Chapel Hill Mortgage Lender | Robby's Blog about Mortgages in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Crystal Coast area of NC
by Robby Oakes
If you are like most other average Americans you will have a list of bills that you have to pay every month, such as rent, cable, internet, cell phone, water, electricity and much more.
If you were to list each of these monthly expenses in order of importance, which would be number one?
The answer is……
by Robby Oakes
When you first move to a new town or a new country, it can be quite lonely.
Whether you are moving for adventure, a job, or other reasons, it’s hard to leave your social network behind and start again.
Developing friendships takes time and it will be several months before you feel fully connected with your new community.
However, there are some things that you can do to make forming friendships in your new home easier.
Here are a few important tips to remember about making friends when you move:
by Robby Oakes
You have worked hard for most of your adult life and the day has come that you will retire and enjoy the freedom of your golden years.
You might take up a hobby, volunteer, or just enjoy working in your garden and socializing with your friends.
If you have been planning ahead and contributing to your retirement fund, you will likely have a nest egg built up which will help you support yourself once you leave your job.
However, it is important to keep your expenses down when you are retired so that your spending won’t outgrow your savings.
If you can reduce your outgoing costs during your retirement years, you can stretch out your savings fund for longer and not have to worry about running out of money.
Here are a few ways that you can reduce your expenses during your retirement:
by Robby Oakes
The Fourth of July, otherwise known as Independence Day, is the federal holiday in the USA which celebrates the Declaration of Independence.
On July 4th, 1776 this was the document which declared America as independent from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Traditionally Independence Day is commemorates with fireworks, parades, carnivals, outdoor concerts, ceremonies and of course, family picnics.
If you are planning a picnic for this Independence Day, here are some tips for making it the best outdoor feast ever!
by Robby Oakes
There is a lot that man’s best friend can teach you about leading a long and healthy life, namely in their enthusiasm for exercise and their loyalty to others.
by Robby Oakes
Independence Day might be the most well known holiday in July, but did you know that this month also contains many other fun and quirky celebrations?
Here are some of the strangest holidays in the month of July:
by Robby Oakes
So you have reached the point where you have some money in savings that you want to keep for the long term future.
However, you realize that putting it in your run of the mill savings account will likely result in its compound interest rates barely keeping up with inflation.
You are willing to accept a little bit more risk in return for a higher reward and you are interested in investing in the stock market.
Investing can be intimidating for the beginner and there is a lot to learn about the world of stocks and bonds.
Here are a few things to remember when you are first starting out:
by Robby Oakes
Summer is on its way and the warm weather means that thousands of families across the USA will be bringing out their tents, tarps, folding chairs, camping stoves, fishing rods, and sleeping bags.
The summer camping holiday is somewhat of an American family tradition which is celebrated on every long weekend and school break of the year.
There is nothing quite like the experience of eating hot dogs roasted over an open fire, making smores, telling ghost stories and falling asleep in the peaceful silence of the forest.
Camping is a great way to spend a holiday with your family. Camping sites are cheaper than motels, you can cook your own food and the kids will love playing in the forest and swimming in the lake.
Camping can also be a romantic way to spend a getaway with your sweetheart, as you take scenic walks together and cuddle by a roaring fire.
If you are planning on taking a camping trip this year, here are some of the very best camping spots in the USA where you can enjoy the best of the outdoors:
by Robby Oakes
If you are nearing retirement age there are many things to look forward to in your future, such as the chance to take time for yourself, pursue your hobbies and of course travel the world.
This is the chance to see some of the places you have always wanted to see, which you postponed in the name of career and raising a family. Now that the kids have flown the nest you can pack your bags and take off on an adventure.
by Robby Oakes
So you’ve gone through the hard work of making a budget, written down your expenses and your income and made a plan for your spending.
However, sometimes the hardest part of budgeting is sticking to your plan. You might have the intention of cutting down your spending and putting money in your savings, but if you don’t stick to this plan it will not happen.
Here are a few tips that will help you stick to your budget and meet your goals:
