Marriage symbolizes a beautiful union – not only of hearts, but also of lives and finances. It’s an exciting milestone that often prompts couples to consider the complexities of merging their financial worlds. The process requires thoughtful planning, open communication and a shared vision to navigate the waters of fiscal harmony successfully.
Although it’s winter, we’re all dreaming of spring and welcoming the flowers that come with it. When decorating special baked goods, incorporating crystalized (sugared) edible flowers can be a game-changer!
Higher interest rates usually result in falling house prices, as the higher mortgage interest rate increases the monthly payment. Consider a $250,000 house purchased with a 20% downpayment. When the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 3%, as it was in 2021, the monthly payment is about $850. When this interest rate rises to 7.5% as it did in 2023, the monthly payment doubles to $1,400. Housing thus becomes less affordable and the demand for houses falls, reducing their price; the fact that this did not happen in 2023 was surprising. A likely explanation for this is that housing supply remains constrained, which is keeping prices elevated.
It’s February, when Valentine’s Day gives us an opportunity to show our loved ones how much they mean to us. In 2023, Americans showed their love to the tune of nearly $26 billion in greeting cards, candy, flowers, fine dining, jewelry, clothing and more. But contrary to popular opinion, Valentine’s Day is not really a “Hallmark Holiday.” It has actually been celebrated since the 5th century, long before any of the businesses benefiting from the day existed.
Joe Gage wanted a quiet birthday. On the day he turned 87, he was to be honored by a small group of local businessmen for his contributions to Flushing’s economy as a member of its Board of Commerce, for his voice on the Village Council and for his unwavering support of its community at-large. As word got out, however, what was meant to be a small ceremony became one of the biggest community dinners, drawing the largest crowd to Flushing in its young history. The event was attended by over 1,300 people who all came to pay their respects to Flushing’s top man of integrity and high-esteem. Gage was moved, saying “I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve all this. I don’t think I deserve it. I’ve lived a long and happy life, especially the part I’ve lived in Flushing.”
As this is the annual My City “Bridal Issue” I want to set the tone for this month’s “My Style” piece with some recent wedding statistics from Vogue and Pinterest.
I’m going to be a June bride. I’m getting married this summer (technically late spring), and we’ve been aflutter with wedding planning. Or, I guess I should say he’s been doing a lot of the planning for the actual wedding, while I’ve been busy planning the honeymoon. You can’t take the travel out of the girl, after all.
Even though it is the shortest month of the year, February is full of observances, holidays and fun things to do. Here are just a few of the things we can look forward to this month.
On November 30, President Biden posted on X (aka Twitter): “Let me be clear to any corporation that hasn’t brought their prices back down even as inflation has come down: It’s time to stop the price gouging.” This post confuses deflation – or prices falling – with disinflation, a reduction in the rate of inflation.
My wish is for everyone to have a happy, healthy and peaceful 2024. If you’re one to make resolutions, I wish you success with keeping them.
In the world of personal finance, understanding the psychology behind spending habits is just as crucial as knowing how to budget or invest. Our relationship with money is deeply intertwined with our emotions, behaviors, upbringing, and societal influences. Exploring the psychological aspects of spending can provide valuable insights into why we make certain financial choices and how we can cultivate a healthier approach to managing our finances.
