Spend Less Money on Housing
June 2, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Around the House
Housing is likely where the largest chunk of your cash flow goes each month (unless you’re ultra lucky). The good news is you can save here and there on housing costs, that when piled together can save you lots…
Buy only the amount of house you really need. And by really need, I don’t mean as storage. If you’re moving, and looking at extra space just because you haven’t worked through your clutter issues lately, it’ll cost you. Consider loosing some stuff, making do with 2 bathrooms instead of 3 or 4, doing away with guest rooms (people can crash on the couch), and consolidating, such as having one, not two living spaces.
Live close to work and shops. Some of us REALLY want to live in the country or even out in the middle of nowhere, but America Saves notes that, “Driving 5,000 fewer miles a year can lower transportation costs by more than $1,000.” That’s a whole lot of savings if you live close to everything you need.
When completing repairs or remodels make sure you do one of the following…
- KNOW what you’re doing: Many people take on home repairs and remodels on their own, but often they don’t know what they’re doing and that can cost both time and money. It’s cheaper to do your research well first or hire a pro.
- Get all repair or contractor fees in writing before the work starts.
- Shop around and choose down seasons. Summer is big business for many contractors. Doing some remodeling in the winter or near a holiday can usually save you some cash.
Don’t let things go forever. Regular upkeep and little improvements should be part of the plan if you own your home. Leaks always get worse, curb appeal is easier to keep up with gradually, and once too many things need fixed it’s easy to get seriously overwhelmed and ignore it all. Ideally, you should set aside a small annual budget (or more if you can) for home improvements. Even if you don’t have much cash there are small inexpensive home makeovers you can try that won’t break the bank.
[image via stock.xchng]
