To offset the next emergency (house-related or not), experts recommend putting aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses. While that may sound like a big number, you can always start somewhere. Start small by tucking away any extra money you can get. You can also make your emergency fund part of your household budget this new year.
If you already have a home inventory, just make sure that it’s up to date by removing items you no longer have and adding new items as you acquire them.
Make a goal this year to find small ways to reduce your energy consumption and eventually cut down on your energy costs. Little steps such as switching off the lights when leaving a room, turning off power strips, and appliances when not in use, swapping off incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, adding a programmable thermostat, etc… can help you become more energy efficient. There’s no need to think about big-ticket items such as solar panels or hybrid cars to make a difference. Just staying committed and being mindful can go a long way to lowering your energy bills.
Will you devote a portion of your weekends to cleaning? Or will you take some time on select nights to tidy up? You may break up cleaning tasks into small daily activities and enlist the help of your family so you can get the job done quickly and have a lot more time for other leisure activities. Whatever schedule works best for you, just remember to stick with it as part of your New Year’s resolution for your home.
Planning for preventative maintenance can help you avoid costly repairs that could result from overlooked wear and tear. Be smart and thorough when plotting out your schedule, and don’t forget to keep your budget in mind when scheduling any repairs. You can start saving for those big upkeep costs as early as now to prevent nasty surprises in your finances later on.
