Owning a home is a wonderful thing. It’s a great way to build wealth, as you build equity over time. But it can also be a nightmare, if you purchase a home while still in debt, or before you’ve saved an emergency fund. If you’re looking to save money, here are some HOME hacks you can do to save money. WARNING: Some of them are slightly extreme.
When my husband and I bought our first home, we were deep in debt, and completely unprepared for the inevitable emergencies that come with home ownership. Such as a collapsed sewer line, leaky bathroom pipes, and a flooded basement. We needed home hacks to save money.
1. Live in a Modest Neighborhood
You know the phrase…. location, location, location. It might be too late for you to change your neighborhood, but if you’re considering a move, take my advice and move DOWN. It’s a good thing live amongst lower income earners, when you’re trying to save money.
Luckily my husband and I purchased a home in a lower-middle class neighborhood, and the pressure to “keep up with Joneses” was less. If you can, choose to buy in a location that isn’t too high status. You’ll be less likely to spend money on landscaping, patio furniture, or an expensive kitchen upgrade if all your neighbors aren’t doing it.
2. Use a SMART Programmable Thermostat
You’ll save money if you can program your thermostat to lower during the hours you’re sleeping, or out of the house. Why heat an empty home?
3. Install Dimmer Switches
It’ll lower your electric bill, plus create fantastic mood lighting, if you install dimmer switches throughout your house.
4. Maintain Your Furnace or HVAC
Don’t neglect the guts of your home. If you have routine maintenance performed on your furnace, it’s more likely to last longer, saving you the high dollars it would cost to replace it. We have a protection plan through our oil company, and the annual maintenance is part of our plan.
5. Pest Control
Ants, termites or mice can cause serious damage in your home. Oftentimes homeowners aren’t even aware of an infestation until it’s too late. They can wreck your foundation, or destroy your electricity.
My husband and I have a regular annual preventative visit from a pest control service professional to spray for ants, and inspect for rodents. It’s not fun to think about, but the small cost of having a pest control service is worth it to us. A hundred dollars versus thousands to repair damage to the structural integrity of our house due to pests.
6. Install a Low Water Flow Shower Head
I don’t know about your kids, but my older ones take loooooooong showers. Don’t get me wrong, I’m ecstatic they’re now bathing themselves, and we’ve almost graduated away from having to give our babies tubby time each night. But, in order to lower our water bill, we installed a low flow shower head to be sure the kids aren’t using too much water in their showers. That certainly saves us money.
7. Get Water (and Sewer) Line Insurance
In case you didn’t know, the public water (and sewer) line, from your home to the street, is entirely your responsibility. If the line crumbles, like our sewer line did years ago, it will likely cost you in the tens of thousands of dollars to replace. Investigate getting insurance coverage for around $5 a month, through your water company. It could end up saving you thousands.
8. Low Energy or SOLAR Lightbulbs
The lightbulbs you use could save you 85% on your electric bill. Look into buying energy efficient or solar lightbulbs. They need to be replaced less often, and use less electricity.
Another option is to simply use the SUN to light your home during the day. Pull back blinds and curtains, and make a commitment to yourself to not turn on lights during the daylight hours.
9. STOP using your Microwave
Get a toaster oven. The food will taste better and it’ll lower your electric bill. Those microwaves suck up a lot of power. Not only do they dry out your food, they may expose you to potentially hazardous radiation.
10. Unplug
Coffee makers, toaster ovens, power strips and those cell phone charging cords are all draining small amounts of energy, even when not in use. Unplug items when not in use, and it’ll lower your electric bill.
Extreme Home Saving Hacks
The following may not be for everyone, but they can save you money. For those of you ready to go all the way, these are for YOU.
11. Reuse Your Old Water
While taking a shower, or using the sink, plug the drain and catch all that extra water in a bucket. Also save your bath water, of course. Use that water to flush your toilet, wash your car, or even fill your washing machine.
12. Skip Washing in Fresh Water
Fill up a large soap refill bottle with soap and water, and when bathing simply dump some on yourself, and scrub. Just turn on the hot water to rinse off.
13. Unplug the Cable Box
When not in use, unplug your cable box. It’s likely not energy efficient because your cable company isn’t concerned with your electric bill.
14. Compost it, Instead of Trashing it
You might be able to lower the frequency of your trash pickup, and therefore lower your trash bill, by composting leftover food items. Try to reduce your trash as best you can by using reusable products, such as cloth paper towels.
15. Hand Wash Your Dishes
Stop using your dishwasher. Yup! If you hand wash your dishes once in a while it’ll cut back on your electric and water bill. Your dishwasher works hard and long to clean your dishes. Why not get a little arm workout while scrubbing a few plates. It’ll save you money.
