Five ways to save money on your home
Being a homeowner is a huge responsibility. It’s arguably one of the biggest responsibilities you will have in life, you know besides having a kid and all.
Owning a home requires constant effort and upkeep, all of which can end up costing you a pretty penny. There always seems to be something that needs renovating in a home.
Whether the bathroom sink is leaking or the WiFi just won’t connect, you can never seem to catch a break. As exciting as owning a home is, it also means having to constantly spend money. However, there are certain things you can do to reduce your spending.
While owning a home is definitely an investment, it doesn’t have to break the bank. You just have to be creative and find some ways to cut back. Here are five ways to save money on your home.
1) Try DIY
Doing DIY is a fun and affordable way to decorate and furnish your house. You get to put your own personal spin on things and create something that no one else has! You can DIY your own artwork, refurbish furniture, make your own lampshades- the options are truly endless. All you need is some art supplies and a good imagination.
2) Be more energy efficient
There are simple changes you can make to your home that are better for the environment and your bank account, like installing energy efficient windows and doors. It may be an investment at first, but it will end up paying itself off with lowered heating and cooling costs. Regular windows and doors can actually be a waste of money, so be more energy efficient instead.
3) Stick to a budget
If you’re looking to cut back on some home costs, the first thing you should do is budget. Take some time to sit down and track your spendings and you may find out that you are spending a lot more on certain aspects than you realized. You can even use a remodel calculator to figure out exactly how much you have to spend.
4) Check out thrift stores
Owning a home means always wanting to change something about it. Maybe you’re sick of the way your bedroom is decorated. Or maybe you want to change the color scheme in the bathroom. Regardless, these changes can start to add up and cost more than you expect.
So instead of spending a lot of money buying new things every time you want to redecorate, check out a local thrift store instead. You can find really unique and cool pieces at a fraction of the price. And if you don’t have time to look in person, Facebook Marketplace is a great site to find secondhand items in your area.
5) Remember less is more
Just because you have a big house doesn’t mean you have to fill up every square inch of it. Sometimes less is more. A house with too much furniture can look cluttered and messy. So just remind yourself that you don’t need to get every piece of furniture that you like. A simple house looks more clean and put together, and it will save you a lot of money in the long run.
Owning a home is a bittersweet. It is a huge accomplishment and something you have worked hard for, but it comes at the expense of having to spend a lot more money than you’re used to. Moving in and furnishing costs are just the beginning- owning a home is a nonstop process. But just because it’s a big responsibility doesn’t mean you have to spend your entire paycheck on it. Just be creative and find some alternatives and you will end up saving more money than you could’ve imagined.
Photo by Scott Webb
