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If you owe creditors who keep calling asking you for money, you should think twice. Not about paying. But, about trying to negotiate your debt.
Before you hand them one penny, this is the time to put collections to work for you. Sometimes, you can cut the amount you owe by at least HALF just by offering a lump-sum payment. If that doesn’t work for you, consider negotiating a payment amount you can afford. Of course, you need to make sure that the payment does not negatively affect your budget.
The one thing you must remember is that their debt is not your top priority. No matter what they say.
Read More:
HOW TO NEGOTIATE WITH CREDITORS
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
There is a law called the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This law provides rights to consumers regarding debt collection. The law also advises consumers as to the things which creditors and debt collection companies can and can not do.
Understanding and knowing these rights helps keep you in control and not falling victim to illegal practices. Things you need to know include:
Debt collectors can not use the phone to annoy you. That means that they can not call you several times a day, all week long to try to collect the debt.
They can not use vulgar language nor threaten you in any way. While they may get forceful, they can not they threaten to have you arrested, swear at you nor bully you. They also can not threaten you with violence. If they start to act this way, let them know that the way they are treating you is illegal. Advise them that you will hang up and not speak with them until they can do so with respect.
They must call during decent hours. Collection agencies are not allowed to contact you at inconvenient hours (such as before 8 am or after 9 pm or even on weekends). Also, they can not call you at your employer if you tell them that is not acceptable. If you have hired an attorney, then all calls must be directed to him or her. They are no longer allowed to contact you directly.
They must disclose all of the details about the debt. When you receive a call, the company must let you know the name of the creditor. They must also advise you of the amount of the debt. Finally, they need to disclose the manner in which you can verify the outstanding balance. If they do not do so on the phone, you must be notified in writing within five days of the initial call.
They can’t threaten legal action (without permission). Your creditor MUST permit the collection company to threaten legal action. Most creditors do not want to even go that route due to the added expense it entails.
Debt collectors can not falsely represent themselves. When contacted, collectors are not allowed to misrepresent themselves to get you to pay the debt. This can include claiming to be an attorney, government agency or even credit reporting agency.
They cannot publish your name and debts. They may threaten that this information will be made public, but it will not. They can only report the details to the credit agencies.
Your property can not be seized, nor wages garnished. They can not claim that this will happen to you. It can, of course, but only in the instance of actual legal action. This is something most creditors do not even want to pursue.
Contact you once you have asked them not to. You can write to a debt collector advising them that they are no longer allowed to contact you. They are allowed to send a final letter confirming this. Then, they can not contact you in any way, unless it involves legal action.
If you have an instance of any of these situations, you need to report the company immediately for unfair practices, which go against the law.
BE IN CONTROL
When you get a call from a debt collector, they are often pushy and demanding. Why? Well, they get a commission on the debt they collect. So, of course, they want to try to scare you into paying it all in full. Not only that, since they do not get any money until you pay, they will keep going on and on.
Also, keep in mind and know your rights (above) so that you can voice that to the agency if they start to push the limits. That alone shows them that you know what they can and can not do and that you will not be a victim.
Make sure that you inform them that you can not make the payment in full and there is no way that you can. This will open the door to allowing you to negotiate your debt.
NEGOTIATE LIKE A PRO
When you negotiate your debt, it is a great way pay less than what you owe! Once you know that the company is willing to negotiate the balance due, start by making an offer well below what you can afford. Doing so allows you room to increase what you will pay – without paying more than you need to. Then, do nothing.
Example:
YOU: “I will pay you $0.30 on the dollar?” THEM: “We want $0.75 on the dollar.” YOU: Silence. Say nothing. Wait.
Make them budge first. Once they come back with another lower offer, you now have the upper hand and are more likely to get a payment amount you can afford (perhaps even less than you want).
Why does this work? Debt collectors pay PENNIES on the dollar for debts. That means that they will make a profit on any payment made – even if it is 50% or less than the original amount owed.
GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING
Once you’ve agreed to an amount, it is essential that you get it all in writing. Keep detailed records of the call and the amount. Some of the information you should write down includes:
Date.
Time.
Name of person (and badge number if applicable).
Original debt owed.
New agreed to terms.
The thing to keep in mind is that most debt collectors are not going to be in a hurry to get this to you. That means you may need to draft an agreement and mail it to them.
What should be in your agreement? You need to include all of the above details. It should also include wording advising that once you pay the debt, they agree to report that to all of the three credit reporting agencies. The agreement should also provide a time in which they must respond to dispute the terms and that failure to respond at all, means they agree with what you have sent to them.
Make sure you retain copies of any and all letters between you and the company. You need to have proof of the discussions should the need arise.
PAY AS AGREED
Once you have agreed to the terms, it is imperative that you pay as indicated. If they included a new monthly payment, make sure you pay on time.
If you do not pay on time or by the agreed upon date, you have instantly broken the terms of the agreement, and it can be considered null and void. Many times, you will not get the same deal if you try to negotiate again. In fact, they may not even agree to any lowered rate.
It is not fun to deal with collections, but you can do it. Just know your rights, and how to negotiate your debt and you’ll be in control of eliminating that debt once and for all.
The second quarter of the housing market is experiencing a unique set of circumstances that are shaping the real estate landscape. The housing market traditionally experiences heightened activity during the second quarter, with increased listings, buyer interest and home sales. However, a combination of factors such as higher mortgage rates, inflation, rising home prices, lower inventory levels and recent bank collapses have contributed to a sense of uncertainty among purchasers and sellers alike.
This prevailing hesitancy is reflected in the market, as potential buyers adopt a more cautious approach when it comes to making real estate decisions and sellers adapt their strategies to current market conditions.
High mortgage rates, low affordability result in low buyer enthusiasm
The ongoing situation with high mortgage rates has resulted in a decrease in buyer enthusiasm in the real estate market. During the first quarter, 30-year fixed mortgage rates fluctuated between 6.1% and 6.7%. Experts predict that these rates will continue to vary between 6% and 7% throughout the rest of the second quarter.
The affordability gap continues to widen, making it more challenging for buyers, especially first-time buyers with limited equity, to enter the market.
If the trend of high rates continues, it is possible that home prices may lower as the year progresses. This could occur as sellers adjust their expectations to align with the changing market conditions, giving buyers slightly more leverage.
When mortgage rates eventually do drop, it often leads to increased activity from buyers who had been waiting on the sidelines, hoping for more favorable interest rates.
Inventory remains tight
During the pandemic, one of the main factors contributing to the steep rise in home prices was the limited housing supply. Although inventory levels have increased compared to this same time last year, they are still only about half of what would be considered a balanced market. The rise in inventory can be attributed to homes taking longer to sell once they are listed, as well as a decrease in the number of new listings entering the market.
This article is part of our ongoing 2023Housing Market Update series that wraps with a virtual event that brings together some of the top housing experts. The event provides an in-depth look at the top predictions for this year, along with a roundtable discussion on how these insights apply to your business. To register for the on demand version, go here.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the inventory of unsold existing homes reached 1.04 million at the end of April 2023, equivalent to approximately 2.9 months’ supply. Further, the ongoing “lock-in effect,” which continues to discourage households with advantageous mortgage rates — over 70% of borrowers — from listing their homes. This phenomenon is contributing to the limited housing supply, and it is unlikely to change unless mortgage rates decrease in the current quarter.
Despite these challenges, there is an opportunity for homebuilders in the market. With buyers facing fewer choices in the resale market, many are turning to newly constructed homes, resulting in an unexpected boost in business for homebuilders. Builders are capitalizing on this trend by developing more spec homes and offering additional incentives such as rate buydowns, which are not typically available on existing homes.
Homebuilders are also targeting first-time buyers who are frustrated by the tight housing market. Some companies are strategically building in less expensive areas and reducing the size of their builds to address issues of affordability. These efforts aim to capture the attention of buyers and provide them with viable options in a challenging market.
Future outlook
While the current market conditions have resulted in decreased buyer enthusiasm and intensified competition, experts remain cautiously optimistic about the housing market rebounding. Adjustments in seller expectations and potential drops in mortgage rates could create more favorable conditions for buyers. Additionally, the opportunities for homebuilders to cater to changing buyer preferences and address affordability issues provide hope for a more balanced and dynamic housing market in the future.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HousingWire’s editorial department and its owners.
To contact the author responsible for this story:
Russ Stephens at [email protected]
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Brena Nath at [email protected]
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Have you ever gone over your budget only to find you’ve overspent on food? With food being the third-highest household expense behind housing and transportation, our food choices have a huge impact on our budget.
Learning how to budget groceries can help you save more to put toward your financial goals. Here are 28 ways to help you learn how to budget groceries.
1. Track current spending
Before you figure out what you should be spending on food, it’s important to figure out what you are spending on food. Keep grocery store receipts to get a realistic picture of your current spending habits. It might help to break down spending by category (via a spreadsheet or on paper), including beverages, produce, etc. Once you’ve done this, you can get an idea of where you need to trim down your grocery bill.
2. Allocate a percentage of your income
How much each household spends on food varies based on income and how many people need to be fed. Consider using our budget calculator if you’re not sure where to start. Try allocating 10% of your income to food as a starting point and then you can increase from there.
3. Avoid eating out
Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 13% increase in food spending in the U.S. — a jump driven by rising purchases on dining out. Avoiding eating out where possible can help reduce your overall food spending. If you’re actively dating or enjoy restaurants with friends, be sure to factor eating away from home into your food budget — and stick to your limit.
4. Plan your meals
It’s much easier to stick to a budget when you have a plan. Plus, having a purpose for each grocery item you buy may help ensure nothing goes to waste or just sits in your pantry unused. Don’t be afraid of simple salads or meatless Mondays — not every meal has to be a gourmet experience.
5. Keep a fridge grocery list
Keep a magnetized grocery list on your fridge so that you can replace items as needed. This can help you buy food you know you’ll eat. Sticking to a list in the grocery store may help you stay accountable and not spend money on processed or pricey items.
6. Eat before you go to the store
If your mother gave you this advice growing up, she was onto something: according to studies, shoppers spend more when hungry. Eating before going to the grocery store may help you avoid tantalizing foods that can cause you to go overbudget.
7. Be careful with coupons
Getting 50% off ketchup is a great deal — unless you don’t need ketchup. Beware of coupons for items you don’t need. If the item isn’t on your list, you’re not saving at all, but rather spending on something you don’t truly need.
8. Embrace the bulk section
The bulk section of your grocery store may help you find inexpensive staples, discover new foods and bring variety into your diet. Take the time to compare the price of prepackaged goods versus bulk — bulk is likely cheaper.
9. Bring lunch to work
Picture this: you’re trying to stick to a food budget, and one day at work you realize it’s lunchtime but you forgot to pack a lunch. All the meal planning and smart shopping in the world won’t help if you don’t have food when you need it.
10. Love your leftovers
Instead of throwing your leftovers away, try to eat them to avoid wasting money. To keep things interesting, look for ways to repurpose foods — yesterday’s leftover taco meat can become today’s shepherd’s pie.
11. Keep an inventory
Keeping a list on your fridge of what you have on hand can help you avoid food waste and get creative when meal planning. And it’s a great way to get the most use out of grocery items that are sold larger quantities than you need for a single recipe. Not sure what to do with that giant bunch of celery or box of spinach you have left over from another recipe? Try out some online recipe blogs or sites that offer recipe ideas based off a few ingredients you input.
12. Freeze foods that are going bad
Another way to avoid wasting food is to freeze things that look like they’re about to go bad. Fruit that’s past its prime can be frozen and used in smoothies. Make double batches of soups, sauces and baked goods so you’ll have an alternative to ordering takeout when you don’t feel like cooking.
13. Use curbside pickup
About 29% of shoppers admitted that seeing an item that looked too good to pass up led to impulse purchases. Using curbside pickup can help prevent you from purchasing unplanned items.
14. Check the top and bottom shelves
Wise grocery stores know that eye level is where the most sales happen. In fact, consumers select about 80% more products at eye level than at the bottom shelf. So next time you’re out shopping, take a quick look up and down — you may find a better deal hidden out of sight.
Additional grocery saving tips
Need more ideas on how to save on your food bill? Here are some additional tips that can help.
Choose generic — One survey found that 50% of people said opting for generic products over name brand helped them save on groceries.
Drink more water — Recent data found that 17% of consumers cut back on purchasing beverages at the store due to rising inflation. Drinking more water may help you save what you would’ve otherwise spent on beverages.
Pay with cash — Try going to the grocery store with cash — and only what you’ve budgeted for. Leave your credit or debit card at home. After all, you can’t spend what you can’t pay for.
Buy what’s in season — Food prices can vary depending on whether they are in season or not. When foods are out of season, they may be scarce — and therefore more expensive. Try to stick to buying foods that are in season.
Grow your own herbs — Herbs at your local grocery store might sometimes be expensive. Growing your own is one way to cut back on your grocery bill.
Plan a meatless meal — Beef prices increased for three years straight from 2020 to 2022, and the USDA predicts other meat categories will rise in price in 2023. By planning a meatless meal every so often, you may be able to save some money on your grocery bill.
Buy cheaper cuts of meat — Not all cuts of meat cost the same. You may be able to save money by choosing chicken thighs over chicken breasts, ground chuck over sirloin and pork loin over pork chops.
Ask for a discount — This won’t always work, but if you notice your food is close to expiring, ask the cashier for a discount. You may be able to save yourself a few dollars.
Learn how to preserve food — If you have some fruit that’s going bad in your home, you may be able to preserve it by making and canning jam. Hopefully the more food you can save in your home, the less you’ll need to buy at the store.
Keep a running tally while you shop — Jotting down the prices of items you put in your cart or quickly crunching the numbers in your phone’s calculator can help you stay more aware of how much you’re spending.
Buy canned food — Canned food is often less expensive than fresh foods, so buying canned could stretch your food budget.
Shop sales — If you notice a food you often eat goes on sale, stock up if you have room in your budget. While you may spend more than you normally would up front, you’ll save yourself from having to purchase the item at full price in the future.
Use rebate apps — Some apps provide cash back on certain purchases. Check to see if the items you need to buy at your next shopping trip may qualify.
Sign up for your store’s loyalty program — Some grocery stores have points or loyalty programs that can provide you with extra discounts when you shop.
Bottom line
Sticking to a food budget can take planning and discipline. However, learning how to budget groceries by being resourceful and cooking healthily is a skill that can benefit you for years to come.
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47k salary is a solid hourly wage when you think about it.
When you get your first job and you are making just above minimum wage making over $47,000 a year seems like it would provide amazing opportunities for you. Right?
The median household income is $68,703 in 2019 and increased by 6.8% from the previous year (source). Think of it as a bell curve with $68K at the top; the median means half of the population makes less than that and half makes more money.
The average income in the U.S. is $48,672 for a 40-hour workweek; that is an increase of 4% from the previous year (source). That means if you take everyone’s income and divided the money out evenly between all of the people.
But, the question remains can you truly live off 47,000 per year in today’s society since it is below both the average and median household incomes. The question you want to ask all of your friends is $47000 per year a good salary.
In this post, we are going to dive into everything that you need to know about a $47000 salary including hourly pay and a sample budget on how to spend and save your money.
These key facts will help you with money management and learn how much per hour $47k is as well as what you make per month, weekly, and biweekly.
Just like with any paycheck, it seems like money quickly goes out of your account to cover all of your bills and expenses, and you are left with a very small amount remaining. You may be disappointed that you were not able to reach your financial goals and you are left wondering…
Can I make a living on this salary?
$47000 a year is How Much an Hour?
When jumping from an hourly job to a salary for the first time, it is helpful to know how much is 47k a year hourly. That way you can decide whether or not the job is worthwhile for you.
$47000 a year is $22.60 per hour
Breakdown Of How Much Is 47k A Year Hourly
Let’s breakdown, how that 47000 salary to hourly number is calculated.
For our calculations to figure out how much is 47K salary hourly, we used the average five working days of 40 hours a week.
Typically, the average workweek is 40 hours and you can work 52 weeks a year. Take 40 hours times 52 weeks and that equals 2,080 working hours. Then, divide the yearly salary of $47000 by 2,080 working hours and the result is $22.60 per hour.
47000 salary / 2080 hours = $22.60 per hour
Just above $22 an hour.
Key Points….
That number is the gross hourly income before taxes, insurance, 401K, or anything else is taken out. Net income is how much you deposit into your bank account.
You must check with your employer on how they plan to pay you. For those on salary, typically companies pay on a monthly, semi-monthly, biweekly, or weekly basis.
Just an interesting note… if you were to increase your annual salary by $5K, it would increase your hourly wage to over $25 an hour – a difference of $2.40 per hour.
To break it down – 52000 salary / 2080 hours = $25.00 per hour
That difference will help you fund your savings account; just remember every dollar adds up.
How Much is $47K salary Per Month?
On average, the monthly amount would be $3,917.
Annual Salary of $47000 ÷ 12 months = $3917 per month
This is how much you make a month if you get paid 47000 a year.
$47k a year is how much a week?
This is a great number to know! How much do I make each week? When I roll out of bed and do my job of $47k salary a year, how much can I expect to make at the end of the week for my effort?
Once again, the assumption is 40 hours worked.
Annual Salary of$47000/52 weeks = $904 per week.
$47000 a year is how much biweekly?
For this calculation, take the average weekly pay of $904 and double it.
This depends on how many hours you work in a day. For this example, we are going to use an eight-hour workday.
8 hours x 52 weeks = 260 working days
Annual Salary of$47000 / 260 working days = $180 per day
If you work a 10 hour day on 208 days throughout the year, you make $226 per day.
$47000 Salary is…
$47000 – Full Time
Total Income
Yearly Salary (52 weeks)
$47,000
Monthly Wage
$3,917
Weekly Pay (40 Hours)
$904
Bi-Weekly Pay (80 Hours)
$1,808
Daily Wage (8 Hours)
$180
Daily Wage (10 Hours)
$226
Hourly Wage
$22.60
Net Estimated Monthly Income
$2,990
Net Estimated Hourly Income
$17.25
**These are assumptions based on simple scenarios.
47k a year is how much an hour after taxes
Income taxes is one of the biggest culprits of reducing your take-home pay as well as FICA and Social Security. This is a true fact across the board with an all salary range up to $142,800.
When you make below the average household income, the amount of taxes taken out hurts your hourly wage.
Every single tax situation is different.
On the basic level, let’s assume a 12% federal tax rate and a 4% state rate. Plus a percentage is taken out for Social Security and Medicare (FICA) of 7.65%.
So, how much an hour is 47000 a year after taxes?
Gross Annual Salary: $47,000
Federal Taxes of 12%: $5,640
State Taxes of 4%: $1,880
Social Security and Medicare of 7.65%: $3,595
$47k Per Year After Taxes is $35,884
This would be your net annual salary after taxes.
To turn that back into an hourly wage, the assumption is working 2,080 hours.
$35884 ÷ 2,080 hours = $17.25 per hour
After estimated taxes and FICA, you are netting $32,830 per year, which is $10,170 per year less than what you expect.
***This is a very high-level example and can vary greatly depending on your personal situation and potential deductions. Therefore, here is a great tool to help you figure out how much your net paycheck would be.***
In addition, if you live in a heavily taxed state like California or New York, then you have to pay way more money than somebody that lives in a no tax state like Texas or Florida. This is the debate of HCOL vs LCOL.
Thus, your yearly gross $47000 income can range from $32124 to $37765 depending on your state income taxes.
That is why it is important to realize the impact income taxes can have on your take home pay. It is one of those things that you should acknowledge and obviously you need to pay taxes. But, it can also put a huge dent in your ability to live the lifestyle you want on a $47,000 income.
47k salary lifestyle
Every person reading this post has a different upbringing and a different belief system about money. Therefore, what would be a lavish lifestyle to one person, maybe a frugal lifestyle to another person. And there’s no wrong or right, it is what works best for you.
One of the biggest factors to consider is your cost of living.
In another post, we detailed the differences between living in an HCOL vs LCOL vs MCOL area. When you live in big cities, trying to maintain your lifestyle of $47,000 a year is going to be much more difficult because your basic expenses, housing, transportation, food, and clothing are going to be much more expensive than you would find in a lower cost area.
To stretch your dollar further in the high cost of living area, you would have to probably live cheap and prioritize where you want to spend money and where you do not. Whereas, if you live in a low cost of living area, you can live a much more lavish lifestyle because the cost of living is less. Thus, you have more fun spending left in your account each month.
As we noted earlier in the post, $47,000 a year is below the average income that you would find in the United States. Thus, you have to be wise with how you spend your money.
What a $47,000 lifestyle will buy you:
If you are debt free and utilize smart money management skills, then you are able to enjoy the lifestyle you want.
Have some fun money in your budget.
You are able to rent in a decent neighborhood in LCOL and maybe a MCOL city.
You should be able to meet your expenses each and every month.
Participate in the 200 envelope challenge.
Ability to make sure that saving money is a priority, and very possibly save $3000 in 52 weeks.
When A $47,000 Salary Will Hold you Back:
However, if you are riddled with debt or unable to break the paycheck to paycheck cycle, then living off of 47k a year is going to be pretty darn difficult.
There are two factors that will keep holding you back:
You must pay off debt and cut all fun spending and extra expenses.
Break the paycheck to paycheck cycle.
It is possible to get ahead with money!
It just comes with proper money management skills and a desire to have less stress around money. That is a winning combination regardless of your income level.
$47k Salary to Hourly
We calculated how much $47,000 a year is how much an hour with 40 hours a week. But, more than likely, you work more or fewer hours per week.
So, here is a handy calculator to figure out your exact hourly salary wage.
$47K a year Budget – Example
As always, here at Money Bliss, we focus on covering our basic expenses plus saving and giving first, and then our goal is to eliminate debt. The rest of the money leftover is left for fun spending.
If you want to know how to manage 47k salary the best, then this is a prime example for you to compare your spending.
You can compare your budget to the ideal household budget percentages.
recommended budget percentages based on $47000 a year salary:
Category
Ideal Percentages
Sample Monthly Budget
Giving
10%
$274
Savings
15-25%
$705
Housing
20-30%
$1018
Utilities
4-7%
$157
Groceries
5-12%
$313
Clothing
1-4%
$24
Transportation
4-10%
$157
Medical
5-12%
$196
Life Insurance
1%
$12
Education
1-4%
$12
Personal
2-7%
$35
Recreation / Entertainment
3-8%
$88
Debts
0% – Goal
$0
Government Tax (including Income Tatumx, Social Security & Medicare)
15-25%
$926
Total Gross Monthly Income
$3917
**In this budget, prioritization was given to basic expenses and no debt.
Is $47,000 a year a Good Salary?
As we stated earlier if you are able to make $47,000 a year, that is a decent salary. You are making more money than the minimum wage and close to double in many cities.
While 47000 is a good salary starting out in your working years. It is a salary that you want to increase before your expenses go up or the people you provide for increase.
However, too many times people get stuck in the lifestyle trap of trying to keep up with the Joneses, and their lifestyle desires get out of hand compared to their salary. It is okay to be driving around a beater car while you work on increasing your salary.
This $47k salary would be considered a lower middle class salary. This salary is something that you can live on if you are wise with money.
Check: Are you in the middle class?
In fact, this income level in the United States has enough buying power to put you in the top 95 percentile globally for per person income (source).
The question you need to ask yourself with your 47k salary is:
Am I maxed at the top of my career?
Is there more income potential?
What obstacles do I face if I want to try to increase my income?
In the future years and with possible inflation, in many modest cities 47k a year will not be a good salary because the cost of living is so high, whereas these are some of the cities where you can make a comfortable living at 47,000 per year.
If you are looking for a career change, you want to find jobs paying at least $55000 a year.
Is 47k a good salary for a Single Person?
Simply put, yes.
You can stretch your salary much further because you are only worried about your own expenses. A single person will spend much less than if you need to provide for someone else.
Learn exactly what is a good salary for a single person today.
Your living expenses and ideal budget are much less. Thus, you can live extremely comfortably on $47000 per year.
And… most of us probably regret how much money wasted when we were single. Oh well, lesson learned.
Is 47k a good salary for a family?
Many of the same principles apply above on whether $47000 is a good salary. The main difference with a family, you have more people to provide for than when you are single or have just one other person in your household.
The costs of raising children are high and will steeply cut into your income. As you can tell this is a huge dent in your income, specifically $12,980 annually per child.
That means that amount of money is coming out of the income that you earned.
So, the question really remains is can you provide a good life for your family making $47,000 a year? This is the hardest part because each family has different choices, priorities, and values.
More or less, it comes down to two things:
The location where you live in.
Your lifestyle choices.
You can live comfortably as a family on this salary, but you will not be able to afford everything.
Many times when raising a family, it is helpful to have a dual-income household. That way you are able to provide the necessary expenses if both parties were making 47000 per year, then the combined income for the household would be $94,000. Thus making your combined salary a very good income.
Learn how much money a family of 4 needs in each state.
Can you Live on $47000 Per Year?
As we outlined earlier in the post, $47,000 a year:
$22.60 Per Hour
$180-226 Per Day (depending on length of day worked)
$904 Per Week
$1808 Per Biweekly
$3916 Per Month
Next up is making $50000 a year.
Like anything else in life, you get to decide how to spend, save and give your money.
That is the difference for each person on whether or not you can live a middle-class lifestyle depends on many potential factors. If you live in California or New Jersey you are gonna have a tougher time than in Oklahoma or even Texas.
In addition, if you are early in your career, starting out around 38,000 a year, that is a great place to be getting your career. However, if you have been in your career for over 20 years and still making $47k, then you probably need to look at asking for pay increases, pick up a second job, or find a different career path.
Regardless of the wage that you make, if you are not able to live the lifestyle that you want, then you have to find ways to make it work for you. Everybody has choices to make.
But one of the things that can help you the most is to create a biweekly budget to make sure you stay on track.
Learn exactly how much do I make per year…
One of the best ways to improve your personal finance situation is to increase your income. Here are a variety of side hustles that are very lucrative. With time and effort, you can start enjoying the lifestyle you want.
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Now it’s time to take a look at the top mortgage lenders in Florida based on 2021 volume.
The Sunshine State is the biggest mortgage market outside of California, with about a 7% share of the national market.
In 2021, roughly $350 billion in home loans were originated there during what was a banner year for mortgage lenders.
Let’s take a look at which lenders dominated the state, broken down by different categories.
As I always say, biggest doesn’t necessarily mean best, but it’s good to know who the players are.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Florida (Overall)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$22.4 billion
2.
UWM
$18.6 billion
3.
Wells Fargo
$16.7 billion
4.
Pennymac
$10.6 billion
5.
Chase
$10.1 billion
6.
Freedom Mortgage
$8.7 billion
7.
Caliber Home Loans
$8.5 billion
8.
loanDepot
$7.4 billion
9.
Newrez
$6.9 billion
10.
Truist
$6.5 billion
Unsurprisingly, Rocket Mortgage was the top mortgage lender in the state of Florida last year, per HMDA data visualized by Richey May.
I say that because they are also #1 nationally and have been for a while now.
They are also the top lender in most states throughout the nation, other than a few like Minnesota and Nebraska.
Anyway, Rocket (formerly known as Quicken Loans) managed to fund $22.4 billion in Florida last year, which is about a six percent market share.
Per usual, they beat out their local rival United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), which originated $18.6 billion.
Coming in third was Wells Fargo with $16.7 billion, impressive given their ongoing mortgage scandals.
Big correspondent lender Pennymac, which was created by Countrywide executives, came in fourth with $10.6 billion.
Completing the top five was Chase with $10.1 billion in funded home loans during the year.
Others in the top-10 list included Freedom Mortgage, Caliber Home Loans, loanDepot, Newrez, and BB&T Bank, now known as Truist thanks to their merger with SunTrust.
Unlike the top mortgage lenders in California, only three of the top 10 were depository banks, with the rest nonbank lenders.
That’s an interesting takeaway as lenders will face a much tougher year in 2022 thanks to higher mortgage rates.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Florida (for Home Purchases)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
UWM
$10.3 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$9.6 billion
3.
Chase
$5.5 billion
4.
Caliber Home Loans
$5.3 billion
5.
Rocket Mortgage
$5.2 billion
6.
Pennymac
$5.0 billion
7.
CrossCountry Mortgage
$4.5 billion
8.
U.S. Bank
$3.8 billion
9.
Newrez
$3.4 billion
10.
Amerihome Mortgage
$3.3 billion
Now let’s fine-tune the list to only look at home purchase loans, those reserved for home buyers as opposed to existing homeowners.
Topping this list was UWM, whose $10.3 in home loan volume beat out Wells Fargo’s $9.6 billion.
As seen above, that pair held the second and third spots in the overall list, with Rocket falling out of the top four on this list.
Chase gained a couple spots in the home purchase list, rising to third with $5.5 billion, well below the two heavy hitters.
Similar volume was seen by Caliber Home Loans with $5.3 billion, and Rocket Mortgage with $5.2 billion.
The rest of the best included Pennymac, CrossCountry Mortgage, U.S. Bank, Newrez, and Amerihome Mortgage.
This list will be increasingly important as the mortgage market shifts toward purchase lending.
For context, the refinance share of mortgage applications hit 29.6% last week, per the Mortgage Bankers Association. So lenders will want to focus on purchase business moving forward.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Florida (for Home Refinances)
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$16.8 billion
2.
UWM
$8.3 billion
3.
Freedom Mortgage
$7.1 billion
4.
Wells Fargo
$6.5 billion
5.
Pennymac
$5.6 billion
6.
loanDepot
$4.6 billion
7.
Nationstar (Mr. Cooper)
$3.7 billion
8.
Newrez
$3.5 billion
9.
Chase
$3.5 billion
10.
Caliber Home Loans
$3.2 billion
While Rocket lost out to UWM in the home purchase lending list, they reclaimed the top position when it came to mortgage refinances.
The Detroit-based lender originated $16.8 billion in refinance loans in Florida last year, more than double UWM’s $8.3 billion.
In third was Freedom Mortgage with $7.1 billion, which was the top VA loan lender in the country.
Wells Fargo also managed to grab the fourth spot here with $6.5 billion, while Pennymac snagged fifth with $5.6 billion.
Others in the top-10 included loanDepot, Nationstar Mortgage (now Mr. Cooper), Newrez, Chase, and Caliber Home Loans.
Chase and Caliber were pretty low on the refi list, illustrating their focus on home purchase lending.
Top Mortgage Lenders in Jacksonville
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.9 billion
2.
Wells Fargo
$1.9 billion
3.
UWM
$1.4 billion
4.
Pennymac
$992 million
5.
U.S. Bank
$953 million
6.
Freedom Mortgage
$921 million
7.
VyStar Credit Union
$715 million
8.
loanDepot
$631 million
9.
Truist
$559 million
10.
Bank of England
$544 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Miami
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Wells Fargo
$2.7 billion
2.
UWM
$2.5 billion
3.
Chase
$1.9 billion
4.
Rocket Mortgage
$1.8 billion
5.
Caliber Home Loans
$1.5 billion
6.
Paramount Residential
$1.2 billion
7.
Bank of America
$1.1 billion
8.
Newrez
$872 million
9.
loanDepot
$831 million
10.
Citibank
$778 million
Top Mortgage Lenders in Tampa
Ranking
Company Name
2021 Loan Volume
1.
Rocket Mortgage
$3.4 billion
2.
UWM
$3.0 billion
3.
Wells Fargo
$1.9 billion
4.
Caliber Home Loans
$1.8 billion
5.
Pennymac
$1.7 billion
6.
Freedom Mortgage
$1.6 billion
7.
Chase
$1.2 billion
8.
Truist
$1.1 billion
9.
Newrez
$1.1 billion
10.
loanDepot
$1.0 billion
Should You Use One of the Largest Mortgage Lenders in Florida or Go Local?
Now aside from all the lenders mentioned, there were dozens more that originated several billion in home loans last year in the state of Florida.
That made them big names, despite not making the top-10 rankings. Examples include FBC Mortgage, The Mortgage Firm, and many others.
So if you want to get your mortgage from a big name, you could still do so without using one of the companies listed above.
At the same time, you might be perfectly happy going with a Florida-based credit union or a local mortgage broker.
At the end of the day, everyone has different preferences that will dictate where they get their home loan.
None of these options are necessarily better than others, they’re just different, as long as the company is financially sound and competent.
The only disservice you could do is not take the time to speak to several different lenders before deciding on one.
Comparison shopping is an absolute must when obtaining a mortgage, so be sure to put in the time whichever company you choose.
Once left for dead, the mortgage broker is alive and well. And in fact, thriving.
There are now more than 100,000 mortgage brokers in business, per the latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an increase of 20% from a year ago.
And it only appears to be getting better for the mortgage broker, as large shops continue to embrace them as either a complement or alternative to retail.
That’s a stark contrast to the trend seen less than a decade ago, after the prior housing boom quickly turned mortgage bust, with brokers the first to be blamed.
Mortgage Broker Redux
The mortgage broker share hit nearly 35% back in 2008
It then fell sharply to around 7% in 2011 as the housing crisis worsened
They have since regained market share with it climbing back to around 16% in 2019
Brokers may see market share rise to/above 20% in 2020 and beyond if the trend continues
Back in the early 2000s, mortgage brokers were all the rage, accounting for a large chunk of the overall mortgage market.
Pretty much every major depository bank and large mortgage banker had a wholesale lending division. And if they didn’t, they quickly created one.
There was such a strong appetite for mortgage backed securities on Wall Street that it was a virtual no-brainer for a mortgage firm to rapidly boost loan volume by enlisting third-party brokers.
This led to a near-35% mortgage broker share back in 2008, at least with regard to conventional conforming mortgages, per data from CoreLogic.
It could have been even higher if you factor in jumbo home loans and non-conforming loans, both of which were also popular with both homeowners and brokers at the time.
But before long, they were the first to be blamed for the crisis, despite acting as middlemen and women who resold product for larger banks and lenders.
As quickly as banks launched wholesale divisions, they were closing them in record numbers, and it was wholesale that often the first to go.
Many of the very first closed mortgage lenders on my expansive list were wholesale lenders.
After all, it was easier (and made more sense) to shut off operations that didn’t take place under your own roof.
Since banks felt like they had less oversight, and some of the broker-originated mortgages may have performed worse, they turned off the spigot.
Simply put, without wholesale lenders, there are no mortgage brokers. And that led to their decline, with a market share of just seven percent in 2011.
Not long after, Chase Bank CEO Jamie Dimon, J.D. Power, Federal Home Loan Bank of New York President Alfred Dellibovi, and Consumer Reports all made less-than-cordial remarks about mortgage brokers.
The final nail in the coffin came when former number one mortgage lender Wells Fargo exited the wholesale mortgage channel entirely in July 2012.
The Nation’s Soon-to-Be 2nd Largest Mortgage Lender Only Works with Mortgage Brokers
A lot has changed over the past eight years. Today, two of the largest mortgage lenders have robust wholesale lending divisions.
In fact, the second largest mortgage lender in the country, assuming they dethrone Wells Fargo, is a wholesale-only mortgage lender.
I’m referring to United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), which has come out aggressively in recent months with its Conquest program, offering mortgage rates as low as 1.99% on the 30-year fixed.
Their impressive growth over the past few years has gotten the attention of crosstown rival Quicken Loans, which has also been expanding its wholesale unit recently.
In fact, they just changed their name from Quicken Loans Mortgage Services to Rocket Pro TPO, which stands for third-party originator.
Quicken’s parent company Rocket Companies Inc. recently went public, and UWM is also going public, if that’s any indication of how well they’re doing at the moment.
Mortgage brokers have also enjoyed more public advocacy lately, thanks to groups like the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) and their simple slogan, “Brokers Are Better.”
The question now is how much market share will mortgage brokers grab this time around. Will they be even bigger than they were in the early 2000s?
The answer will likely be driven by loan quality, which doomed them a decade ago.
If mortgages continue to be mostly vanilla, backed by concrete guidelines set in place by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Ginnie Mae (FHA/USDA/VA), they should flourish.
This is especially true if their wholesale lender partners continue to provide them with better technology, helpful tools, and perhaps most importantly, access to low wholesale interest rates.
But if lenders make the same mistakes they did a decade ago, bringing back questionable underwriting practices and high-risk loan types, it could be the broker that feels the brunt of it once again.
Fortunately, that doesn’t appear likely with the regulations in place these days, and with what seems like a more level playing field, today’s mortgage brokers are in a much better position to succeed long term.
For anyone with a health complication, like an irregular heartbeat, finding affordable life insurance coverage can be a painful task, but it doesn’t have to be. Regardless of your health, you can find affordable insurance coverage.
One of the scariest conditions that an individual can deal with is issues to do with the heart. As an independent life insurance agent, we work with several clients that have high-risk conditions and heart disease is no exception.
We’ve been able to work with clients that have had heart attacks, bypass surgeries, and in this case irregular heartbeat.
Before you apply for life insurance coverage, it’s important to understand what the insurance companies will be looking at in regards to this condition.
Here’s what you need to know regarding applying for life insurance with me would be.
In working with applicants that are seeking life insurance that have a previous health issue, we can’t stress enough how important it is to be upfront with the underwriter.
Applying for Life Insurance with Irregular Heartbeat
We have many applicants when applying for life insurance omit certain facts hoping that the insurance company won’t find out about it.
Newsflash: The insurance company will find out about it as they will request your medical records and an APS (known as attending physician statement). If you’ve been treated for any type of heart condition in the past, it will certainly come up, so if you are applying for life insurance and have some sort of heart condition, be ready to spill the beans.
At the end of this post, you’ll see a sample questionnaire that the insuring underwriters will want to know regarding your irregular heartbeat.
In short, be prepared to share the date it was diagnosed, any treatment you’ve had since the date of diagnosis, and also what medications you may take.
They will also want to know how the condition affects you on a day to day basis.
Has the condition improved since your original diagnosis or has it worsened?
Also, what steps are you doing to take care of that condition?
Are you exercising?
Are you eating right?
The big fear from insurance companies is that not just the lone heart condition, but also how that might transfer over to other areas.
For example, we had an applicant that had an irregular heartbeat but also had high cholesterol, diabetes, and on top of that was a tobacco user. (Here’s more information regarding life insurance for smokers). The irregular heartbeat on its own would have made the life insurance coverage affordable but by having the other conditions on top of the smoking the life insurance premium ended up being fairly pricey but even so we were able to get him coverage.
Irregular Heartbeat Questionnaire:
Date or frequency of episodes of irregular heartbeat.
Date of first episode
Recent frequency of episode
Date of the most recent episode.
The irregular heartbeat has been diagnosed as-
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (or flutter)
Premature supra ventricular (atrial) contractions (TPACs)
Chronic atrial fibrillation (or flutter)
Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Other
Provide dates of any of the following tests or procedures that have been done to evaluate the irregular heartbeat-
Resting EKG
Stress EKG
Thallium Stress EKG
Echocardiogram
Holter Monitor
Chest X-Ray
Other
Please check the cause for the irregular heartbeat, if known-
Unknown
Heart disease —- type:
Thyroid disease
Alcohol use
Other
Are there any symptoms that accompany episodes of irregular heartbeat? If yes, check all that apply-
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Blackouts
Chest pain
Palpitations
Other
Do you currently take any medications, yes or no?
If so, please name details.
Name of medication, dates used, quantity taken, frequency taken.
Has a pacemaker been installed to control irregular heartbeat? If yes, date of installation
These are only a few of the questions in the insurance agent is going to ask you, and your answers will impact if you are accepted or not. They are also going to be used to calculate your monthly premiums. As we mentioned earlier, the insurance company isn’t only concerned with your irregular heartbeat, but your overall health as well.
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Want to improve your chances of being accepted? Start walking! Cardio exercises can improve your health. It will help you lose some of the extra weight that you’ve been packing on for years. Losing weight will not only help you feel better, but will decrease your risk of health problems later in life. Both diet and exercise are going to lower your weight, lower your cholesterol, and lower your blood pressure.
Additionally, if you have an irregular heartbeat, smoking can cause your rates to go through the roof, in drastically increase the chances of you being denied coverage. If you’re looking for the most affordable term life insurance, you’re going to have to kick the cigarettes. When dealing with a heart condition, companies are going to look for anything that could increase the risk of further heart complications, and smoking is one of them.
If you want the lowest monthly premiums available to you, work with an independent agent. Instead of only representing one company, independent agents represent some of the most highly rated companies across the United States.
Don’t let your family be stuck under all of your final expenses. Having quality life insurance is the best decision you can make for your family. Make that decision today.
Not having life insurance is one of the most selfish things you can do for your family members. They are your debts, don’t let them become someone else’s responsibility.
It’s not impossible to get affordable life insurance with an irregular heartbeat. You just have to know how to approach it.
From hiring a video arcade on wheels to treating 10 little princesses to a spa day, today’s birthday parties have gone next level. You could easily drop $500-plus on your kid’s next shindig.
Fortunately, you don’t have to. It’s possible to host a fun and memorable birthday celebration for friends and family without breaking the bank.
Here are some inexpensive party ideas to consider when planning your next birthday bash.
1. Being Selective with the Guest List
As tempting as it might be to invite everyone in your child’s class or the whole soccer team, limiting the guest count is a simple way to save money on a birthday party.
Less people means less food, less party supplies, and fewer favors — but not necessarily less fun. It’s possible to have a close knit vibe at a birthday party that gets people talking to each other and enjoying themselves even more than they would have at a big event.
If your child is willing to invite only one or two friends, you might consider skipping a party altogether and opting for an experience. Going bowling or spending a couple of hours at a play space, zoo, or museum can suddenly become an affordable option.
2. Sharing the Party with a Friend
If your child’s birthday falls around the same time as one of their close friends, you might want to consider teaming up and having a dual birthday party.
This enables you to share the costs and responsibilities with another family and, if the kids have a similar friend group, it would not necessarily have to be a much larger party. It can be a good idea, however, to make sure each child gets their own cake and presents.
Recommended: 27 Cheap Date Night Ideas
3. Choosing a Cheap (or Free) Venue
While hosting a party at a local climbing gym or other entertainment venue can be appealing, you can end up dropping as much as $350 just for the space.
One way to throw a birthday party on a tight budget is to have the party at home. That said, the wear and tear on your floors and furnishings might not be worth the savings. In good weather, however, a backyard party can be a great, low-cost option. Or, you might consider having the party in a local park or garden.
If your child’s birthday lands in a cold weather season, you can save money on a venue by limiting the guest list and going with the most basic package (such as just food and drinks for each child), and providing your own cake and goody bags. You can also check deal websites for discounts and promotions or ask the venue about a discount for having the party at an off-peak time or day.
Recommended: 10 Tips for Spending Your Money Wisely
4. Sending Digital Invites
Skipping the paper and going with digital invitations can be kinder to the environment and also cut down on birthday party costs, since you won’t have to buy premade invites or stamps.
You can design your own digital invitation and send them via email or text, or you may want to take advantage of one of the many online (and free) e-invitation sites.
Recommended: 15 Creative Ways to Save Money
💡 Quick Tip: Tired of paying pointless bank fees? When you open a bank account online you often avoid excess charges.
5. Getting Creative With Decorations
One of the best things about the internet is that somebody’s probably already created precisely what you need. Rather than drop a chunk of money at the party store on themed decor, you may want to check out Pinterest for free printables.
You can also find ideas for DIY decorations on Pinterest (along with many other sites) using low cost supplies, possibly even things you already have on hand. Dollar stores can also be great places to shop for decorations and supplies.
If you do hit the party store, you may want to consider going with just one or two premium themed items and keeping the rest of the decor colorful and fun.
Recommended: How to Have a Baby Shower on a Budget
6. Making a Semi-Homemade Birthday Cake
A custom bakery cake that serves just 15 to 25 people can run over $50, while a cake large enough for over 35 guests can easily run more than $70.
A cheaper option is to buy a cake mix, then make it look and taste homemade with a few simple baking hacks, such as swapping butter for oil and milk for water, adding an extra egg, and making your own buttercream frosting.
To make cupcakes that look like they came from a bakery, you can pipe icing on top using a ziplock bag with a tiny hole snipped in the corner.
7. Timing the Party Right
If the party takes place during lunch or dinner time, there’s a good chance people will expect to be fed a meal.
Choosing an off-time to celebrate — such as 10:30am or 2:30pm — means you can steer the party away from heartier, and costly, fare (like freshly delivered pizzas or a sandwich platter) and stick to serving finger foods and snacks instead.
Recommended: How to Save Money on a Disney World Vacation
8. Buying in Bulk for Gift Bags
If you’ll be giving each guest a swag bag, consider buying toys and trinkets in bulk sets and then dividing them up. This can be a real cost-saver when compared to purchasing items individually (even at the dollar store).
Fun items like paper airplanes, wooden yoyos, squishy toys, stampers, fidget spinners and Slinkys can often be purchased in packs at stores as well as online.
💡 Quick Tip: When you feel the urge to buy something that isn’t in your budget, try the 30-day rule. Make a note of the item in your calendar for 30 days into the future. When the date rolls around, there’s a good chance the “gotta have it” feeling will have subsided.
9. Playing Some Free Games
You don’t necessarily have to rent a bouncy house or hire live entertainment to keep a birthday party lively and fun. There are a number of inexpensive ways to make sure there is plenty of action, activity, and laughter. Here are a few fun, free games you might consider:
• Duck Duck Goose
• Charades
• Musical Chairs
• Red Rover
• Rock Paper Scissor Tournaments
• Three Legged Races
• Marco Polo (you can even play on land)
• Hot Potato
• Simon Says
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The Takeaway
It can be tempting — and easy — to spend a lot creating a memorable birthday party. But with just a few cost-cutting strategies, such as trimming your guestlist, shifting the time of the party, choosing an inexpensive venue, and organizing some free games, you can throw a festive birthday bash without breaking the bank.
You can also make birthday celebrations more affordable by setting a budget and saving up in advance.
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Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Furniture is a huge investment, and picking up good pieces can easily run you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
In truth, there are many ways to get high-quality, long-lasting furniture for much, much less money than you might imagine.
All you have to do is look around a bit, and think before you whip out the wallet and spend away.
Why blow your entire life’s savings on one couch when you can…
Buy in Bulk
Buying in bulk isn’t just for diapers and soda anymore.
As you know, many grocery items are available at places like Costco or Sam’s Club in giant bulk packages for far less than they would be if you bought the items one at a time.
This practice applies to furniture shopping as well. While you COULD buy a sofa, a loveseat, a couple chairs, and a coffee table separately, you’re going to pay full price for everything if you do.
That is, if you don’t go broke halfway through.
Instead, get all of those items at once, as part of a pre-set package.
You’re likely to spend hundreds of dollars less this way, and you’re also guaranteed that everything will match.
Craigslist
Unlike what some people think, Craigslist isn’t filled with nothing but horrible products and scam artists.
Sure, there’s a lot of that stuff, but there are also some legitimately good items up for sale there, including furniture.
People are moving, or they recently refurnished their house, and they need to get rid of their old stuff fast. That’s where you, and your moving truck, come in.
The trick here is to not fall for the scams.
Ask real questions, and if the answers you get are vague or fishy-sounding in any way, don’t pursue further.
Ask to see the furniture before you buy, so you can inspect to ensure they’re in good shape and that they’re what was advertised.
Then, once you’re satisfied that everything is on the up-and-up, pay the seller and enjoy your awesome new furniture.
Discount Warehouses
Just because a store sells furniture, doesn’t mean that they have to sell expensive furniture.
There are plenty of discount furniture warehouses out there that specialize in selling other companies’ inventory for prices far lower than you’d get first-hand.
Maybe too many pieces were made. Maybe a few of them have ever-so-slight imperfections that would keep them off the showroom floor.
Either way, finding these warehouses can mean quality furniture, not to mention big savings, for you.
Flea Markets
If you don’t want to deal with Craigslist or other online outlets, you can always try flea markets.
Contrary to the stereotype of flea markets being filled with nothing but junk, there’s plenty of good stuff available to those who really look around.
Much like with dealing with Craigslist, as long as you ask the right questions and inspect your potential purchase thoroughly, you’ll come away with great furniture at a tiny fraction of the original cost.
Build Your Own
Of course, if you’re really handy-dandy with tools and your bare hands, you can always make your own furniture.
Supplies are always going to be cheaper than finished products (after all, you’re paying for the convenience of somebody else making furniture for you,) and you can make your homemade furniture as plain and or as exquisite as you like.
And then, if you’re ever ready or willing to sell it off, you can do so at a ginormous profit.
After all, if you bought $50 in supplies to build a TV stand, and then sold it for $100 later on, that’s 100% of your money back, plus a 100% profit. No way can anybody say no to that.
How about you, Mint community? What are some of your favorite tips for wallet-friendly furniture shopping?
Mary Hiers is a personal finance writer who helps people earn more and spend less.
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