Financial planning experts recommend having an emergency fund in case something unexpected like a layoff or injury interrupts your paycheck. Your safety net should cover at least six months’ worth of living expenses. Here’s how to calculate what you need to save: · Gather your financial records for the past 12 months. Include bank and credit card statements, ATM receipts, and canceled checks. · Create a 12-month grid. Down the left-hand side note all... [read more]

Today, the population of the world is about 7.4 billion. By 2050, the UN predicts it will be 9 billion. What does that mean for the future of housing... and how might that affect you? One thing is for certain: New homes will not be built at nearly the same rate as population growth. We will have to make smarter use of what we have, and rethink the space and resources we need. For instance, consider household size. In the early 1900's, 5-person households were normal. Today, 1-person... [read more]