If you’re looking to buy a home in California, you’ve likely realized the "down payment" is the biggest wall standing in your way. That’s where CalHFA (California Housing Finance Agency) comes in. Think of CalHFA not as a bank, but as a state-backed "boost" for first-time homebuyers. They don’t lend you money directly; instead, they provide special loan programs and down payment assistance that you use with your regular lender. The Two Big "Wins" You Need to Know: 1. California Dream For All (The "Shared Appreciation" Model) This is the one everyone is talking about right now because the 2026 application window is officially opening on February 24th. • The Deal: The state gives you up to 20% of the home’s purchase price (capped at $150,000) to use for your down payment. • The Catch: It’s a "Shared Appreciation" loan. You don't make monthly payments on that 20%. Instead, when you sell the home later, you pay back the original amount plus a percentage of the home's value increase. • The 2026 Update: It’s a lottery system, not first-come, first-served. Registration runs from Feb 24 to March 16, 2026. 2. MyHome Assistance (The "Silent Second") If you don't want to share your home's future equity, this is the classic choice. • The Deal: A deferred-payment junior loan (up to 3.5%) to help with down payments or closing costs. • The Benefit: It’s a "silent" loan, meaning you don’t pay it back until you sell, refinance, or pay off your primary mortgage. Do You Qualify? To use any CalHFA program, you generally need to meet these "Common Cents" basics: 1. First-Time Buyer: You haven't owned a home in the last 3 years. 2. Income Limits: You must stay under the income cap for your specific county (e.g., Los Angeles and Santa Clara have different limits). 3. Education: You have to complete a specific 8-hour homebuyer education course. 4. First-Gen Requirement: For the "Dream For All" lottery, at least one borrower usually must be a first-generation homebuyer. Don't wait until you find a house to look into this. Reach out to your preferred lender and ask them about CalHFA! If you don’t have a preferred lender, I can always share one!

We are officially stepping into the Year of the Wood Horse. In traditional culture, the Horse represents speed and strength, while the Wood element stands for growth and expansion. To have a truly "prosperous" year, we have to look past the bank account. Here is how to use this new energy to reset your Wealth, Health, and Family. 1. Wealth & Prosperity: Don't Join the Stampede Horses are powerful, but they can be spooked easily. When the market gets "choppy" and the headlines get loud, the crowd usually stampedes. • The Move: Stay on your own path. While everyone else is chasing the next "hype" stock or panicking over a red day, keep your automation running. Real prosperity comes from the Wood element—slow, steady, deep-rooted growth. 2. Health: Fuel the Engine A Horse is only as fast as its health allows. You are the "engine" that creates the income for your family. If the engine breaks down, the wealth stops. • The Move: Think of your physical health like your "Safety Net." This month, automate one health habit. Whether it’s a 20-minute walk or prepping your meals, treat your body with the same discipline you treat your brokerage account. 3. Family: The Reason Why In many cultures, the Lunar New Year is about the Red Envelope—passing wealth and luck to the next generation. • The Move: Remind yourself why you are doing this. It’s not about the numbers on a screen; it’s about the time and freedom you get to spend with your family. This week, take a "Common Cents" win and use it to create a memory. A debt-free life is only good if you have people to share it with. The Lunar New Year "Clean Slate" Audit Traditionally, you clean your house to make room for good fortune. Let’s do the same for your life: • Clear the Clutter: Cancel that one subscription you don't use. • Strengthen the Roots: Check in on your automated buys. Are they still running? • Reset the Vibe: Reach out to one family member or friend today. Wealth is better when it's communal. The Goal for 2026:

Forget the complicated math. If you want to know if you actually understand how money works in the real world, see how many of these you can check off. The Basics - [ ] I know exactly how much money is hitting my bank account every month after taxes. - [ ] I can list my top 3 biggest expenses without looking at an app. - [ ] I have a "Safety Net" that covers at least one month of bare-minimum bills. The Credit Game - [ ] I know the exact interest rate (APR) on every credit card I carry. - [ ] I understand that a "Minimum Payment" is designed to keep me in debt for 20+ years. - [ ] I know my current Credit Score and the two biggest things affecting it right now. - [ ] I use credit cards for the points/protection, but I never pay a cent in interest. The "Silent" Killers - [ ] I understand that if my savings account pays 0.01% and inflation is 3%, I am losing money every day. - [ ] I can explain what a "High-Yield Savings Account" is and why it matters. - [ ] I know exactly how much I'm paying in "Ghost Subscriptions" (apps I don't use). The Wealth Engine - [ ] I can explain the difference between a "Stock" and an "Index Fund" (like VOO). - [ ] I know that "Timing the Market" is a losing game compared to "Time in the Market." - [ ] I have an automated system that invests my money before I have a chance to spend it. The Results - 15-18 Checks: Architect. You’ve mastered the system. You’re just optimizing now. - 10-14 Checks: Builder. You have the foundation, but there are still a few leaks to plug. • • Under 10 Checks: Apprentice. You’re in the right place. Most people are here—we’re going to fix this.

The recording from our workshop with @John Hannum (Privity CPA Partners) is officially live. If you want to understand how the 2025 tax changes actually affect your pocket, you need to watch this. John broke down the "Big Beautiful Bill" updates, specific tax credits you might be missing, and how to stop being reactive with your filing.

A huge shoutout to John Hannum of Privity CPA Partners for hosting an incredible workshop for us tonight! 🥳🥳 Tax is usually a topic people avoid, but John made it clear that understanding the rules is the ultimate way to protect what you're building. The biggest takeaways from tonight: • The 2025 "One Big Beautiful Bill" changes: Understanding how the new legislation actually affects your bottom line this year. • Tax Credits: Finding the specific "found money" that most people overlook. • Strategies: Moving from being reactive to being strategic with how you structure your income. And taking advantage of the extension! John, thank you for breaking this down and making it relatable for the group. Missed the live? I’ll be dropping the recording in the community shortly. If you want to stop overpaying the IRS, this is a must-watch. Drop a "THANK YOU JOHN" in the comments if found the workshop helpful! 🙏🏿