Many of our clients are happy holding down some VERY low mortgage rates they secured over the past few years.  So much so, that even when their current home no longer serves their needs, even if it makes them unhappy, they’re now torn because of the financial implications that may come along with a potential move or adjustment to that mortgage.  So, I ask, when should you sacrifice quality of life over potential costs, as well as short & long-term financial gains to live in a home you LOVE?  And, is it better to move or to makeover?  Also, when it comes to a remodel, is it better to refinance or is an equity line of credit better?     So many unanswered questions.  So many unknowns! Until now.  Having been your go-to guru for #AllThingsRealEstate over the past two decades, we here at YOUR Home Team pride ourselves on being educators above all else.  That’s the EXPERTISE we bring to each transaction, whether it’s your 1st home or your 50th.  Because at our family business, you’re not just business, you’re FAMILY!  And, whether you buy or sell in 3 weeks, 3 months, or 3 years…we’ll be here whenever you’re ready.  We are here to be your Real Estate resource for life.  So, real talk.  Do you actually need to move?  One of my favorite Real Estate Coaches, Tom Ferry, says people only move due to the “5 D’s” That’s Diamonds, Divorce, Diplomas, Diapers, & Death.  Here in Florida, especially, I’d say there’s a 6th “D” and that’s Downsizing.  If any of these Ds apply to you, then it’s time to not just speculate but really time to dig into the math to make you move.  For those of you that are getting married, getting divorced, have a new baby, lost a family member, graduated to the next level, or are even wanting to simplify & go smaller…for a FREE no obligation review of your equity position, contact #YourFavoriteLender Home Team Lending at 833.WE.LOAN.1 today.  Or, apply online at www.YourFloridaLoan.com. Click the cute guy named Manny, I heard he’s pretty good (*wink).  😊   But what if none of those 6 D’s apply to you? If you really don’t NEED to move but you feel like your current home just isn’t cutting it, what is your best bet?  Because when you weigh the pros and cons of moving vs a home makeover, it can be a real head scratcher whether rates are high, low, or anywhere in between.  Don’t fret.  There’s 4 basic steps to know what route to take: Step one: pinpoint what’s bugging you about your home.  An outdated kitchen or bathroom can go from basic to BEAUTIFUL with relatively minor renovations.  Plus, a kitchen or bath upgrade can not only increase your enjoyment of the home but is proven to be one of the highest returns on investment for your home’s value.  What if your current home lacks the one room you really need?  That can be a little more challenging, but, as I always say, “everything is figureoutable.”  From building an addition to reconfiguring the floor plan, or even building a full-on detached building, you have options when you own a home.   Be careful, though, because when it comes to building an accessory dwelling, you need to check with the zoning & permitting department where your home is located first.  Also! Not all remodeling choices impact the long-term value of your home in a positive way.  For example, garage conversions aren’t typically popular with buyers and can sometimes be harder to sell.  The specific impact of a renovation will depend on a number of factors, so if you have something specific in mind, before you move forward, we can help you assess how a planned project is likely to affect the value of your home. Reach out to #YourFavoriteRealtors the Home Team Agents of lpt Realty at 833.4YO.TEAM. Or, request your home valuation at www.YourHomeTeamGroup.com. If you don’t need to move but didn’t realize that living so close to the airport would be so noisy at night, or you don’t love the school district your home is in, or any other reason that location alone doesn’t work for you anymore, that’s a no-brainer: location is not something you can change, unless you change actual locations. Duh.  Now that we’ve realized the motivation to makeover or move, what’s the next step? Step two: answer these questions: How long have you been in your current home? How much did you put down on your home when you purchased? What’s your mortgage payoff? If you’ve lived in your home 3 years or longer here in Florida, more than likely, you have some serious equity in your home.  If it’s less than 3 years, depending on the amount of your down payment when you purchased you viably could have enough equity to make the move or even the “makeover” make sense.  Knowing this information is key for step three. Step three: reach out to me, Your Marketing Mama for #AllThingsRealEstate, or any one of the EXPERT AGENTS on my team.  We can provide a Comparative Market Analysis for your home to give you a range of value for your home.   I know what you’re thinking…you can look at a “Zestimate,” right?  NO!  Listen, I, like any other real estate professional, have a love/hate relationship with Zillow.  But, the fact remains, a computer algorithm will never be able to accurately provide value for your home.  Real estate is hyper-local, and a nationwide algorithm isn’t going to be hyper-sensitive to the features of your home to give you a realistic value.  Here’s the Zestimate for a home I sold a few months ago: $211,500.  We sold (and the home appraised) at $280,000!  That’s nearly $70 grand!  You could most certainly upgrade your kitchen with that kind of cheese.  The point is-when you need to know your home’s value, go to a professional expert. Period. This will provide you with an accurate equity position; which is your property’s value minus what you currently owe on your mortgage. And that’s where step four comes in. Step four: now that you have an idea of equity position, the next step is to understand the costs for each option. Here’s the straight facts from all components, as we have real estate sales, lending, and title all under one roof here at the Home Team Group.  No need to speculate when you have me, Your Marketing Mama for #AllThingsRealEstate because y’all, we don’t do this for practice as we’ve literally been in this business since Jesus was a baby (well, maybe not quite that long), but for our entire adult lives.  And, through these past 20 years we have expanded our business from real estate sales to also include a mortgage and a title division.  On average, it costs approximately 11.5% of the home’s final sale price to sell a house in Florida.  This includes preparation costs, Realtor® commissions, and approximate seller closing costs & title fees. Knowing your payoff will really help us drill down on your net proceeds.  And, those net proceeds coupled with the impact of homestead portability, and the very real possibility of negotiating seller concessions on your new purchase might just be the tipping point to pull the trigger and put your home on the market.  The costs of a renovation can vary widely, so it’s vital to get several estimates from contractors upfront to understand what it might take to achieve your dream home. You can cover the costs by accessing the equity you have in your home through a cash-out refinance or with a home equity line of credit (HELOC).  So, what’s the difference between the two?  A cash-out refinance provides you with a one-time lump sum of money; whereas a HELOC provides you with access to your funds over a span of time and you can use your money as needed over that period.  Since a cash-out refinance is considered a first mortgage, it comes with more attractive rates and less in-depth requirements for approval. HELOCs typically take the form of a second mortgage, so are considered riskier to the lender, which means they are also a little harder to qualify for than a cash-out refinance due to that risk.  You’ll typically need a higher credit score for a HELOC as well.  Cash-out refinances also come with fixed rates, but HELOCs have variable interest rates, which means you may pay more over the lifetime of the loan. When it comes to less upfront costs, a HELOC may be a better option because refinancing incurs closing costs, while HELOCs typically do not.  Remember, though, those closing costs can be paid with the equity you have in your home.  The bottom line: if your home has equity, you can leverage that equity to upgrade your home with a makeover or a move.  And the way to make the math work depends on so much more than a current market rate, because rates can be refinanced (with those costs covered by the equity in your home).  The cost of headache, hassle, and your actual time also plays a part.  There is no one-size-fits-all answer. If you’re feeling trapped in a home that doesn’t work for your day-to-day life now, and you haven’t really discussed the math to make your next move, let’s talk.  Information is FREE and so powerful.  Let your home’s equity & my TEAM WORK for you!  Much Love,  Amanda The Home Team Group: Home Team Agents powered by LPT Realty, Home Team Title, & Home Team Lending powered by MortgageAdvisors.com – NMLS 70168 Branch NMLS 1937317- 112 W Indiana Ave Deland, FL - FHA Lender ID 2631500094

  Unpopular opinion: Agents didn’t sell homes the past few years in our HOT Florida market…THE MARKET DID.  Honestly, most of the “negotiating” listing agents had to do from 2020 until the end of 2022 was to call for “highest and best.” And, that’s not negotiating. That’s not marketing. That’s not selling your house. Because the MARKET was so hot for sellers in recent years, the expectation most home sellers still have is that they’re going to stick a sign in the yard and then these 3 things will happen: Home sells fast Buckets of money from bid wards No or Minimal effort is needed to make the home stand out Having been in this business for 20 years, I can tell you that the real estate market is cyclical. It always has been and it always will be!  This is my 5th cycle, and the reality is, selling a home is rarely as simple as sticking a sign in the yard and diving in your room full of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck after selling it way over list price.  When selling a home, we focus on what you can CONTROL.  And that is these 3 things: Condition of the Property Effective Marketing & Follow-Up Bulldog Negotiation Skills Not sure why your property didn’t sell? If your listing has expired or been withdrawn, give YOUR Home Team a call! We’d be happy to offer a free, no-obligation assessment and create an action plan to get your home SOLD. So, let’s dig into those 3 things you can control, which often times, believe it or not…can also be the reasons a home doesn’t sell if they aren’t addressed prior to listing.  POOR CONDITION OF HOME If your property received a lot of foot traffic but no offers, you may need to examine the impression you made on buyers who visited your property. Start with the big-ticket items: AC, Roof, Plumbing, Electric.  How sound are your home’s structure and systems? Are there large cracks in the foundation? Are there water stains on the walls or ceiling that could signal a leak? How about windows or doors that don’t close or lights or switches that don’t work? These can be “red flags” that scare away buyers. Curb appeal also plays a huge role in buyer perception.  Yards that need mowing and hedges that need trimmed are another subliminal turn off for prospective buyers.  And, certainly, if you have any exterior items in disrepair (like peeling paint or rotted siding), that should be addressed.  Lastly, even a home with pristine yards and brand new big ticket items still are subject to the impression it gives to prospective buyers on the inside. Have you taken time to declutter & depersonalize? Buyers need to visualize themselves living in your home, which can be hard to do if the home is still jam packed.  Is your home clean? How does it smell?  Less is more when it comes to selling a home.  So Help Me Home Team! When we take on a new listing, we always walk through it with the homeowner and point out any repairs, updates, or decluttering that should be done to maximize its sales potential. We also share tips on how to prep the property before each showing. Click here for our Prep Your Home for Sale Guide. In some cases, we will recommend that you utilize staging techniques to highlight your home’s best features and help buyers envision themselves living in the space. Home staging is one of the hottest trends in real estate—because it works! The National Association of Realtors suggests that staging can help push up your final sale price by as much as 20%. Some sellers choose to hire a professional home stager, while others opt to do it themselves, but our “Staging with Your Own Stuff” method is FREE for all our Sellers and we’d love to meet with you to discuss that option as well.    INEFFECTIVE MARKETING Did your home get a steady stream of showings when it was on the market? If not, you may need to try a new promotional strategy. Take a look at the listing description. Did it entice buyers to visit your property? A well-written description should be clear and compelling while highlighting your home’s most desirable features. Additionally, it should have utilized best practices for search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure that it was found by buyers who were looking for homes online. And how well did the listing photos showcase your property? Many buyers use photos of a home to decide whether or not to visit it in person. Poor quality or a low quantity of listing photos could have kept potential buyers from stepping through your door. Another factor to consider is whether your listing reached the right audience. This can be especially important if you have a unique or highly-customized home. The Multiple Listing Service is a great place to start, but some properties require a more robust marketing approach. So Help Me Home Team! We employ a strategic, AGGRESSIVE Active Marketing Plan that uses a combination of boots-on-the-ground neighborhood canvassing with high-end print marketing plus the latest technologies to seed the marketplace, optimize for search engine placement, and position your home for the best possible impression right out of the gate. We also know how to get your listing in front of the right audience—one that will appreciate its unique features. By utilizing online and social marketing platforms to connect with consumers and offline channels to connect with local real estate agents, your property gets maximum exposure to your target market. Want to learn more about our multi-step marketing strategy? Reach out for a copy of our Active Marketing Plan. YOU HIRED THE WRONG AGENT (OR WORSE, NO AGENT AT ALL) If you suspect that your previous real estate agent didn’t do enough—or used the wrong approach—to sell your home, you’re not alone. Many sellers whose listings languish until they expire or are withdrawn feel this way. While most agents have the best of intentions, not all of them have the skills, experience, instincts, or local market expertise to devise a winning sales strategy in this challenging market. Or, perhaps you chose not to hire a listing agent at all and have been trying to sell your home yourself. This can be an equally frustrating endeavor. Although selling your home independently can help cut some costs, it can also be extremely risky and may even lose you money in the long run. Statistics show that For Sale By Owner (or FSBO) homes tend to sell for less than homes represented by a professional. So Help Me Home Team! If either of these scenarios sounds familiar, you need to ask yourself: “Would I still be interested in selling my home if I could get the right offer?” If so, we should talk. We understand how frustrating it can be when you’ve put a lot of time, money, and effort into prepping your property for the market and it doesn’t sell. We also empathize with how disruptive a delayed home sale can be to your life. Our number one mission as YOUR Home Team is to make your real estate goals happen.  We have helped literally thousands of families with their home ownership journey and we pride ourselves on being a resource for #AllThingsRealEstate.  READY TO MAKE A MOVE? Let's talk. We can help you figure out why your home didn’t sell and how to revise your sales strategy and set your home up for success. The housing market has experienced a shift and the waters may be choppier than usual for a while. But there's still plenty of opportunity in the current market: You just need PROVEN, EXPERT REAL ESTATE ADVISORS to navigate you through.  At YOUR Home Team, because we have been helping buyers and sellers right here in Central Florida for the past two decades…it’s always SMOOTH SAILING when you work with us…whatever the market brings our way! If your goal is still to sell your home, then YOUR Home Team is here to sell your home for the most money possible, and in the process reconnect you with the excitement you originally felt upon first listing. It’s time for a new agent, new marketing, new buyers, and most of all… new possibilities! Much Love,  Amanda aka The Marketing Mama

Here's a HUGE announcement that could mean more buying power for first time home buyers!   

Is it just me or does it feel like every year the holidays sneak up on us?  We'll, there’s no need to succumb to the dreaded last-minute gift panic. We’ve lined up a list of unique gifts for every “type” on your list. And since here at The Home Team Group work in real estate, they’re all centered around home life. Check out these fun gift ideas for everyone on your list, from the coffee snob to the sports enthusiast and beyond! FOR THOSE WHO ARE ALWAYS IN THE KITCHEN These gift ideas will be a treat for the chef, baker, or food lover on your list: 1. The Coffee Snob Glass Pour-Over Coffeemaker - $36 Have a java lover on your list who just can’t get their brew right at home? This high-end pour-over system makes a smooth brew that can even be refrigerated and reheated so your recipient can enjoy a perfect cup at any time. 2. The Foodie Shiitake Mushroom Log Kit - $30 I shiitake you not!  This cool kit allows them to grow delicious mushrooms right in their cupboard. All they’ll need to do is soak the wood and put it in a cool place, then wait a few weeks, and voila—mushrooms! Best of all, they can keep growing mushrooms on the same log for years. 3. The Baker Vintage Etched Cake Stand - $60 If you’re lucky enough to have a fabulous home baker on your list, give a gift that reflects the joy their treats bring to others. This lovely glass cake stand is the platform that a beautifully decorated dessert deserves. 4. The Tea Aficionado Flowering Tea Set - $25 Your favorite tea lover may have tried all of the herbal blends out there, but we bet they haven’t seen tea like this. This set contains two “blossoms” of tea leaves hand-sewn around flowers that bloom when you place them in the included glass teapot and add hot water.    FOR THOSE WHO WOULD RATHER BE IN THE BACKYARD For many of us, time outdoors is the ultimate source of rejuvenation. The nature-lover on your list is sure to appreciate these presents that help them maximize that joy in their daily lives. 5. The Gardener Striped Garden Tote Bag - $37 Dedicated gardeners all need a great bag to carry their gear. This tote is attractive and sturdy and will help them keep their home’s exterior beautiful and welcoming. 6. The Flower Lover Monthly Flower Subscription - starting at $40/month If your loved one prefers to enjoy their flora without all the work, a delivery of farm-fresh flowers is sure to surprise and delight. And you can keep the joy blossoming year-round with a monthly or bi-monthly subscription. 7. The Poolside Sipper Yeti Tumbler- $25 The festivities can ensue outside with these shatterproof, dishwasher safe, and double-wall insulated tumblers from Yeti.  With over 15 colors to choose from, this is definitely a sure-fire crowd pleaser. 8. The Outdoor Adventurer Solar Phone Charger - $29 Have a camper or adventurer on your list? This solar-powered phone charger, which comes with a built-in flashlight and compass, is a must-have. It will also make a great addition to their home emergency kit. FOR THOSE WITH THEIR NOSE TO GRINDSTONE Like it or not, most of us spend a good chunk of our lives working—whether at a job or on projects and chores around the house. These gifts are designed to make that work a bit easier and more enjoyable. 9. The Remote Worker Home Office Lap Desk - $35 Working at home can be great—in part because you can work from anywhere in the house. The remote worker on your list will appreciate this lap desk with a built-in mouse pad and phone slot, which will allow them to work comfortably from the couch or the bed without overheating their computer. 10. The Back-to-The-Office Worker Bento Lunch Box - $27 If your loved one is heading back to the office, it doesn’t mean they have to give up the healthy habit of a home-cooked meal. Send them to work with this stylish lunch box packed full of nutritious food. 11. The Do-It-Yourselfer 65ft Laser Distance Measure - $50 The handy person on your list can say goodbye to unwieldy tape measures with this nifty device. It’s perfect for DIY projects up to 65 feet. 12. The Clean Freak Portable Sanitizing Travel Wand - $60 One could say that in the COVID-19 era, we’ve all become a little germaphobic. This UV wand kills viruses and bacteria in seconds without any wiping or washing required. It’s perfect for disinfecting shoes, computer keyboards, and more! FOR THOSE MOST PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR HOBBIES Of course, there’s a lot more to life than work. If you’re gifting a friend or family member who really lights up when they talk about their hobbies, we’ve got you covered. 13. The Sports Enthusiast Hockey Stick BBQ Set - $45 Looking for a gift for the sports enthusiast in your life that isn’t another jersey? These BBQ tools made from repurposed hockey sticks are a great pick. Perfect for cooking up food to watch with the game! 14. The Bookworm The Book Lover’s Journal - $13 Know someone who loves to curl up on the couch with a good book? This journal will help the book-lover on your list keep track of what they’ve read, as well as their ever-growing “to-read” list. 15. The Runner Marathon Map Hydration Bottles - $36 Help the runner you love to stay hydrated (and motivated) with a water bottle inscribed with their favorite race route. It’s perfect for runs around the neighborhood or just toting around the house. 16. The Tourist Travel Backpack - $100 Make it easy for the travel lover on your list to bring back souvenirs. This lightweight backpack folds flat so it’s easy to pack but sturdy enough to carry their new treasures all the way home.   FOR THOSE WHO PUT FAMILY FIRST For many of us, the greatest joy in life comes from our relationship with our family. Help your recipient strengthen and celebrate those all-important connections with these thoughtful gifts. 17. The New Parent 4-in-1 Baby Food Maker - $155 It’s hard to know what to buy for new parents once their registry is cleared out, but if they’re interested in making baby food at home, this tool is a must-have. It makes the process, from steaming to mixing, fast and easy. 18. The Genealogy Fan DNA Kit - $99 Know someone interested in reconnecting with their ancestral home? This DNA kit can help them trace their geographical heritage and uncover their family history. 19. The Pet Person Custom Printed Socks - $25 Is your friend’s pet their favorite family member? These adorable socks are sure to put a smile on their face as they cozy up on the couch with their fur baby. And since you can feature up to four pets on each pair of socks, no one needs to feel left out. 20. The Documentarian Mini Link Printer - $100 We all have that relative who snaps a million photos at every family event. Help them capture each precious moment with this unique gadget that essentially transforms a smartphone into a Polaroid camera. It makes it easy to customize and print out snapshots to display around the house or insert into a scrapbook for posterity.   READY TO GIVE YOURSELF THE ULTIMATE GIFT? We take pride in being your go-to gurus for #AllThingsRealEstate and want to be your real estate advisors through every season of life. Whether it takes 3 weeks, 3 months, or 3 years-if your goal is to buy, sell, or even refinance a home…our goal is to get you there!  We welcome you to always reach out with questions or to ask for recommendations or referrals any time of year. And when you’re ready to give yourself the gift of a new home, simply text or #CallYourMama and my team and I would be honored to talk with you about options. From finding the right neighborhood to identifying the solutions that will make the biggest difference in your quality of life, you can always count on YOUR Home Team. Merry EVERYTHING,  Amanda aka The Marketing Mama

Tis the season for....inflation? Ok, that's a bit tongue in cheek, but the great news is: you don't have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may be higher on everything from food to gifts to decorations, but there are still plenty of opportunities to eke out extra savings. And, don't worry about keeping up with the Joneses...according to multiple surveys, inflation is not only chilling people's spending, it's also prompting shoppers to search for better deals and creative ways to reduce their bills.1  So, you won't be the only one bargain-hunting your way to a more financially-stable New Year! Here are some strategies you can use to boost your holiday budget by trimming household expenses: 1. Hunt for Deals on Groceries With the U.S. food-at-home index (a measure of grocery price inflation) at a 43-year high, many families are struggling to control costs on food staples, such as meat, dairy, produce, and grains.2   That could make pulling off holiday gatherings especially stressful. But don't despair: simple swaps and searching for discounts are a great way to bridge the gap.  The key is to pay attention to the cost of each item on your shopping list—not just the most expensive—and look for easy swaps and discounts. For example, you can snap digital deals by utilizing coupons on your smart phone or even try buying non-perishable items in bulk, especially when they’re on sale, and only in-season produce. Or trade name-brand goods for less expensive options from a store's private label. My kids love doing "taste challenges" with food brands.  And, honestly, it can be pretty fun!   2. Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests With Pre-Owned Finds You don't have to sacrifice style for the sake of preserving your holiday budget either. If you're expecting company this year and would like to add some festive flair to your home, you can do so inexpensively—especially if you're willing to decorate with items that are secondhand. Thrifting is back in vogue, with an increasing number of shoppers preferring pre-owned furniture and home goods. And thanks to a pandemic-era boom in online shopping, it is easier than ever to find deals on new and pre-owned furniture, thrifted gifts, DIY decor, and more. Even secondhand stores like Goodwill have joined the digital fray, making it a cinch to score gently-used treasures at extra-low prices.3 A recent study found that the “recommerce” market grew almost 15% last year, which was twice the pace of general retail.4 Plus, buying used isn’t just a great way to save money, it also helps the environment by keeping reusable items out of landfills. Don't stress yourself out, though, if you don't have the time or money to dress your home the way you hoped. “A house doesn’t have to be perfect or completely done for it to feel festive or inviting,” designer Justina Blakeney noted in an interview with the Washington Post. “These are family and friends, and they are not judging you.”5 3. Forgo Major Renovations in Favor of DIY Home Improvements Holidays are always a tricky time to undergo big renovations. But with ongoing worker and material shortages, now is an especially bad time to commit. Inflated costs can add thousands to your reno budget –—and unnecessary stress to your holiday. Instead of suffering through an ill-timed remodel, you're better off saving this time of year for simpler, less expensive projects you can do yourself. One winter-perfect upgrade to consider: Build a DIY fire pit so that you and your guests can roast marshmallows and relax in the cozy comfort of your backyard. You can also add some extra ambiance by hanging energy-efficient LED outdoor string lights that change from white to colorful. These are festive enough for the holidays, but also versatile enough to use year-round. 4. Invest in Home Maintenance Projects That Cut Your Utility Bills You can save money by completing basic home maintenance tasks , such as swapping your AC filter and updating your lightbulbs to LEDs. But if you really want to lower your bills this winter, consider projects that make your home more energy efficient, which will open up some of your budget for the holidays.  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can save a couple of hundred dollars a year just by sealing your home and boosting its insulation.6  According to the EPA, 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, which wastes energy and money.7 Luckily, there are plenty of DIY insulation projects that you can complete in just a few days. For example, the EPA offers guides on how to: Insulate your attic or crawl spaces Weatherstrip doors and windows Seal areas around the house that may be leaking air, including electrical outlets and fireplaces The savings you get from these projects can really add up. The EPA estimates that sealing and insulating your ducts can make your HVAC system up to 20% more efficient.8 And thanks to new provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act, you can also save a bundle this year by investing in certain energy-efficient upgrades and claiming a tax credit.9 Be sure to check with us about any local rebates and incentives that may be available, too, before getting started on a project. We know lots of great deals! 5. Use Expense Tracking to Boost Your Holiday Budget To avoid overextending yourself during the holidays, one of the best things you can do is track your income and expenses. If your monthly budget is usually tight, you may need to make some adjustments to free up cash for holiday expenditures. For example, below is a sample budget worksheet. Start by adding in your expenses: Under the “Typical” column, you can list your standard expenses, and under the “Adjusted” column, list any areas where you could cut back on spending. Then consider how your standard wages may be adjusted this month by extra shifts, additional tips, or an end-of-year bonus. By decreasing your spending and/or increasing your income, you can build room in your budget for holiday gifts and gatherings. Feel free to utilize this worksheet as a template that you can personalize to your needs, or ask us for a PDF copy that you can print out and use right away. WE’RE HERE TO HELP We would love to help you meet your financial goals now and in the year ahead. Whether you want to find lower-cost alternatives for home renovations, maintenance, or services, we are happy to provide our insights and referrals. And if you’re saving up to buy a new home, of course YOUR Home Team would LOVE to help with that, too. This is the perfect time to score a great deal because only the most motivated homebuyers and sellers are active in the market right now. So reach out to schedule a free consultation. We can fill you in on some of the exciting programs and incentives we’re seeing that help make homeownership more affordable.  Much love,  Amanda AKA The Marketing Mama   The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs. Sources: Retail Dive - https://www.retaildive.com/news/inflation-drives-shopping-changes-consumers-survey/629973/ NBC News - https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/how-save-groceries-ncna1299053 USA Today - https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/retail/2022/10/05/goodwill-launches-online-store-goodwillfinds-website/8185084001/ CNBC - ​​https://www.cnbc.com/2022/09/14/secondhand-shopping-is-booming-heres-how-much-you-can-save.html Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/home/2021/11/09/holiday-entertaining-tips/ S. Environmental Protection Agency - https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/seal_insulate/why_seal_and_insulate S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/waysToSave#!card0-GW91 Energy Star -https://www.energystar.gov/campaign/waysToSave The White House - https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/?utm_source=cleanenergy.gov