Is it a white picket fence in the suburbs, a secluded ranch in the countryside, or maybe owning an apartment in a high-rise in the middle of a bustling city?

Owning your own home is a dream of just about everyone.

Whatever your dream of homeownership, don’t let it turn into a nightmare by being unprepared for the true financial responsibility of owning a home.

Take some time to plan your financial situation and be fully aware of what all is involved and owning a home will be a more pleasant, less stressful experience.

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“Where’d all my money go?”

She was staring blankly at the W2 form showing her supposed income from last year and wondering why her bank account was dry.

She decided to go for a ride to clear her head and passed McDonald’s.

“Yep, some of it went there.”

She thought of all the times she stopped there after work to pick up a quick dinner for the kids because she was too tired to cook.

Continuing on, she drove past countless other businesses who had each claimed part of her paycheck.

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A friend of mine had a brilliant idea.

They have an hour-long commute to and from work each day. (Yikes!) He thought it might be worth his time to offer to carpool with people who are heading in the same general direction and earn a few extra bucks in the process.

At the very least, he could earn enough to pay for his gas.