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Author: homesandliving
7 Ways to Cut Household Expenses
Thanks to Trulia, they have helped us narrow down ways to cut household expenses!
The key to saving money is knowing where to trim your budget.
Paying bills is never fun, but it’s even less exciting when monthly expenses leave you eating noodles for the last few days before every payday. But you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice the lifestyle you want to live in an apartment or home you love. In fact, eliminating unnecessary household expenses is easier than you think.
Whether you’re living those big-city dreams in a studio apartment in San Francisco, CA, or moving into a single family home in Austin, TX, read on to find out how to eliminate or reduce monthly household expenses like grocery bills, insurance, and cellphone bills without disrupting your life.
7 Ways to Cut Household Expenses
- Head to the grocery store. Sure, you can’t eliminate the price of food when you are determining your budget. But do you really need to buy all of your groceries at Whole Foods and buy takeout for lunch every day? Eating in doesn’t have to mean daily trips to the grocery store either. Research local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and talk with your neighbors or coworkers about sharing the weekly offerings — buying into a CSA with a group still gives you a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables while easing the stress of having to figure out a way to use every piece of produce delivered.
- Have a plan when you shop.Using coupons to cut expenses is easy, but it’s not for everyone. One top alternative for cutting those grocery expenses, sans couponing, is to know the cost of the top 20 things you buy most often (think milk, eggs, and butter). That way, when you see the prices go up (or down!), you’ll know if you’re getting a good deal. Small strategic changes in shopping can help you cut down on expenses over time.
- Lay off the landline. Be honest: When is the last time you used your landline? If your phone has followed you from rental to rental, or remained unused in your home for years, it may be time to unplug it for good — and cut out that expense. However, if you have a home office and require a landline, it may be worth investing in a product that hooks up to your router and allows you to make voice calls around the country.
- Renegotiate your insurance rates. Car, health, rental, and homeowners insurance costs are negotiable. Insurance rates fluctuate often, so you could be missing out on a lower rate if you don’t shop around for new insurance at least once per year. Plus, competition is high among insurance companies, and you may qualify for certain discounts based on your age or risk with a different plan.
- Keep your home neat. A cleaning service can tempt even the neatest renter or homeowner, but you may be paying for more than you’re getting, especially if you live in a small apartment rental in NYC. It’s not uncommon to spend $150 or more on each cleaning. If you’re paying for a monthly maid service, that could add up to well over one month’s rent each year. Instead, dedicate 30 to 60 minutes each week to speed clean your place yourself and split the time into five to 10 minutes each day. That way, your space will never get out of control, and you won’t be tempted to dial your cleaning service for a quick fix.
- Switch from commuting to carpooling. While it may not seem fair that you have to drive an hour to work or pay for parking at your office, your best bet for trimming your transportation budget is to share the cost with coworkers or skip the parking space altogether. Make a plan to carpool a few days a week with co-workers who live closest to you, or ditch the car entirely and bike or take public transportation to work.
- Cut back on unnecessary pet expenses. Fido’s needs come first, of course, but when it comes to dog spas, doggie day care services, and accessories, it’s easy for the extras to pile up. Instead of taking your pooch to doggie daycare every day, find a local dog park to throw the ball and let him run loose with other dogs before you head to work. And instead of spending loads on grooming costs, renters can shop for apartment communities that include dog washes and grooming stations as amenities. Homeowners or renters without grooming stations should look into self-service wash shops that can cost as little as $10 per wash.
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Private retreat with serene elements throughout a 2.1 acre parcel! Extensive landscaping, assortment of recently planted fruit trees and circle drive welcomes guests! A dramatic entry unfolds to open staircase and stunning 2 story living room with sprawling floor to ceiling windows and stone fireplace. An intimate dining room overlooks yard with access to new balcony and adjacent chefs kitchen. Exemplary eat-in kitchen is finished with 42″ cabinets, granite, expansive breakfast bar with sink, 6 burner Viking Range, Sub-O, walk-in pantry, farm sink and balcony access. Main floor also features master suite with 2 closets, double vanity, jetted tub and shower. Commencing to 2nd floor where 1 of 4 bedrooms has brick fireplace and a shared hall bath with triple vanities and shower/tub. Finished walkout lower level with wet bar, laundry, office, full bath, sauna and 3 seasons room overlooking hot tub water falling into pool, stamped concrete patio, tennis courts, garden and 2.5-car garage!
For more information, please visit http://www.27BurningOak.GreatLuxuryEstate.com or call Rob Morrison at 847.212.0966.
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How to Cut Household Expenses and Save Money Each Month
The key to saving money is knowing where to trim your budget.
Paying bills is never fun, but it’s even less exciting when monthly expenses leave you eating noodles for the last few days before every payday. But you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice the lifestyle you want to live in an apartment or home you love. In fact, eliminating unnecessary household expenses is easier than you think.
Whether you’re living those big-city dreams in a studio apartment in San Francisco, CA, or moving into a single family home in Austin, TX, read on to find out how to eliminate or reduce monthly household expenses like grocery bills, insurance, and cellphone bills without disrupting your life.
7 Ways to Cut Household Expenses
- Head to the grocery store. Sure, you can’t eliminate the price of food when you are determining your budget. But do you really need to buy all of your groceries at Whole Foods and buy takeout for lunch every day? Eating in doesn’t have to mean daily trips to the grocery store either. Research local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and talk with your neighbors or coworkers about sharing the weekly offerings — buying into a CSA with a group still gives you a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables while easing the stress of having to figure out a way to use every piece of produce delivered.
- Have a plan when you shop. Using coupons to cut expenses is easy, but it’s not for everyone. One top alternative for cutting those grocery expenses, sans couponing, is to know the cost of the top 20 things you buy most often (think milk, eggs, and butter). That way, when you see the prices go up (or down!), you’ll know if you’re getting a good deal. Small strategic changes in shopping can help you cut down on expenses over time.
- Lay off the landline. Be honest: When is the last time you used your landline? If your phone has followed you from rental to rental, or remained unused in your home for years, it may be time to unplug it for good — and cut out that expense. However, if you have a home office and require a landline, it may be worth investing in a product that hooks up to your router and allows you to make voice calls around the country.
- Renegotiate your insurance rates. Car, health, rental, and homeowners insurance costs are negotiable. Insurance rates fluctuate often, so you could be missing out on a lower rate if you don’t shop around for new insurance at least once per year. Plus, competition is high among insurance companies, and you may qualify for certain discounts based on your age or risk with a different plan.
- Keep your home neat. A cleaning service can tempt even the neatest renter or homeowner, but you may be paying for more than you’re getting, especially if you live in a small apartment rental in NYC. It’s not uncommon to spend $150 or more on each cleaning. If you’re paying for a monthly maid service, that could add up to well over one month’s rent each year. Instead, dedicate 30 to 60 minutes each week to speed clean your place yourself and split the time into five to 10 minutes each day. That way, your space will never get out of control, and you won’t be tempted to dial your cleaning service for a quick fix.
- Switch from commuting to carpooling. While it may not seem fair that you have to drive an hour to work or pay for parking at your office, your best bet for trimming your transportation budget is to share the cost with coworkers or skip the parking space altogether. Make a plan to carpool a few days a week with co-workers who live closest to you, or ditch the car entirely and bike or take public transportation to work.
- Cut back on unnecessary pet expenses. Fido’s needs come first, of course, but when it comes to dog spas, doggie day care services, and accessories, it’s easy for the extras to pile up. Instead of taking your pooch to doggie daycare every day, find a local dog park to throw the ball and let him run loose with other dogs before you head to work. And instead of spending loads on grooming costs, renters can shop for apartment communities that include dog washes and grooming stations as amenities. Homeowners or renters without grooming stations should look into self-service wash shops that can cost as little as $10 per wash.
– See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/how-to-cut-household-expenses/#sthash.I5wQf0OU.dpuf
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Thanks to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), they have squeezed together the 5 Industry Facts & Figures for 2017! (Spoiler Alert: Things are looking up!)
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Simple Home Decor Ideas
Simple Home Decor Ideas
1.Change your wall color. It’s as simple as that. Paint your walls to show depth as well as create a warm and bright feel. Here are some colors we like by Sherwin Williams.
2. Add bright pillows to furniture. Just add a splash of color to your furniture. This will surely make your room pop!
3. Create beautiful centerpieces with your old stuff! Don’t toss out those old vases! Use them over and over! This also adds a pop of color to your rooms!
These are just a few of the many simple home decor ideas that can transform any room in your home!
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The Cure for Chilly Nights
Does the mere mention of winter bring to mind drafty days and chilly nights? Follow this advice.
The struggle to keep warm is real, especially when temperatures start to dip below freezing. No one knows this better than the citizens of cold climates. But what’s the best way to deal with the chill? Is having a programmable thermostat worth it? Do heavy-duty curtains really curtail the cold? We asked our frigid-weather friends for their best tips on staying toasty indoors when winter is in full force. And no, moving to Miami, FL, wasn’t one of them — though that’s not a bad idea.
1. Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed
If your windows and doors are super old, and it’s in your budget to do so, replace them. Jeana Kraft, a resident of Wausau, WI, says her family opted for a brand of windows that are manufactured in northern Minnesota, one of the coldest places in the country. “I think they have an edge on designing windows that can withstand long, very frigid winters,” she explains. Otherwise, try placing clear plastic over especially drafty windows or add a threshold seal to your sliding doors, suggests Brian Hugins, who resides in the suburbs of Chicago, IL.
2. Invest in insulating curtains
“This is particularly useful for sliding glass doors, older windows, or if you have a couch in front of your windows,” says Karen McConnell of Newton, MA, a suburb of Boston. “When you’re reading or watching TV, it’s pretty hard to get comfortable with an icy breeze trickling through, and curtains can mean the difference between coziness and cranking up the heat (and the corresponding utilities bill) yet again.”
3. Keep the doors between rooms open
“Because of our house’s wonky heating system, some rooms get really cold, whereas others are overheated,” says McConnell. “We’ve found that if we keep the doors open to the overheated ones, it helps to keep everything a little more balanced and comfortable.”
4. Stock up on flannel sheets and down comforters
“We still keep a lot of blankets on hand in sitting rooms, and we place flannel sheets on the beds,” says Kraft. For McConnell, pairing flannel sheets with a down comforter makes a “huge difference on cold nights.” Never underestimate electricity-free means of keeping warm.
5. Install a programmable thermostat
“But make sure you re-evaluate your settings every few months, particularly if you have different heating/cooling zones in your home or your lifestyle has undergone any changes,” advises McConnell. “I realized I needed to do this when I wandered into our family room and was surprised by how toasty warm it was. We still had the heat settings tailored to when my daughter was younger and we spent almost all our time there.” Find a programmable thermostat here.
6. Splurge on floors with heated coils
“We have them in our master bath, and I thank God each time I wake up on a cold, dark morning and step onto my heated bathroom floor,” says Kraft. “If someone told me that I had to take 1,000 square feet off the design of my home in order to meet the budget for a heated bathroom floor, I would take the heated floor.”
7. Light a fire
“We had a wood-burning fireplace in both our previous and current homes, and on cold nights, it could heat the whole house,” says Kraft. If you do light a fire, be sure to close the chimney flue once you put it out. Otherwise, you’ll let in a lot of cold air.
8. Insulate your attic
“That was the first thing we did when we moved into our house,” says Heather Wiese, of Dexter, MI, outside Ann Arbor. It’s a weekend project that the U.S. Department of Energy estimates can save you 10 to 50% on your energy bill. You can use either loose fill insulation (and “blow it in” with a machine you can rent from a home improvement store) or batts, which are sold in large rolls. Pro tip: Be sure to fix any air leaks with foam sealant or caulk, or the extra insulation will be for naught!
Do you have tried-and-true methods for how to keep the house warm during the cold? Share your tips in the comments!
Article credit: Trulia Blogs. 25, Janary 2017. See more at: https://www.trulia.com/blog/how-to-keep-the-house-warm/#sthash.wbi0SSrP.dpuf.
Photo Credit: Survivopedia. 25, January 2017. http://www.survivopedia.com/heat-home-electricity/.
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South Barrington Luxury Living
Luxurious estate refined to the highest level while remarkably appointed in Forest Knoll Subdivision. Presented on an interior parcel with just over an acre this gorgeous home welcomes guests with a 2-story marble entry that unfolds to a magnificent living room and separate Dining room. A floor plan that is truly an entertainers delight opening the kitchen to the dining room as well as the family room with brick fireplace. The exceptional eat-in kitchen features cherry cabinets, breakfast bar, granite, stainless steel appliances, Dacor range and warming drawer. The main floor also features, rear staircase, hardwood floors, all season room with volume ceilings, 1st floor office/6th bedroom with full bath and a powder room. The 2nd floor showcases hardwood floors, 5 bedrooms including master suite, walk-in closets, balcony, jet tub, double vanity and full body spray shower. Finished lower level with a wet bar and full bath. 3-car garage, serene yard, patio and deck with built-in grill!
Check out this beautiful home on http://www.23Forest.GreatLuxuryEstate.com.
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5 Ways to Save on Winter Heating Costs
5 Ways to Save on Winter Heating Costs
- Invest in a programmable thermostat.
A programmable thermostat will be your best friend. You can easily set it to raise or lower the heat as needed. For example, it can lower the heat during the day while you are at work. Then, it can raise it a few degrees in the evening when you are home. It does the work for you, making sure you are only using heat when you are home to enjoy it. Here are some more tips that will help you save on your winter gas bill. Below is the Nest Learning Thermostat.
- Works with Amazon Alexa for voice control (Alexa device sold separately)
- Auto-Schedule: Nest learns the temperatures you like and programs itself in about a week.
- Home/Away Assist: Nest automatically turns itself down when nobody’s home to help you save energy.
- Remote Control: Connect your thermostat to Wi‑Fi to control the temperature from your phone, tablet or laptop.
- Farsight: When Nest spots you across the room, it lights up to show you the time, temperature or weather.
- Energy History: Check your Energy History in the Nest app to see how much energy you use and why.
- Nest Leaf: You’ll see the Leaf when you choose a temperature that saves energy. It guides you in the right direction.
You can find it here on Amazon. And the plus side, once you purchase one, you can call your electric company about a rebate!
- Test your comfort level.
You might think that your thermostat HAS to be set at 72 degrees. Why not try testing your comfort level? Knock it down a few degrees and set a timer for 3 hours. See how you feel after the two hours. If you are still comfortable, it is well worth resetting your thermostat to this new, lower temperature. If you wish, you can even knock it down another degree and set the timer to see how well you do. Chances are, you can go lower and still be comfortable.
- Keep layers within reach.
Keep assorted quilts and blankets in the areas you often relax in. Keep sweaters and wraps on hand as well. When you feel a chill, grab one of these items to layer some warmth on yourself. If they are easy to find and reach, you will be more likely to use them instead of turning up the heat.
These faux fur blankets are perfect for snuggling up and staying warm this winter. You can find it here.
4. Seal all cracks.
Go through your home room by room and check all of the windows. Be sure all cracks are sealed so that precious warm air doesn’t escape. You can buy caulk inexpensively at your local home improvement store, and it is a great way to keep warm air in instead of out. If you wish, you can also place draft blockers near your exit doors. Just fill a tube sock with sand or rice and tie it shut. Place the sock along the bottom crack of the door and it will keep warm air from escaping. For more ways to winterize your home, take a look at these ways to winterize your home.
- Let the light in.
In the morning, open the curtains and let the sunlight in. It will heat the space more than you might imagine. You can then close the curtains when the sun goes down, to keep the warm air in the room. Be sure that rooms that get good sunlight have their doors left open, so the warmth can travel to the rest of the house. At the same time, keep the doors closed to unused, darker rooms so they do not suck in warm heat that isn’t needed.
You don’t have to freeze in order to save some money on heating costs this winter. Instead, give these tips for saving money on winter heating costs a try. You will find they are well worth looking into!
Homes and Living Blog 