MoneyWisdom Blog

First-time homebuyers are sometimes caught off guard by overlooked expenses, which can create an uncomfortable financial pinch. Be sure you consider these one-time and ongoing expenses.

Topics: budget, Home Ownership

Have you ever watched a popular home buying show? Often you see home buyers searching for their ideal home turn down places with only minor flaws.

Topics: Home Ownership

Thinking about going solar? These four questions will get you started.

Topics: Mass Save, solar energy, Home Ownership

Saving water means saving money around your home. However, you might not be quite ready to put a brick in your toilet tank or reduce your shower flow to a trickle. Have no fear; you can still take steps to seriously reduce your water bill each month.

Topics: Savings, budget, Home Ownership

 

Every December you are bombarded with suggestions (some subtle, some not-so-much) for items to buy for the holidays. But what about items to buy AFTER the holidays? If you can wait a few days or weeks, you could land yourself some outrageous deals. In fact, if a loved one wants an item on the list below, you might even want to give them a gift card and advise them to pick it up when it goes on sale. That way, they not only get what they want, but they also get more money to spend on other desired items.

Topics: Savings, budget, Home Ownership

Heating your home can be expensive. According to the Energy Markets Division of Mass.gov (MassDOER), the average residential customer last year was predicted to pay $728 for natural gas, $2,171 for oil, $2,176 for propane, and $553 for electric heating. How can you cut the high costs of heating your home this winter? Here are 7 ways you can stay warm while bring the cost of heating down:

Topics: Savings, budget, Home Ownership

The holidays are a great time of year for entertaining family and friends. But, you may look around your house and think about sprucing things up before you bring the first guests in. You don't have to put large amounts of money out to get a nice impact for the holidays as well as your home's value. Here are 10 holiday home improvement tips that will boost your home equity value.

Topics: Home Equity, Holidays, Home Ownership

Buying a home is a major commitment. It’s a bit like, well, getting married: you’ve got to be ready and you have to find the right “one.” And, like a marriage, homeownership is a dynamic experience that requires a tremendous amount of care and attention.

Topics: mortgage, Home Ownership

Floods, fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters can wreak havoc with your personal life – including your finances. The following tips can help organize an action plan to tackle potential difficulties.

Topics: Money Management, budget, Home Ownership

When we’re looking to save money, the first thing most of us do is scrutinize our every purchase to see where we can squeeze out unnecessary spending. After all, a nip and a tuck here and there can add up to a bundle of savings over time! What many forget, though, is the cost savings that can result from proper maintenance of the things we already own – especially the really high-ticket items, like a home and car, which can be costly to repair and even more expensive to replace.

Topics: Money Management, Savings, Home Ownership