Ten or so years ago it wasn’t common to have home or apartment security cameras. They were either cost prohibitive, overly complex, or both. Ring is one of the companies that changed that. Most people are familiar with Ring because of the Ring Video Doorbell, but they also offer a wide range of other products […]
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One of the arguments for renting instead of buying is the fact that you don’t have to pay for repairs and maintenance. Unexpected home expenses is one reason why many in the personal finance space recommend homeowners have an extra-healthy emergency fund. “Small” unexpected expenses of $100-$300 can add up quick, and big expenses […]
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For years security experts have been giving the advice of not posting on social media when you travel. It makes sense. If you let others know you are out of town, it can make your home a target. I’ve always thought this was unrealistic, though. Even before the time of Snapchat and Instagram stories, […]
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More people are renting than buying today compared to historical trends, but most renters eventually want to buy a home. If you are currently a renter but are looking to eventually buy a home, you need to save for a down payment. Depending on your cash flow, this can potentially take a long time. […]
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Most first-time home buyers have entertained the idea of buying a fixer-upper. This trend is partially due to the fact your money can go much further when you buy a home that needs work. I also blame HGTV and their numerous shows with mind-boggling number of episodes showing homes being renovated. My wife and […]
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I bought my first home at twenty-four. It was a fixer-upper that was livable, yet it was clear everything would need updating over the course of the next five-to-ten years. Looking back I think it’s safe to say I jumped into home ownership instead of carefully weighing the pros and cons. I didn’t think […]
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Housing costs are one of the most expensive parts of any budget. In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person spends 37 percent of their take-home pay on housing-related expenses – ouch. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, save for retirement, or simply more wiggle room in paying the […]
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Moving into your own apartment is a big step for a lot of people. I know when I first moved out on my own, I really wanted to make my little apartment feel homey. Even though it wasn’t much, it was something I was really proud of at the time. Since I didn’t have a […]
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Most personal finance gurus suggest you keep your rent under 25 to 30 percent of your total budget. But, depending on where you live, that can either be a relatively easy or a seemingly impossible task. Millions of millennials are spending more than the recommended amount of a budget on their rent, as rent […]
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