You can spend your money on whatever you want, but some purchases are better than others. Anything you can do to boost the value of your home is well worth considering. But here is the question: which projects generate the most bang for your buck? Well, here are the top seven investments (in no particular order) in regards to boosting your home’s value: 1. Landscape Makeover Not only does this improve the curb appeal of your...
So, you have a tax refund coming your way? Or maybe you already received this money from the IRS, state, and/or local tax authority. In this case, you have a big decision: what will you do with the money? While some people immediately spend the money, others realize that it’s probably in their best interest to save. But this leads to another question: what is the best way to save a tax refund? There are a...
The thought of buying a new car is exciting, until you realize you have to negotiate with a pushy salesperson. At that point, you begin to wonder what you were thinking. Would you be better off with your old vehicle? If you are interested in buying a new car, if you don’t want to go through the hassles of negotiation, here are a few things you can do: 1. Start online. Use the internet to not...
If you are buying a home for the first time, the process can be overwhelming (to say the least). Not only do you need to find the right home, but it’s likely that you will require a mortgage to complete the purchase. Nobody wants to choose the wrong type of loan. Furthermore, nobody wants to get hooked up with a mortgage lender that doesn’t have their best interests in mind. That being said, here are seven...
If you are interested in an FHA loan, you are not alone. But before you can apply for and take advantage of this type of loan, there are a few things you need to know.Here is how Zillow defines an FHA loan: “An FHA loan is a mortgage loan that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). Nowadays, FHA loans are very popular, especially with first-time home buyers because the requirements are less strict than...
Do you find yourself searching for and learning more about a variety of credit card offers? Before you do anything, such as making a final decision, there are a few key details to address. By answering these questions, you have a better chance of finding and applying for the credit card that best suits your situation: • What type of credit card is best for you? • Is your credit good enough to qualify for most...
Buying a home is a big investment, as you are required to pay a variety of bills. In addition to your mortgage and utilities, home maintenance comes into play from time to time. Some homeowners shy away from this, hoping that a problem goes away without their attention (this never happens). Others, however, realize this to be true: regular home maintenance can actually save them money. Here is an example. You realize that a few shingles...
At some point, you may realize that taking on a DIY project is not going to work. When this happens, it’s time to call in a professional. It’s time to consult with a contractor. The primary benefit of a DIY job is that you don’t have to pay for the services of a professional. As you know, this can save you thousands of dollars. While there is no denying the fact that a contractor will set...
Upon creating a budget, things can go one of two ways: • You will do whatever it takes to stick with the budget.• You will soon go back to your old way of doing things. Here is a tip: if you are taking the time to create a budget, you might as well give it a chance to succeed. If you have concerns about staying on track, here are three steps you can take: 1. Be...
With the cost of college on the rise, some students eventually find themselves in a challenging financial situation. While they want to continue with their education, they simply don’t have the money to do so. They have exercised all their options, such as student loans and other forms of aid, but it still isn’t enough. Most people advise against taking time off from college to save money. The fear is that you will not return. This...
