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Bi-weekly newsletter focused on resourceful, sustainable and healthy living.
August 20, 2026
Welcome to REESORZ Wire, providing information, tools and creative ideas to promote resourceful, sustainable and healthy living.
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In today’s newsletter, the American dream of owning a home is not so simple and depends on your unique situation - learn what questions to ask before you buy. Also, discover the places you can go to find books, furniture and more…for FREE. And the special cafes providing some TLC for your broken treasures. Read on, dear subscriber.
FEATURE ARTICLE
Rent or buy? Making the right housing decision in 2026
In 2026, the rent-or-buy decision is no longer simple advice like, “Stop throwing money away on rent.” Today, it is a personal financial strategy shaped by location, mortgage rates, housing supply, insurance costs, savings, lifestyle, and how long you plan to stay. Several 2026 housing guides emphasize that the right choice affects cash flow, mobility, wealth building, taxes, risk, and long-term goals .
For many households, buying has become harder because high home prices, elevated mortgage rates, rising insurance costs, and increasing rents are all pressuring budgets at once. Higher mortgage rates have especially changed the math: one 2026 comparison notes that a $400,000 home at 3% interest had a principal-and-interest payment around $1,686, while the same home at 6.5% rises to about $2,528 per month.
A common affordability guideline is to keep housing near 30% of gross income, but many buyers now find total housing costs—mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, HOA fees, and utilities—pushing closer to 35%–45% or more of earned income. That makes renting attractive in some markets because it can offer lower upfront costs and flexibility, while buying may provide stability, control, and equity if you stay long enough.
Location matters most. One 2026 analysis found buying was cheaper in 23 of the 50 largest metros, while renting cost less in 27, showing that affordability depends heavily on where you live.
Before buying, ask yourself:
Can I afford the payment if taxes or insurance rise?
Do I have emergency savings after the down payment?
Will I stay at least 5–7 years?
Can I handle repairs?
Is renting cheaper in my area?
What else could my down payment earn, if invested?
The smartest move is to run your numbers with a rent-vs-buy calculator before deciding. In 2026, the best housing choice is not emotional—it is intentional.
PRACTICAL TAKEAWAY
Run the numbers before you fall in love with a home. In 2026, higher prices, mortgage rates, taxes, insurance, and maintenance can make buying more expensive than it first appears.
Use the 30% guideline as a warning signal. If your total housing costs are moving toward 35%–45% of your gross income, buying may strain your budget unless you have strong savings and stable income.
Compare rent vs. buy in your specific city. National averages do not matter as much as your local market. In some metros, buying is cheaper; in others, renting is the smarter financial move.
Think about time. Buying usually makes more sense if you plan to stay at least 5–7 years. If your job, family, or lifestyle may change soon, renting can protect your flexibility.
Budget beyond the mortgage. Include property taxes, insurance, HOA fees, repairs, utilities, landscaping, and emergency maintenance.
Protect your savings. Do not use every dollar for a down payment. Keep an emergency fund after closing.
Ask what your money could do elsewhere. Renting may allow you to invest, save, pay off debt, or build a stronger financial foundation.
Bottom line: The best choice is the one that supports your cash flow, stability, lifestyle, and long-term goals.
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Free finds & neighborly vibes: 5 places to get stuff for $0
Communities are turning “extra stuff” into shared abundance—saving money, reducing waste, and helping neighbors get creative with what already exists.
Did you know there are websites where you can find items for free?
5 websites to find local and repurposed items:
Freecycle - A nonprofit network where people give and get items for free in local towns, focused on reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills.
Trash Nothing - A free community platform for furniture, household items, books, baby stuff, clothes, food and more.
Craigslist Free Section - Craigslist is commonly used alongside Freecycle-style reuse gifting sites.
Buyingnothingproject.org - An easy search of where you can get things for free and keeps stats on how our communities are helping in the reuse and recycle efforts!
Nextdoor - Neighbors often post free furniture, moving boxes, toys, books, and household goods.
BONUS TIP: Always meet safely, check item condition, and act fast—good free finds go quickly! Free is smart and reuse is resourceful.
10K Steps Is a Myth–Try This Instead
When motivation is lacking, jumping into heavy routines is the fastest way to burn out. That’s why millions of people are turning to walking as the foundation of their fitness journey.
Walking lets you enjoy the outdoors, clear your head, and practice mindfulness. It’s simple, sustainable, and can support lasting weight loss if you know how much you need. The “10,000 steps a day” rule is outdated; everyone’s lifestyle is different.
With Simple, you’ll get access to habit-based coaching that’s helped users lose over 18 million pounds. Take the quiz to discover your personalized walking target.
REESORZ TIPS & TOOLS
Helping America’s seniors struggling with hunger and isolation
Meals on Wheels supports local programs that deliver nutritious meals, wellness checks, and social connection to older adults who may be hungry, isolated, disabled, or unable to cook safely at home. The national network serves more than 2 million seniors every year, though many more are still waiting for help due to funding and volunteer shortages.
Programs are especially important for homebound seniors, people recovering from illness, and adults with disabilities who need short- or long-term meal support. To find help near you, visit MealsOnWheels.org.
Fix it, don’t ditch it: The rise of repair cafés
Repair cafés are community events where volunteers help you fix broken items such as lamps, clothing, bikes, toys, small appliances, and electronics.
The movement began in Amsterdam in 2009, founded by Martine Postma, and has since grown worldwide. Why do we need them? Because too many repairable items end up in landfills, costing you money and wasting resources.
Before tossing something, ask “Can it be repaired, reused, donated, traded, or repurposed?” Repair cafés build skills, connect neighbors, reduce waste, and support the circular economy.
If you can’t find a local event listed on the official Repair Café website, try searching for similar community repair programs in your area. Use search terms such as “fix-it clinic near me,” “repair event near me,” “community repair workshop,” “bike repair co-op,” “sewing repair workshop,” or “electronics repair help”.
Free books are everywhere
A “new” book does not have to come from a store—it can simply be new to you because you have not read it yet.
You can access free eBooks through Project Gutenberg, Open Library, and your local library’s digital collection (via apps like Libby or Cloud Library). For hard copies, search and visit public libraries, Little Free Libraries, school book drives, community centers, Freecycle, Buy Nothing groups, and local book swaps.
Reading can be free, fun, and wonderfully resourceful.
Adulting skills that save you serious cash
You may not think twice about sending out laundry, ordering takeout, or hiring someone to clean—but those “little” conveniences can quietly gang up on your wallet.
Learning the basics gives you freedom and saves money:
Sort, wash, dry, and fold clothes, or visit a laundromat, if needed.
Keep your room and living space clean so you can actually find your keys, phone, and sanity.
Cook simple meals so takeout doesn’t become your financial downfall.
Wash dishes and clean your kitchen to avoid pests, odors, and mystery science experiments.
Master floors, bathrooms, trash, and organizing—because self-sufficiency is a superpower.
You may be surprised at how much money you can save by doing some of these tasks yourself. Read more at Reesorz.com.
REESORZ 26-Week House Detox Challenge
Welcome to week 6 of the Reesorz 26-Week House Detox Challenge! Each week, we’ll guide you through simple yet impactful steps to to help create a safer, healthier living space. Remember, detoxing your home is a process, so take it step by step. 🌱
Week 6: Swap out non-stick cookware
Challenge: Swap out those non-stick pans for healthier, less sneaky options.
What’s getting the boot? Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and its toxic buddies hiding in non-stick cookware. Turns out, your favorite “easy-release” pans can throw a chemical party when heated—and nobody wants that kind of heat drama in the kitchen.
Replacement tip: Go classic with stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic cookware. With ceramic pans, make sure they’re certified free of cadmium, lead, and PFAS, because your food deserves better! Keep the heat low to medium and use non-stick-safe utensils to keep those ceramic coatings happy and scratch-free. Your dinner (and your lungs) will thank you!
PRACTICAL WISDOM FOR YOUR JOURNEY
"Vulnerability is not weakness; it's the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change." - Brené Brown, Researcher & Author, "Dare to Lead"
