57 Ways To Reduce Housing & Home Expenses
- Consider buying an old, inexpensive house and modernizing it yourself.
- Check firms that build the house's exterior and you do the inside work.
- Give thought to living in a mobile home or modular housing.
- You can save substantially by learning how to conserve home energy.
- Insulate your home yourself & you may be entitled to a large tax credit.
- Use solar energy in your home & reduce conventional energy expenses.
- Pay property insurance premiums annually for substantial savings.
- Moving costs may be tax deductible, if it was done for business reasons.
- If necessary, add extra rooms instead of looking for a larger house.
- Keep your home in good condition. It will insure top money when selling.
How to save on home repair bills......
- Practice preventable maintenance. Take good care of what you have.
- Get an illustrated manual & learn to repair most common problems yourself.
- When needed, ask friends & neighbors whom they recommend for repair work.
- Always get competitive bids for larger repair jobs.
- Before hiring a firm, ask for names of their customers you can contact.
- If a loan is required for repairs, shop round for lowest interest rates.
- Borrow money for the shortest period possible.
- Use reputable firms. Check with Better Business Bureau if necessary.
- Establish a good trusting relationship with a reliable repair service.
- Get a signed cost estimate before repair work is started.
Where to find the best home bargains.....
- Discount stores.
- Auctions.
- Catalog stores.
- Garage sales.
- Flea markets.
- Thrift stores.
- Classified ads. (You'll get a better bargain from private owner, than from a store).
- Sales and clearances of reputable stores.
- Look for "floor samples" and "demonstrator's models
- Shop for discontinued models and "slightly damaged" merchandise.
- Buy "unclaimed" and "repossessed" furniture at warehouse sales.
- Buy unpainted furniture and finish it yourself.
- Try to buy wholesale. Some manufacturers have "wholesale outlets".
- Consider working a swap with friends, relatives, neighbors.
How to buy furniture, appliances, furnishings
- Before you buy, ask yourself, "Do I really need it?"
- Shop around before you decide. Become an expert comparison shopper.
- Ask around. Talk to others and ask their experiences, suggestions.
- Go to the local library and read. Check out recent articles on the subject.
- Is the merchant reliable in case you have any problems later?
- Never sign contracts or agreements until you know what you are signing.
- If you buy on credit, keep a written record of your spending in your wallet.
- Use charge cards only if you pay bills before interest is added.
- Buy only low-energy, high efficiency appliances.
- See if you can "make do" with what you have.
- When ordering carpeting, ask for broadloom remnants and save about half.
- Make some items yourself, such as curtains, draperies, bedspreads, etc.
- Buy radios and TV's during January & May sales.
- February & June are good times to buy bedding, floor covering, furniture.
- Shop March & July for good buys on washers and dryers.
- Buy rugs during August and October sales.
- Stock up on household linens during the months of January, May & August.
- March is a good month to buy a house, right after school vacation starts.
- Buy a kitchen range, paint & wallpaper during April sales.
- March is a good month to select a new air conditioner.
- January sales are good for buying small appliances, blankets, quilts.
- Buy housewares in Feb., Sept.; china & glassware in March & Sept.
- Buy fabrics in Jan. & October; storm windows in June & July.
