October 2011

Stopping Unwanted Junk Mail, Solicitations and Catalogs

October 29, 2011 by emelynmorris-sayre · 1 Comment 

I recently blogged on ActiveRain about how Charitable Requests of the Elderly Exceed Harassment.  After visiting my ill mother, my sisters and I determined that there were over 148 different organizations that were consistently soliciting contributions from her, even within two weeks of having been sent  a small donation.

With such excessive junk mail, we have researched ways for people to eliminate much of the unwanted mail that they are receiving.

Eliminate Junk Mail

There are  two resources I would like to recommend.  The first is DMAchoice.org which allows you to register (for free) and you can indicate what type of solicitations you would like to eliminate. Those include credit offers, catalogs/magazines and all other types of requests for memberships or donations.

The second company is 41pounds.org .  It has been determined that the average family receives 41 pounds of junk mail per year.  This company charges a very small fee, but can assist you in removing your name from all of these mailing lists including those that are sold to other companies.

Our Elderly are especially vulnerable.

My mother is a good example how these organizations are trying to take advantage of someone who contributes to organizations and causes she supports and then they sell her name to hunders of others.  Up until now, she has felt that she needed to respond to them all!

Please make note of these organizations that can help you and your family and friends eliminate this harrassment of our senior citizens and in some cases, all of us.

Sunrise at Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado

October 27, 2011 by emelynmorris-sayre · Leave a Comment 

Sunrise at the Sand Dunes National Park outside Alamosa, CO, was incredibly
beautiful.  The numerous times that I have visited the park, there have been
thousands of tourists climbing the dunes and hiking the trails. By traveling there
in late October and arriving at 6:30 in the morning, we found ourselves alone to
enjoy the expansive  hills and valleys of white sand.

 Park is Open Year-Round 24 hours a Day

The brisk cold and darkness didn’t deter us as we entered the Great Sand Dunes National Park. In fact, we were so early, no one was manning the entrance gate to the park.  There was a simple sign that asked that we pay as we left.  I didn’t realize the park is open 24 hours a day although there isn’t much to see in complete darkness.  I imagine the night skies are magnificent and there is a campground within the park.

As we passed the well-designed Visitor’s Center heading to the closest parking lot where we could access the dunes, a family of deer ran across the road.  We parked the car, gathered our cameras, tripods and other paraphanalia and trekked out on the sand.  The light was very dim but we could still see so many tracks in the sand. I was disappointed at first thinking that people had been traipsing all over the dunes and that it would be difficult to get some good photographs….but upon closer look, the tracks were all animal…the four legged kind.

A Photographer’s Dream

As the light from the sun peaked over the mountains, the landscape changed by the seconds.  This was a photographer’s dream – beautiful colors, shadows and shapes and no one else around as I composed by shot.  A truly beautiful experience.

 

 

Money Talks…choosing a Lender when buying a home in Lakewood, CO

October 16, 2011 by emelynmorris-sayre · 1 Comment 

Working through financial jargon with a mortgage lender can be confusing, but you can make the process easier if you clarify queries up front. Real Estate ABC and About.com offer a few tips for talking to your lender and finding what home loan best fits your needs.

Don’t be afraid to ask the pros and cons of each type of loan possibility – fixed-rate loans are good if you are likely to have a lower interest rate and can pay it off quickly, while an adjustable rate mortgage will fluctuate during the term of the loan. And keep in mind that the total cost of a loan includes many fees, such as the appraisal, request for credit report, inspection reports and recording fees. Sometimes these fees are negotiable, so be sure to ask your lender if there’s room for more savings.

Ask about the lender’s relationship with the financial institution they represent. The closing process moves quickly, and it’s important to have a lender who feels comfortable getting in touch with the financial institution and making changes for his or her client as often as needed.  When determining a closing date on the property, it’s best to work with a lender who can guarantee funding and turn-around of the loan paperwork to avoid delays.

The most important tip? Trust your gut when choosing a lender. If at any time you’re not comfortable with the answers given, or if the lender is vague or defensive, consider looking elsewhere.

If you are looking to buy in the Lakewood or metro-Denver area and would like the names of lenders I have worked with in the past, please do not hesitate to contact me.