This article is part of our ongoing home construction specification plan series.
Assembling a Home Construction Specification Plan — Spec Plan E: Doors and Windows
Once your new home’s frame has been completed, you’ll want to see to it that all of the doors and windows are in place as quickly as possible. Limiting the amount of time between framing and enclosing the home will ensure that neither the elements nor intruders can harm your investment.
There are three things to consider when choosing your new home’s doors and windows:
Style — You may want to have a bay window on the front of your home, French doors opening up to your patio or deck area, skylights in your attic, etc. Getting the style right now will keep you from having to pay for a costly renovation later.
Substance — Window and door manufacturing technology has improved to keep pace with consumers desire to save energy. Look for the Energy Star Symbol to determine how well windows and doors will insulate your home from summer’s heat and winter’s cold. Tinted windows can keep your home cooler while stopping damaging rays from ruining your furniture, carpeting, or flooring.
Cost – Prices for windows and doors can vary widely, therefore shopping around for the best prices can shave hundreds of dollars off of your costs. You’ll pay more for higher quality windows and doors, but energy savings can offset some of the added expense. In addition, better quality means longer lasting materials, something for you to consider if you plan on staying in your home for a long time.
Windows and doors can define your home’s overall look, so you’ll want to spend ample time making sure that the style you select enhances your home inside and out. Work closely with your home builder to ensure that this step in your home building plans is done to your satisfaction.
College costs are continuing to rise and at a pace higher than the rate of inflation. This trend, which shows no sign of abating, is a cause of concern for plenty of parents including those with young children. Suddenly, being a part of the Marquette Class of 2022 doesn’t seem all that attainable never mind Georgetown 2012.
For parents wanting their children to attend the school of their choice, coming up with a plan to cover college costs is essential or settling on some lower cost schooling options may be the way to go. Let’s take a look at ways you can turn the college financing nightmare into a good dream come true.
Unless your son or daughter is already a high school junior or senior, the following information could change by the time your child reaches college age. For parents of younger children, setting aside funds in a 529 account which is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for future college costs, is a good place to start. There is no telling what college costs will be by the time your child is ready for college and what other relief will be available at that time.
Your Financial Aid Road Map
We’ve developed an eight-step guide to help parents finance and pay for college. One or more of these steps can be used to finance your child’s education and help you understand the financial aid options for undergrads. The steps are as follows:
1. Review Financial Aid Steps — Before applying for aid, you should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and submit it to the federal government. Based on the information provided, the government will create a Student Aid Report (SAR) which will be submitted to the student’s college of choice and a copy to sent to the student’s family.
The college then takes the SAR and creates a financial award letter that lists the aid the student will receive. The difference between the cost and the award given is the family’s expected contribution towards the cost of education. Once that information is known then the student and his or her family will be able to determine the steps they will need to take provide the remaining funding.
2. Scholarships — Billions of dollars in scholarships are awarded annually therefore scholarships are an important way for families to close the funding gap. Scholarships can depend on financial background, race, ethnicity, course of study, school attended, and a host of other factors. Apply for as many scholarships as eligible as this can be an important way to finance higher education.
3. View Financial Aid Charts — Trying to estimate college costs beyond school expenses can be difficult. Using supplied online tools can help you keep everything in order.
4. Apply For Federal Stafford Student Loans — The federal government is a huge funder of higher education and Stafford Student Loans (SSL) are a great way to help pay for education. However, eligibility requirements are tight, therefore you will want to learn if your son or daughter is eligible as soon as possible.
5. View Other Aid Options — Grants, using your home equity, 529 funds, withdrawing IRA money, tax credits, military service, work-study programs, and loan forgiveness are options worth exploring.
6. PLUS Loans for Grads and Parents — These are government guaranteed, fixed rate student loans that can cover up to 100% of a dependent child’s cost of education, less any financial aid awarded.
7. Use Private Student Loans to Close the Gap — Families can borrow up to $30,000 annually and in some cases up to $40,000 thanks to private student lending. Private student loans are easier to get than Stafford Student Loans with a higher interest rate charged, but favorable pay back options available.
8. Manage Your Money During School — Finally, once your child is in school managing college money is essential toward collegiate success. A budget can go a long way to helping maintain financial accountability.
Once you have gone through the college admission process, then following the financial aid road map will help you achieve your goals in a timely manner. College costs are rising, but a well executed plan involving a combination of choices could be the way to go.
Travel Tips
Arizona is a great place to visit during the cold-Winter months. You might want to start planning your Winter getaway:
Tourism Sites
Arizona Tourism Guide
guide to tourism sites in
and around Arizona
Traveling Arizona Highways
from the Arizona Highways
magazine on places to see when
traveling Arizona highways
Arizona State Tourism
from the Arizona Highways
magazine on places to see when
traveling Arizona highways
Arizona Recreation
directory of recreation designations around Arizona
click to visit site
Home Improvement Tips
Tis the season to decorate your home for the holidays. Get some ideas from our home decor and outdoor lighting.
home decorating | outside lighting
College Planning Tips
Learn About Options to Pay for College
Consumer Financing Tip
The holidays can be a good time to share your love with others. But it is also a time when credit card use can wreck havoc on your finances. Learn how best to manage credit card use.
about credit card management
Credit Card Tip
You might need a new credit card to build up rebates you could use as your shop for holidays. Allow us to introduce some cards that can earn money back:
retail rebates | view all rebate and other card offerings
Lowering Monthly Cost Tips
Gasoline prices are rising. Check out how to reduce your monthly transportation costs:
lower monthly housing costs
