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57 Ways to Reduce Housing and Home Expenses

Friday, May 28, 2010



1. Consider buying an old, inexpensive house &


modernizing it yourself.

2. Check firms that build the house's exterior and you

do the inside work.

3. Give thought to living in a mobile home or modular

housing.

4. You can save substantially by learning how to

conserve home energy.

5. Insulate your home yourself & you may be entitled to

a large tax credit.

6. Use solar energy in your home & reduce conventional

energy expenses.

7. Pay property insurance premiums annually for

substantial savings.

8. Moving costs may be tax deductible, if it was done

for business reasons.

9. If necessary, add extra rooms instead of looking for

a larger house.

10. Keep your home in good condition. It will insure top

money when selling.

How to save on home repair bills......

11. Practice preventable maintenance. Take good care of

what you have.

12. Get an illustrated manual & learn to repair most

common problems yourself.

13. When needed, ask friends & neighbors whom they

recommend for repair work.

14. Always get competitive bids for larger repair jobs.

15. Before hiring a firm, ask for names of their

customers you can contact.

16. If a loan is required for repairs, shop round for

lowest interest rates.

17. Borrow money for the shortest period possible.

18. Use reputable firms. Check with Better Business

Bureau if necessary.

19. Establish a good trusting relationship with a

reliable repair service.

20. Get a signed cost estimate before repair work is

started.

Where to find the best home bargains.....

21. Discount stores.

22. Auctions.

23. Catalog stores.

24. Garage sales.

25. Flea markets.

26. Thrift stores.

27. Classified ads. (You'll get a better bargain from

private owner, than from a store).

28. Sales and clearances of reputable stores.

29. Look for "floor samples" and "demonstrator's models

30. Shop for discontinued models and "slightly damaged"

merchandise.

31. Buy "unclaimed" and "repossessed" furniture at

warehouse sales.

32. Buy unpainted furniture and finish it yourself.

33. Try to buy wholesale. Some manufacturers have

"wholesale outlets".

34. Consider working a swap with friends, relatives,

neighbors.

How to buy furniture, appliances, furnishings

intelligently........

35. Before you buy, ask yourself, "Do I really need it?"

36. Shop around before you decide. Become an expert

comparison shopper.

37. Ask around. Talk to others and ask their

experiences, suggestions.

38. Go to the local library and read. Check out recent

articles on the subject.

39. Is the merchant reliable in case you have any

problems later?

40. Never sign contracts or agreements until you know

what you are signing.

41. If you buy on credit, keep a written record of your

spending in your wallet.

42. Use charge cards only if you pay bills before

interest is added.

43. Buy only low-energy, high efficiency appliances.

44. See if you can "make do" with what you have.

45. When ordering carpeting, ask for broadloom remnants

and save about half.

46. Make some items yourself, such as curtains,

draperies, bedspreads, etc.

47. Buy radios and TV's during January & May sales.

48. February & June are good times to buy bedding, floor

covering, furniture.

49. Shop March & July for good buys on washers and

dryers.

50. Buy rugs during August and October sales.

51. Stock up on household linens during the months of

January, May & August.

52. March is a good month to buy a house, right after

school vacation starts.

53. Buy a kitchen range, paint & wallpaper during April

sales.

54. March is a good month to select a new air

conditioner.

55. January sales are good for buying small appliances,

blankets, quilts.

56. Buy housewares in Feb., Sept.; china & glassware in

March & Sept.

57. Buy fabrics in Jan. & October; storm windows in June

& July.

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