Table of Contents
Friends of mine recently moved into their first home together – and as you can imagine, they are super excited! But, they are also a little worried about the responsibilities that come with owning a home. As a promoter of frugal living, of course, I offered them a few of the tips that I have picked up over the years, and I thought I would share them with you, too.
So, if you are moving to your first home, read on. These tips have served me well over the years, and I hope they do the same for you! Let’s get started.
Check everything
Before you move into your home, make sure that you run a few checks. It will save you a lot of money in the long term, and it will also help you avoid damaging any of your furniture or possessions. Make sure you look at the electrics, and the plumbing, of course. But, also, look at things like attic insulation. It’s a cheap and simple upgrade, and it can save you hundreds of dollars each year as it helps you keep the heat trapped inside your home.
Seal it
While you are running through your checks, take a close look at the walls, doors, windows, and floorboards. Anywhere there are cracks or gaps are going to waste energy – and your money. You can put some filler or caulk in those little holes, and it will seal up the house from the elements. Again, it’s such a cheap fix that will more than pay off in the future.
Buy modern appliances
Moving into your first home is as good a time as any to go wild with new appliances. It’s a new world for any of you that were renting before! While it can be tempting to save a bit of money and go for second-hand or old models, it’s going to cost you in the long run. Make sure that all your white goods are as energy efficient as possible, and it will bring you savings over the next five years or so.
Arrange maintenance
Another issue you might need reminding of is the sheer cost of replacing a heating system. Now you aren’t renting; it ‘s all down to you – and there is no landlord to blame and pay for a new system! So, call in a local firm to take a look at your central heating, and make any boiler or furnace repair checks. And, once you have found a reliable company, get them out once a year to service your equipment. They will be able to spot any small problems and fix them before they become difficult – and expensive – to solve.
Fix up a washing line
We have one of those energy meters installed in our home, and it’s a shock when you see the numbers go up after putting on your washer and dryer. It’s so expensive and needless. So, one of the best tips I can leave you with is to hang a line outside for drying your clothes. It will save you a small fortune over the years, and it costs less than $5.
Accessorizing the rooms
When you first move into a home, your mind and desire to make it your own can run away with you. In reality, with such a massive outlay already on buying the home, (and no one has a limitless budget), it’s going to be some time before the home is 100% to your tastes. Rather than planning on the complete remodeling of every room. You should look at simple, low-cost accessories that are to your taste to make the room look a little more you.
Adding cushions and throws to the old sofa you’ve got that doesn’t match the new home’s decor, rather than changing the whole decor itself. Adding illustrations to the kitchen, pictures in the hall, or using sticker designs within the bathroom shower or on the kitchen tiles can all save a lot of money and make a massive difference.
Any tips to add for new homeowners? Let me know in the comments section below!
