At Home Relief for Allergies & Hay Fever

Spring is just about to make its arrival, and for many people living in North Carolina, that will also bring on the start of seasonal allergies, known as hay fever.  When plants come back to life in the sprint, the emergence of new pollens and other allergens often have many children and adults in North Carolina sneezing, congested and experiencing watery eyes.  In fact, according to WebMD, “about 10% to 30% of the people in the U.S. have outdoor allergies. Doctors don't know for sure why some people have allergies and others don't. But if your parents have allergies, you're more likely to have them, too. If you have asthma or eczema, you're more likely to get hay fever or year-round allergies.”

Fortunately, there are plenty of unique, home-remedies that you can use to treat your allergies or your child’s allergies.  Here’s a look at some of them.

• Avoid the allergens as best as you can.  For example, if you’re allergic to pollen, use your air conditioner to cool your home rather than opening windows. Consider also wearing wraparound sunglasses to keep the pollen out of your eyes, when you’re outside.
• For allergies to dust mites, consider adding dust-proof mattress and pillow covers.
• Dust and vacuum your home regularly
• Make your own nasal wash by using one cup of warm water, half a teaspoon of salt, and pinch of baking soda.
• Take regular showers to rinse off pollen and other allergens. The steam can also help relieve congestion.
• Steam your face.  Pour boiling water into a bowl and drape a towel over your head forming a tent. Inhale through your nose for five to 10 minutes.  Add a few drops of eucalyptus drops for a menthol-like effect, similar to that of store bought vapor rubs and creams.
• Have a cup of hot peppermint or green tea.  Both have been known to provide relief to some people suffering from allergies.
• Clean showers and bathtubs regularly to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.
• Wash your bed sheets frequently to rid them of pollen or dust.

If these home remedies don’t relieve your allergies or hay fever symptoms, you may need to see a doctor for a prescription, or to determine if allergy shots are right for you. 

True Homes is the largest builder of new homes in North Carolina.  True Homes are 40% more energy efficient than existing homes.  We have homes in nearly 100 different communities throughout North and South Carolina.  If you’d like to learn more about True Homes, visit www.truehomesusa.com or view our YouTube channel by clicking here.

How to start saving for your child’s education

One of the most expensive aspects of raising a family is paying for your child's education. With college tuitions on the rise, and the pressure to graduate from college growing, it’s more important now than ever to start saving for your child’s education. To help get you started, True Homes has put together a list of helpful guideposts to keep in mind when planning for your child’s education. 

Save Early, and Save Often

The more time you have to save for your child’s education, the more money you’ll have available when the time comes. The power of compounded interest helps your education savings snowball into much more than you’d think. For example, if you start setting aside $200 per month when your child is born, those contributions will grow to almost $70,000 by the time your child turns 18 (assuming a 5 percent annualized return). A good way to make keep up with your child’s education savings is to have a set amount deducted from your paycheck every month.

Consider Special Tax-Deferred Education Accounts

There are a couple of special, tax-deferred education accounts that can help you get the most out of your education savings. Two popular education savings accounts are: 529 College Plans, and Roth IRAs.

529 Plans are state-sponsored investment vehicles; similar to your employer-sponsored 401-K. 529 Plans are set up by the parent, who always retains control of the account. The main benefit of 529 Plans is that the account owner (parent) doesn’t pay income taxes on the account’s earnings, meaning your investments can grow tax-deferred much like an IRA. Contributions made to the 529 Plan are after-tax dollars, and qualified withdrawals for education expenses are tax-free. Additionally, there are no income restrictions, so anyone can open (and contribute to) a 529 Plan. And if your child decides not to go to college, you can always transfer the account to another beneficiary. FinAid.org has a comprehensive page detailing the pros and cons associated with 529 Plans.

Roth IRAs are another popular type of account to start saving for your child’s education; however, they are much more limited in terms of who can contribute to them and how much. Roth IRAs must be opened in your child’s name, and there may be minimum opening deposits and/or annual contributions. Roth IRAs also have income cutoffs, and must be opened at least five years before you plan to start withdrawing money for education expenses. Furthermore, any profits withdrawn from Roth IRAs are taxable. The upsides to Roth IRAs is that any unused money can be used to jumpstart your child’s retirement savings, and they are much more flexible in terms of investment options.

Prepaid Tuition

A number of states and private universities offer prepaid tuition programs that can help you save for your child’s education while protecting against tuition inflation. Basically, once you start the plan, you’ll be locked into that year’s prevailing tuition rates. For example, can prepay for a year of college tuition while your child is still in elementary school. Monies paid into prepaid tuition programs are generally transferable if your child decided to go somewhere else; however, the dollars may not stretch as far since you’ll be paying then-current tuition costs. A number of private universities also offer prepaid tuition programs. You can learn more about private college 529 Plans here.

Talk To Your Kids about Their Education Expenses

Another aspect of saving for your child’s education is educating them about the reality of college expenses. If you’ve been saving for your child’s education, use it to motivate them to do better in school. Giving your children a sense of ownership in their education savings account lets them know that doing good in school and receiving scholarships potentially means more money in their pocket. 


If you have specific questions about saving for your child’s education, you should meet with a qualified financial advisor who will be able to assess your individual situation and help you develop a plan that best suits your needs.

As the largest home builder in Charlotte, NC, True Homes understands that your family’s future is important. We offer a number of new home communities marketed towards new families with floor plans for every budget. To learn more about True Homes, visit us online at www.truehomesusa.com or call us on the phone at 704-271-1191.

Find Out Why Charlotte is Such a Great Place to Raise a Family

It’s no secret that Charlotte is a wonderful place to live. With a low cost of living, wide selection of educational options, and a vibrant economy, Charlotte is also a fantastic place to raise a family. Hence, new homes in Charlotte are high in demand. To help you understand exactly what makes Charlotte so great, True Homes has put together list of the standout reasons why you should raise your family in Charlotte.  

Low Cost of Living

With a cost of living index of 94, Charlotte, NC is significantly more affordable than most cities in the United States (the average is 100).  A lower cost of living means that your paycheck goes further and you’ll have more disposable income to save for your children’s education, your own retirement, or to simply enjoy many of the activities Charlotte has to offer. 

Stable Economy

Charlotte has seen explosive growth over the past 20 years, and this trend is expected to continue. As one of the largest financial centers in the country (second behind New York), Charlotte has many high paying jobs and opportunities for career advancement. Charlotte’s robust economy has also helped stabilize housing prices, which makes it an ideal area to invest in a new home for you and your family.

Education Choices

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district ranks as the second largest in the North Carolina and the 20^th largest in the United States. In addition to having a number of excellent public schools, Charlotte is also home to several outstanding private schools further adding to your options for your children’s education. Additionally, North Carolina is home to a number of nationally ranked universities including Wake Forest, University of North Carolina, Davidson, Elon, and Duke University (to name a few).

Activities Abounding

Charlotte has a wide variety of activities you can enjoy with your family. Whether you like spending time outdoors or at developed attractions, Charlotte has something for everyone. Some of the notable attractions in and around Charlotte include: the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, which is home to many outdoor concerts throughout the year; the US National Whitewater Center, which is the largest man-made recirculating river in the country; the McDowell Natural Center and Preserve; the Charlotte Motor Speedway; and a number of beautiful parks and historic sites. With so many choices, you’ll never run out of things to do with the family.

The points discussed above are just some of the reasons that make Charlotte such a great place to raise a family. It is the crowning glory of North Carolina real estate. In addition to area-wide considerations, another important aspect of raising a family is living in a neighborhood with like-minded families. To help create the ideal environment for your family, True Homes has developed several of new home communities in and around Charlotte specifically marketed for new families. To learn more about True Homes in Charlotte, North Carolina, visit us online at http://www.truehomesusa.com or give us a call on the phone at 704-937-2307. We look forward to welcoming you home.

Green Homes Construction on the Rise

There is a definite shift taking place in the market as green practices spring to the forefront. According to a recent Smart Market Report on home construction, green and sustainable homes developments are expected to skyrocket over the next several years to a staggering 29 to 38 percent by 2016.

Those interested in purchasing new homes in Charlotte are looking for green homes as they area a long-term saver and also known to be more high quality construction. Visit True Green Homes

Other factors are also driving green home construction growth. Nearly two-thirds of builders and remodelers said more and more new home buyers in Charlotte are requesting green homes and green, sustainable projects, many of them seeking out lower energy costs.

The higher costs of building green are less of a factor now than they were several years ago. With ample supply of green home products, prices have become more competitive with traditional green home projects.

 

The report also found that more than 80percent report that energy efficiency is making today's homes far more green compared to two years ago. Use of energy-efficient features is commonplace in the market and has become the top practice by nearly all builders and remodelers.

 

Also tops in consideration are indoor air quality, with 95 percent of high volume home builders including these features, and durable materials being emphasized by remodelers.

 

“These findings confirm the shift we've seen in the market,” says Jim Halter, Vice President, Construction Solutions for Waste Management. “Builders and remodelers are placing more emphasis on energy efficiency, increases in sustainability focused waste management practices and more products made from post-consumer materials. These important factors are pushing our industry forward.”

 

True Homes is the largest home builder in Charlotte, North Carolina, with new communities in Charleston, South Carolina. For more information on building your True dream home, visit www.truehomesusa.com or contact us at 704-937-2307.