Blog

If you’re preparing to sell your home, you’re in the right place. We’re here to provide you with 8 helpful house staging tips so you can make the most of your space and grab the attention of prospective buyers.  Focus on the curb appeal.  Curb appeal is huge when it comes to first impressions. Some good and relatively cheap ways to make the outside of your home more attractive are to repaint the front door, lay fresh mulch, add more greenery, get a new...
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You want to give your friends and family something special for the holidays, but you don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend. Don’t worry because there are still lots of thoughtful gifts that won’t hurt your wallet. Plus, these are all practical gifts that your loved ones will get lots of use out of!  Self-care products: Throw a cute stocking together including holiday-themed facemasks, lotion, lip balm, a candle and whatever else you think they may like.   Jewelry: A...
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Whether you already have kids or are just preparing for the future, navigating the world of parenting may seem overwhelming. Don’t stress too much, as parenting is often a “learn from experience” kind of process. But, as a primary role model in your child’s life, it’s important to have important conversations early on so you can prepare them for life on their own.  Be a Positive Example  Don’t overlook this step because it’s one of the most...
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Ready to upgrade your home in a wallet-friendly way? We’re here to give you lots of ideas for your next project. Rather than explaining each idea in detail, we’re going to list out 12 projects that you can take and make your own. Let’s get started!  1. Add a fresh coat of paint.  One of the simplest and cheapest ways to upgrade a room in your home is to pick a nice paint color for the walls. This can brighten and modernize your space in less than 24 hours.  2....
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Congratulations on your engagement and wedding! Whether you are recently engaged or have already tied the knot, talking about finances is extremely important in order to set you both up for success. The Middlefield Banking Company wants to offer a married couple’s guide to finances, so you can live happily ever after.   How will bills be split?   There are many day-to-day and monthly expenses that arise. You’ll want to talk about how these will be...
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The housing market is ideal for both buyers and sellers at this time of year. Things are moving quickly so in order to sell your home fast; you need to be ready to move and groove! We’ve created this blog with tips and helpful advice on how you can sell your home fast.   Choose FSBO or Realtor   Choose if you will be selling the home yourself (for sale by owner) or if you will be using a realtor. The realtor knows the process and can get things rolling –...
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Debt can seem intimidating at first, especially when you’re looking at all the different balances across various accounts and credit cards. Paying off your debt will allow you to increase your income and have a little extra room in your budget for other things. By following a few simple strategies, you can pay off your debt faster than you think.  Follow the tips we’ve provide below to pay off your debt faster.  Review the Amount of...
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Buying a home is a major achievement—and investment! Mortgage payments help build up equity in your home over time, but there are changes and upgrades you can make to your home in order to increase its value, resulting in a bigger return on your investment.  Homeowners should look for simple, cost-effective ways to increase their home’s value, especially if they plan to sell in the future. Take a look at these 5 ways to increase your home’s...
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How much to save is a subject that gets much discussion and a variety of answers in the world of personal finance. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all dollar amount because it all depends on your situation, goals, budget, and ultimately, income. That being said, let’s take a look at some general guidelines on how much you should be saving in different stages of your life. The 50/30/20 Rule A popular answer to “how much to save” is the 50/30/20 Rule, from a book...
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There is no doubt that we could all use a vacation after this year! But that doesn’t mean we’re ready to blow the entire bank account on a trip. You just need to know how you can get savvy about saving on your vacay. Check out these tips for planning a summer vacation on a budget!  Set a Budget Before You Plan  Just like we suggest not searching for houses or wedding dresses before you set a budget, you’ll save yourself some heartbreak if you set a budget...
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