Are you looking to get some more money in your pocket this summer?  Are you saving up for a vacation or just want to have some extra security?  See how you can make some extra cash without having to give up too much of your time. 1. House-sitting Chances are you know some people taking vacations this summer.  Offer to house sit for them.  It can be as simple as watering plants, checking the mail, and feeding their pets.  Getting a few people lined up who will be willing to give you a little cash for doing some minor chores…

Quality of schools are moving further down the list when it comes to picking a new home.  In a survey of 2,000 Americans, 60% ranked school districts as important to the purchasing of their home.  But surprisingly more people ranked mobile service and hospitals as important. What tops the rankings? The survey conducted went more in depth into what home buyers rank as most important.  In the survey, things that ranked even more important than schools were: crime rates (96% of people surveyed), local taxes (90%), and amenities (84%). 76% ranked mobile service and hospitals as important. One reason for ranking…

Getting preapproved is the true beginning to any serious home search. Unlike pre-qualification, the preapproval process takes your full financial picture into account in order to develop a better estimate of the home loan for which you are eligible. With this information, you’ll be able to determine your housing budget, which is necessary in order for your real estate agent to find great property options that meet your requirements without blowing your financial outlook. With markets throughout the country becoming increasingly competitive, buyers who begin the search without a preapproval from a qualified lender are at a real disadvantage when…

The youth labor force (ages 16-24) has grown slightly over the last year.  Teens typically begin to look for and start jobs between the months of April and July each year. Teens are often unable to get into an employers network and need the help of their parents.  Teach your teen that many options are available to them and use your advantages to assist them in their search. Tips for Getting Your Teen Started Show your teen the online sources that are available that can include job listings in your town. Reach out to your friends and coworkers that may…

There are many reasons you may want to cancel your old credit card.  People will sometimes do so in an attempt to better their credit score, take control of their spending habits, or reduce their security risks.  However, there is much to consider when making the decision to cancel an old card: Pros Decreased fraud risk Good credit from that card will stay on your credit report for 10 years Helps reduce the chance of falling into a great amount of debt No temptation to use the card Cons Have to pay off balance Miss out on rewards Lose the…