Author - naomi bess

I’ve been in the industry for 22 years. The first decade, I started as a part-time Teller at a large national bank and eventually worked my way up to Branch Manager. Unfortunately, the bank decided to consolidate its positions so in one quick conference call, over 13,000 employees were laid off.  At that time, I was in a training program to...

I started as a loan officer in January 1986, when interest rates had just fallen below 10 percent and before there was technology as we know it today. Back then, it took more time to get the job done because the processes were longer: Fax machines were brand new. Pagers were used to let people know we needed to talk to them. I memorized phone...

The crisp air and motivated sellers make buying a house during the off-peak fall and winter seasons the perfect time to get your perfect home. When a property is listed, the goal is usually to get it sold as quickly as possible, so sellers may be more willing to accommodate buyers who are searching during the off season. Inclement weather is...

Have you ever put any thought into a character from a popular TV show inventing an actual holiday? It never crossed my mind either. But that’s exactly how February 13 became known as Galentine’s Day. As you may have guessed, the holiday’s name was derived from blending the word gal with Valentine’s Day, which created a fun day for women to...

It’s not your imagination if you feel a case of the winter blues every year. Your mood swings, fatigue, and lack of energy can be attributed to colder weather and the national time change that results in shorter daylight hours. There’s actually a clinical term, called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), that describes how a lot of people feel...

While making resolutions can signify a fresh start  for many people, it might be a good idea to set impending goals before the new year begins. This action allows us to mentally prepare ourselves for the changes we plan to make. New Year’s resolutions should be about making beneficial changes in the months ahead. Can making resolutions help us...

Are you tired of munching on the striped, sweet treats that are synonymous with the holiday season? If so, there are some fun and tasty ways to repurpose uneaten candy canes. April Woods, Mama Loves Food, recommends a very simple recipe that offers endless possibilities. Extend the season’s joy and turn your leftovers into Peppermint Candy Cane...

It’s almost time to turn back the clocks one hour. This means we’ll gain an hour of sleep, but it will get dark earlier in the day. The 2021 Daylight Saving Time (DST) officially ends on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 2 a.m. (fall back an hour to 1:00 a.m.) Daylight saving time (not savings) starts again Sunday, March 13, 2022, when clocks ‘spring...

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