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Here are five ideas to help keep your kids busy while spending time around the house.

Prepare the Playroom

Puzzles and board games can be a great way for kids to stay mentally active.

Utilize the Library

If you have a library or reading area in your home, its the perfect space for kids to spend an hour of daily reading time.

Cook Together

With everyone doing their part to prepare a delicious home-cooked meal, little ones will be sure to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Designate Outdoor Time

Dont overlook the importance of outdoor time when it comes to keeping your kids entertained.

Enjoy the Media Room

After a long day of keeping them busy around the house, theres no reason to feel bad about letting the kids enjoy some entertainment of their own.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Shopping for a mortgage isnt as fun as looking at homes to buy, but its an important step that will affect you for years.

There are many ways to shop for a lender. You can start by looking at online mortgage lenders. Or you can walk in to a bank and ask to talk to a loan officer. A mortgage broker or your real estate agent may be able to recommend lenders, as may friends and family. Online reviews may also be helpful.

Before you start talking to lenders, there are a few steps you may want to take first. If you have no credit or bad credit, or arent sure of your credit score, start by finding out your credit score and then work on improving it. This could take a month or more.

A low credit score is a sign that youre a risky borrower, which will likely lead to a higher interest rate on the home loan.

There are many ways to improve your credit score, including paying bills in full and on time, and paying off as much debt as possible.

Once your credit score is as high as you can make it and is accurate, its time to look at lenders more closely.First, check to make sure the lender youre considering is registered in your state to do business on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System registry.

Next, you can search online for mortgage rates. Remember that each rate is a starting point and that a lender or broker will need to pull your credit report and process a loan application to provide an accurate rate based on your credit score and other information.

Once you get a few quotes from lenders, compare their costs and determine which loan makes the most sense for you. The lowest interest rate may not be the best deal if too many fees are added.

Fees may include commission, loan origination, points, appraisal, credit report, application fees and other costs you may have to pay at closing. Ask if any of the fees will be waived (usually for a higher interest rate) or if they can be rolled into the mortgage.

Ask how much of a down payment youll need to come up with. With a higher down payment you may be able to get better loan terms.

Also ask about the turnaround time on preapproval, appraisal and closing, and which form of communication will get the quickest response from them.

One of the last things you want from a lender is an uncommunicative one who doesnt get back to you quickly. This is probably one of the most important purchases of your life, and you want it to go as smoothly as possible.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

For seniors who want to continue to live in their homes during retirement, a reverse mortgage can be an attractive option. It allows seniors to access the equity theyve built up by paying their mortgages over the years and use that money to cover living expenses.

Sometimes seniors who have taken out a reverse mortgage decide to move to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Others may need to move into a nursing home to receive full-time care. In those circumstances, a house with a reverse mortgage can be sold.

When Does It Make Sense to Sell a House With a Reverse Mortgage?
Selling your home could be a wise move if its current market value is high enough that youd be able to pay off the loan balance and still have some money left over. If the amount of the monthly payments youve received, plus interest and fees, have gone up as the real estate market has suffered and your house has lost value, selling might not be profitable.

Reverse mortgages are generally non-recourse loans. That means you and your heirs will never be responsible for paying any money to the lender above the appraised value of the house. If you sell your home, the reverse mortgage lender will accept the lesser of 95 percent of the houses appraised value or the payoff amount to close out the account.

How to Sell Your House
Before you put your home on the market, contact your lender to find out your payoff amount. That should include any money you have received, plus interest and fees. Ask the lender to provide you with the payoff amount in writing.

The next step is to list your home. Selling a house with a reverse mortgage is similar in many ways to selling a home with a standard mortgage. A real estate agent can answer your questions and guide you through the process.

What Happens When a House With a Reverse Mortgage Is Sold
When your house is sold, the money from the sale will be used first to pay off the balance owed on the mortgage, along with any liens or fees. The rest of the money will be yours to use as you see fit. You wont incur any financial penalty by selling your house after taking out a reverse mortgage.

Should You Sell Your Home?
If you took out a reverse mortgage years ago but your circumstances have changed and you now find yourself needing or wanting to move, you may be able to sell your home and possibly walk away with a significant amount of cash to use for other expenses. Discuss your situation with your lender and a real estate agent.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional or legal advice.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Should you prioritize paying off debt or saving for retirement?

If youre younger and have high-interest debt, tackle that first and pay beyond the minimum monthly rate.

Youll be able to stop wasting money on interest and then focus on long-term goals.

If you have low-interest debt but little retirement money, contribute to a 401(k) or IRA first, especially if youre older.

If you have debt with moderate interest rates, some retirement funds and decades left to save, strike a balance.

Consider your circumstances, and figure out what makes sense for you.

When it comes to financial priorities, the answer isnt one-size-fits-all.

Published with permission from RISMedia.