Maybe you don’t think you can afford an in-ground swimming pool. Yes, it is a luxury item. But most Americans don’t live at a survival level; for most of us, “being able to afford” something is often simply a matter of which luxury items we choose and how carefully we allocate the money we do have for items beyond the basics. We all want to get “the most bang for our buck,” as the saying goes. And none of us wants to look back at our financial choices a decade down the road, and wish we’d chosen differently.
So we’re going to take a look at some luxuries that many Americans choose to pay for, when they could be putting that money toward a pool, instead — a financial choice that’s sure to pay dividends in increased property value, health benefits, and (perhaps most importantly) happy moments spent with those they love.
Slash the Screen Time
While “quality time” is said to be superior to “quantity time,” why not have it both ways? When you’re spending time in and around your swimming pool, chatting and splashing with family and friends, we’re pretty sure you won’t miss staring at an uncaring screen. And most Americans are paying a premium for that screen time.
According to a 2014 study, many Americans are paying close to $150 per month on their cell phone plans and another $120 per month on cable TV. But don’t worry; you can still cut costs without sacrificing all modern conveniences. For instance, you can get a budget-friendly cell phone plan instead of your current high-priced one. Or try a streaming service for $10 to $20 per month instead of over $100 for cable.
Re-Think Recreation
Did you know that the typical American household spends over $3,000 per year on restaurant meals? And the typical cruise or Disney vacation costs an average of $175 per person, per day. For a 10-day vacation, a family of 4 would spend $7,000! Of course, that same amount would purchase far more than 10 days of pool time. Often, we like the idea of going someplace other than our homes in order to relax; but with an in-ground swimming pool in the back yard, you won’t need to go anyplace to get some R&R.
Re-Evaluate Your Outdoor Time
Many Americans spend a lot of time caring for their lawns, making sure they’re well-manicured and creating curb appeal. But to what end? And at what cost? Maybe you do enjoy the occasional weekend landscaping project or find pleasure in gardening. But at the same time, what’s the point of a great-looking yard if you can never just lounge around and enjoy the oasis you’ve created? What’s more, is it really worth it to spend upwards of $2,000 for a lawnmower instead of spending that money toward a swimming pool that you’ll not only be able to enjoy — but which will cut down on the amount of grass you’ll need to cut?
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Lyon Financial
Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.
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