As cooler temperatures begin to return to Houston, many homeowners and business owners begin making preparations for winter, including decorating the inside and outside of their home or business, bringing out winter clothes, and making holiday plans with family and friends.

As discussed in last week's blog, many parents help prepare their college students for the new school year by purchasing laptops, smartphones, furniture, appliances, and other needed items. One major asset college students also take with them is a vehicle, either their own car or a family vehicle.

In the greater Houston area, there are thousands of residents and their families who are currently renting apartments, townhomes, condominiums and rental houses all throughout the city. Many people rent as they save and prepare for an eventual purchase of a home, or they rent because they enjoy the benefits of having no property maintenance, lower utility costs and nearby amenities like pools and exercise facilities.

In today's global economy, a growing number of large multinational companies are sending employees across cities, states, countries and continents in order to meet specific job needs in different locations. Specific projects may require employees and their families to pack up and relocate for anywhere from a few months, a few years, or even permanently.

In today's volatile economy, consumers across the county are looking for innovative new ways to save money and help their paychecks go farther. This can mean scaling back on entertainment expenses, carpooling to reduce fuel consumption, or buying groceries in bulk. One important, but often overlooked, way to save on your monthly expenses is to evaluate your current insurance policies and consider bundling your insurance policies together with one insurance agency.