wedding gift: cash toward

MSN Money - A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping Money People & Chat Sign In W eb Search: Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Planning Home Retirement Savings Insurance Family/College College Tools Scholarship Search College Search Resources Decision Centers Commentary Index More Tools Related Links Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Get market news by e-mail See if refinancing works Personal finance bookshelf Find It! Article Index Finance Q&A Tools Index Site map Related Articles Marriage means updating important documents Romance can wait; first, talk cold, hard cash Tie the knot without busting your budget Related Resources Decision Center: Essential homebuying guide Decision Center: Love, money and marriage See if youre carrying too much debt Stay at home or work? Try our calculator Related Sites Bankrate.com The Basics A practical wedding gift: cash toward a home advertisement If anyone asks what you want for a wedding present, you might try 'cash for a down payment.' Its legal, if you follow the rules, and asking for cash even meets the Emily Post test for politeness. By Bankrate.com June is the busiest month for weddings, and a forest's worth of invitations either already has been mailed or soon will be sent. A lot of couples want money for wedding gifts. A wedding-day cash infusion can make putting a down payment on a home easier. With prices appreciating rapidly in much of the country, lots of couples need all the help they can get. There are formal and informal rules governing gifts of money to help newlyweds buy a house. First, the informal rules: Is it OK to ask one's wedding guests for money? "It's not rude to request money as a wedding gift," says Peggy Post, author of Emily Post's Wedding Etiquette. "However, it's extremely important to ask politely." Peggy Post is Emily's great-granddaughter-in-law, the wedding etiquette expert for WeddingChannel.com and the main spokesman for the Emily Post Institute. She says one of the most common challenges that couples face is how to request money as a wedding gift. Doing so is acceptable, if done politely. If you seek down-payment money, get the word out through family and friends, Post recommends. Just don't include that info in the same envelope as a wedding invitation. "If you are asked point-blank what you would like for a gift, you might say, 'Whatever you choose will be wonderful, I'm sure, but money for a house down payment is on the top of our wish list,'" Post says. It's OK to say what it's for Go ahead and tell people what you want the money for. Who knows? If you let people know that you plan to spend the money on a down payment, rather than on a honeymoon in Tuscany, they might be more willing to open their pocketbooks. Wedding guests who insist on giving you yet another toaster or wicker picnic basket or a set of rosewood corn holders should be thanked anyway, even though they aren't helping you buy a house. "You should always accept any gift graciously, and remember that the choice of what to give really belongs to the gift giver," Post says. With the etiquette question out of the way, that brings up how to get the money from your guests' pockets and into the hands of the folks who eventually sell you their house. It's not simple, because mortgage loan programs have differing rules on the use of gift money in making a down payment. So know the gift rules Generally, you are expected to be able to make a down payment of at least 5% from your savings, excluding gifts. But what if you are too impatient to wait that long? Some mortgage programs allow you to use gift money if you can't scrape together that 5%. Loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration allow you to use money from gifts to make a down payment of as little as 3%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two biggest purchasers of home loans, offer similar programs through lenders. Fannie Mae's program is called "Flex 97" and Freddie Mac's is called "Alt 97." If there is a problem with these loan programs, it is that they limit whose money you can use. The FHA, Fannie and Freddie allow you to use money from family members. In the FHA's case, givers have to be members of your "immediate family." It's up to the loan officer to figure out who is family and who is immediate family. What about friends? Can you use gift money from, say, the woman who has been your mother's best friend since kindergarten? Technically, no. The money has to come from family (or from a nonprofit or government agency, but they don't give wedding gifts). It wasn't always this way. In 1996, the FHA encouraged lenders to offer "bridal registry accounts," where couples could stash gifts from friends and family. "Then, when the newlyweds purchase their new home, the money will be available and documented through a lender-supervised account," the FHA said. A few lenders responded enthusiastically, establishing account programs specifically for newlyweds complete with gift cards that could be returned to the bank with a check enclosed. One such lender is SunTrust Mortgage, a subsidiary of SunTrust Banks. Through SunTrust Mortgage, you can open a bridal registry savings or checking account at SunTrust Bank. When a wedding guest makes a deposit, the bank sends a card to the bride and groom to let them know. Ready to find a mortgage? "When they're ready to go ahead and make that first home purchase, they access those funds and we get a mortgage for them -- and we hope they remain a SunTrust banking customer," says Cheryl Nolda, senior vice president of marketing for SunTrust Mortgage. In the last few months, about 500 brochures have been given to prospective couples, Nolda says. The lender usually sees an upsurge in interest in the two months before June and October, which tend to be the busiest months for weddings. Despite their success at SunTrust, bridal registry accounts never really caught on. You can always open a regular old savings or money market account to hold your down payment fund, but you might need to document where the money came from. That's easy enough when the money comes from your paycheck. If some of the money comes from gifts, be prepared to document the source. Encourage gift-givers to give checks from their personal accounts. And don't forget to write those thank-you notes. Editor's Choice 3 legal papers you can't live without Your own business, your tax shelter Brush: The 5 most overpaid CEOs Are seniors gambling away retirement? Cut your taxes by going solar Readers' Choice Ratings Top 5 Articles 9.34 Zombie debt collectors dig up your old mistakes 9.33 10 ways to stop identity theft cold 9.31 10 ways to avoid outrageous hospital overcharges 9.22 The tricks and traps of debt consolidation 9.17 Safeguard your Social Security number View all top rated articles More Resources · E-mail us your comments on this article · Post on the Your Money message board · Get a daily dose of market news S earch MSN Money tips advertisement MSN Money's editorial goal is to provide a forum for personal finance and investment ideas. Our articles, columns, message board posts and other features should not be construed as investment advice, nor does their appearance imply an endorsement by Microsoft of any specific security or trading strategy. An investor's best course of action must be based on individual circumstances. © 2005 Microsoft MSN Privacy Legal Advertise Feedback Help

gifts for men <<

Romantic Advice: Valentine gifts for men Romantic Advice: Valentine gifts for men Valentine's Day gift giving can be easier if you give gifts any man can use. Here's a list of common ideas that will help you choose what is right for your love. Gift giving can sometimes get tricky, especially when the gift you purchase is not well received. Of course, you can eliminate gift giving by giving cash. However, with a little creative you can express appreciation and love on Valentine's Day by opting for a gift any man could use. 1. Tickets. Does your valentine have a favorite sports team or recording artist? If so, consider buying a front row seat to an upcoming game or performance. 2. Footwear. Whether dressy or sporty, shoes, sandals and/or athletic footwear can simultaneously fulfill a need and a want if you select a pair from your valentine's favorite designer. 3. Food. Be it breakfast, lunch or dinner, your valentine is likely to enjoy a meal if you opt for his favorite restaurant, or his favorite dish. 4. Clothes. Clothing is as personal as an individual gets, so eliminate gift rejection by either taking your valentine or a shopping spree, or wrap up a gift card or gift certificate from his favorite store. Even if you choose to stick to underwear, get creative and buy something he would love but is too shy or too cheap to buy himself. 5. Jewelry. From watches to chains to tie pins to rings, there are many great things you can buy your valentine from the jewelry department. Here, however, proceed with caution. Buy something that either can be used daily or something for a special occasion. Anything in between might just sit in a drawer until next year. 6. Hobby helps. Whatever your beau's interest, consider buying something that can be used to further enjoy his hobby. Again, since such things as golf clubs, mitts and certain balls must feel right to the user, you may want to offer a gift certificate to his favorite hobby shop. Then, too, since your reading interests may be in sharp contrast to his, consider offering a gift certificate to an online or traditional bookstore where he can choose what he likes. 7. Write stuff. Investing in your valentine by giving gifts like designer (not always expensive) pens and pencils, or other home office supplies will keep you on his mind as he uses these great instruments daily. Written by Lisa Crayton - © 2002 Pagewise You are here: Essortment Home >> People & Culture >> Holidays:Gifts >> Romantic Advice: Valentine gifts for men << Giving personalized gifts to friends Gift Advice: Second-hand gifts >>

Great Gifts, Cool Collectibles,

Gifts and Products at Wholesale Prices Pamela Crutchfield OneStopConnection OneStopConnection.com Wholesale Prices Everyday Search Site Testimonials Add Bookmark Monthly Specials Product List African American African Items Angels Animals Baskets Bath & Beauty Birdfeeders Birdhouses Birds Bookends Butterflies Cabinets Candles Candle Holders Carousels Cartoon Cats & Kittens Child Safety Christmas Decor Clocks Coat Hangers Cork Sculptures Cows Divine Inspiration Dogs & Puppies Dolls Dolphins Dragons Eagles Elephants Far Eastern Fountains Frogs Frosted Creations Giraffes Glass Creations Golf Home Decor Hong Tze Horses Hummingbirds Incense Incense Holders Jewelry Jewelry Boxes Kitchenware Knives & Swords Lanterns Lawn & Garden Liberty Bronze Lighthouses Mandarin Ivory Merlin Metal Musicals Miniatures Mirrors Monkeys Musical Mythical Items Native American Oils, Scented Oil Warmers Patchwork Patriotic Photo Frames Pigs & Piglets Plates, Collector Roosters Sculptures Self-Defense Shelves Tables Tigers Tools Toys & Games Travel Items Unicorns Vases Water Globes Western Wind Chimes Wolves Special Day Gift Ideas: Anniversary Baby Shower Christmas Father's Day Grandparent's Day Mother's Day Sweetest Day Valentines Day Wedding Out of stock items and estimated arrival dates. Proud to be an American. OneStopConnection Established 1998 1-866-677-9393 How To Contact Us Get our quick pick monthly specials in your e-mail. Enter your complete e-mail address. Example: yourname@aol.com Welcome to OneStopConnection for Great Gifts, Cool Collectibles, Unique Novelties andEveryday Items @ Wholesale Prices . Unique Bookends Christmas Decorations Collector Plates Larger View Item: 31126 A trio of candles swatched in animal prints, for those intrigued by the wilds of an African safari. 3" diameter x 4 3/8" high. Priced at Only $6.90 Set of 3 Retail Price $12.95 Compare at $9.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 34908 Stained glass contemporary cross suncatcher. Diamond shape. Metal frame. 5 3/8" x 1/4" x 16 1/2" high. Priced at Only $5.30 Retail Price $9.95 Compare at $7.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 30762 Enameled pins for lovers of the insect world. Selection includes: ladybug, dragonfly, butterfly, and bee. Sold Per One Dozen.Largest is 2 1/4" wide x 1 3/8". Priced at Only $27.35 1 Dozen Retail Price $4.99 Ea. / $59.88 1 Dz. Compare at $44.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 31803 For the avid golfer who never wants to miss a tee time, this clock is just the thing. 4 1/2" x 3" x 6" high. Priced at Only $14.90 Retail Price $27.95 Compare at $24.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 25839 Wooden train features 30 blocks with numbers and the alphabet, plus a clock on the front! Ages 3 and up. 10 1/4" x 4" x 6 1/4". Priced at Only $7.95 Retail Price $14.95 Compare at $12.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 31033 Frog-design aromatherapy oil warmer with 2 bottles of oil and 6 tea lights. Jasmine scent. Price per set. 8 1/4" x 5 5/8" x 3 1/2" high. Priced at Only $7.95 Retail Price $14.95 Compare at $12.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 33039 A ceramic tea set in miniature, as pretty as can be with hand-painted pink flowers and gold accents. Ten pieces include plate, teapot, sugar and creamer, and cups and saucers. Set of 10. Teapot: 2 1/2" high. Priced at Only $4.75 Retail Price $8.95 Compare at $6.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 25271 The "Liberty" knife, with a sturdy 4" stainless steel blade, bone handle, nickel silver bolsters, and an eagle's head at the base. 5 1/2" closed. Priced at Only $10.60 Retail Price $19.95 Compare at $16.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 34815 Frosted Alabastrite ballroom dancers. Multicolor LED light. Uses 3 AAA batteries, not included. 7" x 6" x 14 1/2" high. Priced at Only $53.30 Retail Price $99.95 Compare at $84.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 35037 Handsome clock table crafted in a timeless style. Uses one AA battery, not included. Some assembly required. Birch veneer. 16 1/2" diameter glass top. 22" x 22" x 21" high. Priced at Only $63.95 Retail Price $99.95 Compare at $84.95 Quantity Larger View Item: 33676 A model of the covered wagon that pioneers once took west along the Oregon Trail. Made of wood, with every detail maintained. 14" x 7" x 12 3/4" high. Priced at Only $15.95 Retail Price $29.95 Compare at $24.95 Quantity One of our goals is to always offer you a large selection of products. If there's a particular item that you're looking for and we do not have it on the web site, just send us an E-Mail with the Item# or Description. Chances are, we carry it! Contact Us - Security & Privacy - Ordering Options - Return Policy - Links Our Mission - Shipping Info. - Recommend Our Site - Product Info. - Customer Service