• 10 Worst Places For Germs In Your Kitchen...
• How To Avoid Hiring The Wrong Financial Adviser...
• Fun Facts and Laughs: 3 Great Outdoors Websites, Throw A Party On A Budget, And More...
• Trivia Question
• Real Estate Q&A: How Do You Select A Good Home Contractor?...

Dear Friend,

Did you know your refrigerator collects the most germs in your kitchen? It isn’t the first place you think of when it comes to germs because it’s cold, but a new study says that’s where five of the top ten germiest places are hanging out. In today’s Service For Life!^®Free consumer newsletter I’ll share how to clean these areas of your kitchen without using toxic chemicals.

You’ll also learn how to choose the right financial adviser for your needs, tips to throw a great party without overspending – plus fun facts, a trivia challenge, and lots more.

• Water dispenser: Check the manual, but most manufacturers recommend disconnecting the water supply and using vinegar to flush the system once a year. Let the vinegar sit in the line for 10 minutes, then reconnect and turn the dispenser on to flush the vinegar out.

• Door seal: Wipe this area clear of sneaky germs monthly using a damp soapy cloth and then wiping dry.

• Icemaker: Disconnect monthly, remove if possible, wash with warm soapy water, and then dry.

• Meat containers and veggie containers: Every month, mark your calendar and clean these germ-harboring trays with warm soapy water. To minimize odors, baking soda can be added to the sink while you’re washing them. Dry with a clean towel and replace.

1. Opt for a “fee-only” or hourly financial adviser. You want someone focused on your investments, not a commission each time they advise you to buy or sell stock. Find fee-only advisers listed on: www.napfa.org, www.fpanet.org, andwww.cfp.net.

1. Check for this credential. Just like any profession, there are a slew of certifications, but every financial adviser should have their Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation at a minimum. This means they’ve passed a 10 hour financial planning exam, have 3 years of full time experience, and have had a comprehensive background check.

1. Verify their background. You can find more information about a financial adviser’s background, like membership associations, professional designations, and the types of services they provide at www.brightscope.com. Also,www.sec.gov (select Investment Adviser Search) andwww.finra.org (look for a tool called BrokerCheck) allow you to view a financial adviser’s record and any complaints listed against them.

1. Assess their personality. Do they make you feel uncomfortable, talk over you, or make you feel stupid? If so, it’s probably not a good fit. Go with someone who you can speak freely with and who can explain investments clearly.

• FRIENDS – Digital invites are free, customizable, and instant. Great digital invite services such as Celebrations.com,Evite.com, or Punchbowl.com often include planning help and ideas. If you don’t have someone’s email address, print a few digital invites and give them out in-person.

• FOOD – One-dish meals like pastas or casseroles are easy and inexpensive. A potluck is always a good solution for variety of both food and beverages. Also, choose a signature party drink that fits your theme and only buy the ingredients for that one drink.

• FUN – Make your own playlist instead of hiring a DJ. Use your party theme to pick songs, then plug your music player into an external speaker and let it run all night. Use pretty desserts like cakes as centerpieces, or design your own table decor with inexpensive but fresh flowers from the grocery store.