Sacramento is California’s capital, and as it’s situated between the Bay Area and the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s also known for being one of the prettiest cities in a beautiful state.
Sacramento residents love exploring the city’s arts and culture scene, its many great restaurants and, in true California fashion, rooting for their favorite sports teams (Go Kings!).
If you’re a sports-head who’s considering moving to Sacramento, there are a number of neighborhoods you may want to consider. Check out this breakdown of the best Sacramento neighborhoods for sports fans:
Natomas
Natomas is a neighborhood in Northwest Sacramento, and it’s where you’ll find Sleep Train Arena, the venue of Sacramento’s NBA team, the Sacramento Kings. Also worth noting, the Kings aren’t the only entertainment you’ll find at Sleep Train Arena—the venue is known for hosting some amazing concerts and other shows as well.
West Sacramento
Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats, is located in West Sacramento. The River Cats are Sacramento’s Triple-A baseball team and a recent affiliate of the MLB’s Giants, which call nearby San Francisco home.
Technically its own city, West Sacramento is separated from Sacramento by the Sacramento River that runs between the cities. West Sacramento was voted one of America’s “Most Livable” cities by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2014, and it’s a great community for kids and families.
Downtown
Sacramento’s downtown doesn’t have a sports stadium yet, but the city began construction on a new arena for the Sacramento Kings in August in the Downtown Plaza area. The arena is set to be completed by 2016, when the team will begin to play there instead of at their current home in Natomas.
If you’re looking for a non-arena spot to watch games, the Downtown Sacramento area also has a ton of sports bars. You’ll find sports games ranging from rugby to college basketball to NFL football in Downtown Sacramento, so it’s a great place to eat, drink, be merry and watch sports.
East Sacramento
The Sacramento Hornets of California State University, Sacramento, play at Hornet Stadium in the neighborhood locals call “East Sac.” The Sacramento State campus is located in East Sac, so college sports fans have the opportunity to see football, basketball and other college athletics in the area.
And for the people who like to pick up a football and play a couple of tackle games with friends every so often, East Sac is a great Sacramento neighborhood to live in. East Sac has a few nice parks where you and your family or friends can go for a pickup game every now and then. McKinley Park is a local favorite, with plenty of space to play and explore, along with tennis courts and a pool.
Davis
Davis is a city about 15 miles west of Sacramento, but Sacramento residents love going there to root for the University of California, Davis, Aggies. The City of Davis also has some great parks and recreation areas, and it’s a quick drive from West Sacramento.
Sacramento has several vibrant and exciting neighborhoods, so if you’re a sports fan, it’s a great place to live!
I recently came across an interesting statistic. According to a poll from Harris Interactive, 41 percent of people rarely or never redeem their credit card rewards. It almost hurts to know all of those rewards are going to waste. A more recent study found that 73 percent of Americans are enrolled in rewards programs but have no idea how many points they have.
That used to be me. I discovered the magic of rewards points sometime right after college, when I finally started to take an interest in my financial situation. I wondered what the large number looming above my account number was, and, next thing I knew, years of unknowingly accumulating rewards points turned into a $100 statement credit.
Since then, I’ve been taking full advantage. I use my credit card like a debit card, budgeting and paying off everything I spend. My card doesn’t carry a fee, and I don’t rack up consumer debt — I just earn points. And as modest an amount as it may be, I always get a little excited when I periodically redeem my rewards.
How do you use your rewards?
Mad money
Here’s something about me a lot of people don’t know: I like buying clothes. This may seem uncharacteristic for a couple of reasons, one being that I call myself frugal, and, second, I dress like crap. Still, I love buying clothes. Mostly cardigans.
But I also don’t like spending money right now, because I’m trying to save up for something that I deem more important than fashion. There’s certainly nothing wrong with spending your money on cardigans. But for someone who’s trying to save, cardigans have become a weakness.
To make myself feel a little better, I automatically categorize my cash rewards as “shopping money.” This gives me a small budget to occasionally indulge a temptation.
Obviously, I could just as easily budget for this using my income, and the numbers would be the same. Maybe this is a silly psychological mind game I play with myself, but hey, it works, as it satisfies my nagging inner consumer.
Goals
After college, my goal was paying off my student loan debt. I used any and all extra cash I’d earn from anything, including rewards points, to accomplish that goal.
But again, that was student loan debt. If you’ve got consumer debt, you probably don’t want to put out a fire by playing with one. In fact, I’d be careful about using a credit card altogether.
Travel
I have a cash back card now, but even when I had a points-based rewards card, I never redeemed my points for travel.
With my old card, the travel deals were really terrible — I could always find cheaper flights without them — so I’d just redeem my points for cash, because they were worth more that way. If I can get more in cash than the trip is worth, I’m going with cash.
But this doesn’t take into consideration luxury travel — fancy hotels and first-class flights. Instead of comparing value using the cheapest travel option, some people might prefer to use their rewards points to pay for things they couldn’t otherwise afford. Guest writer Hilary Stockton wrote about her own experiences with luxury travel using a travel rewards card. She makes a compelling argument, and the photos don’t hurt, either.
I’m not experienced in this area, so feel free to elaborate on how you determine the value of your rewards travel.
Stuff
There’s also the option of trading your rewards points in for Stuff, but according to this report, that’s a terrible idea:
“Merchandise awards typically return only one cent in value for each point or mile spent, and that is only if you consider the product’s full retail price. In fact, cardholders are getting less than one cent in value for their points…when they likely could have purchased the items at a discount and received additional rewards from using their credit card for the transaction.”
Donate
Some people feel a little guilty about getting free money, even if it is, ultimately, part of a sales promotion from a large credit card company. Redeeming your rewards for a cash donation to a charity might be a good option for those feeling a little guilt-stricken or those who just want to do a good thing. Just make sure the amount they donate is the equal of or greater than the value in cash; otherwise, you might as well just give cash.
(I understand there are other ethical concerns about using credit cards, namely dealing with small businesses and transaction fees. That’s perhaps a topic for another post, but yeah, I understand that donating to a charity doesn’t assuage those larger concerns.)
Set and forget
There’s also the option of simply redeeming your points for statement credit and not putting too much thought into it, which is just fine, too. I also used to do that. It’s not as fun, but your budget is the same either way. I have Capital One’s Cash Rewards card now, and they even offer an option for auto-redemption.
Other Fun Hacks:
Combining With Other Programs
A few times now, I’ve booked travel on Priceline or Expedia using Mypoints.com. I log onto the site, go to Priceline, then use my credit card to pay for the ticket and also use my frequent flier number. Thus, I rack up airline miles, rewards points and Mypoints (which I later redeem for gift cards).
Churning
Holly wrote about this a while back, and while I lack the stamina for churning, she was able to take advantage of several credit card offers. She did warn about the possibility of this affecting one’s credit score, but churning has really worked for her.
My Rewards Work for Me, Not the Other Way Around
I earn points on things I already buy; I don’t buy things just to earn rewards.
Here’s an example. When I wrote about revisiting the envelope system, a couple of readers were concerned about losing rewards by paying with cash. But the thing is, earning rewards doesn’t dictate my spending or my budget. Sure, I use my rewards for mad money, but I’m not going to make significant decisions about my budget based on earning more rewards. So if the envelope system helps me to save hundreds of dollars a month, well, then, I’m just going to have to stand to lose the $3.56 I’d earn in rewards by using my card for groceries.
Rewards are awesome, but they’re an ancillary bonus, not something I consider a steady profit.
My rewards card also offers higher percentages of cash back at certain stores. I’m careful not to get so caught up in the coolness of rewards points that I spend money at places I wouldn’t otherwise spend money.
However, I love Trader Joe’s. Unfortunately, the store by my house is almost always packed, and I hate looking for parking, so I usually shop a little farther up the road at Ralph’s. But when I discovered I could earn a significantly higher cash back percentage at Trader Joe’s, I dealt with the parking headache.
As I mentioned, I use my rewards card like a debit card. I used to actually be able to put money on my card so that it would carry a credit. From there, I’d simply use up that credit until my balance reached $0.00. I’d still rack up points, but I was never carrying a balance on the card. But when I switched to the Capital One card, this was no longer possible; they don’t allow me to pay anything more than my balance. So I have to be a bit more careful, but hey, that’s what a budget is for.
At any rate, these are my experiences in dealing with rewards programs. Like couponing or any other frugal tactic, I don’t spend a whole lot of time analyzing the many ways I could save, because, at some point, my time is more valuable. But I still enjoy taking advantage of the rewards. So what are your experiences? How do you redeem your rewards, and what frugal tricks have you learned along the way?
Per stirpes, which is Latin for “by branch,” “by roots” or “by stalk,” is an estate planning method in a will or trust to specify that if one of your beneficiaries dies before you do, their share of your estate is divided equally among the deceased beneficiary’s descendants.
It’s difficult to consider the possibility that your beneficiaries might die before you do, but planning for the unthinkable helps ensure that your assets will be distributed according to your wishes, regardless of circumstances. Here’s what you need to know so you can decide whether this choice is right for you.
Per stirpes vs. per capita
If one or more of your beneficiaries die before you do, two options can determine how your assets will then be divided:
Per stirpes: This designation means that if a beneficiary dies before you do, their share automatically passes to their lineal descendants (their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren). When you choose a per stirpes distribution, you’re making sure each specific branch of your family receives a share.
Per capita: Per capita is Latin for “by head” and involves distribution to specific individuals rather than branches of a family. This designation means each of your beneficiaries only receives a share of your estate if they’re still alive when you die. If a beneficiary dies before you do, their share is divided among the remaining living beneficiaries. The children of a deceased beneficiary wouldn’t receive anything.
It’s important to be clear about per stirpes and per capita distributions in your will because if you don’t specify which designation you prefer, the final distribution of your assets (via probate court) may not reflect your preferences.
How does per stirpes work?
Per stirpes distribution ensures that each beneficiary’s family branch receives the share of assets specified in your will — regardless of whether each specific beneficiary is alive or dead when you die.
This designation covers as many generations as is necessary to carry out your will, so a share may go to a deceased beneficiary’s children, grandchildren or even great-grandchildren.
Adopted children are included in this lineal distribution and will inherit just as a biological child does — but unadopted stepchildren and spouses of beneficiaries won’t inherit under per stirpes.
If a deceased beneficiary has no descendants, that beneficiary’s share will then be divided among the living beneficiaries.
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What is an example of per stirpes?
Here are a few examples of how a per stirpes distribution could play out in a will.
Donna is a widow who wills her assets to her three children, Erin, Jerry and Steve, to be divided in equal shares, per stirpes. Jerry dies before Donna, so when Donna passes, Erin and Steve each receive one-third of Donna’s assets. Jerry’s share is divided equally between his two children, who each receive one-sixth of the estate.
Andrew has no spouse or children, so he wills his assets to be divided equally between his two closest lifelong friends, Barry and Ted, per stirpes. Ted and his children all die unexpectedly before Andrew. Ted has one surviving granddaughter, Lisa, who then receives Ted’s share of the inheritance when Andrew dies.
Eric wills his entire estate to his two daughters, Ann and Bethany, to be distributed in equal shares, per stirpes. Ann dies before Eric, but she never had children. Bethany inherits the entirety of Eric’s estate.
Pros and cons of per stirpes
Pros
No need to update your will when additional children or grandchildren are born to your beneficiaries or if one of your beneficiaries dies before you do.
Allows you to keep your assets within each branch of your family, even if a beneficiary predeceases you.
The linear approach may reduce the chance of family conflict over distribution.
Cons
Assets could be distributed unequally if some beneficiaries have more children than others.
Someone you don’t want may end up managing some of your assets, for example, if an in-law is responsible for handling the assets of a minor child.
Per stirpes doesn’t include stepchildren whom your beneficiary hasn’t legally adopted because stepchildren aren’t considered lineal descendants — even if your beneficiary raised their stepchildren since birth. You’ll need to name stepchildren of your beneficiaries in your will specifically if you want them to inherit a share in the event of your beneficiary’s death.
For quite a while my workplace has only offered a 401(k) plan for employees to invest in, and the investment options in the plan were pretty limited. Because of that, and the fact that there was no company match on invested dollars, we’ve been investing through other vehicles, like the Roth IRA.
Within the past couple of months our company has switched plan administrators, and in the process the company plan has opened up a whole new slew of investment options.
While the company still isn’t matching contributions, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are now offering a new Roth 401(k) plan.
If you’ve been reading this site for any amount of time you know that I’m a big fan of the Roth IRA, so having a Roth 401(k) option is something I’m pretty pumped for.
But I did have a few questions, including – how are the Roth IRA and the Roth 401(k) different, and does either of them have benefits over the other?
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Contribution Amounts For Roth IRA Vs. Roth 401(k)
One of the biggest differences between the two account types is that their contribution limits vary by quite a bit.
Roth IRA contribution limit: The Roth IRA currently has a contribution limit of $6,000, with an allowed $7,000 contribution limit if you’re 50 or over.
Roth 401(k) contribution limit: The Roth 401(k) has a higher contribution limit of $19,500/year, with a 50+ contribution limit of $26,000.
So if you’re looking at contribution limits the Roth 401(k) has a definite advantage because you can contribute $13,500 more per year than with a Roth IRA.
Required Minimum Distributions
Quite often retirement accounts like the 401(k) will require that investors take a required minimum distribution from their account balance once they reach a certain age.
The Roth 401(k) is no different from the account type requiring you to take minimum distributions starting at age 70 1/2. If you need to be taking money out of the account anyway, that probably isn’t going to be a big deal.
If however, you would prefer to allow the balance to continue to grow without taking distributions the Roth IRA is probably the better choice. The Roth IRA account can essentially exist forever without requiring you to take distributions and can be passed down.
Some have suggested that if you don’t anticipate needing to take distributions from your account upon retirement, that you roll your Roth 401(k) over into a Roth IRA when leaving an old job. That way you won’t have to take RMD.
Investment Options Available
Quite often when you’re working with an employer sponsored retirement plan your investment options are going to be limited to the few options that are made available by your plan administrator.
Depending on what investment options are available that may mean you’re not able to invest how you might like.
The Roth IRA, however, doesn’t limit your options and you can invest in pretty much whatever you’d like, including individual stocks and bonds.
Luckily for me my company’s new Roth 401(k) plan offers a good range of solid index funds for me to invest in, so this isn’t an issue for me.
If, however, you’re limited in your own Roth 401(k) and there is no company match, you may want to start by investing in your Roth IRA first.
Company Matching Investments
One thing that is nice about the Roth 401(k) is that you can receive a company match when contributing to that account type. The same can’t be said for the Roth IRA since it isn’t a company-sponsored plan type.
If you are receiving a company match when contributing to a Roth 401(k), your account will have to have a traditional 401(k) component built onto it since company matching funds have to be done pretax. If you are getting a company match I highly recommend contributing to your Roth 401(k) first as it is essentially an instant 100% return on your investment!
Income Limits
The Roth IRA has income limits attached to it, with high-income individuals and couples having contributions phased out completely at $140,000 and $198,000 AGI respectively. Contribution amounts begin phasing out at $125,000 and $208,000 respectively. So if you’re making more than those amounts you may not be able to contribute to a Roth IRA.
The Roth 401(k) on the other hand doesn’t have those income limits. High income individuals can contribute to a Roth 401(k) without regards to their adjusted gross income.
Is A Roth IRA Or Roth 401(k) Better For Me?
Depending upon what your current situation is, either one of the account types may fit your situation best. Things you’ll need to take into account include your current income levels, whether your company has matching contributions, what kind of investment options are available in your company’s Roth 401(k), and how much you’re looking to invest. Future tax rates and how long you have to invest might play into it as well.
Depending on your situation you may choose to invest in one or both of these account types, and even diversifying your tax situation by investing in a Traditional IRA or 401k as well. For us, we’re currently investing in both our pretax 401k and our post-tax Roth 401k, as well as investing a bit in our Roth IRA. We’re covering all the bases!
How about you? Are you investing in one or both of these account types? Does your company offer a match? Have you considered the differences between the account types – and has it affected how you invest? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
I first read about the envelope system back in college. I used it regularly, but after graduating and paying off my debt, I sort of abandoned it. I’d gotten a hold of my finances, and I figured I could budget safely without having to use this tactic. I could afford to give myself a break.
Then, last month, I realized just how much of a break I’ve given myself over the years, especially when it comes to food. Upon examining my expenses for the year, I complained to Brian:
“Hey, why am I always paying when we go out? I know it’s the 21st century, but come on!”
“What are you talking about?” he argued. “I always pay!”
“Then why did I spend upwards of $400 this month?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but so did I.”
“No,” I argued. “There’s no way we spent a grand on food in just four weeks.”
Turns out, we did. We’ve been spending a ridiculous amount on food and groceries. And while it hasn’t put us in the poor house, it’s still a waste. It’s a waste because there are things we want to save up for — a house, maybe. Who knows if that’s what we’ll want in a few years? But when we get there, it would be nice to know we have the option and didn’t squander it on burgers and beer.
“We’ve got to start using the envelope system,” I declared.
“What’s the envelope system?” Brian asked.
“We take a set amount of cash from our paychecks and stuff it an envelope,” I explained. “And that’s the only money we can use on groceries and dining out.”
“I don’t like it.”
Brian doesn’t enjoy frugality as much as I do. For him, it’s more of a means to an end. Still, he knew it was the right thing to do if we wanted to stop spending like maniacs.
It’s been almost a month since I’ve returned to the envelope system. Here’s what I’ve learned (and re-learned).
I Overestimated My Frugality
I forgot how much power tangibility has. I stopped using the envelope system years ago because, as I mentioned, I was earning more and was financially independent. My debts are paid, I have an emergency fund and, each month, I auto-deposit into my retirement and savings accounts. All of this convinced me that I was on top of my finances; I didn’t really question my thrift. And maybe I had a good hold on my finances, but I also spent $400+ on food in one month. In fact, in one week, I’d spent $90 on groceries and another $80 on restaurants.
And hey, sometimes in life, things happen and maybe you do spend crazy money like that. Or maybe you really love food, and you earn enough to spend money on what you love. But the thing is, I didn’t even think twice about it. Oh, sure, I noticed I was blowing my budget a little every now and then. Life happens. A friend comes into town one month; I throw a party the next. But I was blowing my budget by the hundreds on a regular basis, and maybe I was in denial, but I failed to admit that.
Being restricted by cash helped me understand how liberal I was being with my debit card.
Expect the Unexpected
This week, we had a couple of friends unexpectedly come into town. They wanted to go out and enjoy the city, and we wanted to show them around. Of course, dinner was involved, because you can’t come to Los Angeles without eating Umami Burger.
“We just won’t go out this weekend,” I told Brian. He argued that their visit shouldn’t come out of the envelope money, as it was unexpected. We talked about it for a while and eventually realized that most of our overspending is usually due to the unexpected: A friend comes into town. It’s someone’s birthday. We have to bring a pie to an impromptu potluck. The things that don’t happen every month keep happening every month. Thus, when we calculate our food budget, we should expect the unexpected.
Planned Splurges Are More Enjoyable
A couple of Saturdays ago, we headed downtown with some good friends. These friends know where all the best spots are to eat, drink and play. We knew we were going to spend money, so before we left, we talked about how much cash we should bring. We decided on $60. Taking out $150 every Friday, this would give us $90 for the week, which should be plenty.
Going out that day, we were conservative with our money. We still enjoyed each spot we visited, but we didn’t spend carelessly, as we knew the $60 would have to last us the entire day. We were more conscious of what we wanted to spend money on. This kept me from ordering cheese fries when I wasn’t even that hungry to begin with. Under the old system, I would’ve ordered the fries without thinking about my budget. Under the old system, my budget was something I dealt with later — I already spent $240? Okay, then I’ll try to only spend $10 for the rest of the month. But using cash made the budget something I had to consider as I was spending. This made budgeting much more effective. No kidding, right?
That day, we held back enough to enjoy the most delicious bowl of ramen later that night. I’d been looking forward to that Ramen all day. Knowing that we planned for this splurge made it all the more tasty.
Leftover Money Feels Awesome
This week, we’ll actually have $12 left over. It’s just $12, but the fact that we stayed within our budget feels great — because it wasn’t hard. We didn’t go out as much, and when we did go out, I ordered less food. I only paid money for things I really wanted. And I don’t feel any different; I don’t feel as if I missed out on anything.
I thought it would be painful to return to the envelope system. It’s a little surprising that spending less has been so easy.
Another thing I learned: it’s important to make a regular habit of looking at the big picture when it comes to my finances. I assumed I was being a good little saver who just had a few occasional unexpected expenses. I didn’t take a step back and consider that I was being haphazard about my spending.
These days, I’m in a much better financial position compared to my college days. The ramen I eat now is a little more sophisticated, a little more expensive. My lifestyle and savings goals now are different than they were in college, but the envelope system works just as well now as it did back then.
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What does it mean when your right hand itches?
It’s just a little scratchy, but it hurts to touch. That probably sounds familiar if you’ve ever had an allergy or hives on your skin.
But what does it mean when the right hand starts itching? And why do some people think that scratching for more than 20 minutes helps relieve the itchiness?
Right hand itching questions stem from the same reason people ask about left hand itching.
Did you know…Itchy right hands are a common superstition that is thought to bring good luck.
There are many different explanations for why this might be the case, but most people believe it has something to do with the fact that an itchy right hand is usually a sign that good things are coming.
If you’ve ever wondered what the top 13 most popular superstitions related to right hand itching and money are, this list is here to answer your question.
What is the superstition about a right hand itching money?
The superstition of an itchy right hand has many different interpretations.
One interpretation is that it means you will receive money soon. Another interpretation is that it means someone is talking about you behind your back. Overall, the belief is wealth is in your future.
Right Hand Itching Meaning
Right hand itching is an unexplained itch on the right side of the hand. It’s often believed to be one of the medical diagnoses of itchiness.
Most people experience right hand itching at some point in their lives, and it can be a sign of something more serious.
There are many possible causes for right hand itching, including dry skin and allergies. But most cases don’t have a clear cause or solution.
That is why so many people there must be luck with right hand itching and money – or even the lottery!
Origins of the Right Hand Itching Superstition
The right hand itching superstition is a belief that the hand that writes or types with the left hand becomes itchy. It likely originated from an ancient practice of scratching one’s head to relieve an itch on the opposite side of the head.
There is no evidence to support this superstition, and it likely originated from an ancient practice of scratching one’s head to relieve an itch on the opposite side of the head.
The superstition may have been passed down through oral tradition and then written down.
Possible Meaning of Right Palm Itching
Right palm itching is a common phenomenon that has been etched into history and folklore. Many people attribute this itch to an ancestor or someone in their family who passed away.
What does it mean when your right palm itches?
Right palm itching is a common phenomenon that has been etched into history and folklore. Many people attribute this itch to an ancestor or someone in their family who passed away.
1 – True Medical Cause
First of all, I’m not a doctor, so you much have any serious itching checked out by a medical professional (they are good at their jobs).
If you are finding that your right hand is itchy and uncomfortable, there are a few things to consider and take medical action.
Here are some thoughts:
If the itchiness persists for more than 24 hours, then this could be a sign of an infection.
If the discomfort is caused by a skin allergy, then you may be experiencing symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling or hives.
Hint…this is why going to the doctor can be helpful to help you figure it a true diagnosis.
2- Something Causing you Stress
When you have right palm itching, it can mean that you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
It could also be a sign that you’re not taking care of yourself properly.
When you have right palm itching, you need to uncover what is causing the stress in your life. This might be because of work pressures, relationship problems, or some other issue.
You might feel overwhelmed and stressed if this continues unchecked. Taking care of yourself by getting enough rest and exercise can help to relieve the itchiness.
3 – Belief in the Possibilities of Money Coming to You
Right hand itching has been a sign of wealth, good luck, and the arrival of visitors since ancient times.
If you are experiencing itchy hands, rubbing your left one on your right is said to bring more wealth and fortune into your life.
Just like with positive money affirmations, there is truth to believing in the power of the mind to overcome your realities.
Right Hand Itching and Lottery
Right hand itching is a term used to describe an annoying and persistent sensation in the right hand. It’s often referred to as a “lottery” because it can be difficult to determine what’s causing the itch.
Nevertheless, some people believe that there is a connection between an itchy right hand and the winning lottery numbers.
There are several news stories of people who won the lottery shortly after having an itchy right hand. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
What are some of the 13 popular superstitions?
Superstitions are common beliefs that help people make sense of the world.
When it comes to money and wealth, naturally people want to gravitate to anything that will help their situations.
Here are some of the most common superstitions and their associated explanations.
Friday the 13th
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day by many people.
This superstition may have arisen from a number of different things, such as the number thirteen being associated with bad luck.
For example, some people avoid traveling on this day, but others believe that traveling is a great way to avoid any bad luck. Additionally, some people believe that it’s bad luck to buy a lottery ticket on Friday the 13th, while others think that this could bring them good luck.
Whatever the reason, many people believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day. However, many believe that if you take action and are proactive about your day, you will receive good luck or fortune.
Breaking a mirror will give you seven years of bad luck
This superstition is based on the belief that breaking a mirror will release the bad luck that has been trapped within it. The story goes that if a woman breaks her mirror, she’ll have bad luck for the next seven years. If a man breaks his mirror, he’ll have bad luck for the next seven years and also be unable to see himself in mirrors.
This superstition may originate from ancient beliefs about witches and their ability to cast spells by using objects such as mirrors. It’s possible that people believed that breaking a mirror would release all of the negative energy associated with the witch’s spell.
Today, this superstition is still popular and often used as an excuse to break mirrors without really understanding why!
Unlucky to walk under a ladder
There are many superstitions surrounding walking under ladders, but the most common one is that it’s unlucky. This superstition is based on the idea that a ladder is a sign of bad luck.
The belief is if you walk under a ladder, you’ll be cursed and will have problems throughout your life.
There isn’t much evidence to support this superstition, but it’s still widely accepted.
Many people believe it because they’ve heard it from their parents or grandparents and don’t want to risk offending anyone. If you’re worried about crossing under a ladder and causing bad luck, simply avoid doing so!
Alternatively, you could try saying “good luck” as you walk underneath it to ward off ill fortune.
Knocking on wood will keep you safe
The idea is that the sound of the knock will send a message to the gods or spirits who live in the wood, asking them to keep
There’s no scientific evidence to support this superstition, but many people continue to do it anyway because it makes them feel good. For many right hand has a spiritual meaning.
So, whether you believe in it or not, there’s probably some truth to the saying “knocking on wood.”
Horseshoes are lucky charms
There are many superstitions surrounding horseshoes, but the most popular belief is that they are a lucky charm. People believe that throwing horseshoes will bring good luck to the person who catches them.
Horseshoe tossing is a centuries-old tradition in many countries and has been linked to both physical and spiritual health benefits. Playing a game of horseshoes is easy on the body and provides benefits with social interaction.
Another theory suggests that hanging horseshoes in the “U” position will keep out evil from the house where it is hung. By decorating your door with a horseshoe in the U position, you are keeping your home free from negative energy which can have a positive impact on their lives and attract good luck to the house.
Wearing a white ribbon around your neck
People in the United States and other countries wear a white ribbon around their necks to protect themselves from illness and danger.
The ribbon is a symbol of peace and purity.
A penny found on the ground is good luck
Some people believe that if you find a penny on the ground, it means good luck for the day.
This superstition is based on the belief that money is associated with both happiness and good fortune.
In fact, one gentleman collected all the pennies he found for 45 years and ended up saving over $5000! (source)
Throw salt over your left shoulder and on the floor
It is said that throwing salt over your left shoulder will protect you from bad luck.
The superstition is said to originate from the ancient Egyptians who believed that the left side of the body was associated with the dark side of the moon. To avoid bad luck, they would throw salt over their left shoulder with their right hand to cleanse themselves.
Bad luck to open an umbrella indoors
Opening an umbrella inside is considered bad luck because it can bring rain indoors.
This superstition likely originated from the belief that opening an umbrella will cause the wind to change, which in turn will cause rain.
Crossing your fingers when you make a wish.
The superstition of crossing your fingers when you make a wish is a result of the Latin word meaning “to shut the hand.”
In ancient Roman times, it was believed that making a wish with your open hand would allow the bad luck you were wishing for to enter your house. So instead, you crossed your fingers.
The custom has become so popular that it’s even found its way into our society.
Putting money in an egg carton to bring money in the future.
They say that the egg carton is like a time machine and that when you break the egg and the money falls out, you are telling the universe that you want to receive that money.
Others believe that putting money in an egg carton will bring you good luck.
This is a very simple thing for people to do.
Sneezing Means Death
When someone sneezes with their right hand, it is thought that the devil will enter their body through their nose and they will die soon. There are many superstitions surrounding sneezing and they vary by culture.
Another thought people believe that if you sneeze, it means someone is talking about you. It is said that a sneeze is a “passing of the wind” and that the wind carries the words “bad news” to the person who is sneezing.
Right hand itching is one of the 13 popular superstitions. There are many beliefs on what it means when your right hand itches, but the most popular belief is that it means good luck is coming your way. To ensure a good night’s sleep, some people say “Blessed are the meek” before bedtime.
Saying “Blessed are the meek” before bed
Some superstitions include saying “Blessed are the meek” before bed to ensure a good night’s sleep.
This is because people who are meek often have less stress in their lives and are less likely to have anxiety or depression. Saying this before bed will help you get a good night’s sleep, which will help you have a better day.
Just like starting with a billionaire morning routine, this is something simple to do to ensure a great day!
What is the superstition about an itchy palm?
There are a few different superstitions about an itchy palm.
One is that it means you will receive money soon. Another is that you will be going on a journey.
And finally, some believe that an itchy palm means that someone is talking about you.
Right Hand Itching and [Bad Luck]
Some people believe that right hand itching is caused by bad luck or misfortune, so they try to avoid situations that might trigger it (like trying to play the lotteries).
Others think that scratching the itch will make it go away, but this isn’t always true. In fact, scratching can sometimes make the itch worse.
What are the different interpretations of this superstition?
There are a few different interpretations of this superstition.
One is that it means you will receive money soon.
Another is that it means someone is talking about you behind your back.
And finally, some believe that an itchy right hand means you should be on the lookout for danger.
How to improve the luck further?
There are many ways to improve your luck further, and some of these include doing things that have been traditionally associated with luck.
Here are specific things to try:
Avoid unlucky days and times.
Keep a positive attitude throughout the day.
Wear prosperity bracelets.
Carry a good luck charm with you.
Dress in lucky symbols.
Follow the same routine when you found success.
Pick up pennies that are head-side up.
Don’t let negatively affect you
There are also a number of simple tips you can follow to increase your chance of success, such as staying organized and disciplined in your work, avoiding distractions, and setting realistic goals.
Is it a Fortune, Lottery Number, or just a Symptom of Itching Palms?
The best way to deal with right hand itching is to identify its cause and treat it accordingly. If you cannot identify its source, you may want to consult a doctor for further testing or treatment options like prescription medications.
If the doctor cannot find a medical cause of your right hand itchiness, then start tracking when and where your itchiness occurs.
Then, you can easily prove your right hand itchiness wasn’t from blisters, nerve disorders, or something else crazy.
Your truth will be the decision on whether your right hand itching was from money coming your way or a medical disorder.
If you are looking for believable excuses to miss work, then scratch your right hand to your left to come into instant cash.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
Job growth surprised again in April, this time rising more than expected. Total nonfarm payroll employment rose last month by 253,000 jobs, compared to March, according to data released Friday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Job growth for the prior two months was revised downwards, but on net, the labor market is stronger than expected, including wage growth up 4.4% over the past year,” Mike Fratantoni, the Mortgage Bankers Association’s chief economist, said in a statement. “This rate of growth is likely faster than would be consistent with the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation target.”
The unemployment rate also fell slightly to 3.4%, with 5.7 million persons unemployed at the end of the month. Overall the unemployment rate has shown little net movement since early 2022.
“The unemployment rate fell and is now lower than it has been since 1953,” Lisa Sturtevant, Bright MLS’chief economist, said in a statement. “The strong employment report adds to the complicated labor market picture, as it comes on the heels of this week’s JOLTS report that showed that the number of overall job openings fell as fewer people were switching jobs.”
With the resiliency of the job market and the continued wage growth, experts believe the Federal Reserve may not be done hiking interest rates just quite yet.
“The April data suggests that the Fed may not be able to pause interest rate hikes when they meet next month,” Sturtevant said. “And while the risks of a 2023 recession have increased, it is very likely that a downturn later this year would be mild, without significant job losses that often accompany economic recessions, given the current strength in the labor market.”
Sturtevant also said that she does not expect the housing market to take a major hit if labor market conditions weaken.
“The strength of most local housing markets is highly dependent on the local employment situation, and we’ve been seeing that relationship play out over the past several months,” Sturtevant said. “Even if the Fed increases the federal funds rate again next month, it is possible that mortgage rates could come down, with lingering uncertainty in the banking sector and declining consumer confidence pushing investors to safer investments, like U.S. Treasuries. Falling mortgage rates would provide more juice to the U.S. housing market, which has been relatively subdued this spring.”
The construction sector added 15,000 jobs in April, thanks to a large uptick in the specialty trade contractors segment of construction, which gained 26,700 jobs, with residential specialty trade contractors gaining 16,700 of those jobs. Meanwhile, residential construction of buildings lost 1,800 jobs and heavy and engineering construction lost 8,100 jobs, month over month.
““Despite declines in the number of single-family homes under construction, residential construction labor demand remains strong. Building a home does not readily lend itself to outsourcing and automation. Home building still requires manual labor as a key input into the production process,” Odeta Kushi, First American’s deputy chief economist, said in a statement. “There are still a near-record number of homes under construction, and you need more hammers at work to build these homes. Additionally, builders have had trouble attracting and retaining skilled construction workers, making them less likely to part with skilled workers.”
The real estate, and rental and leasing sector gained 9,800 jobs in April, with real estate gaining 8,700 jobs, and rental and leasing added 1,100 jobs.
In February 2020, a combined 300,000 were employed in “real estate credit” and as mortgage and non-mortgage loan brokers. As of March 2023, there were roughly 340,800 people in those jobs, suggesting that the industry still has a large number of cuts to make in the coming months as the housing market remains at a much cooler level than a year ago.
The lion’s share of the job growth in April came from gains in the professional and business services sector (up 43,000 jobs), the leisure and hospitality sector (up 31,000 jobs), the social assistance sector (up 25,000 jobs), and the health care sector (up 40,000 jobs).
“As was the case in recent months, job growth remains concentrated in just a few sectors, particularly health care and hospitality. Although we have seen several public layoff announcements, the job growth in these few sectors continues to offset losses in technology and other industries, including the mortgage market,” Fratantoni said. “A solid job market will provide support to the housing market. However, the inflationary pressures from this strong wage growth will likely prevent the Federal Reserve from cutting rates any time soon, even if they now are at the peak for this rate cycle.”
If you’re in tech in Utah, you probably already know Lehi. As the home of industry giants Adobe, Ancestry.com, Workfront, SirsiDynix, IM Flash and other large, small and up-and-coming firms, Lehi has grown from bedroom community to destination location for families looking to be in the center of the action.
Just south of Point of the Mountain, Lehi’s family-friendly lifestyle gives residents quick access to recreation, quaint restaurants, ample shopping and a perfect place to call home. Plus, its center-of-the-valley location means you’re never far from anything.
Considering a home in Lehi? Here’s what you’ll find.
Small town charm with top amenities
Lehi is growing— and fast— but it still retains the small town charm that drew families to it in the first place. Want a peek at what Lehi used to be? Take a drive by Lehi Roller Mills; if it seems familiar, that’s because this still-working mill was the set for the original Footloose. Just a few blocks down Lehi’s Main Street and pop into Paper Crush for a DIY custom day planner and other party supplies or grab a burger and old-fashioned shake at Porter’s.
If a wedding is in your future, Flowers on Main is your stop for fresh-cut beauties and handmade leis, which are great accompaniments to the custom dresses at Gowns by Pamela.
Family game night goes all out at Gamers’ Inn, where you can try games before you buy them or join in with a group to play your favorite board games. Sweeten the day with treats from Lehi Bakery, where the donuts are square, and cupcakes at the Little Cake and Dessert Shop.
If community events are more your style, attend Lehi’s annual Round-Up celebration and rodeo each June and mark your calendar for the carnival-style Foam Day in July. (Why the name? Because before the activities end, everything is covered in soapy foam.) And October wouldn’t be complete without a visit (or two!) to Cornbelly’s, where attendees can get lost in an old-fashioned corn maze —haunted or not—and test their punkin’ chunkin’ skills before settling in to make DIY s’mores.
Walkability/Drivability and Livability
Don’t work in Lehi? Not a problem. Your average commute will still only be 23 minutes, or you could hop on FrontRunner to take the train to Salt Lake, Provo, Ogden and points in-between.
When you return home, it’s a quick walk, drive or bike ride for a bite to eat. Depending on the direction you prefer, both Tsunami and Jimmy Johns are both highly accessible, thanks to the Murdock Canal Trail, a 17-mile paved trail that runs parallel to an unpaved equestrian trail, and connects seven communities in Utah County.
If your destination is a dream home with all of the modern amenities, Lehi is your place. Thanks to the tech corridor, most homes in Lehi were built since 2000 and have all of the amenities homeowners are looking for. Best part: home values in Lehi average $266,300 and climbing, which makes a home in Lehi a smart investment but still affordable. Check out the homes for sale in Lehi on Homie for current availability.
Get out and play, nature’s way
Flanked by Thanksgiving Point to the West and Mt. Timpanogos to the East, Lehi’s access to the great outdoors means you can play hard by day—regardless of your preferred activity.
Take in a round of golf at Thanksgiving Point’s championship course or Frisbee golf at Dry Creek Trail Park, the city’s first disc golf course. You can also run, bike or walk the 17 miles of the Murdock Canal Trail or cool off at the city pool.
For a high-flying adventure, Flight Park State Recreation Area, accessible from Minuteman Drive, has facilities to help you get your hand glider, paraglider and model airplanes in the air.
And for a quick reminder of Mother Nature’s brilliance, Mt. Timpanogos looms just 10 miles east, where you can tour the cave, go for a hike hiking or have a quiet picnic.
Indoor fun
Shopping anyone? Traverse Mountain’s diverse stores include something for everyone, whether your style is H&M, Michael Kors, Quicksilver or Coach. And there’s Cabela’s, where you’ll find everything you could possibly want to feel at home in the great outdoors.
Across the highway are the restaurants of Thanksgiving Point, including Harvest Restaurant, known for its locally-sourced ingredients and fresh take on lunch and dinner. Top off the day by visiting the Museum of Ancient Life or Museum of Natural Curiosity, and the requisite trip to the Ice Cream Shop for an old-fashioned float—with bubblegum ice cream, of course.
Nightlife for everyone
Don’t expect the carpet to roll up at sunset. Evenings are a great time to catch a box office favorites at the Megaplex. In summer, Sundays end with a serenade from some of the best local talent at Wines Park. Or catch a nightcap at Scorez Sports Bar or Buffalo Wild Wings, both prepped for late-night fun.
Want to find your place in Lehi?
If Lehi sounds like the perfect place for you to call home, the Homie team is here to help. You can start the process by browsing through the current homes for sale in Lehi and click “Schedule a Tour” whenever you’re ready to get a closer look. When the time is right, Homie will help you create an offer, answer questions and secure your financing—and Homie’s services for buyers are completely free. You’ll find more details in our Buyer package.
Here’s yet another post in my growing series of wondering if home prices are too high.
Earlier this week, Black Knight Financial Services noted that home prices increased to within 3.8% of their all-time highs set back in June 2006. Other home price indexes (and specific metro areas) are spitting out new record highs.
That may scare some folks, including myself, as I tend to be a bit more conservative when it comes to massive year-over-year home price increases.
It has been about 10 years since home prices were defying expectations and now they appear set to finally surpass those old unsustainable highs.
If you’re wondering why home prices have risen so much since bottoming around 2012, the answer is pretty simple.
Home prices got way too cheap after the crash and inventory has remained very tight in spite of a flood of foreclosures. That, plus super low mortgage rates sprinkled in, has driven home prices higher and higher for months on end.
Your Last Chance to Get In
The fact that sentiment is still mixed
Tells me that this housing recovery still has legs
It’s also important to remember that recoveries have ups and downs
Just like downturns, and they play out longer than anticipated
But now we’re getting a little irrational again, at least in my opinion. I’ve been hearing that ill-fated sentiment of “Buy a house now or you may never get the chance!” SMH.
Usually when people start saying things like that it isn’t long before it all goes very wrong. But as I noted in recent posts, we aren’t quite there yet.
Indeed, a return to bubble-era home prices doesn’t mean the bottom is just going to fall out. Clearly this has played out in history many, many times. Otherwise how would we reach new highs to begin with?
There’s no inherent problem with higher highs, but how quickly we get there could pose a threat, and overshooting the mark is also a major concern.
A commentary released this week by Freddie Mac titled, “How to Worry About Home Prices,” attempts to answer that very question. But they even admit it’s a tough one to answer.
However, they do outline a strategy we can use to determine if and when we’ll be facing another crisis thanks to unsustainable home prices.
Start with the PTI
Consider the price-to-income ratio (PTI)
Which is used to determine if home prices are outpacing wages
This can tell us if the current trajectory is sustainable
Or if affordability will begin to erode and take the housing market down with it
It rhymes with DTI, but is actually the price-to-income ratio used to determine if home prices have outpaced incomes.
Freddie refers to it as the “clearest indicator of the long-run sustainability of house prices,” although still not entirely sufficient on its own.
Basically you can use this metric to determine which metros in the United States require further scrutiny.
The median PTI ratio between 1993 and 2003 was 3.5, so this is seen as “normal” according to Freddie.
It climbed as high as 4.8 in 2005 before the housing bubble popped, and as low as 3.2 in 2011 when everyone lost confidence in the housing market.
We’ve since returned to 4.0, which is above the norm but just below 4.1, which Freddie calls an “outlier threshold” and says separates the “usual” and “unusual” values of the PTI ratio.
In other words, we’re getting into murky territory again, but that alone is not reason to freak out, at least not yet.
Then Ask Why the PTI Is High
Assuming the PTI in your city is high historically
You need to determine why it’s elevated and if it’s above normal range
Then you need to dig down and find out if a high PTI is warranted
Based on things like employment growth (think tech scene in Seattle) or if it’s financially driven by things like easy credit (uh oh!)
We need to know why the PTI is high for a given metro to see if it points to another housing bubble.
In red-hot San Jose, home to Silicon Valley, the PTI is a seemingly very high 9.6, but the outlier threshold for that specific region is 9.4. So while elevated, it’s just above its already historically high level.
Then consider Dallas, where the PTI stands at just 3.4, but is actually above its outlier threshold of 3.2.
This is why you have to examine each metro carefully, instead of attempting to determine if the entire nation is under or overvalued, or evaluating a PTI without historical and geographical context.
Once we have our PTI, we need to ask three main questions to determine if a bubble is imminent.
Are there nonfinancial reasons for the high PTI ratios?
If a given metro’s PTI is elevated for nonfinancial reasons, then it could be perfectly fine because bubbles are financially driven.
For example, if the region is growing rapidly because of employment demand in a specific industry, high home prices may be perfectly acceptable and sustainable.
Limited supply is also driving home prices much higher.
Additionally, the PTI ratio may be thrown off because of income inequality – put simply, if richer people are the ones buying homes they may actually have the income to absorb higher home prices. So it’s not a perfect science.
Conversely, if home prices are rising rapidly for no apparent reason (such as easy credit) you might start to worry.
Are credit conditions deteriorating?
Next, we have to ask if credit conditions are going downhill. As of now, mortgage underwriting is not even comparable to what it was before the previous crisis, and that’s a very good thing.
There aren’t many stated income loans being originated these days, nor are borrowers allowed to finance investment properties with zero money down and 620 credit scores.
Most of today’s mortgages are fully-documented, fixed-rate mortgages with nothing exotic whatsoever.
In short, standards are a lot higher than they were and should stay that way for the foreseeable future. The only risk is these new 3% down mortgages, which could pose a threat as home prices continue to rise.
If borrowers are putting next to nothing down simply to qualify because home prices have outpaced incomes, we could have a problem.
The good news is that hasn’t happened too much lately. In fact, limited inventory and intense competition is forcing buyers to put more money down to beat out other offers.
Is leverage increasing?
Lastly, we need to determine if leverage is increasing. Essentially, if mortgage debt is rising relative to home equity. At the moment, this isn’t the case.
In fact, mortgage debt has declined while homeowner equity has increased. This gives homeowners a bigger cushion between what they owe and what their properties are worth.
If they face some sort of financial crunch, those with a healthy cushion can sell if need be and probably still take in a tidy profit (and walk away with some cash in their pocket to use for rent and other needs).
During the prior crisis, you couldn’t sell your home for more than the bloated mortgage balance, which led to even more downward price pressure and tons of short sales and foreclosures.
As noted, we aren’t at that point yet and everyone appears to be paying off their mortgages. You don’t see too many interest-only loans, and definitely no pay option arms. This means today’s homeowner is actually building equity, unlike the crop of owners back in 2006-2007.
So where does that leave us? Well, the Freddie researchers conclude that aside from a few potential trouble spots, “we don’t need to worry about house prices — yet.”
A bit ominous but pretty spot on.
The issue is that the way the housing market works, we’re bound to repeat history in the future.
As home prices climb further out of reach, financing is eased to accommodate new buyers. We’re already seeing that.
These buyers wind up purchasing too much house for their budget and when the housing market naturally cools off, they’re left with very little equity and a massive mortgage (and accompanying housing payment).
I don’t see a scenario where it won’t play out like this…it’s basically ingrained in the market. So the next housing bubble is a matter of when, not if.
Pay Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) or play the wait-and-save game? That’s the dilemma for a majority of would-be homebuyers. It’s rarely an easy (or fun) choice.
The Dilemma
Coming up with a 20% down payment can take years. With home prices increasing 5-10% annually, the home of your dreams is sure to cost quite a bit more in 2026. Rather than save, some homebuyers opt to pay PMI instead. Most future homeowners don’t know what PMI is and how much it may cost them.
What’s the Purpose of PMI?
Usually you purchase insurance to protect yourself. PMI works differently: basically you pay to protect the mortgage lender in the event you can’t pay the mortgage. It’s basically a mortgage lender’s insurance to protect themselves if a borrower stops making payments.
In general, mortgage lenders consider buyers who put at least 20% down to have enough skin in the game that they’re low risk. That makes everyone that puts down less than 20% a riskier investment, so they require them to pay PMI.
The Upside of PMI
The good news about PMI is that it’s not too expensive and you don’t pay it forever. Your lender typically requires you to pay PMI until you get to a Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio of 80% loan to 20% equity. Once you do, you can request your PMI be cancelled, unless you’ve taken out a FHA loan (PMI never falls off when you choose this loan type). PMI also doesn’t cost too much, although the amount you pay can vary. Below are a few ways to lower your payment.
Commonly Asked PMI Questions
How much will I pay in PMI?
Homebuyers required to pay PMI typically pay around 0.5% annually of the total amount borrowed, with the cost split across all 12 months. Here’s some examples:
$180,000 loan ($200,000 with 10% down), PMI $75/mo
$285,000 loan ($300,000 loan with 5% down), PMI $125/mo
When will I be done paying PMI?
This depends on what type of loan you take out. Here’s a quick guide:
FHA: If you take out an FHA loan, mortgage insurance continues for the life of the loan. Ouch. You’d have to refinance your loan to get rid of it.
Conventional: On a conventional loan you only pay PMI until your equity reaches 20%.
How can I avoid paying PMI entirely?
Your house is probably your biggest expense, and the thought of spending extra money each month is as appealing as week-old sushi. Do you have to pay PMI? No, not if you do any of the following:
Put 20% down. Call the parents, check in with Grandma, collect every debt from your former roommates. When you put 20% down, you don’t pay PMI at all.
Opt for an 80-20 piggyback loan. 80-20 mortgage is paid through two loans, a first and a second mortgage. The 80 first mortgage covers the home loan; the 20 second mortgage is the down payment. The second loan in a piggyback loan usually has a higher interest rate.
Look for owner financing. In some situations, owner financing works like rent-to-own, in which case you probably won’t be required to pay 20% down or PMI.
Shop for homes at a lower price point. Consider the difference in down payment for a $250,000 home versus a $300,000 home: (we’ll save you the math: it’s $10,000). Lower price homes may fit your savings account better—and you can trade up or add on later.
Check out Homie Loans™. Homie Loans™ can look at your personal financial situation and tell how you can lower your PMI. Homie Loans™ may be able to help you with a new loan.
To Pay or Not to Pay? The Decision is Yours
No one wants to pay extra each month for their home, but if paying PMI means you can buy a $300,000 home now vs. waiting five years while you save, paying a few thousand in PMI over that same period can make a lot of financial sense. Plus, the $300,000 home you purchase now starts building equity ASAP and will likely increase in value each year you live there.
We’re Here to Help
There’s a lot to consider when choosing to pay PMI vs. wait and save for a 20% down payment, but we hope we’ve given some helpful tips to guide you in the right direction. If you have any additional questions, or would like to begin the home buying process, click here to learn more about how to get started. We’d be happy to help you start your search for your dream home!