KIDS SHOW
SOME CENTS
Your kitchen-table chats and
teachable moments about money
are paying off, according to a
recent American Express survey
of parents with kids between 6
and 16. Seven in 10 parents say
their children understand that we
are in a recession. Parents also
reported hearing kids say, “Maybe
SCHOOLED
IN HOME BUYING
When looking to buy a house, most families put a stellar school district at the top of
their list of non-negotiables. But be careful, says Yahoo! personal finance expert Laura
Rowley. People pay more to live in high-ranked school districts, although the better
value may actually be a less-expensive house in a lesser-ranked district. For one, ranking
alone does not determine school quality. “When you compare schools, look at what
different courses and enrichment are,” she advises, “not just test scores.” And she
notes recent research showing that the difference between the best and next-best
schools is negligible. Finally, remember that situations change. “Even if you do buy in
the best district,” she says, “your kids may not end up there.” She cites recent cases in
which so many parents flocked to particular districts, “there’s now overcrowding—and
rezoning.” Ultimately, she says, factoring in stress and time burdens of a mortgage that
overstretches you, “you’re better off buying a house you can afford.”
mone
TIMELY TIPS FOR MEETING YOUR BUDGET
selling out
Realtors say today’s top-value home improvement project is
a front-door upgrade. Return on investment: up to 130 percent
Siding, roofing, landscaping, and other curb-appeal
improvements also rank high in getting a home sold faster.
Inside, carpeting and paint should be fresh. “Take away those
pain points for the buyer,” says Julie Reynolds, senior director
at Realtor.com, “and remember that Web appeal is the new
curb appeal.” Nine out of 10 buyers search online and spend
12 weeks looking. They look at 12-16 homes in person.
we shouldn’t buy that” more
often. Ninety-one percent of
parents say they’re committed to
teaching their kids about debt,
saving, and spending, and that
one of the best tools for teaching
the value of a dollar is the
old-fashioned allowance. Six out
of 10 parents give kids in this age
range a weekly allowance—$12 is
the average amount.
MONEY
ORDER
No one likes paying
bills, but if you devote
an hour or two a week and a few square feet
of space to it, you’ll find that it’s a lot less
stressful and time-consuming. First, says Julie
Morgenstern, author of
Organizing from the
Inside O ut}
don’t get hung up on tricking out
the perfect home office. “Look at where your
piles are,” she says, “and create your system
there.” For many families, that will be a nook
in the kitchen, the dining room table, or a
corner of the family room. Put bills in boxes
or folders—organized around paydays—that
you can stow away in a cabinet or sideboard.
Give the family CFO (Mom) time to do her
job, and “schedule something fun for
immediately after,” Morgenstern says. tS)
ce
Ш
Ш
>
<
5
4
LU
5
0
1
ce
<
О
о
«л
О
к-
0
1
о.
2 5 0
SEPTEMBER 2010 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
