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Everyone who takes out a mortgage hopes to be able to make payments on time, but life sometimes gets in the way. A job loss, an unexpected expense, or an illness or injury can wreak havoc on a familys finances. A mortgage that converts from a fixed- to an adjustable-interest rate can cause mortgage payments to skyrocket overnight.

If you have missed payments, dont panic. You have options to help you get back on track, but the first thing you need to do is contact your lender, explain your situation and ask what can be done to help you. Your lender would rather see you get caught up than have your home go into foreclosure and will be willing to work with you”but you have to ask.

How to Get Back on Track

One option is forbearance. That means the lender will agree to reduce or postpone your payments for a period of time. You will need to make up the payments later by paying a lump sum or installments. This is a good option if you are facing a short-term loss of income or an unanticipated expense but expect things to get back to normal in a relatively short period of time. You will be considered current on your mortgage during forbearance.

Your lender may suggest working out a repayment plan if the problem that caused you to fall behind on your mortgage has been resolved. You will have to make your regular monthly payments, plus an extra amount each month until you make up the amount you owe. You may also be able to make up the missed payments by paying a lump sum. The lender might charge fees if you choose this option.

The lender might be willing to modify the terms of the mortgage by lowering the interest rate, extending the term of the loan or adding the amount of missed payments to the balance and allowing you to pay it off later. You might also wind up with a lower monthly payment that you can more easily afford.

If you owe more money on your mortgage than your house is worth, the lender may be willing to reduce the principal on the loan. That can lower your payments and make you more willing and able to stay in the house and continue to pay off the mortgage, which is in the lenders best interest.

You might be able to lower your monthly payments in other ways. If your homeowners insurance rates are high, shop around for a better deal. If you purchased private mortgage insurance when you bought your house several years ago, you might have accumulated enough equity that it is no longer required.

Ask for Help

If you are behind on your mortgage payments, you are probably feeling overwhelmed, but there is hope. Options are available to help you catch up or lower your payments moving forward. Take the first step and contact your loan servicer.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

In the wide world of kitchen dcor, the sink is rarely a star. Sandwiched between the granite countertops and the kitchen backsplash, it is perhaps the last thing homeowners think about. But considering how often we use it, and the different chores we use it for, the sink deserves a considered choice.

Kitchen design consultants at HGTV provide kitchen sink basics to think about:

Size and Shape

Classic Farmhouse
A large, single-basin sink, this classic design works well if you plan to use it for multiple chores beyond washing dishes, such as cleaning over-sized pots, pans and baking sheets, or bathing dogs or babies. More common is the double farmhouse sink, with two basins of equal size.

Traditional Double Sink
With two basins of different size, these allow the user to prep in the smaller size and clean up in the larger one, or separately wash small items you dont want to put in the dishwasher. While the 60/40 split is most common, many models offer two sinks of varied size options.

Three-Basin
This sink features two basins of equal size, with one small one and a garbage disposal in the center. Its a good choice if you want to keep food scraps away from the basins where you prep and clean.

Rounded Sides
Some homeowners consider a curved sink easier to clean than one with square edges, and the sleek, minimalist look is attractive.

Materials

Stainless Steel
This is easy to clean and offers a contemporary look, but metal can scratch. Most manufacturers offer bottom grids”wire trays placed in the bottom of the sink to prevent scratching. If you live in an area with hard water, water spots can be a problem.

Porcelain
This looks authentic in kitchens with a vintage style, and if you love color, the choices are endless. Porcelain sinks can chip, however, and metal pans can leave black scuff marks that are difficult to remove.

Granite Composite
Made of granite particles and polymers, these sinks resist scratches and chips and do not show water spots. Lighter-colored granite composite sinks can stain, however, and some special maintenance may be required.

Natural Stone
Natural stone (soapstone being the most common choice) can exactly match your countertop material. But its costly, and it can scratch and chip. Special cleaning products may be required.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A higher credit limit can help in an emergency, allow you to make any necessary large purchases and even, in some instances, improve you credit score. Asking for a higher credit limit, however, can seem awkward.

Higher credit limits are typically offered to people with the highest credit scores for a simple reason”theyre considered the most likely to pay their bill on time and not default. Someone with a low credit score will have a harder time convincing their credit card company to give them a higher limit, though its not impossible.

The average credit limit as of December 2016 was $8,071, according to data from Experian, a credit bureau.

Improving Your Credit Score With a Higher Limit
Looking to finance a large purchase such as a home renovation? Or maybe you just need to cover some monthly expenses. These are a few reasons why you might want a higher credit limit. But theres another advantage to seeking a credit limit increase”it can improve your credit score.

Your credit limit affects your credit utilization ratio”a lower ratio can lead to a higher credit score. A rate of 25 percent is best to improve a credit score, meaning youre using up to 25 percent of the credit available on the credit card.

How to Ask for a Higher Limit
Whatever you need the money for, youre more likely to be approved for a higher credit limit if you have a strong credit score and no recent history of late payments.

Pick only one credit card in your wallet to ask for an increase on. If you ask all of your credit card issuers for a higher credit limit, each will be treated as a separate inquiry and that could hurt your credit score. It can also help if you don’t apply for new credit cards in a short period of time when asking for a credit limit increase on an existing card. Such applications can lower a credit score temporarily.

To ask for a larger credit limit, just call your credit card provider and ask for it. Ask them to consider your years of membership, strong payment record and low credit utilization rate.

Dont Be Desperate or Greedy
Tell your credit card company why you deserve more credit: Youve never missed a payment and you always pay your balance in full each month, or you pay more than the minimum balance.

You also dont want to ask for too high of an increase. This can be a sign of greed and desperation, which can lead to denial and require you to wait a few months before applying again for a credit limit increase. Aim for 10 to 25 percent more, up to $250 for every $1,000 in credit you already have. If you have good credit, you may be able to ask for more.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When preparing to batten down the hatches during a storm, don’t forget to pay attention to your furry family members. Loud, unpredictable noises and an uptick of electrical currents in the air can make your pet seriously scared when the weather goes wild. Here are three ways to soothe your dog or cat during an electrical storm.

Create a comfortable space. Many animals like small, tight spaces when the weather becomes unpredictable. (Some even jump in the bathtub!) Find a cozy spot for your pet (preferably in the same room you’re in) and bring in their favorite blanket, bed or toy.

Turn on calming music. Animals have long been known to react to soothing music the same way people do. Play some classical tunes or lullabies to help put pets at ease.

Distract them. Just like people, animals can be distracted in the face of fear. Play their favorite game or pull a special occasion treat out. Eventually, they may associate storms with treats and toys, instead of static electricity and thunder.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Paying for something with a credit card instead of cash can be easier for a number of reasons. While it can be difficult to find an ATM when you need it, carrying around a lot of cash can be dangerous, and some things are nearly impossible to buy with cash.

And by “cash,” we also mean a debit card, since money that’s pulled immediately out of a bank account through a debit card doesn’t have as many protections as a credit card does.

Here are four specific instances when paying with plastic is a much better idea than using cash:

Digital Purchases

Ring tones, games on your smartphone or anything else you buy online that’s delivered digitally can be difficult to get a refund on if you pay with a debit card or some other form of digital cash.

If something is wrong with the game you’ve bought, and the app seller doesn’t help you, paying with a credit card will offer more protection than a debit card if you didn’t get what you paid for. Not only will your credit card company help you resolve the issue and put off the charge until the problem has been rectified, they will also contact the seller for help.

Electronics and Warranty Extensions

Televisions, computers, refrigerators and other big-ticket items that come with a manufacturer’s warranty often have the warranty extended for a year when paying with a credit card. Check with your credit card before making a purchse to see if it offers this free service. And only use the card if you can afford to pay off the balance when the bill arrives so that you’re not paying interest on the new TV set you’ve bought.

Undelivered Items

If you’ve used a credit card to pay movers who didn’t fulfill their contract, or the flowers you ordered for mom were never delivered, you can have your credit card company withhold payment until the products or services have been received. In other words, you won’t pay until you’re satisfied.

Travel

It can be difficult, if not impossible, to reserve a plane ticket, hotel room or rental car with cash. A debit card can be used for some reservations, but a “hold” on the card for the expected total might hurt your ability to withdraw cash from your account or use the debit card elsewhere.

Credit cards make travel a lot easier. They often offer perks such as free checked luggage, protection against trip interruption or lost luggage, and free rental car insurance.

Published with permission from RISMedia.