Whether you just signed the paperwork to purchase your first home, or have been a homeowner for a decade, opportunities still exist to save money and make your home improvement budget stretch just a bit further. If you’re already thrifty then you know these life hacks to be true. But if you’re new to the money saving game, here’s where you can pinch some much needed pennies.
Mortgage Payments
Consider making biweekly mortgage payments as opposed to one payment per month. By making two $500 payments a month, as opposed to a single $1,000, you will pay down interest sooner, thereby paying off your mortgage early.
Don’t be afraid to let go of some of your hard-earned cash early on in the month. You might also consider a refinance from a trusted home mortgage company in Houston or your local area. This can give you some added wiggle room in your budget.
Energy Savings
Electricity bills take a big chunk out of a homeowner’s budget each month. Keep thermostats set on 78 degrees in the summer, and use ceiling fans in occupied rooms to keep cool. Leave the thermostat on 68 degrees in the winter for the best efficiency, and consider investing in a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat to save energy when no one is home.
Water Usage
Responsible water usage is good for wallets and the environment. To reduce your water consumption, consider investing in a high efficiency washing machine, which use far less water than standard machines. HE washers also spin more water out of clothing, thereby reducing the time needed to dry.
Taking a ten minute shower, as opposed to a longer soak will further reduce how much water your family uses. If you love to soak for a while, running a bath will use less water than a longer shower. For even more ways to save water and help the California drought, check out these 10 at home tips to save you 28,000+ gallons this year alone.
Cutting the Cord
Families today spend a significant amount of time in front of screens, and this can take a bite out of the budget. Consider cutting expensive cable or satellite plans in favor of alternatives such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime subscription services.
To reduce cell phone plans, check out pay-as-you-go services that often use the same network as more expensive, nationally recognized brands at discounted prices.
Homeowners’ Insurance
Have you reviewed your homeowners’ insurance policy lately? Check around with different companies to make sure you are getting the best rate. Combining automobile insurance with your homeowners’ policy will often give policyholders a discount. And you might consider adding a home security system or fire extinguisher to your home. Along with peace of mind for your family, these can entice insurance companies to offer you additional discounts.
These steps are easy things your family can implement to start saving money today. Whether you use one, or decide to follow them all, we can agree that every dollar counts!
This guest post was written by Brooke Chaplan, a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most her time hiking, biking and gardening. For more information contact Brooke via Twitter @BrookeChaplan.
