INPUT ARTICLE: Article: After there are no funds remaining, you can close the account. You will need the approval of all the account holders to do this, so ask anyone else listed on the account to go to a branch location with you or stay nearby for approval by phone. Use your bank's online banking tool, or contact customer service, to check your account balance If your final withdrawal is marked "Pending," note the planned transaction date, and then check again. Since banks require a range of processes, take the time to make sure you understand your responsibilities, so that you don't run into difficulties. Most banks do not allow online account closures, so be prepared to call customer service or visit a bank branch. Some banks require special forms or letters that must be notarized. You should expect to receive an official letter showing that you closed your account, but it is better to ask. This letter should arrive in 5-10 business days. If you did not transfer your funds before closing your account you should also receive a check for the balance of funds remaining in your account. Contact your bank if you don't receive your closing documents in 5-10 business days. If these don't arrive, chances are there is a problem with your account and it has remained open. Getting rid of these access points will help you to avoid accidental use, as well as potential fraud. Make sure your EFT, bill pay and other credits and debits are going in and out of the new account. Simple human error may delay the proper closing of your account.

SUMMARY: Check your old account to verify that it is now empty. Look up your bank's account closing procedures. Request verification that your account is closed. Shred all debit cards and checkbooks connected with your previous account. Watch both of your accounts for the next 30 days.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary while also understanding the correct context of words. Seeing different words used in a sentence is much more helpful than just looking them up. Check out a popular book in English from your local library, or visit a book store near you to see what grabs your attention. Use a dictionary while reading so you can look up any words you don't understand. Read material that you find interesting. Novels, newspapers, or even comic books are great ways to learn English words. As you learn new words in English, you may be presented with opportunities to use them in your daily life. Try to describe objects or people with really specific words. Instead of using small describing words like, "the building over there is big," use more eloquent words that convey more meaning. For example: "the building over there is gigantic." Instead of saying, "The sun is bright," try saying, "The sun is radiant today." Instead of "She looks thin," try saying, "She looks delicate and fragile." If you're a non-native English speaker, it can be difficult to remember even basic words. A good way around this is to make labels for everyday household items which contain the English word and its pronunciation. Label things that you use every day so that you can commit them to memory. Items like your toothbrush, mirror, chair, or bed are great things to label. It can be tough to find new words in your daily life that you haven't already come across. Download an app on your phone that will teach you 1 new word per day. Write down or memorize each word and its definition to expand your vocabulary on a daily basis. PowerVocab and Word to Word are 2 popular vocabulary teaching apps. When you are telling a story or speaking for a long time, you may want to pause in between your words or sentences. A common mistake people make is using the word "like" to fill the pauses as they talk. Only use the word "like" when you are expressing that you like something or when you are comparing things. An incorrect use of the word "like" would be: "The other day I got on this, like, bus and went to, like, Southampton to meet my, like, boyfriend." The correct use of the word "like" would be: "I like biscuits and I also like American cookies." Another correct use of the word "like" is: "Her hair was pretty, like golden straw." Frequently using curse words or bad language does not give a good impression, especially in polite company. Expanding your vocabulary should help you to find alternative words to express yourself. If you can expand your vocabulary, you can eliminate swearing altogether. Once you accomplish this, you'll often find that in most everyday situations, there is no need to swear at all.

SUMMARY: Read books in English. Describe people or objects to practice new words. Label your household items until you know their names. Download a vocabulary app to teach you new words. Don't use the word "like" as a filler. Avoid using curse words.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Start by making a clay, wax, or other fast version of your sculpture. This will be used as a "sketch". You will take measurements from it and use those to carve the stone or other sculpting material. You can take basic measurements from you sculpture and mark the stone or wood where you know it will need to be cut. For example, if you know your sculpture isn't going to be more than 14 inches (35.6cm) high, you can cut away all material above 15 inches (38.1cm). Leave some room for movement but certainly carve out the basic shape of your sculpture. Using a pointing machine or other measuring device, begin to measure your sculpture "sketch" and make the same locations and depths on your stone or wood. Using tools appropriate for your material, begin to chip away at the material and even out the points that you made using the pointing machine. Using gradually finer and finer sandpaper, sand down your sculpture until it is as smooth as you want it to be. Add any final extra details that you want and enjoy your sculpture.

SUMMARY: Make a sculpture sketch. Carve the basic form. Use a pointing machine. Carve in the details. Sand down your sculpture. Done!

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If your mother-in-law has always been critical, demanding, or argumentative, you may need to simply work out a strategy to minimize the behavior and cope with it. If this is a new behavior and it is directed only at you, there is likely an underlying problem that must be addressed. Talk to your spouse to get a better understanding of your mother-in-law. If you're nervous about broaching the subject, say something like, "I'd like to talk about the way your mother has been acting, but I don't want to fight. I just want to discuss the issue to see if we can find a solution." Presenting a united front with your spouse will send the message to your mother-in-law that her behavior is unacceptable. If your spouse confronts the problem first, it will signal that you both acknowledge the issue. Ask your partner to talk to her privately to see if they can uncover the root of the problem. If your spouse is uncomfortable getting in the middle of things, ask them to at least stand up for you when she crosses a line. Ask your spouse to report back to you after they have a private conversation with their mother. They may have some important information about what the root of the problem is. Tell your spouse, "I really think that you'll have an easier time talking to her than I will. If you talk to her first and figure out why she's not acting fairly, it will make it easier for me to sit down with her." Don't get ahead of yourself and start talking or arguing with your mother-in-law without consulting your spouse first. If you cross a line or engage in an argument without agreeing on a coping strategy, you may end up offending your spouse. Decide on whether you want to confront, deflect, or avoid the problem together to give yourself the highest chance of succeeding. Even if you want to deal with the problem by talking to your mother-in-law privately, you should still consult your partner first. They may have some tips or advice on how to speak with her, and you should give them a head's up in case your mother-in-law goes to consult them after the two of you speak.

SUMMARY:
Talk to your spouse to see if this has always been a problem. Ask your spouse to back you up or talk to her if she's only focusing on you. Develop a strategy together to solve the problem.