by Mrs C | Nov 18, 2021 | Blog
In any home, there are a lot of expenses. However, this doesn’t mean you need to be overspending on all of your big home items. It’s always possible to save money! Here are a few options you have to purchase what you need without spending way too much.
Try Buying Used
One of the best ways you can save money is by buying used. There are many different second hand stores you can visit for the items you need, after all. Additionally, people are often selling things online. When something is used, it is usually much less expensive than a new item. Just because an item is used doesn’t mean it isn’t quality. It’s possible to find used items that are gently used or well cared for by the previous owner. When you buy used, not only are you saving money, but you are also benefiting the environment. Used items don’t require new materials, use up energy, or come with additional packaging. It is very sustainable and inexpensive, so just make sure you get to inspect the item before the purchase is final!
Shop at the Right Time
You can save yourself a lot of money by shopping at the right time of year. Certain items are more likely to go on sale depending on the season and regular trends. For example, exercise equipment is often cheaper in January since it’s common for people to want to get in shape.
Waiting for the holidays can get you a better deal on many items such as mattresses. Many stores will have a variety of sales in preparation for holidays that involve gifts. You can also save money by buying things at the end of the season. For example, buy pool items in the fall, as this is when stores want to get rid of their stock.
Make Thoughtful Purchases
If you know you overpay on a lot of home items, it’s time to find a smarter shopping strategy. Being more thoughtful with your purchases can help you save. For example, skip on the name brands. These are typically more expensive and, most of the time, the off brand products work just as well. For some items, it makes sense to buy in bulk. You can also save money by finding coupons or online discount codes.
When it comes to buying items for your home, you want to get the best deal that you can. This is especially true with large items like furniture, TVs, or mattresses that cost a lot. Consider all your options and find the best deal before moving ahead with a purchase.
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by Mrs C | Nov 18, 2021 | Blog
As a homeowner, the desire to improve your investment is high, but it can be hard to make that happen with limited funds. Figuring out how to do a home project on a budget is an essential skill that will help your home to continually improve. Here are a few things you should keep in mind as you strive to create an amazing space on a tight budget.
Don’t Overspend on Materials
Your first task is to figure out how much you need to spend on materials for your project. This means figuring out which parts of the project will take more expensive materials and where you can save money. If you plan out the costs carefully and give yourself enough time, you may be able to find great deals on the materials you need. You can also work on your estimation skills so that you don’t purchase significantly more than you actually need to be successful.
Look Around for the Best Rates
Another great way to keep a budget is to carefully select a contractor that will give you a great finished project, and at a rate that makes sense to you. You should always vet your contractors before hiring them for a project. This means that you should be checking references and looking to see the work they have done in the past. This will help you to save money by ensuring that the job is done right in the first place. If you can make that happen, it will ensure that your home project is finished well and on budget.
DIY What You Can
If you are really looking to save money, it can help you to DIY wherever you can. Hiring a contractor is important for detail-oriented work and for dangerous projects like electrical work. However, there are smaller aspects of your project that you can likely take care of on your own. Figuring out what you can do yourself (and specifically what you can do well), will help you to get more out of your project for a smaller budget.
Establishing a budget is an important preliminary step to starting a project. But you can still get a lot done with less money if you prepare well. Take some time to plan out your project so you can improve your home and its value!
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by Mrs C | Nov 4, 2021 | Blog
A successful home remodel starts and ends with staying inside your budget. Your budget will greatly determine what types of remodels you can comfortably afford, and what types of materials you can use to update your home. However, when planning your budget there are some areas where it is worth investing a little more money. Here are some of the best places to splurge when your budget isn’t as tight!
Glass Shower Doors
Every individual needs a space where they can relax and recharge. Getting ready in the morning and unwinding at night are important routines that should feel luxurious. Investing money into your master bath is a great choice, as specifically glass shower doors will spoil you and bring your bathroom to a new level. Glass doors tend to be cleaner as they do not harvest bacteria as much as a shower curtain. Glass showers also make your bathroom look more expensive and larger, at a small price. When selecting your shower doors, there are a variety of options and styles you can choose from to truly customize your bathroom.
Nicer Kitchen Countertops
The kitchen is the most used room in your home. Every day you use your kitchen countertops and cabinets. Because of their extensive use it is important to invest in nice materials to maintain their life and quality. Material that holds well through extensive use includes granite, quartz, natural stone, and other solid surfaces.
Choosing a nice countertop that you can appreciate for years to come will give you long term satisfaction. It is important to remember that countertops are semi-permanent, and replacing them is a lot of work and can be expensive if done frequently. Splurging on high quality materials will ensure the integrity of your kitchen lasts a lifetime.
New Furniture
Being comfortable in your own home is one of the most important factors for enjoying where you live. Splurging on nice furniture will significantly impact the comfort levels inside your home. For example, if you don’t have a comfortable place to sit down at the end of the day, it will be very difficult for you to relax. Investing in good furniture, like a high-quality couch, will help you and your guests better relax. Time spent together will increase and conversations will flow more easily. Quality furniture will stay longer in your home because it is always worth it to refinish a piece of good furniture than constantly replace it with cheap options.
A Modest Swimming Pool
One of the best landscaping opportunities you can take advantage of is adding a modest swimming pool in your backyard. A swimming pool is a great source of fun, exercise, and a social gathering place for you and your family. The water in pools can also lower the temperature in your backyard on hot summer days. Installing a swimming pool will require professionals, but it does not have to be completed when the home is first built. Concrete pump trucks can reach over obstacles on your property to pour material. Current landscaping will not be affected by the construction. Enjoy your time outdoors and escape the summer heat by adding a modest swimming pool!
Exterior Siding
The siding on your home not only contributes to its curb appeal, but it is the most protective layer against the exterior elements. As the weather changes, the integrity of your siding will help insulate your home against extreme temperatures. Damaged siding can let in pests, rodents, and mold growth. These unwanted visitors cause extensive damage to your home that is costly to repair. Durable siding, especially engineered wood siding, is wise because it has greater durability with easier maintenance. Consider the benefit of long-term savings by using siding that is built to last and that comes with a warranty.
Windows and Doors
Like insulating your home with high quality siding, it is worth the investment to splurge on windows and doors. Windows and doors are a barrier from the outside world, without the added benefit of insulation in between. High quality windows and doors help control temperatures, increasing your energy savings. Newer models also have increased security systems that will increase your safety and overall comfort. Windows can also filter light, making it easier for you to see without worrying about discoloration of your furniture. Last, choosing to spend extra on energy-efficient doors and windows may help you qualify for energy tax credits and rebates.
Interior Painting
Few home remodeling projects are as easy and as affordable as a new coat of paint. Paint can do wonders for the life and quality of your home. Paint is excellent for bringing new light into places, changing up the mood of the room, and covering up wear and tear. High quality paint will be resistant to scuffs, spills, and any number of day-to-day wears. When you are choosing colors, it is important to stay away from bright paint or dated wallpaper. That will decrease the value of your home if you are looking to sell within the next few years. Buyers tend to prefer more neutral colors that work with any decorating style, so keep this in mind!
Wood Flooring
More homes are transitioning to a luxury vinyl plank flooring. It is cheaper than hardwood, durable, and still looks good. While hardwood is more expensive than the popular lookalikes, however, the quality cannot be matched. Wood flooring in a home is built to last. With the proper care and attention, your home’s flooring can last generations. Natural wood brings a warmth and beauty that you cannot get with vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is a great alternative if you cannot afford hardwood, but it is easy to spot the difference and can be worth the extra splurge when remodeling your home.
At some point, every piece in your home is going to appreciate an upgrade. However, there are some areas of the home that can be added onto later or don’t require the most expensive option available. Choosing a budget and sticking to it will allow you to choose which areas of your home are worth the splurge and which areas you can save for later!
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by Mrs C | Oct 29, 2021 | Blog
If you’ve ever had to move, even temporarily, you know that it can be a complicated and draining process. However, living in a new house can bring you great happiness and satisfaction. So, if you’re contemplating a move and trying to figure out how to make it go more smoothly, you’ve come to the right place.
Don’t Procrastinate
First of all, it is incredibly important that you don’t procrastinate on any part of the moving process. Try to make a plan for each of the steps that you need to accomplish in your move and schedule out how you will do so. For example, if you know that you’ll need to renovate your home or add fresh coats of paint before you can take pictures for your home listings, you’ll want to start with that task. The sooner you do so, the sooner you’ll start to get offers on your home. Similarly, it is also important to prioritize finding a new home so you have somewhere to move. Some people even find a new home before they start the process of preparing their home to sell. This will ensure that your move will go more smoothly since you’ll be prepared for each part of the process.
Work with an Agent
Another great way to facilitate your moving process is to work with a real estate agent. Having an agent on your side during your move can help make sure that your home sells. Real estate agents often do this by posting your listing on various websites to publicize your home. An agent can also help you to find a new home. You should simultaneously look for another property when selling your current home.
Organize Your Packing
Once you’re finally ready to move, try to be organized in your packing. This will not only help you to pack up your current home in an organized and precise way, but it will make unloading and unpacking a lot easier in your new home. One great way to do this is to organize your boxes or containers according to the room where they’ll be located in your new house and label them accordingly. If you do so, it will be much easier to know where to put boxes as you’re moving in, and unpacking will go more smoothly.
As you’re preparing for your next move, don’t forget the suggestions that you’ve read in this article. Try out each of these suggestions until you find a system that works well for your home and lifestyle. If you take the time to be organized and productive, you’ll see that your move goes much more smoothly, especially if you have the help of a real estate agent.
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by Mrs C | Oct 29, 2021 | Blog
From time to time, everyone gets an urge to make a big purchase on an impulse. While these impulsive purchases can sometimes work out, they can also lead to problems if you get into the habit of spending a lot of money without doing the research first. Here are a few things that you should make sure to research before jumping in with your savings.
A Home
Buying a home is a huge purchase that will impact your life for years to come. That means that it isn’t the kind of investment that you should just make willy-nilly. Instead, make sure you put in a lot of research before deciding when and where to purchase your new home. You’ll want to start by researching the area, so you know that the neighborhood is safe and that the schools will work for any children you may have. You also should research costs in the area to make sure you are making a wise financial decision and not investing too much.
A New Car
Sometimes people make a car buying decision on a whim, but those kinds of decisions don’t tend to turn out well in the long run. There are many elements to a car, too many for most people to keep track of, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t figure out what features are most important to you. Plus, doing your research doesn’t have to take forever. Quickly looking at spec sheets can give you a good idea of what a car is like. While researching, make sure you know your own priorities and what price range you can reasonably expect to find your dream car within.
Stocks
Investing in the stock market can be an important part of your financial future, but you shouldn’t simply invest without doing the research first. Before investing in anything, you’ll want to know how a stock has performed historically and what it has going for it moving towards the future. Figuring out the answers to those questions can help you to make smarter investments. If you aren’t sure how to research the stock market, it may be worthwhile to talk to a financial advisor so you can make a better decision.
It’s okay to make impulsive purchases every once in a while, but make sure they are small decisions that won’t land you into trouble. Building in some discretionary spending to your budget can give you the room you need to luxuriate on occasional small things. And then you can put the time in to make smart choices for your big financial choices.
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