Joe Sells The Poconos

Homeowners insurance is an important financial safeguard to protect you, your home and other assets from potential disasters or accidents. It’s also an added expense homeowners need to budget for. Depending on the size and location of your home, as well as which insurance provider you choose, policy prices can vary widely. To help you save money while maintaining quality coverage, the Insurance Information Institute offers the following tips:

Preparing your home for a winter storm can be a hassle, especially when done last minute, so make sure to plan ahead and take these necessary precautions this winter season.

Double check for supplies

Cash can be a popular present for children when birthdays or other celebrations roll around throughout the year. But instead of letting your youngster splurge on candy or other impulse buys, set them on the right foot by helping them come up with a plan for their money.

While it may be enticing to teach your child to save their money by depositing it all in a savings account for them, consider taking the opportunity to teach them how to develop good spending habits.

Fees can eat away at your money if you don’t keep on top of your banks enforced regulations. U.S. consumers paid $15 billion in overdraft fees in 2016, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Here are a few bank fees you can look out for:

If you’ve purchased a home with an existing fireplace or are interested in installing one, there are a few things you should know. There are a handful of different fireplace types—each with its own unique maintenance and operating requirements—that homeowners need to be well-versed in for safety and cosmetic purposes.

One of the biggest obstacles for first-time homebuyers is saving for a down payment - it’s a nut that seems insurmountable to many. The first mistake new homebuyers make is believing that they must have 20 percent to put down on a home, when (depending on your credit and the loan terms) you can usually put down much less.

Employers want to see an applicant’s credit report for a number of reasons. They may be looking for stability and trustworthiness, such as if you’re likely to embezzle or steal from the company. Or they may want to reduce their legal liability for negligent hiring. They may also be looking for a history of financial trouble, judgments against you, evictions or criminal charges, or convictions so they can get a sense of the type of person you are.