Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (3)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Watch Your Water Usage at Home and Save $550. Ninety percent of what I spend on my utility bills goes towards warming the water in my water heater. By switching to cold-water washes, plus taking shorter showers, I can save about $150 a year on energy costs. Add to that replacing leaky faucets and upgrading to low-flow showerheads and toilets—that will add another $400 in annual savings. Check to see if your Utility Company has a refund program for changing out your old toilets to new low flow ones. Some cities Utility companies also have “Water Saver Kits”. My city does and it contained a low flow shower head, a bathroom low flow faucet aerator and one for the kitchen faucet. It also had leak detection tablets to put in your toilet tank to see if you have any leaks or a toilet that runs constantly. It also contained a toilet tank bank; a bladder to fill with water to take up space in the tank, it hangs on the inside side of the tank so that you use less water with each flush. The greatest thing about this is the kit was free from my city utility company, and I’m saving water and money.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment? (2)

Michael Petruccelli says:  Brew Coffee at Home and Save $2,600. Are you a coffee drinker like I am? What are the chances there was a Keurig by the menorah or under the Christmas tree this year? I hope that you’ll start using that coffee machine at home. Doing so can save as much as $2,600 a year, versus buying coffee out each morning. Even better, you can invest in reusable and refillable k-cups to use at home, saving you even more money. If you did not get a new coffee maker consider purchasing a reusable gold coffee filter (they usually carry a lifetime guarantee), and that will also save you money on coffee filters.

Michael Petruccelli asks: What are some ideas to help me save for a down payment?

Michael Petruccelli says: It’s that time of year we set goals and evaluate the past year as the New Year approaches. Most Americans make New Year’s resolutions. They can range from the typical (get fit, eat better) to the altruistic (volunteer more in the New Year). One of the most common resolutions is to lose weight, According to a 2013 Mayo Clinic study proved that people who were given a financial incentive to lose weight not only lost more weight but also kept it off, compared with those in the study who received no incentives.

What if I told you I know a way for you to save approximately $9,000 or more in the New Year? Would that kind of financial incentive inspire you to try these money-saving New Year’s resolutions? If so, here are several ways you can save around $9,000 or more in 2014.

 

Michael Petruccelli asks; Do you have a check list of tax deductions for Realtors?(12)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Checklist of deductions (d)

• referral fees and commission rebates;
• retirement plan contributions;
• subscriptions to professional journals;
• real estate franchise fees;
• taxes, including payroll taxes for employees, state and local business taxes;
• telephone service fees;
• travel to business conventions, including transportation, lodging and food;
• wages and benefits paid to employees.

Note: Just because you didn't get a receipt doesn't mean you can't deduct the expense, so keep track of those small items.

Michael Petruccelli asks; Do you have a check list of tax deductions for Realtors?(11)

Michael Petruccelli says;  Checklist of deductions (c)

• interest, such as interest for business loans, interest paid on business credit cards;
• Internet access fees;
• map books;
• office equipment (cost may be deducted in one year using bonus depreciation or IRC Section 179);
• office expenses, including rent, cleaning and maintenance, and utilities;
• office supplies;
• online computer services related to business
• postage;
• professional dues and fees — for example, multiple listing service dues and dues paid to the local Chamber of Commerce, Realtor associations, and real estate license renewal fees;