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Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish concept loosely translated as a warm feeling of happiness.

Heres how to implement the concept into your homes design.

Keep It Comfy

Your home should be personal and inviting rather than formal or trendy. Choose decor that you find calming.

Bare Necessities

Strip away all of the clutter and youll naturally feel more relaxed and at ease.

Sentimental Effects

Decorate with a few objects that have sentimental meaning to you. This will create a home that reflects your personality and lifestyle.

Neutral Colors

Shades of white, gray and beige contribute to a clean and soothing environment.

Warm Lights

Round out the setting and incorporate hygge with soft lighting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Adults aged 65 and older are at higher risk for dangerous falls.

Fall-related injuries can make it difficult for people to get around or live on their own.

If youre at risk, talk openly with your doctor and review all the medicines you take, especially if you feel woozy.

Have your eyes checked annually, and update your eyeglasses if necessary.

Stay active! Consider exercises to improve balance and strength, such as Tai Chi.

Wear well-fitting shoes with good support.

Many falls happen at home, so remove items you can trip over.

Have grab bars installed and put non-slip mats in the bathroom.

To stay safe, use caution at all times.

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When applying for a home loan, it’s important to keep in mind how much monthly mortgage you can afford. Through the approval process, lenders will factor in your credit score, income and other financial data to determine the maximum loan amount youre eligible for, and you may qualify for more than you can afford. Consider how much you should borrow to keep your monthly expenses and family budget manageable.

To start that calculation, find an online mortgage calculator. It should show you the total costs of owning a home beyond the principal and interest of a mortgage. Other expenses can include private mortgage insurance, home insurance, property taxes and HOA fees.

Once you have that total number, you can determine if it fits within your monthly budget. If not, then you may have to find a lower-priced house to buy.

28 percent, a good start
The Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act requires mortgage lenders to determine that borrowers can reasonably repay a loan. The decision is based on an applicants credit, job stability and income. The law doesnt allow mortgages to take up more than 35 percent of monthly income.

Many lenders use more stringent requirements, limiting a payment to 28 percent of monthly income.

How to do the math
Doing the math on how 28 percent of income equates to dollars is easy: Multiply your monthly income by 28, then divide that by 100. That number equals 28 percent of your monthly income.

Heres an example: The median U.S. household income in September 2014 was $51,939, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That equals about $4,328 per month in income. Multiply that by 28 to get $121,191, then divide by 100 to get $1,211.

That $1,211 is 28 percent of the median households monthly income.

Beware of other debt
Other debt and expenses, however, may make it difficult to afford paying 28 percent of your monthly income toward a mortgage.

Credit card debt, a car loan and student loans will also be looked at by lenders, and if they add up to more than 7 percent of your income you may not qualify for a mortgage that costs 28 percent of your income. Your debt-to-income ratio would be at 35 percent or higher, and a lender may require you to pay off some debts before approving you for a home loan.

Contact me for more insights and info.

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Keep your cherished works of art in pristine condition with these tips.

Create the Right Environment

Remember that artwork is sensitive to factors like sunlight, temperature and humidity.

Security

Its important to take the proper precautions to protect pieces that are particularly valuable. Motion sensors can be installed that alert authorities if a piece is being moved without prior authorization.

Work With Professionals

Dont take chances when it comes to pricey works of art. Work with a professional to install, store or move your collection.

Art Insurance

In the event that a piece does get damaged, make sure youve had your art collection appraised and insured.

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These easy techniques will keep your home current, while displaying vintage artifacts.

Be Bold

Layering modern patterns and colors is a great way to make a room feel more contemporary.

Mix and Match

Juxtaposing old and new makes for an original look not tied to any specific time period.

Create Collections

An assortment of items offers unique visual appeal that calls more attention than a single piece.

Take a Step Back

Keep an eye on the big picture. Antiques should complement the look, not define it.

Focus on Presentation

Vintage crafts on contemporary shelving or old posters in modern frames provide a glimpse into the past while still feeling fashionable.

Published with permission from RISMedia.