As a first step in preparing for a home purchase, it’s important to determine if you are actually ready to become a homeowner. Are you able to stay put for a while? Is your income fairly stable? If you answered yes to both questions, the next step is to carefully consider your finances. Resolve to do the following in the New Year and you could be ready to purchase a home sooner than you think – maybe even ahead of any anticipated rate increases.

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One of the first steps to true independence is developing a strong sense of financial responsibility. The moment you start earning any money at all is the ideal moment to learn about money management, budgeting, and the importance of good credit. Whether you are exploring financial independence for the first time, or looking to re-build after a few credit mistakes, here are some options for getting on a path to a solid credit history.

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The burden of student loan debt is one of the main road blocks to financial independence and a top reason why men and women delay important life decisions, including home ownership. Whether you’re trying to pay for your own education or your child’s, it’s important to make smart borrowing decisions. Carefully consider your budget and loan amount so you won’t be tempted to over-borrow to fund your lifestyle, in addition to your education. The options can be overwhelming, so let’s break it down…

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The millennial generation is entering a job market and economy that comes with its own set of challenges. The Wall Street Journal reports that, “The financial crisis exacted a heavy toll on the generation of Americans now entering their 30s. Facing difficult job prospects, little-to-no income growth and a historically unprecedented level of student loans, their finances are in a more precarious state…” At the same time, this younger generation is empowered by technology and motivated by a strong desire for more freedom in their daily life.

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When we come to the end of any calendar year, isn’t it amazing to look back over the last 12 months and realize just how much has transpired? And, of course, the resolution season is upon us. A blank page opens before us each January 1, presenting an opportunity to make changes and write a new chapter. Before we tear that last sheet from our calendars, let’s take a closer look at how the actions we take now – at the start of 2015 – can make the home loan process easier in the year ahead.

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Whether you are headed off to college, starting a job, saving for your first home, or a parent preparing a child for life on their own, money management and budgeting can create anxiety. Can I afford college? How do I save for a down payment? How will I pay my bills, save and still be able to have some fun? These three simple steps will help ease the uncertainty and set you on a path toward financial independence.

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