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We’ve all been there, money goes in and out every two weeks and it feels impossible to break the cycle of living from one paycheck to the next. But with careful and strategic planning and handling of your finances, it is possible. Coming up with a well thought out and documented plan will help you move away from running out of money every month and toward living on a comfortable budget where you’re saving a down payment. The sooner you start to institute these tips into your lifestyle, the sooner you’ll be saying: Hello new home!
1. Get a handle on your finances: This means write out a budget! If you’re not crunching the numbers, it’s that much easier to over spend. Founder of the savings website MoneySavingMom.com, Crystal Paine, offered this insight, “Don’t start trying to earn more money until you start telling all the money you already have where to go.”
In some cases, a family might not even need to earn more money to wipe out a perceived deficit. It may very well be they have enough money coming in to cover their monthly expenses, but they’re spending it unwisely. “Sometimes it’s not a money problem, it’s a self discipline problem,” Paine said.
2. Reduce spending: So you’ve done the first part. You’ve written out your budget and you’re looking at everything you have to work with. If what you’re seeing is there’s not enough there to make a difference in the finances of your day-to-day, then you have to start cutting spending from your budget.
There are a few ways to do this, but here are some easy approaches you might start with:
-Pack your lunch
-Eat in on nights and weekends
-Turn down the thermostat three to four degrees in the winter
-Combine your errands to save gas
-Eat food at home and start eating less meat — often times it’s the most expensive food you buy at the grocery store
3. Find a way to supplement your income: There are quite a few ways to do this and obviously depending on what your needs are, the solution will vary. Ideas for generating extra income are a little trickier than the cost-cutting options, but pair the two together and you’re on your way to saving up for that new home.
Ideas for increasing income:
-Get a second job, maybe it’s nights or weekends and just a few afternoons a week
-Apply for a promotion or ask for a raise: if the timing is right, it might pay to ask
-Have a garage sale or sell old items on craigslist
-Sell original creations on Etsy, whether it’s handmade baby clothes, knitted scarfs, hand-wrapped jewelry or vintage clothing if you’re the crafty type, this might be the perfect option for you
4. Last, but not least keep your goal alive in your mind: Saving up for a down payment isn’t going to happen over night. Rather, it’s going to be the product of lots of small strategic decisions applied everyday. By keeping your goal alive and visualizing it coming into your future, you’ll remember why your taking extra precautions when times get rough.
Lennar is excited to announce the opening of brand new model collections in Bonita National community located in Bonita Springs, FL. This luxurious community is known for its stunning golf course that provides residents with the ultimate golfing experience. Life at Bonita National will give you everything you need right in your own backyard.
A special Social Membership is included in every Lennar Estate, Executive and Manor home purchase in Bonita National. You’ll have access to a state-of-the-art fitness facility, 8 lighted clay tennis courts, and even a spin room to enjoy a great workout. You will also be able to experience paradise at the resort-style pool and spa located at the Clubhouse. Don’t forget about the outdoor restaurant and bar, where you can enjoy days and nights filled with endless entertainment!
The brand new model collections that are now open include the Estate Homes, Executive Homes, and Manor Homes, which all have quick-move in homes available!
Priced from the low $400,000’s, Manor Homes features an array of choices for buyers. Homes range from 2,245 to 3,828 square feet, four to six bedrooms, and two to four-and-half bathrooms. All Manor homes have a three car garage included.
Estate Homes are from approximately 2,394 square feet and the homes are priced from the mid $500,000’s. Estate Homes offers seven unique floor plans to choose from, making it easy for you to find the right home to fit your style. With three to five bedrooms and two to four-and-a-half bathrooms, these homes offer great space for the entire family.
Priced from the mid $300,000’s, the Executive Homes feature an inspiring and prestigious lifestyle here in Southwest Florida. Buyers will have four beautiful home floor plans to choose from ranging from 1,649 to 2,835 square feet, two to three bedrooms and two to four bathrooms.
Each home in these brand new model collections are part of Lennar’s Everything’s Included® program. This program offers new homeowners luxurious features and upgrades at no additional cost when purchasing a new Lennar home. Features like Frigidaire Professional® stainless steel appliances, granite-slab kitchen countertops, smart home automation, energy-efficient features, water-smart fixtures are just a few of the upgrades you can include in your new home.
This community is selling from the Bonita National Welcome Home Center located at 28517 Westmeath Ct. in Bonita Springs, FL. For more information visit us at Lennar.com or call (888) 214-1380.
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
Naples, FL.—July 2016—One of the nation’s largest homebuilders, Lennar, has brand new Classic Homes open in their Treviso Bay community located in the Naples area. This resort-style community offers luxurious estate homes with a leisure lifestyle for residents, providing the perfect place to call home. The residents at Treviso Bay enjoy an array of amenities including the Villa Rilassare Clubhouse featuring pool-side dining and a resort-style pool. For all the avid golfers out there, this community also features a unique TPC (Tournament Players Club) status that you will really appreciate.
Lennar Classic Homes are true to their name, offering homes that feature a classical architectural style nestled in this stunning community. Two new models, Lantana and Laurel, are now open, priced from the low $800’s and ranging from 3,500 to 3,659 square feet. These models provide a perfect retreat for relaxation and entertainment space for the family
The Lantana is a two-story model featuring a sanctuary of luxury in 3,500 square feet of living space. This four bedroom, three-bathroom home, with large living and family rooms is priced from the low $800,000’s. The second floor offers a bonus room, ideal for a media or playroom. This home also includes a 3-car garage accented by a welcoming paver entrance.
The Laurel model is a two-story home that combines luxury and versatility with its spacious bedrooms and open family room for gatherings. Giving approximately 3,659 square feet of living space, this three bedroom, four-bathroom layout provides a luxurious space for you and your family to enjoy. Priced from the high $800,000’s, this home also features an outdoor winter kitchen for year round entertainment and fun.
Each Lennar home comes filled with luxurious upgrades that homebuyers love at no extra cost thanks to the Everything’s Included® program. With Everything’s included®, your dream features are already included making it easy to find the Lennar home that’s right for you. Lennar homeowners can enjoy top-notch features such as stainless steel appliances, tiled flooring, granite kitchen countertops, smart home door locks, and so much more!
Treviso Bay’s Welcome Home center is located at 9004 Tamiami Trail East. For more information on this community, visit http://www.lennar.com/new-homes/florida/naples-ft-myers/naples/treviso-bay/classic-homes.
For more information on new homes in the Naples/Ft. Meyers area, visit http://www.lennar.com/new-homes/florida/naples-ft-myers
With hundreds of communities nationwide and homes designed for first-time, move-up and luxury homebuyers, Lennar has grown to become one of the nation’s leading and most respected homebuilders and proudly remains steadfast in their commitment toward quality, value and integrity. Lennar has a longstanding history of building exceptional homes in only the most well planned and desirable locations throughout the country.
Whether you know it or not, your pantry is most likely home to a variety of useful cleaning tricks. These 10 quick tricks from BrightNest will help you put the items in your pantry to a variety of cleaning and organizing uses.
Have a beautiful bouquet of flowers that are showing some signs of wilting? Add a dash of salt to the water in the vase – the salt is essentially food for the flowers and prevents bacteria growth.
Add a teaspoon of black pepper to your wash to keep brights staying bright. Pepper naturally prevents colors from running in the wash.
Whether you’re frying fish or baking it in the oven, the odor can linger after a meal, and that’s not always a good thing. Simmer a pot of boiling water on your stovetop and then add 3-4 tea bags into the boiling water to rid your kitchen of the smell. Pro Tip: You can also rinse your hands with cold tea after preparing the meal to help eliminate odors.
This is a great trick if you’re hosting a party and expect to have fresh fruit on the table. Sprinkle a few drops of lemon juice on the cut halves to prevent browning. No lemon juice handy? This can also work using citrus soda!
Have leftover coffee? Take a cotton swab and dab it on old coffee grounds. Then, dab it on dark wood furniture – it will help hide white scuff marks.
Keep your old paper towel holders for bracelets, bangles and belt storage. Slide your bracelets onto the towel holder, or use it to wrap your belts and keep them in place.
[Find out all 10 tricks here.]
