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Take these essential steps to stage a luxurious bathroom…Fresh Towels & MatsKeep an assortment of neatly folded towels on display, along with a clean bath mat.Aromatic AppealCandles or essential oils will be sure to greet buyers with a pleasant fragrance. Choose something fresh, like eucalyptus or lavender.Update the FixturesMaking a few updates goes a long way. If the hardware feels dated, it might be time for a stylish new faucet or heavenly rain shower to impress buyers.Depersonaliz...

Everyone who takes out a mortgage hopes to be able to make payments on time, but life sometimes gets in the way. A job loss, an unexpected expense, or an illness or injury can wreak havoc on a familys finances. A mortgage that converts from a fixed- to an adjustable-interest rate can cause mortgage payments to skyrocket overnight.If you have missed payments, dont panic. You have options to help you get back on track, but the first thing you need to do is contact your lender, explain your situati...

Like most homeowners, you probably have your water heater strapped down and you flush out the gutters every spring. But there are many other tips that make a big difference in terms of both safety and thriftiness.The home safety watchdogs at FamilyHandyman.com offer seven tips to start with:Monitor furnace filters. Clogged furnace filters cost you in both efficiency and higher bills. For peak performance, replace them every 30 – 60 days. Keep track of when you replaced them last by buying seve...

There’s more to buying a home than your mortgage.When planning for your purchase, be sure to budget for:Homeowners insuranceHome maintenanceProperty taxes, andUtilitiesWhen it comes to homeowners insurance, get quotes from more than one provider. This can help maximize savings.Budgeting for home maintenance can be tricky, so, begin with the expenses you know you’ll have every year, like a furnace tune-up.Remember that when budgeting for utilities, your costs can fluctuate from season to seas...

When it comes to student loans, dealing with the lender can be more difficult than repaying the loan. Thats one of the top complaints by consumers in a report of the student loan ombudsman for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).For federal student loans, more than twice as many consumers (71 percent) reported difficulties dealing with their lender or service than the 28 percent who complained to the CFPB that they were struggling to repay their loan. Two percent of complaints were a...

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The savings rate in America is pretty abysmal. Fifty-seven percent of Americans have less than $1,000 in their savings accounts, according to a 2017 GOBanking Rates survey.Without savings, people can be forced to take on debt when they lose their job, get sick or have major car repairs. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to trick yourself into saving money, whether for retirement, college, a new car, vacation or a rainy day. Here are five:Automatic TransfersHaving money automatically moved fr...

Before choosing a real estate agent, take these characteristics into consideration…Track RecordYour agent should have a proven record that meets your needs.Digital PresenceAgents must show their online strategy for reaching targeted buyers so that sellers gets results.NetworkA successful agent is plugged into the market on local and global levels.Communication and ServiceAgents should save time, demonstrate integrity and respect your privacy while providing personalized service.Staging and Des...

Youve probably seen thousands of ads for Geico or Aflac on television talking about the latest savings you can get for car insurance. But how often do you see companies talking about lowering your home insurance? Probably not regularly.Obviously, people know they need home insurance. But typically, those who own homes dont understand the policies the same way that they would their car insurance, and thats why many people pay more than they need to.Typically, a policy will cover the actual dwelli...

No one likes a crumby car seat or a dashboard covered in dust. But as our lives get busier, it seems our cars get dirtier. Below are tips for keeping your car cleaner.Install a “no-eat” policy. This may be hard for those of us who practically live out of our cars, but by not eating in your vehicle, you will naturally reduce the level of mess inside.Add a trash bag. Hang a small bag in your car to place receipts and paper trash in. Empty the bag once a week.Carry a cleaning kit. Keep a rag an...

Heres how to revamp your garage to take your home to the next level.Start With the FloorsPorcelain tile is the perfect surface as it combines an elegant appearance with durability.Look to the LightsIf you want to really show off your cars, quality lighting is essential.Lift it upA car lift is an exciting way to, quite literally, take your parking situation to new heights.Doors MatterMatching your garage doors to your homes architectural style creates a cohesive design.Take it for a SpinWhen you ...

Online security breaches where retailers are hacked and customers credit card information is stolen are becoming a regular part of the news cycle.Cybercriminals can sell the data online to other criminals, who can then use the information to open bogus accounts in the names of legitimate customers, run up charges on the stolen credit cards and commit other acts of fraud.The going rate for a U.S. credit card number and a software-generated card verification number is worth $5 to $8, according to ...

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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:CashIf 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.St...