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Is student loan debt weighing you down?

Pay beyond the minimum payment every month to reduce your principal and avoid wasting money on interest.

To trick yourself into making an extra full payment annually, split monthly payments in half and pay that amount every two weeks instead.

Consider refinancing and consolidating your loans with a lower interest rate.

Devote cash windfalls, such as pay raises or tax refunds, to paying off your loans.

Try getting a side job and putting the extra income toward your loans.

If you cant boost your income, trim other monthly expenses to make bigger loan payments.

By using these strategies, you might be able to pay off your loans faster.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

When youre buying a home, one of the worst possible scenarios is a dream house that turns out to be a lemon. While the term usually refers to a home that looks great but is hiding some internal, serious flaws, there are actually red flags you can watch out for”that will show up way before you even get to an inspection.

Signs of Mold or Water Damage
Use your eyes and nose to check for these environmental issues. Water damage may reveal itself in stains, in damaged wood or flooring and walls that are collapsing. Obvious mold can also be seen by a simple visual inspection, but your nose can detect it even if its hidden. Mold isnt just unsightly”it can cause health issues like asthma, especially in kids.

Faulty Foundation
This is a classic, surefire deal breaker. Check the basement for large cracks (but small cracks shouldnt pose a problem and can be due to normal settling of the house).

Outdated Electric Systems
Turn lights on and off”are they flickering, buzzing, or generally seem off? In an older house, this could be a sign of needed (and often expensive) electrical work.

A Freshly Painted Wall or Ceiling
Particularly if only one wall or part of a wall has been painted, the owner could be trying to cover something up”like toxic mold (see above).

Of course, any home youre buying will go through a thorough inspection by a professionally qualified inspector. However, unless you really love the home or the neighborhood, you may prefer not to waste your time (and money, through inspection costs) if the home is a potential lemon. If you see any of the four red flags above, weigh the pros and cons with your real estate agent. It may be better to move on to a home that will be less of a headache!

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

A home is the biggest single purchase most people will make. Matt Blashaw, a licensed contractor and host of the DIY network show, Money Hunters, offers six tips for planning and performing routine maintenance that can save dollars as well as future headaches:

Save on tools ” Unless its a tool you will use often, check local yard sales for good used tools at good prices. If its a tool you may use only once for a specific project, consider renting it.

Save leftovers ” With most home-improvement projects, there are leftover screws, bolts, and other pieces of hardware left over. Storing them in plastic organizers (as opposed to dumping them in a drawer) can save you from having to buy a bag of a certain size screw when you need only one or two.

Save on paint ” If you are flexible with color, you can save big dollars by buying oops paint colors from the home store. That is, colors that werent what the customer wanted and therefore refused to accept. Also, consider that one gallon of more expensive paint may be cheaper than buying two gallons of a cheaper brand that will likely require two coats.

Check toilets regularly – Water leaking from your toilet tank will raise your utility bills and cause premature wear of the toilets internal workings. One a year, add some red food coloring to the water in the tank. Come back in about an hour and see if the water in the bowl is pink. If it is, you have a leak.

Protect plumbing ” Accumulated fats, oils and hair are the most common causes of clogged pipes. Buy a hair strainer for the shower drain. Do not dispose of fats down the kitchen sink ” and if a pipe is plugged, skip the Drano, which can damage the pipes. Try using a drain snake yourself before you call a plumber.

Change air filters – Change the air filter in your central heat and air unit often, especially during peak usage months. Thirty days is the absolute longest you should leave an air filter in place.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

If youve considered buying a house with a helipad, here are four things you should know.

Helipad vs. Heliport

If you plan to keep a helicopter on your property, youre required to get FAA approval as a heliport, which often includes other facilities, like a hangar and fueling station.

Benefits

The main benefit of having a helipad in the backyard is convenience. Helicopters offer quicker travel time than a car and can come in handy in case of an emergency.

Buying vs. Building

It can be difficult to get local approval to fly a helicopter in a residential neighborhood, which is why its easier to buy a home that already has a helipad than to build one.

Environmental Concerns

Its important to keep in mind that private aviation can have a major impact on your carbon footprint.

Published with permission from RISMedia.