diff --git a/reclass_tools/helpers.py b/reclass_tools/helpers.py
index 75e3185..322ac71 100644
--- a/reclass_tools/helpers.py
+++ b/reclass_tools/helpers.py
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+import os
+import json
+import yaml
+
 
 def get_nested_key(data, path=None):
     if type(path) is not list:
@@ -42,3 +46,134 @@
             path = path[:-1]
 
 
+def yaml_read(yaml_file):
+    if os.path.isfile(yaml_file):
+        with open(yaml_file, 'r') as f:
+            return yaml.load(f)
+    else:
+        print("\'{}\' is not a file!".format(yaml_file))
+
+
+def json_read(yaml_file):
+    if os.path.isfile(yaml_file):
+        with open(yaml_file, 'r') as f:
+            return json.load(f)
+    else:
+        print("\'{}\' is not a file!".format(yaml_file))
+
+
+def merge_nested_objects(obj_1, obj_2):
+    """Merge two objects with optional key overwrites
+
+    Original : https://stackoverflow.com/a/17860173
+    - Merges dicts and lists
+    - If a dict key has the suffix '__overwrite__' and boolean value,
+      then the key is assumed as a special keyword for merging:
+      <key>__overwrite__: True   #  Overwrite the existing <key> content with <key> from obj_2
+      <key>__overwrite__: False  #  Keep the existing <key> content from obj_1
+
+
+      Case #1: Merge dicts and lists, overwrite other types with latest value
+
+        dict_a = {
+          'host': '1.1.1.1',
+          'ssh': {
+            'login': 'user'
+          }
+        }
+
+        dict_b = {
+          'host': '2.2.2.2',
+          'ssh': {
+            'password': 'pass'
+          }
+        }
+
+        print(merge_nested_objects(dict_a, dict_b))
+        {
+          'host': '2.2.2.2',
+          'ssh': {
+            'login': 'user',
+            'password': 'pass',
+          }
+        }
+
+      Case #2: Use <key>__overwrite__: True to remove previous key content
+
+        dict_a = {
+          'host': '1.1.1.1'
+          'ssh': {
+            'login': 'user'
+          }
+        }
+
+        dict_b = {
+          'ssh__overwrite__': True
+          'ssh': {
+            'password': 'pass'
+          }
+        }
+
+        print(merge_nested_objects(dict_a, dict_b))
+        {
+          'host': '1.1.1.1',
+          'ssh': {
+            'password': 'pass',
+          }
+        }
+
+      Case #3: Use <key>__overwrite__: False to skip merging key if already exists
+
+        dict_a = {
+          'host': '1.1.1.1'
+          'ssh': {
+            'login': 'user'
+          }
+        }
+
+        dict_b = {
+          'host__overwrite__': False
+          'host': '2.2.2.2'
+          'ssh': {
+            'login__overwrite__': False
+            'login': 'new_user'
+            'password': 'pass'
+          }
+        }
+
+        print(merge_nested_objects(dict_a, dict_b))
+        {
+          'host': '1.1.1.1',
+          'ssh': {
+            'login': 'user',
+            'password': 'pass'
+          }
+        }
+
+
+    """
+    # Merge two dicts
+    if isinstance(obj_1, dict) and isinstance(obj_2, dict):
+        result = {}
+        for key, value in obj_1.iteritems():
+            if key not in obj_2:
+                result[key] = value
+            else:
+                overwrite_key = key + '__overwrite__'
+                if overwrite_key in obj_2 and obj_2[overwrite_key] == True:
+                    result[key] = obj_2[key]
+                elif overwrite_key in obj_2 and obj_2[overwrite_key] == False:
+                    result[key] = value
+                else:
+                    result[key] = merge_nested_objects(value, obj_2[key])
+        for key, value in obj_2.iteritems():
+            if key not in obj_1:
+                result[key] = value
+        return result
+
+    # Add two lists
+    if isinstance(obj_1, list) and isinstance(obj_2, list):
+        return obj_1 + obj_2
+
+    # Overwrite a value with new one
+    return obj_2