Post Summer Budgets

After such a fantastic long weekend, I’m going to be optimistic that this August weather will roll right on through until winter.  Ok, well at least October.   Albertans have under 4 weeks left of relaxed schedules and vacation days to soak up before we head back into the reality of school bells, ballet shoes, hockey whistles and evenings requiring sleeves.
Don’t get me wrong, fall is a spectacular month, but “changing leaves” just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it as “a day on the lake”, so enjoy every last minute of beach and camping season!
While summer is an Alberta favourite, the costs to enjoy it can be as high as the temperatures.  Between festival tickets, rising gas prices, summer camps, vacations and motorized toys, we can find ourselves cringing slightly at the bank machine.  Then comes the school supply shopping, the wardrobe replacements because the kids grew…again…and all those registration fees that come with education and being a cheering sports parent.  September can feel like an account draining month, and then you realize that your home could use new windows, replaced shingles or the driveway has decided to begin sinking.  We quite often ask ourselves “Where did the funds go?”, so knowing a little bit about the money funnel can help you budget, and make saving for repairs a little easier.
 In 2013, the Average Household Expenditures by Albertans was $101,554:

• Food Expenditures:  $9295 (including over $2000 at Restaurants)
• Shelter:  $19,532
• Principal Accommodations:  $17,022
• Other Accommodations:  $2,511
• Household Operations:  $5,030
• Household Furnishings:  $2,703
• Transportation:  $15,360
• Clothing and Accessories:  $4,610
• Recreation:  $5,118
• Personal Care:  $1,542
• Health Care:  $2,406
• Education:  $1,542
• Reading Materials:  $273
• Tobacco and Alcohol Products:  $1,630
• Games of Chance:  $174
• Miscellaneous Expenditures:  $2,214
• Personal Insurance and Pension Contr.:  $5,317
• Gifts of Money, Alimony and Charity:  $3,144
• Income Taxes:  $21,664

** Based on info from statscan.gc.ca for 2013

 Doesn’t take long to add up does it??  2015 has been a great year for those who are buying or selling a home.  The market has slowed, as it normally does this time of year, but don’t let that discourage you from thinking of a move.  If you’re not quite ready, or are waiting for spring, take advantage of the colder months ahead to prepare.  Make a checklist of minor repairs and prep objectives and tackle them one by one.  If you have any questions along the way, like when you should join the housing market, what your current market appraisal would be or just what should be on that to-do checklist, we are happy to help.  If you know of anyone else who would like to buy or sell a home, we always appreciate your referrals.
Enjoy the rest of summer!
The Brent MacIntosh Real Estate Team