CMBA January Conference
Tuesday, January 14th, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, The Ackerly at Timberland, 11795 NW Cedar Falls Drive
Join the Cedar Mill Business Association and kick-start your business New Year’s resolutions! We meet monthly for education and networking, and prospective new members receive access to two free meetings. Participation is encouraged. Lunch will be provided.
smart thermostat promotion
Upgrade your home’s energy efficiency this winter with a new smart thermostat. Energy Trust of Oregon is excited to offer year-end discounts on the latest devices, including the Google Nest smart thermostat. Save even more with promo code SMART24 and get your new smart thermostat for just $19.99 with free shipping.
Benefits of a smart thermostat: Save money on your energy bills. Maintain a constant temperature. You can adjust settings using your smart device
Enjoy winter at home even more comfortably with promo code SMART24. Offer ends January 13th. Click here for details and purchase.
From mocktails to zero-proof beer and wine, select markets lead the way
If you’re taking on the 2025 Dry January Challenge, you’re not alone. This humble curiosity movement is gaining momentum, especially among the younger generation. According to NIQ, a global market research organization, a year ago, 47% of Gen Zers (ages 21 and older) said they had never had an alcoholic beverage.
Whether you want to quit drinking for a month or for life, there are more options than ever before in stores. Try a CBD-infused functional beverage for a relaxing evening. Mix mocktails with non-proof bitters and spirits for festive gatherings.
At Market of Choice, non-alcoholic options are not just a trend, they are a long-term commitment. From zero-proof spirits to non-alcoholic wine and beer, Market of Choice has supported this growing category for years.
If you’re thinking about trying Dry January now, or are looking to try a non-alcoholic option anytime, talk to your local Cedar Hills Market of Choice Beer & Wine department specialist. Here you’ll find a wide selection of non-alcoholic wines, beers, beers and more. Enjoy ready-to-drink mocktails and zero-proof spirits to keep you on track.
Drying has never been easier or more delicious. Here’s a simple zero-proof cocktail recipe featuring Ghia’s signature bitter aperitif and Casamara Club’s Alta Italian Botanical Soda.
material
3 oz Gia Non-Alcoholic Aperitif 1.5 oz Casamara Club Alta 0.5 oz Simple Syrup (Homemade 1:1 Sugar/Water)
step
Measure all ingredients into a shaker over ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a coupe or standard martini glass. Garnish with rosemary sprigs and thin lemon slices.
Cheers to a more conscious way of drinking and a healthier 2025!
change yourself inside and out
Monday, Jan. 13 – March 9, Orangetheory Fitness, 11800 NW Cedar Falls Dr., Ste. 108
Orange Theory Fitness invites members and beginners to the Transformation Challenge, an 8-week course that promotes successful results. Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers of the event. For more information or to sign up for the event, please contact the studio at 503-427-1915. Special price until January 13th.
A blueprint for making 2025 your best financial year ever
A new year is often a chance for a fresh start. That’s why it’s the perfect time to decide to get your finances in order to achieve stability and independence. Whether you’re struggling with debt or dreaming of homeownership, you can lay the foundation for financial freedom by following a few simple steps. Make the next 12 months your best yet with this 2025 financial blueprint.
set big goals
To achieve financial success in 2025, you need to set big goals. Write down the top five things you want to accomplish by the end of the year. Perhaps you want to save at least $10,000 or pay with a credit card. Whatever it is, write it down and set achievable milestones along the way. For example, if you want to save $10,000 by the end of the year, that means you need to save just over $830 each month. If your income hasn’t changed significantly, or if you haven’t been able to save much in the past, you need to reevaluate how you spend your money and where you can save it.
set small goals
Small financial goals include setting your bills on automatic payments so you don’t forget to pay them. Also, consider finding ways to save money, such as reducing unused subscriptions. Setting small goals will help you stay on track because you’ll feel the reward sooner than larger goals.
Start with a clear and manageable budget
Once you’ve established your financial goals for the new year, it’s time to write a comprehensive budget to help you reach them.
hide your savings
If you’re debt-free or close to it, the next thing to focus on is increasing your savings. Ideally, you’ll have a stash of cash that you can easily access in case of an emergency. With a solid strategy and personal discipline, you can achieve great financial success in your future in 2025.
Sunset Credit Union is a full-service, nonprofit financial institution serving everyone who lives, works, or attends school in Washington County. For more information, visit Sunset Credit Union’s website or stop by the Sunset Credit Union office located at 1100 NW Murray Blvd.
January real estate updates
Written by Jan Dempsey, Realtor, Windermere Realty Group
I would like to share some key insights about the Portland Metro housing market and some background on what these trends mean historically and what we can expect heading into 2025. I did. Across the United States, sales of formerly occupied homes increased in November at the fastest pace since November. Despite mortgage interest rates hovering around 6.75% for most of the year, homebuyers were encouraged in March by the increased choice of properties on the market. Existing home sales rose 4.8% in November from a 6.1% year-on-year increase in October, the largest year-on-year increase since June 2021. The latest home sales exceeded the pace of 4.1 million units expected by economists, according to FactSet. Home prices rose on an annual basis for 17 consecutive months due to a decline in inventory. Despite gains in November and October, home sales are still below last year’s pace and at their lowest level in nearly 30 years, or the lowest home sales since 1995. A lack of homes for sale is helping to support prices, with home sales prices up 50% nationwide since 2019 as of November.
After the average interest rate on a 30-year mortgage reached a 23-year high of nearly 8% in October 2023, mortgage rates bounced up and down in 2024, a change for many prospective homebuyers. It wasn’t enough to bring about that. Average interest rates fell to a two-year low of just over 6% in September, following the Federal Reserve’s decision to lower key interest rates for the first time in four years. However, it has mostly increased since then. It was 6.6% in December, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. Home sales closed in November likely reflect deals signed in September and October, when mortgage rates were more attractive.
The outlook for mortgage interest rates remains uncertain. Many economists expect average interest rates on 30-year mortgages to ease this year, but generally remain well above 6%. Due to limited stock, prices will increase. This is why I predict that if rates stay around 6.5%, there will be multiple offers in the market in spring 2025 and we will see similar volatility as in 2022.
I have been a real estate agent for nearly 40 years and have extensive experience assisting buyers and sellers in volatile markets. We look forward to meeting you, learning about your plans, and helping you navigate this transition period. This is a very complex real estate market. We hope for your understanding. Contact us at jdempsey@windermere.com or call 503.706.6358.
