Budget Snob

Tips for Selling Your Home Quickly

by

No one wants to feel forced into selling their home, but there are times in life where downsizing to free up some capital can be beneficial. If, for example, you have unsecured debts which are taking up too much of your monthly income and you want to pay them off more effectively, or if you children have grown up and moved away and you simply have more house than you need.

If you are thinking about downsizing, you may find that the housing market is tilted very much in favour of those in a position to buy at the moment. Restrictions in mortgage lending have put the brakes on growth in the housing market, and although there are signs of improvement, sellers are still finding it hard to shift their properties.  … Read the rest

Tips on Sticking with Your Budget

by

There are times when major expenses cannot be avoided. You may want to reward yourself with a new car, go on a vacation or buy a bigger house. Your first impulse might be to take out a loan to pay for this; but, it that the wise thing to do? If you have developed the habit of monitoring how much money you make monthly and how much you spend on your expenses, you will know much you can put aside for future expenses.

At the end of the day, creating a budget and sticking to it is the best way to manage your finances.… Read the rest

Your Home Insurance and Water Damage from Mother Nature

by

Homeowners face many problems. While most of them have insurance, insurance may or may not deal with some of these situations. It is important to know what exactly is covered by your home insurance and what is not. This can lead to misconceptions down the road when the unthinkable occurs. Additionally, it can help ensure you have obtained any additional insurance coverage you might need. Don’t wait until your home sustains water damage to determine your policy’s specific coverage. Find cheap contents insurance online.
One scenario that can lead to water damage in your home would be caused by sub-zero temperatures.… Read the rest

Rental Insurance for Your Investment Property

by

Are you looking for an adequate investment vehicle in order to support your long-term financial goals, or perhaps retirement?  With the economy, and specifically the housing market at low, coupled with historically low interest rates, this could be the best time ever to buy a home!  Not only that, this may be the best time ever to buy an investment property as well.  The upfront monies required to buy a turn-key property are significantly lower than in years past, and while banks are acquiring the necessary capital to invest, credit is becoming increasingly more available to everyone.  I’ve actually been giving consideration to renting out my current home and purchasing a new one next year as well, so this is a hot button topic for me personally. … Read the rest

What to Know When Buying Furniture

by

It’s been over two years since I purchased my home.  I figured after the hefty down payment and associated closing costs that all of my big ticket items were out of the way.  That couldn’t have been further from the truth.  I came from several years of renting apartments and houses with several different friends.  Each of us brought our own bedroom furniture, and a compilation of used tables, chairs, and couches that didn’t come close to matching each other.  Once I bought my house I realized just how empty it all was.  I went from sharing 1600 square feet of living space with three guys, to having over 2300 square feet all to myself. … Read the rest