Save Money on Tax Prep and Get Your Refund Faster

Regardless of whether you are entitled to a refund or owe money, you can easily save some cash this tax season by using tax preparation software. And thanks to electronic filing offered by the IRS, receiving your refund faster has never been easier.

Virtually all taxpayers can prepare, print and e-file their federal return for free by using tax preparation software offered by the Free File Alliance LLC, an IRS-approved group of private sector tax software companies. Taxpayers can choose whatever program they prefer. For taxpayers who must also submit a state return, most alliance members offer a low-cost way to transfer their federal data to quickly complete the state form.

“Tax preparation software makes preparing returns easy and fast through simple interview questions and robust tools to identify deductions for the largest possible refund,” explains Leigh Aragon, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc. “The current economy has helped many taxpayers realize that using a quality product like TaxACT is less expensive and just as accurate as having your taxes prepared by an accountant or CPA.”

The average tax-preparer fee for an itemized 1040 Form with Schedule A and a state tax return is about $205, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants. The average cost to prepare a Form 1040 and state return without itemized deductions is $115. On the other hand, using tax preparation software to prepare your Federal and State returns can cost as little as $13.95 (when using TaxACT Standard to prepare your federal return for free and to e-file your state return for $13.95).

To receive your refund in the fastest way possible, the IRS recommends e-filing with direct deposit. “These are tough times, and e-file is the best way for people to get cash in their pocket quickly,” says IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. “Filing electronically with direct deposit can get refunds to taxpayers in as few as 10 days. Combined with important changes in the Free File program, we believe e-file is a better option than ever before for the nation’s taxpayers.” It can take four to six weeks to receive a refund check if a return is sent via standard mail.

E-filing is considered just as safe — if not safer — than mailing your return because the data is encrypted. E-filing helps the IRS process returns faster, allowing you to receive your refund sooner. Even taxpayers who owe money are encouraged to e-file now and pay later (on April 15) via direct withdrawal.

The use of e-filing has steadily increased over the last few years, thanks in part to the partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC. Since the alliance was created in 2003, more than 24 million returns have been prepared and e-filed through the program, with nearly 4.8 million tax returns filed through Free File last year.

More information about e-filing and a list of all companies participating in the Free File Alliance can be found at http://www.IRS.gov. Information about TaxACT is available at http://www.TaxACT.com. (ARAcontent)

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3 Things You Should Never Assume When Buying a House in Rural America

By Dlee Smith

I define rural America as any location that does not have city water or a sewage disposal system. My wife and I are now living in a house we purchased just a very few months ago. I want to spare you the problems we have dealt with because we made assumptions, taking certain things for granted, and thus did not make sufficient inquiry. That is a thing we all think we are too smart to do but by the same token it is easily done.

Here are 3 things you should never assume.

1. Never assume because a person or family has lived in a home for a long extended period of time that that means the water is fit to drink. We made the assumption and found out after the fact that we had sulfur water. The prior owner had never purchased bottled water and had always used the water she had and she had lived here for decades. I was aware of that and thus I made an assumption.

Never ever buy a home out away from city water without tasting the water. I cannot emphasize that too much. If you fail to do it you may end up with a water quality far from what is desirable.

2. Never assume that just because the family that lived in the home before you had plenty of water that you will too. If they say they have plenty of water that may be simply a function of how many people are living in the home and/or the amount of water they use. Your needs may be greater than theirs.

We ended up with water we could not drink and an inadequate supply because we made assumptions. We ended up drilling a deep well that cost us $7,500. How would you like to tack that onto the cost of your home, onto your purchase price after the fact?

3. A third assumption I made was that the drainage was okay. Never assume that. I just got through digging down to the septic tank and having it cleaned ($250) and have discovered that while it did need cleaning that the real problem is back flow into the septic from the drainage system. When we closed the lid to the septic tank, after about an hour of pumping, we still had a continuous back flow coming in.

The drainage issue is one that is very easily overlooked. It does not come into your mind when you go look at a house. It is not something you see when you take the tour. Try your very best to find out about it before buying. It is too easy to assume all is well.

These issues are not minor but as major as you can get. A lot of people have had to deal with sorrow and a lot of problems and expense because they too did what we did. In fact, the man who drilled my deep well told me about a man who they had dug a well for. He had built a brand new home and then after the house was built he drilled the well. Guess what? There was no water to be had. It was an empty hole. He ended up with a brand new home he could not live in and could not sell.

To hear the rest of my story, go to my blog where I will also give you another two or three tips from things we learned the hard way and so you can avoid them. My blog.

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Smart Ways to Stretch Your Dollars

It’s wise to make financial resolutions and find ways to spend smart and save in the upcoming year.  Jennifer Openshaw, successful author, radio host and financial expert, offers the following smart tips to stretch your dollars in 2009:

Change the Channels
We all have services we no longer need. Do you really watch all your cable channels? Have you got hundreds of unused cell phone minutes you’re still paying for? A second home phone line you never use? Gym membership you don’t want? They all made sense at one time, but what about now? Take inventory. Check your bills and credit card statements. Find the suspects, and then ask yourself, “Do I really need this?”

Make It Last Longer! Clean It. Fix It. Keep It.
Simply put, it pays to make things last longer. Cars, furniture, computers or the deck on the back of your house — a little care can pay big rewards. So dedicate time (and maybe a little money) to really cleaning up that old car. “My friend has saved megabucks by keeping his Ford Explorer in good shape for 17 years. Some folks buy three new cars in that amount of time,” says Openshaw.

Used Doesn’t Mean Abused
Quite often, “used” goods will work just as well as new ones — and cost a fraction of the price. “Used” also includes open box and returned items in stores. “I just bought a lawnmower. New $439, I got it for $129 — used twice maybe — and runs perfect!” says Openshaw. Learning to buy used if you don’t already can also be a great way to save on items you need. By becoming a member of an online shopping portal or community of sellers like eBay or Craigslist, you’ll open up a two-way road of buying and selling — and saving along the way.

Save While You Spend
Use coupons, look for sales or sign up for a savings program like Keep the Change from Bank of America that helps you save money while you spend (BankofAmerica.com). Keep the Change automatically rounds up check card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfers the difference from your checking account to your savings account. The savings really help as you kick off the New Year. Plus, with Keep the Change, you’ll get a match.

Do-It-Yourself
By taking over your own gardening, car washing, house cleaning or even a little home improvement, you’ll not only save money, but get some great exercise while expanding your pride of ownership. And it isn’t just grunt work — instead of the weekly trip to a restaurant, try a fancy do-it-yourself meal experience. You can turn DIY into stay-at-home fun, especially if you get the family involved.

Take a Calculated Risk
Have you ever thought about raising deductibles on your property, auto, health or other insurances? That extra few dollars of coverage can really add up. “I have a friend who just raised the out-of-pocket family maximum on a purchased high-deductible policy from $4,800 to $8,000 and saved $2,844 a year in premiums by taking on $3,200 more in risk,” says Openshaw.  Source: ARAcontent

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FHA Refinance Programs

FHA mortgages have always been very good loans for the homebuyer. In today’s market the FHA refinance programs offer maximum benefits to the homeowner that wants to lower payments or get out of an adjustable rate mortgage. FHA offers three types of refinance mortgage loans: Cash-Out, No Cash-Out, and Streamline Refinance.

A FHA streamline refinance can only be used to refinance a current FHA mortgage and it should lower payments. This program will not allow the borrower to receive any money back at closing. The main advantage to this mortgage is that the borrower, under certain conditions, does not have to requalify for the loan. The mortgage may also be done with or without an appraisal.

Loan Type Conversion Allowed:

1. 30 yr fixed to 30 yr fixed: The resulting loan must have lower payments.

2. 30 yr fixed to 15 yr fixed: Payment cannot be more than $50 higher.

3. Fixed Rate Mortgage to Adjustable Rate Mortgage: Owner occupied homes only

4. Adjustable Rate Mortgage to Fixed Rate Mortgage

5. ARM to ARM:

6. 203K to 203B

FHA Streamline Refinance “Without” An Appraisal:

The new loan amount cannot be more than the original loan amount, OR more than the current principle balance plus closing cost. … Whichever is less. This only applies to owner occupied as non-owner occupied borrowers can only refinance the existing balance, and do not have the option of rolling in the closing costs.

Credit verification required is only mortgage payments. Tewlve copies of cancelled checks, front and back will do this unless the underwriter prefers an in file report to verify mortgage payments.

Streamline Refinance “With” An Appraisal Required:

A FHA streamline refinance with appraisal allows the homeowner to finance the closing costs, points, and prepaids if all fits within the loan to value limits. The loan amount may be the current principle plus closing costs, points and prepaids, OR, the appraised value x 97.75% (97.65%, or 97.15%, high or low cost state). Whichever is less!

IF the smallest of these two values is greater than the original mortgage balance credit verification is required.

Streamline Refinance – “Credit Qualification Required”:

The loan is calculated based on the previous formulas. Qualifying requires full employment verification, credit report, and debt to income compliance. These loans are used when the new mortgage payment will be higher, deletion of a borrower on new mortgage, or in assumptions involving due-on-sale clauses.

FHA Refinance, “No Cash Out”:

This no-cash-out refinance loan may be used to refinance a FHA mortgage, a VA mortgage, a conventional mortgage, or a non-conforming mortgage and requires the borrower to fully qualify. Second mortgages may be included in the new loan if they are older than one year, if not older than one year, you must prove that the funds were used solely to repair or rehabilitate the home. If not, paying off or including these loans would be considered a cash-out refinance.

This loan can be used to buy out the equity of an ex-spouse provided it is documented in the divorce papers. It is still considered a no-cash-out because this equity is considered indebtedness.

If the home was purchased less than a year ago and is not currently a FHA loan, the loan amount will be the appraised value plus closing cost, OR the original sales price plus closing cost. Whichever is less!

If the home purchase was more than a year ago and not currently FHA, the mortgage amount will be calculated the same as a “streamline refinance with an appraisal”.

FHA “Cash Out” Refinance:

This loan can be used to refinance a FHA loan, a VA loan, or Conventional loan. This loan has many advantages: Max loan to value is 90% for conventional loans but FHA loans allow 95% plus a portion of the closing costs.

Author Connie Sanders built a web site to help homebuyers learn FHA guidelinesfha streamline refinance. (Source: http://www.search-raven.com)

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Why Real Estate Is Bubble Proof

Several years ago, economists began using the term “bubble” to describe the incredible yearly increases in the price of an average home in many U.S. markets. Inevitably, when those increases tapered off and home prices glided back to more normal levels, they said the bubble had “burst.”

I firmly believe that the housing market (as well as commercial real estate) will continue to expand and that young, first-time homebuyers have the most to gain from it. I see nothing on the horizon to change my outlook either-not today or 10 years from today. As long as the United States experiences steady population growth, there will be constant demand for homes. Growth guarantees an ongoing appreciation of residential property values for years to come.

In my book, Bubble Proof, I go to explain two very important things: call them the “macro” and “micro” concepts of “bubble proofing.” I’ll share some of that insight here.

First, the macro: Real estate is bubble proof over the long term because it has always shown itself to be resilient and rewarding. Real estate is always in demand. Someone is always buying, selling or investing in property, so there’s always a market for it. Its major segments-residential, rental, commercial-don’t move in lockstep, so that a diversified “real estate portfolio” can be built and adjusted for performance.

It is also important to note that, unlike the stock market, real estate trends are foreseeable from a distance. Prior to any up or down movement in the business as a whole, we have reliable predictors: interest rates, home sale figures, building permits and the like, issued monthly and debated endlessly by economists, business reporters and experts.

Contrast that with a normal week on the stock exchange. Some days, market losses can amount to 2 or 3 percent due to some upsetting event: an overseas terrorist attack, an OPEC announcement or a poor blue-chip earnings report. Unless your last name is Buffet or Kerkorian, normal investors can’t divine the stock market’s next move. But I can tell you where my real estate holdings are headed-and that kind of predictability helps make them, and me, “bubble proof.”

Now for the “micro” explanation of “bubble proof.”

I advocate the purchase of houses, duplexes, condos, apartment buildings or even office or storefront space only if they meet certain requirements, and therefore are “bubble proof.” In other words, applying my methods, homebuyers and investors can bubble proof their investments.

What constitutes “bubble proof” real estate? Obviously, not all real estate qualifies. I certainly wouldn’t advise a client to buy land on a decaying waterfront, or in a bad neighborhood, where only a Herculean government program could possibly turn its fortunes around. But I do recommend that prospective buyers seek out the countless quality opportunities to acquire and profit from real estate using the bubble proof approach.

In my book, I provide an in-depth examination of the components that go into bubble proof purchasing, starting with your first home and then branching into investment properties. For the purposes of this article, I will keep it brief and just touch on the basics that every deal needs:

* Affordability. Without a doubt this is the most important factor to consider, whether it is your first home or your twenty-fifth condo. This may sound obvious at first, but it is amazing how many people stretch too far and get trapped when their low interest adjustable mortgage shoots skyward.

* Favorable conditions. It doesn’t matter what has happened elsewhere; focus on where you want to buy. Look for markets that are appreciating, and where homes are selling and not sitting. Be sure the nearby area is prospering, not struggling. (Here’s how to tell: Find the towns with the best schools, and then go house hunting.) You may have to research newspaper archives, business journals and the Internet for some of this information, but it will keep you from committing a major blunder later on.

* Location. Here’s where Realtors earn their stripes. They know the local market, inside and out-and about opportunities that you would never unearth on your own. Remember: Your goal is equity growth, not looks, so forget about buying the nicest house on the block. Instead, buy a house that needs work, in the best neighborhood you can find.

* Realism. Buy for today and trust that the future will take care of itself. No market is immune to bumps and dips in the road; but smart buying can overcome nearly every obstacle. Real estate using the Bubble Proof tools will not make you rich overnight, but it will over time.

* Common Sense. Make sure that any real estate deal you strike makes sense today. If the property is affordable, in a good market, fundamentally sound and has real potential to appreciate, then -and only then-you should pounce. Buying in an area that’s only projected to boom is a fool’s errand. Let speculators lose everything instead.

By meeting each of these requirements, a home or property acquisition meets my criteria for being “bubble proof.” It’s easy to see how these basic standards mesh into a bulletproof vest, if you will, that protects my investment before I’ve even placed my down payment. With these safeguards in place, buying your first house should be almost anticlimactic, because you’ve eliminated the negative factors that can result in disaster.

Author Tonja DeMoff is a best-selling author and one of the highest producing and best-paid realtors in the United States. Her latest book, Bubble Proof is available now. Visit Tonja on the web at http://www.tonjademoff.com. (isnare.com)

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Benefits of Home Inspection

For the majority of people, a home purchase is the most substantial and important financial obligation they will ever take on in their lifetime. It makes perfect sense that home buyers guard their financial commitment by investing in a well-done home inspection. When purchasing a new property, home inspection is essential for your own protection. While conducting the inspection, an inspector will tour the home systematically and methodically in order to assess its physical condition. One important aspect to remember about home inspections and buying a home is that it is very important to make your offer on a property contingent on the results of the home inspection. This means that if the inspection uncovers some major problems with the property, you can withdraw your offer without penalty. This is the purpose of doing home inspections.

The Inspection Procedure: What to Expect

While conducting a home inspection, the inspector will take a thorough and meticulous look at the property to assess its physical condition–but be aware that this is very distinct from an appraisal which is required by the bank giving the mortgage. The home inspector will be able to explain to you all about what kind of shape the property is in, but will not provide you with an estimate of its value.

During the inspection process, the inspector will study everything in the home and assess the condition of its structure, construction, plumbing, electrical systems and other parts of the home, to identify whether any structures or systems require repair or even replacement immediately or in the near future. The inspector will determine as well the longevity of the home and things like the furnace, air conditioning system and any appliances that come with the house, taking into account the structural features and electrical, plumbing and other systems, and determine how much functional life each feature has remaining. A home inspection will generally take at least two hours, but of course this depends on the size of the home. Typically, you might expect an inspection to take around an hour for every thousand square feet of property. Once the inspection is complete, you should receive a written report of the inspector’s discoveries within seven days.

Crucial Questions to Ask a Home Inspector

Before you hire a home inspector, it is prudent to ask important questions to make sure you are getting an inspector you can rely on to carry out a thorough inspection of your prospective property.

-What does the inspection include?
-How many inspections have you done, and how long have you been an inspector?
-Are you a veteran residential inspector?
-Are you a member of any state or national associations?
-How long will the inspection take to be accomplished?
-What do you charge?
-How quickly will the inspection report be available to me after the inspection is complete?
-Will I be allowed to attend the inspection?

These are all significant questions to help make sure that your inspector has the experience needed to thoroughly investigate the property which may become your home. Be sure to ask if you may attend the inspection–a negative response from the home inspector is definitely a negative sign, and attending the inspection is a great chance to learn about your likely new home, from an expert. They can show you things and you can ask questions on things that might be unclear from just a written report.

Author Lee Bell. Take a look at Tramonto scenic home for sale in Phoenix, AZ. You may want to browse Valencia homes for sale in Chandler. Consider Troon Village condos for sale. (Source)

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Preparing For Perilous Winter Travel

The best rule of thumb to follow when weather conditions become icy, bitterly cold, snowy, and all-around dangerous for travel, would be to simply stay home. Most of the time, it’s just not worth the trip, and it’s a pretty good excuse for missing most any event. However, occasions always arise that force people to brave the elements. In some parts of the country, treacherous winter weather is a regularly occurring fact of life, and the residents must adapt. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for problems that may arise on the roads (or off in the ditches). 

First, dress appropriately. Body heat is lost most rapidly through the head, so wear a hat. Wear a scarf or knit mask to cover the face and mouth, sleeves that are snug at the wrist, mittens (they are warmer than gloves), water-resistant coat and boots, and several layers of loose fitting clothing. Try to avoid over-exertion, as wetness (including perspiration) will rapidly increase loss of body heat. 

Before setting out in a vehicle, listen to reports from the National Weather Service. Avoid traveling in low-visibility conditions, and avoid ice-covered roads, bridges and overpasses if possible. Use tire chains and bring a cell phone; advise others of your destination and expected arrival time, so that the authorities can be notified quickly if something happens to you along the way. Never pour warm water on a windshield to remove ice and snow; shattering may occur.

Make sure to have emergency supplies in the vehicle at all times. Pack enough for the number of people who are in the car with you on a typical day, then bring a little extra on top of that. Your kit should include:

 -plenty of extra warm clothes and blankets, as well as extra diapers for babies.
-an external heat source, in case the vehicle isn’t running. A gas generator can be used to power a small electric room heater. This will require some safety precautions, such as storing the fuel separately from the generator until time for use, and keeping the

generator and electric room heater spaced far apart.

 – flashlights, flares, and a signal mirror.
 – a basic first aid kit, which is useful year-round.
 – jumper cables, a tool kit, tire chains.
 – abrasive materials for traction, such as kitty litter, sand, or road salt.
 – that old standby, the ice scraper. 

Finally, if you do become stranded, remain in the vehicle. Run the engine at 10 minute intervals for heat, if the engine is working. Crack windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Try to make yourself visible to rescuers by tying a bright cloth to your antennae, or if you can make it to the nearest road sign, tie it to that, and use flares. Don’t leave the vehicle unless you can see a building in which to take shelter, or unless it is unsafe to remain in the vehicle. Know the symptoms of hypothermia and frostbite, and keep a close eye on children for signs of these ailments. Hypothermia signs include shivering, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. Frostbite signs include white or yellowish-gray skin, skin that feels unusually firm or waxy, and numbness. 

Roxanne Davenport is a freelance writer with experience in the field of law enforcement. For more information on personal safety and security supplies, see http://professionalsuppliesforless.com  (Source: iSnare.com)

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Planning and Patience Creates Your Comfortable New Place

Now that you are on your way to buying your new home, your thoughts turn naturally to furnishing it. You want your new place to feel like home, and to be a reflection of your personality. So, while you will have some things from your last home that you can use in your new place, you will need to buy some new furnishings too. 

In these tougher times, you will want to focus more than ever on getting the best value for your money. By making a realistic budget, buying smart, and using a little creativity, you can end up with a home that suits you and looks great. 

Once you’ve assessed what you have, you can start to figure out what you need to buy. You may need to make two lists – an immediate list, for things that you can’t live without from day one – and a wish list, for things that can wait a month or two. Then try to put a realistic number on each of the must-haves and each of the wish items. The internet can be extremely helpful in doing this. 

Next, think about your main colors and themes. By having a basic colour and pattern theme, you can rule out a lot of furnishings quickly, which will make you shopping more efficient. 

Now, do a survey of the furniture stores nearby. Often the list prices seem very high. But, these stores have frequent sales, and they will also have floor models and close outs that offer better value. 

Don’t overlook garage sales and estate sales as a source of furnishings. A Saturday morning spent trolling a few garage sales can often yield a surprising amount of decent quality furniture, as well as pictures, lamps, etc. 

You should also review internet listings such as Craigslist, and newspaper classified ads, where local sellers offer used goods, often at extremely low prices. Lots of great furniture gets sold in the second hand market. Just be careful to check out the seller ratings and review the pictures closely before you journey across town. 

It takes a bit of planning and some patience, but you can assemble a decent group of furnishings for your new home without breaking your budget. Once you move in, you will be glad that you invested the time and energy to make your new place into a home. 

Oliver Wingrove is an investor in the UK property market. His company can offer a quick sale (http://www.sellhousefast.co.uk/quick-sale/quick-sale/) within days. (EzineArticles)

 

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Be a Frugal Grocery Shopper!

By Calista Meade 

If you want to be a frugal grocery shopper, there are a few simple changes that you can make to your grocery shopping habits. These changes seem small when you consider them on an individual basis, but overall the small savings really add up in the long run. 

The first thing that you need to do to be a frugal grocery shopper is to end the impulse buys. Stop going to the grocery store unprepared, because if you don’t have a specific list then you may end up purchasing things that are extra. Walking into the grocery store with a specific list of needs will allow you to quickly find the items that you need, which will in turn cut back on your impulse spending because you will spend less time browsing the aisles of the store. 

Another great tip for the frugal shopper is to never go to the grocery store hungry. Always have a snack before leaving the house. This will also help you to cut back on the impulse spending. 

Grocery coupons are effective in reducing the total cost of your shopping trip. Coupons are treated just like small pieces of money: when you get to the register, you simply need to hand the applicable coupons to the cashier and then watch your shopping total decrease! 

If you really want to be a frugal shopper and take your savings to the next level, you may consider combining these coupons with the sale prices. Shopping during sales and using grocery coupons at the same time will help you to stretch your dollar even further. It is a great idea to stock up on items that you use on a regular basis. When you keep your pantry stocked by purchasing these items on sale, you will be less likely to need to purchase that item at full price. 

These tips may seem small and simple, but when you combine them the savings will be huge. Saving a few dollars each week equals a large amount of savings in a year, and you will be glad that you can be a frugal grocery shopper and keep that money in your pocket! 

There are many ways to save money on your monthly food budget, and using grocery coupons is easy– and the savings can quickly add up! Visit our website for more detailed information on how you can save money with grocery coupons: http://GroceryCouponsSaveMoney.com

 

The Kids’ Table – Best Seat in the House On Thanksgiving

Ah, the kids’ table… the spot where, if lucky, you might corral busy youngsters for a whopping seven minutes during Thanksgiving dinner. It seems just enough time for them to smear potatoes across their face, drop their plate on the floor, then materialize at the grownups’ table just as you’re getting seated. 

But there are ways to keep kids entertained while you eat. Here are a few tips for setting a kid-friendly table that keeps kids put, and content, so you can enjoy your meal. 

Start with Kid-Friendly Tableware — The last thing anyone wants to do during a festive meal is clean up broken glasses or dishes, so choose kids’ dinnerware wisely. Plastic or disposable dinnerware is (or should be) acceptable for kids even in formal settings. One fun and attractive dinnerware option is Bambu disposable dinnerware, made of, you guessed it, bamboo. They even have sporks! Bambu is the year’s hottest earth-friendly dinnerware item. Or consider using durable plastic dinnerware. Melamine dinnerware styles offer the look of better ceramics while acrylic glasses add a festive touch, without the worry. 

Capture Their Attention with the Unexpected — Make kids feel special with a creative placecard. Here we’ve used mini pumpkins, which they can continue to decorate after the meal. Small toys or stuffed animals with kids’ names or holding little name cards are good options too. 

Take a Tip from Busy Restaurants — Cover the kids’ table with kraft or butcher paper and let kids draw or decorate with stamps or stickers before and after the meal. Or buy some holiday-themed coloring books and assemble your own restaurant-style coloring placemats, complete with a small bundle of crayons for each child. 

Turn the Kids’ Table into the Craft Corner — If kids are old enough to use glue sticks, holiday-themed projects such as indian headbands, turkeys, wreaths, woven paper placemats or tree ornaments can keep them happily occupied while you enjoy your meal. For smaller kids, pre-cut parts from construction paper, craft foam or felt so they just have to stick the pieces together. Family Corner has some great holiday project ideas for kids’ table entertainment. 

Krista Fabregas founded KidSmartLiving.com in 1999 to help parents combine safety, livability and style in a home that’s welcoming to family members of all ages. Find more KidSmart child safety, home decorating and living ideas at KidSmartLiving.com and on the KidSmartLiving @ Home Blog  (EzineArticles)