When it comes to building your home, the right financing is the real foundation that everything else will be built upon. First Federal Lakewood can help you with this all-important first step by providing the expertise to help you navigate the world of mortgage loan options. To get you started, we’ve put together this list of five important steps to help ensure a successful start. Step 1 – Find a lender You may be tempted to stick with your current bank out of habit. But a smarter move is to do some research. Find a Mortgage Loan Originator who is well-versed in construction lending and ask him or her how many new construction loans they’ve personally handled. Foster a relationship with them. Ask plenty of questions. And remember that some banks take a “one-size-fits-all” approach to mortgage lending, failing to tailor the loan to your build. Every new construction loan should be unique to the individual buyer’s needs. Step 2 – Get pre-qualified Many people get too swept up in the exciting details they’ve seen in a model home. They begin a conversation with a builder before they’re even pre-qualified for a loan. By speaking with a lender first, you’ll know what you can actually afford based on your debt-to-income ratio, among other criteria, so you can consider a new home that makes sense for you financially. Getting pre-qualified also tells a builder that you are a serious buyer, not just a shopper. Step 3 – Ask for numbers in writing This is best way to really assess the affordability of a home build. Ask your builder for a detailed breakout of the home’s final cost, including the costs for change requests, upgrades and fees. You can then take those numbers to your lender to calculate your down payment, monthly payments, rates and closing costs. Having the figures in writing not only binds the lender and builder to those numbers, it also allows you to easily compare loans and find the best fit for you. Step 4 – Find loan products that fit Every mortgage has its share of options and variables, but with new construction there’s even more to consider. One important factor is the build time, typically four to six months, with custom properties taking even longer. Will you be able to make your current house payments while paying for the new build? This is an opportunity to ask your Mortgage Loan Originator about the bank’s unique loan options, such as a Bridge Loan. This loan features special rates and terms that enable you to comfortably stay in your current home while your new one is being built. It can help remove the risk and add a little more convenience. Step 5 – Rely on your relationship with your lender Your relationship with your lender shouldn’t end after you secure a loan. Early on, your bank should walk you through what to expect at every step. And throughout the process, they should be available to help you navigate each of those steps. Remember, from helping you work with the builder to explaining what needs to happen after you close on the loan, your lender is there to help.

5 Keys to Borrowing to Build Your Dream Home

View Resource 5 Keys to Borrowing to Build Your Dream Home
If you’re a DIY-er, Springtime’s arrival is the perfect green light to start a few home improvement projects. If you don’t already have a warm weather to-do list for this year, here are a few key areas of the home to consider sprucing up. Gutters and Downspouts Keeping gutters clean and downspouts in good working order can save you thousands of dollars in damage caused by excess water at your home’s foundation. Replace any damaged gutter or downspout sections, and be sure to clean your gutters of leaves and other debris that could keep rainwater from flowing freely away from your home. Consider adding gutter covers to help keep debris from collecting between cleanings. If your downspouts empty onto your yard rather than directly into the sewer system, use adequate downspout extenders to direct water away from your home – they should reach at least five feet into your yard. Windows and Doors Did your windows feel drafty this winter? It could be time for a replacement. Older, single-pane windows are especially good candidates for an upgrade. Today’s energy-efficient double-pane windows can help you save on heating and cooling bills, keep your home’s indoor temperature consistent year-round, and help protect items in your home from fading in the sun. On the inside, updating your blinds or shades can add a fresh pop of color to your home without having to paint. To enhance your home’s curb appeal, a new, energy-efficient front door can provide an attractive focal point and help reduce energy costs at the same time. Options like decorative glass accents and sidelights let in natural light while adding style. If a new door isn’t in your plans, a fresh coat of paint will give your existing door an attractive, new look. Air Conditioning While most air conditioning work requires help from the pros, simple things like keeping the outdoor unit clean can increase efficiency. Use a garden hose to spray the cooling fins, coils and vents clean, and remove any debris or overgrown plants in contact with the unit. Clean your home’s ductwork, too. Remove register covers and use your vacuum cleaner’s hose to get rid of any dust bunnies and cobwebs that have collected. You can also vacuum inside the ducts as far as you can reach. For a full duct cleaning you’ll need to call in a professional cleaning service.

Springtime is a Great Time For Home Improvement

View Resource Springtime is a Great Time For Home Improvement
As any parent knows, kids are not born knowing how money works. In fact, their understanding of it often starts with “I want that!” followed by a parent either buying the item for them or trying to explain why they can’t have it. But how do you teach a child the value of money and how to handle it responsibly? Kids typically learn best through observation and imitation, so when you make good financial decisions, your children will see and (hopefully) emulate your actions. But on top of being a good example for your kids, you can begin talking to them about fiscal responsibility at almost any age. But where do you start? Here are five simple tips we’ve organized as “lessons” you can teach your kids to help them begin to form good financial habits. Lesson #1: Money has value. This is one of the first financial lessons to teach a child. Whether you have millions of them or only a few, one dollar is one dollar – it has the same purchasing potential no matter who is holding it. Once a child learns that money has value, you can begin to explain how they can use it to acquire things they need and want. Lesson #2: There’s a difference between “wants” and “needs.” Help your child understand that not everything he or she “wants” is really a “need.” For example, you can explain that food is a “need,” but candy is more of a “want.” Be sure to emphasize this when your children are young, otherwise the line between wants and needs can become blurred as they get older. Explain that acquiring “wants” is fun every once in a while, but only after needs are met and there is money available for the non-essential things. Lesson #3: Patience is important when it comes to money. Teach your kids while it may be tempting to purchase a “want” right now, it’s not always the best move. For example, is buying a cell phone with the latest technology the first day it becomes available a fiscally smart move? Probably not, because technology usually costs more when it’s new. If you’re willing to wait six months or a year before purchasing that new phone, you will save money while still getting the same technology. Lesson #4: Provide an allowance. You’ve already taught your child Lesson 1, “money has value.” To stay consistent with that message, require some effort on their part so they understand they have to earn the allowance. Using the allowance system can be a big help in teaching your child not only the value of money, but also the concept of working to earn it. Lesson #5: Allow them to make their own decisions. If your child has an allowance and asks if they can have something, tell them the decision is up to them if they’re spending their own money to buy it. While it can be difficult to take a step back and watch your children implement what you’ve taught them, it’s also a great lesson for helping a child understand how to make purchase decisions.

5 Tips for Raising Financially Savvy Kids

View Resource 5 Tips for Raising Financially Savvy Kids
For those who have just completed their education, the thought of paying back student loans can be daunting. According to U.S. News and World Report, the average bachelor’s degree holder takes 21 years to pay off his or her loans. Often individuals turn to debt relief companies that specialize in student loans to alleviate their concerns and lower their repayment burden. All may not be what it seems with some of these companies, however, here are some tips that can help you spot a potential problem before you select a company. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers these tips to consider before you decide to use one these companies: If you feel you’ve been a victim of a student loan debt relief company scam, please call the CFPB at (855) 411-2372, as well as your lender as soon as possible. Additionally, talk to your student loan servicer for assistance with any questions or concerns you may have with your student loan.

What to Know Before You Consider a Student Loan Debt Relief Company

View Resource What to Know Before You Consider a Student Loan Debt Relief Company
As businesses steadily become more aware that cyber risks pose a very real threat, with the potential for expensive, damaging consequences, a new demand for cyber insurance has emerged. Business leaders know that most insurance policies do not adequately cover their company’s cyber risks, so the best way to protect company assets may be with specialized coverage. What Does Cyber Insurance Cover? The specific cyber insurance coverage your company may need, as well as its cost, will vary depending on the size and scope of your business operation, the number of customers you have, your company’s presence on the Web and the type of data you collect and store. As a result, cyber risk policies tend to be more customized than other types of coverage, and also more expensive. Generally speaking, a typical cyber liability policy might include any of the following coverage Liability for breaches of security or privacy. This includes loss of confidential information by allowing or failing to prevent unauthorized access to computer systems. Costs associated with a privacy breach, including consumer notification, customer support and costs of providing credit monitoring services for affected customers. Cost of restoring, updating or replacing electronically-stored business assets and data. Expenses caused by interruption of business after a security or privacy breach. Liability associated with damage to others in the form of libel, slander, copyright infringement, etc., when the allegations involve a business website, social media or print media. Expenses related to cyber extortion or cyber terrorism. Shopping for Cyber Insurance If your business decides to seek a cyber liability policy, it may not be quite as easy as taking out other insurance policies. Cyber insurance is a relatively new arena and some of its standards are still being established. However, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has proposed an Insurance Data Security Model law that will help set standards that insurance providers can follow. The NAIC has also developed a Cybersecurity Consumer Bill of Rights detailing what consumers can expect from their insurance company following a data breach. When you seek a cyber policy an insurer will be interested in the risk management practices your business follows to protect its network and its data. They will likely want to see your business’ disaster response plan with respect to its networks, website, physical assets and intellectual property. At the very least, they will probably want to know about antivirus and anti-malware software, the frequency of software updates and the performance of network firewalls. Each business will decide what kind of cyber protection they want to acquire. With the continuing rise of data security breaches and their associated costs, having some type of coverage is a wise move. As the standards for cyber coverage become more firmly established and insurance companies expand their coverage options, cyber insurance is bound to continue becoming more commonplace for businesses worldwide. Sources: www.NAIC.org (Nat’l Assoc. of Insurance Commissioners) and the Center for Insurance Policy Research.

Importance of Cyber Security

View Resource Importance of Cyber Security
Winter is fast approaching and with it comes the tendency for many people to hibernate until spring. While you can escape the elements by staying indoors, your home is constantly exposed to the wind, snow and ice that naturally accompanies the season. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do now to protect your home for the weather ahead, helping to ensure your biggest investment stays in great shape for years to come. The good news is winterizing your home for the season doesn’t have to be a financial burden. Here are five easy and inexpensive tips that can go a long way in protecting your home for the cold ahead. Clean your gutters Free Cleaning your gutters will allow rain water, sleet, hail and melted snow to flow freely off your roof and away from your house. Leaves and other debris can obstruct the flow of water in your gutters and when the weather gets cold enough to freeze, it can cause pooled water to eventually turn into ice dams and icicles. As the cold presses on, these icicles will continue to grow in size and weight and can cause damage to your gutters and potentially your roof over time. In addition, clogged downspouts can lead to pooling water and ice near your foundation and with the addition of a few sunny slightly warmer days, this can lead to a wet basement. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, block off a few hours to clean out the gutters. This chore can extend the life of your roof and prevent it from cracks or other damage, which can cause expensive repairs down the road. Replace your furnace filters ~$10 to $20 As a rule of thumb, furnace filters should be replaced every three months, especially if you own pets. Neglecting to replace your filters will cause air flow restriction, making your furnace work much harder than it should. This will decrease heat efficiency, increase energy costs and shorten the life of your heater. Be sure to note the correct direction of air flow when replacing the filter and write down the correct size for your filters. Lastly, remember that the most expensive filters aren’t always the best options. If you have an older or smaller furnace, filters that are very dense (in order to remove allergens, etc.) can restrict air flow and harm your efficiency as well. Insulate your windows ~$20 to $40 Windows are typically the main culprits for a home’s heat loss, as well as the increase in cooling costs during the summer months. Reasons for this include cracked seals, deteriorating frames and outdated designs. While replacing windows may be a valuable update to increase your home’s value, it can be very expensive and not always a viable option for everyone. Insulating windows can help save up to 70 percent of heat loss for a small fraction of the price of replacements. Plastic film insulation kits cover the inside glass of the windows, keeping the heat inside and they can be installed in just a few hours. Caulking cracks and sealing around the windows as well as adding weather stripping can seal out cold drafts and maintain the window’s structural integrity. Turn off exterior faucets ~Free A burst pipe is not something any homeowner wants to deal with no matter the weather, but dealing with the stress and hassle in the dead of winter makes a bad situation much worse. Undrained water in pipes can freeze and cause pipes to rupture if your home doesn’t have frost-proof faucets. A simple solution is to disconnect garden hoses and other outdoor water systems and then turn off the internal valves to these faucets to drain the water thoroughly before the first freeze of the season. Chimney check-up and cleaning ~Prices vary Before you build your first roaring fire of winter and cozy up with a good book, be sure to thoroughly inspect your fireplace and chimney for any damage and clean the vents. Clean vents allow carbon monoxide and other harmful elements to properly exhaust and prevents them from entering your home. If you determine an expert is needed, research certified chimney experts in your area before hiring someone for an inspection or any repairs. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so take some time before the snow flies to look around your home and identify any potential hazards that should be repaired or secured before the winter weather is upon us. The little repairs and chores that can be done now could save you from much larger expenses later.

Winterizing Your Home: Protecting Your Investment

View Resource Winterizing Your Home: Protecting Your Investment
A homeowners association (HOA) provides you with the chance of living in an orderly and well-run neighborhood that’s managed by an organization that sets the rules and regulations under which you and other community members agree to live. While some people may welcome the chance to be a part of this organized living arrangement, others might not like the aspect of having restrictions on how they can manage their property. If you are thinking about moving into a community run by an HOA, there are things you should first take into consideration. Homeowner’s Associations Overview The HOA in the neighborhood you are considering moving was probably originally founded by the real estate developer who wanted to set standards for managing a community of condominiums, houses, or townhomes. The association gave the developer (and subsequent governing board) the authority to administrate the conditions, covenants, and restrictions of the development and manage its common elements. Pros There are several advantages of living in a homeowners association community. Some include the following. You Live in a Well-Groomed Neighborhood There are strict guidelines put in place to ensure the neighborhood looks good. For instance, typically lawns are meticulously groomed and manicured, there are limitations imposed on the colors of exterior paint, and there are restrictions on parking large vehicles and boats on the street. You Have Access to Amenities When living in an HOA community, you often have access to amenities like a fitness center, pool, children’s play area, parks, security gates and more. You Have Most Maintenance Done for You Your HOA will likely manage and maintain all of the community’s common areas and take care of tasks like mowing the lawn, weeding the flower beds, shoveling snow and other outside maintenance work for those parts of the neighborhood. Your Home Owners Association Handles Neighbor Disputes When a dispute occurs between neighbors, your HOA generally steps in to mediate. So, if a neighbor has a barking dog or is throwing a party that’s loud, the HOA will contact the offender instead of you having to do it. An HOA enforces a rule against after-hours noise. Cons There are also disadvantages of living in an HOA community, such as: You Risk Foreclosure if Dues Aren’t Paid If you fail to pay your dues for living in the community, an HOA can foreclose on your home. Of course, it depends on your state laws. In some cases, an HOA has certain limitations on when they can foreclose. You Don’t Have as Much Freedom When you live in an HOA-governed community, you have to abide by its rules and regulations, even if you do not agree with them. While you often have the ability to petition the HOA to get a rule changed, they are not usually altered unless a majority of residents support it. However, petitioning them does not always mean you will get what you want. If you lose, you have to live with the rule. You Have to Live with Certain Restrictions Running a particular home-based business that involves commercial activities is frowned upon by some HOAs. If this is your source of income and your HOA disallows it, you may have to consider changing it if you want to stay a member. Many HOAs also place restrictions on your ability to rent out your home. They may also screen all future residents to the point where it may jeopardize your ability to sell. You Have to Pay HOA Fees For you to live in and belong to an HOA community, you have to pay certain dues, which can be as little as $100 a year to more than $1,000 a month, depending on the community. For some people, living in an HOA-controlled community is the right place for them. Others prefer the freedom and independence of living in a property free of outside oversight. As you select a home or community to live in, a good realtor will help you learn the ins and outs of each neighborhood so that you make the decision that is right for you.

The Pros and Cons of an HOA

View Resource The Pros and Cons of an HOA
Tipping is a familiar dilemma, but one that leaves many people unsure about whom to tip and how much. You find yourself in an uncomfortable position when you are not sure how much to tip for the particular service you just received. The proper tipping etiquette for tipping your server at a restaurant differs from your hairstylist or your taxi driver. To help take the mystery out of the standards for tipping, below are some tips. Where to Tip There is much confusion over where it is appropriate to tip. Tipping should be a personal decision and a way to acknowledge and attribute the value of the service you received. However, it is often clouded by cultural traditions. For instance, although it is not mandatory in most of the U.S. to tip, it is customary in most situations such as sitting down in a restaurant and being served. The wait staff often relies on tips as a significant portion of their wages. They generally “expect” the gratuity, viewing it as a social contract. When you sit at their table and accept their service, it is as if you have acknowledged your obligation to provide a tip at the end of your visit even though it is not legally required for you to do so. When to Tip The anxiety around tipping develops from the need to know the full terms of gratuity, including when it tipping is expected or appropriate. If you fail to tip, you could offend someone that’s providing a service to you. Not knowing when it is appropriate to leave a tip is another concern for many people. With gratuity, there’s no definitive guide. It is sometimes complicated and far from being straightforward. That is because tipping to reward for service well done is not the only reason these days. Now, many Americans do it out of a sense of obligation, guilt reduction and social approval. How Much to Tip The confusion regarding proper tipping protocol does not end with where and when to tip, often the biggest decision regarding tipping has to do with how much to tip. If you do not tip enough, you risk offending your service provider. On the other hand, if you tip too much, you could impact your budget. There are some standard guidelines on how much you should tip according to Real Simple, which include the following:
  • Restaurant: The standard tip here is 15 to 20 percent, depending on how you felt the service was.

  • Bartender: The standard tip is $1.00 per drink.

  • Food Delivery: Between $2 to $4.

  • Hair Stylists:Between 15 to 20 percent is the norm.

  • Movers: Around $20 to $50 (per mover), but generally the bigger the load, the bigger the tip.

  • Valet Parking: Between $2 to $5.

  • Hotel: Typically around $1 to $2 to have your bags brought to your room and $2 to $5 for maid service.

  • Room Service: This is around $5, unless your bill includes it already.
Of course, there are other opportunities for you to tip such as when you receive services from a door attendant, delivery person, dog groomer, and more. Since you may tip for emotional or social reasons, there may be cases where you leave a bigger tip than normal. For example, if you are dining out and your server tells you about their life story, which hits your heartstrings, you may feel that you would like to leave a bigger tip. Before you leave a gratuity, make sure it was not already factored into your bill. Tip respectfully and discreetly using the full amount to calculate your tip, even if you use a gift certificate or coupon. Remember, giving a tip is your personal decision. Because it is customary in many circumstances, it is a good idea to learn the standard guidelines for tipping. When in doubt, there’s no reason why you cannot just ask if leaving a tip is customary and how much would be appropriate.

Standards for Tipping

View Resource Standards for Tipping
As parents, you want to give your kids the best of everything. Most parents want their children to have everything they missed out on in childhood, as well as all the things they enjoyed. For many parents that means having your kids involved in sports. In many cases, it means lots of different ones too. Encouraging your children to try a variety of sports is a smart plan for parents, but the rising costs of exposing your children to multiple sports can price many families out of participation. Importance of Sports It is true that sports have many benefits to offer youth today. The first benefit is that it takes them away from their favorite screens and gets them on their feet and active. In a world where childhood obesity is running rampant, this is crucial for parents and children alike. The second thing sports offers children is helping them understand how to be part of a team. That often makes participation a worthy investment. They provide opportunities for children to learn the valuable lessons of how to interact, communicate, lead, and follow. Finally, kids’ sports teach important life lessons about winning and losing. Whether participation prizes are handed out or not, the kids know the score. They are keeping track and understand the thrill of winning and the disappointment of losing. Why is this so important? Because it prepares them for wins and losses that will occur later in life – when the stakes are much higher. Expectations Meet Budget The problem is that it is not only the initial costs that are the problem – even though they can be high enough. The Simple Dollar reports that parents spend $671 per year, on average, on youth sports per child, with 20 percent of parents spending upward of $1,000 per child. These fees include a wide range of things, including:
  • Facility Fees

  • Enrollment Fees

  • Coaches

  • Equipment
It doesn’t include other things that drive the costs for youth sports, especially for kids in competitive leagues or on travel teams, like:
  • Tournament Fees

  • Gas for Travel

  • Lodging

  • Food for Travel

  • Special Uniforms and Equipment
These costs can add up quickly – especially for parents who have more than one child playing competitively. It is wise for parents to consider the variations in costs from one sport to the next when enrolling kids in sports. Football and hockey, for instance, require the greatest amount of equipment and often cost more money. That is especially the case when compared to sports like basketball or gymnastics which require little additional equipment. Keep costs in check and be realistic with your budget by joining recreational and neighborhood leagues rather than travel teams, clubs, and competitive leagues. It is one thing to do so if your child is going to concentrate on one sport and shows promise in it. For broader exposure and a fun way to exercise, though, it is best to stick with recreational venues that charge lower fees and may offer things like equipment lending programs to cut down on expenses. Estimates by Sport USA Today provides an excellent breakdown of approximate costs for youth sports by sport. Bear in mind that there will be regional differences and competitive leagues that require tryouts may need a larger investment.
  • Basketball. A sturdy pair of sneakers and a good ball and you are ready to get started with basketball. You can often find leagues that cost $100 or less to participate as well. However, you can get up into the stratosphere with costs going as high as $1,500 – $2000 annually if you get your child involved in travel ball and year-round leagues.

  • Swimming. Until private coaching becomes involved, Swimming is another sport that can be affordable at lower levels but can grow to one or two thousand as involvement and competition increases.

  • Soccer. Recreational soccer can be an inexpensive pursuit, requiring a solid pair of soccer cleats and shin guards. When your child becomes part of travel teams and soccer clubs the costs can soar to $5,000 per year easily.

  • Baseball. From gloves and cleats to baseball uniforms, bats, helmets, protective masks, and uniforms, baseball can be a costly pursuit once you leave the coach-pitch leagues – especially when playing competitively. That does not even include travel expenses that will likely include overnight trips and tournaments.

  • Ice Hockey. Considering skates (which can easily run $600 a pair), costly ice time, pads, uniforms, and league fees, hockey can easily run more than $6,000 a season.
Setting Boundaries Ultimately, as parents, you are going to have to establish a sports and activity budget for each of your children and work with your kids to choose the best avenue of pursuit when it comes to youth sports. It is never easy telling your child no, and no parent wants to discourage activities that have so much to offer, but including your child in this decision teaches your child important life lessons about budgeting money, time, and energy too. Youth sports are outstanding for teaching your child important life lessons as long as you do not travel straight into dire financial straits to do so. Keep it simple, set boundaries, and explain the realities and economics (big picture economics) to your child for yet another great lesson in life.

Are Kids Sports Draining Your Bank Account?

View Resource Are Kids Sports Draining Your Bank Account?
Many people love the idea of becoming car-free for a variety of reasons. They stay fit, save money, help the planet, reduce traffic jams, and open up parking spaces for others, to name just a few. Making a choice to live car-free may feel like a journey and may even leave you a little panicked. However, being able to help your budget, while also reducing your eco-footprint and help Mother Earth might make it worth it. Sure, it will probably be uncomfortable at first leading a car-free lifestyle. You may feel inconvenienced and “different” from many others, but those feelings could eventually dissipate. Below are things to consider if you are planning on leading a car-free life. Costs of Car Ownership The first thing to examine when considering a transition to a car-free life is your actual cost of car ownership. Review your financial accounts to see how much you spend every month on car expenses, like parking, gas, car insurance, and maintenance. To get a better estimate of all costs you may have overlooked during your monthly review, be sure to review expenses back for at least a year. Factor in the cost of your car, any interest on a loan if you took one out, and how much you pay each year in deductibles and insurance. Factor in depreciation, too. Your car is less in value the minute you drive off the dealer’s lot. Each day you have it parked in your garage or driveway, it is losing value. Don’t forget about any speeding tickets or parking tickets you may have received. Yes, they are expenses too. Evaluating Car Usage Now it is time to assess your vehicle usage. Ask yourself some questions such as:
  • Where do you frequently drive?

  • How often do you go there?

  • How long does it take to get there (how far away)?

  • Why do you have to go there?

  • Does going to this place support a goal or fulfill a need?

  • Are your typical stops near your other stops?
By asking yourself these questions, you may find that most of your regular stops are not that far from your home and could be in walking or biking distance. Alternative Transportation Methods To live car-free, you need alternative transportation options. What methods do you plan on using? You could:
  • Walk

  • Bike

  • Take a bus

  • Take a train

  • Take a taxi

  • Take an Uber, Lyft, or Zipcar

  • Skateboard
If you live in a rural area, it might be more challenging to live without a car, but that does not mean it is impossible. Now, not everyone can live without a vehicle. In many parts of the U.S., it is, necessary to have a car, but this does not mean you cannot use it less. Side Benefits There are several potential advantages of living a car-free life which include: Better Health. Although you may have gotten used to the luxury and convenience of having a car, in many situations, you can get where you need to go by walking. Also, as you know, walking (or biking) is exercise, which contributes to good health. Your feet might hurt a little at first, but walking can do wonders for your heart and shed off some of those unwanted pounds. Walking can also help to clear your mind and improve stress, as endorphin levels increase when you exercise. Being Part of Your Community. When you own a car, it can be too simple to hop in, crank your music and forget you are a part of a community of other people. If you are introverted, you may welcome this avoidance. However, it cannot hurt to take yourself a little bit outside your comfort zone. Walking or even riding a bus can lead to you meeting people and having interesting conversations. You may even make a friend. Besides, when you walk, you can take in the scenery like the blue sky, white clouds, the sun, and the sights and sounds around you. You cannot do this when you are too focused on traffic, lights, and signs. Being Kind to the Environment. Most experts believe that global warming is real, and if you can make a difference, wouldn’t you want to? Walking and biking are emission-free, and many of the public transportation options are hybrid vehicles and eco-friendly. Living without a car may not only be better for your health but for the planet too. If it is impossible for you to be totally car-less, maybe you can try using your car less. You can walk or bike for local errands and only use your vehicle when you cannot walk that far. Choices, as mentioned, are car share programs and Zipcars that you could use now and then. While you are still “technically driving” with these programs, they are cheaper than owning a car. Anything you can do to minimize your time behind the wheel can help save you money.

Leading a Car-Free Life

View Resource Leading a Car-Free Life