Money In Your Pocket

OK, here it is. The latest Federal Tax Credits for energy Efficiency. www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits#s6

Up or Down??

What's the market going to do today? Up or down? How about this week? Last month was good, but what will April bring? Stock market watching is not for the faint of heart. Well, maybe just as long as you are watching, and not playing. Just last month gold was preaching high and higher, now it is off it's highs and falling like a rock.

And what about housing ? We know starts have been down, but sales of existing homes are up again. And permits in many areas of the country are starting to build.

Needless to say, there is lots of uncertainty in the markets. One thing we do know, energy costs will be only going one direction, and we all know what that is, UP.

OK then guru, what is a sane and rational person to do. First, only bet on a sure thing. If you want to be in the stock market, or the commodities market, that is OK with me, but be warned, it is still going to be a wild rodeo ride. And money in fixed return instruments is just that, fixed at a low rate. So what is the sure thing? Energy costs are going up. So you can play the oil market, if you are a gambler. Or you can invest in a sure bet, your home. Homes use about 40% of the nations energy. So we have an opportunity to help out national energy situation and save our own money at the same time, by reducing our home energy consumption. How do we do that? Improve you existing home with upgraded windows, insulation, doors, HVAC systems, lights. And the added bonus is that there are state and federal tax credits and loans available to help offset the initial costs of these upgrades. And if you are thinking a new home, make sure it is an Energy Star home. A standard Energy Star home will save you approximately 15% of the energy costs of a standard home, while the "enhanced" Energy Star construction will save approximately 30% over a standard home. And all for little additional "first" cost. Can you get a 4 year payback on money invested in the stock market?