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. Because refinancing can cost thousands of dollars, make sure refinancing has a tangible financial benefit to you and that you’ll stay in your home long enough to recoup the fees.

Calculators 40

Calculators Refinancing Insurance Homeowner Insurance 40

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 10, 2014

We’ll talk about cash flow, budgets, debts, and all of the nitty gritty of our finances that might not be fun to talk about, but are so important to discuss. Does your property tax bill give you anxiety? That used to be me. Get out a piece of paper and make a list of all your yearly, quarterly, non-monthly expenses.

Finance 100

Finance Property Taxes Organic Organization 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 1, 2013

Rules of thumb are often used to make various financial decisions. The rule of thumb that states that it makes sense to spend 30% of your income each month on a housing payment doesn’t take into account the fact that you might have other debts, and that taking on more might over-leverage you. So, What Can You Do?

Life Insurance 213

Life Insurance Insurance Debt Property Taxes 213

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

It was so big that I cried for two days straight– we paid off six figures in non-mortgage debts. 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. After the first year, the new business debt weighed on me.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 25, 2023

Down payment costs are just the beginning — you’ll also have to account for closing costs and ongoing homeowner expenses, like property taxes and insurance, and you’ll want to budget for maintenance costs. Typically, lenders will want your total debts to account for no more than 36% of your monthly income. Be a tactical buyer.

Calculators 52

Calculators Illinois Credit Debt 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 26, 2011

Increases in your assessed value can sometimes be negotiated downward, saving you tax money. In some cases, just making a call to the county to ask about the increase will get it lowered. Assessed value is the value that will be used in determining how much you will pay in real estate taxes. What is assessed value?

Real Estate 160

Real Estate Taxes Office Property Taxes 160

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

Compare options from multiple personal loan lenders before applying to make sure you’re getting a competitive interest rate and fee structure. The steps may vary depending on whether you’re looking for debt consolidation loans , home improvement loans, medical loans or wedding loans.

Debt 52

Debt Credit Cards Credit Home Improvement 52

Savings Corner

APRIL 4, 2024

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. Store copies of your closing paperwork in a safe place.

Refinancing 52

Refinancing Work Debt Financial Goals 52

Savings Corner

DECEMBER 24, 2023

Doing so will empower you to make the best decisions for your family — and your wallet. Make a list of what’s important to you in a home. Analyze whether it makes sense for you financially. Analyze your monthly budget to make sure you can handle mortgage payments along with your other day-to-day bills.

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. Even though Alan was an IT professional by trade, his logical mind also understands what makes all kinds of mechanical things work, and he can repair just about everything I break. Yup, I’m a voracious reader.

Green And Frugal 178

Green And Frugal Kids and Family Hotel Frugal 178

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 8, 2018

I came up with strategies to help us pay for yearly bills, large expenses, and we were able to pay off debts. We have been using this system ever since. A zero-based budget is planning for every single dollar of after-tax income. Use old receipts, bank statements to get an idea of how much you must spend.

Budgeting 133

Budgeting Budget Financial Goals Goals 133