No matter what state the housing market is in, homebuyers would be smart to remember a simple tip: Experts say not to spend more than two and a half times your income on a house.

Sticking to that rule can help keep your mortgage payments affordable and keep you from being "house poor."

Here are a few additional tips for finding a home that you can afford:

Protecting Your Investment

Once you purchase a home, take steps to protect the investment with the right insurance. Kiplinger's says life insurance is a must for homeowners. It recommends buying inexpensive term policies. But you might be able to cut insurance costs further by combining all your policies-life, auto and home-under one company.

Remember to shop around, too. Insurance rates can vary from company to company, so it could be worth your while to see what's out there before making a purchasing decision. The Web is a great resource for comparison shopping, with some sites even giving you several quotes from different insurance companies at once.

Finally, whether you own a home or are shopping for one, it's important to understand how to take control of your financial life. To get a copy of "How Money Works," write to Primerica, 3120 Breckinridge Blvd., Duluth, GA 30099, ATTN: Corporate Relations, or call (770) 564-6329. For more information, visit www.primerica.com.

John Addison is co-CEO of Primerica, a subsidiary of Citigroup Inc.