Kari Hoopes

The benefits and risks of selling a lease option on your home.

When buying a home, there is more than one way to finance the home. Most people arrange financing through a bank, called the mortgage. Instead of borrowing the money from the bank, it is also possible to borrow the money from the home seller. This is know... Read >

Money Management: Make It Automated

Frankly, we all like things to be easy. We want our diets to work without our involvement and our food cooked for us. Then when we do get motivated to take action, we must battle the perpetual tendency to forget and fall back on our routines. I personally... Read >

Making Sure your Finance Manager and Family Manager are working together

Money is one of the biggest catalysts for marriage problems, typically related to a lack of communication on the subject; coupled with differences of opinion by husband and wife or all members of the family. Differences of opinion are to be expected. All ... Read >

The Envelope System: a Simple and Effective Budget

As a newlywed couple, my husband and I made the same mistake many young couples do when they first get married - we had no budget plan. At first, it didn't seem necessary because our income was modest, and our living expenses were very simple. I was finis... Read >

Using Fragrances to change the atmosphere of your home and relationships

Scented oils and perfumes have found a central role in our daily lives - from showering and getting dressed to scenting a home or feeling sexy. Fragrances can be found and are used everywhere for specific reasons. In our lives, the sue of fragrances can c... Read >

Improve intimacy by understanding each other's point of view

"Out of 100 men polled, what is the number one activity men desire to do most?" This was a question asked once when my husband and I were watching family feud one afternoon. Of course, the number one answer was sex. The other nine that followed were spor... Read >

why people wear perfumes and other fragrances

Scented oils, perfumes and other fragrances have been adorned by people since early civilization. Fragrances are all around us, from scented candles, to all your favorite bath and body products. Though we adorn fragrances for many reasons, it ultimately b... Read >

Using Viruses to Treat Disease.

We often hear on the news of recent outbreaks of a virus somewhere or discussions of the impending Flu season. Viral outbreaks are particularly difficult. Unlike bacteria there is no antibiotic for a virus, because they replicate inside of our cells. T... Read >

Reducing stress in your life while saving money on Groceries

Most people who are on some kind of grocery budget hate the idea of feeling like their paying too much at the store. It seems food prices keep climbing every time we go the grocery store to do our shopping, especially on basics such as milk, cheese, bread... Read >

How to find Cheap, Quick Getaways in your area

It happens all the time ' you're young, married, blissfully happy, and virtually penniless. You've taken your honeymoon already, but a few months later find yourselves in desperate need for a quick getaway. Although, how can you afford it? Hotels are expe... Read >

The real cost of your car.

Is owning a car overly stressing your budget? That may be because the real expense of owning a car is much more than your purchase price, or monthly car payment. That makes up only about half of the average monthly car expense. The true cost of your car ... Read >

Finding Ways to Cope with Pregnancy Loss

Staring at the flat green ultrasound screen, all I could think was, it isn't possible. I was so careful to eat right, stay healthy, do everything I could. My obstetrician brought in two other doctors to confirm the ultrasound. I had lost my baby in ut... Read >