2011 How to Guide

How-to Choose a Carpet

How-to Find Perfect Employees

How-to Choose a Motorcoach Tour

How-to Choose Furniture

How-to Choose a Satellite TV PackageHow-to Choose a Reverse Mortgage

How-to Know How Much House You Can Afford

HOW-TOGUIDE

A Special Advertising Section | June 25, 2011

15 LoCAL BuSinESSES SHARE THEiR ExPERTiSE

How-to Get it Done... Stop Procrastinating

2 Saturday, June 25, 2011

HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: identify and treat EGUS [Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome]

“I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” the obviously concerned owner stated, nearly wringing her hands. “He started chewing at his sides about a week ago and just look at the damage he’s done to himself !”

As if to give credence to her words, the glossy bay gelding swung his head around to his side just behind his ribs and started tearing at his hide, the excoriations he’d already created started to bleed again.

“He’s in training for a futurity so things have heated up for him recently, but he’s never had any problems before. We de-worm regularly and he’s fed a top line of feed and great hay. There aren’t many bugs this time of year... Why on earth is he tearing himself up like that?” she asked with deep concern and frustration.

Tia Nelson, DVM, Total Dynamic Balance Veterinary Hospital

I examined Tizer, the young gelding, and aside from a slightly elevated pulse, increased GI sounds, and of course the

deep wounds in his sides, the physical exam was unremarkable. Anne, his owner, revealed that he had been a little off feed the last few days, acting hungry when his food was brought then not eating and he’d become resistant to some of his training. I suspected gastric ulcers were the root of his trouble. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is becoming a commonly recognized and diagnosed condition, especially in horses in training. To definitively diagnose it, a 3 meter endoscope is inserted through the horse's nostril and fed down to the stomach where the telltale signs of ulcers are seen. Another common way to diagnose EGUS is to treat horse, based on clinical signs, with omeprazole. Due to the costs associated with scoping, this second route is commonly taken.

Ulcers may be diagnosed in horses ranging in age from neonatal foals to geriatric adults. The symptoms vary and range from intermittent colic episodes, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and lethargy to the violent reaction Tizer exhibited. Omeprazole paste is easy to administer, given once a day, and effective enough to cure gastric ulcers in horses while they are in training; they don’t need to take time off to heal. Up to 95% of horses on the race track are estimated to have ulcers; it’s a common condition in equine athletes.

Tizer started his first dose of omeprazole that afternoon and in five days had completely stopped ripping his sides to shreds and in a week was back in training working as hard as he usually did. He will stay on a preventative dose of omeprazole until after the futurity and when his schedule slows down.

SEE AD ON BACK PAGE

Tizer feels better after treatment for Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome [EGUS]photo provided

HOW-TO GUIDE


How-to: indentify and treat EGUS ......................................................................2How to: choose a motorcoach tour and company ...............................................4How to: get it done! [stop procrastinating] .........................................................6How to: choose a TV satellite package ..............................................................8How to: choose a carpet ............................................................................... 10How to: care for varicose veins ..................................................................... 12How to: find perfect employees .................................................................... 14How to: know how much house you can afford .............................................. 16How to: quit tobacco .................................................................................... 18How to: choose hearing aids ......................................................................... 20How to: buy a used car................................................................................. 22How to: shop for furniture ............................................................................ 24How to: achieve the American dream... home ownership ................................ 26How to: paper craft ...................................................................................... 28How to: choose a reverse mortgage .............................................................. 30

HOW-TOGUIDE

15 LoCAL BuSinESSES SHARE THEiR ExPERTiSE

The How-to Guide is published by the Independent Record. 317 Cruse Ave, Helena, MT 59601

(406) 447-4003


HOW-TO GUIDE

We are Laird Leisure Travel, a Montana owned and operated company celebrating our 30th year of providing group tours

throughout North America. In our 30 years we have learned some valuable lessons on the do’s and don’ts of group touring. We have included some of the important points to remember when choosing the right tour for you.

A tour should be escorted.Many companies advertise “escorted”,

however many times the escort is just another part of the group that has lent their name to advertise the tour in exchange for a free trip. In reality, an escort, or tour coordinator, is a person that travels with the group to assist in the trip running smoothly. In general they serve refreshments and keep entertainment going on the tour. They also assist in hotel checkins, admissions to attractions, and the well-being of the passengers, and providing general information. An escort, however, should not be mistaken for a guide. A guide is a person that has extensive knowledge about an area or subject. Many companies will hire guides for city tours or area tours, to ensure you get the experience of your trip.

Check the length of travel each day.

Some companies try to make the trip a marathon, and cover a lot of ground each day. Others try to have you checked in your room by dinner time to give you an evening to yourself to relax and unwind. This is a vacation after all. If you are thinking how can a company travel long distances and see all of those things in one day, you will know it will be more about endurance, than enjoyment. Another important consideration is how often the tour stops for leg stretches to ensure you get movement and time to stretch your legs.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the transportation.

Does the company own their own motorcoaches, or do they use another company to fulfill their needs. Ask how many people the

How to: choose a motorcoach tour and company

Preliminary TOUr SchedUleJUly

AlaskaCalgary Stampede

aUgUSTRailroads of the Colorado Rockies

SePTemberMichigan/Wisconsin

Trains of New EnglandNew England Fall Foliage Highlights

Norsk HostfestOcTOber

Best of the MaritimesnOvember

Christmas BransonKenyan Safari

Mexico’s Copper CanyonVictorian Christmas

decemberCalifornia Dreamin’

bus can hold, and how many they plan to take. Many companies book every seat on the bus, while others try to leave space to move about, or set up tables in the rear of the coach to play.

Find out about seating arrangements. Some companies say first come, first serve

when it comes to the front seat. Others do a seat rotation to ensure everyone has an equal and fair shot at the coveted front seat.

Research the travel company.

Before you trust your travel dollar to just anyone, find out if travel is their main priority, or just a side-business. Many non-travel businesses are using group tours as a way to advertise and boost their primary business, instead of travel being their true passion.

Don’t let hidden costs creep up on you.

Ask what is included. Are all attractions and side trips included, or do you have to pay extra for admission charges. Another extra charge to consider is meals. Sometimes it can be nice to have all meals included, and other times it’s nice to be able to go eat where you want and to order off of the menu instead of already having your meal chosen for you. Everyone has their own personal choices when it comes to meals so decide what is right for you.

Decide if you want to go with local people, or people from other areas.

When you book with a local tour company, you will more than likely travel with people from your area with your customs and language. If you prefer to be with people from all of the country and/or world, then a larger international tour company is the way to go.

When it comes to vacations, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

The more informed you are before your trip leaves, the more relaxed you can be on your trip.Counter clockwise from top left: Deronian Gardens-Downtown Calgary,

Glacier Bay National Park-Alaska, Little bee eater [Melittophagus pusillu]-Kenya; Bridge over Copper Canyon-Mexico.

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: get it done! [stop procrastinating]

Step 1Intended Results

Declare your goal and a specific date, in a measurable form. For instance, you state, “I want to be physically fit by January 1, 2012. I will weigh 20 pounds less than I do now, my cholesterol level will be down 20 points and I will be able to walk/jog 3 miles.” Notice how important it is to have something that is measurable to keep yourself accountable. If you simply say, “I will be physically fit,” you are less likely to achieve it.

Step 2Future Vision

This is a writing exercise. Depending on the scope and importance of your project, you should be able to write up to a full page or more. Think of yourself on the day you accomplish your goal. Think about how you will feel, who will be around you, what the people you love will be saying, etc. Give it as much “juice” as you can, knowing from experience how good it is to finish something well.

Step 3List Your Skills

List all the skills you have which are pertinent to this project. “I can walk, cook, read a recipe, swim, ride a bike, use a computer...” Try to list at least 10.

Step 4List Your Resources

List the people resources first, being specific about who the person is and what support that person will provide. List things next. Again, make them as long as you can.

Step 5Rewards

Obviously the big reward is that you achieve your goal, but we’re looking for some smaller ones you can take along the way. Divide them into small, medium, and large, based on whatever criteria you want. It may be financial, or time involved, or even the frivolity of it. You can choose things you don’t normally give yourself. If you are having a hard time coming up with things, you can use rewards that you might take or get anyway, but get them with intention. If you want that new CD, wait until you have done the next step in your project, and buy the CD and listen to it knowing that you are because you deserve it! Watch your favorite TV program because you finished your action plan for the week!

Step 6Reverse Results or Milestones Plan

Starting from your goal date, move backwards in whatever time increments are appropriate for the project. It may be quarterly, monthly, biweekly, weekly, or even daily for a quick little project. At each date, declare what part of the project you want done by that date.

1/1/12: Weigh 140#, Cholesterol 215, walk/jog 3 miles

11/1/11: Weigh 144#, walk 3 miles10/1/11: Weigh 148#, walk/jog 2.5 miles9/1/11: Weigh 152#, walk 2.5 miles,

cholesterol 2258/1/11: Weigh 156#, walk/jog 2 miles7/1/11: Weigh 158#, walk 2 miles

Step 7Action Plan

ONLY to the first result or milestone. From today, what actions will you take to be able to weigh 158# and walk two miles by July 1?

Sit down with spouse and plan menus.•Sit down with kids and talk about your plan.•Talk with your doctor about your plan.•Walk at lunch 3 times a week.•Walk with spouse 3 times a week.•Take stairs instead of elevators.•

When you have arrived at your next milestone, make a new Action Plan to get to the next one.

Step 8Attach Rewards

Attach a reward to each milestone or result you achieve. Will it be a small, medium or large? You decide. It may also be helpful to attach rewards to specific actions in your Action Plan. Just remember to take them with the pride of accomplishment!

What happens if you miss a Milestone? If you’re like many people, your tendency is to just chuck the whole thing. DON’T DO THAT! Just revise your dates or milestones. We are human and things happen that are out of our control. With this project design, you have the ability to take control again.

Stuck on a project?

Haven’t even started?

Try PROjECT DESIGN FROM THE

FUTURE. You can use it in your

personal and your professional

life, for large and small projects.

Don’t procrastinate.Call Carla at

461-6621 today!

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: choose a TV satellite package

W ith the ever rising cost of cable television, many home owners and apartment

renters are switching over to satellite services for their video programming. We have been providing satellite systems and local services to the Helena area and southwest Montana since 1989.

Eagle satellite is one of the largest dealers in Montana. We choose to sell and service Dish Network systems and programming because we believe it is the best value in the industry. Their programming costs are 15-18 percent less than other providers and their equipment has been ranked the best at the Consumer Electronics Show [CES], for home video. Signal reliability is at 99.9 percent.

When a customer first decides to find out details about satellite, the wide variety of programming and equipment options may seem confusing.

This is where we strive to outdo our many out-of-state competitors. We help to customize equipment and programming that is exactly right for each of our customers’ needs. We will ask all the right questions:

Do you have high Definition or standard TVs or a combination of both?

We can install three HD receivers and three standard TVs, for a total of six receivers, free for qualifying customers. No up-front cost. No other programming providers offer this.

Do you want to watch your favorite programs at your leisure?

If so, a DVR will help you do that. We offer DVR’s for two TV’s for only $6 per month service fee. This is the least expensive DVR fee in the industry.

Do you travel a lot and want the ability to watch your local and other channels you subscribe to, anywhere in the world, using your computer or mobile device?

New customers can receive a free sling box, a device that we attach to your MPEG-4 receiver that allows you to do exactly that. No other provider can deliver 100 percent of your paid programming worldwide.

Another advantage of Satellite TV is the vast amount of sports packages available at very reasonable prices. These are available for Baseball, Basket Ball, Football, Hockey, Soccer, Cricket and every kind of sports pay per view event out there.

International programming content available includes packages and individual Channels in Arabic, Bangla, Bengali, Brazilian, Chinese, Filipino, German, Greek, Hindi, Israeli, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malayalam, Nepali, Pan African, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Taiwanese, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Vietnamese and several others.

Do you want a choice of five different packages for under $50, starting at just $24.99 per month?

Dish can do that and no other programming provider does.

When you have a question about anything satellite, whether it be about billing, programming packages, equipment upgrades, service, cabin and RV systems, do you want to speak to somebody 3,000 miles away that speaks English as a second language?

Every time you call an 800 number to order your satellite

system, you put yourself in that position. That’s frustrating for anybody. Eagle has a 100 percent on-time service call record. Deal locally and support local people. Quit sending Montana money to California, Texas, Florida and Denver. Once your money is out of here, it’s gone. There will be no multiplier effect bouncing that money around southwest Montana. It’s gone and it shrinks our local economy. Plus, we guarantee that we’ll give you faster and better service than the out of state marketing companies. Eagle also sells and services Wild Blue, a Satellite delivered internet service that is available virtually everywhere. Monthly rates begin at $39.99 /month.

It’s a no-brainer.

Call Eagle Satellite for your satellite programming and internet needs. 442-9091

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

The decision has been made. You want to purchase new carpet and the time is now.

Your mind is already shifting into fast forward with such issues as: Light or dark colors? Soft and velvety or tight and firm? Smooth or textured? Wall to wall or bordered? There’s so much to consider. If a designer were to help you design your home, they’d begin with you. So you begin with you. Put yourself through an initial interview — ask what a designer would ask.

First stepsStart with the size of your family

and the age of your children (if any). Are there pets? Is there the possibility for grandchildren or elderly parents moving in? Are there family members living outside your home who should be consulted? Are you doing one room, several rooms, or an entire apartment or house? Now take a hard look at how your family lives. In which rooms do you spend most of your time? Is your living style relaxed or formal? Do you like everything in its place, or do you consider a casual room more comfortable? Do you entertain? Are the groups small or large? How often do the children bring friends home? These are practical matters you must consider.

The magic of colorYou may have heard that dark

colors make a room look smaller. It’s true. So you should stay away from dark colors, right? Wrong. If your objective is to create a warm, cozy and sheltered look, a smaller “feel” is exactly what you want and dark, rich colors, like hunter green or burgundy can work great. Pastels

and color tints tend to enlarge a space. These colors create a restful and soothing mood. They’re ideal when you want a formal, orderly and romantic tone. Strong contrasts of colors are lively, exciting and energetic and can be a bold statement for your style of living.

Choosing the right carpet ‘type’ To shop with confidence, you

need to know what kinds of carpet are available and what each is designed to do. All carpets begin with a “loop pile.” To make a “cut pile” the tips of the loops are sheared off, which produces the smooth finish of velvets and other styles. Cut pile carpets are by far the most common type bought by consumers because they have the most luxurious look and feel. Other carpet styles include, Multilevel Loops, Level Loop, Cut and Loop or “Traceries”, Velvets, Saxonies or “Plushes”, Textured Saxonies, and Frieze.

Other carpet-buying considerationsAvoid bargains. Cheap carpet is

easy to spot; it’s thin, lightweight and flimsily made. Buy good quality padding; it absorbs up to 90 percent of the impact of foot traffic. A higher investment in carpet padding will extend the life of your carpet. It’s worth the extra, initial cost.

Before your new carpet arrives If painting, do this first and save

some paint for touch up. Find out in advance who is moving the furniture. If it’s the retailer, it’s only fair that they charge a fee for the labor. Know who is removing the old carpet. Some retailers charge for this service; others don’t. Check the clearance at the bottom

of doors and make sure the doors swing freely over the new carpet. If not, arrange to have the door bottoms trimmed.

Consult the expertsFinstad’s Carpet One has been

locally owned and operated for 63 years. Carpet One is the largest floor covering group in the world which means they buy better and will save you money. Finstad’s has Helena’s largest carpet selection including in-stock carpet ready for immediate installation. What really sets them apart are the incredible FREE warranties and guarantees offered on over 90 percent of the carpet we sell. The Beautiful Guarantee gives you up to 120 days to decide of you

truly are happy with the carpet Finstad’s installed in your home. If you are not, we will replace it with another carpet of your choice at no charge for material and labor. Another exclusive warranty is the 3M Everguard® stain warranty. This warranty allows customers to have a professional carpet cleaner come to their home at no charge for any stain that won’t remove with standard carpet cleansers. If the professional can’t get the stain out, Finstad’s will replace the carpet for free. A 10-25 year warranty is offered depending on the carpet purchased. Stop in and Finstad’s sales proffesionals will explain the warranties in detail. Without a doubt, your best value in carpet is from Finstad’s Carpet One.

How to: choose a carpet

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOWDetermine whether you are doing one room or several.1. Know which colors are right for you.2. Decide whether you want casual or formal carpeting and which type of 3. carpet you prefer.Avoid cheap carpet; It’s easy to spot.4. Buy high-quality padding. It will extend the life of your carpet. 5.

HOW-TO GUIDE


truly are happy with the carpet Finstad’s installed in your home. If you are not, we will replace it with another carpet of your choice at no charge for material and labor. Another exclusive warranty is the 3M Everguard® stain warranty. This warranty allows customers to have a professional carpet cleaner come to their home at no charge for any stain that won’t remove with standard carpet cleansers. If the professional can’t get the stain out, Finstad’s will replace the carpet for free. A 10-25 year warranty is offered depending on the carpet purchased. Stop in and Finstad’s sales proffesionals will explain the warranties in detail. Without a doubt, your best value in carpet is from Finstad’s Carpet One.


HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: care for varicose veins

Our evolution as homo sapiens has determined our erect stance. Over the years, this upright stance has led to venous hypertension and become a problem in our society today.

Venous hypertension (high pressure in the vein system) leads to symptoms of chronic vein disease, resulting in varicose veins.

Venous insufficiency (or venous reflux/backflow) is the impaired return of venous blood or reflux from the legs or feet caused by dilated vessels in the legs or damaged/absent vein valves.

Symptoms:Leg heaviness and fatigue •Pain•Bleeding•Phlebitis (swelling of vein)•Skin changes/ulcers•Edema/swelling •Itching/burning•Restless Leg Syndrome•

Minimally invasive treatments are now available as an alternative to previous vein stripping:

Elevation and compression•Decrease risk factors•Ligation (closure of damaged vein)•Sclerotherapy (injection therapy)•Endovenous Thermal Ablation (Laser, Radiofrequency)•Cutaneous Laser•

Varicose veins can be a result of genetics, pregnancy, being overweight and a lifetime of working on your feet. Make sure to get your blood moving with regular exercise and consult with your physician regarding any vein concerns you may have.

VaricoSE VEinS are gnarled, enlarged

veins. any vein may become varicose,

but the veins most commonly affected

are those in your legs and feet. That's

because standing and walking upright

increases the pressure in the veins of

your lower body.

For many people, varicose veins and

spider veins — a common, mild

variation of varicose veins — are simply

a cosmetic concern. For other people,

varicose veins can cause aching pain and

discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins

lead to more-serious problems. Varicose

veins may also signal a higher risk of

other circulatory problems. Treatment may

involve self-care measures or procedures

by your doctor to close or remove veins.

Patients are happily surprised with the procedure and how

quickly they recover!

Before after

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: find the perfect employees

Are you short staffed, yet can't seem to find the time to hire? Tired of putting out job postings only to receive hundreds of

unqualified applicants to sift through? You need the help of a qualified staffing agency such as Westaff to take the hiring burdens off of you.

Employment rules in Montana differ from most places and even federal law, so it's critical to find an agency that understands and applies Montana law. Westaff of Helena, along with our sister company Personnel-Plus! Consulting Services, are Montana's only full-service human resource management agency staffed by a certified HR professional. We provide both recruitment and staffing services as well as human resource consulting on a large number of issues, making us true experts in our field.

Using an employment agency such as Westaff offers you flexibility, a large pool of qualified, pre-screened applicants and the ability to try an employee out before you hire them permanently. We help fill full-time and part-time, temporary and permanent, and long-term and short-term positions.

We keep a pool of prescreened, qualified applicants on file. If you have a temporary position to fill, odds are that we will have someone that will meet your staffing needs. Whether it be for vacation replacement, illness or a temporary surge in business, we can send you the extra help quickly-often within 24 hours of your first call.

If you need help finding the perfect permanent employee, we can also help! Contact us with

the position you are looking to fill. If we don't have someone already, we then recruit qualified applicants utilizing a number of recruitment avenues such as job postings on our website, billboards, radio advertising, job service listings and newspaper advertising. We then go through the applicants and conduct pre-interviews with qualified applicants. Once we have finished pre-interviews, we conduct the skills assessments of your choice. We have over 450 skill tests ranging from accounting to XML and everything in between! Westaff then checks references and refers to you a ranked list of qualified job applicants for you to conduct your own interviews. This allows you to see the very best with minimal time commitment. It's that simple.

Once we find the perfect candidate from this group of applicants, you then have several options. You can hire them directly for a placement fee, or perhaps the smarter route is to try them out first. Put them on OUR payroll for a period of time until you are certain they are the perfect person for YOUR job.

Getting signed up with Westaff is easy and doesn't cost a thing. Simply contact us to obtain our client service agreement, fill it out, send it back and we'll take care of the rest! You are then ready to start obtaining employees.

Westaff of Helena has been locally owned and operated for 24 years by Jim and Nancy Nys. Westaff has proven they are the experts in the field of staffing and human Resources, so you can cross "hiring" off of your to-do list by letting Westaff do it for you.

"Jim and his team at Helena Westaff have been a real asset for my business. He has tremendous experience with both the legal and personal side of human resource management. By taking advantage of his experience and the variety of services he offers, we have reduced issues and developed a more cohesive team of our own. I would recommend Jim and Helena Westaff to anyone interested in reducing risk and improving business operations.” – Eric S., Montana Business Owner

"We appreciate the staff and our working relationship" – Mary L., state employee on working with Westaff

"Local staff is great. Friendly, quick to respond, easy to talk to. Questions are answered right away and issues are dealt with on time." – State employee on working with Westaff

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: know how much house you can afford

W ith an abundance of houses on the market today in the Greater Helena Area, there are still a lot of home buyers who are on

the fence about buying a new home. In today’s economy, many factors influence the decision to buy a home – job status, financial resources, and family considerations among them. But one of the most compelling reasons to consider becoming a homeowner in the current market is the affordability factor, which will benefit today’s buyers for many years to come. To put this into perspective, a buyer who purchased a median-priced home five years ago with an FHA mortgage requiring a 3 percent down payment would have a monthly mortgage payment of $1,650. With today’s interest rates and median home prices, that same buyer would pay $1,150 per month – that’s a $500 savings every month, and a savings of $6,000 per year.

Today’s record low mortgage rates and high household incomes have created a very favorable buying environment in terms of affordability. In fact, the NAR Housing Affordability Index is at an all-time high, since NAR began measuring affordability in 1970. The higher the index, the more favorable housing affordability becomes. This means the typical family could afford more home today than in 1970. With mortgage rates expected to rise over the next year, the index will likely decline modestly, but NAR economists still expect 2011 to be the third best year on record for housing affordability.

How much house can you afford?

If you're like many first-time homebuyers, chances are you've been spending your weekends driving around visiting open houses and new model homes. This is a great way to get a feel for what you want. The problem is that what you want isn't always what you should get.

Before you start touring homes for sale, it's important to start off with a budget so you know how much you can afford to spend. Knowing what mortgage payment you can handle will also help you narrow the field so you don't waste precious time touring homes that are out of your reach.

Where to begin?

The key factor in figuring how much home you can afford is your debt-to-income ratio. This is the figure lenders use to determine how much mortgage debt you can handle, and thus the maximum loan amount you will be offered. The ratio is based on how much personal debt you are carrying in relation to how much you earn, and it's expressed as a percentage.

The ideal ratio.

Mortgage lenders generally use a ratio of 39 percent as a rough guideline for how high your debt-to-income ratio should be. A ratio above 39 percent is seen as slightly risky, and the lender will likely offer a different program to help you buy a home. Another good guideline is that no more than 28 percent of your gross monthly income goes to housing expenses.

Doing the math.First, figure out how much total debt you (and

your spouse, if applicable) can carry with a 39 percent ratio. To do this, multiply your monthly gross income (your total income before taxes and other expenses such as health care) by .39. For example, if your gross income is $6,500:

$6,500 [Gross monthly income] x .39 [Debt-to-income ratio] = $2,535 [Total allowable monthly debt payments]

Next, add up all your family’s fixed monthly

debt expenses, such as car payments, your minimum credit card payments, student loans and any other regular debt payments. (Include monthly child support, but not bills such as groceries or utilities.)

Minimum monthly credit card payments*: _________+ Monthly Car loan payments: _________+ Other monthly debt payments: _________= Total monthly debt payments: _________

*Your minimum credit card payment is not your total balance every month. It is your required minimum payment–usually between two and three percent of the outstanding balance.

To continue with the above example, let's assume your total monthly debt payments come to $750. You would then subtract $750 from your total allowable monthly debt payments to calculate your maximum monthly mortgage payment:

$2,535 [Total allowable monthly debt payments] - $750 [Total monthly debt payments other than mortgage] = $785 [Maximum mortgage payment]

In this example, the most you could afford for

a home would be $1,785 per month. And keep in mind that this number includes private mortgage insurance, homeowner's insurance and property taxes. To determine the price of home you can afford contact one of our Professional Loan Officers today. We’ll help you take advantage of the home ownership opportunities that are available today in Helena. At First Community Bank we want to make your home buying experience as hassle free as possible.

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: quit tobacco

Keep BusyDo you miss having a cigarette in your hand?

Hold something else. Try a pencil, a paper clip, a marble, or a water bottle.

Do you miss having something in your mouth? Try toothpicks, cinnamon sticks, lollipops, hard candy, sugarfree gum, or carrot sticks.

Stay Away from Temptations Instead of using tobacco after meals, get up from

the table. Brush your teeth or go for a walk. If you always use tobacco while driving, try

something new: Listen to a new radio station or yourfavoritemusic.Takeadifferentroute.Stayaway from things that you connect with tobacco use.

Remember, most people don't use tobacco. Try to hang out with nonusers if you must be somewhere you'll be tempted, for example at a party or in a bar.

QuitToday's the day you start your tobacco-free

life! Ask family and friends to support you.Identify local support services and/or groups

thatcanhelpyouinyourefforttoquit.Visitwww.stpetes.org/classes-events to sign up for the next St. Pete’s- Quit For Life six-session tobacco cessation course at St. Peter’s Hospital.

Use Your Support ProgramCall the Montana Tobacco Quit Line

(1-800-QUIT-NOW), a tobacco cessation servicethatoffersfreecounseling,nicotinereplacement products and reduced-cost cessation medications. Talk to a trained counselor about your readiness to quit and cessation products that can help you quit. Set up phone counseling sessions to further aid youinyourefforttoquit.

Managing CravingsRemember: The urge to use tobacco will come

and go. You made a list of reasons to quit, refer to it frequently, especially at a times like this.

You may also try relaxation exercises:n Take 10 slow, deep breaths and hold the last

one. n Then breathe out slowly. n Relax all of your muscles. n Picture a soothing, pleasant scene. n Think only about that peaceful image and

nothing else.

No matter what, don't think, "Just one won't hurt." It will hurt. It will undo your work so far.

Stay QuitKeep Your Guard UpYour body has changed since you began to use

tobacco. Your brain has learned to crave nicotine. So certain places, people, or events can trigger a strong urge to use, even years after quitting. Atfirst,youmaynotbeabletodothingsaswell

as when you were using tobacco. Don't worry. This won't last long. Your mind and body just need to get used to being without nicotine.

Stay UpbeatAsyougothroughthefirstdaysandweeks

without using tobacco, keep a positive outlook. Don't blame or punish yourself if you slip up. Don't think of quitting as "all or none." Instead, take it one day at a time. Remember that quitting is a learning process.

Reward Yourself For QuittingNow that you aren't buying tobacco, you

probably have more spending money. Think about starting a "money jar" if you haven't already. Put your tobacco money aside for each day you don't use. Soon you'll have enough money to buy a reward for yourself.

The Tobacco Prevention Program is a service of the Lewis & Clark City-County Health Department, whose mission is to improve and protect the health of all Lewis & Clark County residents.

Think About Why You Want to QuitFind reasons to quit that are important to you.

Health reasons are important, but think of other reasons too. For example, think of: n How much money you'll save by not buying

tobacco productsnNot being short of breath or coughing as

muchnSetting a better example for your childrenWhenyoufeeltheurgetousetobacco,find

your list of reasons to quit and remind yourself.

Prepare to QuitThinking about quitting may make you

anxious. Your chances will be better if you get readyfirst.Beforeyouquit,STARTbytakingthesefiveimportantsteps:

S = Set a quit date.T = Tell family, friends, and coworkers that

you plan to quit.A = Anticipate and plan for the challenges

you'll face while quitting.R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco

products from your home, car, and workplace.

T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit.

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

how to: choose hearing aids

1 Seek a referral to a reputable audiologist.

If you don’t know one, ask your doctor for a referral. A good audiologist will check your ears for wax, review your history of hearing difficulties and any medical problems that may contribute, complete a diagnostic hearing test to determine degree and type of hearing loss, and make a medical referral if the testing determines the hearing loss could have a correctable cause. Be cautious of free hearing tests and people who only sell one brand of hearing aid. Nothing is completely free.

2Ask about a trial period. Hearing aids take some time to get adapted to and adjusted to.

The trial period allows time to determine if the hearing aids are going to be helpful and comfortable for you. This period allows you to make any necessary changes to style or technology before making a commitment.

3 Think about future needs.If hearing were to change do the

hearing aids have sufficient residual gain (extra power) to be programmed to accommodate this change?

4 Check for a warranty.Make sure the hearing aids include a

warranty that covers both parts and labor for a period of time.

5 Beware of misleading claims.Hearing aids cannot restore normal

hearing or eliminate all background noise, no matter how advanced the technology. They can reduce some of the annoyance of background sounds and focus more on the sound that is in front of you, but cannot get rid of all of it.

6 Plan for the expense.The cost of hearing technology varies

widely - from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Professional fees, remote controls and other hearing aid options may cost extra. Talk to your audiologist about your needs and expectations. If cost is an issue, good instruments are still available at reasonable prices. If you’re a veteran, you may be able to get your hearing aid at no cost. Most health insurance plans, including Medicare do not cover the cost of hearing aids.

7 Ask about follow-up.Is someone at the clinic available for

problems regularly? Does the provider travel in once a week or so to see patients. A lot of adjusting may need to be done to the hearing aids to maximize your comfort and clarity. If you bought the aids when a factory representative was in town for an event, is the provider going to be able to complete the necessary follow-up?

HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPROVED and evolved greatly over the years. Not only has the size of the hearing aids decreased, but the technology inside hearing aids has greatly improved. Today’s hearing aids are available in extended wear invisible designs to a very discreet and tiny behind-the-ear size that can have a great amount of power. With many hearing aid companies promising to solve your hearing problems, how do you choose what is right for you? I would suggest following these steps:

IN TALKING WITH YOUR AUDIOLOGIST to create your plan to help you hearing and understand better, there are a few options that may come up. Below is a list of some hearing aid options that are available and may need to be discussed. The style of the hearing aids should be discussed with your provider as some styles are more appropriate for some hearing losses and lifestyles over others.

Directional microphonesThis is a set of microphones aligned to

improve the signal coming from the front of you and reduce the sound from behind or beside you. This technology helps to improve your ability to hear in background noise.

Bluetooth technologyMany hearing aids

now have the capability to transmit the sound from Bluetooth devices, such as cell phones or TV listeners, to the hearing aids. There is generally an intermediate device that assists in this transmission. These hearing aids allow for conversations on the phone without having to put the phone on the ear. They receive a direct signal from other audio equipment, resulting in a better sound quality.

Manual controlsMany hearing aids are completely automatic,

so the user simply puts them on and is able to hear comfortably in a variety of environments. However, many can have user controls for multiple programs or volume control. This allows more flexibility for all types of users, as not everyone wants or needs the same thing. In addition to the aids having the controls, remote controls are available for these features on some aids.

CallDr. Hillary

Carter, Audiologistto schedule your

appointmenttoday.

443-8838

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: buy a used car

Most people agree that if they couldaffordabrandnewcar, they would buy one.

Unfortunately, the rising prices of new cars put purchasing one out of reach for many people. When this is the case, buying a quality used car is the only solution. This can be a scary proposition. Unlike new car purchases, consumers do not have recourse if they buy a used car that is a “lemon.” Avoid the many pitfalls that used car buyers face; and let us help you make a good decision.

Needs vs. wants Needs are the “must haves”

such as number of seats or towing capacity. The next step is to determine what the “wants” are. Leather seats, alloy wheels, and DVD players are examples of “wants.” These are not totally necessary items, but they would be nice to have.

After determining your needs and wants, you should have a pretty good idea of the type of vehicleyouneed.Youshouldfigureouthowmuchyou will use your vehicle. Knowing how many miles you will drive it per year can sway your decision. One car you look at might have a lower price, but when you factor in fuel economy it may actually cost more. You should also determine how long you are likely to keep the vehicle. For example, if you are going to keep it for 10 years or more then resale value should not factor into your decision. However, if you are going to replace it after three years then resale value will be a very big deal. There are many resources available to help you with this step. Fueleconomy.gov will help you compare the gas mileage of the cars you are

considering. Edmunds.com has a feature called True Cost to Own which really helps if you tend to rotate your cars every few years.

Finding the right carSoyouhavenownarroweddownthefieldtoa

few of the cars you would consider. How do you findthem?Theinternetisagreatresourcetofindtherightcar.Manysitesofferusedcarinventoriesonline,butthesimplestandmosttimeeffectivemethod is to search the used car inventories of your local new and used car dealers online. If you findyourcarlocally,youwillsavetimeandmoneyin your search. With fuel prices today, a trip out of town can easily set you back $100. Those trips add up!

Dealer vs. Private PartyLike every retail purchase, there are pros and

cons to buying from a Dealer as well as a Private Party. Dealers are regulated as to what they have

to disclose (such as a salvaged title vehicle) unlike Private Party sales. Manydealersofferawarrantyandhave the vehicle inspected prior to sale. Many dealers are members of the Better Business Bureau and will arbitrate with the customer if the car is a “lemon.” Private Party sales are always AS-IS (no warranty), and any inspection is the buyer’s responsibility. The attraction to Private Party sales is avoiding the salesman at the dealership and the hope for a better deal (since there is no middleman). Simply put, there are certain protections for the consumer when buying from a Dealer that just are not there with a Private Party sale.

You have found a few cars to look at, now what? With a used car, condition is king. You want

your purchase to last as long as possible, so look for things that will cost you money down the road. How are the tires? How are the brakes? When was the last major maintenance performed? Are there service records available? Will the seller provide a Vehicle History Report at no charge (Carfax, AutoCheck)? Has the vehicle been in an accident? These are all questions that you must ask when you have found the right car.

Finally, remember that sites such as kbb.com will help you determine what is the right price to pay. Price is relative. “The bitterness of poor quality lingers on long after the sweetness of price is forgotten.” This is a great saying that illustrates how price is just one small component of the overall picture. Pick out the right car, make the best deal you can on it, and enjoy your purchase!

Call janice & Angie for all of your service needs. We serve all makes and models.

FREECar wash withevery service.

Call442-AUTO [2886]

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

Cox News Service

Have you been furniture shopping lately? The experience may leave your mind swirling with the

many choices you can make such as solid wood and leather. Your style and lifestyle need to be considered when making your furniture choices.

When it comes to decorating your home or apartment, furniture can be a major expense with longstanding impact. It pays to think about what you need, what you want and what your budget will allow.

Getting started: Start with a list of your needs room by room. Perhaps you already have some pieces to coordinate with, or maybe you are starting from scratch. Or, are you replacing outdated, worn-out furniture?

Evaluate what your needs truly are. Basic seating? A place to sleep? A large table for the family to gather? Or do you have stacks of books and nowhere to place them? Then, look at your space and your budget. Take an honest look at what your needs are and make a list. It is much easier to prioritize from that written list than to wonder aimlessly into a furniture store and have no earthly idea what you are looking for.

After you’ve itemized your needs, browse through decorating magazines, catalogs and Web sites. Hone in on the style or styles you like. Again, advance consideration of the styles that appeal to you will greatly narrow your choicesandaidyouinfindingtherightstyles for your home.

Furniture style and fabric choices: Most furniture falls into one of two style categories, formal and informal or casual. Formal furniture includes such styles as Louis XIV, Chippendale and Queen Anne, originally created for royalty and the wealthy.

Informal styles originated in the rural countryside, and were designed by local cabinetmakers. These would include provincial, early American and French country. Each of these stylescanbefurtherrefinedintotraditional or contemporary.

Traditional styles are most identifiablebythecabriolelegs,clawand ball feet, lyre shaped backs and carved details. Woods tend to be walnut, cherry or teak, and fabrics usually include brocades, damask and silk. Oversized sofas and chairs with deep,fluffycushions,anddurableeasy-to-maintain fabrics exemplify casual.

Contemporary styles include Scandinavian, modern and Oriental, with wood or laminate. They are identifiablebytheirsleekoveralldesignelements.Stylealsoisdefinedby shape, color and texture and is reflectedinaccessoriesandfloorandwindow coverings.

Home furnishings should make a statement about your attitude and lifestyle. No one style is perfect for every room or everyone, so buy furniture that you like, whatever your style.

Recliners are better than ever. There was a time when they were ugly, but not anymore. Today more than ever upholstered furniture is available in a wide range of styles and fabrics. To be a good buy for you, upholstery must be priced right, colored right and comfortable for the room and your family.

There also is leather to be considered. Leather is a natural product. Good leather will rarely wear out, but it will change in appearance from week to week. Many people love the natural coverings that change with wear and tear.

But be clear in your mind with

what you can live with when it comes to today’s leather. New methods of tanning and manufacturing also have broughtleatherintoanaffordablerange for many pocketbooks.

Shopping for furniture: After you decide what piece or pieces you want and have pinpointed some basic styles that feel right, it is time to target a budget and begin to furniture shop. Prices vary widely, and often are tied to the quality of the piece.

Finding good furniture that works for you involves understanding how pieces are made and then deciding if the quality of the piece will bear up in day-to-day use. Whatever your style, furniture should be comfortable,

practicalandreflectyourtastes.Furniture sources: The most

obvious place to look is in your local furniture stores. However, don’t forget estate sales, auctions and consignment stores. Some furniture stores in your areaoffercomplimentaryin-homedesign services to aid you in your decorating choices.

When you are ready to start out on your furniture hunt, remember to assess your needs, set your priorities, narrow down the styles you are looking for, target a budget and then enjoy your search for the perfect pieces to complement your home. Remember, when acquiring furniture, buy only what you love.

FIVE POINTS TO REMEMBER• Get physical. Sit in it. Better furniture is usually more amply sized, more substantial and contains more raw material such as springs, frame and cushion, and will be heavier than a lower-quality piece.

• Check the cushions. Neat well-defined corners or curves, securely attached buttons and unobtrusive seams are the marks of a quality cushion.

• Look beneath the surface. See how the piece is constructed, looking for loose screws, padding not sewn correctly, or unprotected.

• Consider the conditions. Choose the piece based on where it will be placed and how it will be used.

• Measure the room and door openings before you begin your shopping experience. Draw a diagram showing the room size and locations of doors and windows. The location of a fireplace or television could also affect your furniture and should also be noted on your diagram.

How to: shop for furniture

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

9

How to: achieve the american Dream... home ownership

Despite attacks by critics in recent months on the value of home ownership and whether it’s still the American Dream, the idea of home continues to resonate with a majority of people from all walks of life. In Helena, Montana the dream is still definitely alive with extremely low interest rates combined

with great prices. Some local experts would tell you there’s never been a better time to purchase real estate. Furthermore, the rental market in Helena is tighter than ever before. In many cases you can finance a home with a lower monthly payment than what you would pay to rent it.

For many people, owning a home is much more than just a financial decision – it’s a place where they build families, memories and futures.

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You’ll be able to use the equity in your home for low-cost loans for other purposes. You can access the paid-up equity you accumulate in your home in the form of a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. Because they are secured, home equity loans and lines of credit generally carry a lower interest rate than other types of consumer loans, such as auto loans. The interest on them is generally tax-deductible, as well.

You’ll have the stability and emotional security of owning your own home. No more worrying about dictatorial or negligent landlords, rent increases or the possibility your building will be sold and redeveloped or turned into a condo. You’ll be able to live in your house as long as you like, fix your monthly payments for as long as 30 years and you’ll be in charge.

You’ll be able to redecorate and renovate any way you like, any time you like. Rules about the paint colors you can use will be a thing of the past. And you’ll be able to tear out walls, install a powder room and make any other improvements you want. Best of all, if you decide to sell, you’ll recoup at least part of the cost of the improvements.

House prices tend to rise over time, so a house is one of the best investments you can make. Home prices in the U.S. have risen three percent to six percent a year for the past 20 years. That trend is likely to continue. So if you buy a home now, you’ve put your capital in a safe investment where it is likely to grow.

You’ll pay less tax. You can deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage from your taxable income. The value of this tax break depends on factors like your personal tax bracket, the size of your mortgage, the rate of interest you pay on it and how long you’ve held the mortgage. As a rule, the newer the mortgage, the greater the amount of interest you pay each month and the bigger the tax break. Therefore, recent buyers with young mortgages tend to get the greatest benefit.

Here are 10 compelling reasons why anybody who can afford it should consider buying a home:

You’ll be buying a piece of real property rather than putting money in a landlord’s pocket each month. The real cost of renting is higher than the monthly payment. There is also an opportunity cost equal to the amount you would gain by using the money to purchase a home instead. Even if the house you purchased did not appreciate in price, you would be able to sell it and recoup some of the money you put into it. A majority of renters say that owning a home at some point in the future is either one of their highest priorities or a moderate priority.

Interest rates are still historically low. This makes it relatively inexpensive to take out a mortgage. The lower the interest rate, the less you actually pay for your house and the sooner you can pay the mortgage off. Our loan calculator can show you how different interest rates affect the total cost of your mortgage and the time it takes to retire it.

You can have a garden. This is one of the big pluses of ownership – a little piece of land you can call your own, where you can grow tomatoes or roses, barbeque, and play with your kids and pets.

You’ll be able to put down roots in a community. When you’re a homeowner, you’ll get to know your neighbors, participate in street sales, meet potential baby-sitters and play Saturday-morning touch football in the park. Renters tend to live more insular lives.

You’ll have a greater voice in community affairs. Local homeowners generally have more clout – individually and through ratepayer’s associations – when it comes to development proposals, school issues, changes to traffic control and routing and the like. Because renters tend to be more transient than homeowners, they have less influence on policymakers.

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: paper craft

Paper Crafting is not just for scrapbooking anymore; it has evolved into card making, mixed media, home décor, the possibilities

are endless. Paper crafting is easy, fun and all ages can do it, there is no right or wrong way to paper craft, just make it your own.

ScrapbookingScrapbooking is more than just a photo album,

it’s journaling, drawing, creating memorabilia, storytelling through photos and more. Handing down your preserved scrapbook of family history is what makes this craft so worthwhile and enjoyed from generation to generation.

Card-MakingOf course you will always have the tried and

true craft of card-making which allows you to make your cards more personal and creative. These are the cards that friends and family will want to keep or frame. Cards can be as simple or elaborate as you want them to be. Customize your invitations: weddings, birthdays, back yard BBQ, whatever your function is, you can create your own.

Materials Plastic Bucket

Scrapbook paperMod Podge®

Stickers Scissors

Paint brush (optional vinyl lettering) Cricut™ to cut out letters

Fill with marshmallows, chocolate bars, graham crackers and wet wipes and you are always ready for camping or back yard fun!

Ben Franklin Staff

Mixed Media/Alter ArtMixed Media or Altered Art is taking over the

craft industry–you might ask, what is mixed media? It’s everything craft all mixed together to make something unique. Start with a canvas, a blank frame, a glass mirror, a wood block, just about anything that has a surface can be used in mixed media. Next add paper, paint, buttons, trinkets, beads, fabric, glitter, fibers absolutely anything you have, and create. Like they say there is no right or wrong way to use mixed media. In the end it always turns out awesome and its your own. So, go ahead be messy, be creative, be brave and just go for it.

Paper crafting in home décor allows you to make exactly what you want to create the look you want for your home. Art canvas is not just for painting, it is a great home décor surface to start with. Canvases come in many shapes, sizes and textures including burlap, linen, cotton, velvet and more, the choice is yours for you to achieve the look you want. The beauty of canvas is you don’t have to just use the front of the canvas, you can use the back as well to create a shadow box effect. Once you have your surface you can add your favorite vinyl quote, paper, paint, double up your canvas to get a dimensional look.

Be bold, be brave, be creative, and get hooked on paper crafting.

DirectionsUsing Scrapbook paper cut out shapes or 1. designs best fitting to your design. Using a paint brush, apply Mod Podge2. ® to the paper and place on the bucket. After it dries in place put on a coat of Mod Podge® the entire bucket, let it dry.Cut out desired word or words with the 3. Cricut™ using scrapbook paper or vinyl. Embellish with stickers, ribbon. Whatever 4. fits your style or bucket design.

DirectionsPaint the picture frame using paint and 1. paintbrush.Then trace the picture frame shape onto 2. some scrapbook paper and cut out. Make sure to cut the hole in the middle for the picture.Glue the scrapbook paper to picture. 3. frame using Mod Podge® and paintbrush(Optional) Distress edges of the paper 4. using the sandpaper and distressing ink pad.After the paint has dried and the paper 5. has set, paint a layer of Mod Podge® over the paper with paint brushEmbellish with ribbon, stickers, 6. flowers, buttons, paper, etc. Whatever complements your style and add your favorite photos.

Picture FramePaint

Paint BrushMod Podge®

Paper

EmbellishmentsScissors

Pen or PencilSandpaper

Distress ink pad

Materials

HOW-TO GUIDE



HOW-TO GUIDE

How to: choose a reverse mortgage

A reverse mortgage is an important option that can help homeowners age 62 and older improve their lives. However, many people

aren’t aware that a reverse mortgage can be used to purchase a home through the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) for Purchase program.

So, what exactly is an HECM for Purchase?Simply put, an HECM for Purchase helps

you purchase a home by taking out a reverse mortgage on that home, without the recurring financialimpactofmonthlymortgagepayments.*Borrowers may, for example, use an HECM for Purchase to relocate to a home that’s closer to family members, more physically accessible, or “right-sized” for their needs.

“An HECM for purchase is a great option for older adults, because it can help them attain a house that’s right for their needs without having to go through the traditional mortgage process—and their credit history and income are not a factor” says Kelly J. DeWolf, Reverse Mortgage Consultant for MetLife Bank.

The key to getting the most out of this important financialoptionistogetallthefactstomakeaninformed decision.

MetLife Bank has recently introduced the hecm Saver, a government-insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM). This new type of reverse mortgage features significantly lower up-front costs, as compared to MetLife Bank’s HECM Standard reverse mortgage—and that could save you thousands of dollars, depending on the value of your home.like other types of reverse mortgages, with an hecm Saver:

You still live in and own your home• You can use the increased cash flow to pay off • your existing mortgage, travel, reduce credit card debt, help cover health care costs, and much moreYou can receive your cash in a lump sum, as a • monthly payment, through a line of credit, or a combination of these choicesYou can purchase a single-family home or • condominium by taking a reverse mortgage on your new primary residence.1

do you qualify for a metlife bank hecm Saver? Here are some general guidelines:All borrowers must be age 62 or older.Your home’s first mortgage doesn’t have to be paid off, but you will need to have sufficient equity in your home.The home must be your primary residence. Single and multiple-unit houses qualify, as do most condominiums and some manufactured homes; however HECM Saver is not available for the purchase of a multi-unit dwelling.Your current income is not a factor in your eligibility for a reverse mortgage.

only applicable for the purchase of a single family unit dwelling to be occupied as a principal residence.Program, rates, fees, terms and conditions are not available in all states and subject to change.

*although there are no monthly mortgage payments, interest accrues on the portion of the loan amount disbursed.1 Program, rates, fees, terms and conditions are not available in all states and are subject to change.

all loans are subject to property approval. certain conditions and fess apply.Mortgage financing provided by MetLife Bank, n.a., Equal Housing Lender.

© 2010 METLiFE, inc r0511181285[exp0512][all States][Dc]

“An HECM for Purchase can

free up your money for other

needs, and it’s a great way

to get more out of life.”

–Kelly DeWolf, Reverse Mortgage Consultant, MetLife Bank

HECM for Purchase: the facts An HECM for Purchase enables borrowers to buy

an existing single family home or condo by taking out a reverse mortgage on that property.

The loan proceeds are applied toward the home purchase. In one transaction with one closing, the buyer uses cash on hand to make a substantial down payment (usually 40% to 50%) that covers the property’s sale price and closing costs minus the HECM proceeds.

As with any reverse mortgage, the loan must be repaid—including the principal plus accrued fees and interest—when the last surviving borrower permanently moves out of the home or passes away.

The borrowers—not the bank—own the home, and can continue to live in it for as long as they want. The homeowners must pay property taxes and homeowner’s insurance premiums and any home maintenance,

There is a lot of information and resources available to help you learn more about the HECM forPurchaseprocess.MetLifeBankoffersfree,educational materials to consumers who may be interested in a HECM for Purchase or would like more details. For more information about a HECM for Purchase from MetLife Bank, contact Kelly J DeWolf at 406-431-4651.

HOW-TO GUIDE


32 Saturday, June 25, 2011 SEE ARTICLE ON PAGE 2

2011 How to Guide

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