
You are hard on funds. You have to go out on a date. Or perhaps your friends are planning a night out to the trendiest new restaurant in the town. You go out hoping for the best. But as luck would have been, you get the bill and you are on the verge of an embarrassing situation. You take out your credit card and hope that it does not get rejected. You heave a sign of relief (or dread at the reducing account balance) after you hear the ping of a successful transaction.
Such situations might not happen often. However, instances like the one above are highly likely if you are someone who has to watch where their money goes and when. For instance, your pay day is far away or you are student who pocket money has dwindled to naught. Fret not. There is a way to save face and save money the next time you go out to eat. These days you will find a lot of websites and apps that give out discounts through restaurant coupons. You can avail these coupons for free and get discounts on menu prices on your next restaurant meal.
In addition to getting restaurant coupons from apps and websites, you can also get discounts for restaurant meals when you subscribe to certain online magazines and newspapers. Many of them promote or partner with particular restaurants and cafes and send out discount coupons through mails or on their print copies.Using free restaurant coupons is quite a smart way to have a good experience without shelling out too much from your pocket. Most of these coupons include buffet and pre-plated meals. If you are going out to eat with your family, you can use such coupons to bring down your total bill. With additional taxes and surcharges on your food bill, restaurant coupons can make eating out less anxious when it concerns your pocket.
Along with letting patrons use free coupons, many restaurants have happy hours to attract more patrons. You pay for one but have drinks for two. Also, during weekends, many restaurants organize buffet breakfasts that are quite a steal. You have a lot of options and with their eat-all-you-can policy, you can gorge on good food without worrying about burning a hole in your pocket. Many restaurants offer discount on their menu prices on slow days and slow times: weekend afternoons are the best time to avail great offers on restaurant meals.
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Your guide to getting FHA loan approvals
Read moreA Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan is a type of mortgage which is insured by the FHA and is considered one of the most affordable and fastest loans to procure.
Simply put, the borrower needs to be approved by the FHA to get this loan. You may then look for different mortgage rates with different FHA-approved lenders. There are plenty of portals which may help you get fast quotes and you may subsequently take the process ahead with any lender whose rates you have found affordable.
Important guidelines to get an FHA loan approval
Discussed below are a few important aspects to keep in mind while applying for an FHA loan.Credit score
The credit score requirement to get an FHA loan approval is not stringent. The minimum eligible credit score for the same is 580. Even if you do not have a credit history, your lender will need to evaluate your eligibility, based on a non-traditional merged credit. Some borrowers may require a score of 640-680 to be eligible for this loan.While this is a guideline set, many lenders also give a loan to people with a credit score of at least 500.
Debt to income ratio
The debt to income ratio is a critical guideline followed by lenders to evaluate the eligibility of a borrower. It is a way in which lenders (even mortgage lenders) calculate a borrower’s ability to repay the debts, considering their regular incomes. The acceptable limit of this ratio is 31:43 to get an FHA loan approval.Mortgage insurance
Even though getting an approval for an FHA loan seems fairly easy, the real challenge arises in getting two types of mortgage insurances as prerequisites. One insurance needs to be paid fully while the other has to have a provision of being paid in monthly installments.Down payment
The minimum down payment required for an FHA loan approval is 3.5%. While the standard rate for down payment runs at 20%, the 3.5% comes as a great relief for borrowers who cannot afford such a high amount.Other important areas
A lender will look into your employment history, lawful residency in the US, as well as a valid Social Security number (SSN). You would also require to have an appraisal for the property from a verified FHA-approved appraiser.The other requirements differ from lender to lender, and it is always advisable to gather full information about your verified FHA loan lender before applying for a loan.
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3 ways SMA patients and caregivers can maintain a healthy relationship
Read moreThe relationship between a person diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregiver is a two-way street. It is important to remember that both the patient and caregiver have their individual needs that should be communicated clearly. Irrespective of whether the primary caregiver is a parent, friend, or someone who has been hired to take care of the SMA patient, there are a few important things to consider for a healthy relationship between them. Below are three tips for SMA patients to maintain a healthy relationship with their caregivers-
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes
SMA patients should remember that their caregivers, whether family, friends or professional caregivers, have their own schedules and needs. One needs to ensure that they don’t make any last-minute changes without informing the caregiver well in advance. A caregiver plans everything according to the SMA patient’s schedule, and any sudden changes might cause problems with the caregiver’s schedule and routine. It is important to remember that the caregiver is likely to have other jobs, people to meet, and other personal errands of their own. Hence, it is essential to inform the caregiver in advance if there are any changes to one’s schedule.
- Conveying one’s needs clearly
If an SMA patient is hiring someone through an agency or via the Internet, it is vital to know that the caregiver has probably had clients with a wide range of needs, levels of independence, and abilities. Hence, it is necessary for the patient to inform the caregiver about what their specific needs are, what tasks they can do, and what tasks they cannot perform. The best way that a caregiver will be able to help a patient properly and cater to all their needs is by just communicating with them. If one is used to doing certain things in a particular manner, let the caregiver know that beforehand so that they are able to do their job thoroughly by keeping their patient’s needs in mind.
- It is okay to have disagreements with the caregiver
When the caregiver is a friend or family member, fights and arguments are inevitable. However, when one has a fight, a confusion, a misunderstanding, or whether there is a simple disagreement with one’s caregiver, one needs to ensure that this tension does not last. It is important to communicate openly and work together towards solving the problem.
- Informing the caregiver in advance about any schedule changes