Create an Outdoor Oasis with These 5 Simple Patio Upgrades

Simple Patio Upgrades

It’s time to turn your ordinary patio into an outdoor oasis! Having a comfortable and stylish patio is a must for anyone who loves spending time outdoors. And you don't need to spend a fortune to make it happen. 

With these 5 simple upgrades, you can transform your patio into a beautiful retreat that you'll love spending time in.

Repave Your Patio with Fresh Concrete

One of the best ways to elevate your patio's look is by repaving it with fresh concrete. Not only does it look sleek and modern, but it also adds value to your home. 

Fresh concrete has a smooth, clean surface that's perfect for entertaining guests and relaxing in the sun. Plus, it's easy to maintain and lasts for years to come. Reach out to professionals like S&S Concrete, Inc. to make this simple yet effective change.

Add an Outdoor Rug

Add an outdoor rug to make your patio feel like an extension of your indoor living space. Outdoor rugs come in a variety of styles and colors, making it easy to find one that matches your decor. 

A rug adds texture and warmth to your patio that bare concrete can't provide.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is essential for creating a cozy atmosphere on your patio. Whether you prefer string lights, lanterns, or spotlights, adding lighting to your patio will transform it into a true oasis. 

Not only does it provide illumination for nighttime gatherings, but it also adds an element of safety and security.

Invest in Comfortable Seating

Your patio won't be complete without comfortable seating. Whether you prefer a cozy lounge chair or a plush sofa, invest in high-quality outdoor furniture that's built to last. 

Outdoor furniture is designed to withstand the elements, so you don't have to worry about it rusting or fading over time.

Add Some Greenery

No outdoor space is complete without a touch of greenery. Adding plants to your patio not only adds visual interest but it also improves air quality and reduces noise pollution. 

Choose plants that thrive in outdoor conditions, such as succulents, herbs, and flowers. If you don't have a green thumb, consider investing in low-maintenance artificial plants.

Final Thoughts

With these 5 simple patio upgrades, you can create an outdoor oasis that's perfect for relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the summer sun. 

Whether you choose to repave your patio with fresh concrete or add some greenery with plants, the key is to create a functional, stylish, and comfortable space. So, get started today and transform your patio into a beautiful retreat that you'll love spending time in!

5 Tips for Getting the Most Money Out of Renting Your Home

Renting out your home is a great way to earn some extra money and even lower your mortgage payments. Whether you are looking to rent out your home while you are on vacation, or maybe just rent off a wing of your home to a college student, there are plenty of different thing that you can do to get the most money from your rent. Here are five tips that, with a bit of effort, will give you an extremely profitable rental home that is a valuable source of income.

Modernize The Home

Having a home with a modern bathroom and kitchen will not only look more appealing to potential home owners, but it will also justify a higher listing price than your competition. Yes, the home may look great on the outside, but most renters care about what is in the interior. They want a home that not only looks nice, but that will be able to provide them with all the comforts that they might want. Luckily, it doesn't have to take a great deal of money to modernize a home. Consider getting new handles and heads for your showers and sinks in the home. You might also want to consider investing in some new appliances that you can find on sell, or that might even look good but are still cheap.

Offer The Right Rent Amount

When it comes to renting your home, you more than likely will find that a lower rent is often better than nothing. Before you set a price for your home, make sure that you research how much other rental units of similar quality are charging. Sites such as Zillow.com and CraigsList can allow for you to search listings and the different prices that are associated with homes that are going for rent. Kind of like offering free shipping, you might want to offer to pay the utilities for the home or offer specific appliances if you want to charge a higher rent for your home.

Do The Dirty Stuff

No one wants to live in a home that has even the most minor of problems. While you might think that the small drip coming from the sink or the occasional sound of mice behind the walls is no big deal, this can destroy your reputability and it can drive away possible renters. For this reason, every time when you are trying to find a new renter, you should have all of the essential services come into your home and inspect for problems. For example, my local Interstate Pest (http://www.interstatepest.com) advised that leaving out a regular inspection and treatment of the home would render all of my past pest prevention efforts completely useless, since even the smallest lapse can allow for harmful insects and rodents to enter into a home and begin an infestation.

Hire A Management Company

If you don’t have the time, or you simply don’t trust in your abilities to manage your home, then consider renting out a management company to do it for you. They will do all of the work, such as find people to live in your home and keep up whatever work needs to be done. Management companies also come with a larger and more reputable name, and therefore they can ask for more money. The only problem with using a management company is that you will lose a share of the profit that comes from the rent, but this is definitely the perfect option if you don't have time to manage all of the aspects of renting a property.

Screen Your Applicants

Be sure that you are putting the right people in your home. After all, you don’t want to have someone in there that you can’t trust. Before you rent out the home, you should make sure that you have an interview with the applicants. It is also important to run a background check on the people to make sure that there are no problems that you might need to worry about. While these things can take both money and time, this simple step can prevent your home from being trashed or possibly misused.

Renting out your home can sometimes seem like a scary task, however, by following just a few simple hints, you can avoid a lot of common issues. Consider the tips here to make sure you find the right resident and that you can make the most money out of renting your home.

5 Outstanding Projects To Refill Your Nest After The Kids Fly The Coup

When your kids leave for college, it can feel like a lonely time where the nest is empty. But instead of getting lonely or thinking of the times when they were home, use this new free time to undertake some projects that will make your home a great place for you to enjoy. After all, your kids are likely having a fantastic time away at college, so it’s important that you do the same while they’re gone. Here are five outstanding projects to refill your nest after the kids fly the coup.

Man Cave

Every man needs a man cave. After all, where else can you go to watch sports, have a drink and get as loud as you want. A man cave is also a great home project that you can do on your own. Go get a new TV, put in some reclining chairs, and even put up a new bar for you to enjoy. The only trouble you’ll have with a man cave, is keeping your kids out of it when they come home for school vacation.

Library

Maybe your not into sports or the man cave idea, so instead consider making a peaceful library or home office. All you need is a wall full of books and a comfortable chair to be able to relax in and get lost in a great novel. Home libraries are easy to put in your home, and will give you plenty of things to do once your kids leave for school.

Hobby Room

If you want to be more productive with your time and keep your fingers busy, turn your child’s old room into a new sewing or scrapbooking room. Either of these options will give you something to do with your free time, and you can get quite handy with homemade projects. If you are looking for somewhere to put all of your kids stuff after they leave, consider storage units in Vegas so they can come and get their items once they move into a home of their own.

New Kitchen or Bathroom

If you want to keep your kids room as it was before they moved out, then consider changing up other rooms in your home. A new kitchen or bathroom remodel can add value and flair to your home. You can do something as simple as new cabinets or faucets, or completely rip everything out and start from the ground up. Either way, these new additions will make your home seem like it’s brand new.

Finished Garage

Finishing your garage is another project that will take up your time. And the best part about a finished garage is that it will entice you to get that dream car you’ve always been waiting for. A new floor and insulated walls are great addition to any garage.

You will likely miss your child a lot when they move away. But before you get too upset, consider all the great projects that you can do in your home to keep yourself busy and enjoy your home more.

Simple Tips to Make Your Money Stretch Further

There’s maybe nothing worse than the horrible realisation that there is no money left in the bank and no way to pay the mortgage or rent on time as usual. Sadly, many people are struggling to cope financially nowadays. If you are finding money stress is causing your hair to drop out in chunks it’s time to take a new approach. It’s a skill to make money go further but here are some of the excellent tips from the financial experts to help you ensure every penny is well spent.

Click here to find out if you’re entitled to more money

You Must Budget

Do you have a budget for all the money that comes in and out of your house? Do you check where you have spent your last wages, reconcile your bank account and check your receipts? If not it’s about time you did. A budget is a valuable tool that should be used so you are fully aware of your current financial position in any given month. It’s boring but when you budget you will be able to see where money has been wasted, where you can make cuts and where you need to deal with urgent problems.

Loyalty Cards are Worth it

How many times have you found yourself being served at a till and the cashier asks you if you have a loyalty card? The next time it happens ask if you can have a form to apply for one. All those trips to various supermarkets can help you raise useful sums of money and earn coupons that will save you cash. Collect all of the cards for all the shops you go to and keep them in your wallet. A free fiver off here and there will add up.

Make Packed Lunches

Packed lunches are much cheaper than buying food on the go. It takes just a few extra minutes in the morning or before bed to make them up so it’s not like you don’t have time to do it. Make your own lunch and stop popping to the canteen or bakery for lunch. It’s not only a lot cheaper it’s often a great way of stopping yourself eating sugary snacks and fatty foods.

Shop for Bargains

Bargain Hunt isn’t only a great antiques programme on television; it’s also a savvy way to shop. When you’re in the shops you need to look for products that have been marked down. When you shop online head straight for the sales and clearances too, it’s amazing what bargains are out there ready to be snapped up. You also need to hunt around for the cheapest petrol prices, special offers and change your suppliers for cheaper tariffs.

See if You Can Earn More Money

If you’re really struggling, the only option is to try and bring more money into the home. Look for a second job or try and raise some funds through your hobby. If you are on a low income you may also be entitled to some extra help, click here for some useful phone numbers to learn about benefits that you might be entitled to.

How A Senior Bachelor(ette) Can Stay Financially Stable

So I have an uncle Charles (not pictured above), the eldest brother of my dad. Unlike his other siblings, he never thought of marrying and settling down. He did have a handful of relationships, each lasted a good number of years, but never did it end up in tying the knot.

Uncle Charles is now retired, and is actively country-hopping around Southeast Asia. He is a man of modest means, and despite his relatively happy-go-lucky, eternally young lifestyle, he hasn’t ended up broke or in deep financial straits.

One time, when the family got together a few months ago, I quizzed him on how he manages to live a financially stable lifestyle without overspending or becoming a miser (he’d be the last person I’d call that). As of the moment, I didn’t have any plans of settling down, and I thought it prudent to receive some advice from a perpetually swinging single with experience.

Of course, he happily shared his wisdom with me, his favorite niece. Now, I’m sharing them with the Internet, because paying it forward and sharing knowledge is the right thing to do.

Always Set Something Aside

Just because you’re collecting your monthly social security checks doesn’t mean you should stop setting something aside for a rainy day. Life has a way of catching people unawares, and it is always a good policy to have some easily accessible liquid assets, just in case.
Bachelor and bachelorette seniors, assuming they have no dependents to take care of, definitely have no excuse in this regard.

Make Money Work For You

There are a lot of ways you can have your money grow. Aside from the emergency savings, do allocate some of your hard-earned savings on investments that are stable and relatively low-risk. If you plan to do some high-risk gambling, make sure it’s with money you can lose.
This piece of advice is pretty universal, regardless of your marital status.

Take Advantage of Senior Citizen Discounts

There is definitely no shame in partaking of any discounts and promos aimed at the more senior members of our society. Don’t let your guard down, however: there are a lot of unscrupulous people and companies that are bent on parting the senior from their savings, so always scrutinize any offer or promotion before jumping in.
Uncle Charles, for instance, takes full advantage of senior citizen cruise discounts.

Protect Your Assets

If by some instance that you do find a romantic connection, and you wish to formalize it with marriage, it’s not unthinkable to protect the money and properties you have earned via a prenuptial agreement.
A lot of people might think this move to be a little anti-romantic or even downright paranoid, but do realize that divorce rates would tell you a very convincing story on why you should do this. This is particularly important for single seniors, as they have a considerable amount of resources earned from their years of work, and to lose a good chunk of their hard-earned money and properties to a divorce settlement would simply be crippling.

Seek further legal advice from family law practitioners and lawyers with similar specializations. Online-enabled firms like Gower & Bluck offer free consultations, so it would be best to seek their initial opinions on such matters.

Keep on swinging, seniors!

About the Author
Stacey Thompson is a professional writer, marketer, entrepreneur, and a lover of weird little animals. She is based in San Diego, California, and maintains a blog with her gal pals, Word Baristas.

How to Improve Your Financial Condition in 2013

Finance (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

The year 2013 is filled with uncertainties related to changing tax laws, concern over online security and privacy and challenges faced by each and every demographic group. Even the wealthy group is facing steep increases in tax this year. In such a scenario, it is difficult for you to mange your finances.

However, undertaking some measures would help you to attain your monetary goals for this year. If you are fed up of experimenting with various techniques to improve your financial condition, it time for a change now. This article states some effective measures that would certainly help you to significantly improve your finances in this year.

Tips to improve finances in 2013:

Shop mostly when discounts are offered in the market.

Discounts and special offers are given on a large number of occasions. Massive discounts are offered in various places on Black Friday, Labor Day, July Fourth and other occasions. But, nowadays the retailers offer sales almost for the entire year, even at unexpected times. In 2012, the Christmas sales began in October and continued for the entire season, in many places. The year-round sales are a good opportunity for buyers to get the best deals at relatively lower prices, at almost all times of a year. Shopping when sales are being offered in the market can help you to significantly save money and improve your finances.

Buy only what you need.

Retailers, nowadays offer various kinds of items and goods that are outstanding in every way. But, instead of getting tempted when shopping, it is wise to control your temptation and go for only those items that you really need. Also, compare the prices of items that you need to buy. You may find a store offering the same thing at a lower price, than its price at a different store. This would require you to do a bit of research before buying. Comparison becomes very important when you go for purchasing expensive items. Though these small advices are well-known to most of the buyers, but only of them follow them.

Arrive at a budget after discussing with your partner.

The disagreement between you and your spouse or partner, over how the shared income should be spent, can be quite stressful. But, it is a very important to discuss your budget and spending ways with your partner before going for spending. A budget decided by both of you would be more realistic, which would help you to attain your financial goals.

Pay your debt slowly.

When you have a significant amount of debt to pay, it is not possible to pay off the amount overnight. Attempting to pay off your debt in one time can have an adverse effect on your finances. So, it is advised to pay off the debt at a slower pace. Bring some changes to your spending habits and lay emphasis on saving more. Once your expenditure is under your control and you have made significant savings, start paying off your debt.

Conclusion:

These are some primary measures you can take to improve your finances for this year. The current year has a lot of uncertainly and inflation is also a concern at many places. Keeping these factors in mind, the above mentioned tips can significantly help you to build a strong financial status.

Author’s Bio: Alisa Martin is a financial expert who contributes articles on topics like investment types. In this article, she has discussed timber investment and Ethical Forestry as investment giant.

Brits Keen to Make Home Improvements

Those most likely to get stuck into projects to revamp their homes were consumers aged 35 to 44. Among this demographic, nearly four in five consumers (79 per cent) had enhanced their properties.

Commenting on the findings, Avant Homes marketing director Rob Slocombe, said: “The housing market conditions of the last few years has meant that many homeowners have not had the necessary deposit to secure a mortgage and so therefore have opted to stay in their current property and make improvements to it until they can afford to move.

“This research reveals the considerable investment that is required for such improvements and tells us a lot about what today’s buyers are looking for in a home to make it suitable for their current lifestyle needs.”

By researching the log book loans available now, consumers may be able to realise their ambitions of improving their properties. Meanwhile, taking this approach could have positive long-term financial repercussions. Although they will have to spend money in order to achieve the results they are after, people could succeed in boosting the value of their homes, meaning that if and when they come to sell their abodes, they stand to make money.

For the best results, it is vital that consumers choose reliable and competitive logbook loan providers. By researching companies before making any commitments, individuals can provide themselves with added peace of mind.

Meanwhile, it is also important that homeowners are savvy when deciding which projects to undertake. Certain alterations make particularly good investments. For example, adding space to homes tends to be an effective way to boost their value. There is plenty of advice available over the web if individuals are unsure.

Author Bio: 

Anna Longdin is a freelance blogger who keeps up with the latest trends in personal finance. She contributes to a range of websites, including Varooma.

How to Alter Your Spending Behavior

Let's face it; the dollar isn't as stable as it once was. As you age and retirement approaches, it becomes ever more important to save as much money as possible. There is a definite increase in the need to maximize the buying power of your precious income to avoid struggling with a fixed income. 

Smarter Banking

There's an old saying that you will be older a lot longer than you'll be young and the prospect of living on a fixed income is inevitable for most of us. For this reason, people in their golden years should take proactive steps to ensure their financial independence for the future. Perhaps the most important step seniors can take to secure financial security is to transfer their savings to a bank with high yield interest rates such as as ING Direct. There's an old adage that poor people work for their money and wealthy people make their money work for them so learning to do this is paramount for people approaching retirement. Fortunately, there are other ways to stretch your dollar further.

Online Coupons

Virtually every good or service available on the open market offers some sort of online savings program. Even ordering pizza can yield as much as 50% savings with promotional codes. To achieve the majority of these coupons you simply have to do an online search for them. If you were going to go shopping for a particular brand of paper towels, you could simply enter coupons for 'Bounty' into a search engine and a number of different websites such as retail me not will be delivered to you. Some websites even offer coupons that can be printed out right from your home. Everything from over the counter medicines to car insurance can be found online at discounted rates so be sure to take advantage. 

Stopping the Shopping

If you're over 50, chances are you've got several decades worth of high quality clothing so there's no need to go shopping for more every pay period or even every other pay period. That money would be much better served going into your bank account where it can grow. It seems like people become more susceptible to impulse buying as they age but you should keep your impending retirement in mind and avoid frivolous spending to satisfy an impulse. 

Budgeting Your Money

Your golden years should be the most enjoyable time in your life where you reap the benefits of your decades of hard work. But age is supposed to bring wisdom so budgeting your money wisely should become easier with time. You should make a realistic budget for every month and stick to it. The sacrifices you make now will benefit you greatly in the future. Allow yourself X amount of dollars every month for food, gas and leisure and abide by it. Something as simple as setting the sleep timer on your TV can save you a few dollars a month which become hundreds over the years. This may require you to eat at home more often and substitute ground beef for steak but the peace of mind that securing your financial future can bring is priceless. 

Exhibit Discipline

This is the most important step of all because all the financial planning does nothing if you don't abide by your own rules. Resisting the urge to over spend now will now will reward you very greatly in the future. A penny saved is a penny earned and all those pennies will help to finance your lifestyle in the future so use the wisdom that comes with age when spending money and you should have a happy retirement when the time comes.

Author Bio

Joshua Turner is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to business. In this article, he describes how spending behaviors can be altered and aims to encourage further study with UC Applied Behavior Analysis Masters. 

Save Money by Living on Cash

We’ve all done it – gone out for the day and stopped in for a coffee, a sandwich, maybe a few things at the drugstore and used our credit cards for each purchase. Small charges add up and suddenly you’re drowning in debt.

A great solution is to step away from your reliance on credit cards by using cash for all your purchases. 

Credit equals irresponsibility

Of course, we all love using credit cards; they seem more convenient than cash and they offer enticing points and bonuses. But the reality of credit cards is that they’re too easy to use. This makes consumers feel as though they have unlimited amounts of money, but we don’t.

Some people become so in love with shopping that their families are forced to send them to addiction rehab centers. Thus, we need a worthwhile system to track our spending while sticking to a budget. The answer? Cash.

Choose where the money goes

Each week or month, create a budget that works for your needs. Take into account what you’ll need to spend on transportation, food, home or medical needs, childcare, entertainment and any other requirements. Then decide what portion of your weekly income should be assigned to each category.

Generally, you should put away 10% of your net income for savings and an emergency fund. Once the money for each expense has been allocated, simply hide the credit cards!

Keep yourself on track

You can’t spend what you don’t have, so try not to cheat. Some over-50 consumers rely on their friends or partner to ensure they don’t take from one category to fill another. Maintain a notebook or spreadsheet to write down all purchases made. This allows you to keep track, in real time, of where your money goes. 

Money-saving apps

These days, almost everyone has a smartphone or tablet computer. And while buying the latest technology can be a huge drain on your finances, there's a number of apps out there that actually help you save money by promoting day-to-day budgeting and make it easy to keep track of your spending.

Here are two of our favorites:

· Expenditure (iPhone): Expenditure gives you everything you need to budget effectively, and then some. Set a budget, log your daily expenses and track your progress over the month. The app also includes a number of handy features such as a built-in currency converter for international travelers.
· Moneywise (Android): Moneywise gives you a powerful suite of reporting and tracking features to manage your budget on an Android-powered smartphone or tablet. Create and adjust custom budgets on the fly and export graphs and tables for review on your home computer. 

Some final thoughts on cash budgeting

The great thing about the cash system is that it forces you to be aware of every penny. This consequently leads to great savings as you’re counting out those dimes and quarters at the cash register. Once you’ve implemented the cash system, you’ll immediately see the savings!

No more mindless shopping – now go out and save those dollar bills!

5 Tips for Setting yourself up for Retirement

We often hear stories about pensioners who have so little money that they have to eat dog food to survive. Often this is because circumstances have not worked in their favour, and the fact is that in life there are no guarantees. Having said that there are ways that you can do your best to ensure that you have prepared adequately for when you retire. Here are 5 tips for setting yourself up for retirement.

Have a plan

Just going through life without worrying about the future might work for some, but often it can be a case of the squirrel who did not collect enough nuts for the winter. Thinking into the future, and planning ahead is the best way to ensure that you have set in place a plan that will serve you when you retire from work.

Educate yourself about investment

An investment in your future is well worth the money. There are lots of different courses available for people to learn how to best manage their retirement plan so that they can get the most out of life when they retire. The money that you pay now for information about investing will be money that you have invested into your own future.

Live to your means

There is no point in spending a lot of money to keep up with the Jones’s as this is something that will not bear fruit for you in the future. The money that you waste now in buying ‘things’ to give the illusion of wealth will be money that you don’t have later on when you really need it to live. Having a credit card that you use to buy frivolous purchases could end up being a debt that you are still dragging along behind you later in life. If you are good at saving money but have it too accessible then you might find yourself spending it on things that you don’t need, so put it into a term deposit or investment and make it work for you.

Own Your Own Home

Owning your own home is a really important part of having something to show for yourself in your retirement. When you make each monthly payment it builds to your equity automatically which will work for your future. You can arrange to have your final mortgage payment just before you retire so that you know you will not have any debt as you move into this stage of life.

Use Common Sense

When making investments, use common sense, and most importantly seek help. If you receive dodgy emails asking for your bank details, use your common sense and ask if it is kocher. Asking for help with making decisions about your money will ensure that you are always working with the knowledge of experience that others have already gained. This will help you to maximise what you have, and prepare you better for enjoying your retirement. Meredon Consulting have a lot of experience with maximising retirement plans, so give them a call if you have any questions.

Selling Your House Online is a Better Option than Using an Estate Agent

Many prefer to use an estate agent simply because they do not have the time and skill to sell a house. They are not aware that there are various methods available to increase awareness of their property for sale. It is also possible to deal directly with prospective buyers without the need to travel. Being more involved in the sales process of your home can be more effective and economical than using a middleman. You can sell your house online, and reach potential buyers from any location.

What Estate Agents Do

Estate agents can have multiple functions, depending on what is required by their client. They are mainly hired to market a property, and act as a representative of the owner in negotiating with potential buyers. Estate agents are responsible for completing all legal documentations involved in transferring ownership of a property. They also answer all questions potential buyers will have about the property.

Selling a house used to be very tedious, and many relied on estate agents to do the legwork for them. But with the advent of technology, such things as advertising, communication, and filing of papers now take just a few mouse clicks. If your time is not very limited and you know how to use a computer, you can actually sell my house online without the need for an estate agent.

The Benefits of Selling Your House Online

Nowadays, people are looking for more options to find a house to buy. They are not likely to settle at just getting the information from an estate agent. Potential buyers will often search the internet for any property that meets their needs. But this is not the only reason why selling your house online is better than using an estate agent.

• No need to pay commissions. Estate agents are paid on commission. If you will sell a house through an agent, the total proceeds is not yours alone. You will need to deduct a certain percentage from the cost of the house to pay the agent is usually about 3 percent, or higher based on the time and effort required of the agent. If you will sell your house online, you will not have to pay thousands of dollars on commission. 
• You know your property better than an estate agent. It is your house, so you should know the littlest details about it. An estate agent will only examine the actual condition of your home, and determine its value based on the current market trend in your area. But the buyer can have questions about the property that an estate agent will not have the answer to. In addition, you as the owner, know about the community where the house is located such as where to find the nearest shops, restaurants, and hospital. 
• Fast turnaround. The use of an estate agent may only delay the transaction. Expect a potential buyer to haggle over the price, and try to lower his or her bid until the final price is heard directly from the owner. Having a middleman only prolongs the process. You will notice that those who are really looking to buy a property may find it more convenient to reach an agreement with the owner. 
• Focused marketing strategies. An estate agent may have other properties to sell, so he or she cannot give your house his or her full attention. If you have signed a 6-week contract with an agent, it does not mean that the agent will make the effort throughout this period. Moreover, you do not have control of the methods the agent will use to market your home for sale. But if you will sell your house online, you can take advantage of the different advertising options available. 

Conclusion

An estate agent can help sell your house in many ways, but is very expensive. If you are concerned about the time and effort required in selling a house, doing it online may be the best solution. With online selling, you will not need to pay high on commissions. You can communicate directly with the buyer, and close the deal faster than it would take if you used a middleman. Written in behalf of forsaleprivateowner.com

The Benefits of Mortgages for Boomers

Many home buyers are under the mistaken impression that they should try to purchase in cash. While cash-buying can certainly result in some benefits for home buyers, it also robs them of the chance to take advantage of the benefits of a home loan.

Even though most people may view mortgages as simply a debt that must be paid off, home loans come with their own advantages.

Flexibility

If a home buyer opts to only make a purchase in cash, their options dwindle considerably. Many properties may be out of their price range, narrowing their choices. Mortgage borrowers, however, have the freedom to choose the home of their dreams, not just the home they can pay for upfront.

Mortgages also give home buyers more flexibility in how they can pay off a home. Different payment plans can be selected, and if interest rates fall in the future, borrowers can refinance their loans to take advantage of the savings.

Protection

While paying for a home in cash may seem like a great way to prevent the risks associated with loans, it will also generally wipe out an individual's savings. This means that if another issue arises which requires financial assistance - medical treatment, college tuition, etc. - they will be at a disadvantage. A mortgage borrower, on the other hand, will be able to hang onto their cash in case such a situation occurs.

Additionally, many home buyers often forget that the costs of a home go beyond the purchase price. Closing costs must be accounted for, as well as things like maintenance and repair. Buying in cash can leave home buyers at a disadvantage when it comes to financing these things.

Taxes

Mortgage interest is tax deductible, as is the interest on a home equity line of credit. In addition, borrowers can roll the costs of property taxes into their loan amount, making it easier to pay them as part of a monthly bill.

Credit

All debt is often lumped into the bad category, but there's a difference between good debt and bad debt. A high-quality mortgage qualifies as good debt on a person's credit report, and as long as they stay current on their loan, it can give a big boost to their score, making it easier to borrow money in the future and receive low interest rates on credit cards.

Time

The greatest benefit of home loans is that they allow buyers to make a purchase sooner rather than later. Chances are cash buyers will have to put off homeownership for a long time in order to save up enough money. Depending on the market, waiting too long can make the cost of a home even more expensive, which in turn means having to wait even longer. Mortgage borrowers are able to finance a home purchase when they want to, giving them the freedom to make homeownership a reality.

To Save or Not to Save: What Financial Tricks Will Work for You?

There are lots of financial tips out there, but not all of them will work for you. How are you supposed to save $500 from not buying cigarettes if you don't currently smoke? How are you supposed to be able to save 15% of your income if you're living paycheck to paycheck? Often the saving tips we hear are not applicable to the current personal situation. Here's some ideas to help you think of your own ways to save. 

Spend Less

Many financial experts say that credit cards are a good thing if you use them wisely. The thing is, most people don't use credit cards the right way. Cut up your credit cards and only spend what you earn, if you can't pay with cash, don't buy it. If you "need" credit cards to pay your truck or house payment, downsize. You might be able to pay all your bills, but you don't have enough to put money in the bank or spend on entertainment. It doesn't matter what your situation is - if you don't have a comfortable amount of wiggle room in your budget, keep getting rid of expenses until you are able to stop living from paycheck to paycheck.

Earn More

There might be certain things you feel like you can't live without, but just don't have enough money for. If this is the case, start earning more. This could mean asking for a raise, trying to get a promotion, finding a different job, getting a second job, or starting your own business on the side. Whatever you decide to do, just remember to find a balance between having spare time and having spare money. The more you work, the less time you'll have to enjoy that money. When you can earn more, it can mean a lot more responsibilities, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Make Out Your Will

Once you've reached your golden years, you will have hopefully saved some money. You're going to have to decide what to do with it before your time on this world is up. Most people tend to believe that retirement is easy to finance for, and it can be when you do it right. Just make sure you have enough in reserve to cover even the most unexpected problems that may arise in the future. To do this, try making a revocable living trust. Since it's revocable, you can change any part of your will while you're alive if you want to. Websites like FindLegalForms.com can help you find out more. Take time to talk to an adviser or family if you need to get affairs in order for everyone.

People in the personal finance industry try to make becoming wealthy seem harder than it really is. To have more money, you only need to do two things: spend less, and earn more. Also, make sure to have everything in order so you can leave something behind for your loved ones. When you really look at it, personal finance can be a breeze. Just make sure it fits into your own lifestyle.

Adjusting to Life After Retirement

Retirement (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

You reach over to turn off your alarm and reluctantly drag yourself out of bed, only to realize that you didn’t need to wake up at an ungodly hour anymore just to get to work. Retired. Maybe the word hasn’t sunk in yet. Maybe you need time to adjust to the changes that come with retirement, like turning off your alarm clock on a permanent basis. While the alarm clock is just a trivial matter, there are other more important things you need to remember during the transition into retirement. 

Money isn’t Limitless

People often think that when they retire, they can do whatever and that includes throwing money around and splurging on a brand new sports car. Living life to the fullest doesn’t mean living it recklessly. Just because you’re retired, doesn’t mean you have an endless supply of money to burn. Yes, you may have money saved up for retirement, but if you spend it like there is no tomorrow, you just might find yourself living on a hand-to-mouth existence, worse off than when you had a job. Make sure you spend your money wisely so you can live comfortably till then end of your days. 

Investment is a Good Idea

Since you are no longer employed, you will have to rely on your pension to get by. Live life fully but remember to live within your budget. If you need a little extra, you can supplement your funds by investing in ventures that will help you earn passive income. You can look at some common options for investments and choose from them. If you are looking for something else, there is a wide variety of choices available if you search through the internet. You can also purchase a franchise if you like but it can be costly so the better option would be starting your own business and start small.

It’s Never Too Late to Start a Hobby

If you were once a workaholic, facing retirement is going to be a challenge. With little or nothing to do but relax, you might find yourself dying of boredom in no time at all. To keep busy, why don’t you get a new hobby? Plant an organic garden or learn to play golf. If you used to love writing but eschewed it in favor of corporate success, now would be a good time to pick up a pen and start writing that novel you have been dreaming about since forever. If you’re good enough, you just might find a way to turn this hobby into a money-making venture. 

Life is Unpredictable

You never know what tomorrow brings. That is why you need to make sure you are prepared for whatever circumstances that may come your way. This includes preparing legal documents like living wills, health proxies and powers of attorney. Dying is something we don’t like to think about but it is inevitable and most times, it comes when you least expect it, too. It’s better to be prepared than to leave your heirs battling over who will inherit all because a will was never made. You will need to consult an attorney for this but if you’re worried about high fees, there are prepaid legal plans available that have an affordable monthly fee, where you can still enjoy a wide range of benefits. Make sure your finances are protected and that your family’s future will be ensured even when you are no longer around.

About the Author: 

Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of professional writing experience.. She believes in the importance of saving up for retirement, even if it’s still a long way off. Tiffany also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read fantasy books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.

Improve Your Home Energy Efficiency with the Green Deal

 (Photo credit: janie.hernandez55)

Unless you are lucky enough to have purchased a relatively new build, eco-friendlier property, it is likely that your home isn’t as energy efficient as it could be. There are several reasons that this is important, the first of which is it increases your carbon footprint if your home isn’t energy efficient. The second is a by-product of using less energy - it costs much less to run an ‘A’ energy efficiency rating home than a ‘G’. In our economic climate, saving money has never been so important, which is why government-backed initiatives such as the British Gas green deal that aim to improve the energy efficiency of homes in the UK, are much needed.

Although the government has not yet committed to a target to decarbonise the UK’s power sector yet, this scheme is certainly a step in the right direction. Saving money on your household expenditure can only ever be a good thing, so here’s how it works.

To start with you will need to arrange an appointment with a Green Deal assessor, who will do a thorough inspection of the current energy efficiency of your home. They will also review how you use energy in your house. Once this assessment has been carried out you will get a Green Deal Advice Report which contains the results of the assessment including an Energy Performance Certificate, which gives you your energy efficiency rating between A to G and your environmental impact rating, also between A to G. The report will also explain how you use energy such as heating, hot water, appliances and lighting, and compare your usage to a typical similar household.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With the Green Deal assessor’s valuable experience in improving the energy efficiency of homes across the UK, an individual recommendation will be made as to what you could have done to your home to improve its energy efficiency, and how the occupants of your household could save money by being more efficient with energy. If you would then like to proceed, they can form a Green Deal plan and arrange the installation of the recommended improvements to your home.

10 Products to Cut From Your Household to Save Money

When people are looking to cut their budget, they try to find clever ways to save money. Some will reduce services such as cutting the cable bill, or the cell phone bill, and others will start clipping coupons to save on their family's needs. However, another source of saving is to simply stop buying things your family doesn't actually need. Below you will find ten items that are easy to cut from your family's household to save money. 

#1 Shower Gels

Using a shower gel while showering can feel quite nice. However, you don't need to buy expensive shower gels to do the job right. In fact, bar soap is much less expensive than shower gels, and it accomplishes exactly the same purpose. If you can't live without the exfoliation benefits that come in many shower gels, you can accomplish the same task with a little sugar and a cheap dollar store loofah. In addition to lasting longer and being cheaper, bar soap is less likely than shower gel to be wasted. This is especially true if you have young children in the house. Many bar soaps are also scented like your favorite shower gel, so you don't have to give up any delicious scents to save money either.

#2 Aftershave

Many men buy aftershave, but how many actually use it. The truth is aftershave is a truly unnecessary expense. Instead of buying aftershave, use a shaving cream that features a good moisturizer. If you or the man in your life like to use aftershave because of its scent, it is vital to note that scented aftershave doesn't last near as long as cologne. Even layered with cologne, aftershave adds remarkably little to the lasting scent of cologne.

#3 Gym Membership

Gym memberships are a splendid idea in theory. However, for many people the memberships are simply unnecessary and a waste of money. To make this matter even more expensive, many gyms require a yearly contract when you sign-up. This means if you lose interest or simply don't have the time to use your gym membership, you still have to pay for it. When considering a gym membership, be honest with yourself about your intentions. Another alternative is to find local classes that allow you to pay by the class instead of making you sign a contract. If you pay by the class, you are only paying for the time you spend working out, and not time you thought you would spend in a gym.

#4 Washing Machine Cleaner

Washing machines are just like any other major appliance in your home, which means from time to time, you must clean it. Failure to clean your washing machine properly can result in clothes that aren't thoroughly clean, and a funky odor coming from your machine. While cleaning your washing machine is necessary, wasting money on expensive washing machine cleaners is not. Instead, take a look in your cleaning supplies, and you will likely find everything you need to get your washing machine sparkly and odor free. The best homemade washing machine cleaner includes adding vinegar or lemon juice to your machine and running a full cycle. If you are worried about odors, run the machine on its hottest cycle to get rid of any smell in the machine. To avoid the musty smell that invades many washing machines, make sure to leave the lid open after you empty a load of laundry into the dryer. For best results, you should leave the lid open until the machine is totally dry on the inside.

#5 Cord Organizers

No one wants to have a pile of messy cords hanging or piled on the floor. However, it also isn't necessary to buy cord organizers to handle this type of mess. Instead, use bread ties or garbage ties to neatly and safely nestle cords together. You will accomplish the same look, and won't have to spend an extra dime to achieve this. After all, you are probably buying bread or garbage bags anyways, so why throw away the ties?

#6 Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners are recognized for keeping close fluffy, reducing wrinkles, eliminating static cling, and for being a bit pricey. To avoid spending money on fabric softener, you can use a tennis ball in the dryer to fluff clothes and help reduce wrinkles. A simple way to eliminate static cling without using fabric softener is to crumple a small ball of aluminum foil and toss it in the dryer.

#7 Excessive Auto Insurance

Many people buy car insurance and never take a look at the policy again unless they need to file a claim. Instead of just burying the policy in your file cabinet, you should go over the policy at least once a year. In some cases, you could be paying for excessive auto insurance that you just don't need. This is especially crucial if your lifestyle changes, you pay off a car listed on the policy or you move. Looking over the policy every year and reducing the coverage that you simply don't need can help you save a great deal of money.

#8 Tax Preparation

In life, people can count on two things; death and taxes. In fact, taxes have to be filed every single year. If you pay to have your taxes done, you could be wasting a ton of money. Instead of paying a tax preparation company or an accountant to do your taxes, you can file the return yourself. Many tax filers actually qualify to file their taxes for absolutely no cost. To learn more about do-it-yourself tax filing, you can visit www.irs.gov.

#9 Stain Remover

No matter how careful or neat you are, everyone probably experiences a stain or two in their life. Whether it is on your carpet, your upholstery or your wardrobe, stains can happen anywhere. A trip to any drug store will leave you with tons of expensive options to obliterate the stain that you incurred. However, you can remove many stains with ease, and with items you already own in your home. Popular stain removing items that you probably have in your cupboard include vinegar, shaving cream and dish detergent. So, the next time you are tempted to run out and buy expensive stain remover, think about the items you already own, and see if you can remove the stain without spending any money.

#10 Drain Unclogger

A clogged drain or a clogged toilet can be an incredible nuisance. When this occurs many people go to the store and purchase do-it-yourself drain uncloggers. While these products usually do the trick, it also comes with a hefty price tag. Fortunately, you don't need these type of products to handle many simple pipe clogs. In fact, a combination of baking soda and vinegar will often unclog the toughest clogs imaginable. Better yet, this homemade drain unclogger is also a healthier option for the environment and your family.

Using any of the tips above will help you spend less. It is important to remember that just because you have always paid for something, doesn't necessarily mean you have to. The next time you think you need to buy a certain product to meet a particular need, take the time to consider if you truly need to buy it, and whether you can get the same results with something you already have in your home.

Kevin Beene is a financial consultant who enjoys sharing his tips on saving money. His articles appear on a number of lifestyle and personal finance blogs. Visit CheapAutoInsurance.org for quotes and more information.


Reference:
http://lifehacker.com/5832853/top-10 -- products-you-dont-need-to-buy-because-you-already-have-them-in-your-home http://frugalliving.about.com/od/homemaintenancerepair/ht/Clean_Washing_Machine.htm 

Real Estate In A Thriving Port

The first places to benefit from economic recovery are often the cities which are involved in the import and export of the things that the consumer is once again demanding. In the case of the USA, a good example is the port of Baltimore in Maryland. Anyone looking to invest in the future could certainly do worse than this Eastern Seaboard City where the demand for real estate should be high in all but the very extreme of circumstances.

The demand created by the subprime mortgage lending has gone and for a time there was uncertainty in the market, but real estate has always proved a sound investment in the medium term. Developments such as Baltimore New Homes provide such an opportunity. The prices in the market are now realistic; there is no way that someone buying a new home should ever find them in negative equity.

Maryland’s unemployment rate is below the national average and the expectation is that now that slow growth is being recorded each quarter, unemployment will fall further. Everyone aspires to ownership and there is new real estate in every price range to satisfy those aspirations. Most people have to start small and in later life may revert to that, but there are homes to suit even large families, so every demand is covered.
Baltimore New Homes reflect the modern concern with energy. Several energy saving features can save as much as 30% on an annual energy bill compared to a comparable size property built a few years ago. Not only is that good news for the owners’ pocket but also for the environmental lobby.

The modern day builder provides more than style and design; financing a new build through a mortgage can be done using many builders’ contacts with a property initially secured with a small deposit. There is also advice available on furnishing a property once it is completed. There are examples onsite to provide some ideas and the details of the companies supplying the contents.

The process of buying Baltimore New Homes may begin by people looking on the internet at the options and locations available. That certainly gives an idea of styles and prices before any visit to the location to discuss things further. It is certainly a wise decision to opt for a builder that has been in construction for a long time. That provides security and of course a company that has come through the recent difficult years has thereby proved its resilience and strength.

A new home is the single biggest purchase most people will make in their lives so it has to be right. It makes sense to give the process a good deal of thought before proceeding. Where there are obvious signs that the city is flourishing, that employment opportunities are good and the real estate demand is strong, most of the ingredients are pointing to proceeding to buy Baltimore New Homes. A builder with many years’ experience is certainly a wise choice to select for building that dream home.

Steve Smith is a freelance writer based on the South West Coast of Turkey. He writes on an extensive range of subjects with many projects relating to the USA, its politics and the current economic climate whether it is the housing market such as Baltimore New Homes or the financial and employment trends in recent years.

Related articles

• When To Use a Real Estate Agent (50plusfinance.com)
• Property Investment in Today's Economy (50plusfinance.com)
• Two Tricks to Sell an Unsellable House (daveramsey.com)
• Does Your House Need a Professional Stager to Sell? (50plusfinance.com)

Top Tips to Buying an Investment Property to Improve and Sell for Profit

Property market (Photo credit: Alan Cleaver)

There are a number of ways to invest in property. You could purchase a buy-to-let in an up-and-coming area, rent it out to cover the mortgage while its value increases and then sell it on for a profit. Alternatively, you could buy a property off-plan and then sell it at its increased market value when it’s completed. Or, if you’re ready for a project and have the time, energy and ability to cope with stress, you could buy a property that needs work but has bags of potential and sell it for a substantial profit. This method of property investment is risky and requires a lot more involvement than simply purchasing a house or apartment but, if planned and executed well, you could be rewarded for your efforts with a hefty return on your investment. Here are our top tips to finding and buying that perfect development property so that you can start making money!

Go to a property auction

Many rundown homes are sold at auction so it’s a great place to snap up that perfect development property. Plus, buying at auction avoids the lengthy property purchase procedures, which can be costly both in terms of time and if it falls through at the last minute. When that hammer falls, the property is yours. To find out when an auction is occurring, speak to a local estate agent or check the property pages of local newspapers.

View a potential property first - and do your research

Whether you’re buying through an agent or at auction, it is essential to view the property first and thoroughly examine it. Consider taking a builder, architect or surveyor with you to figure out just what will need doing, how much it will cost, and how much you could possibly make. Using software such as the Cordell Estimator V5 can help you estimate total project costs. If you decide to bid, research the asking prices of properties on the market in a similar condition so you have an idea how much it’s worth.

Check the legalities

There are certain legalities which could affect the value of the property and what work you’re permitted to carry out. For example, if the building is listed there are a number of constraints on what changes you can make.

Making financial arrangements

If you’re buying at auction, you generally need a 10% deposit to be paid on the day, with a grace period of 28 days to come up with the remaining funds. Whatever you do, don’t buy a property at auction without having secured a mortgage if you need one. If you can’t find the rest of the money not only will you lose the property but you’ll also forfeit the deposit you’ve handed over.

Securing a property

If buying through an agent, the process should be familiar to you. Buying at auction is a different kettle of fish. It can be daunting but just remember not to go over the figure you have in your head from your research or you’ll risk placing yourself in financial difficulties. If you’ve done your homework and keep your nerve, you’ll hopefully emerge with an investment property with plenty of potential!