March 9th, 2016 6:34 AM by Dale DiGennaro
Looking to support a cause where you can truly see the results? www.kiva.org
Kiva was founded in October 2005 with the purpose of helping to bring micro credit to poor people worldwide who do not have access to traditional credit. Instead of a donation, investors give loans to help get projects started.
Kiva allows the investor to focus their money on specific sectors of interest, whether that be in the arts, agriculture, small-scale manufacturing, etc The individual investor gets to choose who they wish to fund. The investor goes to the Kiva website and looks at the list of borrowers' profiles and chooses which individual to fund. The amount of money that can be invested starts at a minimum of $25, and then it's pooled with others investors' money to fund the individual projects around the world. Once a project is chosen, investors deposit their part of the investment into a PayPal account with the Kiva organization (PayPal does not charge Kiva any fees for using their service). Then, Kiva transfers the money to one of their local field offices of affiliated Field Partners who are in charge of dispersing the funds and collecting the repayment.
As of December 2009, Kiva had lent approximately $110 million, with a repayment rate of 98.13%. For every $1 in overhead expense spent, Kiva loans out $8. This organization is helping to spread the benefits of micro-credit to people in need of small-scale loans throughout the world, helping turn entrepreneurial dreams into
Going south of the border for Spring Break? Consider free travel registration offered through the U.S. government. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. Simply visit travelregistration.state.gov to begin.
When it's time for some spring cleaning, check out Earth911 first. There, you will find the nearest locations to recycle anything from refrigerators to batteries. We are Celebrating 30 yrs in Lending!!
Strong Job Gains
A wide range of major U.S. economic data was released over the past week covering the labor market, manufacturing, services, and housing. Overall, the data suggested that U.S. economic growth and inflation were a little stronger than expected. As a result, mortgage rates ended the week higher.
Friday's Employment report showed that job gains remained strong. Against a consensus forecast of 190K, the economy added 242K jobs in February. Upward revisions to prior months added another 30K. The economy has added an average of 228K jobs per month over the last three months. The Unemployment Rate remained at 4.9%, as expected.
Average hourly earnings, an indicator of wage growth, declined slightly from January, well below the consensus for a modest increase. After a concerning rise in wages in January, the decline in February was good news for mortgage rates and partially offset the negative effect of the strong job gains.
The February ISM national manufacturing survey released on Tuesday indicated that things may be turning a little more positive for this sector. The survey rose to the best level in five months. For mortgage rates, one component of the survey was concerning. The prices paid component measures the change in the prices that manufacturers charge. In February, the survey on prices paid revealed a much higher reading than was expected, hinting at rising inflation. This follows significant increases in the recent broad-based monthly inflation measures. Mortgage rates are highly influenced by the outlook for future inflation. As inflation expectations rise, so do mortgage rates.
Looking ahead, the biggest event next week will be the European Central Bank (ECB) meeting on Thursday. It is expected that the ECB will announce additional stimulus measures, which could include an expansion of its bond purchase program. Very little U.S. economic data will be released next week. Import Prices will come out on Friday. There will be Treasury auctions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
There are several new and beautiful trends in bathroom fixtures that can add drama to your master bath.
If you've made a trip to your favorite big box store lately, you've probably seen plenty of Victorian-style fixtures. This style makes the contemporary bathroom look like it's straight out of a period movie starring Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. These bathrooms combine elegance with functionality through vintage styles like clawfoot bathtubs and ornate fabric curtains. Coordinate that design with aged tub and faucet fixtures. Bronze and warm chrome finishes blend well with the Victorian bath. Also consider ornately-detailed faucets to add some drama.
If Victorian isn't the direction that your home décor is heading, you can choose to go for the other hot look in bathroom fixtures, the ultra modern style. The ultra modern look goes great in most houses. This style of bathroom fixture emphasizes clean lines and form. These fixtures look like functional modern art, and stress the luxury of usage. Also common in modern faucets are LED lights that can add an interesting conversation piece.
Another popular trend in master bathroom design is the shower column. The shower head is recessed, and when turned on it creates a column of water between the ceiling and the tub or drain. It gives the feeling of standing in a warm spring rain or under a gentle waterfall.
There are so many options in bathroom remodeling, it can be hard to choose your favorite and stay on budget. One alternative that might save you money in the long run is hiring a decorator to help you plan the remodel. If that's out of reach, call around and see how much it would cost to sit down for an hour with a decorator to go over your plans.PARTICIPATION STILL OPEN.....ALL WALKINS WELCOME!! The Kiwanis Club... ...of Greater Napa is hosting their annual 5K Run/Walk event . This event is in conjunction with the Napa Valley Marathon. It brings thousands of people together for fun, exercise, and the opportunity to raise money for worthwhile causes. Some of the activities and organizations that will benefit from this event are the following: Scholarships program for all Napa high schools, Heros and Helpers (Shop with a Cop), Back to School Events, Kids Day of Fishing, ParentsCAN, Lighthouse for the Blind, Napa Food Bank and Meals on Wheels.
Give us a call at (707) 252-2700 or send us an email at dale@clgroup.net. We're glad to answer questions — no obligation, of course.