Easy Tips and Home Projects to Help You Save Money
Easy Tips and Home Projects to Help You Save Money
July 5, 2021 Teresa Siqueira
Whether you rent your home or have a mortgage, total monthly costs can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple and easy home projects you can do that will not only improve the value of your home, but that will also help you to save money over time. From making a few simple updates to your plumbing or growing a garden, it’s easy to tweak your lifestyle and home to put more cash in your pocket. Read on to discover how making a few strategic improvements around the house can benefit your bottom line.
Set up a household budget
The best way to save money is by drafting a budget to track your income and expenses and determine where you could save.
Determine your income. Every budget starts with determining how much money you bring home. You should use your net income when budgeting, including what you take home after income taxes, insurance, and other costs. This will give you a clear starting point to work from.
Determine your fixed monthly bills. The next step in making a budget is to figure out your monthly expenses. Be sure to write down everything you spend money on, from mortgage or rent to your monthly insurance costs, utilities, Internet, cell phone, and food. You should also include debt like credit card balances and payments as well as automobile payments.
Determine your needs. Think about what your household needs the most. From food costs to kitchen appliances, getting a clearer picture of what you use and need may make it easier to decide where and how to slash some costs. For example, if you order food or go out to dinner once a week, reducing it once per month can save a significant amount of money over time.
Re-evaluate your subscriptions. Take a look at all of your monthly subscription services and decide which ones you can cancel. Cable, streaming services, Internet service, and even monthly magazines are just a few examples. Add these subscription costs to your monthly bills when you write down the budget.
Reduce Housing Costs
There are several ways you can reduce your housing costs to help you save money.
Options if you rent. If you’re a renter, consider getting a roommate to help you split the costs. You can also give up a paid parking space and either park on the street or sell your car and take public transportation if you live in a city. Consider doing some DIY repairs around your apartment in exchange for a discount on your rent if possible. You can also move to a cheaper city where the cost of living is lower or simply move into a more affordable building once your lease is up.
Options if you own your home. One great way to reduce your mortgage costs is to refinance your home to get a lower interest rate. Talk to your lender about possible refinancing options, which can save you a significant amount of money each month once the refinance is complete. You should only refinance your home if you plan to live there for several more years. Otherwise, you could sell your current home and downsize into a smaller one with a lower mortgage cost.
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