It is standard practice for a buyer to shop around for the best interest rate for a mortgage, but for closing costs purposes it is also important to shop around for the lowest fees. Lenders charge a number of fees at closing, but the amount each lender charges for each item can vary. At the time you are qualified for a home loan (a mortgage), your lender is required to provide you with a good faith estimate of your closing costs. This estimate contains the fees that the lender will charge you at your closing. Compare different lender's fees and choose the lender that has the right mix of a low interest rate and low fees. You can often negotiate some of the fees that the lender will charge, so be sure to ask your lender representative if you can get a better deal.

Summary: Find the best interest rate and lowest fees. Make sure to review your good faith estimate before making any commitments.

The peace sign and symbol have complicated historical meanings that can resonate differently in cultures and religions. Today, the drawn peace symbol is often recognized as a general symbol of peace or anti-war statement. In Britain, this symbol is often recognized as representing nuclear disarmament, although elsewhere it's seen as a general call for peace. However, throughout history, it's been used for darker purposes. For example, Hitler's 3rd Panzer Division used the drawn peace symbol, and it exists on the tombstones of some SS soldiers. Some Christians do not like the drawn peace symbol because of its historical meanings. It was used as an anti-Christian symbol in 711 AD by the Saracens. They used it to send the message that they could break the Christian cross when they used it on their shields. The upside down cross was first used by Christians because Peter the Apostle asked to be crucified with his head hanging down. However, anti-Christian groups then took the upside down cross and used it symbolize the opposite of Christianity. Some heavy metal groups have used it. And the symbol has been used to indicate Communist support. The Founder of the church of Satan used the symbol on an altar. The peace symbol is often used in artwork, tattoos, and on T-shirts and signs. It's commonly an anti-war symbol when used in this manner. An artist famously drew the Eiffel tower inside the circle after the Paris terrorist attacks to emulate the peace symbol. The artist called it "Peace for Paris." It's also the number "2" in American sign language. In Asia, the sign is popular because of a peace activist ice skater who used it. There were also Japanese television commercials in the 1970s that used the symbol. The peace sign started to appear in Japanese photos even before that, dating to the 1960s when it appeared in the hippie movement. Today, Japanese people commonly flash it in photos. Those who see religious significance in the peace sign or "V" sign link it to rejection of authority and the Roman "V" for the number 5.

Summary: Be careful of the peace symbol's dual meanings. Recognize the Christian symbolism. Use the peace symbol as an art form.

Apply at least two coats of primer to your wicker before painting it. When applying primer, use multiple thin layers for a smoother, better looking, more chip resistant finish. Shake your spray primer thoroughly and then apply it by pressing its applicator button. Spray it evenly onto all wicker surfaces, including crevices and in between weavings. Wear a dust mask when priming. When priming, keep your arm straight and use sweeping, left-to-right motions. Start from the top of the furniture and work your way to its bottom. Keep the spray applicator a few inches away from the wicker. For most kinds of primer, the benefits you receive from extra coats stops at five coats of primer. Save primer by applying no more than five coats. Primer is especially important when changing colors, or when covering over dark colors. Be sure to prime in these situations. Because wicker is so contoured, drips, runs, and unevenness in your primer are likely. Use a clean sponge or paintbrush to smooth any drips, runs, or unevenness so your primer coat is smooth throughout. After touching up, allow your primer to dry completely before adding another coat. The wait time for your primer should be indicated on its can. In most cases you can expect your primer coats to dry fairly quickly. Shake up your spray paint thoroughly. In the same fashion you applied your primer, you'll also apply your spray paint. In most cases, it is best to paint from top to bottom, though you may want to paint the underside and less visible parts of the furniture before painting its main parts. Much like primer, multiple thin coats of paint will look better and be more chip resistant. Use at least two thin layers of paint, and no more than five. After you are finished spray painting each coat, check for drips, runs, and uneven spots in your paint. Use a clean sponge or brush to touch up these so each coat is smooth and even. Give your first coat sufficient time to dry completely before adding the next one. The paint will likely be dry in a few hours, but wait two days before using the furniture so the paint fully cures.

Summary: Prime the wicker. Touch up drips and runs. Spray paint the furniture.

If you are using a fabric that is somewhat flimsy, place iron-on interfacing on the back side of the fabric and iron in place until bonded. This will help your hat hold its shape, but it's not required. Craft felt is a good choice for this project--it's strong, comes in multiple colors, and is inexpensive. The circle should have a diameter of about 12 inches (300mm). Avoid using soft, foldable fabric like jersey for this project. This hat is designed for children. For an adult-sized hat, you may need an initial circle that is roughly 18 inches (460mm) in diameter. Cut a small circle out of your original circle. The diameter of this circle should roughly match to diameter of the wearer's head. Be sure to cut out the center of the circle instead of cutting through the outer ring! To find the correct head size, drape the fabric over the wearer's head and mark it with a pencil. Use the same green fabric used for the circles. The length of the rectangle should roughly match the circumference of the smaller circle with 1 inch (25mm) of extra material for a seam allowance. The width should be about 12 inches (300mm). Fold the rectangular piece of fabric in half widthwise, with the wrong side facing out, and pin in place. Stitch a straight stitch along the open end of the fabric, roughly 12 inch (13mm) in from the edge. You can also use fabric glue or iron-on seams for the hat! With the wrong side still facing out, and the wrong side of the small circle facing up, pin the circle to one open end of the cylinder. Stitch in place. The right sides of the fabric should not be visible to you at the moment, but they should all face one another. Turn the hat upside-down and right side out. Pin the inside of the ring to the remaining open edge of the hat and stitch in place. Use sturdy, ravel-resistant fabric like felt and cut out a rectangle that is 4 inches (100mm) by 5.5 inches (140mm). Cut out a second rectangle from the center of this rectangle, making an outline that is roughly 1 inch (25mm) thick. The strip of black fabric should be about 3 inches (76mm) wide and the same length as your original body rectangle. Felt is the best choice, but you can use any sturdy, ravel-resistant black fabric. Sew or glue the yellow buckle piece onto the center of the black band. Fabric glue is best, but you can use school glue for felt and most other fabrics. Sew or glue the black band around the bottom of the hat, just above the brim. The band should almost lie flush against the rim of the hat. Bring the back edges together at the back edge of the hat, allowing them to overlap.
Summary: Use iron-on interfacing to add stability to the hat (optional). Cut out a large circle from sturdy green fabric. Divide the circle into a ring and a center circle. Cut out a rectangle for the body of the hat. Form a cylinder from the body rectangle. Pin and sew the top to the cylinder. Pin and sew the brim to the hat. Cut out a yellow rectangle for a buckle. Cut out a black rectangle for a band. Attach the buckle to the band. Glue or stitch the band to the hat.