by Mrs C | Jun 22, 2022 | Blog
Have you been wondering how you can make your home a little bit more environmentally friendly while saving money at the same time? There are a few easy upgrades that you can add to your home without having to renovate that will make your home a little greener. Here are a few simple solutions that you should consider if you’re wanting to make your home more environmentally friendly.
Add New Windows
First of all, you should consider adding new windows to your home. Your windows do more than just let light into the interior of your home. They also help you to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. If your windows are old, chances are that they have small cracks or areas where air can leak in and out of your home. This makes it a lot harder to maintain an ideal temperature inside because the air from outside is constantly leaking in. If you add new windows to your house, it will be a lot easier to achieve the ideal temperature inside. This will keep your HVAC system from having to work super hard, and you’ll be able to save money as a result.
Replace Your Lights
Second, another simple solution to make your home a little greener is to replace your lights. Regardless of whether you have an old home or a new construction home, your light bulbs probably aren’t the most efficient. Instead, if you swap out your old light bulbs for LED bulbs, they’ll be more efficient when it comes to using power and electricity. LED light bulbs can reduce your electrical bills every month. Plus, they’ll keep your home bright and well-lit.
Upgrade Your Appliances
Another solution that you should consider is to upgrade your appliances. Many appliances have been designed in a way that isn’t very efficient when it comes to using electricity and water. Some of your appliances or even draining power when they’re not actively being used. This can end up being quite costly for you. Switching out your appliances for energy-efficient models will cost some money, but it will save you even more down the road as you see your bills decrease. Plus, these energy-efficient appliances are also more environmentally friendly when it comes to any exhaust or product that they might have.
If you want to start making changes to your home to allow it to be a little bit greener, remember the suggestions made in this article. You can do things like add new windows, replace your lights, and upgrade your appliances to save money and make a positive impact on your surrounding environment. Once you make these changes you’ll never want to go back!
Read this next: How to Limit Costs When Traveling as a Family
by Mrs C | Jun 15, 2022 | Blog
Owning a home comes with a lot of responsibilities. Owning a home is a long-term investment, and if you take proper care of your home and fulfill your responsibilities as a homeowner, you can protect that investment and grow it into a major source of wealth for you and your family. One of the most crucial responsibilities you have as a homeowner is to fix maintenance issues with your home. This keeps your house damage free and functional. Here are three common maintenance issues that homeowners need to fix with their home to protect their investment.
Gutter Cleaning
The first common maintenance issue that homeowners need to fix is neglecting their gutter cleaning. Your home has gutters to help protect against rain damage. When it flows from your roof, it falls into your gutters, which then guide the water towards a drainage area to prevent flooding in areas of your home that are less well protected against water. If your gutters are clogged or blocked however, water can overflow in areas, and render the gutter system of your home useless. Clean your gutters every few months to make sure that there is no built-up leaves or debris that would prevent proper drainage.
Leaky Pipes
Another common maintenance issue that homeowners need to fix is leaky pipes. Your plumbing is a critical part of the structure of your home, as running water is a necessity in your home. Leaky pipes, if left untreated, can quickly become burst pipes. A burst pipe can lead to serious plumbing issues. This includes major water damage to your home which can cost thousands. Call a plumber as soon as you notice leaking pipes to make sure that everything is squared away with your plumbing system. Water in your home is a serious risk and needs to be taken seriously.
Poor Insulation
The final common maintenance issue that homeowners need to fix is poor insulation in their home. If you find that you spend a lot of money every month on heating and cooling, and that your house changes temperatures with the weather, that is a sign your insulation needs redone. With proper insulation, your home will hold temperature better, and will require less air conditioning and heating to stay comfortable.
Owning a home comes with owning all of the maintenance for the home. Taking care of your home maintenance is a necessity to protect your home and keep it in good shape. Make sure that you aren’t neglecting these three common maintenance issues with your property.
Check out this article on how to not let your home consume your entire budget!
by Mrs C | May 23, 2022 | Blog
When you have a family, there are so many extra things you need to pay for. Diapers, bottles, and baby food are followed by school supplies and extracurriculars that all add up. However, some expenses are bigger than others. These are just a few of the top expenses you can expect for your family.
Housing
Most families’ greatest expense every month is their housing costs. Mortgage and housing payments can cost over $21,000 every year. It’s best to find an affordable housing option for you and your family that is well within your price range. However, with the housing market becoming ever more competitive and expensive, many families struggle to make their housing payments every month. As a general rule, your housing payment should be at or under 30% of your monthly income. Anything higher than that can make fulfilling your other expenses difficult.
Medical Expenses
Another big expense families have to pay for is medical costs. Doctor’s appointments, dentist visits, broken bones, and more all add up to be very expensive. However, the most expensive medical service families have to pay for is often health insurance. Private health insurance can cost thousands of dollars per month. Health insurance is essential for families to be able to receive medical care, and in case of emergency. For example, dental discount plans can help you pay for orthodontic treatment. But these plans don’t usually cover everything, so many families need to pay out of pocket for many medical services.
Transportation
One of the most expensive things families need to pay for is transportation. Wherever you live, there are costs that are associated with traveling to and from work, school, and more. If you own a car, you have to pay your car payment, car insurance, and gas prices every month. These alone can cost you several thousand dollars per year. If you live in a more urban area, you will need to pay for public transport for you and your family. In New York, up to 3 children under 44 inches tall can ride the subway with a paying adult. A 30-day unlimited subway pass costs $127. No matter which option makes the most sense for you, transportation can be a big expense for you and your family.
There are many expenses that come with having a family. It can be difficult to navigate your finances with so many things you need to pay for. It’s important to budget out your income so you know how much you should be spending on each of these expenses.
Read this next: What to Know Before Deep Cleaning Your Home
by Mrs C | May 23, 2022 | Blog
There are countless chores and responsibilities that you have to take care of as an adult. From basic cooking, cleaning, and hygiene to car repairs and maintenance and all the other responsibilities of adult life, there is a lot to stay on top of. One of the most important chores that you have to take care of is your grocery shopping. Grocery shopping is a major component of your monthly budget and your health and should be a priority. Here are a few things you must think about when grocery shopping for your family.
Cost Per Meal
The first thing that you should think about when grocery shopping for your family is the cost per meal of your grocery haul. Eating at home is generally less expensive than eating out, but only if you are consciously looking for ways to decrease the cost per meal at the grocery store. Focusing on purchasing cheaper, larger cuts of meat and fish over smaller, more choice cuts can cut down your cost per meal significantly. So can buying in bulk if you have a large family or are purchasing shelf stable goods that can last in your pantry.
Inflation
Another thing that you have to think about when grocery shopping for your family is the inflation rate in the United States is. Over the last few months, the inflation rate in the United States has seen forty year highs, as the purchasing power of the American dollar decreases. This means that items in the grocery store are going to cost more than you are used to. Power Finance Texas suggests researching before you shop to limit the cost of inflation. Different items are affected differently so avoiding high inflation items can help to keep your grocery bill low.
Nutrition
The final thing that you need to think about when grocery shopping for your family is the nutrition of the groceries you buy. While it can oftentimes be cheaper to purchase less healthy foods, this is a temptation that you should try to avoid. You and your family’s health is the most important thing that you can protect, and according to WebMD, your diet plays a major role in your families health. Try to focus on purchasing whole foods, fruits, veggies, and lean meats and fish as the main sources of food for you and your family.
Grocery shopping for your family is an important chore. There is a lot more going into grocery shopping now than you may be used to. Think about these three things when you are grocery shopping for your family for the best success.
Check out this article on home projects that can save you money over time!
by Mrs C | May 18, 2022 | Blog
Owning a home is expensive. Not only are you paying for the home structure, but you also need to pay for what is inside it. Big home items you need to save up for are kitchen appliances, mattresses, and furniture.
Kitchen Appliances
The most important thing to think about when you are in the market for new kitchen appliances is what matters the most to you. Are you looking for features like stainless steel, premium colors, specific features? Features like this can cost more money, but if it is worth it to you, then saving up for them is worth it. Look for areas you can save on, such as more basic appliances, such as a dryer with knobs instead of an electronic touchpad. Even if an appliance is more basic, it will still be a significant cost, so do your research and save your money so you can purchase what you need and want.
Mattresses
Mattresses seem like a cheap purchase, however if you are looking for a quality mattress this is not the case. You can expect to pay up to $4,000 for a quality mattress. A quality mattress, however, is worth it. Buying for quality will help save you money overall because it will last a long time. Because it is a significant cost up front you should save your money before making this purchase.
Furniture
While you can find deals, quality furniture can be expensive. Depending on the size of your home, you may even be looking at buying multiple pieces of furniture. To start planning a furniture purchase, you need to produce a realistic budget. Figure out how much money you have already and how much money you are willing to spend. For quality pieces like solid wood dressers or bed frames, you can expect to pay more. Quality couches can also have a high price tag. If the furniture is non-essential, you can wait and save for these big-ticket items. It is worth saving up to buy quality because it will last longer than cheaply made furniture.
Some items are more essential in your home than others. For example, having a working kitchen and a bed to sleep in. However, having a home is more than that and you want it to be a place you love. So, identify which home items are the most important for you to purchase first and save for them.
Check out this article on what to know before deep cleaning your home!
