Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

An important metric that your mortgage lender uses to calculate the amount of money you can borrow is the DTI ratio — comparing your total monthly debts (for example, your mortgage payments, including insurance and property tax payments) to your monthly pre-tax income.

Calculators 52

Calculators Debt Taxes Insurance 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 27, 2014

Although my spouse and I have done well financially, there are things I wish I had done differently! I didn’t leverage my money well. By purchasing used vehicles you save on the initial car price, the sales tax you pay upon purchase as well as the property tax you pay each year and the amount you need to insure it.

Real Estate 180

Real Estate College Psychology Property Taxes 180

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 6, 2014

The sales tax, plus the ongoing higher property tax and insurance are really turning him off – and the van does fine if we drive it locally or just for a few hours to the lake. I want this vacation to go well and that rental car will be our daytime home for 12 days. Reserve well ahead of your need.

Rental Car 167

Rental Car Car Cars Rent 167

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Each payment includes a combination of principal and interest, as well as property taxes, and, if needed, mortgage insurance. These standardized forms make it easy to compare interest rates as well as lender fees. A mortgage is set up so you pay off the loan over a specified period called the term.

Re-use 52

Re-use Economy Homeowner Insurance Insurance 52

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 11, 2020

I’ve shared before that April is the most expensive month of the year for us because our homeowners/auto insurance and property taxes are all due, along with any federal or state taxes that we might owe. We didn’t have enough cash saved to buy a car without a loan and that wasn’t sitting well with me.

Budget 246

Budget Budgeting Family Debt 246

The Frugal Girl

FEBRUARY 18, 2024

As an adult, it’s important to me to continue to be generous, as well as, provide financial security for myself and my family. While we were still renting an apartment, I researched areas with lower property taxes, scouted out my ideal neighborhoods, and waited for a smaller, less expensive house to come on the market.

Kids and Family 182

Kids and Family Home and Garden Money Frugal 182

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Check with your current mortgage servicer, as well as national banks, credit unions, online mortgage lenders and possibly a mortgage broker to compare refinance rates and terms. Shopping around for a lender who not only offers a competitive interest rate but also the lowest fees is worth your time and effort.

Calculators 40

Calculators Refinancing Insurance Homeowner Insurance 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 1, 2013

Markets and economic conditions change as well. And what happens when you add in property taxes, utility, home insurance, and maintenance? What if you estimate your retirement based on how much you are able to save, but a job loss means you can’t set aside money anymore, plus you lose your employer match?

Life Insurance 213

Life Insurance Insurance Debt Property Taxes 213

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 4, 2015

To many, working with a spouse would be too difficult, but our individual strengths and weaknesses complement each other and the arrangement has worked well. Our business was doing well and it seemed like the right time for us to buy. However a few years ago, we found ourselves with too much debt and not enough cash.

Goals 100

Goals Debt Renovation Daughter 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

Fishing equipment, tow ropes, skis or tubes, as well as special equipment for the boat (coolers, ladders, anchors, etc). These will include things such as insurance, property taxes, gasoline (to get to the lake and to boat on the lake), maintenance, boat slip fees and storage fees in off season. Boating is fun.

Buy 100

Buy Buying Rent Recession 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 5, 2012

How do you say no to a sibling’s request and still sleep well at night? She has not been able to pay the real estate property taxes on your parent’s house (which she inherited) and has come to you for help. What if your sibling just flat out refuses to do anything to support herself and wants you to do so for her?

Money 264

Money Sister Giving Brother 264

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 24, 2023

If a friend, relative or employer has offered to provide a down payment gift, initiate a conversation early on to learn how much they plan to contribute and if there’s any shortfall you’ll need to cover — and secure a gift letter from them well in advance. Consider options backed by the federal government. What’s your local market like?

Real Estate 52

Real Estate Buy Buying Credit 52

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

Our small business was going well, so we said so long to renting office space and purchased a commercial property in the summer of 2012. Also to top it off, I had a huge property tax due that month for our office building that was going to be difficult to pay for in light of the circumstances. Yep, life was good.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

The Frugal Girl

MARCH 4, 2024

My mom cut coupons and sewed her own clothes and mine, as well. We paid an excavator (to dig the hole for the foundation), a well driller and a cabinet maker (for our kitchen and bathroom cabinets). He says we were busy building the house and our careers and it was money well spent because it freed up our time. (We

Green And Frugal 177

Green And Frugal Kids and Family Hotel Frugal 177

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

With refinancing, you can change the loan type as well as your lender. Step 5: Get your paperwork in order Gather recent pay stubs, federal tax returns, bank/brokerage statements and anything else your mortgage lender requests. Key takeaways Refinancing replaces your current mortgage with a new one, adjusting the rate, term or both.

Refinancing 52

Refinancing Work Debt Financial Goals 52

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

We had been renting for over 10 years and we were ready to find a property to move our business to and eventually build our net worth. Our business was doing very well, and we were excited about the opportunity to own a property outside of our home. Everything looked great on paper. What could possibly go wrong?

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

We had to give up a long and wide easement in our yard, lose a bunch of trees, AND pay more than $20,000 to pay the sewer bond as well as pay an ongoing charge for sewer usage. But the makeup of a location can be changed by governments hungry for additional tax dollars. The makeup of your home’s location can change drastically.

Home 100

Home Washer and Dryer Do It Yourself Garage 100

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Income verification: You can provide a pay stub, bank statements, tax returns or even 1099 forms if you’re self-employed. They may ask for copies of utility bills, lease or rental agreements, property tax bills or credit card statements as proof of address.

Debt 52

Debt Credit Cards Credit Home Improvement 52