Saving money for your down payment seems like a very challenging step. This is especially true if you’re not keen on saving money or planning your finances at all. But sometimes, all it takes to get started is making small changes to get things moving in your favor financially. Learn self-control, make wise decisions and start saving money today to reach your goal of owning your dream home the soonest! Here are some tips to help you get started.
1. Don't give in to the power of marketing
One big way to save money is to drastically cut down on the amount of television and YouTube videos that you watch. You'll notice that when you constantly expose yourself to ads and sponsored content, you're in high risk of eventually giving in to the temptation of making more unwanted and unnecessary purchases. That's the power of marketing. Less exposure to these will result in a lower electric bill (and perhaps a lower cable or internet bill if you downgrade your subscription), a huge cut-back on unnecessary purchases, and more time to focus on other things in life — such as a side business — and so on.
2. DIY Gifts
If you want to save money while also giving generously, creating your own homemade gifts is one way to accomplish both goals. It's the thought that counts anyway. Make mason jar sewing kits for your girlfriends, knit or crochet cute hats for their babies, mix up a mean barbecue rub for your guy friends, the list goes on!
3. Wait 30 Days
Avoiding instant gratification is one of the biggest game changers in saving money and waiting 30 days to decide on a purchase is an excellent way to implement that rule. You'll find that after a month or maybe within a month, the urge to buy something have already passed. This is especially true for bigger but still...
When purchasing a foreclosure in Fort McMurray there are a lot of key things that you need to know. Due to the economic downturn happening in Fort McMurray, there have been a substantial amount of bank foreclosures coming on the market. But just because these properties are on the menu, it doesn’t mean that they go through the same home purchasing process that other properties do. That’s why it’s important to be well-informed about what you need to know about buying a foreclosure home.
There are different types and categories of foreclosures that you need to know about. Bank Foreclosure (through the bank), Insurer Foreclosure (through CMHC or Genworth), Court-Ordered Sale, and Estate Sale. These four categories are typically the more frequent types of foreclosure sales we see happening in our market.
When purchasing these types of properties, a lot of times, buyers feel that they can get a better deal. Sometimes this can be true but typically, the properties are appraised by one to three appraisers and listed for fair market value. The banks typically have a guideline that they follow when it comes to how much money they’re willing to negotiate or reduce each month.
There are risks associated with buying foreclosures. The first one being, the property is sold ‘As is, where is.’. This is where you do not get to know any past history of the property, nor are there any warranties or guarantees associated with the purchase of the property. It is critical to have a Realtor, such as myself help you through...
Making simple changes in how you utilize energy in your household will not only help you save money by lowering your bills, you will also get to do your part in helping the environment. Check out these energy saving tips and start making these changes today.
Unplug
Most electronics and appliances continue to draw electricity even when they're turned off. Make it a habit to unplug electronics and appliances when they are not in use, not just when you're leaving the house.
Use Power Strips
It's easy to forget to turn off electronics when leaving the house, never mind unplug them. Plug similar appliances and chargers into a power strip so you can shut off several devices at once.
Use LED Light Bulbs
This is not a drill! Incandescent bulbs really are a thing of the past. And yes LED light bulbs really are energy-efficient. They use about just a quarter of the energy consumed by incandescent ones, plus, they last 25 times longer.
Don't Stock Up the Fridge
Your refrigerator and freezer operate most efficiently when not crammed with food items. Leaving room inside the refrigerator as well as leaving enough clearance behind it allows air to circulate freely.
Air Dry Dishes
Remember that any appliance that emits heat uses up more electricity. Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle. Just open the door after the rinse cycle and let mother nature do the rest. If you run your dishes in the evening, you can wake up to dry dishes without a single kilowatt being used.
Turn Off the Water Heater
Turn off your water heater if you plan on leaving home for...
