As the temperatures drop, keeping your home warm without drastically increasing your energy costs is a priority for many homeowners. Fortunately, there are simple yet effective strategies that can help you conserve heat while enhancing your home's energy efficiency.

With the CPI and PPI scheduled for release in the upcoming week, the previous week was lightly peppered with a small amount of impactful financial data releases. The highlight was the S&P Manufacturing PMI, which reported final numbers for the year showing better-than-expected improvements in the manufacturing sector. Unemployment data also aligned with expectations, reinforcing the likelihood of a Federal Reserve rate cut remaining on track. Lastly, the Consumer Credit Report had the expected jump just before the Holiday Season as consumers relied on credit to make holiday purchases for the end of the year.

As the year comes to a close, it's the ideal time to take a step back and assess your financial situation, especially if you're planning to buy real estate in the coming year.