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Mallow, who is no stranger to the sports world, works as an athletics financial administrator at a college. “I’m basically in charge of processing the financial paperwork for all of the sports teams,” she says.

Though Kimberly enjoyed her work and had a happy life with her family, she hoped to find enough financial stability to afford to buy a house of her own. “I was living in Yonkers with my husband and daughter [and] we were saving for a new place, but you know how [high] prices can be in a big city,”
 
Despite her high cost of living, Kimberly and her husband were able to save enough money to buy a house. With her family growing every day, it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

“We had another daughter, and we were finally able to save enough to buy a house on Long Island,” she recalls. The house was a significant improvement over their old life, with more space and a large yard. “More space is never bad,” she says with a laugh.
 
Kimberly and her family were happy with their decision, but their bills didn’t leave the roster, as money remained a constant issue. Fortunately, Kimberly had heard about the Union Plus Mortgage program with financing provided by Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, and knew about all of the services they could offer to new homeowners.

“I subscribe to the OPEIU emails, which is where I first learned about Union Plus,” she says. “They’ve been very helpful in the past, so I was sure to keep up with their emails after we bought our place.”
 
Kimberly was especially interested in the Union Plus Home Run Contest, which gave her the chance to submit photos of her new house, while including her family in the process. “We just took pictures of [us] sledding with my daughters, everyone was smiling and laughing, it was pretty natural,” she recalls.
 
When Kimberly was chosen as one of the winners of the Union Plus Home Run Contest, the money’s impact on her family proved to be a grand-slam. “The money has been great. I’m currently five months pregnant and I don’t get any maternity leave from work, so we’ve been able to use it to pay our mortgage.”

In fact, Kimberly has been so impressed with the services she has received from Union Plus that she makes sure to spread the word whenever she can. “Union Plus has been great,” she says, “I always make sure to recommend it to new people at work.”

The Union Plus Mortgage program, with financing available through Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, is available for all eligible union members. 

For qualifying members, special benefits include:

• A My Mortgage Gift^SM award from Wells Fargo after closing  – $500 for buying a home, or $300 for refinancing a home – for use at participating retailers.¹ 
• Special hardship mortgage assistance from Union Plus in the event of income loss due to disability, unemployment or strike/lockout.²

As a trained chef, I've learned to embrace the barrage of culinary queries from friends and family. “Can I swap out curly parsley if I can’t find Italian flat-leaf?” “What’s the easiest way to chop an onion?” And so on. But the question chefs probably hear the most—and have the hardest time answering—is how to know when a steak is done.

It can be difficult to explain because the real trick is cooking enough steaks to develop a sixth sense for internal temperature. Absent the intuition that comes from years of practice, a meat thermometer is the way to go—both for food safety and to ensure you don’t overcook a pricey prime porterhouse.

Some people think using a thermometer when grilling is a cheat, or maybe they had bad experiences in the past with older, leave-in analog meat thermometers, which routinely do poorly in CR's tests. But using a digital meat thermometer is the best way to make sure the meat is cooked to a safe internal temperature.

The Hand Method

One of the most popular methods of determining whether a steak is done is something called the hand method, a decidedly unscientific touch test that calls for holding one hand palm up and using the index finger of the opposite hand to press the ball joint below your thumb. So the thinking goes, that squishy feeling is how the center of a steak should feel when it's rare.

Making a pincer grip with your thumb and index finger—causing the joint to tense slightly—is how a steak should feel at medium rare. The same motion repeated with the middle, ring, and pinky fingers represent medium, medium-well, and well-done, respectively, or so the lore goes.

To see whether there's any validity to the idea, Consumer Reports put the hand method to the test. We used the Weber Genesis E-410, $900, a model we chose for its perfectly even heating in our gas grill tests.

We then grilled five sirloin steaks. The steaks were all cut to the same thickness, and we grilled them one-by-one at the same temperature. For reference, we cross-checked the temperatures with our top-rated Oregon Scientific Wireless BBQ/Oven AW131 meat thermometer, $40, and logged the final temperature before cutting in to see how the steak looked.

Here's how it all turned out.

How We Tested the Hand Method

Like the USDA, Consumer Reports recommends cooking whole cuts of beef to a minimum internal temperature of 145° F. "With steaks, any bacteria present is likely to be on the surface of the meat and 145° F is hot enough to kill those bacteria," says James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director of food safety and testing at Consumer Reports.

In our hand method test, we checked the steaks at every stage from rare to well-done and compared the results to widely recommended internal temperatures from outside sources.

Rare

• Target temperature: 125° F
• Temperature with hand method: 106° F

Did it work? No. While Consumer Reports never recommends cooking steak rare, the hand method posed an extra risk here, as it caused our test steak to come in a full 19° F below the already risky internal temperature of 125° F.

Medium-Rare

• Target temperature: 135° F
• Temperature with hand method: 110° F

Did it work? No. Again, the hand method yielded a result that would be well below what most would consider medium-rare. Cutting into the steak revealed a thin red band and saturated pink meat throughout, and was pretty consistent with a steak we'd consider rare.

Medium

• Target temperature: 145° F
• Temperature with hand method: 127° F

Did it work? No. Medium steaks are among the hardest to master because medium means something different to almost everyone. Again, the hand method yielded an undercooked steak. The thermometer told a different story. Despite looking like a steak cooked medium, it was still 18° F below a temperature we'd consider safe.

Medium-Well

• Target temperature: 155° F
• Temperature with hand method: 142° F

Did it work? No. For our medium-well steaks, we also found the hand method lacking. We got a steak most people would call medium, and according to the thermometer, it was still 3° F shy of the minimum safe temperature recommended by the USDA.

Well-Done

• Target temperature: 165° F
• Temperature with hand method: 157° F

Did it Work? No. Cooking a steak well-done sounds easy enough, but the line between eliminating any traces of pink and overcooking the meat is a fine one. Once again, the hand method produced a result that was a bit on the undercooked side. That can be off-putting if you prefer a steak with no traces of pink.

The Verdict

The hand method receives a thumbs-down. Although the steaks in our test did firm up as internal temperatures rose, the meat thermometer consistently told a different story. That proved our long-held advice that you can't depend on the color of cooked beef to judge the temperature.

In a pinch, the hand method could help you avoid overcooking a steak, but it should never be a stand-in for ensuring steak is safely cooked. A better idea? Use a thermometer to note the temperature of a steak you consider perfectly cooked, and you'll be able to replicate the result all summer long.

Get prepared
The My FirstHome^® online interactive learning experience is for anyone who wants to learn more about finding, financing, and owning a home. Find it at wellsfargo.com/myfirsthome.

Find the right home loan for you
When you’re ready to start exploring home financing options, look to our Home Loan Shopping Tools. Buyers can find their home price range, review different scenarios and loan options, and translate a list price of a home into a monthly payment. Find these tools at wellsfargo.com/mortgage/planning.

Take charge of your home financing decisions
Find a clear path through the homebuying process to the loan closing and beyond when you visit the Wells Fargo Home Lending Learning and Planning Center. Customers can access on-demand tools and easy-to follow information to help them take charge of their decisions. Find it at wellsfargo.com/mortgage/home-loans.

Know where you stand throughout the loan process
Track your home loan’s progress from your computer, smartphone, or tablet and stay on top of every step in the process with yourLoanTracker^SM. You can receive, review, and securely upload documents, plus sign select documents electronically. Wells Fargo can help determine if a specific home loan is available with yourLoanTracker features.

Whatever stage of the process, these tools can help you learn more and make decisions along the way.
And remember, after closing on a loan through the Union Plus Mortgage program, you’ll be eligible for special benefits that include receiving a My Mortgage Gift^SM award from Wells Fargo - $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing your home, for use at participating retailers – and access to mortgage assistance through Union Plus in times of hardship such as layoff, disability or strike.^1,2 Keep in mind that parents and children of union members are also eligible for certain benefits.

Click here to learn more about the Union Plus Mortgage program

Hyacinth

The hyacinth flower is well-known among gardeners and flower enthusiasts for its sweet, earthy and robust scent. The plant’s fragrance is so sweet, in fact, that it acts as a natural deterrent from animals and pests that may otherwise find its bright bulbs quite enticing. These blossoms make stunning additions to bouquets, as exemplified by Teleflora’s Spring Equinox and Spring Favorites arrangements.​

Freesia

For a fruity scent delivered in a colorful package, look no further than the freesia. According to Balcony Garden Web, these blossoms are popular among European florists, who favor the flower for its wine-like aroma. Freesias can be grown in a variety of colors, including white, like in Teleflora’s Spring Rhapsody bouquet, and hot pink, like in the Roman Holiday arrangement.​

Rose

Who among us doesn’t love to stop and smell the roses? There’s a reason these flowers have become synonymous with rich, luxurious fragrance – they’re truly nature’s perfume. Roses are just as versatile as they are sweet-smelling, and can be incorporated into bouquets for any occasion. For a sunset color palette, check out the Blossoms in Vogue arrangement. Evoke classic romance and old Hollywood glamor with the Always on My Mind Long Stemmed Red Roses bouquet.​

Peony

When peony season rolls around, be sure to pick yours up right away! This blossom is only in bloom for a fleeting amount of time, typically between April and June. The wait is worth it, however – these colorful buds are packed with sweet fragrance. Get your peony fix with Teleflora’s Perfect Peonies and Teleflora’s Pretty in Peony arrangements.​

Sweet Pea

Often used as a fragrance in perfume, lotion and other bath products, sweet pea flowers deliver a light yet wholesome aroma. Fresh sweet peas provide a smell that mixes nicely with other florals and classic buds that fit neatly into any arrangement. Show your friends and family you love them by gifting this delicious fragrance, available in Teleflora’s Isn’t It Romantic and Kensington Gardens by Teleflora arrangements.​

Lily

Lilies have long been a go-to fragrant floral. These dramatic, open buds fill any space with their yummy, enticing perfume. Lilies are grown in many colors, and are perfect for all occasions. One of the most popular arrangements among Teleflora’s lily lovers is the Always a Lady bouquet, which features stunning pink blossoms. For a touch of whimsy, check out the enchanting Yellow Fellow arrangement.​

Summer is full of amazing scents, and these are just a few flowers that will bring the season inside. Tell us below what flowers are your favorite!

Sergio Hurtado joined the United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) in the past year, working as a zoning inspector in Rockville, MD. A typical day on the job for him involves investigating land-use complaints and ensuring building activities comply with zoning for their areas. Recently, Hurtado learned that he was randomly selected as a $500 winner in the Union Plus 30th Anniversary American Dream Sweepstakes.

The Union Plus member benefits program is celebrating three decades of serving union members with an American dream-themed sweepstakes sponsored by the Union Plus Credit Card Program.* Each week, 12 winners were randomly drawn to receive a $500 Mastercard® gift card prize. And, one winner, Frank Valone, an AFSCME retiree, was drawn to win the $30,000 grand prize.

Hurtado said he learned about the sweepstakes by reading one of the Union Plus e-newsletters. When he was informed he had won, it was difficult for him to believe.

When asked about the American dream theme of the sweepstakes, he described what it means to him.

“The American dream is about working in an area, which is fulfilling to you. It’s about having more time for family and being able to provide for them comfortably. That’s pretty much what it is, for me anyways,” he explained. “It applies to union members’ work as well. There are always times when employees might be treated unfairly and it’s important to have the representation and support, which unions provide.”

Now that Hurtado is $500 richer, he said he is starting to think of a few ways to spend the winnings. “I probably won’t buy anything too big. I’ll probably just pay some bills and buy some presents for my family members,” he said.

To read the stories of the Union Plus American Dream Sweepstakes winners, visit unionplus.org/winners.

​
For a limited time, buy an LG G5, G6 or L10 smartphone on AT&T Next online, and get a free* LG G Pad X 10.1 tablet with a 2-year agmt w/elig. data service¹.

^{*Limited time offer, while supplies last (ends 5/5/17 in Puerto Rico). Online only. Fees, charges & restr’s apply. See below for full offer details.}

Or, buy a Samsung Galaxy smartphone on AT&T Next® and get a Samsung Gear S2 Classic watch for free** with a 2-year agreement².

^{**Limited time offer, while supplies last (ends 5/5/17 in Puerto Rico). Online only. Fees, charges & restr’s apply. See below for full offer details.}

Not yet with AT&T? Switch now and get up to $650 in bill credits³ when you trade in your current smartphone, and buy a new one on AT&T Next. 

Plus, with AT&T Next, you can get the latest smartphones for $0 down⁴ – including the Samsung Galaxy S8, LG G6 and iPhone 7. 

^{Tax due at sale. Req’s well-qual. credit, elig. installment agmt & svc.  If svc cancelled, device balance due.  Activ./upgrade & other fees, charges & restr’s apply.  See $0 Down details.}

In addition, as a union member, you could:

• Save 15% on the monthly service charge of qualified wireless plans (excludes unlimited plans)<sup>5
  
  Requires valid proof of membership with an AFL-CIO member union in AT&T stores.  Member must be account holder.  Svc. Discount applies only recurring mo. svc. charge of qual. Plan, no overages and may take up to 2 bill cycles.  Addl. rest. apply. See discount details below.</sup>
   
• Save 20% on select accessories<sup>6 
  
  Limits, exclusions and other restr’s apply. See offer details.</sup>
   
• And get the $25 activation fee waived on select devices<sup>7
  
  Requires activation of new line of service. Qualified wireless service required.  See offer req's.</sup>

Not only does AT&T have the nation’s largest network⁸, it also has the nation’s best data network⁹, so your loved ones can stay connected to family and friends while enjoying reliable, fast connection on their devices. 

When you visit an AT&T store, you’ll be helped by a fellow union member. Be sure to reference Discount Code 3508840, even if you choose an unlimited data plan, to ensure you can take advantage of union-member specific benefits such as the 20% accessory discount and the $25 activation fee waiver. Ask your AT&T store rep which plan is best for you. 

Things to Check Around the House

No matter where you live, now is a good time to take inventory of what to take care of at home, to ensure that you’re ready for the months ahead. Be sure to check off the following items:

• Check the batteries in the smoke alarms and flashlights
• Replenish any emergency items like water
• Have your air conditioner inspected by a professional
• Check exterior doors and windows for cracked or broken glass

Review Insurance Needs

It’s important to evaluate homeowners insurance coverage on a regular basis. This will help make sure that coverage keeps pace with the cost to repair or rebuild a home and replace its contents, including any upgrades made over time. While this could lead to higher premiums, it helps to be more adequately insured and less vulnerable to high out-of-pocket expenses.

The following are just a few items that can affect insurance and the premium being paid:

• Home remodeling project
• Installation of a pool or trampoline
• The age of a house and roof—and the materials
• A home-based business

To ensure that you’re properly covered, contact an insurance agent and review coverage every year. In addition:

• Consider combining your policies. Many insurance companies offer discounts for bundling policies.
• Purchase umbrella liability insurance to protect yourself against claims that may exceed your current coverage limits. Umbrella policies generally offer $1 million or more in additional coverage at reasonable rates.

Think About Your Future Home Financing Needs

A regular mortgage check helps you think about whether your mortgage still aligns with your current goals, such as making renovations, buying your next home or a vacation property, refinancing your current mortgage, or helping one of your children buy their first home. Checking in with your home mortgage consultant to evaluate your current situation only takes a few minutes and is a great opportunity to help ensure you’re making the changes necessary to meet your goals. Even making a small adjustment, such as changing your payment schedule, could benefit you in the long run. 

And remember, after closing on a loan through the Union Plus Mortgage Program, you’ll be eligible for special benefits that include receiving a My Mortgage Gift^SM award from Wells Fargo – $500 for buying a home or $300 for refinancing your home, for use at participating retailers – and access to mortgage assistance through Union Plus in times of hardship such as layoff, disability or strike.^1,2 

Keep in mind that parents and children of union members are also eligible for certain benefits.

The best time to think about protecting possessions is when you first buy or receive them. Here are five things to consider after you’re done shopping:

1. Save receipts, warranty cards and instruction manuals, and file them safely. Include copies of receipts with a home inventory list.
2. Be sure to record serial and other identifying numbers, such as vehicle identification numbers, in a log or with your home inventory documentation.
3. Determine whether service contracts, offered frequently by retailers, are worth the cost. For example, electronics (e.g., digital cameras) become out-of-date quickly; it may not be worthwhile to repair them two years from now. On the other hand, a refrigerator, which usually lasts years, might be a good candidate for a service contract, depending on the price.
4. Double-check your insurance coverage. If you doubt whether your policy covers a new possession, contact your insurance company at once. Your homeowners or renters policy likely covers a new TV. However, for certain valuables, such as jewelry, watches and collectibles, policies may have specific “caps.” You should check your limits. Often, you can purchase a scheduled personal property (SPP) endorsement to extend coverage limits for more expensive items.
5. Whenever possible, etch identification numbers onto valuables. This works well with TVs, DVD players and computers. Check with your local police—many lend engraving tools free of charge. You can use the same number on all items—such as your driver’s license number, phone number or birthday—but be sure to record it. Try to etch items in places where number removal would not damage the valuable’s appearance. Of course, etching is not appropriate for all possessions—jewelry, for example. For valuable, etching can’t mark, be sure you have good photo documentation, and an appraisal and receipt, if possible.

1. Start Heartworm Preventives
   If your pet isn’t on heartworm preventatives year round, it’s time to start up again! Heartworm disease is a potentially devastating disease that can cause heart failure and potentially death if left untreated.
   
   Treatment is costly and can be difficult. Prevention is the key in heartworm disease. If you have never had your pet on a preventative before, your veterinarian will likely want to run a quick blood test to ensure your pet is heartworm negative prior to prescribing any medications.
    
2. Start a Flea and Tick Preventive
   Some areas of the nation require year round prevention of external parasites, but if you stop during the cold winter months, now is the time to start back up. Ticks can carry many diseases, some of which can be dangerous, such as Lyme Disease. Flea infestations in your home can be very costly to treat and often require an exterminator. 
    
3. Update Vaccines
   There is a good chance warmer weather will mean more excursions to places where dogs are welcome. If you and your furry best friend frequent the dog park or other public places, be sure they are up to date on all required vaccinations and deworming.

The new Union Plus Pet Health Insurance, powered by Pets Best, offers two routine care plans that cover items such as heartworm/flea/tick preventative medications, vaccinations, an annual wellness exam and more. The routine care plans can be added onto to the Accident and Illness Plan or the Flat-Rate Accident Plan.

Learn more about Union Plus Pet Insurance
 

Electrical

Improper wiring often causes home fires. Older homes are especially prone to electrical problems.

Signs of a problem:

• Blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers suggest your electrical system isn’t handling your power needs.
• Outlets that are hot to the touch are hazardous. Aluminum wiring, used by builders in the 1960s, could be the culprit.
• No “reset” or “test” buttons on outlets in kitchens, bathrooms and garages could indicate the outlet isn’t protected by a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), a safety device that guards against electrocution.

Frequent use of extension cords signals you need additional outlets installed.

Roof

Moisture leaks are the biggest concern.

Signs of a problem:

• Missing, curling or cracked shingles, or mineral granule deposits in gutters are signs that the roofing is worn and water may be getting into your house.
• Moisture around or water dripping from the ceiling near a skylight could indicate improperly installed flashing.
• A moldy, mildewy eave space tells you water has penetrated your roof.

Icicles hanging from the roof edge or gutters indicate ice dams, which form when snow melts and refreezes, then forces water to back up under the shingles.

Drainage

Improper drainage causes water-damaged foundations, roofs and more.

Signs of a problem:

• Landscaping that slopes toward the house lets water collect. Re-grade the dirt so water drains away from the foundation.
• Loose, leaky or clogged gutters can back up water at the roofline. Perform regular inspections to see that gutters are clear and work properly.
• Short downspouts don’t properly drain water away from the house. Extend downspouts and sump pump discharge pipes well away from the house to prevent water from soaking into the ground near the foundation.

Plumbing

Drippy faucets and overflowing toilets are obvious signs of plumbing problems — call a professional if you suspect you have a bigger issue.

Signs of a problem:

• Noisy pipes and loud clanks indicate too much water pressure and/or pipes that are too small. Either problem can cause pipes to leak or rupture.
• Leaks around the toilet base tell you the wax ring that seals the base is broken. Undetected leaks can cause the floor to rot.
• Rusty pipes along with water stains below them are a sign that water has been or is leaking.

Furnace and Air Conditioner

A typical furnace is used year-round — central air conditioners also use the furnace’s blower — so get the unit inspected annually.

Signs of a problem:

• Cracks and corrosion indicate damage or deterioration and may require an expert’s closer inspection.
• Gas odor could indicate a leak in a gas furnace or other gas appliance. Leave the house immediately and contact a professional to investigate.