PDX Renovations

Author: joseph

  • Christmas Bills Lead to Debt

    Did you know that this time of year is infamous for getting consumers into debt. No surprise, huh. Christmas bills lead to debt all year long. Many of us feel the pressure to buy presents for loved ones, friends and co-workers  and overspend our budget, sometimes by thousands of dollars. Consumers go into debt on average of $2000 to $4000 each Christmas and then spend most of the new year trying to pay it off. When credit card companies charge upwards of 25% interest, consumers will be paying hundreds of dollars in interest. So here are some things to think about for the upcoming year. If you haven’t already done your shopping, think smart. The Christmas spending cycle has to stop somewhere, so why not make a change this December and give yourself a break in 2015.

    Here are some helpful tips from financial planners on Christmas spending.

    • Budgeting and planning ahead is the number one key to success. Set an attainable goal of what you put away each month for the following Christmas. Budget out what to spend and when and you’ll avoid costly Credit card bills later.
    • Cut back on Christmas spending. Make a reasonable list and stick to it. Don’t fall for “Black Friday” deals on things you really don’t need.
    • Make your list early and start before the Christmas rush. Keeping on budget is much easier when you have plenty of time to plan.
    • Don’t spend more than you have. This is an easy one, but Consumers fall into the spending trap each year because of TV advertisements, special incentives from stores and credit cards. The entire season has become about “spending” When in fact, we should be “spending” TIME with loved ones and friends.
    • Change your perception of the holidays. It’s not all about the presents. It’s about the joy of the season.
    • Think homemade gifts or special things you can do for someone, without breaking the bank.
    • Random acts of kindness can be worth so much more than a wrapped present that most likely will sit on a shelf gathering dust or adding to the Christmas “10” lbs Americans on average gain each Season.

    Spend wisely and save yourself the horrible January bills.

    **Already in Debt and don’t know where to turn? Do you have a rental house or vacant home, even an inherited home you weren’t intending on owning? Do you need to sell for cash today? Fill out our sell fast form and get a cash offer within 1 hour of us viewing the property.  https://patient-liger-dev.10web.site/how-we-buy/

  • Security and Safety for your home

    Extra Security and Safety during the holidays

     

         Holiday Season Security and Safety. Break-ins, vandalism and fires: It’s all over the news this time of year and it’s something that can easily be avoided by taking extra precautions this year with your home and your personal security. During a time of joy and peace among men, its sad but true that the holidays bring out the worst in some people. Whether it’s greed or desperation, home break-ins skyrocket during the holidays. People are traveling more, buying valuable presents and storing them in their homes. Predators are just waiting to break into your home and steal whatever they can find, sometimes even presents under the tree.

        Vacant homes this time of year also suffer vandalism, break-ins and the all so troubling squatter problem we see in the Portland metro area year round. Vacant homes are just too tempting. Sometimes they are boarded up, lights and water have been shut off, but that won’t deter someone who is desperate for a roof over their head or a “warmer” place to sleep other than in an alley or a downtown park. Same can go for your occupied home if you are gone for long periods of time. You’d be surprised at how bold and unwavering a desperate criminal can be when they have nothing left to lose. Vacant homes are also more susceptible to fires because of these vandals who will sometimes stop at nothing to get warm.

          Of course, selling your vacant home would be a solution to a lot of your problems, and if you are contemplating that choice please give us a call (or fill out our sell fast form:  https://patient-liger-dev.10web.site/how-we-buy/ and see what we can do for you, but if it’s not the right time, please make sure you take these extra precautions this holiday season not only for your security, but for the safety of your family.

    • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
    • When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
    • Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
    • Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
    • Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
    • When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
    • Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
    • If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
    • Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.

     

  • New Year’s Resolutions you can keep

    Thinking ahead to the new year?

    It’s that time of year again to make a list and check it twice and then when Christmas is over, start your new year’s resolutions. It’s a great time to look back on the year, ponder our decisions, forgive ourselves for our mistakes and think about what we’d do differently in 2015.

    Most people’s first thought is to get rid of bad habits. Quit smoking, give ourselves a break from alcohol, junk food, Starbucks daily, carbs…whatever your vice is. Or the number one resolution, get in shape! Gym memberships soar in January due to New year’s resolutions. Every year millions of people decide it’s time to lose weight, get in a good workout routine, and start feeling great. 80% of those same people will cancel their memberships by March.

    So how about this year concentrating on getting out of debt. Paying off credit cards, car loans, and consolidating other debts. Again, it’s a new year’s resolution that millions of people make each January, yet many never follow through on.

    Here are some tips to stick to your new year’s resolutions and get yourself out of debt for good, because who wouldn’t want a new start to the new year?

    • Think small. Baby steps. Rome wasn’t built in a day, so make your goals attainable and you are much more likely to stay on track. Don’t say you are going to lose 50lbs in three months. Give yourself a reasonable amount of time. Or start really positively and retune your thoughts…how about just starting to work out. Doctors recommend 20minutes of good cardio just 4 times a week, so start small and you will see better results without the usual burnout.
    • Credit cards. Get your Credit in shape! Check your credit score online. There are plenty of sites now that will give you your score without a fee. Knowing your credit rating is important and this coming year, make it a goal to see that number rise. By making small changes in your spending habits, you can make a big difference. Pick which ones you want to pay off, make a good budget and stick to it. Cut up the ones you wish to pay off, cancel them even to avoid the yearly service charge and then you won’t be tempted to use them while paying them off.
    • If your goal is to quit smoking or drinking or using tobacco. Don’t go cold turkey on January first. Give yourself a chance to succeed. Make a goal of cutting back. Smoking one less cigarette a day can be hugely beneficial to your health. Or contact your doctor or pharmacist.  Check out the options. It’s hard to give up a bad habit and if you set yourself up for failure, you’ll just end up backsliding and guilt will build and you’ll be back in old habits before St. Patty’s day!
    • Finally, let’s talk downsizing! A new year can mean a new fresh start. Clean out the garage and all those closets. Get rid of the old and donate to the needy. I’m sure we all have that “closet” that stores things we haven’t used in years and now, (after the holidays with all those new gifts), is the perfect time to clean it out and donate. And if you do it before Jan. 1st, you can write off your donations on your taxes. An old adage to go by is if you haven’t used it in a year, then it’s time for it to go.

     

    So, are you holding onto a house that you no longer have a need for? Perhaps the kids left for college and it’s just the two of you milling around in all that space. Space that just costs you money to heat and clean and upkeep. Consider a fast “CASH” sale. Visit the rest of our website and see what we can do for you in 2015 to help you attain your New Year’s Resolutions! www.pdxrenovations.com