Buying a Home

December 28, 2015
Family relaxing on sofa
Buying a Home – One of Life’s Great Adventures Owning your own home is the true American Dream for many adults. It’s not only a status symbol, but it means you no longer have to pay monthly rent payments and have nothing to show for it. When it’s your home, you can paint your walls any color you want, turn your music up as loud as you want, and when you leave, you can sell it to recoup the purchase price, and -with any luck-earn a profit. So yes, it... Read More

Tips for Buying an Auto

December 28, 2015
Happy senior couple driving vintage car
Buying an Automobile the SMART Way If you feel like a fish out of water when you step into a car dealership and the sales people swoop down like hungry pelicans, you aren’t alone. But let’s face it, sales people negotiate car prices and deals hundreds of times every month, while you only do it once every few years–so of course they will have the advantage. However, if you are smart and do a little bit of homework before you go shopping, you can easily put the ball in your... Read More

Creating a Smart Budget

December 28, 2015
Making a Budget and Sticking to It Some people hear the word “budget” and they cringe. But a budget is not a bad thing. In fact it can become a very comforting tool to help you stay on top of your finances and get a handle on the outflow of your money. With a few simple steps, you can get an understanding of where your money goes, which will help you make SMART choices about how and when you spend. Step 1: Where Does It All Go? Before you can... Read More

Simplifying your life – 4 ways to consider

December 20, 2015
Simplifying doesn’t need to be complicated. Learning to create a quieter, more balanced space in your life can help immensely, and taking little steps is the best way to make it happen. Eliminating clutter, getting organized, simplifying your relationships, and learning to take the time to slow down and appreciate the little things can help to keep you sane. You can start today. 1 of 4: Eliminating Clutter 1 – Decide what stuff is unnecessary.  Simplifying doesn’t need to be complicated: Identify what’s most important to you and eliminate everything... Read More

Fed Raises rates, what does this mean to you?

December 17, 2015
According to the NY Times article online, “The Fed cited job growth as a key reason for raising rates.” “Among the Fed’s roles are maximizing employment and moderating inflation. Job growth has strengthened steadily since the recession, and the Fed’s policy-making committee said in a statement it expected that progress to continue. Inflation remains weak, but the Fed said it expected prices to start rising more quickly. Unemployment is falling toward pre-crisis levels and a new Fed labor market index that tracks a range of data has recovered most of... Read More