18% below May 2005 providing further proof of a market change.
Some encouragement can be taken in the slowing rise of UNSOLD inventory which held steady in May at a 7-month-supply of available homes.

Current Market conditions:

below $600,000, market is now holding a 6 month supply
$600,000 - $1 million, 10-months supply
above $1 million 13-months supply

While there are very real reasons for the current deceleration in the residential market, the extent of that change goes beyond what can be explained by underlying fundamentals alone.

Certainly the record high home prices achieved in 2005 when coupled with lagging salary increases, rising interest rates and slower population growth are solid reasons for a market slow down.

More positive indicators are also in play, such as a state economy at virtual full-employment, new home building activity at constrained levels, and mortgage rates which remain low by historical standards.

Clearly, the sweeping change that has enveloped the residential market over the past 10 months extends beyond market metrics and is at least partly attributable to fears of a housing price collapse.

Apparently the chorus of voices predicting this collapse and the attention they received from the media, have played a role in bringing the market to it's current state……as always perception becomes reality!

As we look forward to what's ahead, expect the current situation of fewer sales and higher inventory to continue for the next several years.

As a result, some of the increases in home prices which occurred over the past several years will likely be reversed as motivated Sellers trade-off lower prices for quicker sales.

Ironically, this is not necessarily good news for home buyers as rising mortgage rates will likely offset any savings derived from lower home prices.

Consider for every 1 percent the mortgage rate goes up the buyer loses 8% purchase power. We are currently 1% higher in mortgage rates this year than last year.

Thus, buyers should consider whether the current combination of affordable mortgage rates, higher inventory levels and negotiable-sellers are reason to buy now rather than wait.

More Single Women Opt to Buy Instead of Rent

April 26, 2006
Unmarried women buy more houses
Last year, 21 percent of all U.S. homes were purchased by unmarried women. Women are getting married later and would rather buy than rent. Only about 9% of homebuyers were unmarried men over the same period. Read more . . .