I am pregnant and want to quit work when my baby is born. BUT with so much debt; I need my income just to make the monthly payments. What can I do?

While it may be fun to spend money you don’t have, debt can quickly become a major burden. Hopefully, once you pay it off – you will keep that in mind whenever you want to dip into that credit again! Luckily, there are some things you can do now to help get you closer towards your goal of staying home with your baby.

You may be able to lower your payments by consolidating your debts with a second mortgage or a home equity loan. Basically, debt consolidation involves taking out a low-interest loan that will pay off all your current debts, leaving you with just the one loan to pay off. Be aware that these loans require you to offer your home as collateral, which means if you can't make the payments on time; your home could be forfeit. Also, the costs of consolidation loans can possibly include interest and “points,” with one point equal to one percent of the amount you borrow. However, consolidation loans may carry some tax advantages that are not available with other kinds of credit. If you’re thinking about hiring a credit counselor or financial planner to stabilize your financial situation, do some homework first. Find out what services a business provides and what it costs, and make absolutely sure to get everything in writing. When all else fails, personal bankruptcy is generally considered the debt management option of last resort. Be aware that the results are long lasting and far-reaching and not an ideal way to begin a family. A bankruptcy stays on your credit report for 10 years, and can make it difficult to obtain credit, buy a home, get life insurance, or sometimes get a job.

We are going to Hawaii for our 20th Wedding anniversary – without the kids! We want to make this an extra special trip – any ideas?

For such a special occasion – I recommend avoiding the plush all inclusive resort like places and instead find a classy luxury home instead. That way you receive royal treatment and can focus on enjoying time with each other.

I recently heard of Gebhart Properties (www.gebhartproperties.com), as they have just launched a new website featuring premiere Hawaii resort and ocean front vacation homes for rent on both the Big Island and Maui. Since Gebhart Properties owns and manages custom homes in some of the most exclusive resort locations in the Hawaiian Islands, you are sure to find something perfect for your trip. On their site you’ll find incomparable amenities in their outstanding Hawaii vacation homes. Luxurious and convenient features, spacious living areas, custom furnishings, and artwork not found in even the finest of hotels. For example, if you want a taste of Old Lahaina, you want to book a stay at their incredible 2BR/2BA corner-unit condo located on the third floor of the Mahana at Kaanapali Resort in Maui. This resort, the only property in Kaanapali that runs parallel to the ocean, is located a mere thirty feet back from the beach! That and much more is available at to see at their website. Gebhart Properties has selected and furnished their Hawaii vacation rentals to meet your every expectation and give you the luxury, convenience and comfort not found in most other vacation rentals or standard hotels. Browse their Hawaii vacation rentals at http://www.gebhartproperties.com/Resort/Hawaii.html and see for yourself why their Hawaii vacation homes are incomparable to others or call 1-800-545-5151.

Be sure to savor this special celebration together – Congratulations!!

I am obviously an older mom – as my daughter is about to be married. I have been put in charge of the wedding favors – any ideas??

What fun!!! Not only do you have a daughter getting married, but you get to help make personalized wedding favors as mementos for all those involved. Although, it sounds fun, I am sure it also puts some extra pressure on you – the mom!

Here are some ideas I have found:

1. All About Almonds - There's a reason Jordan Almonds are the quintessential wedding favor: they're steeped in tradition. You can learn more about this favorable treat by reading all about Jordan Almonds, but how are your guests supposed to know about their significance? Be sure to attach a little card with a note explaining the almonds' meaning: Provide five Jordan Almonds sugared almonds for each guest to eat - to remind us that life is both bitter and sweet. Five wishes for the new husband and wife -- Health, wealth, happiness, children, and a long life!

2. Special Seating Cards - Looking for something a bit more memorable than tented, paper place cards? Make your favors and your escort cards one in the same. From mini picture frames to Christmas ornaments, tag your favors with each guest's name and table number and place them on the escort table.

3. Pair Up - If you wish to give more expensive, high-end favors but need to find a way to skim the fat, give one gift per couple by placing the favor between their two dinner plates, and tagging it with the couple's names. For your single friends, stick with one gift per person.

4. Have a Heart - More couples are forgoing favors for charitable donations instead. But you want to make sure the charity is legit. Research your chosen charity to find out how they spend donations -- and make sure you receive a receipt for tax purposes. Find out more about many charities to support at IDoFoundation.org or JustGive.org.

5. When to Give - If favors aren't a part of your tabletop decor, pass them out to guests as they are leaving the reception. Put the favors in small shopping bags with pretty tissue paper and have a waiter hand one to each guest. In cold weather, the coatroom attendant may hand them a bag with their coats.

6. Clean Your Cans - Looking for a festive favor that'll never go out of style? Try homemade jams and jars filled with penny candy. But be sure to sterilize the containers before use. Detergent residue may cause unexpected flavors (yuck). First, wash the empty jars with hot water and detergent. Then, soak them for several hours in a solution containing 1 cup of vinegar per gallon of water.

7. Match Don't Mix - Whatever your favors may be, pick packaging that matches your wedding colors -- and your table decor. Visit a neighborhood fabric store for ribbons to match your wedding-day palette (if you have one, bring along a swatch of your table linens) and personalize the gift with a monogrammed sticker or unique favor label.

My teenager hates her nose (and to be honest, it is rather distorted) – she really wants a nose job – what should I do?

I would discuss this with an expert – as I am sure they see this sort of thing everyday. Take a visit to the Rhinoplasty Specialist at www.rhinoplastyspecialist.com. Although it is a Los Angeles rhinoplasty website it is available worldwide and owned by Dr. Paul S. Nassif, a Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon, a world-renowned expert in revision rhinoplasty. Maybe you could view the site with you child and at least provide them with some accurate information about this type of procedure. Rhinoplasty Specialist caters to those looking to find useful information about rhinoplasty surgery, most especially to those planning to try out rhinoplasty surgery to enhance their facial appearance. In fact, the website dares to unveil the realities of rhinoplasty surgery fearlessly, with in-depth details and photo galleries to prove its point, no holds barred. One amazing feature of the website is its rhinoplasty tutorial page. Here readers can learn more about facial analysis, nasofacial relationships, and other technical and medical tidbits associated with rhinoplasty. Rhinoplasty in Los Angeles also specializes in ethnic rhinoplasty to African American, Hispanic and Asian patients. As part of Rhinoplasty Specialist’s information campaign on cosmetic surgery in Beverly Hills, those who are interested in rhinoplasty and plastic surgery can get loads of up-to-date information straight from Dr. Nassif through the website’s Media Page. This web page contains articles written by Dr. Nassif that have been published in famous plastic surgery journals and books. The Media Page also contains actual rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty surgery captured on video (maybe this alone would change your child’s mind – or not!). These videos were aired in Discovery Channel, ET, and other shows, so they should be relatively appropriate for a teenager. Patients who want to know more about Dr. Paul Nassif can check out his curriculum vitae in Rhinoplasty Specialist. Whether you decide to attempt this procedure or not, at least this site can give you an accurate perspective.