The temperature is warming up, the kids are finishing school and plans for what's next this summer are being made. Are you dreaming of unplugging from work and other responsibilities and, at the same time, looking to save up to make your next home purchase? You can do it all with a well-planned staycation that allows you to relax, recharge and enjoy some down time...

By Jessica Thiefels Buying a home will likely be one of the biggest financial transactions you make, and preparing your budget beforehand makes the home buying process much less stressful. The following tips and expert insight can help you get your budget in order before you make the big transaction. 1. Organize Your Finances You may know how much you have in your...

By Kath Johnson Longer days and blossoming flowers of spring mean that it is time to prepare your lawn to spend more time outdoors. These lawn care tips can ensure that your lawn is lush and ready to go for the season and into the heat of summer. 1. Dethatch Dethatch to rid your lawn of dying or dead grass. Lawns do well with less than a ½ inch of thatch, but will begin to...

Eliminate the stress and mess of organizing your receipts. It's easy to snap a quick photo of your receipts with your mobile device. Combine that with a snazzy app for managing expenses, and you just made your life a lot easier. Whether you want something that scans and sorts receipts, exports data to Excel spreadsheets or automatically tracks your mileage, options abound. Here are four of the best...

For many first-time buyers, saving for a down payment is the most difficult step in the home-buying process. However, it's a common misconception that you always need 20 percent down to buy a home. Here's the lowdown on the most popular low-down alternative payment options: FHA Loan – Traditionally the mortgage of choice for first-time buyers, the Federal Housing Administration...