Building a house

The process of building you own home could be an arduous task but exciting at the same time. Like most people you want your house to be unique but more importantly it should meet you and your family’s specific needs. A lot of things should be taken into consideration before you start building, just think of the investment you are putting into, so better be certain in all the decisions that you will make.
As I constantly accompany my husband in meeting with his clients I have learned a couple of things that helped him and the home owners build their dream homes. Most of his clients already have an idea in their mind as to what their house would look like — sometimes they would bring with them photos or magazines which inspired them.

Choose a reputable contractor/architect – Gone are the days, when you only hire carpenters to do construction. A qualified contractor/architect will be cheaper in the long run since you will avoid any rectification in the latter part. Ask around, get referrals from your friends, I am sure you will find a reputable person whom you can trust and work with.
Working on a Budget – everyone is working on a budget, the easiest way to work within it, is to separate your “needs” from your “wants”. The excitement of making your house really beautiful can truly be overwhelming but you need to control the urge. Know your priorities, the beautification process can follow once the house is built. Slowly but surely your house will be the way you want it to be.
Be involved with the design – your home is not just a place to live but it reflects your personality and style. The architect is there to put into perspective the design you have in mind. They will implement your design based on your specifications.
Ask questions. It’s your home that you are building not the architect’s home; it is your right to ask anything that bothers you. A good contractor should be willing to answer all your queries whenever possible.
Monitor the progress. It is best that you keep an eye on the construction as often as you can. This way you can catch mistakes early. Remember it is easier and cheaper to correct mistakes early on rather than wait. Call the attention of your contractor immediately.
Furniture and Fixtures – the best money saving thing can do is to not include these things in the builder’s contract but put in an allowance for installation. This way you get to choose your own lighting fixture, kitchen fixtures, faucets, toilet bowls. You can even buy things specific to your needs, like if you need a bath tub, walk in tubs, your own spa or whatever your requirements are.
Setting the time frame — Be prepared for setbacks but let your contractor know that you only tolerate minimal delays. Your contractor should have presented you a schedule in the beginning, let them know that you are monitoring this.
Soon, you will have the house that you have been dreaming of. Don’t worry if most of the furnishing are still complete, as long you have all the necessary things to make your home ready to live, that’s acceptable. You will soon be able to furnish your house one at a time.

Sucker for a Good Bargain

I admit I am sucker for bargain! Anything for a good bargain.

I remember my hubby talking over the phone with a good friend, I suddenly heard my name and asked him why? Apparently, his friend was inviting him to go and check out The Crocs Sale at the Mega Tent, he declined the invite by saying that I was already done with it. I laughed because he stressed out that, I always go for any sale, no matter what! I guess hubs really knows me, LOL!

Of course, it was just a laughing matter to my hubs but to my defense, I told him that I only go and hunt out for bargains if the product is really okay. If not, I just let it be. Nowadays, everyone needs to be practical, and hunt out for discounts however low it maybe.

Even when it comes to investments, you go for the one that is affordable and would fit your needs. The less cash you spend the better, as long as the you do not compromise the quality. Like when you’re scouting for affordable health insurance or car insurance, you review the coverage and try to compare it against its prices.

On Investment

According to Wikipedia, Investment is the commitment of money or capital to purchase financial instruments or other assets in order to gain profitable returns in form of interest, income, or appreciation of the value of the instrument.
Obtaining an investment whether a business, a property or other forms, can secure you and your family of future financial stability. I have seen this work with a lot of people who are now reaping the fruits of their investment or their parent’s investments.
As we age, our earning capacity depletes until such time that we need to retire. Retirement is a phase in our lives which we need to prepare for. We would not want to be a burden to our kids or to other people when we grow old.

There are many kinds of investments you can choose from while you are still young. Some of these include bonds, money market funds, mutual funds, stocks, life insurance, real estate and establishing your own business. Properly invested funds will not only secure your own retirement, it can also provide financial security for your children.

If you prefer to invest on real estate, make sure you get a licensed broker so you can shop wisely for properties that will best suit your needs. Likewise, an insurance agent can provide you with the best life insurance rate in the market.

Invest, invest, invest and soon you’ll reap what you sow.