Bastrop is a wonderful "little" city to live in. Nestled in the middle of the "Lost Pines" it makes a beautiful place to live and it is convenient to Austin- Bergstrom Airport, Austin and is growing by leaps and bounds! Since 2000, the population has jumped by more than 42% and the cost of living in Bastrop is nearly 22% lower than the rest of the country; no wonder people are flocking to Bastrop.

Since Bastrop is growing so quickly, so is the economy. Jobs have increased by nearly 3.0% and if you have noticed, there are new shopping centers and business's popping up virtually on every corner! One of those businesses is "Burleson Crossing." It is a shopping center that will span about 900,000 square feet and will include businesses such as Lowe's, Best Buy, Kohl's, Petco and IBC Bank.

Bastrop is also called the "Most historic small town in Texas." Bastrop is nestled by the Colorado River; the historic district down town has many shops and restaurants and the near by neighborhoods contain more than 130 historical sites.

Some of the more popular sites in Bastrop include The Bastrop Opera House; which was built in 1889. It is still in business and hosts a number of productions which include children's theatre, arts and crafts. If you are interested in seeing a production at the Bastrop Opera House, or for more information on what productions are scheduled, you can contact them at 512-303-6283.

Another popular site is the Bastrop County Historical Society Museum. It is located at 702 Main Street in down town Bastrop. The house was built in around 1850 and the museum was established in 1952. Inside visitors can see documents and artifacts relating to the history of the Little Colony of Stephen F. Austin, furniture and artifacts dating back to the 1800's, saddles and such. It is a very interesting tour and worth the visit. For more information on museum, you can contact them at 512-303-0057.

Along with the popular historical district, Bastrop also has two state parks near by. Bastrop State Park, which is located at 3005 Highway 21 and Buescher State Park, which is located near Bastrop in Smithville. Both parks offer fishing, camping, swimming and many other activities for the entire family to do.

Bastrop offers plenty of space for new families. The neighborhoods and newly developed communities offer residents many different choices in finding that perfect place to live; by buying an already built home or purchasing land to build your dream home on. Many of the sites offer residents up to an acre to build on, giving families plenty of room to expand.

Purchasing acreage to build on is an option in Bastrop as well. There are many outlying communities near Bastrop with open space available; some without homes and many with homes already built. The choice is unlimited.

Bastrop is a wonderful community and is growing. It has the small town atmosphere and big city amenities. Next time you're heading out that way, stop and visit, who knows, you may find your dream home!


Ki enjoys sharing his passion for Austin real estate with future homebuyers. One way he distributes information is through his website, which offers a free search of the Austin MLS. His site also has a search and statistics on the Bastrop real estate market.

With living costs rising at a seemingly constant rate, simple, everyday expenses are getting more and more difficult to accommodate, and many people are finding their budgets getting tighter than ever. While there are plenty of areas people can trim their budgets, such as spending on entertainment or shoe shopping, the rising costs of necessary items like food and gasoline make it harder and harder for people to cut enough spending elsewhere in their budgets to accommodate the increased expense of these everyday necessities. And despite the need, it's simply unrealistic to eliminate all extraneous spending in order to make room for the ever-increasing expense of groceries and gasoline.

Thankfully, with a little budgetary reorganization, some planning, and a dash of creativity, you can maximize your food budget to make sure you get the best value for your dollar. Here are a few tips to help you spend wisely at the grocery store, and stretch your food budget as far as possible.

Plan ahead
All too often, people approach grocery shopping with an impulse-buy mentality. "I'll just go see what's on sale," is an extremely ineffective approach to grocery shopping. Sit down with a cookbook and plan your meals at least a week in advance. Scheduling meals out in advance will allow you to maximize your food spending, as you can organize meals by primary ingredients, using them from one day to the next. Also, planning ahead will help you avoid impulse buys when you get to the store. Make a list and stick to it.

Buy in bulk
The larger quantities you're able to buy, the more you'll save. While memberships at wholesale discount clubs aren't cheap, they pay for themselves almost immediately in big savings. Buying items like individually packaged frozen meats, toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc., is significantly more cost effective than buying these items in smaller amounts at your local grocery.

Keep it simple
Sticking to simple, basic ingredients is a great way to save at the grocery store. Creative recipes and exotic spices can make even the simplest items (chicken breasts, for example) a culinary treat. So skip the fillet and get creative with your recipes. You'll still eat well, and your budget will go much farther.

Be prudent with produce
While buying in bulk is great for some items, it's rarely wise when it comes to produce and other perishables. Less is more when it comes to items that have a shorter shelf life. When buying produce, only buy what you're certain you'll use. This will help you avoid unnecessary waste, and will help you save money.

Keep it close to home
Eating out is one of the fastest ways to blow through your food budget. Between overprices meals, drinks, tax, and tip, it's extremely difficult to get enough value in a meal out to justify it over eating in. Sure, there's more work involved in cooking for yourself, but it's significantly more cost effective. Save eating out for special occasions only, and you'll find your food budget will go much farther.

Escapeso Realty is a small real estate company assisting buyers looking for Austin homes. Their site provides a search of the Austin MLS and information on mortgage interest rates.

Many Americans are foregoing luxury expenses like high car payments, vacations, and gym memberships in order to combat the struggling economy and rising costs of everyday expenses like food, gasoline, and other essentials. Fast food restaurants are beefing up their value menus in attempts to lure budget-conscious consumers through the door, and people everywhere are feeling the crunch of fewer and fewer resources. But being on a tight budget doesn't mean you have to abandon your fitness regimen, or skip a healthy meal for a cheaper, high calorie alternative. Instead, follow these simple tips to maximize your budget without sacrificing your health, or the health of your family.

Go pedestrian
Recent commuter studies have found that the average car trip covers a distance of less than three miles. Not only is driving such short distances a huge waste of gas and a major problem for the environment, it's just plain lazy. Next time you need to run an errand close by, walk there instead of driving. If it's a bit too far to walk, hop on a bike either option is healthier (and more economical) than relying on your car to get you everywhere you need to go.

Embrace public transportation
If you live in a city that has a decent public transportation system, use it! Odds are you'll have to walk a ways to get to the nearest bus or commuter rail stop, but since walking is one of the healthiest forms of exercise you can find, it's a win-win situation. Not only will you get more activity into your day, you'll save money on gas, and help cut back on pollution.

Avoid over-processed foods
People constantly seem to operate under the misconception that unhealthy foods are cheaper than healthy ones. While this certainly can be true, it doesn't have to be, especially if you practice smart shopping habits. Instead of opting for prepared foods or worse, fast food, stock up on basic staples like chicken breast, rice, and frozen vegetables. Buy chicken breasts in bulk and package them individually, then throw them in the freezer for convenience. The great thing about chicken is, it's healthy, and it can take on almost any flavor, giving you literally hundreds of preparation options. Similarly, rice is inexpensive and extremely versatile, and frozen vegetables are cheap and just plain easy. In the long run, eating smart will keep your family healthier, and shopping smart will keep your budget going strong. Also, always keep an eye out for which fruits and vegetables are on sale!

Get active
One of the leading causes of American's poor health and fitness is a lack of activity. Sitting at a desk all day is not a healthy routine, so do what you can to mix it up as much as possible. Skip a coffee break in favor of a quick, brisk walk outside. Or, make it a point to take a walk as a family in the evening after dinner. It will help promote healthy digestion, and it will give you some quality family time, away from all the distractions you find at home. Another great, inexpensive exercise option is to buy a workout video. They're cheap, and can be very effective (just be sure you pick one that you'll enjoy dance aerobics and belly dancing workouts are fun, effective, and never boring).

Ki is a realtor working in the Austin real estate market. His website provides a graphical search of the Austin MLS along with a free mortgage calculator.

Responsible budgeting and money management are skills everyone needs to learn as is the discipline required to put these skills into action. Many people find it difficult to stick to a budget; oftentimes, this is because the budget they created is not realistic. Regardless of the economic climate, it is important to know how to manage your finances and keep track of your spending. In order to do this, you need a budget that you can live with. Here are a few simple steps to get you started.

First things first: before you can put together a reasonable, livable budget, you have to know what the greater scope of your financial situation actually looks like. This doesn't just mean knowing how much money you make every month you need to take into account your income, your fixed expenses (like rent, gas, groceries, day care, and insurance) you pre-existing debt, as well as other random spending needs (summer vacation, birthdays, etc.).

Once you have all of this information in front of you, organize it into three categories: Income, Needs, and Wants. Income will obviously be your salary and any other wages you may receive. Needs are your fixed expenses, not including entertainment and other superfluous expenditures (just because you like going out to dinner and a movie once a week, doesn't mean you need to). You should, however, include monthly bill payments in your fixed expenses, as paying off debt is a crucial step in establishing financial stability. Finally, "Wants" are things like entertainment spending, new clothes or jewelry, trips, etc.

Now that you have an accurate picture of your financial situation in front of you, it's time to do the dirty work. What can you afford, and where do you have to make cuts? The first things that need to be taken into account when determining where your money goes each month are your "Needs". Once those are accounted for (including, if at all possible, paying into a savings account), you can start adding some of your "Wants" to the list prioritize these, as it's unlikely you'll be able to accommodate them all. Also, be honest with yourself when identifying "Needs" vs. "Wants". A top-tier cable service with 1,000 channels is not necessary. Neither is a fancy gym membership (especially if you don't use it much). Being honest with yourself and limiting over-the-top expenses is not only the financially responsible thing to do, it will free up more cash for other items (like occasional dinners out, or a movie rental membership).

Once you have a budget worked out for yourself, make sure you keep it on hand a budget is useless if you don't use it. Update it often, and feel free to make changes and alterations if you need to. Think of your budget as a fluid, living document. Your needs may change from month to month or quarter to quarter, and your budget should reflect that. Finally, don't get discouraged if you go over budget one month. Remember, it's a tool, a guideline. If you use it correctly, it will help you achieve long-term financial stability.

Escape Austin real estate operates in central Austin. Their site has map based search for Austin homes along with a Austin real estate blog.