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

Buy Gift Card and

ClubMom : Gift Card Store : Best Buy Gift Card Recognizing & Rewarding Moms For What You Do Every Day Earn Rewards Rewards Catalog Online Mall Gift Card Store Special Offers Coupons Partners Online Mall Gift Card Store My ClubMom Stay-At-Home Moms Moms At Work Make A Difference Parenting Health & Wellness Cooking House, Home, & Garden Money Relationships Personal Development Spirituality & Religion Driving Travel Family Entertainment Holidays & Parties Hobbies & Crafts Time Off Shopping Message Boards Voice of Mom Poll Opinion Center Contact Press Careers Management Member FAQ's Member Benefits Become an Affiliate Become a Partner Privacy Policy Terms of Service Terms & Conditions Gift Card Policies Points Statement Order History Update Password Update Screen Name View & Edit Profile Credit & Grocery Cards Newsletters Home > Rewards & Savings > Gift Card Store Gift Card Store Apparel Beauty and Spa Dept. Stores & Grocers Electronics Entertainment Home Restaurants Specialty Gift Card Store Policies Buy a Best Buy Gift Card and earn 3 points/dollar. 25.0 Best Buy Gift Card 25.0 Earn: 3 Points/dollar Add to cart ► 50.0 Best Buy Gift Card 50.0 Earn: 3 Points/dollar Currently Out of Stock Add to your wish list if you'd like us to send you an email when this item becomes available. Other items like this: 25.0 1-800-Flowers Gift Card 25.0 Earn: 10 Points/dollar Add to cart ► Home Depot Gift Card 10.0 , 25.0 , 50.0 , 100.0 Available Earn: 3 Points/dollar Select Amount ► RadioShack Gift Card 10.0 , 25.0 Available Earn: 3 Points/dollar Select Amount ► Company About ClubMom | Contact Us | Press | Careers | Management | Site Map Members & Partners Member FAQs | Member Benefits | Become an Affiliate | Become a Partner Legal Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Gift Card Store Policies © CMI Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Jewelry Gift

LongLocks Hair Sticks - Jewelry Gift Certificates - The Perfect Birthday or Holiday Gift! Advanced Search | Catalog | Site Map | Index About LongLocks HairSticks ® Boutique Gift Certificates LongLocks HairSticks ® and accessories make wonderfully elegant gifts that will be dearly treasured for years to come, and are destined to become the heirlooms of tomorrow. Whether it be a gift for Christmas, Valentine's Day, a wedding anniversary, birthday, or just to say "I love you," let the LongLocks HairSticks ® Boutique provide a perfectly romantic solution to your gift giving dilemma. Purchase a LongLocks HairSticks ® Boutique Gift Certificate and let your special someone shop at their leisure to choose their own unique hair sticks and jewelry from the LongLocks HairSticks ® Boutique online catalog. Your special someone will love you for it! We ship gift certificates anywhere in the world via first class mail free of charge. If you would like us to personalize your gift certificate for you, please enter the name of the recipient in the comments text box on the first page of the Secure Shopping Cart. If you are on a tight time schedule, your gift certificate can even be delivered by e-mail! Just make your request in the comments text box in the Secure Shopping Cart and be sure to include the e-mail address of the recipient. LongLocks HairSticks ® Boutique Gift Certificates are printed on beautiful floral paper stock. They are available in $25.00, $50.00, $100.00, $150.00 and $250.00 denominations and may be redeemed for one full year from date of issue. Please note that gift certificates are nonrefundable and any unused balance will be credited toward a future purchase. Discount vouchers and sale prices are not applicable to the purchase of gift certificates. Any necessary adjustments under these circumstances will be made during processing. Gift certificates may be redeemed at any time, including during sale days, and may be used in conjunction with discount vouchers. Price: $25.00 Add to Cart Add to Cart LongLocks HairSticks Boutique: $100 Gift Certificate Price: $100.00 Add to Cart Add to Cart Add to Cart The LongLocks HairSticks Boutique is updated daily with new designs! Check out What's New . Subscribe to our FREE newsletter & receive special members-only discounts & previews. Subscribe today Have an idea for your own jewelry design? Consider a Custom Design There are LongLocks HairSticks ® for men too! Check out LongLocks ChapStix Our customers say wonderful things about our jewelry! Check out our Kudos and Awards You'll find great books on hair styles and fashion in the LongLocks Library Prefer to place your order by phone? Call toll-free 1.877.745.1145 LongLocks HairSticks Boutique Hair Jewelry Catalog Index The Original LongLocks HairSticks | GlimmerStix | DuetStix | SwingStix | BridalStix | ShadowStix | GemStix HoloStix | SterlingStix | d'OrStix | FantasyStix | PearliStix | FuturiStix | GlitterStix | MystStix | DecoStix DrizzleStix | MajeStix | NeonStix | FoilStix | SugarStix | ArtiStix | SpiralStix | RapunzelStix GeishaStix | IndividualiStix | ChapStix | Special Edition Designs | Vintage Hair Combs Gift Certificates | Chinese Silk Jewelry Rolls | The Rapunzel Shoppe Collectors Club | Waltzing Willow Jewelry | Sublime Indulgences Hair Color Chart | Birthstones & Anniversaries Ordering Information

Groomsmen Gift

Wedding Gifts For Groomsmen - Gifts BW gifts | gifts Resources | Add URL Wine Gifts & Baskets From the casual wine drinker to the serious enthusiast, we have a gift that will make them smile. Our selection includes premium wine, gourmet baskets, distinctive champagne sets & the very finest California and Northwest wines. Wedding Gifts For Groomsmen Articles Wedding Budget Worksheet Wedding Budget Worksheet...( Continue Reading ) Gift Ideas and Registries in Seattle - Tacoma Whether you are a bride and groom looking to register, select wedding favors, or buy wedding party gifts, or a guest looking to view the couple's list and get some ideas, these resources will point you in the right direction....( Continue Reading ) What are groomsmen and ushers? A description of a groomsman's duties and responsibilities. Includes what they're expected to do during the wedding itself, as well as responsibilities leading up to the big day. Also includes expenses of being a groomsman, and ways to cut costs....( Continue Reading ) Easy Budget Wedding Worksheet - Printable Wedding Budget Planner A wedding budget is absolutely essential to planning your wedding, and one of the very first things you should do. Use this handy wedding budget worksheet to plan out what you'll need to pay for, and how much you should plan to spend on each thing....( Continue Reading ) Planning a Rehearsal Dinner - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Rehearsal Dinners A basic guide to planning a rehearsal dinner, including answers to such questions as "Do I have to invite out-of-town guests?" and "How do I invite my guests?"...( Continue Reading ) Wedding Gifts For Groomsmen Directory Links paper baskets gifts of the three wise men sweet sixteen birthday gifts 5th anniversary gifts valentines gifts ideas gifts for expectant mothers wedding gift baskets 5 year anniversary gifts inexpensive christmas gifts easy gifts to make home interiors gifts hostess party get well gift baskets virtual gifts high school graduation gifts for boys gifts for men for valentines day christmas gifts for neighbors girls birthday gifts homemade gift baskets japanese gifts gifts and decorative accessories magazine top gifts for men best guy gifts cat lovers gifts homemade teacher gifts ashford corporate gifts mother s day gifts gifts for the man who has everything pregnancy gifts bernese mountain dog gifts perfect gifts for men personalized gifts african american gifts siamese cat gifts best gifts for women fine crystal wedding gifts flowers plants gifts men gifts ideas for retirement gifts spiritual gifts inventory wedding gifts parents cool baby gifts the best gifts infant baby gifts perfect graduation gifts 30th birthday gifts Popular Search Terms: Gifts BW © 2004 Gifts BW All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved. This site is not related to Brajeshwar or Brajeshwar.com in anyway, shape or form

Gift Certificates Commissary Gift

Commissaries.com - Commissary Gift Certificates skip to page content skip to page navigation skip to site navigation accessibility commissaries.com Your Web browser does not appear to support Javascript. To enjoy the full features of commissaries.com, you must use a Web browser that both supports JavaScript and has JavaScript enabled. Below are instruction on how to enable Javascript in various browsers. If you are still experiencing problems, please contact Web support. Internet Explorer 6.X Open Internet Explorer. Select Tools > Internet Options . In Internet Options dialog box select the Security tab. Click Custom Level button at bottom. The Security Settings dialog box will pop up. Under the Scripting category, enable Active Scripting, Allow paste options via script and Scripting of Java applets . Click OK twice to close out. Click Refresh . Netscape 7.X Open Netscape. Select Edit > Preferences . Click the arrow next to Advanced . Click Scripts & Plugins . Check Navigator beneath "Enable Javascript for". Click OK . Click Reload . Mozilla Firefox 1.X Open Firefox. Select Tools > Options > Web Features . Check Enable Javascript . Click Reload . Opera 7.X Open Opera. Select File > Quick Preferences . Check Enable Javascript . Click Reload . -- FAQs | Search commissaries.com commissaries.com -- Site Navigation Home Locations Store Locator Alphabetical List Geographical List Region Offices Shopping Savings Aisle Promotions Shopping List Find a Recipe Human Resources Job Announcements News Scholarship Info Press Releases Fact Sheets Vision Magazine Newsletter About Us Contact Us Business with DeCA Links Military News Military Links Military Community Other Links Commissary Gift Certificates Commissary Gift Certificates can be purchased several ways: Purchase to give as a gift to an authorized shopper for a special occasion. Go to "Order Commissary Gift Certificates." Purchase and take delivery , then forward to a military relief organization locally. Go to "Order Commissary Gift Certificates." Elect to donate through one of three non-profit organizations: the Air Force Aid Society for military families worldwide, the USO (for service members overseas), or Fisher House Foundation for families staying in one of 30 comfort homes near military hospitals worldwide. Once there are enough donated certificates to pass along, CertifiChecks bundles them up and forwards them to the designated charity which then distributes them as need arises. Go to "Donate Commissary Gift Certificates." You can also give a Gift from the Homefront (Exchange gift certificates). Give the Gift of Groceries! A partnership between CertifiChecks, the United Service Organizations (USO), the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), Fisher House Foundation, Inc., and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) lets every American make a significant material contribution to the morale and well being of military personnel at home and across the globe. Click here to DONATE Commissary Gift Certificate(s) to Military Families Click here to ORDER Commissary Gift Certificate(s) OR order by phone at 1-877-770-4438* (*US ONLY) FAQs about Commissary Gift Certificates Mail-in or Fax Commissary Gift Certificate Order Form NOTE: The above files are in PDF format. You must have Acrobat Reader installed to view and print these files. Download Acrobat Reader DISCLAIMER - The appearance of this hyperlink does not constitute endorsement by the Defense Commissary Agency of the linked web site, or the information, products or services contained therein. The Defense Commissary Agency does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at this location. The link is consistent with the stated purpose of this Department of Defense web site. Shopping Visit Our Savings Aisle See Our Promotions Create a Shopping List Customer Bill of Rights Find a Recipe Home | Locations | Shopping | Human Resources | News | About Us | Links | FAQs | Search FOIA | FWA | Food Safety | Give the Gift of Groceries | Privacy Statement | Accessibility commissaries.com - The official online resource of the Defense Commissary Agency, 1300 E Ave., Fort Lee, VA 23831-1800