Home loans and home value advances are the two acquisition techniques: you are vowing your home as security, or sponsorship, for the obligation. It implies the moneylender can inevitably hold onto the house if you do not know your reimbursements. While the two credit types share this significant likeness, there are critical contrasts between the two.
At the point when individuals utilize the expression “contract,” they are, by and large, discussing a conventional home loan, where a budgetary organization, like a bank or credit association, loans to borrow cash to buy a living arrangement. As a rule, the bank loans as much as 80% of the home’s assessed esteem or the price tag, whichever is less. If, for instance, you purchase a house assessed at $200,000, you would be qualified for a home loan of as much as $160,000; you should concoct the staying 20%, or $40,000, all alone.
A few home loans, for example, FHA contracts, permit you to outfit considerably less than this conventional 20% down payment, though it is not as low as other down payments if you pay for contract protection. The loan fee on a home loan can be fixed or variable. The borrower reimburses the measure of the advance in addition to enthusiasm over a fixed term; the most well-known terms are 30 or 15 years.
If you get behind on installments, the bank can hold onto your home in a cycle known as abandonment. At that point, the loan specialist sells the home, frequently at a closeout, to recover its cash. Should this occur, this home loan (known as the “principal” contract) takes need over resulting advances made against the property, for example, a home value advance (sometimes known as a “second” home loan) or home value credit extension (HELOC). Ultimately, the first moneylender must be settled upon, resulting in loan specialists getting any returns from an abandonment deal.
The requirements to obtain this type of money are quite simple. One of the main advantages of these products is the facilities that lenders give to get these credits. In broad strokes, you will only need the following:
Owning a property – remember that this must be free of charges and mortgages. It must be susceptible to sale. If you still have a mortgage, at least 80% must be amortized to be granted one of these credits.
Be of age. In general, this requirement is essential to apply for any loan. In our country, only these financial products are granted to adults. Some credit companies even increase the minimum age to 21 or 25 years.
Reside in the US. You must reside here to obtain a home equity loan in our country. If you are not a resident of Spain, you will have to apply for credits in your country of residence.
Remember that to apply for this type of loan, we do not need to explain our income or its origin. That is, we can access financing even if we lack a guarantee or a regular payroll whenever we have that property to be able to use it as a guarantee.
Home equity loans are an effective way to get money fast and in large amounts. However, you must make these requests with your head. Remember that it is a loan whose amount we must repay in full of interest. What does this mean? If we are not sure we can deal with the debt, it is better not to acquire it.
Remember that the guarantee you play with is your property. And that in case of not complying with the contract’s provisions, you can end up losing it through an embargo. There will always be an opportunity to renegotiate the terms with the lender.
Conclusion
If your existing mortgage has a meager interest rate, it is highly recommended that you leave it alone and get a home equity loan to borrow the funds you need. But remember, there are certain limitations on tax deductibility, including the money you need for property improvement.
On the other hand, if the mortgage rates have substantially dropped since you took out your existing mortgage, or if you need money for matters unrelated to your home – consider getting an entire mortgage refinance.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Discover the Key Benefits of Insurance for Your Peace of Mind
The benefits of insurance include critical financial protection against unexpected losses, coverage for damage or liability, and—most importantly—peace of mind for your business, assets, and loved ones. Insurance transforms uncertainty into manageable risk, allowing you to focus on growth rather than worry about potential disasters.
As founder of Complete Controller, I’ve watched insurance save businesses from bankruptcy after cyberattacks, help families rebuild after natural disasters, and protect entrepreneurs from career-ending lawsuits. Over 20 years of working with businesses across every sector, I’ve seen firsthand how the right insurance strategy separates thriving companies from those that fold after their first crisis. This article breaks down exactly why insurance matters, which types protect what, and how to build a coverage strategy that actually works.
What are the key benefits of insurance for your peace of mind?
Insurance provides financial protection, risk management, and emotional peace of mind for individuals, families, and businesses
It covers unexpected events—accidents, illness, death, theft, lawsuits—that could otherwise cause overwhelming financial stress
Insurance fulfills legal requirements and lender obligations while safeguarding assets and incomes
By transferring risk to insurers, policyholders gain confidence and stability to plan for growth
Comprehensive and tailored coverage protects your unique circumstances, from high-value vehicles to business liabilities
Financial Security: Why Insurance Is Your Safety Net
Insurance acts as a financial shield, absorbing the cost of unexpected events like accidents, natural disasters, illnesses, or theft. Without this protection, a single incident can drain savings accounts and force people into debt.
The numbers tell the story: despite over 90% of Americans having health insurance, approximately 20 million people still owe medical debt totaling at least $220 billion. This paradox reveals why choosing comprehensive coverage matters—basic policies often leave gaps through high deductibles and copays that create financial hardship even for the insured.
How insurance protects your assets
Property and casualty insurance covers physical losses to homes, vehicles, and business equipment. Liability coverage handles legal costs when you’re sued. Together, these policies preserve the wealth you’ve built:
Homeowners insurance replaces stolen items and repairs storm damage
Auto insurance covers accident repairs and medical bills
Business property insurance rebuilds after fires or floods
General liability protects against customer injury claims
The cost of not having insurance
Uninsured losses force impossible choices. A house fire without coverage means choosing between homelessness or crushing debt. A lawsuit without liability insurance can wipe out retirement savings overnight. Medical emergencies create bankruptcy risk—medical bills remain the leading cause of personal bankruptcy filings.
Preserving Your Business: Insurance Benefits for Owners
Businesses face threats from multiple angles: employee injuries, cyber criminals, unhappy customers, and natural disasters. Smart coverage strategies address each vulnerability.
My clients have survived ransomware attacks, employee lawsuits, and hurricane damage—all because they invested in appropriate business insurance before disaster struck. The companies without coverage? Many closed permanently.
Key coverage types for entrepreneurs
Essential business insurance includes:
General Liability Insurance – Covers customer injuries and property damage claims
Professional Liability/E&O – Protects against mistakes in professional services
Cyber Liability Insurance – Handles data breaches and ransomware attacks
Workers’ Compensation – Required coverage for employee injuries
Business Interruption Insurance – Replaces lost income during closures
Building your business insurance portfolio
Start with general liability and workers’ comp—these address the most common claims. Add professional liability if you provide services or advice. Cyber coverage has become essential as criminals increasingly target small businesses. Review annually and adjust as your business grows or changes focus.
Protecting Your Loved Ones: Life and Health Insurance Explained
Life insurance creates instant wealth for survivors when breadwinners die unexpectedly. Health insurance prevents medical bills from destroying family finances. Together, they form the foundation of family financial security.
Young adults dramatically underestimate affordability—LIMRA research shows they overestimate life insurance costs by 10-12 times. A healthy 25-year-old can buy $250,000 of term life coverage for less than $20 monthly. Yet only 36% of Gen Z adults have any life insurance, leaving young families dangerously exposed.
Life insurance: Beyond the basics
Term life insurance provides pure death benefit protection at the lowest cost. It’s perfect for young families needing maximum coverage during child-raising years. Permanent policies like whole life combine death benefits with cash value accumulation, serving estate planning and wealth transfer goals.
Key considerations for life insurance:
Coverage amount should replace 10+ years of income
Term lengths should cover until dependents become self-sufficient
Permanent policies work for estate taxes and business succession
Beneficiary designations bypass probate delays
Health and disability insurance
Health insurance handles medical costs, but disability insurance protects your paycheck. Almost half of workers recognize they need disability coverage, yet only 18% actually have it. This gap leaves 51 million Americans vulnerable—if injury or illness prevents work, bills keep arriving while paychecks stop.
Tailored Coverage: Picking the Right Insurance for Your Unique Needs
Cookie-cutter insurance fails because every situation differs. The freelance designer needs different coverage than the plumbing contractor. Families with special needs children require specific protections unavailable in standard policies.
Major types of policies—and who needs them
Match coverage to your actual risks:
High-net-worth households need umbrella liability policies above standard limits
Rental property owners require landlord insurance separate from homeowners coverage
Classic car collectors need agreed-value policies that standard auto won’t provide
Home-based businesses often exceed homeowners policy limits for business equipment
Frequent travelers benefit from comprehensive travel medical insurance
Implementation steps: Making insurance work for YOU
Document your assets – List everything needing protection: income, property, investments
Identify vulnerabilities – What could financially devastate you? Lawsuits? Disability? Property loss?
This massive financial injection prevented economic collapse across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Communities recovered because insurance provided immediate capital for reconstruction. Uninsured areas still show scars two decades later.
Insurance as economic infrastructure
Beyond individual protection, insurance enables modern commerce. Banks require property insurance before lending. Businesses need liability coverage to sign contracts. International trade depends on cargo insurance. Remove insurance from the equation and economic activity grinds to a halt.
Emotional Peace: How Insurance Builds Confidence and Reduces Stress
Buying without comparing – Premiums vary dramatically between carriers
Annual reviews catch these errors before claims reveal inadequate coverage.
Conclusion: Why Insurance Is My Most Important Business Decision
After two decades running Complete Controller, I’ve navigated recessions, client emergencies, and family health crises—all made manageable through strategic insurance coverage. The businesses and families who thrive long-term invest in protection before they need it.
Insurance isn’t an expense—it’s infrastructure for sustainable success. The right coverage transforms paralyzing risks into manageable premiums, freeing you to pursue opportunities instead of fearing disasters. Take action today: review your current coverage, identify gaps, and build the protection your future deserves. For personalized guidance on integrating insurance strategy with your financial planning, contact the experts at Complete Controller.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits of Insurance
What types of insurance should every business owner consider?
Business owners need general liability insurance, property insurance, workers’ compensation, and professional liability coverage at minimum. Add cyber liability, business auto, and key person life insurance based on your specific operations and risks.
How does insurance help with financial planning?
Insurance stabilizes finances by converting unpredictable catastrophic costs into predictable premiums. This certainty allows accurate budgeting, strategic investing, and long-term planning without maintaining excessive emergency funds.
Liability insurance specifically covers legal costs, settlements, and judgments from lawsuits. General liability handles customer injuries, professional liability covers service errors, and umbrella policies provide extra protection above base limits.
How often should I review my insurance policies?
Review all policies annually and immediately after major life changes: marriage, divorce, births, deaths, home purchases, business changes, or significant asset acquisitions. Regular reviews prevent coverage gaps as your life evolves.
Sources
CalMatters. “Paradise Fire: Recovery in Numbers.” 2021.
MetLife. “Different Types of Insurance: Coverage Options Explained.” MetLife.com.
ProAssurance. “Different Types of Insurance – Life vs. Health vs. Property & Casualty.” ProAssurance.com.
Edvisors. “The Different Types of Insurance.” Edvisors.com.
State Farm. “Types of Insurance Coverage.” StateFarm.com.
Allstate. “What Is Comprehensive Insurance?” Allstate.com.
Stanton Insurance. “Full Coverage vs Comprehensive and Collision: Top Differences 2024.” StantonIns.com.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Jennifer BrazerFounder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.
As a business owner or employer, it’s important to prioritize the safety and well-being of your employees. That’s why having Worker’s Compensation Insurance is not only mandatory but also a smart investment. This policy demonstrates your commitment to your team and their value as an asset to your organization. Just like you would protect any other valuable asset, like a car or machinery, it’s crucial to safeguard your employees with Worker’s Compensation Insurance. Rest assured that you’re doing the right thing by prioritizing their health and safety.
First, Worker’s Compensation Insurance is available in all fifty states. Yes, the compensation policy or benefits differ from state to state. Nonetheless, any business with more than two to three employees must award Worker’s Compensation Insurance to every worker. Still, the nature of Worker’s Compensation Insurance benefits varies from state to state, as previously said. For example, in Iowa, only physical injuries arising out of occupational hazards are covered within the ambit of Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
This means that non-physical ailments, such as allergies, heatstroke, or nervous breakdown, are not covered in Workers’ Compensation Insurance but are limited only to Iowa.
Various industries are high-risk and are classified accordingly. The higher the classification, the higher the insurance provider’s premium rate. For example, variety can be of two types – one that may be impregnable to physical injuries or stress-related ailments (non-physical) at the workplace — industries such as construction, nuclear plants, toxic chemical plants, leather tanneries, etc.
Worker’s compensation insurance requirements vary from state to state. Hence, jurisdiction plays a vital role. You can start by reviewing your state’s relevant Worker’s Compensation Act. So, in California, for instance, a business with just one employee has to offer worker’s compensation insurance, while in Alabama, a business must have at least five employees before it is legally required to provide such compensation. Interestingly, New Jersey, Texas, and South Carolina businesses are not legally required to provide workers’ compensation!
The business owner will do some preliminary homework to inquire about their associated insurance agents. They would want to learn more about the laws, scope, and procedural requirements of worker’s compensation insurance as it varies from location and state to state.
For instance, if you are an owner of a business firm and are involved in providing consulting services with staffing of three or more, then having a policy coverage of worker’s compensation insurance is compulsive. The same condition may be applicable in Georgia, but it is not mandatory for firms operating in Florida.
Secondly, the origin or nature of the business comes into play. If you are involved in a company concerned with construction, worker’s compensation insurance is mandatory, no matter how small or large the human resource is. Some other conditions will apply if you are in a non-construction-related business.
The fundamental concept of having worker’s compensation insurance is to safeguard the interests of the organization and personnel, but then again, it may not be taken as a yardstick. For example, in Texas, there is ample relaxation for businesses. Although the laws regarding workers’ compensation insurance are not stringent, many companies still prefer to have workers’ compensation insurance for their workforce.
Next, look at what your compensation program needs to offer. The general requirement is to cover the costs of first aid, medication, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, training, and loss of income. Worker’s compensation also covers funeral costs and support payments in case of death. At the same time, worker’s compensation does not compensate you for the expenses of hiring a replacement for the injured worker or any costs you might have to pay a customer because of the accident. Your local worker’s compensation Act will spell out the mandatory coverage in your state.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
You may not be happy at all with your current bank or mortgage. Or that you have found an entity offering better conditions, fewer commissions, or a lower interest rate. Alternatively, the mortgage market situation has improved since you signed your loan, and you can now access better interest rates. It may be time to change the bank mortgage, but remember that it is not the same to change the mortgage as a subrogation.
It may sound like bureaucratic hell, or you do not feel like going through a maze of paperwork again. You may not even know how to do it. Besides, it is not an easy decision because it affects family finances.
Do not worry. We share the easiest way to change your bank mortgage to save you worries and know your options. Remember that it is a legal operation regulated by Law 5/2019, March 15, to hold real estate credit agreements.
How to Subrogate Your Mortgage?
Surrogacy is to delegate or replace competencies to others. Attention, because it can be both the debtor and the creditor positions. For example, you can transfer your mortgage to another person if your bank authorizes it when you sell your house. You can also pass your mortgage from one bank to another. Let us see how to do it quickly.
3-Step Subrogation
The bureaucratic procedure to change my bank mortgage by subrogation follows the following steps:
The new bank must put on the table an offer whose conditions will be binding if you sign. Then, notify your former bank of the intention of subrogation. In 7 days, your former entity must certify the amount to subrogate.
Your previous bank has 15 days from the notification to present a counteroffer to a notary.
The notary will proceed with the subrogation if you do not accept it.
Your new entity will pay the previous bank the outstanding amount of the mortgage plus a kind of bonus based on the interest charged and pending collection and a proportional part of the notary, registration, and agency expenses. And it will remain as a new creditor. The old entity will be responsible for the rest of the notary, registration, and agency costs.
Change Your Bank Mortgage by Canceling the Current One and Hiring a New One
Another option you are extremely interested in is hiring a mortgage in a new bank responsible for canceling your current one. It is a solution that can be faster and easier than subrogation because you have no waiting periods, and your current bank cannot refuse, but in some cases, it can be more expensive because it includes one more deed.
How Much Does it Cost to Change the Bank Mortgage?
It is common for you to wonder how much it costs to change a financial institution’s mortgage. The subrogation and the mortgage change have a series of expenses you must consider. Compare this cost with the savings you will get by improving the new bank’s conditions and deciding whether you are interested in the operation.
With the subrogation, you only pay the appraisal expense, as established in Article 14 of the mortgage law: it is the only expense corresponding to the borrower. The appraisal can be between $ 300 and $ 600, while financial institutions will pay expenses such as the notary, the registry, and the agency. Another thing is that your new bank decides to assume the appraisal as a business practice.
All in All
With the mortgage change, you will have to face the deed’s cancellation of your current mortgage, registration expenses, and the cancellation fees that your bank charges you. You may also have to make an appraisal. Loan giving and the banking industry will change with time. It means there is a long-term obligation as your lenders expect you to refinance. If you decide to switch your mortgage loan, you must avoid refinancing in the same bank. You will also have to implement the rules for shifting mortgage loan services.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
The money invested in the equity index fund is invested entirely in shares, and the price development follows the fund’s return.
When you buy shares, you become a partner in the company you buy shares in. As a partner, you get to participate in the company’s profits. You can also take part in any increases in the share price.
Stocks are the best way to invest money. Historically, equities are the asset class that has delivered the best returns over time. Over the past 100 years, equities have produced an average of 8-10% yearly return. It may sound small, but it gives fantastic results with the interest-on-interest effect over time.
Mutual Funds
Mutual fund returns are divided proportionately between risk-free interest rates and market returns on shares. If the market is doing well, mutual funds that invest more in stocks will perform better than those that take less risk.
Investing in mutual funds is safe and sound. When you put your money in a fund, the fund’s team of experts will invest your money in various securities and assets. The type of securities in which the fund invests your money is determined by the type of fund you choose.
You can choose between, for example, equity funds, fixed-income funds, or index funds. An equity fund invests your money in stocks; a fixed-income fund invests your money in interest-bearing investments; an index fund invests your money so that your return follows a particular index, and so on. We recommend investing in equity or index funds under 50 because they provide the best return.
Make Objectives for Your Investments
You must understand why you are spending and what you hope to achieve with your funds. Otherwise, you’ll be like a directionless ship at sea, with no purpose or direction. Capital growth, preservation, revenue, and speculation are common investing goals. For example, an investment portfolio aiming for capital growth will differ significantly from one seeking income and perform differently over time.
You can be unhappy with your results if you’re unclear about your objectives. You may have followed the approach to the letter, but you were pursuing the incorrect goal.
Keep Down the Investment Turnover
“Don’t borrow stocks, purchase companies,” as the adage goes. Don’t acquire shares until you understand that the short-term stock exchange is illogical, volatile, and inconsistent if you cannot hold a firm for 3 to 5 years.
Apart from the risk, there are tax benefits to keeping your investments. Long-term investment gains are expected to be lower than short-term business income, and dividends from such investments are frequently taxed lower than payouts from recent portfolio additions.
Minimizing the Costs
Fees, brokerage charges, sales charges, and other mutual fund expenditures are all dollars that can’t be multiplied for you. While a cost-to-income ratio of less than 1% may not appear significant, it increases with time. You might save hundreds, thousands, or even millions by the time you finish if you uncover methods to cut costs earlier in your investing timeline.
Learn To Take Advantages of The Tax-Efficient
The Roth IRA and the 401 are two attractive investment tax shelters for low-income people and the middle class in the United States. Both accounts propose tax advantages that may make them quite profitable, but there are certain limitations and donation limits to be aware of. If you carry money out of these accounts before 5912, you’ll have to pay penalties tax (though there are exceptions to this rule). People who learn to take advantage of the tax-efficient get to save more than ordinary people could do.
Don’t Pay Excessively on An Asset
There is no escaping the fact that pricing significantly impacts the results you receive from your portfolio, and short-term stock values vary. The financial value of a solid investment might be overvalued. The economic analysis is helpful in this situation. You might feel more confident buying a stock at a reasonable price if you investigate the firm’s financial information.
On the other hand, a cheap cost does not compensate for a poor investment. You can’t continue to complete well by buying an affordable stock with low earnings yields until you have the basis to think the firm will expand considerably or undergo a reversal.
Expand
When you diversify, you distribute your danger across diverse sectors, industries, methodological approaches, and geographic locations. When something terrible happens, like a firm going bankrupt or even a natural catastrophe affecting sectors in a specific region, the effect will only affect a portion of your portfolio. Sure, you’ll feel the consequences, but not as strongly as if you’d invested all your wealth in one firm or location.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
How Fluorescent Lights Can Lower Your Energy Costs
Fluorescent lights save money by consuming up to 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs while delivering the same level of brightness, resulting in significantly lower electricity bills and reduced maintenance costs. When businesses switch from incandescent to fluorescent lighting, they typically see immediate reductions in monthly utility expenses of 50-75% on their lighting costs alone, plus substantial savings from bulbs that last 10 times longer.
As the founder of Complete Controller, I’ve managed energy expenses for hundreds of businesses over the past 20 years, and I’ve witnessed the transformative impact of strategic lighting upgrades firsthand. One retail client reduced their annual lighting costs by $3,400 simply by replacing 60 incandescent bulbs with fluorescent tubes—a change that paid for itself in under four months. This article breaks down the science behind fluorescent efficiency, provides real savings calculations you can apply to your space, and reveals when fluorescent technology still beats newer alternatives for specific business needs.
How do fluorescent lights save money on energy costs?
Fluorescent lights save money through 75% reduced energy consumption, 10x longer lifespan, and lower heat output compared to incandescent bulbs
Energy savings come from converting 20-25% of electricity into visible light versus incandescents’ 5% efficiency rate
Lifespan extends to 10,000-15,000 hours compared to 1,200 hours for traditional bulbs
Heat reduction saves additional money on air conditioning costs in commercial spaces
Total cost savings average $30-40 per bulb over its lifetime through combined energy and replacement savings
Why Fluorescent Lights Are More Efficient Than Incandescent Bulbs
Fluorescent lights deliver 50-100 lumens per watt, while incandescent bulbs only provide 15 lumens per watt—making fluorescents four to six times more energy efficient. This dramatic efficiency gap exists because fluorescent technology converts electrical energy into light through a fundamentally different process than the century-old incandescent design.
Traditional incandescent bulbs work by heating a tungsten filament until it glows, wasting 95% of their energy as heat. Fluorescent bulbs use electricity to excite mercury vapor, which produces ultraviolet light that activates a phosphor coating to create visible light. This process generates minimal heat waste, directing most energy into actual illumination.
Energy output comparison: Numbers that matter
The practical impact becomes clear when comparing identical light output:
Annual savings per bulb: $5.40 in electricity costs alone
10-bulb office conversion: Saves $54 annually just in energy
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, lighting accounts for approximately 15% of the average household’s electricity consumption and 17% in commercial buildings. With lighting representing such a significant portion of energy use, upgrading to efficient fluorescent technology creates meaningful reductions in overall utility costs.
The Real Cost Savings: What to Expect When You Switch
Switching from incandescent to fluorescent lights typically reduces lighting electricity consumption by 75%, translating to immediate monthly savings on utility bills. The total savings extend beyond energy costs to include reduced bulb replacement expenses, lower maintenance labor, and decreased cooling costs from reduced heat output.
A medium-sized office replacing 20 standard 60-watt incandescent bulbs with 15-watt fluorescent equivalents saves approximately $150 annually on electricity alone. Factor in the 10-13x longer lifespan of fluorescent bulbs, and maintenance savings add another $80-100 per year in reduced bulb purchases and labor costs.
Calculating your potential annual savings
To calculate your specific savings potential:
Count your current incandescent bulbs and note their wattage
Multiply total watts by daily usage hours, then by 365 days
Divide by 1,000 to get annual kilowatt-hours (kWh)
Multiply kWh by your electric rate (average $0.13/kWh)
Calculate the same for fluorescent replacements (using 75% less wattage)
Subtract fluorescent cost from incandescent cost for annual savings
Real-world example: School district saves $1.6M annually
Cherry Creek School District in Colorado replaced outdated fluorescent and HID fixtures with ultra-efficient LED technology across 69 schools. While this represents an upgrade beyond basic fluorescents, it demonstrates the massive savings potential of lighting efficiency improvements:
Annual energy savings: $1.6 million
Environmental impact: Equivalent to removing 3,000 cars from roads
Payback period: Under 15 years
Student benefit: Improved learning environments with better light quality
Even smaller businesses see proportional results. A local restaurant chain I worked with replaced 80 incandescent bulbs with fluorescent tubes and saved $2,400 in the first year—enough to cover two months of their bookkeeping services with Complete Controller.
How to Choose the Right Fluorescent Lights for Your Space
Selecting appropriate fluorescent bulbs maximizes both energy savings and lighting quality for your specific environment. Different fluorescent technologies suit different applications, from compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) for residential use to high-output tubes for warehouses.
Modern fluorescent options include T8 tubes (1-inch diameter), T5 tubes (5/8-inch diameter), and spiral CFLs that fit standard sockets. Each type offers specific advantages: T8s provide excellent efficiency for offices, T5s deliver high output in compact fixtures, and CFLs work perfectly for residential applications.
Bulb types and where they shine
For Offices and Retail Spaces:
T8 linear tubes in 4-foot lengths
3500K-4100K color temperature for productivity
Electronic ballasts for flicker-free operation
80-85 CRI (Color Rendering Index) for accurate colors
For Warehouses and Industrial Settings:
High-output T5 or T8 fixtures
5,000K color temperature for clarity
Enclosed fixtures for durability
Motion sensors to maximize savings
For Homes and Small Businesses:
Spiral or covered CFLs in standard bases
2,700K-3,000K for warm, comfortable light
Dimmable options where needed
ENERGY STAR certified for quality assurance
Common Challenges and Modern Solutions
Today’s fluorescent technology addresses most historical complaints through improved designs and components. Electronic ballasts eliminate the flickering and humming that plagued older magnetic ballast systems, while advanced phosphorcoatings provide warm, natural light colors that rival incandescent quality.
The mercury content in fluorescent bulbs remains their primary drawback, requiring proper recycling to prevent environmental contamination. Each CFL contains 1-5 milligrams of mercury—enough to contaminate 6,000 gallons of water if improperly disposed. However, the EPA notes that fluorescents actually reduce overall mercury emissions by decreasing coal-fired power plant electricity demand.
Safe handling and disposal best practices
Locate recycling centers through Earth911.com or your local waste authority
Transport bulbs in original packaging or wrapped in newspaper
Never throw fluorescent bulbs in regular trash
Clean up broken bulbs carefully using EPA guidelines
Consider LED alternatives for frequently switched locations
Many major retailers including Home Depot and Lowe’s offer free CFL recycling programs, making responsible disposal convenient for businesses and homeowners.
Comparing Fluorescent Lights to LEDs: Making the Smart Choice
While LED technology offers superior efficiency, fluorescent lights remain cost-effective for many applications where lower upfront costs or existing fixtures make them practical. Understanding the trade-offs helps you make informed decisions based on your specific needs and budget.
The University of Michigan’s 2023 study found LED lighting is 18-44% more efficient than T8 fluorescent lamps. However, fluorescents still dramatically outperform incandescents and cost significantly less than LEDs upfront, making them valuable for budget-conscious upgrades.
Spaces with constant-on lighting (reduces switching stress)
Temporary installations under 5 years
Areas where LED compatibility issues exist
The federal government’s new efficiency standards, requiring 120 lumens per watt by 2028, signal the eventual phase-out of traditional fluorescents. However, existing stock remains available, and many businesses benefit from fluorescent upgrades as an intermediate step toward eventual LED conversion.
Maximizing Your Fluorescent Investment Today
Twenty years of helping businesses optimize their operations has taught me that perfect solutions rarely exist—smart compromises do. Fluorescent lighting exemplifies this principle: not the absolute best technology available, but often the right choice for specific situations.
My recommended approach for maximum savings:
Audit first: Document every bulb’s wattage, daily usage hours, and replacement history
Prioritize high-use areas: Upgrade constantly-on lights before occasionally-used ones
Buy quality: ENERGY STAR certified bulbs last longer and perform better
Track results: Monitor actual energy bills to verify projected savings
Plan ahead: Consider LED-ready fixtures when replacing ballasts
One manufacturing client implemented this systematic approach and reduced lighting costs by 68% while improving workplace visibility. They started with fluorescent upgrades in 2019 and are now gradually transitioning to LEDs as fixtures require replacement—a measured strategy that maximizes ROI at each step.
The path to energy efficiency doesn’t require perfection on day one. Start with the changes that make sense for your situation, track the results, and build on your success. Whether you’re managing a single office or a multi-location business, strategic lighting upgrades deliver predictable savings that compound over time.
Ready to illuminate more savings opportunities in your business? The team at Complete Controller specializes in identifying and tracking cost reductions across all your operations. Visit Complete Controller to discover how our financial experts can brighten your bottom line through strategic expense management and detailed cost analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fluorescent Lights Save Money
Do fluorescent lights use less electricity than LED bulbs?
No, LEDs use 18-44% less electricity than fluorescent bulbs according to recent university studies. However, fluorescents still use 75% less power than incandescent bulbs, making them a significant upgrade for those not ready for LED investment.
How much can switching to fluorescent lights save on a household’s electricity bill?
The average household saves $30-40 per fluorescent bulb over its 10,000-hour lifespan through reduced energy use and fewer replacements. With 20 bulbs, that’s $600-800 in total savings.
Are there any environmental issues with fluorescent bulbs?
Yes, fluorescent bulbs contain 1-5 milligrams of mercury requiring special recycling. However, they prevent more mercury emissions by reducing coal-fired electricity generation than they contain.
How long do fluorescent bulbs last compared to incandescent?
Fluorescent bulbs last 10,000-15,000 hours versus 1,200 hours for incandescents—approximately 10-13 times longer, significantly reducing replacement costs and maintenance time.
Do fluorescent lights really produce “harsh” or “cold” light?
Modern fluorescents offer warm color temperatures (2700K-3000K) matching incandescent warmth, plus options ranging to daylight (5000K+). Electronic ballasts eliminated flickering, creating pleasant, efficient illumination.
PacLights.com. (2024). Why how to replace fluorescent tube light bulb is the Smart Choice for energy savings. https://www.paclights.com
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Jennifer BrazerFounder/CEO
Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.
Brittany McMillen is a seasoned Marketing Manager with a sharp eye for strategy and storytelling. With a background in digital marketing, brand development, and customer engagement, she brings a results-driven mindset to every project. Brittany specializes in crafting compelling content and optimizing user experiences that convert. When she’s not reviewing content, she’s exploring the latest marketing trends or championing small business success.
Look around you, and you will see nearly everyone connected to the internet. It is no coincidence but the beginning of a trend that can potentially reshape our lives. The concept of the Internet of Things is here. Though it is still in a rudimentary form, it is making its way into our lives fast. Connectivity is the day’s mantra, and IoT is the means to achieve it.
Who would have imagined a day when your home appliances follow your commands? You can control your voice commands as you have appliances with basic internet connectivity. Surprisingly, IoT tech showed a lot of promise during its early stages of development. Today, this tech is leaps and bounds more efficient and bug-free and is progressing fast. Let us have a look at what the future of the IoT holds:
IoT Meets AI
It was inevitable that both techs would finally meet each other. We see this happening more than before. Introducing AI with IoT will help corporations achieve optimum efficiency without increasing costs. It is estimated that combining both technologies will also reduce waste.
Furthermore, AI will help improve overall procedural efficiency while reducing associated risks. In simple words, managers will have access to the analytical data they can use to draw proficient insights. Keeping ongoing trends in mind, we will likely see the safe integration of smart devices, as they will be protected in real-time, reducing security vulnerabilities and risks.
Edge Computing
Edge computing is in its infancy but is being matured and will likely be available this year. The concept is designed to improve efficiency by reducing the amount of data transmitted. Furthermore, it can also help reduce the distance that a given type of data needs to travel. This technology will come in handy for significant data users.
Remember that big data involves processing a tremendous amount of data, while infrastructure can handle some data. The technology will also reduce frequent speed slowdowns when many users are logged in. Tech innovations such as self-driving cars and process deliveries will use this tech in the future.
Enhanced Security
Connecting devices and gadgets was the first step. The next big thing in IoT would be to secure every connected device. Keep in mind that more connected devices increase the risk of cyber threats. Hackers and vulnerabilities are always around to pounce on connections with weak security and protection.
We will see companies paying more attention to the security of connected devices. IT administrators will have their work cut out as they monitor vulnerabilities, ensuring all connections remain concealed from cyberattacks.
Digital Twins are Now Possible
Do not get it wrong, as it is an upcoming concept in IoT that will become mainstream. The digital trend is a virtual asset corresponding to a physical object. Through this, the thing is now open for thorough testing using digital tech before its implementation in the real world.
The emergence of the digital twin is making room for new possibilities in the IoT. We will see this tech catching up big time in the coming years. Digital Twins will allow users to save money, test objects and gadgets, and provide accurate data using simulative methods. This technology will tremendously benefit manufacturing, services, industries, and automobiles.
Smart Cities are Now Possible
Urban centers are becoming more interconnected than before. Introducing IoT to achieve a safe and smart city is no longer a fantasy. Many cities across the world are being connected using IoT. It will bring a digital revolution that has not been seen before. Urban transformation is merely a pilot project for now, but it will connect cities into one fast, powerful, centrally connected network when implemented.
These cities will have city blocks, neighborhoods, and houses connected through the central network. The same network will control resources such as electricity and water. Moreover, the web will also calculate the amount of waste produced and when to dispose of it. Governments and tech providers have plans for smart cities using cutting-edge tech and the IoT.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Track Finances Using a Personal Finance Spreadsheet
Control finances using a personal finance spreadsheet. One of the simple tools for controlling expenses is the spreadsheet. It is easily adaptable to your financial reality. You can build the table you want. In addition, it is easily understood, as you only need to list the expenses to have control.
Swap High Debt and Interest for Lower Interest to Control Your Finances
A habit you should have is always looking at the interest rate of everything you hire, whether a service or a credit card. You will be amazed at how much you pay in fees. Compare values and always opt for the lowest interest.
Cut Unnecessary Expenses
List all your expenses so you can balance them. You will see where your money is going. From there, you can know what is essential and what is superfluous. With this, it is possible to cut unnecessary expenses, one of the main tasks for capital accumulation.
Pay Your Bills on Time
Pay your bills on time. If we do not have control of the accounts, we may even forget about some slips. One way to never get lost is to pay your bills on time. You avoid headaches or even fines that would take part of the income.
Create a Financial Reserve for Emergencies; Save a Little Every Month
Another fundamental step to having reasonable control of personal finances is to create a financial budget. Indeed, you have needed money in emergencies, and you had to take it out of other expenses or even borrow it.
Negotiate Overdue Debts
Negotiate overdue debts. The ideal to build solid financial wealth is to have no debt. But when we become aware of this, we are always already in debt.
Use Your Credit Card Wisely
One of the most significant difficulties we often face when building equity is to spend the credit card consciously. It would help if you established valid criteria because the interest rate on cards is among the highest. A credit card is an additional tool for your purchases.
Create a Shopping List Before Going to the Supermarket
Before going to the supermarket, make a list for shopping. If you have the habit of going to the supermarket several times during the month, whenever you remember that you need something, you know what it is like to spend more than you planned. We usually buy more than we need. Therefore, the idea behind this tip is simple: we need to go to the supermarket as little as possible to avoid expenses.
Create Concrete Personal Finance Goals
It is not easy to achieve goals without goals. For example, if you want to do ten tasks a week, you need to have at least one goal: by the middle of the week, you will have completed half of the functions. In financial terms, your goals must be entirely achievable. You can either establish how much you should spend in the month or how much you should earn.
Understand the Difference Between Fixed and Variable Expenses to Control Personal Finances
Two fundamental concepts for organizing finances are fixed expenses and variable expenses. A fixed cost is one whose value remains, regardless of the month, such as your rent, car payment, cable TV, or gym.
Use the 50-15-35 Rule to Control Personal Finances
Use the 50-15-35 rule to manage personal finances. This rule states that you should dedicate 50% of your finances to essential expenses, 15% to financial priorities, and 35% to lifestyle. Necessary expenses are everything you need to support yourself daily: electricity, water, market, gas, etc.
Invest Your Money, Even if it is Little
It is no use being moderate in spending and organized in planning if you are not making your money work. It would be best to acquire assets; you must have alternatives that will multiply your money without generating many expenses. Always invest, even if you have little left for that month. There are several market investment types; good research will show you the best way.
Instruct Your Family About Personal Finance
You can be responsible for all your family’s finances. But that is not enough if only you understand the subject. Financial education is critical to the family’s asset growth, although income is only through a person.
Do Not Use Overdraft
Many people who go bankrupt believe that overdraft is a kind of credit. Instead, it is debt! For example, if you have one hundred reais in your account, and the bank gives you $300 in overdraft, which does not mean you have $400 in credit. You have $100, but $300 is available to borrow. And therein lies the danger: overdraft interest rates are usually the highest.
Use an App to Keep Your Finances Up to Date
Use an app to keep your finances up to date. Another tool that can help you control your finances is an application. They are easy to use and always in the palm of your hand.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
You have decided to buy your car; you have already decided on the model you want; you even know where you will buy it, but do you know how to buy it on credit? We want to help you with this procedure of great importance to make the best decision and release the car you have dreamed of. Here are five tips you should consider to buy your car on credit.
Consider Your Budget
To make a good decision, you must consider how much money you have to buy your car. Remember that you should avoid acquiring a debt that exceeds your payment capacity so that this credit helps you manage your savings according to your payment capacity and thus settle your debt as soon as possible.
A down payment is usually unnecessary for your loan, but giving one is a good idea: you won’t have to borrow a large amount, and your monthly payment will be lower. (In general, for every $1,000 you put down, your monthly car payment drops by $15 to $18, according to Edmund’s data from November 2017.) Use Bank of America’s auto loan calculator to learn how a down payment can affect your monthly auto loan payment.
Analyze Your Ability to Pay
Give yourself the time to do the math. Consider your income, your expenses, and your savings. This financial analysis will determine how much you can pay monthly for your car credit.
Your credit score helps determine the interest rate you pay on an auto loan. Better credit can help you get a more favorable interest rate, which will affect your overall car budget. You can also get your credit outcome free through your credit card provider.
Doing this exercise will also allow you to identify unnecessary expenses to avoid having healthy personal finances.
Save to Pay as Much Down Payment as You Can
Paying as much down payment as possible will help you settle your credit as soon as possible; therefore, your payment time will be shorter, and the amount of interest to be paid will be lower.
For this reason, our recommendation is regarding your savings. If you do not have protection at that second that allows you to pay a significant down payment, your best option is to save or seek extra income to help you have a more attractive down payment.
Choose the Payment Term that Best Suits Your Ability to Pay
It would help if you considered, according to your income, how much you can pay month after month, which will guide you to choose the most appropriate term for your needs, which can be 12, 18, 24, or more months.
Buying your car is much easier than it was for your parents. The Internet offers many sellers beyond your local area (who can ship vehicles to your location but for a fee), which can mean more options within your price range. You can search and narrow your choices by viewing online car ratings in safety or car-type categories (such as SUVs and hybrids). Learn more about how to buy and even refinance a car online.
For new cars, ask multiple dealers for price quotes. If you’re looking for used cars, ask for a Carfax report, which offers a used car’s history, including any accidents.
Although the idea is to choose the shortest possible term, because the amount of interest you must pay will be less, you must stay within your payment possibilities.
Make Your Payments on Time
It would help if you were organized with your finances to make your financing payments on time to avoid possible penalties. Consider that late payment fees are usually high, making it difficult to pay off your debt; avoid these unforeseen events by keeping your finances in order.
We know how complicated it can be to obtain financing to buy your car, so we seek to help you get it to obtain a vehicle loan that fits what you want to buy.
Prequalify with Us Online in Less than 5 Minutes
Are you ready to launch? Then visit us at your nearest dealership so our advisors can put you behind the wheel of the truck you love. We have more than 30 lots throughout Texas and provide financing without social or credit.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.
Investing in the stock market can double your money every ten years, and Buy and Hold is one of your options when choosing a strategy to start investing.
I started investing with Buy and hold, also known as investing in dividends and buying and holding. I have three different investment strategies, and one remains this. Anyway, I already told you that it is not my preferred strategy.
There is one thing about dividends I do not like, which I did not know at first. But do not hurry, I will tell you later.
What are Buy and Hold?
Buy and Hold (B&H) is a long-term investment strategy based on buying shares of stable companies that distribute dividends and hold them indefinitely. Of course, on occasion, claims will be sold, such as, for example, in the irreparable deterioration of the company. These types of companies are known as Blue Chips.
It is not enough to make a purchase, and that is it; you must invest continuously and constantly (that is why it is a long-term strategy).
It is essential to try to buy at the best possible prices, but choosing the right companies is necessary (if you never want to sell, you must choose very well). The objective of the Buy and Hold is to obtain dividend income that allows you to have an extra salary, just as if you bought a property and rented it.
Earlier, I told you that I have three strategies, and the three share these characteristics, so they are not unique to Buy and Hold.
Invest in the Long Term
You are not looking for a punch. The intention is not to buy and sell continuously but to buy to hold indefinitely.
There are three reasons why a person becomes a long-term investor.
It requires less time, freeing you of continuously watching the markets
It is practical and likely to result in meaningful wealth creation
It reduces fees and taxes and keeps more money in your account.
Invest in Equity and the Stock Market
Therefore, what characterizes Buy and Hold is that you buy shares of large and stable companies that distribute dividends.
Desired Characteristics in Companies – Blue Chips
Companies with continued benefits Suppose we buy a company to maintain it indefinitely. In that case, we must ensure that it always benefits in times of prosperity or crisis. We do not want a company that has a bad year every three years or things like that. We are looking for companies with stable and growing benefits.
Large companies
Small companies are easily manipulated and may have problems due to their size, so acquiring large companies with high market capitalization is essential.
Companies that distribute dividends continuously
The key to Buy and Hold is to look for a periodic income, so we want companies to share a portion of their profits as dividends.
We are looking for companies with a good dividend distribution history, not cyclical companies that pay dividends only in the good years.
Companies that have been in the stock market for years
We are looking for companies with a history of benefits and dividends, so companies must take 5-10 years or more in the stock market to have that history.
Many new companies go public continuously, getting a lot of publicity, so many people invest in them. Not having a history behind it makes it exceedingly difficult to predict whether the bet will go well.
All in All
Long-term investing requires perseverance, conviction, and the capacity to do nothing when others are active with their portfolios. Investment in the stock market gives you leverage for years as its profits change with the stock market variation. Whenever you build a new house, strive to make it a double or triple-story, as it will be the best investment to provide you with a long-term profit.
About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.