First, take stock of all of your expenses, from your utility bills to your Starbucks habit, and make a list. Each of these expenditures gets put into one of four categories:

Postpone – If you have just made or are planning to make a purchase, think about if you can or should have postponed it. This is old wisdom, but it does do a good job of stopping impulse buys in their tracks.

Eliminate – Here is where you’ll often realize that you’re still paying for things that you rarely, if ever, enjoy. Unused subscriptions, from magazines to Netflix, are often big on this list of things that can save you money.

Reduce – This is usually where you can make the most amount of change for saving money. From being more mindful of utilities to taking rather than buying lunch a few times a week, you can make a lot of easy spending habit modifications to save money.

Keep –Must-haves, like insurance and mortgage or rent payments get put in this category. If you find you have a lot of keep items, you may want to revisit them in future assessments to see if they can become another category.

The PERK process is an easy way to budget and control your personal finances. For other great ways to cut spending, save money and be more financially savvy, check the Equifax Finance Blog!

Home prices in Nashville, Tennessee, showed an increase from last year. A number of factors are leading to the thought that potential buyers could be calling in the first half of 2012. Mortgage rates have reached record lows and this comes at a time when Nashville apartments are continuing to rise in rental rate. The area has experienced a 16 percent increase in rental average in only a year’s time. This increase is a cautionary warning to those who are deciding between continuing to rent and buying that first home.

Home sales for 2011 numbered 20,624; an increase of 1.8 percent from 2010. While a 1.8 percent increase may not seem very large, it is important to note that it is the first time the local market has shown an increase – all without tax credits or other incentives.

Foreclosure rates, which have never been over 3 percent for the Nashville area, are down as well. Again, local factors such as the closure of the Saturn plant had much to do with these figures. The recent announcement of the plant’s reopening is welcomed news for 2012 real estate sales. Better than national average figures on unemployment also indicate healthy home sales in 2012.

At the beginning of 2012, inventory for homes in Nashville had declined by 8 percent and distressed homes entering the market remained at 2 percent. What does this all mean? For buyers, this means there are still homes for sale in Nashville at affordable prices and incredibly low mortgage rates for those who qualify. For sellers, less inventory, more job seekers relocating, means more competitive bidding among buyers.

The good news for sellers is that even though home prices are still dropping, they are not plummeting as they had been previously. As inventories decline, demand among buyers will increase along with home value. The good news for buyers is that low home prices and enticing mortgage rates, could make 2012 a great time to purchase a home.

If you get in an accident, make sure you do the following first, regardless of whether the other party has insurance:

1. Call the police. An official police statement will make sure the story is documented and that there is proof in the event that hidden damages are discovered.

2. Get all the insurance information you can from the other driver. If there is no insurance, make sure to get whatever contact information you can.

3. Take photos of your vehicle damage. If you don’t have a camera with a phone, it’s a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your glove box or your car first aid kit.

4. Report everything to the insurance company. This is like the police report in that if you leave something out, you may have trouble getting any hidden damages cared for.

5. Don’t hesitate to call your agent if something comes up.

These steps will make sure that you get all the help you can after an accident. If you are going to be doing a lot of traveling this season, make sure you do a thorough double-check of your policy, especially your supplemental uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage. The article has more about that, and for all your questions about insurance, taxes, retirement, credit and real estate personal finances you can find answers on the Equifax Finance Blog.

Her article, “Credit Card Shopping Rises for the Holidays,” offers some insight into our spending habits.

Credit card balances tend to increase in November, October and December. This is due to special events like Black Friday. The balances also increase because some people save their credit cards specifically for end-of-the-year shopping and may instead stick to cash for the other nine months of the year. Even though the total balance for credit card debt increases, the average per person does not. Seasonal shoppers’ balances are likely not as high as the regular credit card users’ balances because they don’t use the cards for everyday purchases.

This year, holiday balances are lower than in years past. In fact, credit balances in 2011 have declined. This is because more consumers overall are deleveraging, or paying off debt. However, Dedrick predicts that shopping is going to pick back up in the next few years.

For some more in-depth review of holiday credit card trends, read her full article on the Equifax Finance Blog.

The article, “Lost Your Job? Here’s How to Manage Your Money and Protect Your Credit Score,” offers several tips and strategies. Mechel Glass is the Director of Education for CredAbility, and she develops educational programs to help people with credit issues throughout metro Atlanta and north Georgia. She points out that managing your credit is especially important while you’re unemployed because potential employers will do a background check that requires applicants to have good credit. Although keeping up with your credit may seem nearly impossible with little to no income, Glass’ article provides the following advice for getting back on track.

- Check to see if you are eligible for unemployment benefits with your state department of labor.

- Have a plan to market or sell yourself to potential employers and ramp up your full-time job search.

- Set a goal for the number of people you will reach out to each week. Talking and networking with more people is vital to landing a job.

To read Glass’ full article and see all of her strategies, visit the Equifax Finance Blog.

The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala

What to spend your fall at the lake or in the mountains? Purchase a home site and build a cabin at The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala in North Carolina, and you can! Plus, you will be able to enjoy all that fall brings such as cooler weather and beautiful scenery. The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala is offering a Day at the Lake promotion until September 30 for potential buyers that includes lunch at Lakes End Diner, a $25 gas card, a pontoon boat tour of the lake, a tour of available lots with unbeatable lake views and a chance to win a weekend at the lake in a cabin.

Additionally, guests can spend the rest of their time outdoors. They can go boating, fishing, camping, rock and waterfall climbing, hiking and horseback riding and golfing.

The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala features home sites priced from $94,900 to $129,900. There is no build-out requirement, so buyers can take their time planning their dream vacation homes. When completed, cabins will have incredible views of Lake Nantahala.

A standard cabin features 3,023 square feet of space with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths plus a loft. The kitchen includes granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a double sink with disposal and a sliding cutting board over the trash bin. The great room includes a wood or gas burning fireplace, timber mantle and custom, stacked-stone surrounded with built-in bookcases. The master bedroom features a sliding door to a private, screened-in sleeping porch for open-air sleeping. In addition, the master bath includes a double vanity, tub, shower seat and walk-in closet.

Residents will enjoy the community’s gated entrance, protective covenants, underground utilities, shared water wells and a park, which provides a shared pavilion, fire pit, camp site and golf cart parking.

Reflection is a tranquil retreat that’s still easily accessible from Atlanta, Chattanooga, Charlotte, Greenville and many other metropolitan areas.

Spend your fall at the lake! For more information or to schedule a day at the lake tour, call 866-218-8439 or visit www.lakenantahalareflection.com/thevillage.

Sunset Over Lake Nantahala

Tired of the hustle and bustle of the city? Travel to the mountains of Topton, North Carolina and spend a day at the lake. The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala is offering potential buyers a free day at the lake until Sept. 30. Your day will include lunch at the famous Lakes End Diner, a $25 gas card, a pontoon boat tour of Lake Nantahala, a tour of available lots and a chance to win a weekend at the lake this fall in a cabin that sleeps up to 14.

Home sites are priced from $94,900 to $129,900. There is no build-out requirement, so buyers can take their time planning their dream homes. When completed, cabins will have fantastic views of Lake Nanthala.

Standard cabins feature three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths with 3,023 square feet of space. Beautiful kitchens include granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, double sinks with disposals and sliding cutting boards over the trash bins. Great room include either a wood or gas burning fireplace. In addition, the master suites feature sliding doors to private, screened-in sleeping porches for open-air sleeping. Forget about the sounds of the city, and enjoy the sounds of nature!

Community amenities include a gated entrance, underground utilities, shared water wells and a park. Residents can also enjoy the winding walking trails and recreational activities of the lake.

For more information or to schedule a day at the lake tour before it is too late, call 866-218-8439 or visit www.lakenantahalareflection.com/thevillage.

Before applying, consult a HUD-certified housing counselor to learn whether or not you qualify. The government has guidelines that applicants must meet. You must be unemployed and qualify for unemployment and occupy the house that has the mortgage. Your house must have been purchased in 2008 or earlier. People who have missed three mortgage payments or have received certain types of mortgage assistance in the past do not qualify for the extended forbearance period.

According to Equifax real estate expert Ilyce Glink, the Treasury Department extended the forbearance period due to continuing unemployment. Her article, “Help Is On the Horizon for Unemployed Homeowners,” cites July’s 9.2 percent unemployment  rate. However, the U-6 showed a rate of 16.2 percent at the same time. Glink believes that this measurement is more comprehensive.

To find out if you qualify and if your lender is participating, call the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE.

Want to read the full article? Visit the Equifax Personal Finance Blog.

Each cabin features rustic architecture with luxury finishes. Plus, finished cabins offer amazing views of Lake Nantahala. Enjoy the sunset each night!

To start building your cabin, check out the Custom Cabin Builder software. This program allows buyers to choose the floorplans for each of the cabin’s three levels as well as optional features, upgrades and any extra options. Afterwards, the specifications can be saved, printed and e-mailed.

A standard cabin has 3,023 square feet of space with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths plus a loft. The kitchen features granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and a double sink with disposal. The great room includes a fireplace and built-in bookcases. The master bedroom features a sliding door to a private, screened-in sleeping porch—perfect for open-air sleeping.

The Reflection at Lake Nantahala has a gated entrance, protective covenants, underground utilities, shared water wells and a park. Residents can enjoy the great outdoors with walking trails, lush green space and many other recreational activities.

If this seems like the perfect place to build your dream cabin, schedule a visit to The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala by Sept. 30 and be treated to lunch at the Lakes End Diner, a $25 gas card, a pontoon boat tour of the lake, a tour of available lots and a chance to win a weekend at the lake this fall!

For more information or to schedule a day at the lake tour, call 866-218-8439 or visit www.LakeNantahalaReflection.com.

When construction is complete, cabin owners will enjoy incredible views of Lake Nantahala.

“We bought the lot for many different reasons,” commented Ronald and Joyce Boe, of Moselle, Miss., on their new vacation home. “First of all, the view of the lake and mountains is just breath taking. We were looking for a  lot that had the security system, privacy and covenants that we liked. We found all that we were looking for at Reflections.”

Find what you are looking for too! This summer, home buyers can schedule a visit to The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala before September 30 and be treated to a day at the lake that includes lunch, a $25 gas card, boat tour of the lake, tour of available lots and a chance to win a weekend in a cabin at the lake.

The community features home sites price from $94,900 to $129,900. Since their is no build-out requirement, buyers can take their time planning their dream vacation homes.

For more details, call 866-218-8439 or visit The Village at Reflection Lake Nantahala online.