After the pandemic began to recede, all of us were filled with hope and optimism about the future. Getting back to the travel we love, going out for meals with friends again and just resuming life was cause for celebration. The labor market rebounded, and soon the economy was humming along. Then inflation came roaring into the picture, giving us a new challenge to face that we hadn't seen in some 30 plus years. When you are facing tough economic times and constantly rising prices are taking a huge bite out of your wallet, it's important to do something positive to weather the storm. If you are a homeowner, one of the things you can do is to leverage the value in your home to add even more equity and appreciation. By making plans for smart additions or upgrades to your dwelling, you can help assure that the value increases and your asset is protected. Add a First Floor Addition If you want to add significant equity to your home and greatly increase it's beauty and li