I'm a home-owner!

I closed on my home today - a major stress load has been lifted. Anticipate moving in a few days before Christmas after getting some sanding and painting done.

Built in 1948, expanded in 1963, it's an old Manhattan Project cement block home. Built as a three bedroom, one bath, the expansion added a family room and a master bedroom and bath. The original section has heated floors (and in homes costing $150,000 and up, it's called "radiant heating") and window AC units. The add-on has central heat and air. We're (we being my ten year old daughter and myself) sitting on .42 acres, 1640 square feet, not counting the detached 2 car garage.

I'd like to thank the good Lord and my family and friends for carrying me through the rough times leading up to the purchase of this home. Soon - very soon - my daughter and I will be moving in.

I checked her out of school early today to be there for the closing on the house. They handed her the keys :) On the way over there, I asked if she knew where we were going. Two weeks ago, her reply was "we're going over to the house."

The first home I ever owned was when I was stationed in Las Vegas. It was 917 square feet and sat on a lot a little bigger than a postage stamp. It was a two bedroom, one bath, and it was far too small for our needs (this was back when I was married). Now that I'm divorced, and have sole custody of my daughter, I don't want to get back into a situation where I don't have the space, if needed.

We've been looking for close to a year now, and this one came available at just the right time. It was an estate home, and the lady who had lived there had 15 heirs, so no one was going to see a lot of money for the property. It's in good shape for its age, and doesn't need anything more than having the paint scraped in a couple of the rooms and fresh coat being put down on top of it.

A bit of unrequested financial advise from an old homeowner;( We all know what free advice is worth, don't we?) Try to make a couple of extra mortgage payments minus the interest every year just to actually own your home sooner. The more of those you can pay now the larger the savings.

Also make estimates (in years) as to when something is going to need replacing (roof, outside paint, carpets, hot water heater, kitchen repairs, fencing, etc.) and start that bank account ASAP taking into account (use 5%) inflation. This way you'll have the cash at hand to make the changes when needed.

Your loan broker probably didn't tell you but your loan will be sold shortly, expect it within two months.

Now that you have the space, the big sales come annually on items that you'll use...paper products (paper towel, toilet products, Tampax, etc). Remember there are mice in this world, so put out traps and poisons.

If you jump in and buy a whole years supply when the annual price is lowest, generally pre-Spring, you save a couple of hundred dollars on that single purchase. Do the same for home cleaning products and personal products, ie. Windex, shampoos, laundry soaps, anti deodorants, toothpastes, etc.

Instead of looking for new everything, consider used lawnmowers, garden tools, lawn furniture, etc. You can save big dollars buying the used ones that still have a few years left on them. I do this just because the first time you use that new $600 lawnmower it is "used". For a tool that is lucky to see two hours use a month, I can't see spending a lot of money on it.

Become a weasel on food prices. A good used freezer that someone is selling because of a forced move is something to be on the look out for. After you get one, when you see chicken down real low, buy thirty pounds of it. The same for steaks and hamburgers or whatever is a large item in your diet.

Use every coupon that comes your way. Oil changes, haircuts, lawn fertilizer, you name it. Keep track of these savings and you'll find they will pay for the replace/repair bank account payments.

Ask your new neighbors what lawn fertilizers to buy...they've already bought the wrong ones and had lousy lawns before you arrived. The same goes for sprinkler settings. They'll know where the best hardware and plants stores are.

Most of all enjoy your new independence from landlords. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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