9 minute read
MONEY SAVING TIPS FROM THE LEADING EXPERTS
by R A M
MAKING by Olga Garicichina THE MOST OF YOUR
AFTER THE PANDEMIC
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sec-ca.org 916-416-3865 1331 Terminal St., West Sacramento, CA. 95691
A RECENT STUDY FOUND THAT NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH JUST $400 IN SAVINGS IF THEY HAD AN EMERGENCY OR NEEDED THE FUNDS. THAT DOESN’T SOUND VERY OPTIMISTIC. WE ASKED FOUR DIFFERENT EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR BEST SAVINGS TIPS. HERE’S WHAT
Smart Energy Solutions
Experience: 17 years
THEY HAD TO SAY.
The thought of replacing your windows might seem costly. You might wonder why bother replacing them if they are functioning fine right now. We will share two ways you can save money by replacing your old windows. Our experts in this field are Vladimir and Andrew Valulchik, owners of the well-known and trustworthy company “Smart Energy Solutions”. This company has provided quality service and reliable products throughout the Greater Sacramento and Bay Area for more than a decade.
NEW WINDOWS CAN LOWER YOUR UTILITY BILLS AND CUT DOWN ON NOISE.
Old windows can be a significant source of heat loss. New, energy-efficient windows are more air-tight than traditional, single-pane windows. New windows prevent outside air from getting in and inside air from getting out. Energy-efficient glass may also have a special coating that blocks heat from entering your home in the summer and keeps heat in your home during the winter.
INCREASE YOUR HOUSE RESALE VALUE AND IMPROVE ITS APPEARANCE.
Replacing your windows can increase the value of your home when you move. Potential homebuyers may be willing to pay more for a home that is energy-efficient because it offers the promise of energy savings for years to come. Replacing your windows with new energyefficient windows can return up to 72% of the project cost upon resale.
FINAL NOTE:
Replacing the windows in your home is a good investment, and offers a strong return for what you spend. In fact, it’s one of the most valuable home improvements you can make.
The increased variety of online real estate websites and advertised ease of transactions has resulted in some buyers and sellers believing that they can and should bypass working with licensed real estate agents. In reality, these knowledgeable professionals can not only save you money, but will also help avoid losses from unforeseen expenditures. We asked experienced and knowledgeable realtor, Irina Pankratova, to share some of the reasons as to why you should consider working with an agent.
HOW AN AGENT CAN BENEFIT A SELLER?
An experienced agent has the knowledge to position your home to sell at the highest possible price. They will provide you with all the necessary marketing materials and use proven selling techniques to place your property in the optimal position. Professional virtual tours and photography, wide internet exposure, home staging advice, buyer feedback and private showings, counteroffer and negotiation expertise,
Irina Pankratova
Company: RE/MAX Experience: 16 years
RealtorIrinaP@gmail.com 916-276-1624 suggestions for dealing with low appraisals are just some of the services that you receive when hiring a professional agent.
HOW AN AGENT CAN BENEFIT A BUYER?
Contrary to popular belief, a buyer’s agent does more than finding the perfect property for you. Once the property is selected, the real work of an agent begins. The agent will provide you with all the necessary information to purchase the home and professionally negotiate on your behalf. An agent can tell you about listings before homes are available to the public, provide comparable sales in the area, suggest pricing strategy, prepare a strong offer that presents your property in the best light, review documents for loopholes and obtain disclosures. Even when buying a new house from the builder, I strongly advise that you use your own agent.
NEGOTIATION KNOWLEDGE
Professional negotiation is key. Real estate agents have to negotiate with sellers, builders, closing agents, brokers and all parties involved. Agents can negotiate a seller down on price and help a seller avoid costly repairs.
CONTRACTS
A purchase contract is created to protect you and ensure that you are able to back out of the deal if certain conditions are not met. Contracts can be hard to understand, especially since they change every few years. You can lose your deposit if it is not done properly. An experienced real estate agent deals with the contracts and conditions on a regular basis and knows how to use them to protect you, whether you are buying or selling your home.
DON’T UNDERVALUE AN AGENT’S CONNECTIONS
Professional agents will have an entire arsenal of experts ready to help you through every stage of the home-selling or buying journey. Whether you need repairs, inspections, a lender or legal insight, a good agent will be able to connect you with the right people.
FINAL NOTE:
While there are certainly people who are qualified to sell their own homes, the process is not as simple as many would assume. Working with a real estate professional can bring you a peace of mind during a major transaction whether you are buying or selling, and it can ultimately leave you with more cash in the bank. When hiring a realtor, be sure to do your homework regarding their experience and credibility in the industry.
You may be earning just enough to pay taxes, you may be skilled enough to file your own returns, and you may even know how to use the right software tools to handle the task by yourself, but there are still many reasons why it’s wiser to hire an accountant. We asked Yuriy Kudelin, an accounting expert, how you can save money if you hire a knowledgeable accountant.
SAVES YOU TIME (AND TIME IS MONEY)
As a business owner, you need to focus on your business, right? You should delegate some tasks to others in order to grow and expand your business model. Otherwise, it’s not a business, it’s self-employment. Keeping your accounts up to date with a professional accountant helps you understand which of your business investments yield the greatest returns so you can be more strategic. yuriy@auccounting.com 415-601-4118 According to the latest statistic from the Business Insider, over 70% of business owners are using an accountant! Why? Because it’s cheaper for them to outsource their tax chores to a professional, so they can use the time they save to make money doing what they enjoy. Also, skillful accountants know the latest changes to the tax code. That is why they can help you make the best choices about how and when to spend and save money!
Yuriy Kudelin Company: Augmentum Accounting Experience: 7 years
spend and save money!
KNOW AND USE ALL THE LOOPHOLES
Finding legal “loopholes” in the tax code or in other parts of your business (credit cards, reimbursement, etc.), is exactly what a good accountant should do! Of course, the word “loophole” may carry emotional baggage, as it is often associated with negative and unethical behavior, so this could seem like a controversial statement. Here’s the truth about “loopholes”… they’re built into the tax code. They’re also called “legal deductions”. So, if you hire an experienced professional, you will have more opportunities to grow, develop your business and manage your finances with maximum savings.
APPS, CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AND OTHER TRICKS
Business leaders who are committed to hiring extremely competent, qualified, and highly efficient candidates are often most successful. If you hire the right person, you will see positive results almost immediately. The experienced accountant will advise you of the best apps for the easiest tracking of your travel miles, business costs, documents, etc. Your accountant can save you as much money as possible and you will be able to reinvest those savings in your business again.
FINAL NOTE:
A competent accountant can help you become a better businessperson. You can save time, money and avoid a lot of stressful situations, while growing your company and achieving your business goals.
Running the air conditioner during summer months can make an electricity bill skyrocket, but the alternative isn’t pretty, either. Therefore, we asked Kirill Lukichev, owner of A+Heating & Air, about effective ways that can save you money and significantly lower your utility bills.
INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
The biggest benefit programmable thermostats offer is the cost savings. So, one of the most energy-efficient things you can do is set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature that won’t make your unit work too hard, but will still make you feel like you’re sitting pretty. Also, make sure to set the thermostat off in the peak hours (usually from 5 p.m. till 8 p.m.) That easy trick will reduce your energy bill. It makes sense to have a system that does it for you automatically, so you can set, and forget. And, of course, save you money!
Kirill Lukichev Company: A+ Heating & Air Experience: 15 years
aplusheatingair.com 916-838-3748 We all know the saying that we are what we eat. But only a few of us realize that one of the most important things in your overall health is the air that you breathe. Every day as you breathe the air inside your home, you also breathe dust particles, dander, pollen, perfumes, pollutants, and even mold. If those items find a way into your air ducts, the problem intensifies. Sealing your ducts with the new AEROSEAL Technology helps eliminate access, so these contaminants stay out of your circulating air. In addition, I highly recommend to invest money in the good air purifier with a UV Light option. UV air purifier can help you avoid these issues by eliminating all the contaminants in the air. An UV air purifier works great against common bacteria and viruses, such as those that cause tuberculosis, measles, the flu and even the common cold. By reducing your exposure to these germs, you’ll have a much better chance of staying healthy. You can test the quality of the air in your home and, with the help of our experts, find the best way to make it cleaner!
CONSIDER INSULATION & LED LIGHTS
When you think of insulation, you probably think about how insulation can keep your home warm in the winter. In reality, though, insulation is beneficial for your home all year round! Did you know that a home that is underinsulated or not properly insulated can lose between 20% and 30% of its energy? Air leaks around your windows and doors or in your attic or basement can waste your energy. That means that your heater and your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep your home warm or cool (and a harder-working HVAC system means a higher energy bill). With proper home insulation, you can keep your home efficient and keep your energy bills down. Another great way to save your money is switching your home or business lighting to LED because it is energy efficient and lasts much longer. You probably don’t know that if you are using old-fashioned, incandescent light bulbs, more than 80% of the electricity they use is turned into heat rather than light. Therefore, LED is a great investment if you want to spend less on electricity and keep your house cooler at the same time.
FINAL NOTE:
You can dramatically reduce your energy costs if you address your problems with professionals. When you choose A+Heating & Air, you choose the best quality systems with the best price and the best installers around. We also offer a special rate of 0% APR with 18 equal, monthly payments. Remember the wise saying: A penny saved is a penny earned!
