Finance Archives - Serendipity Mommy

How To Select a Costa Blanca Real Estate Agent

April 8, 2020 by Mandy

If you are looking for a real estate agent on the Costa Blanca, keep the following points in mind before selecting a company or individual to help you. Buying or selling a home is no small matter, especially abroad, and it is important to work with a reputable agent you can trust.

Searching Online

It is a good idea to start your search for a top real estate company online. Visit the company websites and check the overall layout. You can get an idea about agencies by checking out their “About Us” pages. Are they transparent with photographs of the employees? Plus, do check the section of customer reviews and comments both on their site and on third party sites like Google. Going through the customer reviews can give you information on the agency performance. However, do bear in mind not all online reviews are genuine.

Visit Houses

Visiting houses in person can give you information about the communication style of the real estate agents. If an agent is not very interested in a potential buyer or is hanging around without putting in much effort to show a house, it is a red flag!

Consider Checking The Print Advertisements

When you check the print advertisements, you can see the ads displayed by the real estate agents. They will be marketing their services or trying to sell a specific real estate property. If you come across such an advertisement, check the official website of the agent. If the agent is advertising properties in print in your area, chances are they have expert knowledge of this area and help you buy or sell a property.

Ask For Recommendations

It is always a good idea to ask for recommendations from friends and expats who have spent time living in the area. Those who have already sold or bought a property through a reliable real estate agent will be able to guide you in your search.

Compile A List Of Potential Agents

When you have searched thoroughly, it is time to put together a list of potential real estate agents. You can compare the services offered by the agents once you have it listed in a single document.

Summary

There are many real estate agents on the Costa Blanca offering their services in the housing market. However, you have to find the one that is most suitable for you. Start by checking the websites of the top real estate companies in your area and find further information on each agent by going through the reviews and comments left by previous or current customers. You can visit a shortlist of agents to see their communication style in person. Check print advertisements and check the local neighbourhood signs for for-sale boards. Ask for recommendations from friends and professionals.

Suffered a mishandled birth? Here’s what you need to know.

April 8, 2020 by Mandy

When you first discovered you were pregnant, I bet you planned everything down to the very last detail. From the birth environment and the pain relief to the music and even the lighting, planning the arrival of your baby is both incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking! Sadly, not all women get to experience a “text-book” birth, especially when things become complicated, frightening and even life-threatening in the delivery room.

Getting injured during birth, or having your baby injured or damaged is one thing, but when it’s not your fault and the whole situation could have been completely avoided, it’s difficult to comprehend. With emotions running high, and the prospect of sky-high medical bills and support overwhelming what should have been the greatest moment of your life, it’s time to take action. Many women in this position reach out to a personal injury lawyer, to find out their options. Check out www.pintas.com if you’re looking for a lawyer.

So, what do you need to know about a mishandled birth? Read on to find out.

Birth injuries that the mother has received

Where possible, birth is meant to be as natural as possible with as little intervention as possible. However, in some extreme cases, neglect, negligence and misconduct can mean that intervention was left too late, the mother was not listened to or signs of distress were ignored. The following injuries are common in mishandled birth cases:

Errors in handling pre-eclampsia
Injuries to organs during C-sections
Mistakes in repairing tears
Third and fourth degree perineal tears
Haemorrhaging
Death

Birth injuries that the baby has received

Often, the mistakes made during birth usually have the biggest impact on the baby. Some injuries can result in life long issues and medical problems that they will always need care for. Common injuries in personal injury cases include:

Avoidable death of the infant
Brain damage
Cerebral Palsy
Hip dysplasia
Fractures
Damage caused by ventouse or forceps

When did the negligence occur?

Although the injuries the baby or mother may sustain are more likely to occur during childbirth, if your pregnancy was mishandled, your midwife failed to take any current health issues into consideration or vital signs of distress were missed then you may also have a claim.

If you believe you’re the victim of a mishandled birth, reach out to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

Planning for Retirement as a Single Income Working Woman

March 26, 2020 by Mandy

We’ve all heard about the gender wage gap. But what about the retirement gap? We contribute $1,331 to our retirement accounts every year.

That’s only half as much as men. And since we have more golden years to look forward to, we ladies need some extra gold to get by. That’s why it’s never too late to start planning for retirement if you’re a working woman.

Irrespective of whether you are married or single, retirement planning helps you attain a secured life at old age. You can easily save money on grocery shopping, while dining out at restaurants and by adopting some of the very unusual ways. This money could be saved for your post retirement life.

Keep those gray hairs at bay and stop worrying. Retirement planning is easy. Here’s how.

1. Demand Your Fair Share

The more you make, the more you save. But that’s more difficult for women, seeing as we make 20% less than men in the same occupation.

Don’t be afraid to head to the negotiation table and demand the salary you deserve. Make a strong case for yourself based on your accomplishments at the company.

The worst thing you’ll hear is “no.”

2. Follow a Budget

Without a budget, you’re leaving retirement savings to chance. You don’t have to.

Plenty of budget apps and programs are available, but there’s nothing wrong with an Excel worksheet. Track your monthly income after taxes as well as all expenses.

Now you’re ready to set yourself up for success. As a rule of thumb, 10% of your monthly income should go towards a savings account. Struggling to reach that number?

That’s why you should budget. You’ll discover categories where you spend far more than you should. By trimming these discretionary expenses, such as fast food or streaming services, you can funnel the money Into your savings allocation instead.

3. Invest, Invest, Invest

Albert Einstein called compound interest the 8th wonder of the world. The concept is simple. The interest you earn becomes part of the principal balance, and then also earns interest.

In short, it’s the interest you earn on previous interest payments.

Neither men nor women will find success trying to shore up retirement savings without investing. Compound interest is an essential part of the equation. And the sooner you start, the more time you have to earn compound interest.

Your employer’s 401K plan should be your main focus, especially if they match your payments. But few businesses still offer these plans. Instead, open your own individual retirement account and start saving.

4. Calculate Your Retirement Needs

During retirement, financial pundits suggest you shave off about one-third of your current expenses. That means your retirement savings need to cover 70% of what you’re making now. Have enough?

That’s the question. Remember that in addition to your retirement savings accounts and investments, you’ll also gain Social Security payments. Since women are paid less than men, these tend to be less than you may think.

Wherever you are in your journey to retirement, check out this retirement calculator to see where you stand.

Retirement Planning for the Working Woman

It’s true that a working woman faces more financial challenges compared to the working man. But we have to take retirement planning seriously, even if it’s unfair. If you start early and keep this advice close to heart, comfortable retirement is not only possible — it’s easy.

As a working mom, you know money can get tight. Check out my finance section for more financial help.

8 Ways to Save Loads of Money on Home Appliances

March 13, 2020 by Mandy

Did you know that home appliances can cost anywhere from $350 to $8,000?

If you weren’t expecting to buy a new appliance or need to buy a replacement, your wallet may not be ready to shell out all that money.

Do you need to buy a new refrigerator, washing machine, or dishwasher? Why not save loads of money in the process? Use these seven tips to shop.

1. Do Your Research

Before you buy any home appliances, you should make sure you do your research.

Don’t just buy the first one you find, but make sure you look at different retailers and different companies. Sometimes retailers will have the exact same model and item, but it may be cheaper at a different store.

Once you find an appliance that you like and are sure of, you can use an app to scan the barcode and compare the prices in your area.

2. Negotiate With Them

If you find the perfect appliance but it’s a little too out of your budget, you can always try to negotiate with them.

Normally with items that cost a little bit of money, you can negotiate and bring them down a little bit. This is true especially if the salesperson works on commission.

Most people are too scared to negotiate, but if you’re effective at it, you could get a discount on the price. It may not be a huge discount, but any little bit helps.

You can also ask if there are any discounts or promos that you can take advantage of. For example, some retailers offer a discount if you pay in all cash.

Start negotiating, and you may be able to walk with that Samsung washer cheaper than you thought you would’ve.

3. Check for Offers or Rebates

Another thing you can do is to always check for offers or rebates for discounts.

You can look at the manufacturer’s and retailer’s sites to find special deals, discounts, and rebates. These are more common if they have overstocked an item.

You may have to buy them within a certain period of time. If there is a rebate, it may take some time to get your money back, and you’ll have to remember to mail the form before the deadline runs out.

Most stores will give you an instant rebate if you buy an Energy Star appliance, which can help.

If you’re going to buy something for a rebate, you’ll also have to add up to see if any extra fees that come with it end up making it more expensive. It may look good on paper, but if you’re not careful, you could end up spending more money.

4. Trade in Old Appliances

You can also trade in some of your old appliances for a discount on your new appliance.

The U.S. government wants to encourage people to trade in their old, large appliances to help recycle.

5. Buy Used

If you want to save a lot of money on an appliance, you can always buy them used.

Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace or great ways to find pre-owned versions of the appliances you need. You should make sure that you know the exact make and model of everything you want to buy.

You should also make sure that you see it in person and make sure that it’s in good condition before you buy it.

You will also have to pay for the pickup, delivery, and installation if the seller isn’t offering it, so you have to factor in those costs as well.

6. Know When the Right Time to Buy Is

You should also know when the right time to buy the appliance is.

A lot of the appliances go on sale around the holiday sale promotions. You shouldn’t buy during Labor Day and Black Friday but try for one of the smaller holiday sales.

Most of the appliances are priced at their cheapest around September or October because this is when the newer models come out. This makes the older models still good but cheaper.

However, refrigerators are one exception to this rule. Their inventory gets upgrade in June, so you should buy one in August or September to save money.

7. Check Price Match Guarantee Policies

Before you buy, you should also check the local price-match guarantee policies.

For example, you can compare Best Buy and Lowes to see who offers a lower price. If you find a lower price at the other store, you can show it to the store you’re at and see if they’ll honor the lower price.

This is an easy way to not have to run back and forth trying to find the best deal, and it makes it more convenient and saves money for you.

However, you should know that some stores, like Costco, don’t price match.

Some stores will honor it for only a certain number of days, so make sure you research their policies to figure out what is and isn’t covered.

8. Buy Open Box

Finally, you can always check to see if a retailer is selling any appliances open box.

This means that you’re buying a slightly used and possibly imperfect appliance. If someone takes a washer home and then realizes that there is a small scratch, they may end up taking it back.

The retailer can’t sell it like it’s brand new, so they sell it for a slightly discounted price.

If you’re okay with something slightly used, then this may be the best option for you to save some money.

Save Loads of Money on Home Appliances Today!

You can save loads of money on home appliances by just following these simple tips.

The most important thing is to do your research and not buy anything impulsively to make sure you get the best deal.

If you enjoyed this article, make sure you check out our website for others just like it!

10 Simple Tips to Save Big on Home Cleaning Supplies

March 9, 2020 by Mandy

Are you tired of spending a small fortune each year on cleaning supplies? You aren’t alone! The costs can quickly add up — especially if you have kids or pets. Fortunately, you don’t have to grin (or rather, frown) and bear it. Rather, you can use these 10 simple tips to save big on home cleaning supplies:

Instead of using harsh laundry detergents to get out a pesky stain, try using dish soap and a sponge. You can also try this on carpets.
Speaking of dish soap: use a foaming soap dispenser. You’ll be amazed at how much longer you’ll go between buying new bottles.
If your fridge is smelling a bit funky, then stick in a bowl of coffee grounds. Just remember to replace it about every two or three months.
Want to give your carpets and rugs a refresh? Sprinkle some baking soda, wait a few hours or overnight, and then vacuum thoroughly. If the odor persists, then you may need to repeat the procedure.
Fed up with dust collecting on your TV and computer screens? Simply wipe them down with a used fabric softener sheet. This will zap away the static and make it harder for dust to collect on the surface.
Use good ol’ fashioned — and cheap! — white vinegar to clean countertops, metal taps, mirrors, and glass shower doors. If you find the smell is too strong, then mix it with water. Vinegar is also great for cleaning coffee machines and kettles.
Instead of using wads of paper towels to wipe down windows, use old newspapers. Just remember to wear gloves, because the newsprint can get in your hands (if this happens then don’t panic, it’ll wash off with soap!).
How many sponges do you go through in a year? Dozens? Well, here’s a great way to cut your costs: put a damp, soiled sponge in the microwave for two minutes. This will destroy virtually all of the germs. When finished, let the sponge sit in the microwave for a few minutes to cool down.
If your showerhead is covered in limescale, then before you buy a costly cleanser from the store try this: fill a sandwich bag with vinegar, put the bag over the showerhead, and then use a rubber band to hold it in place (so that the showerhead is submerged in the liquid). Let this solution sit overnight, and the next day you should find the lime scale gone and the water flow more powerful.
This last tip is about cleaning your car — specifically your headlights, which over time get covered in dirt and grime, and make it hard to see where you’re going at night. Instead of spending $50 or more on a professional headlight cleaning kit, try this (it’s a bit weird but it works): take a damp, soft cloth and add a little toothpaste. Then, firmly run the surface of each headlight using small circles. If necessary, add more toothpaste and water. Do this for about five minutes, paying careful attention not to touch any of the surrounding area (if you wish, you can first cover these areas in masking tape to avoid accidental scratching). Next, rinse each headlight thoroughly. You can also add a little wax to help prevent further oxidation and damage. Tip: keep these items in your glove compartment or E&G console vault for convenient access the next time your headlights need some TLC.