The Perks of Buying over Renting

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  The Perks of Buying over Renting Thinking about buying a home? While today’s  mortgage rates  might seem a bit intimidating, here are two solid reasons why, if you’re ready and able, it could still be a smart move to get  your own place . 1. Home Values Typically Go Up Over Time There’s been some confusion over the past year or so about which way  home prices  are headed. Make no mistake, nationally they’re still going up. In fact, over the long-term,  home prices  almost always go up ( see graph below ): Using  data  from the  Federal Reserve  (the Fed), you can see the overall trend is home prices have climbed steadily for the past 60 years. There was an exception during the 2008 housing crash when prices didn't follow the normal pattern, but generally, home values kept rising. This is a big reason why  buying a home  can be better than  renting . As prices go up and you pay down your mortgage, you build  equity . Over time, this growing equity can really increase your net wort
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10 Things to Do in Your Garden in March

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  1. March is an exciting time for gardeners as it marks the beginning of spring in many regions, bringing with it opportunities for planting, preparing, and maintaining your garden. Here are some gardening tips for March:


  3. Prepare the soil: As the weather begins to warm up, it's an excellent time to prepare your garden beds for planting. Turn over the soil, remove any weeds or debris, and add compost or organic matter to enrich the soil.


  5. Start seeds indoors: Many vegetables and flowers can be started indoors in March to give them a head start before transplanting them outdoors later in the season. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and annual flowers are good candidates for indoor sowing.


  7. Plant cool-season vegetables: In regions where the threat of frost has passed, you can start planting cool-season vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, carrots, and radishes directly into the garden.


  9. Prune: March is an ideal time to prune trees and shrubs before they start actively growing. Remove dead or damaged branches, shape hedges, and prune summer-flowering shrubs to encourage healthy growth.


  11. Divide perennials: If your perennial plants have become overcrowded or are showing signs of decline, March is a good time to divide them. This helps rejuvenate the plants and promotes better growth and flowering.


  13. Control weeds: Stay on top of weeds by regularly removing them from your garden beds. Mulching can also help suppress weed growth while conserving soil moisture.


  15. Monitor pests and diseases: Keep an eye out for any signs of pests or diseases on your plants. Early detection allows for prompt intervention, whether through natural remedies, organic pesticides, or other control methods.


  17. Prepare for late frost: While spring is on its way, frost can still occur in many regions. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to protect tender plants with row covers, cloches, or other frost protection methods if necessary.


  19. Clean and sharpen garden tools: Before the gardening season gets into full swing, take some time to clean and sharpen your garden tools. Sharp tools make tasks easier and help prevent the spread of diseases between plants.


  21. Plan and design: Use March as an opportunity to plan and design your garden for the upcoming season. Consider crop rotation, companion planting, and succession planting to maximize your garden's productivity and beauty.

Remember to adjust these tips based on your specific climate and region, as gardening timelines can vary significantly depending on where you live. Happy gardening!

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