Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 29, 2020

My mission has always been to help families build a strong financial plan, gain confidence with their money, and live the life of their dreams. Years ago, there was a month where I hadn’t planned on a large property tax bill and I wasn’t sure where we were going to find the money.

Budgeting 130

Budgeting Budget Family Property Taxes 130

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Paying down your mortgage helps build equity in your home, but you don’t have to wait until you completely repay it, or sell the property, to access that equity. Cash-out refinances are generally best for big-ticket costs: Think home renovations or major debt consolidation. How can I use the money from a cash-out refinance?

Refinancing 52

Refinancing Work Debt Home Improvement 52

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 4, 2015

When a building in our town went into foreclosure in 2012, we considered the opportunity to own. We crunched the numbers, spoke with our accountant, and after much deliberation and negotiation, we bought the building that summer. Our business was doing well and it seemed like the right time for us to buy.

Goals 100

Goals Debt Renovation Daughter 100

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 6, 2020

We spent the next few years building our savings back up to the level we had prior to 2007. 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. How to Build your Emergency Fund. Yep, life was good. This new business debt weighed on me.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2007 2020 130

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Buy Calculator considers one-time costs — closing costs and the down payment — and ongoing expenses, like property taxes, an HOA fee, home insurance, and private mortgage insurance, or PMI, which you pay if your down payment is less than 20% on a conventional mortgage. Is renting always cheaper?

Rent 52

Rent Calculators Property Taxes Buy 52

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

How we got to six figures of non-mortgage debt: In the summer of 2012, we found an opportunity to purchase an office building for our small business. 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. Everything looked great on paper.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130