Summertime Grilling Tips

Whether you want to barbeque or grill, these little golden rules for healthy eating and grill safety apply either way:

• Before using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning.
• Keep a shaker of seasoning next to your grill. Don't forget to season your grilled food well to create flavorful meals.
• Choose long-handled cooking tools to avoid burns and splatters. A basic grill kit should include long tongs for turning the foods, a stiff-wire brush for cleaning the grill, a mop brush for saucing foods, a large offset spatula for moving delicate items, and a pair of elbow-length grill gloves for protection. Apron, optional.

In addition, you should follow these tips for keeping your grilled food healthy:

• Trim the fat.
• Choose lean meats to grill. Less fat means less dripping down into the flames, which cuts down on flare-ups. Remove the skin from poultry.
• Grill veggies. Try marinated vegetables on a skewer, on the grilling tray or wrapped in foil. Grilled fruit also makes a sweet, healthful dessert.
• Wrap it up. Cooking in foil seals in juices so you can cook leaner cuts until they are both tender and done. Wrap fish with vegetables and a little low-fat marinade for an easy meal, all in one packet.

Enjoy the summer, and happy grilling!

Homeowner Insurance: What's Covered?

The fastest way to learn what’s covered by your homeowner insurance is by reading the declarations page of your policy. What’s below is a rough guide to typical policies.

What's covered under a typical homeowners policy:

Your home and any detached structures on the property.

Most furniture, appliances, electronics and tools.

Liability and medical expenses for injuries and property damage for which you are responsible, up to your policy limits.

Limited living expenses if you are forced to vacate your home because of a loss.

 
What may not be covered:

The replacement cost of your home and personal property, vs. its actual cash value.

Jewelry, collectibles, firearms and other expensive items in excess of certain limits, typically $1,000 to $2,500.

Business equipment, including computers used for work, in excess of certain limits, typically $2,500.

Sewer or drain backups.

Liability coverage for pools, trampolines and other high-risk items.

Mold.

 
What's not covered:

Cracks or settling in the foundation.

Neglect, wear and tear or intentional damage.

Flood or earthquake damage. Coverage for either is available separately.

Landslide or other earth movement.

War or nuclear explosion.

Pest damage.

Pet damage.

 
10 discounts to ask for:

Multi-policy (home, car or more with the same company).

Smoke detectors.

Fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems.

Burglar and fire alarms that ring at an outside service.

Deadbolt locks and fire-safe window grates.

55 years old and retired.

Longtime policyholder.

Upgrades to plumbing, heating and electrical systems.

Earthquake retrofitting.

Wind-resistant shutters.

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Real Estate News - July 2009

Our July 2009 Newsletter is now online for you…

From the right Nav Menu, Find "PAGES AND NEWSLETTERS" and Select "July 2009 below "Our Monthly Newsletters".

Credit Card Late Charges

AP Personal Finance Editor Trevor Delaney explains why late fees can occur on credit card statements, even if the bill arrived on the due date. (Video runs :56)

It's always a good idea to pay your credit card bill online, and just to be on the safe side, schedule it to post one day ahead of the due date.

Mortgage Rates: You May Have Missed the Bottom

For those waiting until interest rates bottomed out before they either purchased a home, or refinanced the one they're in, it may be too late.

We warned our readers a couple of months ago about the risk involved in trying to time the markets, both from a home buying and mortgage point of view.

Now, the Federal Reserve has signaled that it won't try to do more than it previously planned to pull down mortgage rates and other long-term interest rates.

For homeowners hoping to refinance at a lower interest rate, the Fed doesn't seem to be offering any fresh encouragement.

Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke may have decided there was too much risk in trying to boost efforts to push long-term rates down, with the market leaning in the other direction. Besides, the Fed has said it views rising long-term rates as a sign that the economy is getting better.

Could mortgage rates dive again? Sure — if the economy crumbles.