Getting ready to walk down the aisle? Congratulations! As you prep for your new life together, it’s important to talk about the big stuff. While hopefully you’ve cleared some topics already”like whether or not kids are in your future”the following conversations can help create a smooth ride should things shift later on.

Location, location, location. How happy are you both where you currently live? If kids enter the picture, would you want to move closer to family? Would either of you be willing to move with the other for a work opportunity? Clear these things now to minimize surprises later when one of you gets a new job offer or wants to leave city (or country) living behind.

Finances. How will marriage impact the way you do your finances? Will you share certain expenses? Merge bank accounts? Keep things separate? Money is the No. 1 cause of dissatisfaction in marriages, so financially clear the table now to save trouble later.

Home sweet home? If you aren’t already homeowners, is owning a home high on your priority list? If so, create a plan together to achieve it. Set a goal for when you would like to make the move from renting to owning. How much money should you each sock away annually to make your goal a reality? What does your dream home look like, and do your wants and needs align?

Hope you found this information helpful! Contact me for more insights and info.

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You just bought a new dishwasher, TV, tablet, refrigerator or other big-ticket item youve been wanting for months. The salesperson, or maybe even the cashier, asks if youd like to add an extended warranty for a few dollars more.

Is it a worthwhile extra expense? Our cars, appliances, gadgets and almost anything electrical have complicated parts that can break and make repairs more expensive ” sometimes more costly than buying another new item. An extended warranty would cover such repairs, were told, and give us peace of mind.

But dont buy one so fast. For one thing, theyre almost an impulse buy and are sold without giving you much time to think about them or read the fine print of the contract.

They can also be repetitive. Most new products come with a free manufacturers warranty for three to 12 months, promising a free replacement or repair if something breaks. Accidental damage may not be covered or coverage could be denied if you dont follow the companys instructions for routine maintenance.

Extended warranties are meant to extend those protections for a year or more, depending on how much extra coverage you buy. Some may require paying a deductible to get service, or for the customer to pay shipping fees.

Also called service contracts, the Federal Trade Commission warns that extended warranties may not be needed simply because the product isnt likely to need repairs or the cost of repairs is low.

The claims process could be complicated. Instead of the retailer handling a problem, you may have to mail the item to another company and file a claim with a third party.

If you buy something with a credit card, the credit company may automatically extend the manufacturers warranty for a year or more without you having to pay anything extra.

Another way to protect yourself from being pressured to buy an extended warranty is to put the money you would have spent on it in a savings account. That fund can be used to pay for any repairs if theyre needed later, or could eventually be used to replace a broken product.

The best method may be to research products for reliability before buying, giving you the best chance that a warranty wont be needed at all. After that, caring for them as recommended by the manufacturer should help ensure a long life that will keep your gadgets running long after any extended warranty would have ended anyway.

Hope you enjoyed this tip. Contact me today for all your real estate questions!

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Here are a few exciting amenities that kids will love!

Waterslides

Waterslides and lazy rivers take the backyard swimming pool to the next level.

Bowling Alleys

The perfect rainy-day activity, a bowling lane at home has a wow factor that everyone can enjoy.

Treehouses

Help your kids immerse themselves in nature with a craftsman level fort.

Game Rooms

Spaces with foosball, air hockey, Skee-ball, and more, provide the perfect hangout spot.

In-Ground Trampolines

An amenity that will light up the little ones eyes, in-ground trampolines are a growing trend.

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While we all know water is essential for our health, not all of us enjoy chugging those recommended eight daily glasses. Or maybe it’s your child who refuses to drink plain old water. Below are a few tips to help you up your water intake.

Add flavor. A squeeze of citrus, fresh mint or a handful of blueberries can make drinking water a bit more fun. Make sure to keep these twists simple and fresh, and avoid sweeteners (artificial or otherwise), which can have health repercussions.

Swap in tea. Unsweetened herbal tea can aid your water consumption, especially if you’re steeping the bags yourself, which helps assure there are no sneaky additives. Add a hot cup of herbal first thing in the morning and before bed to squeeze in a few more fluid ounces.

Choose fruit. While this should not replace the water you drink, focusing on a few juicy fruits a day can help keep you hydrated. Try watermelon or oranges for a fresh liquid burst.

Keep it cold. If you enjoy cold beverages, then keeping chilled water around can help you drink it down faster.

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With these styles, youre guaranteed a kitchen thatll stand the test of time…

Farmhouse Kitchen

A rustic-inspired design, neutral colors combine with exposed wood beam ceilings and butcher-block countertops.

Mediterranean Kitchen

A kitchen that feels like you’re always on vacation. Dark wooden surfaces and ornate lighting create a romantic ambience.

White Kitchen

From coastal getaways to urban abodes, theyre coveted for being light and breezy. Marble countertops and stainless-steel accents are popular.

Modern Kitchen

Colors range from all black to bright and bold, but theres always a sophisticated feel to this minimalist aesthetic.

Traditional Kitchen

This is a surefire way to design a kitchen that combines luxury with timeless appeal.

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A credit card is one of the main ways to build credit. By using a credit card wisely and not running up huge bills and paying them off in full on time, consumers can improve their credit score. A good credit score can make getting a home, car and other loans easier, and at better interest rates.

Some people who have poor credit may have difficulty improving their credit score fast enough, and others may not even want a credit card.

A credit card isnt the only way to build credit. Here are some other ways:

Get a small loan

Apply for a small loan from your bank or credit union. If youve had an account in good standing for a few years, you should be able to get a small loan.

Some banks may only offer secured loans, meaning youll have to come up with some collateral such as a car to qualify for the loan. However you get a bank loan, pay it back on time and your credit score should improve.

Monitor student loan payments

You should be working hard to pay all of your loans on time. Repaying student loans on time will help build your credit as much as any other loan. On the opposite side, missing a student loan payment can hurt your credit score.

Ask utility providers for help

Electricity, gas, cable TV, internet and other utility providers report delinquencies to the credit bureaus. Some, however, also report positive payment history, such as on-time payments, to the credit bureaus.

Call your utility providers to see if they report positive payment history, which can improve your credit score. If they dont, ask if they can give you a letter of reference in support of a credit application.

Report rent payments

Just like utility companies, not all landlords report on-time payments to credit bureaus. Ask your landlord if positive rent history is reported. If not, ask if it can use a third-party website such as Rental Kharma to verify your rent payments each month.

Another way is to sign up with a rent payment service that uses Experians RentBureau. Your rent is paid through the service and independent verification that youve paid your rent on time isnt needed.

Become an authorized user

A friend or family member who has excellent credit can add you to their credit card as an authorized user. It allows you to use their credit card and share their credit limit.

As long as the main card holder pays the bill on time every month and keeps the balance low in relation to their credit limit, your credit score may benefit. Check first that the card issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus.

You wont be responsible for paying the bill, so being an authorized user wont help your credit profile a lot, but it will help some if its reported.

Feel free to contact me for other helpful information.

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Overspending is easy to do with a credit card – way too easy – and can often lead to debt.

Researchers have found that even for people who dont carry a balance each month on their credit card, they overspend when using a credit card instead of cash. Credit cards can make people more willing to spend twice as much for something than they would when using cash.

A simple solution can be to keep your credit cards out of your wallet or purse so that you dont conveniently have them at hand when youre shopping. But there are other ways to keep credit cards out of sight, and hopefully out of mind:

Freeze them, literally

Put your credit cards in a plastic, ziplock bag, and then put that bag in another bag. Put the bag into either a bowl of water or another ziplock bag full of water, and put it all in the freezer.

To get your credit cards out, youll have to thaw the block of ice. That may give you enough time to reconsider your purchase.

Freeze usage

If putting your credit cards in a freezer is too extreme, consider freezing the usage of them through your credit card company.

Some credit cards can be turned on and off, such as through an app, allowing you to turn access to them off when you dont want to use them for a while. This can help deter thieves, but also requires you logging into your account to turn credit card access back on. Again, the point here is to create another step before you can use your credit card, giving you time to think about what youre about to buy.

Set a budget and carry cash

Having a weekly or monthly budget can help keep spending in control, but not so much if you use a credit card. If you want to be faithful to your budget, try for a month to only buy things with the cash you have on hand.

Go to your bank and withdraw the amount of cash you have budgeted to spend that week. Once that cash is gone, youll have to come up with creative ways to do things. Walk instead of taking a taxi. Empty out your refrigerator to make lunch instead of eating out.

If you prefer not to walk around with a load of cash in your pocket, then put the money in a checking account and use a debit card to withdraw it as needed.

Hope you found these tips helpful! Contact me for more insights and info.

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Your purse or wallet can be more than just a place to pull your money out of so you can spend it. It can also store a few things to remind you to use less money, or at least use it well.

Here are five things to keep in your wallet that can help you use your money well:

Cash
If you follow the rule of only spending the amount of cash you have on you, then youll never have to pay credit card late fees or interest rates on charges, or pay to withdraw your money from an ATM not connected to your bank.

Studies have shown that people spend less money when using cash instead of a credit card. Cash is tangible with value attached to it, while a plastic credit card may not seem like actual money.

That said, using only cash should be a reminder to keep within your budget and not to return to the ATM to withdraw money again and again.

Reward credit cards
Credit cards can get you to focus less on the cost of what youre buying, which isnt a good thing. But if you can control your spending and pay off your credit card balance off every month, then a card that offers rewards or discounts can be worthwhile.

Some credit cards reward more points for certain purchases, so using one card at a grocery store and another at a gas station can pay off with more rewards at the end of the month.

Coupons
Carrying around an envelope full of coupons can be cumbersome. If you cant remember to take specific coupons with you on a shopping trip, then always carry coupons for your favorite department store or restaurant so that youll have them whenever you need them.

Loyalty cards
Smartphones are making store loyalty cards easier to carry by opening an app. They can lead to cash discounts or free items by swiping your loyalty card at checkout.

If you go to some stores regularly that only have the physical loyalty cards, be sure to keep those in your wallet. Some stores tie your card number to your phone number, so all you have to do is recite your phone number to collect reward points.

At the very least, seeing a loyalty card is a reminder that you should shop around for the best deal, regardless of if you have a loyalty card at the store offering the best price.

Health Savings Account card
A card for a Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a reminder to use the cards pre-tax dollars that youve saved for medical services and prescriptions. Without the card you may forget to use the money, which can save you 35 percent by not taxing income put into an HSA.

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These ideas will restore order in the bathroom and create a whole new look and feel.

Short on counter space? Attach wire crates to the wall and use them to store items that clutter up the sink area.

Adhere flat-backed suction cups to the inside of your medicine cabinet door.

Fill them with cotton swabs, tweezer, hair clips and other small items.

Stack towel bars on the back of the bathroom door to organize towels in one spot.

Add a shelf above your medicine cabinet to store paper goods, soap and cleaning supplies.

Remember, having a great bathroom isnt about more spaceits about using the space you have wisely.

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