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. 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golf gifts and other

Golf Books, Gifts and Miscellaneous Reviews and News You are here: About > Sports > Golf > Equipment > Equipment Reviews and News > Golf Books, Gifts and Miscellaneous Reviews and News Sports Golf Essentials Almanac: Records, Stats, Timeline Golf Glossary Equipment Reviews & News The Rules of Golf Pro Shop Articles & Resources Beginners Equipment Golfers Tours / Major Events Golf Courses Rules of Golf Handicaps History of Golf Golf Tips Fitness & Health VideoGames / Trivia / Humor Women Junior Golf Buyer's Guide Before You Buy Top Picks Top 10 Instructional Videos/DVDs Top 10 Instructional Books Top 7 Golf Movies Product Reviews Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Golf newsletter! See Online Courses Search Golf Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page More Reviews and News Equipment Reviews & News Homepage Drivers Irons More Reviews and News Putters Training Aids Accessories (Golf Bags, Golf Shoes, Etc.) Post Your Own Reviews Post Your Own Reviews in Golf Forum Most Popular Free Online Golf Games Golf Trivia - Play Golf Trivia Hangman NabiscoWorld "Golf Course" Glossary of Golf Terms Golf Rules What's Hot Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 8 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 3 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 9 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 6 Michelle Wie at the 2005 U.S. Women's Open - 8 Related Topics Tennis Football Baseball Basketball Pro Ice Hockey Golf Books, Gifts and Miscellaneous Reviews and News From Brent Kelley , Your Guide to Golf . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Find reviews and news of golf items not covered in other review categories , including golf books, golf gifts and other miscellaneous items of interest: Review: "Golf Rules & Etiquette Crystal Clear" Review: "Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries" Review: HandDri anti-moisture pouch Review: 2005 Official PGA Tour Fan Guide • Covert Cooler keeps beverages cold - and hidden • "Golf Levels" series brings ability-specific instruction to golfers • Publisher offering art prints for Nicklaus, U.S. Open Review: 2005 International Golf Calendar Review: "1001 Golf Holes You Must Play Before You Die" • Sprint PCS Vision phones include Tiger Woods content • "Golf Life" launches sixth season Review: Top 10 golf biographies Review: Top 10 golf novels Review: Top 7 golf movies Review: Top 10 DVDs and Videos on Golf History and Highlights Review: Top 10 golf instructional videos and DVDs Review: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 • Top 8 classic golf instructional books Review: Top 9 instructional videos and DVDs on putting and the short game Review: Top 8 golf video and computer games Review: Top 6 golf board games Review: Top 5 instructional tapes and DVDs for women Review: Top 6 how-to books for golf beginners Review: Top 10 full swing or general topic golf instructional books Review: Top 8 books of classic golf instruction Review: Proderma Skin Care Products • Excerpt from "The Old Man and the Tee" by Turk Pipkin • Q&A with Turk Pipkin, author of "The Old Man and the Tee" Review: Top 5 instructional books on the short game Review: Top 5 instructional books on putting Review: Top 5 instructional books on mental golf • The Aviary software program taking flight Review: Top 10 instructional books for women Review: Top 10 books about golf rules and etiquette • Legendary "Wilson Staff" brand making a return • Top golf books by John Feinstein • Golf Widows card game deals humor into card play • Golf Score Recorder tracks and analyzes performance Review: "Golf Bibles" are good books Review: Swing Speed Radar Review: "Better by Saturday" Instructional Books Review: "Fore Skin" and "Fore Your Skin" Skin-Care Products Review: AlmostGolf Practice Balls Review: Scorecard Caddie Review: "Open: Inside the Ropes at Bethpage Black" • Best Tiger Woods Books Review: "Chi Chi's Golf Games You Gotta Play" Review: Back to Nature Golf Nutrition and Energy Bars Review: Tee-Zel Snack Crackers Most Popular Video Bathroom Decoration Ideas Tag Sale Tips Creating a Craft Room Making a Personal Space Be Your Own Contractor See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 8 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 3 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 9 Michelle Wie at the 2005 PGA Sony Open - 6 Michelle Wie at the 2005 U.S. Women's Open - 8

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 >>

Anniversary Gift Ideas People

1st through 10th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas You are here: About > People & Relationships > Marriage > Anniversaries and Holidays > Anniversaries > 1st through 10th Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas People & Relationships Marriage Essentials Halloween Costume Ideas for Couples Coping With Disaster as a Couple Celebrating Your Wedding Anniversary Marriage Questions & Answers Ten Weeks to a Better Marriage Articles & Resources Proposing & Engagement Marriage Licenses Anniversaries and Holidays History of Marriage Marriage Laws Marriage Advice and Quizzes Marriage Courses, Workshops Money, Inlaws, Chores, etc. Stages of Marriage Marriage Tips, Myths, etc. Married Love and Romance Different Marriage Choices Infidelity & Other Problems Ending a Marriage Books, Statistics, Research Buyer's Guide Ready-to-Wear Halloween Costumes for Couples Great Gifts for Your Wife Great Gifts for Your Husband Articles Forums Help FREE Newsletter Sign Up Now for the Marriage newsletter! See Online Courses Search Marriage Stay up to date! Email to a friend Print this page Anniversary Gift Ideas 1st - 10th Anniversaries 11th - 20th Anniversaries 21st - 30th Anniversaries Anniversary Gift Ideas 31st - 40th Anniversaries 41st - 50th Anniversaries 52nd - 100th Anniversaries Suggested Reading More on Anniversaries Most Popular 1st-10th Anniversary Gifts Couple Costume Ideas Traditional 1st Anniversary License Laws US Marriage Laws What's Hot Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe June 1999 Marriage News Peter Jennings and Kayce Freed Christopher and Dana Reeve Lance Armstrong & Sheryl Crow Related Topics Weddings Honeymoons / Romantic Getaways Divorce Support Financial Planning Senior Living Wedding Anniversary Gift Ideas From Sheri & Bob Stritof , Your Guide to Marriage . FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! 1st through 10th Anniversary 1st Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Paper Modern: Clocks More 1st Anniversary Resources 2nd Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Cotton Modern: China More 2nd Anniversary Resources 3rd Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Leather Modern: Crystal More 3rd Anniversary Resources 4th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Fruit or Flowers Modern: Appliances More 4th Anniversary Resources 5th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Wood Modern: Silverware More 5th Anniversary Resources 6th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Candy or Iron Modern: Wood More 6th Anniversary Resources 7th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Wool or Copper Modern: Desk Sets 8th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Bronze or Pottery Modern: Linens or Lace 9th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Pottery and Willow Modern: Leather More 9th Anniversary Resources 10th Wedding Anniversary Gifts Traditional: Tin or Aluminum Modern: Diamond Jewelry More 10th Anniversary Resources 1 2 3 4 5 Next Most Popular Video Fashion for Special Occasions Women: Dressing by Body Type Women: Building a Wardrobe Men: Building a Wardrobe Men: Dressing by Body Type See other videos at About.com Topic Index | Email to a Friend Our Story | Be a Guide | Advertising Info | Work at About | Site Map | Icons | Help User Agreement | Ethics Policy | Patent Info. | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy ©2005 About, Inc., A part of the New York Times Company . All rights reserved. Around About Poll: What would you do with $10 million? 1) Spend it 4) Pay bills 2) Donate 5) Save 3) Invest 6) Not sure Is New York City Safe? Tips for Women Travelling What's Hot Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe June 1999 Marriage News Peter Jennings and Kayce Freed Christopher and Dana Reeve Lance Armstrong & Sheryl Crow