30-Year Mortgage Rates at 4-Year High

Many young couples are having a tough time finding a home in the current housing market. Today's news says 30-year mortgage rates are at a four-year high, averaging 6.66 percent. The article also says 15-year mortgages are slightly down while adjustable-rate mortgages are slightly up from a week ago. The experts believe the rising mortgage rates is an indicator of a cooling housing market. This is good news for those looking. On the flip side, something scary to think about is since housing prices are cooling, if you get in now, you might find yourself upside down on your loan if the bubble does burst.

Check back on the website in the near future when we begin posting full stories for more information. This subject is hotter than August heat.

Marrying for Love Before Kids

The Gallup Poll released findings today that suggests 57 percent of 18-39 year-olds agree it's "very important" to marry if a couple is committed to each other; only 30 percent agree it's important to marry because of a child. These numbers are down from the responses of older generations, but as David Popenoe, co-director of the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. says, "We're still quite a marrying society."

We also believe we're still a marrying society and want to hear from you. Do you have some tips you'd like to share on how you've stayed married? Please contact us at feedback@hitchedmag.com

The Clinton Marriage

Earlier this week, the NY Times (registration required) featured a lengthy story on Bill and Hillary Clinton, specifically focusing on the balancing act of their marriage. Interestingly, the article mentions how they keep a separate public life because advisors fear Bill's presence might hurt Hillary's chances at a presidential run. Of course, if you're talking about their marriage you can't overlook the Lewinsky incident, which is briefly brought up. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide any answers on how the couple seems to have overcome Bill's previous indiscretion.

Note to readers: We're working on a story about adultery in hopes to provide some answers, insight and true stories about the steps couples took. If you are in such a relationship and would be willing to discuss it for the benefit of helping others, please contact us at feedback@hitchedmag.com

Most Prefer Movies at Home

New research from the Pew Research Center reveals that 75% of adults would rather stay at home to watch a movie than travel to a theater. We admit, their really is nothing like the comfort of your own couch. Some of the factors for staying at home include the price and the rise in better, more affordable home equipment. We want to see a study that explores whether or not watching The Godfather: Part II in high definition increases your progesterone levels.

He's a Wolverine In Bed

Actor Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine in the film, "X-Men: The Last Stand" opening this weekend, told reporters at the Cannes Film Festival that his wife (Deborra-Lee) loves his black leather super hero outfit. Jackman said, "They'll have to make a new one for the next movie because she won't let me part with it." Jackman added, "I feel a bit silly in that outfit, but believe me, my wife really, really likes it."

Do you hear that? That's the sound of husbands across the country pulling Halloween boxes out of the attic.

Chick Flicks Equal Snuggles

Researchers at the University of Michigan have found that
chick flicks trigger an urge to cuddle up. The researchers tested hormone levels of three groups of men and women while showing them The Bridges of Madison County, The Godfather: Part II and a documentary on the Amazon rainforest. The result was an increase in their progesterone levels (the stuff that makes you want to snuggle).

Women now have some ammo to get their hubby's to watch a Meg Ryan flick. May we suggest You've Got Mail? It's contains many Godfather references, so everyone's happy.

Beat Back the Sun

The Orange County Register [registration required] teamed with the Skin Cancer Foundation to explain sunscreen labels. Before you go to Costco and purchase a pallet of sunscreen for summer, it's important to know what you're buying.

In brief, the article discusses the two main types of ultraviolet radiation that hurts our skin--UVA and UVB. UVB rays will damage the top layer of skin, while UVA penetrates deep. On a sunscreen bottle, SPF (sun protection factor) measures the time the sunscreen protects against UVB, but not UVA. To get a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays look for these ingredients: Octocrylene, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. More tips are available in the article.

Paint Your Wallpaper

Ahh, the summer projects are starting. If you're looking for something different here's a site where you can order paint-by-numbers wallpaper. That's right, you get to paint your wallpaper. Any kid will tell you that it's easy to do. Hmm, maybe (if you have kids) put up the wallpaper and have them do it. It can be their summer coloring book. Maybe before you give them the wall, you should check out their work in The Wiggles coloring book first. You know, to see if they're qualified. Of course, you could just do it yourself. Happy summer projects.

Big Love Still Illegal

Have you been watching HBO's Big Love? The show follows a Utah-based polygamist family and the difficulties they have keeping things together and their battle with outside family and neighbors. In the vein of other original HBO shows, Big Love does not disappoint and has possibly one of the saddest love stories currently on TV involving the husband, played by Bill Paxton and his "first wife," played by Jeanne Tripplehorn.

In the real world, Utah's Supreme Court upheld a 2003 ruling on Tuesday that said the state law banning polygamy is not unconstitutional. Click here to read the article from CNN.

No Such Thing As Fat and Happy?

A new study by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University found that roughly 4,000 respondents would rather walk away from their marriage than be obese! This is frightening. Here's another solution, why not go on walks, participate in an exercise program and/or share a diet with your spouse. Walk away? I hope these respondents have open communication with their "loved one" because they clearly need some help and support (before it's too late).

Sex Doesn't Mean Kids

A really interesting article appeared in the Los Angeles Times highlighting a new study that revealed 30% of women in Germany have no children. Furthermore, the number jumps to 40% when targeting college graduates. The author of the article, David P. Barash, a professor of psychology at the University of Washington says this new revelation spotlights what makes humans unique--the ability to say no, particularly toward our own genes.

In the article, Barash notes a shift in human reproductive behavior from an "r" type to a "K" type. "r" species such as mice and rabbits breed early and often because of high mortality rate, "K" species like elephants and whales breed later and less often and invest more in each offspring. With the rise in birth control humans can now indulge in sexual pleasure for themselves; if they decide they want a child, the focus now more than ever is on the quality of life for that child.

Married with children has been the longstanding portrait of post-wedding life. Pull out your camera phone and take a new picture because it seems the world is changing.

The Best Business Partner

A reader wrote in to USA Today hoping the expert could acknowledge his wife's contributions to his business and other spouses who've done the same. Through the experts recognition, he cites the reasons of why spousal support is so important. He notes that they are great sounding boards, honest, offer a unique perspective, pick up the slack at home and are great moral supporters. So if you're in the market to start a new business, keep your spouse by your side.

PS3 or Marriage?

Salon.com wrote an article arguing the value of happiness a Playstation 3 will bring a person. Even comparing it to marriage. I just got back from E3, the Super Bowl for video games and I have to say, the PS3 is very impressive. But the Salon article got it all wrong because they offer up an either or proposition. I say, have your cake and eat it too. Why choose?

This is a warning to wives everywhere that as the holidays approach, you're going to start getting those subtle hints about what your husband wants for x-xmas [cough...PS3...cough]. Sure the PS3 isn't released until November, but I guarantee lots of husbands have already added it to their x-mas list. Oh, I forgot to mention that the PS3 starts at $500, with a souped-up version available for $600--ouch!

Make Payments for a Half Century

USA Today reports of a new trend by big banks offering up--not 40, but 50-year adjustable-rate mortgages. The article says that this is a clear sign that the real estate market is cooling down and the lender competition is now heating up. With record home prices, the new 50-year mortgages are supposed to help keep the payments affordable. Then again, when median home prices in California are over a half million dollars, no word has ever been more mis-used for the common folk than "affordable." At least banks are developing new creative options.

Birth Control Choices

The Orange County Register (registration required) has a thorough list of birth control options that includes the facts, myths, what's new, the effectiveness, side effects and whether or not a prescription is required. This list goes far beyond the pill, such as an intrauterine device and shows that their are many options for keeping the bun out of the oven.

No Sex Toys in South Carolina

Republican Rep. Ralph Davenport has proposed a bill under South Carolina's obscenity laws that would make the dissemination of sex toys a felony. This article speaks to some adult store owners in the state who obviously oppose this bill.

Pat Irons, manager at Sugar 'N Spice says, "Even pastors shop here. They send couples in here they counsel for marriage problems. It's probably going to hit people like that harder than people realize."

Just a thought, but if the cops started making arrests and the store owners expressed their excitement of being in handcuffs, would that make the arresting officers guilty of contributing to obscenity?

Mom's Job Worth $134,121

Mother's day is just around the corner and Salary.com has released the results of what the average mom's salary is worth--$134,121/yr. To get their figure, they took the average salary of the top 10 jobs that make up a mom's duties including: cook, janitor, CEO, housekeeper, psychologist and five others. Salary.com also has a Mom's Salary Wizard that will allow you to create personalized checks for moms based on the number of kids, location and duties. I just did a test for my mom and her salary is worth $23.4 gazillion dollars.

Get Green on a Budget

It's getting hotter outside and About.com has a quick 5 tip article on how to save money in landscaping your yard. Mentioned in the tips are how to build a small waterfall, the secrets to buying cheap plants, container gardening and more.