Spotlight_January/February_2022

Top money-saving projects. Focus your time and energy on the home projects that will save you the most. Wrapping your water heater tank, checking for leaks, adding insu- lation, and changing your HVAC filter are just some examples that can help you save without spending a lot of cash. Tips for taking correct measurements. Ensure you know how to use a tape measure correctly when making cuts or adding drywall and other materials to your home. Mark your measure- ments and make a template before you begin a project to ensure everything fits and you don’t waste materials. Be realistic with your skill level. Some home projects are best left to the professionals. There are plenty of affordable professionals that can help you to renovate on a small budget. Know your skill limits and always consider hiring a contractor for more extensive projects or when working with things like electricity when a licensed professional is needed. Keep all of these tips in mind to help you start saving money at home. Whether you grow a veg- etable garden, pack your lunches, or learn how to limit your water use, everything you do can help you save money in the long run. You don’t have to be an expert to perform some simple home improvements. By checking plumbing and appliance use, you can easily update your home and make it work for you and your wallet in a more efficient way.

Recycling to Save Money at Home You can recycle, reuse, and reduce waste by fol- lowing these tips. Selling and trading. Browse buying and selling apps and websites to look for deep discounts on used clothing and furniture. You can also find great deals on electronic devices and games. Consider trading your items to save even more, or sell what you don’t want, then use the profits to buy something new. Create your own products. Reuse old contain- ers and use them as planters in your garden or as food storage instead of buying new contain- ers. Make homemade soup that you can freeze, so it lasts throughout the week. Be creative. Come up with other ways you can

DIY Home Improvement Projects Making your own home improvements can save quite a lot of money while improving your home. Understand the basics of home improvement. Learn how to use tools and which standard household tools you should have handy at any given time. Discover how to get started on home improvement projects bywatchinghow-to videos, asking a friend for advice, and reading home improvement books and blogs for guidance. Establish a budget. Compare prices for your DIY project and use an online calculator to help you determine how much it will cost. Don’t skimp on materials since choosing low-quality materi- als could cost more in the long run. Always use quality materials so that your upgrade lasts a long time.

make new things from items you have lying around your home. It’s a great way to get creative, learn a new hobby, or try your hand at arts and crafts. Repair instead of buying new. Learn how to sew ripped clothing or discover how you can make minor fixes around the home instead of buying new ones. For example, simple fixes to your fridge or garbage disposal can save a ton of money and extend the items’ lifespan in your home. Share, borrow, or rent. Instead of buying things like tools, lawnmowers, leaf blowers, or carpet cleaning machines, rent or borrow them as needed instead. You’ll save a lot of money sharing or borrowing equipment and tools from your neighbors, and it will also save your storage space in the shed or garage.

43

42

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE

SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs