Do These Home Improvements To Increase Equity

Stepping Into Safety | Home Upgrades That Pay Off | How to Bounce Back From a Natural Disaster Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( November 10, 2023 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] - [Stepping Into Safety]( A few days ago, I mentioned that I found some aspects of my home lacking and needed to make some repairs and upgrades. I found a way to use the renovations to increase the value of my home. How am I going to turn chores into home equity? More about that below. My home made it through hurricane season unscathed, and after experiencing Superstorm Sandy, I am relieved. I could have used advice about how to cope with more than just the damage to my abode. We provide some tips for bouncing back financially and mentally from the upheaval a natural disaster can unleash. And if you are safety conscious and mulling a change of scenery, we’ve got you covered. [Erin Bendig]( has prepared a thoughtful list of places from where you can let your guard down. - Donna LeValley, personal finance writer P.S. I welcome your questions and suggestions about this newsletter – you can reach me at donna.levalley@futurenet.com [How Dividend Reinvestments Boost Your Returns]( If you invested in an S&P 500 index fund starting in January 2000 until September 2020 your average annualized return would have been 4.2%, a cumulative return of 136%. But if you reinvested all dividend payments your annualized return would have been 6.2%, a cumulative return of 247%. Just reinvesting dividends would have nearly doubled your gains. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] TOP STORY [] [Home Upgrades That Pay Off]( [Home Upgrades That Pay Off]( (Getty Images) Considering some home improvements? I suggest making a list and checking it against our list of upgrades that pay off. Because [investing in projects that add more value than they cost is a win-win strategy](. If your project isn’t listed in the article, we provide a link to a great site that will let you compare the cost vs. the value. [] Natural Disasters [] [How to Bounce Back From a Natural Disaster]( [How to Bounce Back From a Natural Disaster]( (Getty Images) Americans always muse that their home is their castle. What happens when your castle is reduced to rubble? The immediate concern is usually focused on the [property destruction]( — but you should also be careful to safeguard your mental well-being. Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach, gives you [10 steps you can use to minimize the fallout of an extreme climate event, maintain your sanity and bounce back after a natural disaster](. [Get Ahead with a Personalized Retirement Plan]( Vanguard Personal Advisor is built to provide you an ongoing collaboration with our professional advisors - no matter where you are. Our advisors are salaried and don't earn commissions, so they'll always put your best interests first. [Take the first step with Vanguard today]( Paid non-client promotion [GET STARTED]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Real Estate [] [The 5 Safest Cities in the U.S.]( [The 5 Safest Cities in the U.S.]( (Getty Images) When we say “safest cities,” we are not just talking about crime. This list takes a holistic look at safety and incorporates economic security and the likelihood of facing a natural disaster. We also include a list of cities that rank lowest for safety. [So if you're looking for serenity and security, but with big city amenities, these five cities might be the thing](. [Student Debt And Loan Questions Answered]( Get answers to your most pressing questions about school loans and student debt. 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