Today’s housing market makes it a great time to buy and in some cases you can buy a home for less money than you are paying in rent. Living in an [...]]]> Living in an apartment can sometimes be a frustrating experience. Paying rent every month makes you feel like you are throwing money away.

Today’s housing market makes it a great time to buy and in some cases you can buy a home for less money than you are paying in rent. Living in an apartment with tenants above or below you in some older apartments can be noisy. Single family homes do not have this problem, as none of the walls in your home will be attached to any other home in your neighborhood. This in turn means that you will have more privacy, and more importantly, there will be less noise coming from your neighbors, no matter what time of the day it is.

Another reason why owning your own home is so great is because you will generally have your own yard, allowing you to have outside furniture, gardens and entertain which can be harder to do in an apartment

When it comes to shopping for a home, it is important that you do a good amount of research beforehand. While single family homes do have a lot of advantages, you have to make sure to take your time and find that perfect home for you. Some things to think about is location, neighborhood, schools, and being close to amenities like shopping, restaurants or other places that may be important to you.

One of the best ways to research for homes is on this website. This website is updated every 15 minutes with new listings, price changes, back on markets and open houses. This will allow you to easily browse through homes for sale until you find the perfect home for your needs.

Bottom line is buying a home today can be a great invest down the road and can come with a lot of benefits over renting. Feel free to call if you would like help in buying or selling your real estate.

April showers? Get a slicker at less-than-sticker price. Want to turn that patio or deck into your home-outside-of-home for the next five months? You might find decent discounts on furniture, containers and flowering [...]]]> Whether you crave a fresh salad, a little chocolate or a new laptop, you can probably find a deal this month.

April showers? Get a slicker at less-than-sticker price. Want to turn that patio or deck into your home-outside-of-home for the next five months? You might find decent discounts on furniture, containers and flowering plants.

Whether you want to add a little spring zing to your menu, home or attitude, Bankrate.com has compiled a list of more than 20 items from on which you can find discounts, deals and sales this month.

April holidays mean deals on candy, from chocolate bunnies to jelly beans.

Early in April, the biggest discounts are on Easter candy: treats such as “chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs filled with peanut butter or cream or different confections,” says Denise Alvarez, marketing manager for Retail Confectioners International, an association of independently owned candy producers and retailers. In many cases, shoppers will find discounts of 10 percent to 15 percent, she says.

If you love the candy but don’t care about the calendar, the days after Easter (April are a candy lover’s bonanza. Anything themed that can’t be repackaged for other holidays can be up to half off, she says.

If your tastes run toward the nonchocolate, April 22 brings National Jelly Bean Day. Depending on the retailer, you could find discounts on jelly beans of up to 10 percent to 20 percent, Alvarez says.

April is a good time to save on TVs, laptops and tablets — oh my.

“April is actually a pretty good month for both televisions and laptops,” says. “Part of it is because it’s the end of the model year. And it’s the end of the fiscal year for Japanese companies — they’re trying to clear the books.”

Generally, shoppers can expect discounts of about 10 percent on TVs and laptops, he says. With TVs, “it’s really all over the place,” depending on the company and the model, he says. TVs without some of the latest high-tech features (such as Internet interface or 3-D) might offer greater discounts, he says.

Ditto with laptops. The big influx of “ultrabooks” (lightweight, superthin, shorter boot times and longer battery lives), means shoppers can find bigger discounts on more traditional models, Barry says.

Mother’s Day, graduations and Father’s Day come in May and June, and that means good prices in April on accessories for electronics — things such as cases, docking stations and carrying bags, Barry says.

April brings savings on party supplies and kids’ dress clothes.

Want to get a good deal on kids’ dress clothes? During the first week of April (right before Easter and Passover), parents will see dress clothing marked down by 25 percent to 50 percent, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation.

There are two times of year when parents try to outfit their children in dress clothes: just before winter and spring holidays, he says. Bargains include everything from baby and toddler sizes to juniors and young men’s sizes, he says.

The only problem for bargain hunters is that it’s a short window of just one week, Butler says.

Got a spring party planned? When it comes to items such as balloons, costumes, place mats and special dinnerware, you could find deals of 25 percent to 50 percent off during the first week of April, Butler says. If you wait, the real deals come after the holidays, when you can find the same items for 40 percent to 70 percent off, he says.

With April weather a peril, buy apparel at a discount.

April showers bring not just May flowers, but also deals on rain gear, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation.

Shoppers will see discounts on lightweight weather gear — such as umbrellas, slickers and jackets — for 20 percent to 30 percent off, he says.

If you would rather plan for sunny weather, you can likely find bargains on swimwear in April. Many stores mark swimsuits down by 25 percent to 50 percent, Butler says. Warm-weather casual clothes, such as shorts, T-shirts and tank tops, are popping up at 25 percent to 40 percent off, he says.

Your supermarket will have plenty of produce on sale in April.

If the weather stays warm, leaf lettuce should be a great value in April, says James Parker, facility team leader for the global produce buying office of Whole Foods Market. He lists romaine, green leaf, red leaf and butter lettuce.

Grape or cherry tomatoes are another good buy in April. Instead of price cuts, look for larger amounts sold at the same price, Parker says.

Prices on artichokes, asparagus, strawberries and mangos dropped in March, and, if the weather holds, supplies will be even more plentiful in April, Parker says. Consumers could see either lower prices or larger portions for the same price.

April brings plenty more bargains in produce, including for red peppers. In general, hothouse peppers will run about $2 to $4 a pound, while peppers grown in the field will be about $1 to $2 a pound, Parker says.

Consumers should also see some good buys on broccoli and cauliflower, he says. If the favorable weather continues, prices for both will go down about one-third in April, Parker says.

In April, you can find deals on outdoor furniture, clay pots and some blooming plants.

You might not get the best prices on outdoor living goods in April, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a discount.

If you’re in the market for some patio furniture, you can find markdowns of 20 percent to 30 percent in April, says Daniel Butler, vice president of retail operations for the National Retail Federation.

In April, many garden centers run specials on terra cotta pots — a favorite for container gardening, says P. Allen Smith, author of “Living in the Garden Home” and host of “P. Allen Smith Gardens.” While the discounts aren’t as big as you’d score in October (as much as 80 percent off), you can get deals of up to 20 percent off, he says.

Nurseries and garden centers will also run superlow prices on select items in April, hoping that you’ll buy other things once you’re in the store. So look for loss-leader prices on things such as hanging baskets of blooming plants and flats of perennials, Smith says.

Discounted spa services deliver a less stressful April.

Longing for an hour of “me time” sometime in April?

For Spa Week (April 16 to 22), more than 800 participating spas are offering promotional deals, says Lynne McNees, president of the International Spa Association.

You get an hour of services for $50, she says. That can be anything from a single facial or massage to a combination of treatments. “You really can get anything you want,” McNees says. “It depends on the spa in your area.”

April is Stress Awareness Month. Many spas and health clubs offer free or discounted classes, seminars and services aimed at stress reduction, McNees says. This can include classes on meditation or how to multitask without losing your mind.

Here are ten tips to master frugal grocery shopping. A little planning can save you some big bucks over the long term.

1. Make a list.

Before you head out [...]]]> If you are looking for ways save money, cutting back on grocery expenses is often an easy way to reduce your spending.

Here are ten tips to master frugal grocery shopping. A little planning can save you some big bucks over the long term.

1. Make a list.

Before you head out to the store, prepare a list of everything you need, making sure you have everything needed for your weekly menu. Before you leave, check to make sure you don’t have it in your pantry, fridge or freezer. Stick to that list and don’t buy anything else.

2. Plan a menu.

Plan a weekly menu for each week. This way you will know exactly what to buy. Be sure to plan a leftovers night.

3. Don’t shop hungry.

When you’re hungry, everything looks good. When you shop hungry you’ll end up spending a lot more. Eat first and then you will be able to stick to your list.

4. Set a budget.

When you go to the store, know exactly how much you can spend. Then try your best to stick within that limit. Keep a running tally as you shop to ensure that you’re within your budget.

5. Create a grocery spreadsheet.

Keep your grocery receipts, then enter into a spreadsheet. This will be your price and comparison list. Use it so you know when bulk or sale items are a good deal.

6. Cook and freeze.

Plan to cook a big amount of food and freeze it for multiple dinners. A great idea is to use one Sunday and cook a week’s (or even a month’s) worth of dinners. Plan 5-6 freezable dinners and cook them all at once.

7. Shop for specials.

Every store has specials. Be sure to look for them in the newspaper, or when you get to the store. Don’t buy things you don’t use just because they are on sale; make sure you will use the items.

8. Buy store brands.

Brand names are often no better than generic, and you’re paying for all the advertising they do to have a brand name. Give the store brand a try, and often you won’t notice a difference.

9. No “one-item” trips.

They waste gas, and almost inevitably, you buy more than that one item. If you plan ahead, make a weekly menu, and shop with a list, this should drastically reduce the number of trips you make for a small number of items.

10. Stock up.

Sale items can be a great deal. If it’s an item you normally use, buy a bunch of them.

To gauge whether or not you are ready to own your first [...]]]> You may be considering buying a home but it is hard to know if you are ready to be a homeowner. It can be a big step. Buyers that educate themselves on the process and set realistic expectations have the best experiences.

To gauge whether or not you are ready to own your first home you should ask yourself some serious questions.

• Are you in a lease or is your living situation easily changed?
• Do you need to remain in your current community or would you be willing to move?
• Do you have the time and resources necessary to make your first home purchase a success?

If you have answered these questions favorably you may well be on your way to homeownership.

The next step is to evaluate your financial situation. Here are some questions to check your financial readiness.

• Do you have a steady source of income?
• Do you know your credit history?
• Do you have a down payment ?
• Are you ready for the financial responsibilities that coincide with home ownership?

If your answers to these questions are positive then it is time to get the loan process started to see how much you can afford. A reputable lender will give you realistic expectations and many offer a free consultation for buyers seeking pre-approval.

Now it is time to start your search. Working with an agent that you trust and are comfortable with is very important. My skills include educating you about the buying process, negotiating, having your best interest in mind and helping you find a perfect first home while hopefully saving you time and money.

It is never too early to plan

In [...]]]> In today’s economic climate protecting your financial health is more important than ever. From health insurance to your plans for retirement, there’s a lot to consider. Here are some tips from Family Wealth Management Group, LLC to help protect your assets and financial future.

It is never too early to plan

In order to plan, you need to know what you have. Review your pension plan, 401 (k), IRAs, Social Security benefits and other savings plans to assess whether they meet your long-term retirement goals and will generate an income stream to meet your projected expenses.

Curb spending

Time to take an inventory on how much you spend. Keep a log on trips to the market, afternoon lattes, dry cleaning and all of your miscellaneous spending. Try to eliminate a portion of these expenses. Once you track them you will realize you are spending more than you thought.

Re-define your financial goals

Ask yourself where you see yourself in five, 10 or 15 years. See if it is possible to redefine your goals. You may be able to retire earlier or pay for college. Set goals to achieve the things you want.

Get help

Professional advice about investment losses, financial products, insurance coverage and other important issues will help you make the right choices for your current financial situation.

Here are some tips on how to keep your kitchen from contributing to a growing waistline.

No Media

The TV in the kitchen [...]]]> If you have been packing on the pounds it may be your kitchen that is to blame. New research has shown that it could be your kitchen making you gain weight.

Here are some tips on how to keep your kitchen from contributing to a growing waistline.

No Media

The TV in the kitchen is now a media snack station. Parking yourself in front of the TV with food all around you makes snack time a lot easier. Computers in the kitchen can also lead to mindless munching and web surfing. It’s too easy to grab a bite when all the food is within arm’s reach.

Stand Up

Who doesn’t love an island prep station? But all the handy seating around the island is an invitation to linger over snacks. So lose all the stools to help resist temptation to gather in the kitchen.

Open Invitation

The so-called great room isn’t so great for your weight. Combination living/kitchen areas make your kitchen the focal point of the home. Add a few partition walls or screens to keep the fridge and cabinets out of sight when relaxing, and watching TV in the living room.

Skimp on Storage

Pantries, large cabinets are so appealing and offer a great place to stockpile food. They also offer lots of temptation. Too many trips to bargain bulk stores will have your storage full in no time and also create a mentality of surplus. More is always more especially when it comes to food.