Sean Platt, a gifted writer who also provides clients with a wide range of content marketing services, had bought his house during the real estate peak. Recently, he lost his house.
I’ve read Sean’s post describing his ordeal with great interest, realizing that it gives readers a glimpse not just into a fascinating, personal story of the recent real estate bust, which has affected so many of us, but also into the kind of determination that enables a person to recover, emotionally and financially, from a financial crisis.
I really wanted to share Sean’s story with Money Ning readers and was excited and grateful when he had agreed to answer a few questions.
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When it comes to retirement, many people rely on their homes. We are told over and over again that our homes are investments, and that they are our biggest assets. As a result, many people rely on home appreciation to help fund their retirement. The recent real estate market crash has been contributing to a re-evaluation of that stance, but there are still plenty who still view their homes as investments. And, while a home may be an emotional investment, it might not be the great retirement investment asset that many think it is.
I was reading in Money Adviser, from Consumer Reports, that,
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Contrary to popular belief, you CAN dress well without spending a fortune on designer clothes and shoes. I love fashion and can relate to the need to look good and to impress. It’s a very human need, after all. No one wants to look frumpy or “cheap.” However, I do believe that it’s quite possible to look great without spending your entire paycheck on Manolo Blahniks or on designer clothes. Here are a few tips and tricks for looking fab on a budget:
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The art of writing a restaurant menu incorporates more than a nice layout: psychology and marketing both play big roles. While the local mom-and-pop restaurant may not have done a lot of research into how to sell more meals with the right menu design, you better believe that any big chain restaurant invests time and money into creating menus that make your mouth water and your wallet fall open. As a consumer, a little awareness of the strategies menu designers use can help you bypass all the marketing gibberish, letting you focus on getting the best value and the best meal. Here’s five.
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You know that insurance is a necessity in some cases. By law, you are required to purchase car insurance, and health insurance can protect against major (and possibly financially devastating) health problems and costs.
Other types of insurance, like life and disability, can be very helpful in securing your family’s future, depending on your particular situation. However, there are plenty of folks out there ready to sell you insurance that you might not actually need. While you might gain some protection from these types of insurance, they may be wholly unnecessary. Here are 5 types of insurance to think twice about:
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Buying second hand makes a lot of sense. It’s not only frugal, but it’s also good for the environment. However, it’s important that you make safety a priority when shopping for used items. It’s not a bargain if it’s putting you or your family at risk.
Examine items closely before buying. If you’re buying furniture or electronics, consider bringing a small, bright flashlight to help you examine all the nooks and crannies. You’ll want to look for:
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