Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Here are a few beloved lawn games the whole family can enjoy!

Bocce Ball

Though commonly played on the lawn, bocce is traditionally played on a court that can give an elegant look to any yard.

Croquet

A manicured lawn set up with croquet wickets might look formal, but in reality, its a laid-back game for the whole family.

Shuffleboard

Having surged in popularity in recent years, homeowners who have the space are putting shuffleboard courts in their backyards.

Badminton

A great activity for the family to enjoy together, badminton is easy to put away when not in use.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Looking to add some of your own personal chicness to your bathroom? Below are a few ways you can add a little oomph to your powder room.

Climbing plants. Climbing vines indoors can add a jungly, naturalistic element to your space. Some of the coolest vines for interiors are ivy, heartleaf philodendron, jasmine and betel leaf plant.

Art. Don’t be afraid to add some unique art to your bathroom! A cool painting or sculpture can make a great focus piece.

Lighting options. From an interesting lighting fixture to a colored bulb or recessed lighting beneath, don’t be afraid to get funky with your lights.

Mirroring. Add an expressive picture frame to the edge of your vanity mirror, or create an entire mirrored wall to open up the space and add light.

Playful patterns. If you’re a fan of patterns, consider placing a bold pattern on your ceiling, floor or on one wall to make the space more interesting.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

No one wants to be reminded by their bank that using a credit card too much is a bad idea. Its a rule of thumb that everyone knows, but often avoids because a credit card is a major convenience. After all, who wants to always carry cash for everyday purchases?

However, it turns out that “revolvers”"people who carry a balance on their credit card each month with revolving credit"can save some money by being reminded every once in a while by their bank about the downsides of using credit cards.

Researchers at the Urban Institute found that email reminders from your bank or a banner ad on its website can become big enough annoyances to get credit card users to cut spending by 2 percent.

One message reminded credit card holders to use cash for a purchase of less than $20. A second message highlighted the fact that credit cards add 20 percent to the cost of something with revolving credit.

The first message led to an average savings of $104, and up to $173 for revolvers under age 40. The second message had less of an impact, saving people under 40 an average of $160.

There are other small ways consumers can remind themselves to use their credit card less. Budgeting apps or reminders set up on your phone can help you automate savings, for example, by automatically moving money into a savings or retirement account.

Your bank‘s app or website may also allow you to set text or email alerts when your account balance is low. Your credit card may be able to do the same thing, sending you an email when youve spent over a certain amount on a purchase, or letting you know when youre near your credit limit.

The America Saves program sends periodic text messages to participants with savings tips and words of encouragement. Apps such as Hiatus and Trim help consumers stop automatic renewals on their credit cards that they may have forgotten about.

If you carry a revolving balance on your credit card, youre not alone.

Data from TransUnion, a consumer credit reporting agency, shows that about 133 million people have at least one credit card with a balance. The average credit card debt rose to $5,247 in the second quarter of this year, up from $5,197 in the first quarter.

To start lowering your credit card debt, make more than the minimum payment each month. Until you start using only cash for purchases of $20 or less, thats one of the best ways to tackle credit card debt.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Here are some of todays trendiest types of high-end tiles!

Travertine

This strong but porous tile is a classic option for lavish floors inside the home or on the terrace.

Marble

Marble floors will add instant luxurious appeal to any room and can come in a variety of colors.

Terrazzo

A composite material that originated in Venice in the 18^th century, its intricate textures feel like a true work of art.

Glass Mosaic

Ideal for your bathroom or personal wellness area, glass mosaic tile floors demonstrate high attention to detail.

Handmade Terracotta

For the rustic look of a deep red clay, handmade terracotta tiles are a beautiful, down-to-earth option.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Children are often victims of identity theft for two reasons: They have a clean identity that probably hasn’t been used much and can be exploited in many ways, and there’s often a large gap between the theft and when it’s discovered.

Fraudsters will usually wait years before applying for a mortgage or credit card with a child’s personal information, used to create a shadow identity. They’ll build credit with a cell phone service account, for example, and build to financing a car. Stealing a child’s name, Social Security number (SSN) and date of birth can be enough to get thieves started.

Parents need to be the first line of defense against child identity theft. It’s a crime they may not realize has been happening for years. Most victims are 12 when their identity is stolen, but discovery doesn’t happen until they are 17, according to a survey by Experian on child identity theft.

To protect young children, parents should store their child’s Social Security card in a home safe or at a bank. Parents should be wary of anyone asking for the number"they should only give the SSN to an organization that absolutely needs it, such as to the IRS when filing a tax return to list children as dependents. Doctors, schools and extracurricular activities may ask for a child’s SSN, but it isn’t always necessary. It can be requested to verify age, so it’s worth asking if showing another document will work. Don’t give the group a copy.

For tweens who are regularly using social media, parents should educate them about data that shouldn’t be made public, including their address, birth dates or photos of the front of their house. Parents should also monitor their child’s social media posts.

Just as adults should check their credit reports each year, parents should also get a free credit report for their teen each year, as allowed by federal law. Experian, one of the major credit reporting agencies, offers a free, one-time child Social Security scan that searches for an Experian credit file, which could mean fraud if a file is found.

After that one-time scan, it’s worthwhile to do a free annual check on a child’s credit to see if their personal information has been compromised. A tipoff can be getting a credit card bill in the child’s name, although chances of that happening are slim as the thief typically inputs a different mailing address.

If not caught quickly, child identity theft can lead to credit problems later in life. They may not be able to get a credit card, may be denied a loan or may have difficulty signing up for something as simple as cell phone service.

Published with permission from RISMedia.