Article: Give yourself at least two months from the time you begin researching custom engagement rings to the day you want to propose. It will take you at least a month to decide on a design and place the order with a jeweler. Once you place the order, it will take another six weeks for the ring to arrive. Before you begin designing an engagement ring for yourself or your fiancé-to-be, figure out how much money you have to work with. Your budget will determine how much you can spend on the gemstone, setting, and design. Try looking for a jeweler or designer that will let you pay in installments. A custom engagement ring will generally cost more than a pre-set ring. A custom ring requires more labor and time to create, and this will be reflected in the price tag. If you are on a tight budget, you might want to consider a pre-set ring instead.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Start at least two months before your proposal date. Set a budget. Expect to pay more for a custom ring.
Article: If you have property tax exemptions, such as a homestead exemption, adding your spouse to your deed could mean you no longer qualify. This could substantially increase your property tax bill. If you’re accustomed to claiming a property tax exemption and you’re concerned you might lose it if you add your spouse to your deed, consult a tax professional. When you add your spouse to your deed, you are giving her a gift. The IRS only allows taxpayers to gift up to $14,000 per person per year. Assuming your property is worth much more than that, adding your spouse to your deed could trigger state and federal gift tax reporting obligations. NOTE:  Gifts to spouses are exempt from state and federal gift taxes if the spouse recipient is a US citizen. Capital gains are taxes you pay on the profit you make from selling property. For example, if you buy a house for $100,000, that amount becomes your “basis” in the property. If you sell the house five years later for $200,000, you would have a capital gain of $100,000.  If you add your spouse to your deed, he will have to use your basis if he later sells the property. That means he could pay substantially more in capital gains taxes than if he acquired the property when you died. To continue the previous example, suppose you added your spouse to the deed for the house you bought for $100,000. You die 50 years later, and your spouse decides to sell the house five years after that for $1 million. His capital gain would be $900,000. However, if you transferred the property to your spouse at your death, for example through a transfer-on-death deed, his capital gains basis would be the fair market value of the house when he acquired it. This could result in far lower capital gains taxes. Returning to the $100,000, suppose you create a TOD deed for your spouse. When you die 50 years later, your spouse acquires a house with a fair market value of $900,000. When he sells it five years later for $1 million, he only owes capital gains taxes on $100,000.  Before you add your spouse to your deed, it’s important that both of you understand how it potentially affects your tax liability so you can make an informed decision and not be caught unaware later on.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Understand you may lose tax exemptions. Pay gift tax. Discuss capital gains with your spouse.
Article: While most people who are present at the dinner may know you, not everyone will. A simple greeting and your name will do. An example of introducing yourself as a part of the speech is “Hi everyone, my name’s Morgan.” This could be through being a parent, sibling, or a lifelong friend. Include that you appreciate being asked to speak.  An example of how to start is “I’ve been friends with Sam since preschool, and I am honored to be able to congratulate Sam and Corey tonight.” If you have a funny story about your relationship with the couple, this is a perfect time to share it. For example, "With the amount of heated competition that goes on during our board game nights, I'm surprised that Sam and Corey are even still talking to me, let alone are letting me stand up here tonight!" Show your appreciation for all the people who have gathered to celebrate at the rehearsal dinner. Say something along the lines of “Thank you, everyone, for being here to share and celebrate this wonderful occasion.” Now is also a good time to acknowledge any special people in the audience or who couldn't make the event. For example, some family members may have travelled a long way to be at the rehearsal dinner. Saying "We are so happy that John and Anne have travelled all the way from Canada to be with us on this special occasion," works well. Similarly, if there are any special people that couldn't be at the wedding, as they may be unwell or have recently passed away, acknowledge them at this time too.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Say hello and introduce yourself. Explain your relationship to the couple. Thank and welcome everyone at the rehearsal dinner.