Savings Corner

DECEMBER 24, 2023

We analyzed five broad categories across all 50 states: affordability, overall well-being, the cost and quality of healthcare, weather and crime. Iowa’s median home price is $239,400, per Redfin data — well below the nationwide median home price of $388,800. Iowa lands near the middle of the pack tax-wise. The state ranks No.

Iowa 52

Iowa West Virginia Healthcare Delaware 52

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. How much house can I afford with a VA loan?

Calculators 52

Calculators Debt Insurance Taxes 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 13, 2014

They might include things such as fees charged for obtaining a mortgage; cost of home inspections; homeowner’s insurance; title insurance and settlement fees; property taxes or transfer taxes. We did have a home inspection which was around $200 as well. The seller may have to pay capital gains taxes.

Real Estate 186

Real Estate Taxes Insurance Property Taxes 186

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 Cars Car Rent 167

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

The money you tap from your home’s equity can be used to consolidate higher-interest debt or to improve your home. 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.

Calculators 40

Calculators Refinancing Insurance Homeowner Insurance 40

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 11, 2020

Pre-coronavirus, we didn’t think twice about shaking a stranger’s hand, using the ATM keypad, or going to the grocery store without donning a hazmat suit. We didn’t have enough cash saved to buy a car without a loan and that wasn’t sitting well with me. I have been using it ever since.

Budgeting 246

Budgeting Budget Family Debt 246

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 1, 2013

Rules of thumb are often used to make various financial decisions. Markets and economic conditions change as well. Rules of thumb can be useful in terms of starting points for deciding on what to do next. And what happens when you add in property taxes, utility, home insurance, and maintenance? So, What Can You Do?

Life Insurance 213

Life Insurance Insurance Debt Property Taxes 213

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

.” Those figures probably don’t include initial outlays for things such as a tarp to cover the boat when not in use; safety gear for all boat passengers; necessary electronics, such as GPS (so you don’t get lost), radio (to call for help) and sonar (to find those rocks and fish). Boat ownership means time spent.

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? Keep it businesslike and a bit formal and use this speech to prevent the conversation from becoming a high pressure appeal to your heartstrings. Use Alternate Solutions Look for non-monetary resolutions. How do you determine when enough is enough?

Money 264

Money Sister Giving Brother 264

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

What got us through financially? I am totally paraphrasing the year, but had it not been for the money in our emergency savings, we would most likely have used credit cards to survive. I still use my spreadsheet to this day! I decided to use Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps as a guide and I wrote our first Debt Freedom Plan.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 26, 2011

Assessed value is the value that will be used in determining how much you will pay in real estate taxes. The assessor’s office is usually not the same office that collects the taxes (yep that would be the Collector’s office). Most state laws require that assessed value be based on the market value of the property.

Real Estate 160

Real Estate Taxes Office Property Taxes 160

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Check your credit score Your credit score will help you determine your financing options; lenders use it (among other factors) to set the terms and rates of your loan. Agents are licensed professionals who know their markets well and can guide you through your homebuying journey. Consider options backed by the federal government.

Real Estate 52

Real Estate Buy Buying Credit 52

The Frugal Girl

MARCH 4, 2024

Box are some of my favorite authors) and I use the library to borrow both regular books and electronic resources. 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).

Green And Frugal 178

Green And Frugal Kids and Family Hotel Frugal 178

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. In 2020, we still use and are thankful for Medi-share.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Once you’ve zeroed in on your loan amount, run some numbers using a personal loan calculator. You should also check their rates and use them with a personal loan calculator to get the most accurate idea of what your monthly payment will be. Most lenders have websites with secure portals you can use to upload requested documents.

Debt 52

Debt Credit Cards Credit Home Improvement 52

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

With refinancing, you can change the loan type as well as your lender. Cash-out refinance Caret Down When you do a cash-out refinance , you use your home equity to withdraw cash to spend. This increases your mortgage debt but gives you money that you can invest or use to fund a goal, like a home improvement project.

Refinancing 52

Refinancing Work Debt Financial Goals 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 15, 2015

Our current neighborhood used to be in a quiet country like setting with little to no traffic. 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. Homes need more maintenance than you think.

Home 100

Home Washer and Dryer Do It Yourself Garage 100