Diane Lynch

It seems there are more and more people looking for decent lower cost rentals and there are none to be found.

I have been trying to find housing for several newly divorcing parents with up to 3 children who need housing for $1000 or less per month. It just doesn't exist! So sad to see these families go from a nice house in the suburbs to a 2 Bedroom rental one-third of the living space they are used to. The despair in their eyes when they describe what they need and know their budget won't allow for anything close.

It's not just divorcees who need help. There are people out of work who have lost their homes and have to rent, but the income is still not there. Their credit is shot, they are high-risk, they have to double the security deposit.

The housing situation is in dire need. Is there no way to convert these bank owned properties into affordable rentals? Can we help people stay in their homes and pay rent when the bank takes over? There has got to be a better plan than government housing programs that are severly over-burdened? I am perplexed by the need and lack of solutions.....

I have to say that buying life insurance is one of my least favorite things to do but a necessary protection for my family.

We thought we did the right thing and purchased a term policy when we were young and when we reviewed it many years later found that it had expired. So we bought a new universal policy thinking we were set. Well that was when times were good and now that the market is not yielding as much we were surprised to find that our policy was not fully funding. That means we either have to contribute more money or cut back on the benefit.

Life insurance is something you should review every few years to be sure the policy is performing as expected. Don't wait too long as the rates are quite expensive the older you get.

With so much uncertainty and stimulus bills being passed back and forth how can a buyer know when the best time to pull the trigger is? Truth is, they can't!

A few months back 1st time buyers were offered $7500 tax credit to be repaid over 15 years. Ok, sounded pretty good, some people bought.

Next up, it is proposed to still offer the $7500 tax credit, but now it doesn't have to be repaid! Alright, that's even better!

Now the latest proposal is to give any buyer (of a primary residence, with income restrictions) a $15,000 tax credit that is not repaid! Yahoo....guess it's time to buy!

My advice is, don't wait on government programs to fulfill your dreams. Do what is best for your family WHEN your family needs it. Yes, it's great to get freebies and if it's out there, take it. But don't put your life on hold waiting for the perfect deal. You just might miss the one that's right in front of you.

This is a historic time in many aspects. There are enough goodies out there for any buyer to take advantage of....low rates, low prices, and FREE money!

Being a Chicago native and still dreading winter, I often wonder how people who are transplanted here survive our brutal weather. The best thing about our weather is that if you wait a couple days it will change. Even so, the winter temps chill you to the bone and the snow lingers longer than you want it to.

Luckily, once the winter is gone, we have the most beautiful spring, summer, and fall which makes it all worth it. You just keep thinking, if you can make it through winter the best is to come. I'm looking forward to the warmer temps that are coming tomorrow and the rest of the week.

So then, how do those transferees make it through the winter? Do they stay indoors with the heat cranked up? Do they bundle up with lots of layers? Do they go on warm vacations? I'd be curious to know.

It's been an incredible journey and you know I am not all about points but I just wanted to mark my milestone of passing 10,000 points! I have learned tips and tricks and strategies and gotten applications and so much more. I've learned about widgets and twitter and postlets and v-flyer. I've been able to share in rants, sympathize, and celebrate with you all. I've learned about all parts of the country and at the same time feeling as if we are all in the same place. I joined AR when it was a baby and my how it has grown! So many changes, it just keeps getting better.

So here's to my first 10K and looking forward to the next 10K and sending wishes for you all to reach such milestones ~ it will enrich you each time you do!