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Many companies offer customers the opportunity to bundle home, auto and life insurance policies. That can often save people money, but not always. Its important to conduct research and carefully compare your options.

How Bundling Could Save You Money
Insurance companies generally offer generous discounts to encourage customers to bundle their policies. If you got multiple policies from the same company and kept them for several years, you could save a significant amount of money.

Having different policies from the same company could also save you money if you needed to file a claim. For example, if an accident damaged both your home and car, you might be able to submit one claim and pay a single deductible, rather than submit two claims to different companies and pay two deductibles for the same event.

Other Reasons to Bundle Insurance Policies
If you had policies from different insurers, there could be gaps in your coverage that you werent aware of and that representatives of the insurance companies couldnt identify because they didnt have the specifics about the other companys policy. Bundling policies could make it easier to be sure that you had the right coverage.

If you live in a region that is prone to severe weather, wildfires or other perils, it could be difficult to get homeowners insurance coverage. If you already had an unrelated policy from an insurer, however, that company would be more likely to offer you homeowners insurance because if it refused to insure your home, you could go to another company for all your insurance needs and your existing insurer would lose a customer.

If you wanted to change your coverage or add another type of insurance, it would be easier if you dealt with a company that already had your personal information, rather than starting from scratch. You could also view all your coverage information in one place and pay one bill.

When Bundling Insurance Policies Might Not Make Sense
Bundling might not be a good option if you have a luxury or performance vehicle that is expensive to insure. Since you would pay high rates for a standard auto insurance policy, you might be better off getting coverage from a company that specialized in high-end vehicles.

When you talk to a company about bundling policies, make sure you compare apples to apples. One insurer might offer you a discount for bundling policies, but the coverage could be less extensive than what you could get from another company. Sometimes its better to pay more for broader coverage.

Is Bundling Insurance Right for You?
Bundling insurance policies saves many people money, but its not always the best move. Contact several insurance companies to discuss your needs and compare coverage options and premiums so you can make the right decision for your circumstances.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

There are few materials that can be used as widely throughout the house as natural stone. From kitchen counters and backsplashes to bathroom tiles and outdoor terraces, the application extends to virtually every room. With so many different types to choose from, however, it can be a daunting task to find just the right one to introduce to your living space. If youre looking to add some visual drama to your home, here are a few eye-catching natural stones that will make for an unforgettable living space.

Amazonite Extra Granite
With shades of teal and gray infused with white crystals, Amazonite Extra is an easy way to make a design statement in any room. When used in large slabs, this granite showcases breathtaking colors and patterns that instantly catch the eye.

Pink Onyx
Millennial pink has been one of the hottest shades in interior design in recent years and if you want to capture that color in natural stone, then this is the one for you. Swirls of pink and white make this a mesmerizing surface that feels simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

Nero Antico Marble
When you think of marble, chances are youre envisioning that classic look of white stone with a few light grey veins. If you want a more dramatic style, however, the high contrast of black and white Nero Antico marble will give your home a sleek and modern feel.

Fusion Wow Quartzite
With a name like Fusion Wow, one would expect this quartzite to really pop and it certainly does just that. A range of colors including shades of gold, orange and peach are often found in slabs and make it one of the most visually unique stones that youll come across.

Earth Glitter Granite
Primarily black with shimmering swirls of gray, pink and orange, Earth Glitter granite can bring a room to life with its stunning appearance. From bathroom vanities to dressing room islands, it lends a luxurious look with a splash of color.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When it comes to designing a luxurious kitchen or bathroom, few materials are as widely beloved as marble. Its literally been used for centuries thanks to the timeless and elegant appeal that it evokes, yet there are some drawbacks to this surface. Because marble is a soft and porous stone, its vulnerable to both staining and etching, which can be particularly problematic if you want to use it in your kitchen.

If youre willing to apply a sealant to your countertops a couple times a year, thats one solution. Some homeowners, however, simply dont have the time for that. If you want the beautiful aesthetic of marble countertops without having to worry about the regular maintenance, here are several alternatives to bring into your home.

Calacatta Michelangelo, Laminam
Laminam is known for producing large porcelain slabs that boast extreme durability and resistance to scratching or staining, and their wide collection of surfaces are as beautiful as they are functional. One of their most impressive is Calacatta Michelangelo, which bears striking resemblance to the iconic gold veins of Calacatta Borghini marble and will give your home a seriously lavish look.

Statuario Maximus 5031, Caesarstone
If you love the deep-veined pattern of Statuario marble, then this engineered quartz surface from Caesarstone is well worth consideration. Statuario Maximus comes in a polished finish that requires minimal maintenance so you can skip the waxes and sealants while still enjoying the look of a marble kitchen.

Et Marquina, Silestone
Black marble tends to be more common in modern or contemporary settings and if you want to capture that look in your home, then Et Marquina from Silestone is the answer. The black surface has white veins and is practically identical to Nero Marquina marble in terms of appearance. However, its made from a combination of quartz and other raw materials that make for a high-performance surface you need not worry about staining.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youre looking for a new house and plan to apply for a mortgage, the lender will closely scrutinize every aspect of your finances. If a lender approves your application, itll check your credit again shortly before closing to see if there have been any changes that are cause for concern. Applying for a new credit card while looking for a house could jeopardize your chance of getting approved for a mortgage at a competitive interest rate, or of getting approved at all.

How a Credit Card Application Could Affect Your Mortgage
If you applied for a credit card, the issuer would check your credit report. That is known as a hard inquiry, and it could negatively affect your credit score. The drop might be relatively small and temporary, but it could make a difference when applying for a mortgage.

A FICO score is based, in part, on the average age of your accounts. A new credit card would lower the average age of your accounts and could have a particularly large impact if you had few other accounts.

Even a small drop in your credit score could have a significant effect. If your lender has strict guidelines, a decrease of just a few points could cause you to get a higher interest rate than you otherwise would have, which means you could pay thousands of dollars extra over the life of the loan. Your mortgage application might also get rejected altogether.

A new credit card application could create uncertainty in the eyes of the lender, even if you had a good credit score. The company might worry that youd accumulate a lot of debt and struggle to pay your mortgage.

When to Apply for a New Credit Card
A hard inquiry could stay on your credit report for a year, and your credit score would gradually rebound after taking an initial hit from the inquiry. If you want to apply for a new credit card, do it at least three to six months before you submit a mortgage application. Thatll give your credit score a chance to recover from the effects of a hard inquiry and allow you to show the lender that you didnt go overboard on spending and that you paid your bills on time. If possible, wait to apply for a credit card after you close on a house to avoid any negative effects on your credit score.

Dont Jeopardize Your Chance to Purchase a Home
If you need to buy furniture, appliances and other things for your new house, you may think it makes sense to apply for a credit card, especially one with a low interest rate and/or rewards. The fact is that doing so could hurt your chance of getting a mortgage at a low interest rate, or even of getting a mortgage at all. Keep your finances in the best shape you can, and dont give the lender any reason to be concerned about your ability to repay a loan.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

On a cool night, theres nothing more relaxing than curling up on the couch in front of a fireplace. While adults recognize the dangers of fire, children and pets often dont. That is why its essential to take precautions to keep them safe.

Tips to Prevent Burns and Accidents
Sparks and hot embers can fly out of a fireplace and burn anyone nearby. In addition, kids and pets are curious and may be tempted to stick a head, hand or paw too close to a fireplace, which could cause their hair, fur or clothing to catch fire. Glass doors can keep sparks and embers inside the fireplace and keep kids and animals out.

Fire-resistant glass doors can still get hot enough to burn a child or a pet. Putting a screen in front of the fireplace can keep anyone from touching hot glass. You can choose from a wide range of screen styles.

When thinking about fireplace safety, people often focus on the dangers of fire and neglect to consider other hazards. A hearth is a hard, raised surface that can cause injuries if a child should fall. Hearth padding, or fire-resistant foam that can be attached to a hearth, can prevent injuries. You can choose from a range of sizes. Keep the area around the hearth free of flammable objects. Dont put decorations that kids or pets might want to play with on the mantle.

The tools that you use to poke and move logs can seem like fun toys to children. Matches and lighters can be extremely dangerous in the hands of children and starter chips can be harmful if pets consume them. Keep tools and materials used to start a fire where your kids and pets cant get to them.

Whether you have kids and pets or not, get your fireplace inspected and cleaned before you use it. Soot can accumulate and birds and wild animals often build nests in fireplaces. Both are serious fire hazards. Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher, smoke detectors and a carbon monoxide detector.

Talk to your kids about fire safety as soon as theyre old enough. Use age-appropriate terms to explain the potential danger and reiterate important points often. Set clear rules that your kids can understand. Supervise children and pets to make sure they dont play near the fireplace.

Never leave a child or pet alone in a room where a fire is burning. It only takes a second for a tragic accident to occur. Depending on the layout of your home, you might be able to use child gates to keep your kids and pets away from the fireplace.

Help Your Family Enjoy a Fireplace Safely
A fireplace can be cozy, as well as dangerous. Since children and pets dont appreciate the danger, you need to take steps to keep them safe. The more layers of protection there are, the better.

Published with permission from RISMedia.