Dennis Lehane, whose dark and twisty novels have won him accolades, is looking for a buyer to write him an offer on his lovely Los Angeles home. The asking price is $3,295,000.
Lehane penned “Gone, Baby, Gone” and “Mystic River,” among other titles. He purchased the property in 2020 for $2,395,000 and could make a bundle, if he lands anywhere near a full-price deal.
The almost 4,700-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-bath, Mediterranean-style dwelling is situated in the sought-after Kentwood neighborhood.
The home sports a traditional interior design, with some strong California-casual vibes. Light and airy rooms, large windows, a white palette, and soft textures give the space a sleek, upscale aesthetic.
A fireplace and elegant mantle grace the living room, while the kitchen is well-outfitted with a huge island, wine fridge, and seating for five. There are also double sinks, quartz countertops, and stainless steel appliances.
The main bedroom is a serene retreat with a large walk-in closet, marble bathroom, and a soaking tub beneath an opaque window.
The home is made for entertaining, thanks to a personal screening room, flex room with yoga-studio potential, and a wet bar on the lower level.
A courtyard behind the home offers a lagoon-style pool, spa, and patio with stone detailing, all flanked by swaying palm trees. Massive hedges cocoon the rear area, smartly hiding it from prying eyes.
With more than a dozen novels to his name, Lehane has also put his talents to work on the small screen. He was a staff writer on the hit series “The Wire” and a writer-producer for “Boardwalk Empire.”
Lehane has even helped fellow writers with their television adaptations, including one for Stephen King’s “Mr. Mercedes.” His latest novel, “Small Mercies,” is out now.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Creating a romantic meal at home is a somewhat bigger challenge than your standard Monday-night fare. Especially if you haven’t yet cooked for this significant other — or, if you’re in a long-term relationship, haven’t cooked for them often. And especially when the occasion in question is Valentine’s Day.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to up to romance factor, either overtly (like aphrodisiac ingredients and candles on the table) or covertly (that valentine’s favorite dish). Cooking together can also be a ton of fun for a date.
Frugal Foodie recommends sticking to what you know, and what you know your sweetheart will like. Even the most intricate meal falls flat if the steak burns or your date turns out to be allergic to hazelnuts. Years ago, Frugal Foodie spent hours on an intricate Coeur a la crème dessert topped with strawberries only to find out her date simply hated the fruit. Needless to say, that did not go over well with either party.
We talked to chefs, home cooks and other relationship experts about their go-to date meals. Post your own tried-and-true recipes below, and then try these seven romantic-and-cheap options.
There are appetizers, main courses, desserts and even a next-day breakfast, all for under $10 to prepare. (Cost estimates are based on non-sale New York City supermarket prices. If it’s a cheap meal in NYC, we figure cooks in most other places in the country will spend even less. Prices are also adjusted for quantity: if a recipe calls for half an onion, you’ll probably find something to do with the other half. Finally, estimates don’t take into account basic ingredients you likely already have, like flour, olive oil or dried spices.)
Oyster with Spicy Vinaigrette and Apples
Cost: $8.37 for half a dozen oysters, or $1.40 apiece.
Chef Michael Carrino, the owner of Restaurant Passionné in Montclair, N.J., suggests starting off your meal with this celebrated aphrodisiac. Open the oysters — he suggests two dozen Kushi, but the quantity and type is up to you. In a small bowl mix two tablespoons white balsamic vinegar, a teaspoon chopped garlic and an eighth of a teaspoon cayenne pepper. If desired, add a teaspoon of apple brandy, too. Using a whisk, slowly mix six tablespoons olive oil into the bowl and season with salt to taste. Garnish oysters with vinaigrette and peeled, finely-diced apples.
Strawberry-Tangerine Salad
Cost: $5.36, or $2.68 per serving.
No need to load up on aphrodisiacs. “Simplicity is the most exciting and titillating aspect of any recipe,” says Lorne Caplan, a scent and aphrodisiac expert. His suggestions: use basil, ginger, vanilla or — in this case, strawberry. Top a mixed-green salad with candied walnuts, tangerine wedges and a bit of goat cheese. Drizzle a strawberry-based dressing (try Frugal Foodie’s here). “Go easy on this as the scent is key and can be overpowering,” Caplan says.
Chicken Madeira
Cost: $7.20, or $3.60 per serving.
“I started dating a boy who dated a chef prior. No pressure there!” says Karralee Serra, who has been documenting her efforts at culinary improvement on “My Boyfriend Dated a Chef”. Serra used this recipe, scaled down for two, to step up her game. It worked. “There is nothing more wonderful than hearing, ‘I can’t wait to see what delicious thing you will cook on our next date,’” she says.
Salmon with Green Sauce
Cost: $9.86, or $4.93 per serving.
“The man had me with his pesto,” says Jill Mikols Etesse, the creative director for children’s app developer SmartyShortz, of her now-husband. His take on Martha Stewart’s dish scaled down for two, she says, is one of the few things he can cook – and what he makes her every Valentine’s Day. “I remember how I felt that [second date] evening,” she says. “It keeps me going.” As an added benefit, the recipe makes enough green sauce to use with other dishes for days on end.
Boozy Chocolate Truffles
Cost: $2.95 for about three dozen truffles.
Frugal Foodie and Mr. Foodie made a version of these Alton Brown truffles for their first Valentine’s Day together, subbing in already-on-hand Grand Marnier for the brandy. It’s been a tradition ever since, and we switch up the brand of chocolate and alcohol every time. Forgo the melon baller and hand-roll the truffles instead — it’s messier, but a lot more fun.
Quick Chocolate Soufflé
Cost: $3.25, or $1.63 per serving.
Intimidating? You bet. But Carrino promises that soufflé can be simple, too. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat the inside of four 6-ounce ramekins with the nonstick cooking spray, and then dust with a tablespoon of sugar. Chop four ounces of semisweet chocolate and combine with a half-cup heavy whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl. Heat on high for one minute and stir until chocolate and cream are full incorporated. In a separate bowl combine five egg whites and four tablespoons sugar and beat by hand until soft peaks are formed. After the chocolate mixture has cooled a bit gently fold it in to the egg whites. Spoon the batter into the ramekins and place in the refrigerator uncovered until needed. When ready, bake at 400 degrees on a cookie tray for 10 to 12 minutes or until the center does not jiggle. Dust with powdered sugar.
Strawberry French Toast
Cost: $3.16, or $1.58 per serving.
Romantic meals don’t stop at dinner, either. “My first love used to work the graveyard shift at the grocery store, so when he got off work it was breakfast time,” says San Jose, Calif., event planner Darlene Tenes, the founder of Hispanic lifestyle company CasaQ. Her Valentine’s inspiration often included his favorite French toast with mimosas.
Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Previous Post
Nickel and Dimed: Little Fees Add Up Big
Next Post
Next Stop For Daily Deals: Social Networking and Customization
Browse Related Articles
How to Be a Frugal Foodie On Valentine’s Day
Saving 101
10 Gourmet Meals For $10 or Less
Financial Planning
Frugal Food to Get You in the Mood
<img width="600" height="578" src="https://blog.mint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Stocksy_txp7a6b9796oKE200_Small_1959302.jpg?w=600&h=578&crop=1" class="rkv-card__media" alt="Valentine’s Day Budget Friendly Ways to Celebrate" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-attachment-id="9745" data-permalink="https://mint.intuit.com/blog/family/valentines-day-budget-friendly-ways-to-celebrate/attachment/two-beautiful-girls-cooking-in-them-home/" data-orig-file="https://blog.mint.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Stocksy_txp7a6b9796oKE200_Small_1959302.jpg" data-orig-size="866,578" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta=""aperture":"0","credit":"Santi Nunez / Stocksy United","camera":"","caption":"Two beautiful girls cooking in them home. Multiracial relationship concept.","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"All Rights Reserved","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"Two Beautiful Girls Cooking In Them Home.","orientation":"0"" data-image-title="Valentine’s Day Budget Friendly Ways to Celebrate" data-image-description="
Many airlines, hotels, theme parks and cruise lines pay year-round tribute to those who serve our country with various discounts and benefits. Sometimes these deals are available only to active-duty military personnel, and sometimes the perks extend to U.S. military veterans and their families as well.
Related: The best credit cards for active-duty military members: Get waived annual fees
No matter the form these travel benefits take, they all reflect the gratitude the travel industry feels toward those who have sacrificed so much to protect our country.
Here are the perks that military members can take advantage of on their travels.
Military hotel discounts
Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy and its many brands have discounted federal, state and local government rates available to government and military personnel. To access the discounted rates, choose the “Government & Military” option from the “Special Rates” drop-down menu when searching for a stay. You’ll get a list of all the Marriott Bonvoy properties in your chosen city that offer special rates and their eligibility requirements.
Hilton
Federal and U.S. military employees are eligible for military rates and discounts at participating Hilton properties. When searching for rooms online, check the box labeled “Government/Military Rates” to see the applicable rates. Plus, there’s a discount on leisure stays for active and retired military members and their families at participating hotels and resorts (though the rate is not valid for official government or military travel).
Best Western
Best Western properties across the U.S. offer discounted rates for veterans, military members and government personnel.
Plus, Best Western’s Service Rewards Program — the hotel chain’s award program tailored to members of the military and armed forces — unlocks even more member benefits, including an automatic upgrade to Gold status and bonus points on qualified stays.
Hyatt
Veterans, active-duty members and their immediate family members are eligible for a discount of 10%-15% off Hyatt’s standard rate at participating hotels. To get the discount, use the offer code MILVET while booking.
Sign up for our daily newsletter
Wyndham
Participating Wyndham properties offer discounts of up to 15% off their best available rate to active and retired military personnel, veterans and their families. Plus, qualifying military personnel and their spouses get automatic Gold-level status when they enroll in the Wyndham Rewards program and bonus Wyndham Rewards points for qualified stays.
B Hotels & Resorts
To honor military members, B Hotels & Resorts is offering an exclusive “B Saluted” discount of 15% off regular rates and two welcome drinks per stay to military members, veterans and their families. B Hotels & Resorts has locations in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Marathon, Florida.
IHG
The hotel chain behind such brands as InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton and others offers a “Military Leisure Rate” at participating locations across the U.S., Canada, and Central and South America. It applies to active-duty military personnel, veterans, retired military personnel and their families.
Choice Hotels
Choice Hotels — which includes brands such as Comfort, Sleep Inn and Quality Inn — extends a discounted rate for official and leisure travel to active-duty and retired military personnel, their dependents and members of several military associations. Plus, active-duty military members, veterans and military spouses are eligible to join the Choice Privileges rewards program at the Lifetime Gold Elite level and receive a bonus 2,500 Choice Privileges rewards points after your first qualifying stay.
Motel 6
Motel 6, along with its sister extended-stay brand Studio 6, offers active and retired military personnel and their families a discount of 10% off standard rates.
Red Roof
Active-duty military personnel and veterans — in addition to government employees — are eligible for a 10% discount on official travel at any U.S. Red Roof location. The hotel chain also has a 10% discount on leisure travel for all government employees and military members, veterans and retirees.
Military airline benefits
Southwest Airlines
There are special fares for military and government travelers, but you must call the airline to book them. Additionally, military members traveling on active duty (in or out of uniform) can board between the A and B groups and are exempt from the limit of two pieces of checked baggage.
American Airlines
American Airlines offers government or military fares in some markets, while veterans and their families can access reduced fares by enrolling in the VetRewards program.
Active-duty military personnel are also allowed Group 1 boarding privileges; they can bring up to five free checked bags when traveling on orders and up to three free checked bags for leisure travel (weight restrictions apply).
U.S. military personnel traveling in uniform on a same-day American flight can enter Admirals Club lounges with their immediate family — defined as a spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 — or up to two guests at most Admirals Club locations except for Airspace Lounge at San Diego International Airport (SAN) and JAL Sakura Lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).
Delta Air Lines
Active-duty U.S. service members can call Delta Reservations at 800-221-1212 for discounted fares unavailable to the general public. Delta also offers priority boarding and free checked baggage to active-duty military members. How many bags you are allowed is based on the type of travel and fare type, and you must adhere to the specified size and weight restrictions for baggage.
United Airlines
United offers an additional checked baggage allowance and United Club access to active-duty military members traveling on official orders (immediate family may access the lounge, too). U.S. military veterans, active-duty military, National Guard and Reserve members and their families are also eligible for a 5% discount on United-operated flights through the Veterans Advantage program.
Alaska Airlines
In some markets, Alaska Airlines offers military fares to active-duty military personnel and their dependents when you call Alaska Airlines at 800-252-7522 to purchase your tickets. Active-duty U.S. military personnel can board early, check up to five bags for free, receive 15% off inflight food purchases and receive complimentary day passes to visit an Alaska Lounge when traveling in uniform. All other active-duty military personnel can purchase a discounted day pass for $30. Flight discounts are also available through Veterans Advantage.
JetBlue
Active-duty military personnel not traveling on orders get a 5% discount off the base fare by calling 800-JETBLUE. In a separate offer, JetBlue offers a 5% discount to U.S. active-duty military members, retired military members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members and their families who are enrolled in Veterans Advantage. Those who enroll in Veterans Advantage also get two free checked bags for leisure trips and up to five when traveling on duty.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier typically charges for carry-on bags and checked baggage. However, active-duty armed forces, National Guard and Reserve members receive a free carry-on bag, two free checked bags and one free personal item. Note: These baggage waivers apply only to active-duty military personnel. Families or traveling companions are not eligible.
Allegiant Air
U.S. active-duty and reserve military members, military veterans, members of the National Guard and their dependents get up to two pieces of checked baggage for free through the Allegiant Honors program. Also, the airline waives its typical fees for oversized checked baggage, a carry-on bag, getting a boarding pass printed at the airport and seat assignments. Qualifying service members can also board their flights early.
Spirit Airlines
Active-duty U.S. military members can check two bags for free and bring a carry-on item on board their flight for free, in addition to the already free personal item.
Military train travel discounts
Amtrak
Active-duty U.S. military personnel, their spouses and their dependents are eligible for a 10% discount on the lowest available fare in select fare classes. During your ticket search on Fare Finder, select “Military” for each eligible passenger. Amtrak also welcomes uniformed military personnel to the front of the ticket line.
Brightline
Active-duty military members traveling in uniform can ride Brightline for free with a reservation. Visit a guest services counter at any Brightline station to receive the discount. Additionally, active-duty military members not traveling in uniform and veterans can receive a 10% discount on fares. Both discounts are for the Smart fare class and cannot be used for Premium fares.
Military theme park ticket discounts
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando is currently offering a Military Freedom Pass promotional ticket to all active-duty and retired service members. Ticket prices start at $199.99 for unlimited admission between now and Dec. 24, though blackout dates apply. Each eligible service member can purchase up to six promotional tickets, and they must buy them through a participating authorized military ticket and travel office.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood offers discounted tickets to active-duty and retired military personnel, 100% disabled veterans, Medal of Honor recipients, active Guard and Reserve members, and the spouses and dependents of the people in these categories. Ticket prices vary based on date, and tickets must be purchased at participating military ticket offices.
Walt Disney World
Active and retired U.S. military personnel are eligible for discounted hotel rates and specially priced theme park tickets at Walt Disney World. Blackout dates apply. Hotel stays can be booked by calling 407-939-7830. Tickets must be purchased at a participating U.S. military base ticket office.
Disneyland
Disneyland honors active and retired U.S. military personnel with discounted three- and four-day Park Hopper tickets. The Disney Military Promotional Park Hopper Ticket includes access to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure each day of your ticket, excluding blackout dates. Pricing starts at $245, and you must purchase tickets at a participating U.S. military base ticket office. Hotel discounts are also available by calling 844-776-0015.
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City offers a 30% ticket discount to U.S. active or retired military, veterans and military reservists, along with their spouses and dependent children (ages 4-17) living in their household. In addition to discounted tickets, Silver Dollar City invites all military members and veterans to help raise the American Flag during the park’s daily opening ceremony. Service members are also given a red, white and blue ribbon to wear during their time in the park, allowing employees and guests to thank them for their service.
Busch Gardens and SeaWorld parks
Through the Waves of Honor program, all U.S. SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Aquatica and Sesame Place parks offer discounted tickets to active-duty military members and veterans.
Dollywood
Dollywood offers discounted tickets stand annual passes to U.S. active or retired military, veterans, military reservists, spouses and dependents. The savings amounts to about 30% off the regular ticket price.
Military cruise benefits
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line shows its appreciation for active and retired armed forces members with discounted cruise rates, onboard credits and reduced deposits. Additionally, every Carnival sailing has a Heroes Tribute Lounge and holds a military appreciation gathering for service members and their families.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Military Appreciation Program extends exclusive benefits to military members, veterans and their spouses. Members of the program receive a 10% discount on all cruise fares.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line offers special rates to all military members, active and retired, as well as their spouses. Discounted rates are only available on select sailings, and prices start at $185 per person, based on double occupancy.
Margaritaville at Sea
Margaritaville at Sea honors active and veteran military members with a free two-night cruise through the Heroes Sail Free program. The offer is valid only for ocean-view and interior cabins, and you must be sailing with at least one paying guest in the same cabin. Taxes and fees still apply.
Celebrity Cruises
Active and retired military members can save $25 on inside and ocean-view cabins and $100 on veranda cabins and above on select sailings. This discount applies to the first and second guest in the cabin.
Princess Cruises
Veterans and active, retired and disabled military personnel can receive up to $250 free onboard spending money on select Princess sailings. You can use this onboard credit for specialty dining, onboard boutiques, shore excursions, spa treatments and more.
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean offers military rates to active and retired personnel, veterans and their spouses. The discounted rates also apply to friends and family members staying in the same cabin as the eligible service member. The best way to access the discounted rate is by booking through a travel agent or booking directly with Royal Caribbean over the phone.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offers discounted fares to all active and retired U.S. military personnel, plus family members traveling with them. You can receive a discount of 5% on interior and ocean-view cabins, 10% on balcony and suite cabins and a “kids sail free” promotion on select sailings.
AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways offers active and retired service members a special military discount of $100 off a river cruise when you use the code MIL100 at the time of booking.
Bottom line
A host of benefits await travelers who serve or have served in the U.S. military.
Because these benefits, their requirements and the eligibility of family, spouses and dependents vary, carefully research each military discount offer to avoid any surprises. Many airlines, hotels and other businesses might ask for proof of eligibility, so don’t leave home without the military ID, veteran ID, dependent ID, orders and/or other documentation you’ll need to take advantage of the many travel offers.
At long last, the White House and House Republicans have reached a tentative agreement to raise the debt ceiling. But a deal isn’t over yet: Congress still needs to vote on the deal – far from a guaranteed outcome – and President Joe Biden would need to sign it before the US defaults or misses a scheduled payment.Video above: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks after debt ceiling agreement in principleEvery day that passes without a bill to raise the debt ceiling, the probability of the United States reaching the critical date that it can no longer meet its financial obligations steadily grows.If lawmakers fail to pass the tentative agreement, and they don’t raise the country’s debt limit by early June, the government may confront an unprecedented challenge: determining which bills to prioritize for payment as the Treasury Department grapples with insufficient funds. Debt vs. other payments If the United States doesn’t raise the debt ceiling in time, the Treasury may have to decide whether to make interest payments to its debtholders or to pay its non-debt obligations, such as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, unemployment insurance, food stamps, and running government organizations like the military and the US Centers for Disease Control.The United States government makes millions of payments each day, but the overall economy would pay a far greater price if it were to miss payments on its debt, according to Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Moody’s Analytics is separate from Moody’s Investor Service, the credit rating agency.If the United States defaults on its debt, it would undermine faith in the federal government’s ability to pay all its bills on time, affecting the government’s credit rating and unleashing massive turbulence in financial markets.Countries with lower credit ratings face higher interest rate costs than those that are viewed as more trustworthy borrowers. The three largest credit rating agencies – Moody’s Investor Service, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings – rate borrowers based on their perceived ability to pay back debt. If America’s credit rating were downgraded, that could raise borrowing costs for millions of Americans, sending mortgage, personal loan and credit card rates higher. It could make business’ borrowing costs rise and lead to layoffs – and ultimately a recession.What gets prioritized?Absent a bill passed by Congress and signed by Biden, Treasury will likely do everything in its power to avoid a debt default.In contrast to debt payments, government payments like Social Security or federal worker salaries aren’t considered debt instruments, so they are less likely to come into play when the agencies rate the United States’ debt. Zandi acknowledged that a government decision to pay back bondholders, including foreign governments like China and Japan, over an elderly Social Security recipient will likely be politically unpopular. However, he believes the government would try to prevent a debt default for as long as it can. “The reality is, if they don’t do that, then the economy is going to evaporate, the budget deficits are going to explode, and our interest expense is going to rise because investors are going to demand higher rates,” Zandi said.“A grandmother 10 to 20 years from now looking for a Social Security check will be much less likely to get one. At least not one as large because we’ll be in a much more precarious financial situation.”Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, however, has not said what the Treasury Department would do if the country hits the so-called X-date, when the government can no longer meet all its obligations. In March, she called prioritizing payments “effectively a default by just another name.”Treasury will not be able to make everyone happyOn Friday, Yellen updated her estimate of the X-date, to June 5.Though prioritizing debt payments might stave off an even-greater economic collapse, the United States may not emerge unscathed.In 2011, then-Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner compared the government picking and choosing which bills to pay to a homeowner who pays their mortgage while pushing off their car loan and credit card bills: while that key housing expense is taken care of, that person would likely still have damaged credit.Betsey Stevenson, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, said no matter which payments Treasury decides to put first, the agency will likely be sued by those left behind. “What should Treasury do? Should it issue new debt it’s not authorized to issue? Should it fail to pay a bill it’s required to pay? Should it fail to honor the debt that the US government has issued? There is no clear legal answer,” she said.“Treasury doesn’t really want to answer that question, and they don’t really want to be in that position.”
At long last, the White House and House Republicans have reached a tentative agreement to raise the debt ceiling. But a deal isn’t over yet: Congress still needs to vote on the deal – far from a guaranteed outcome – and President Joe Biden would need to sign it before the US defaults or misses a scheduled payment.
Video above: House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks after debt ceiling agreement in principle
Advertisement
Every day that passes without a bill to raise the debt ceiling, the probability of the United States reaching the critical date that it can no longer meet its financial obligations steadily grows.
If lawmakers fail to pass the tentative agreement, and they don’t raise the country’s debt limit by early June, the government may confront an unprecedented challenge: determining which bills to prioritize for payment as the Treasury Department grapples with insufficient funds.
Debt vs. other payments
If the United States doesn’t raise the debt ceiling in time, the Treasury may have to decide whether to make interest payments to its debtholders or to pay its non-debt obligations, such as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, unemployment insurance, food stamps, and running government organizations like the military and the US Centers for Disease Control.
The United States government makes millions of payments each day, but the overall economy would pay a far greater price if it were to miss payments on its debt, according to Mark Zandi, the chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. Moody’s Analytics is separate from Moody’s Investor Service, the credit rating agency.
If the United States defaults on its debt, it would undermine faith in the federal government’s ability to pay all its bills on time, affecting the government’s credit rating and unleashing massive turbulence in financial markets.
Countries with lower credit ratings face higher interest rate costs than those that are viewed as more trustworthy borrowers. The three largest credit rating agencies – Moody’s Investor Service, S&P Global Ratings, and Fitch Ratings – rate borrowers based on their perceived ability to pay back debt.
If America’s credit rating were downgraded, that could raise borrowing costs for millions of Americans, sending mortgage, personal loan and credit card rates higher. It could make business’ borrowing costs rise and lead to layoffs – and ultimately a recession.
What gets prioritized?
Absent a bill passed by Congress and signed by Biden, Treasury will likely do everything in its power to avoid a debt default.
In contrast to debt payments, government payments like Social Security or federal worker salaries aren’t considered debt instruments, so they are less likely to come into play when the agencies rate the United States’ debt.
Zandi acknowledged that a government decision to pay back bondholders, including foreign governments like China and Japan, over an elderly Social Security recipient will likely be politically unpopular. However, he believes the government would try to prevent a debt default for as long as it can.
“The reality is, if they don’t do that, then the economy is going to evaporate, the budget deficits are going to explode, and our interest expense is going to rise because investors are going to demand higher rates,” Zandi said.
“A grandmother 10 to 20 years from now looking for a Social Security check will be much less likely to get one. At least not one as large because we’ll be in a much more precarious financial situation.”
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, however, has not said what the Treasury Department would do if the country hits the so-called X-date, when the government can no longer meet all its obligations. In March, she called prioritizing payments “effectively a default by just another name.”
Treasury will not be able to make everyone happy
On Friday, Yellen updated her estimate of the X-date, to June 5.
Though prioritizing debt payments might stave off an even-greater economic collapse, the United States may not emerge unscathed.
In 2011, then-Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner compared the government picking and choosing which bills to pay to a homeowner who pays their mortgage while pushing off their car loan and credit card bills: while that key housing expense is taken care of, that person would likely still have damaged credit.
Betsey Stevenson, a professor of economics and public policy at the University of Michigan, said no matter which payments Treasury decides to put first, the agency will likely be sued by those left behind.
“What should Treasury do? Should it issue new debt it’s not authorized to issue? Should it fail to pay a bill it’s required to pay? Should it fail to honor the debt that the US government has issued? There is no clear legal answer,” she said.
“Treasury doesn’t really want to answer that question, and they don’t really want to be in that position.”
Autumn is here and the leaves are just starting to turn. Believe it or not, that means it’s time to start thinking about the holiday season. Holiday expenses can pile up quickly. Planning ahead saves you sticker shock and can spare you a steep credit card bill in the new year.
Careful planners have laid out their holiday budget well in advance and saved for it all year long. It’s not like the holiday season is a surprise, after all! A generation ago, it was common for housewives to be part of a “Christmas club” at their local bank, which was just a targeted savings account where you saved a little cash each week and got it back in a lump sum before the holidays.
But what if you haven’t laid aside a nice nest egg for holiday shopping, travel and entertaining? Well, it’s never too late to start. Getting on the holiday savings bandwagon now will help you create a buffer between you and all those extra bills.
How can you do it?
Begin with a budget Start with a budget of expected expenses. You probably know at least roughly what you spend year to year. If you’ve been tracking your spending, you can even look back at the past few Decembers and get a more detailed feel for what your expenses have been.
Don’t just look at what you spend at the mall. Gifts are probably a big chunk of your holiday budget, but they’re not everything. You also need to consider added costs for food and drink if you entertain during the holidays. Travel costs are a factor if you visit relatives, whether it’s a road trip to Grandma’s or an international flight.
Then there are all the little expenses:
The gifts for your child’s classroom teacher, and the secretary at your office.
Yankee swap (or white elephant) items.
A bottle of wine for the hostess at each of the four holiday parties you attend.
A dress for New Year’s Eve — and new shoes to go with it.
Once you’ve looked over your expense records for last year (or wracked your memory if you’ve just gotten on the personal finance bandwagon and don’t have last year’s records), it’s time to sketch out a budget. I like to be specific in my holiday budgeting. I make a “Santa’s list” of gifts I expect to buy. I jot down rough expenses for the annual holiday party I host: how much I expect to spend on booze, food and sundry party supplies. I budget out any trips we’re going to take, like visiting my father for Thanksgiving.
This may sound tedious, but I find it really fun. In general I use more detailed budgeting than J.D. does, so I may be predisposed to finely tuning things. If you prefer a looser method, you need only figure out how much your total spending from, say, mid-November through New Year’s exceeded your regular monthly spending. That’s how much extra cash you’ll need to cover your holiday expenses.
If you’re like me, you probably want to take a more detailed approach. In the case of my holiday budget, it’s not a chore at all. It’s sort of an anticipatory activity. I sit down with my husband and plan out what we want to do for the kids this year. I get to imagine how my party will be, and think about what kinds of food and drink I’ll serve. Checking on airfares to Tucson is a chance to think about the Thanksgiving meal I’ll share with my father, and how happy he’ll be playing with my kids. I’m looking ahead to the things I enjoy about the holiday season, while I’m figuring out what each one will cost me. It helps me keep my expectations realistic, and gives me a chance to savor the time with friends and family that I’m looking forward to.
Starting to save Once you’ve figured out your budget, in whatever level of detail is comfortable for you, it’s time to save that money.
Money doesn’t come from nowhere. To save up a chunk of cash over a few months, you’ll probably want to employ several strategies.
The first thing you can do is cut back on your discretionary spending. Stop eating out, scale back on entertainment. Stay in with Netflix and a good homemade meal a few times, and you’ll save a decent chunk of cash. Taking a close look at your spending habits will probably highlight some other things you can cut back on: shopping, subscriptions, travel. The usual suspects. If you’ve been managing your finances closely for even a little while, you probably have a good idea of what your personal money sinks are. You know what can be cut for a short period of belt-tightening. Now is the time to do it if you want to splurge over the holiday season.
Once you’ve cut back your discretionary spending, look at ways to bring in more cash. Some people pick up part-time jobs around this time of year: plenty of places need seasonal workers, from stores at the mall to apple orchards. You can easily pick up a short-term gig doing something that may not thrill your soul, but will put extra cash in your pocket.
Alternately, you can look at earning money from a hobby or talent. Maybe you can schedule some portrait sessions, or make some money busking in the subway. You might be able to hang out your shingle doing some bike repair or odd jobs around people’s homes. Craft fairs and shops offer opportunities for knitters and crafters to sell their creations. Putting in some extra hours and effort with your creative work this season might well pay off in extra fun money right when you need it.
Finally, you can sell stuff. Possibly even some of last year’s Christmas presents. You surely have old DVDs, sports equipment or other useful things in good condition that you are never going to use again. Selling your unwanted goodies is a bit of an art. Some people, like J.D., are great at it. Others find it’s more of a hassle than a lucrative hobby.
However you decide to approach saving for the holidays, have fun with it. Not only is it a good idea to put by some extra money for the upcoming season, but it’ll give you good practice at setting a financial goal and meeting it.
Note: Another way to help your Christmas budget? Don’t forget to explore homemade gifts. These can save you money and be fun to make.
One would think a married couple would be on the same page about the decor present in their home. However, this woman’s husband definitely is not.
One would think a married couple would be on the same page about the decor present in their home. Decisions about artwork, color palette, furniture, and more are often joint when moving in together.
However, TikTok creator @olivebranchcottage, aka Morgan, proves that some spouses are not always on the same page as their partners.
Article continues below advertisement
In fact, Morgan’s husband seemingly has no idea what many of their interior decorations even look like, making her viral home decor quiz all the more hilarious. Let’s get into her (relatively easy) questions, his oblivious responses, and the comment section’s reaction.
Article continues below advertisement
A woman gave her husband a home decor quiz — and his answers were interesting, to say the least.
The TikTok creator’s viral home decor quiz video started incredibly straightforward, with Morgan asking her husband to simply state the color of the circle painted on the wall of the plant room in their house.
After several seconds of deep introspection, her perplexed partner arrived at his first answer: “Like, a clay color. Like, orangish-brown.”
What followed proved he couldn’t have been more wrong. Morgan then showed a photo of said circle, which was dark green rather than “orangish-brown.”
Article continues below advertisement
The creator upped the ante by asking her spouse what colors were on the rug in their bedroom, and, you guessed it, he answered incorrectly once again.
After he claimed their shared carpet was red and gold, the creator posted a picture of a white rug with blue flowers. However, to her husband’s credit, there were also small accents of pink and yellow, which could be what he was referring to with the red and gold comment.
And the last Q&A was the icing on the cake. When Morgan asked her partner to name what was in the picture hanging on their backdoor, he promptly asked, “Is that the one of the Italian town with like a little cow out in front?”
Nope! The image in the frame was of a little girl holding a puppy.
Article continues below advertisement
The comment section had a few thoughts about the creator’s husband’s lack of awareness.
While Morgan’s husband’s responses were undoubtedly amusing, TikTok creators in the comments noted that he could potentially have vision problems. “Hear me out … he might be colorblind,” one user wrote, followed by a crying laughing emoji.
Other people shared similar sentiments, but colorblindness didn’t explain his final answer.
“OK, do you have a painting of an Italian town with a cow?” someone asked. “Because that is SO specific.” Morgan then clarified that they do have artwork featuring cows in their kitchen. However, it contains an English cathedral, not an Italian town.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you want a sanctuary, not just an apartment-you need the extra touches that make it feel like home. At 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue, the Polinger team has thought of everything. From sweeping views of Washington, D.C. to illuminating woodburning fireplaces to elegantly designed kitchens and bathrooms; … [Read more…]
2021 VA Home Loan Limit: $0 down payment up to $5,000,000* (subject to lender limits) /2 open VA loans at one time $548,250 (Call 877-432-5626 for details).
How to Apply for a VA Home Loan?
This is a quick look at how to apply for a VA home loan in Merced county. For a more detailed overview of the VA home loan process, check out our complete guide on how to apply for a VA mortgage loan. Here, we’ll go over the general steps to getting a VA home loan and point out some things to pay attention to in Merced County. If you have any questions, you can call us at VA HLC and we’ll help you get started.
Get your Certificate of Eligibility (COE)
Give us a call at (877) 432-5626 and we’ll get your COE for you.
Are you applying for a refinance loan? Check out our complete guide to VA Refinancing.
Get pre-approved, to get pre-approved for a loan, you’ll need:
Previous two years of W2s
Most recent 30 days paystubs or LES (active duty)
Most recent 60 days bank statements
Landlord and HR/Payroll Department contact info
Find a home
We can help you check whether the home is in one of the Merced County flood zones
Get the necessary inspections
Termite inspection: required
Well or septic inspections needed, if applicable
Get the home appraised
We can help you find a VA-Certified appraiser in Merced County and schedule the process
Construction loan note: Construction permit/appraisal info
Building permit
Elevation certificate
Lock in your interest rates
Pro tip: Wait until the appraisal lock in your loan rates. If it turns out you need to make repairs, it can push your closing back. Then you can get stuck paying rate extension fees.
Close the deal and get packing!
You’re ready to go.
What is the Median Home Price?
As of March 31, 2021, the median home value for Merced County is $326,192. In addition, the median household income for residents of the county is $53,672.
How much are the VA Appraisal Fees?
Single-Family: $600.
Individual Condo: $600.
Manufactured Homes: $600.
2-4 Unit Multi-Family: $850.
Appraisal Turnaround Times: 7 days.
Do I need Flood Insurance?
The VA requires properties are required to have flood insurance if they are in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
In Merced County, there are many flood plains, especially in the low-lying areas. Your agent can help you to check whether a property will require flood insurance.
How do I learn about Property Taxes?
For questions about property tax, you can get in touch with Merced County Assessor Barbara Levey. Her office is located at 2222 M. St. Merced, CA 95340 or by calling (209) 385-7434.
Veterans, owner-occupiers, and senior citizens may be eligible for property tax relief. You can find out whether you qualify through the county assessor. In addition, the Assessor’s Office can do re-appraisals to determine property values and flood risks.
What is the Population?
The county’s population of 277,680 is, 61% Hispanic, 26% White, and 7% Asian.
Most county residents are between 18 and 65 years old, with 29% under 18 years old and 11% older than 65.
In total, the county has about 79,606 households, with an average of three people per household.
What are the major cities?
There is a total of six cities in the county including the city of Merced which also served as the county seat. In addition, the five other cities in the county are Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, and Los Banos.
About Merced County
Merced County, California is located right in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley. This region is known as the breadbasket of the US because of its agricultural production. In addition, while Merced is away from the bustle of California’s biggest cities, the I-5 runs through the county and connects it to the rest of the state.
The City of Merced is the county’s cultural and economic hub. In addition to its connection to California’s primary highway system, it is also home to a major train station. The downtown area has plenty of exciting restaurants, shops, and nightlife.
The county is also home to plenty of green space. There are two national wildlife preserves along the river, where you can hike or bike along miles of trails. Plus, the City of Plenada, on the county’s eastern edge, contains one of the entrances to Yosemite National Park. Residents don’t just enjoy the park’s natural beauty but the droves of tourists it brings to the region each year.
Veteran Information
The county is currently home to 9,662 veterans.
Merced County is home to four VFW post:
Post 4327 Robert M Kelley – 939 W. Main St. Merced, CA 95340.
Post 8327 Livingston – 1605 7th Street, Livingston, CA 95334.
Post-2487 Lieut. Laurence F. Muth – 615 E Street, Los Banos, CA 93635.
Post 7635 Joseph G. Rose – 145 5th Street, Gustine, CA 95322.
VA Medical Centers in the county:
Merced VA Clinic – 340 East Yosemite Avenue, Suite D, Merced, CA 95340.
County Veteran Assistance Information
Merced County Veteran Services – 3376 N State Hwy 59, Merced, CA 95348.
VA Home Loan Information
For more information about VA Home Loans and how to apply, click here.
If you meet the VA’s eligibility requirements, you will be able to enjoy some of the best government-guaranteed home loans available.
VA loans can finance the construction of a property. However, the property must be owned and prepared for construction as the VA cannot ensure vacant land loans.
VA Approved Condos
Name (ID): VILLA DEL SOL (C01070) Address: NONE MERCED CA 95348-0000 MERCED Status: Accepted Without Conditions Request Received Date: 11/16/1986 Review Completion Date: 11/16/1986
This post may contain affiliate links, which helps us to continue providing relevant content and we receive a small commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the full disclosure here.
How many times have you thought about how much FI would it take to retire?
It’s a question that can be frustrating, especially since the answer is different for everyone.
What if there was an easy way to calculate your personal FI number and find out what kind of portfolio you need based on your spending habits? That’s where this handy calculator comes in!
Calculating your FI number is not as difficult as it sounds.
This is an important personal finance number to know.
If you desire to do something else or are just looking forward to retirement, you need to know how much money you need!
What is FI number?
FI number is the amount of money needed to retire.
It can be calculated using your salary, interest rate, and the time period in which you need to save for retirement.
The 4% figure is a reasonable place to start. The 4% rule is a conservative estimate, with the expectation that Social Security will play a larger role in retirement income.
Why Choose Financial independence?
Financial Independence, or “FI”, is a term used to describe the state of not needing to work for a living because your passive income from investments or savings can cover your living expenses.
It doesn’t mean you have to stop working altogether, it just means you’re no longer tied down by the need to earn a certain amount of money each month.
FI is an attractive proposition for many people because it allows them the freedom and flexibility to pursue their passions or hobbies without having to worry about financial constraints. And if you have money saved up, you can live comfortably off your savings or investments!
How to calculate your FI number?
There are a few different ways to calculate your FI number. The easiest way is to use an online calculator. This will give you a ballpark estimate of what you need to save in order to achieve financial independence.
Option #1 – Using Yearly Spending
One way to calculate your FI number is by multiplying your annual spending by 25. This will give you the amount you need in savings to have 25 times your annual spending available each year without having to touch the principal.
FI Number = yearly spending * 25
For example, if you spend $50000 a year, your FI number would be $1,250,000.
Option #2 – Using a Safe Withdrawal Rate of 4%
Another way to calculate your FI number is by using the safe withdrawal rate of 4%. In fact, many studies believe that 4% is the too old way of thinking and 3.3% is a better safe withdrawal rate (SWR).
You can calculate either way. If you prefer to pull more money out at retirement, then stick with 4%.
FI Number = yearly spending / Safe Withdrawal Rate
For example, if you spend $50000 a year and choose a 4% Safe withdrawal rate, your FI number would be $1,250,000.
Using a 3% safe withdrawal rate, your FI number would be $1,666,666.
The Financial Independence Formula
Do you know your FI number?
It’s a question people are often too embarrassed to ask, but if you don’t have an idea of what it is or where it comes from, you might be spending too much of your money.
Let’s start with the basics and work our way up to where we are today in terms of financial independence!
Calculate Your Spending
In order to calculate your spending, you need to know how much money you spend in a year. To do this, simply multiply your monthly spending by 12. This will give you an estimate of how much money you spend on an annual basis.
It’s important to have a detailed zero based budget before calculating your Financial Independence Formula. This way, you can be sure that you are including all of your regular expenses (and irregular expenses) in your calculations.
The FI Formula is based on conservative retirement calculations, so it’s important to include all of your regular expenses in the formula. The more accurate your figures are, the better idea you’ll have of how much money you’ll need for retirement.
Find Your FI Number
In order to achieve financial independence, you need to find your FI number.
This is determined by two factors: spending and withdrawal rate. The safe withdrawal rate (SWR) determines how much money you are able to withdraw each year without running out of savings in your lifetime. You divide your current spending by SWR to find out how much wealth you need in order to reach a certain financial target.
FI Number = yearly spending / Safe Withdrawal Rate
Everyone will have different FI numbs.
Determine Years to Financial Independence
The Financial Independence Formula may help estimate how much time it will take to reach financial independence. The formula is only a rough estimate, and you must adjust it as needed for more accurate calculations for your own savings plan.
The Financial Independence Formula factors in how much you need to save each year to become financially independent.
The goal of the Financial Independence Formula is to achieve financial independence before the typical retirement age of 45.
Years to FI = (FI Number – Amount Already Saved) / Yearly Saving
Using the example above, we calculated your FI number to be $1.25 million. You have already saved $450,000 and currently saving $25000 a year.
32 Years to FI = (1250000 – 450000) / 25000
However, if you increase your savings rate to $80000, then
10 Years to FI = (1250000 – 450000) / 80000
As you can tell, the more you are able to save and invest, the quicker you will reach FI.
For the amount already saved, you need to use the amount saved in retirement plans as well as any taxable accounts that will fund your lifestyle.
A commonly asked question is… should I include my house value? Honestly, the answer is no – unless part of your FI plan includes selling your house and moving to a lower cost of living area. Then, you would use the difference of your appreciated house value minus the cost of a cheaper home.
How to FI – Create a Plan
One of the most important aspects of actually achieving financial independence is to create an action plan.
Without action, you will be spinning on the same cycle over and over.
So, take an hour and start making your plan.
Step #1 – Figure out Numbers
The first step is figuring out your FI number and how many years away you can be.
There are many ways to make variations on finding your FI number. So, make sure you take into account how many years it will take for you to reach financial independence at your current savings rate.
This is the most important step!
Step #2 – Pick a Realistic Date
This is when most people get motivated when they pick a realistic date to retire early.
Every single decision you make will take you one step closer to your goal.
You are working backward from your “selected” date.
Step #3 – Take Action to Enjoy Life
The hardest step for actually making the decision to FI is to take action.
There are so many factors going into what you need to do once your know your FI number.
You can’t just sit back and do nothing once you know your FI number. You have to follow the steps below on saving and investing to reach financial independence.
For many people, this is choosing to live a frugal green lifestyle while saving money.
How to FI – Saving to Achieve Financial Independence
The FI Number Calculator is a simple tool that helps you calculate how much it will take to reach financial independence when investing in the stock market and using your savings rate as well.
But there are certain steps you must take to be able to save more money to jumpstart your path to financial independence. While many of our money saving challenges will help you, you need to find ways to save more money.
Step #1: Pay Off Debt
When you’re working to achieve Financial Independence, it’s important to address your debt. Paying off debt will help you achieve financial independence faster.
There are two types of debt that are especially important to pay off:
Credit card debt
Student loan debt
Credit card companies have high interest rates, so it’s important to consolidate your credit card debt by using Tally or an equivalent service. This can help you find a lower monthly payment and reduce the amount of time it takes to pay off your debt.
Before seeking to consolidate your credit card debt, make a plan for how you’ll avoid future use of this type of loan!
Debt is a cash flow drain while pursuing Financial Independence.
Step #2: Reduce Expenses
There are many ways to reduce expenses and achieve financial independence faster.
One potential area for savings is housing, which can be achieved through refinancing, house hacking, or downsizing.
Other options include trading in your new car for a beater car, scaling back on eating out or cutting back on your streaming services.
Typically those who budget consistently have an easier time reducing their expenses. Using a budget binder will help you find ways to reduce your expenses.
Step #3: Boost your income
This is probably the most important step to be able to increase your saving percentage significantly!
There are many ways to boost your income and save more money.
For example:
Find ways to increase your income from your 9-5 job.
Develop skills or get promoted to earn a better job with higher pay.
Side hustling can help you earn a decent income every month.
Find passive income streams as ways to start earning more money without any effort on your part.
Sell your old stuff on websites like eBay or Amazon for some quick cash infusion into your savings account.
Finding ways to make money fast is important during your FI journey.
You must search for additional sources of income, as they can help you save more and invest more in the future.
Step #4: Invest Money
It’s important to invest money in order to grow your wealth. You can do this automatically by investing through most online brokers.
This way, you’ll avoid making any rash decisions based on fear or greed. Investing consistently is a great way to get an average of 8-12% returns on your investments.
The idea is to save as much as possible and invest in assets that provide a high return on investment. This could include buying stocks, real estate, or other investments that offer long-term stability and growth potential.
Learn how to invest $100 to make $1000 a day.
How to FI – Investing to Reach Financial Independence
Now is a good time to start investing for financial independence.
When you’re ready to invest, it’s important to make sure the investment risk matches what you can handle. A portfolio must match your risk tolerance and long-term goals if you want to achieve financial independence.
We will cover various options on how to use investing to help you reach FI sooner.
Step#1: Make Investments Automatic
When you invest your money automatically, you don’t have to think about it and you can take advantage of dollar-cost averaging.
This means that over time, you’ll get a better price for your investments since you’re buying them in small batches instead of all at once.
In layman’s terms, that means investing a certain amount of money each month.
Step #2: Choose an Index Portfolio
Creating a lazy index portfolio is one of the best ways to invest your money.
This type of portfolio is made up of low-cost index funds or ETFs, which means that you don’t have to worry about timing the market or trying to pick stocks that will outperform the rest.
All you need to do is hold on for the long term and let the market do its thing – in good times and bad.
Step #3: Track Your Progress
As you save and invest your money, it’s important to track your progress so that you can see how well you’re doing and whether or not you’re on track to reach Financial Independence.
This can be done easily by creating a budget and tracking your net worth, both of which will give you great insight into where you are with your finances.
Also, track your liquid net worth separately.
Seeing this progress in black and white is often motivating enough to encourage people to keep saving and investing!
Empower is a comprehensive suite of financial tools that offers a FREE way to track your investment and cash accounts. You can connect all of your accounts so you can see an overview of all of your finances in one place, and the best part is that it’s free! Check out my Empower Review.
Empower Personal Wealth, LLC (“EPW”) compensates Money Bliss for new leads. Money Bliss is not an investment client of Personal Capital Advisors Corporation or Empower Advisory Group, LLC.
FI Number Calculator
The Financial Independence Number Calculator uses a range of variables to calculate the length of time it would take to save for FI. This information can be helpful in developing a savings plan that is tailored specifically to your individual needs.
Here is a simple FI number calculator.
As you can imagine, there are many different scenarios for finding your FI number.
For starters, get a ballpark range and amount you need to save each year to reach your goal. As you get closer to actually, hitting that switch and becoming fully financially independent, then you can refine your FI number.
Remember, while this formula provides a ballpark estimate, more precise results are possible by using a financial independence calculator such as Networthify’s model.
Saving for Retirement or More Savings to Quit work?
If you have some money saved already, the time to reach FI will be shorter than if you are starting from zero. Saving at a high rate is important to reach FI in the shortest time possible; saving at a lower rate or not saving anything makes reaching FI impossible.
Financial Independence is reached by saving a certain amount each year.
This number can vary depending on your unique circumstances, such as income and expenses.
There are a variety of reasons people are pursuing FI – more than likely it is because I hate my job or you want to spend your time doing something else.
The FI Number formula is just a starting point: remember that there are many other variables that could impact your individual savings plans, such as debt load, income, and monthly spending habits.
While using this formula can provide helpful insight into when you might achieve financial independence, it’s important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Every person’s situation is different, so it’s important to tailor your savings plan to your own needs and goals.
Know someone else that needs this, too? Then, please share!!
While I rarely stray from my neutral-loving ways, when Spring approaches, I always get a craving for a punch of color. And right now all I’m seeing is green. I’m hereby declaring it the spring color trend to watch!
Whether applied with a light hand like mint or sea foam, or deeply saturated like those emerald kitchen cabinets and that delicious bold green bookcase, a hit of green is going to give energy to your space. It makes sense since according to the Google, green is “the color of life, renewal, nature, and energy, is associated with meanings of growth, harmony, freshness, safety, fertility, and environment.” I love the way green pops but is still calming. It’s not an in your face color. It can almost act as a neutral.
It’s always going to be hard for me to stray from my black, white and camel loving ways, but I just might push myself to adding a pop of green to the new house. Do you double dog dare me? I won’t even cheat and use a houseplant. Here are a few things I currently have my eye on.
couch // rug // art // lamp // pillows // vase // mohawk match strike // chair