Thrifty Homeowner

Save money at home to help save the environment

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:10:00 +0000

Saving money around the home can sometimes be a bit tricky - but at a time like now, it has never been so important.

So, what could you do to save money around the home? Take a look at the following three great environmentally-friendly tips that could help you to lower your bills and free up a little bit of extra cash each month.

Cut back on your electricity usage
By making simple changes to the way you use things around the house, you can save a fair bit of money.

So, when you leave a room, make sure everything is switched off - that way, you won't be wasting any electricity and causing unnecessary harm to the environment.

You should also make sure everything is switched off at night before you go to sleep - then you won't be wasting any money overnight.

Useful:

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jun/17/householdbills.consumeraffairs

Open windows - don't use air con
When it gets a bit too hot, don't just stick the air conditioning on, open the windows to cool the place down.

Air conditioning will cost money, and use energy - which will have an impact on the environment. Whereas opening the window won't cost a thing, and if it's a nice day, it's a good way to bring a bit of fresh air into your home!

Useful:

• http://www.wisebread.com/living-without-air-conditioning-can-save-big-bucks-this-summer

Put a jumper on - don't use your heatingRather than putting the heating on when it gets too cold, put a jumper on to warm yourself up.

Heating your home every time you get cold will cost you an absolute fortune - and you won't be doing any favours for the environment either. So next time you feel a bit chilly, grab some more clothes, snuggle up and save yourself some money!

• http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Take-action/Money-saving-tips/Seasonal-suggestions/Tips-for-a-greener-barbecue

So, by following these simple tips, you should be able to save a bit of money around the home while helping to save the environment too!

However, if you are already experiencing some real difficulties with your bills (because of debts, for example), the chances are that a few simple changes won't be enough to get you back on track. In this situation, you may want to look at ways to improve your debt management skills to free up the money you need for your bills.

False Economy: Top 5 ways NOT to save money this winter

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 11:15:00 +0000

Given the state of the economy and rising cost of living for many households, saving money is a hot topic at the moment, especially with traditional spending hotspots on the horizon like Christmas.

However, with so many so-called experts offering their opinion on how to slash your spending, it's difficult to know who to listen to. So we've put together a handy guide on the things you shouldn't do to try to save money – which, conversely, should actually put a few quid in your wallet as a result.

1. Don't cut back on your insurance
When you're up against the wall financially, insurance can seem an easy way to cut money from your budget instantly. Although central heating insurance may sound like an absolute essential, recent research has suggested that as many as one in five are going without contents cover, largely as a result of the recession. However, this can have dire consequences – suffer a burglary, flood or fire and without cover, you'll be left high and dry.

2. Don't hire cheap tradesmen
If you find a plumber, electrician or builder whose rates look too good to be true, they probably are. However, there are ways to still get repairs and maintenance done cheaply through having the right type of insurance. For example, get boiler coverage and you'll be able to call on a fully qualified tradesman to carry out the work. In many cases, you'll only have the excess to worry about, a fraction of the cost of the callout fee for many tradesmen.

3. Don't leave car problems to fester
When money's tight, it can be easy to ignore what you believe to be a small problem with your car, keep calm and carry on. However, minor rattling in the gear box or a stiff lock can develop into bigger problems if they're not given the attention they need. So head to the garage and nip them in the bud sooner rather than later.

4. Don't wait until the last minute to book your holiday
Although is common advice for holidaymakers to wait until up to a week before a holiday, this isn't always the best way to save money. Not only will it reduce the types of destinations you go to, but you're also likely to be more desperate – and up paying a little extra to secure your break as a result. Therefore, it's worth going the other way and booking many, many months ahead – the prices at these times can often rival even the best last minute deals, with the added bonus of a wider choice of destinations.

5. Don't spend too much on renovating your house
Although this is a common way to boost the value of your home, especially in a depressed market, don't go overboard. With house prices still expected to continue falling, the value you add to your home could be swallowed up by the general state of the market – a position no one wants to be in.

This was a guest post from Alex at diynewbie.org

Exterior Updates

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 18:53:00 +0000

This year has seen no major changes to the yard. Actually, the new puppy has destroyed most of the garden, despite fencing I put up. The Eastern Redbud tree I planted in the front yard looks pretty good.

We are considering residing the house and building a porch or rebuilding the stoop. I'm actually afraid to even get quotes on the work. It pains me to spend money on something that is losing its value. I think I'll think about that some more.

Getting Ready for Nice Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:59:00 +0000

So the weather has been pretty decent in my parts, so it's time to get things ready for sping and summer. Here's what I've done so far:
- fertilized the lawn ($30 for Scotts)
- bought and planted a tree for front yard ($20 including a $10 off coupon)
- edged the borders (free with my EdgeHog tool)
- bought deck cleaner and stain ($40, but I might return both as I need to figure out to propoerly apply the stain to a deck that's already been stained)

Coming soon I'll have to mulch, do annual plantings, set up the garden, and figure out that staining situation. Also, I'm looking into residing the house and getting a new stoop, but that's a much larger project obviously.

Homes In Other Countries

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:29:00 +0000

House Hunters International Takes the Top Spot

Guest Post by by Haywood Morales

Television today is diversity at its best. However, if you are like most people, including me, you want to learn something new thats why after seeing this Direct Tv HD Specials Information I got Directv. A very enjoyable and educational way to do this is to watch House Hunters International. It is, without a doubt, at the top of the list in available real estate shows.

When you watch House Hunters International, you get a chance to see what life is like in other countries. The real estate agent on the show will always talk about the area. You get to see places that you have never seen before and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

One of the main things that I love about this particular show is seeing the homes and comparing them to those in my own country. An average home is Japan is much different than the homes in other countries. It lets you see how the other side of the world lives.

The one thing you can count on when you watch this show is entertainment. Watching how others go through the buying process can be enlightening, as well as humorous. Not only that, at the end of the show, you get to guess which home they chose, which is a great game to play with others watching with you. As stated before, it is entertaining, as well as educating.

Looking for a New Kitchen?

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:11:00 +0000

you have been following this blog since it began a few years ago, you might remember how I had

completed an overhaul of my kitchen not too long before I started to publish. I got new cabinets,

counters, changed the layout, refinished the floors, and bought a couple new appliances. It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

I researched companies, had them draw up plans, checked their credentials, etc. It was quite time consuming. Recently I looked around for a one-stop shop for quality kitchens that had a good reputation. There a few such companies in United States, but nothing like a company I recently found in the United Kingdom.

If you're in the market for a new kitchen, you might want to check out Kutchenhaus. Yes, the kitchens are German, and the quality is regarded as top-notch. The parent company is the world's largest kitchen manufacturer, and the company has been around since 1945, which is impressive. In case you can't get to a retail outlet, Kutchenhaus kitchens can be shopped for online, and you can request a detailed quote. Even though my kitchen is finished, I still had a good time looking at the complete fitted kitchens Kutchenhaus has available. I wish I had a similar company available to me back when I renovated mine, because I surely would have looked seriously at them.

TV Or Not TV?

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:31:00 +0000

I've already answered it- I got a new TV. I've been holding out for years, living with my 27" CRT, waiting for it to die or for prices on flatscreen TVs to come down. I ended up getting a very good deal because I bought a display model. So far, so good. I came into a little unepected money prior to the purchase, so I used that.

Five Thrifty Tips for the UK

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:59:00 +0000

UK house prices are up again, making thrift a necessity. Check out 5 handy fiscal tips from What House:

Browse new homes in the UK: built to better standards, more efficient, cheaper to run!
Downsize: do you need that guest bedroom? Or that en suite?
Cold? Turn the heating down: wear warmer clothes instead!
Hot? Turn the AC down: open the windows instead!
Subscribe to the Thrifty Homeowner blog!

What Did You Get for The Holidays?

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 22:12:00 +0000

This year I actually did not get any items that could help me to be more thrifty around the home. Did you?

Saving Money on Utilities

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 21:18:00 +0000

In my state, utilities like electricity and natural gas were deregulated a few years ago, and for some reason, multiple energy companies have recently been soliciting consumers to switch to their services. I did my research, and I made the switch- i'll now save about $7 per month on my energy bills (plus a $50 bonus from my new electricity provider). Is it big money? No, but it only took me a couple hours to research all the companies available to me.

I did all the research on my own by using my state's deregulation website, but you can also give this a try: kachange.com, which helps narrow your choices and brings up suppliers.

Cost Versus Value 2011 Update

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:04:00 +0000

Here is the latest update- Remodeling Magazine's Cost Vs Value Report. The news isn't pretty- homeowners' ability to recoup the costs of renovations has gone down again, to just 60%. That means that overall, you will only get paid back sixty cents for every dollar you sink into your home. Back in 2005 you could expect to recoup over 85% of your costs. Remember all those house-flipping shows that used to be on TV? The heyday is certainly over.

This news affects me somewhat, as I've yet to do much to strengthen my house's "curb appeal." I need to rebuild or replace my porch, paint or replace the siding, and do more landscaping. I was loathe to put any more money into the house before this report came out, and now I'm even less likely to do so.

Independent Removal of Home Toxins: Do the Costs Outweigh the Benefits?

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:59:00 +0000

The following is a guest post by Eric Stevenson, a young professional who has found his voice in advocating for the removal of dangerous and toxic household fixtures. A truly worthwhile read when you’re working on an old house with potentially dangerous materials.

Renovation can beautify a home, raise its value or help cut utility costs. However, this repair can also expose toxic materials that pose a serious threat to families. With many individuals impacted by the poor economy, the allure of removing toxins alone can be great. Nevertheless, it remains important to realize that cutting costs by removing these chemicals without professional assistance can just lead to future medical bills and hardship for families.

Particularly in older homes, individuals frequently stumble upon hazardous chemicals. This poses a serious threat because without professional training these materials are difficult to locate. One of these chemicals recognized as a serious danger, especially in deteriorating paint, is lead. However, it remains a major threat to homeowners because of its use in many other products. Once a component in several common household items like furniture, gasoline and pipes, lead remains especially dangerous to young children because of its easy absorption into growing skin. Lead exposure can result in serious physical, mental and behavioral impacts.

Another dangerous chemical that continues to pose a threat to homeowners is asbestos. This chemical also remains dangerous even after its identification as a toxic material because of its common use in several products. Once popular as an insulator against heat, fire, chemicals and electricity, asbestos appears in several forms, making detection and removal difficult. This particular chemical is a lethal carcinogen without cure.

However, even if homeowners do suspect these chemicals exist and independently attempt removing them, they might put themselves in greater danger than they were before because many of these chemicals are securely enclosed in homes. Asbestos and lead are especially dangerous when improperly handled because the breakdown of these chemicals allows them to enter the air as dust and become breathed into lungs, attached to food or spread throughout the rest of the home. Symptoms of mesothelioma, the cancer resulting from exposure to asbestos, typically do not occur until 20 to 50 years after exposure, highlighting just how dangerous the improper removal of these toxins is.

Proper removal of these chemicals involves the purchase of numerous specialized tools and equipment, including plastic to section off rooms, special vacuums fitted with HEPA filters and industrial quality air filtration units. With the huge investment of time and money these items require, homeowners are better served hiring a private contractor specializing in hazardous material removal. Furthermore, several loan options exist to offset the cost of renovation. Homeowners must ultimately decide whether the reward of saving money outweighs the potential health costs when deciding whether to take on toxic chemical removal themselves.

Mortgage Refinance Update

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 01:36:00 +0000

Last time I posted about this, I was worried about the outcome of the appraisal. We got really good news- it appraised exactly at the price I bought it at nearly four years ago. Sure, I've put in nearly $50,000, so that is my "loss" so far, but I thought the house would be about $20,000 lower than what it came in as. Personally, I think the appraiser was quite generous, but I'm not complaining.

So we got a great rate, do not have to escrow, my HELOC was subordinated successully, and I paid no fees whatsoever. I'm quite glad- I'm now saving $200 a month! There certainly are risks with owning, but one positive is that as long you're not in an ARM, your payment will never increase, and can even go down.

Ceiling Fan Completed!

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 01:21:00 +0000

The ceiling fan in my bedroom wobbled to the point I was scared to turn on the fan, and the fan operated independently of the light switch, which annoyed us. I decided to replace it, thinking it should take no more than weekend to complete. After nearly three months, it's finally finished. Here's what happened:

I took down the old fixture, thinking I'd find it secured by nothing more than a screw or too (as my living room fan was). What I found was some type of odd bracket that should maybe have been used for a light only. It had two prongs, and the fan was pushed up onto it and held in by nuts. I tried to remove the bracket, and of course it would not budge, as it was bolted into a piece of wood placed between the joists. And of course, the part of the attic where the nut would be was inaccessible. I wasn't sure how to proceed, and put off the project until our vacation was over, about a month later.

I called a handyman, and he confirmed that he too had no idea how to remove that bracket. He suggested that he tear down part of the ceiling so that he could remove the entire piece of wood the bracket was affixed to. I didn't want to cause so much destruction, and he would have charged $200, so I passed.

I decided I would instead just cut a new hole nearby the existing opening, but directly underneath a joint. I did that, installed a fan box, and then patched up the old hole. However, I as usual did a lousy taping and spackling job, so I purchased a medallion to cover the mess. The fan went up pretty smoothly, and I was beyond proud. Then I realized the pull chain for the fan did not work!

I was of course livid, thinking the entire thing would have to come down and be returned. Then I calmed down, did some internet research, and found out that I could replace the pull chain switch. I got one today, and it worked! I think it looks really good. Here is the damage:

Fan: $60

Fan box: $2.80

Medallion: $28

So it cost almost $100, more than I figured it would, but I'm happy with it, and glad that I figured out how to do it by myself.

European Conservation

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 23:28:00 +0000

I haven't mentioned it here before, but a few weeks ago I vacationed in Europe. We had a great time in Amsterdam, Paris, London, and Liverpool.

So why bring that up? Because I experienced some things that you just don't see here:

Two of our hotel rooms required that a room key be placed in a receptacle near the door before any electricity in the room would turn on. That's a great way to ensure that electricity is not wasted when you leave your room.
Virtually every toilet we saw had two buttons- one for low flow and one for high, thus saving water.
Many amenities we are used to in USA have to be paid for- public bathrooms, bags in stores, even ketchup in Burger King. Sure, it's another way to make some more money, but it's also a way discourage people from being wasteful by using/consuming more than is needed
On train rides, we saw many wind turbines

Let's hope we can learn some things from our European friends.

Mortgage Refinancing

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:36:00 +0000

I began the process of refinancing my mortgage back in May, but then stopped when I realized that I wasn't lowering my rate much for what I was giving up (cancelling my line of credit, starting to escrow taxes). I also was not feeling comfortable with the broker. But recently rates have gotten so low, I decided I had to go for it again.

I had my appraisal yesterday, and I fully expect that I'll have to pay down the balance to get below 80% LTV. I just hope that it's not too much that I have to pay, in which case I may have to scrap that idea and settle for a higher rate with some type of loan modification plan.

But recently rates have gotten so low, I decided I had to go for it again. It also occurred to me that should find out what my most recent credit report and score were so I could figure out what refinancing rates I might qualify for.

Ceiling Fan Nightmare (Again)

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:50:00 +0000

The ceiling fan in my bedroom has been wobbling for quite some time. Since the one in my living room was improperly secured to the joist, I assumed this one probably was, too.

Last weekend I bought a new fan and took down the old one. What I saw still perplexes me: attached to a piece of wood that was affixed between joists is a metal plate that has two long bolts coming out of it. Attached to the bolts was an outlet box, but it was held in place with just two nuts. The fan was then secured with just a couple of screws, with no nuts. I took the outlet box to a couple of stores, and no one there had ever seen such a thing. The worst part is that I cant remove the metal plate! It's bolted in, and I can't figure out how anyone could get to its other side in my attic. So my only recourse is to put the outlet box back up there, and then affix the new fan to it with just a couple ordinary screws, which I don't want to do.

It's very frustrating, and I'm thinking of bringing in someone to look at it. So to install a $50 fan, I may be looking at a total bill of who knows what.

Outdoor Update

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:45:00 +0000

So I did go ahead and get the driveway sealcoated by the company who initially put in my driveway. It looks good, and cost only $100, which after what would have been my costs, is a very fair price I think.

On a sadder note, we experienced quite a long drought in the northeast, and the weather is still very hot and not very wet. That means water restrictions were in place, and half my front lawn looks terrible, and the other half now appears to be dead. Readers will know that last fall i completely seeded my frontyard, and the results were not great at first, but around April/May it looked nice. Now I fear I will have to once again tear up the grass and seed all over again.

Summer Update

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 19:20:00 +0000

Wondering what I've been up to? Not too much in terms of new projects. I've set up the garden again, and straightened up the yard using my edger. Next week I will have the driveway sealcoated for the first time. I looked into doing it myself, but at around $40 for supplies, a few hours doing the job, and my lack of experience, made me think that having a pro do it for $100 is the way to go. So I hope that turns out well.

Laundry Room Renovation

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:06:00 +0000

After nearly three weeks, my severely outdated laundry has been completely renovated. Here's what I did, and how much it cost:

tore down panelling on walls and removed old cabinets- $0

created a wall to cover exposed pipes- $0

repaired walls and ceiling- $150 (hired someone)

painted walls and ceiling- $60

purchased and installed cabinets- $140

purchases new dryer vent- $30

The entire room was completed for under $400, which I think was good. The professional I hired to smooth out the walls was well worth the money. We now have a much more functional room that is more spacious, has more and better storage, and just looks more inviting. I was also happy to replace the old metal foil dryer vent with a rigid metal one that puts the dryer closer to the wall.

Free Tony's Pizza!

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:20:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Tony's Pizza. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't often do posts like this, but I am a fan of Tony's Pizza, so here it goes:

Tony's Pizza asked me to share with my readers 5 coupons for a free pizza. All you have to do is be one of the first 5 people to email me with your name and physical address, and I'll send you the coupon. The contest starts now! Since Tony's is a good value in my opinion, I thought you'd be interested in this opportunity.

Of course, Ton'ys gave me a few coupons to test out their product. Here's my pitch to get you to try Tony's: I am a big pizza fan in general, and I must say that among the frozen pizzas that are on the low cost end, Tony's really is the best. And I really have tried them all. Cooking them can't be easier, and I think the taste will surprise you. If you did not know better, you might not know you were eating a frozen pizza. I prefer the traditional cheese pizza, but you might like one of their other flavors. When they go on sale, I wish I had a larger freezer so I could stock up.

Good Luck!

Alarm System Completed- Big Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:32:00 +0000

So I'm pretty much done with setting up my alarm system. Here's what transpired:

I decided to NOT go with one of the leading alarm companies, and I also decided to not go with a local firm. In true Thrifty Homeowner spirit, I did it myself! I found that I could purchase my own wireless system and set it up myself. Yes, it did cost me about $500 in total for the hardware (including a $100 rebate), but it makes sense for many reasons:

- Unlike with the companies I looked into, I OWN this equipment and can easily move it to another house in the future
- I pay my monitoring service just $9 a month, much less than the $40 a month charged by the large companies (making my breakeven little more than 1 year)
- My insurance company is looking into how much the system can save me off my premium
- I like setting up things myself, because I now have a greater understanding of how the system works, and can easily add to it over time.

My system consists of 3 door sensors, 3 smoke/temperature detectors, and a carbon monoxide detector. Set up was relatively simple, and I bought many of the components via eBay, which was a big cost savings. I now have greater peace of mind, and am glad I have not been take advantage of by anyone.

Home Security Systems

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:23:00 +0000

I know that I live in a very safe area, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to a possible burglary. Also, I live in an old house, and who knows what's going on with the electrical in the walls. The threat of a fire is what is making me look into a home security system. If a fire broke out while no one is home, before the fire department is notified, it may be too late to salvage the house and, most importantly, my dog.

So I began my search by researching all the large companies in my area. They all seem somewhat similar: low cost for installation, $30-45 per month in monitoring fees. So far, I had one in-home consultation, and thankfully, the salesman was not too pushy and actually left the contract for me to peruse. I have the following issues, which I think might be universal amongst all these security companies:
- Length of contract (the one I have is for three years, and the policy they have if you move is not included in the contract)
- Do the authorities actually come when called by the monitoring station? I'll have to call and check. Also, if it's a false alarm, is there a fine?
- Equipment repairs. The contract I have states all repairs are paid for by me- even though the contract states I do not own the equipment in my house. Does that sound fair to anyone?

I should schedule visits with more security companies, but I'm really hesitant to do so. I hate high-pressure sales, and if they refuse to leave me the contract to read on my own, there's no way I'm signing. So I fear I'll just waste time. Since I'm really primarily concerned with just a fire alarm, I'm also considering looking into local companies that offer monitoring. Maybe they would just install a fire alarm, but I am also going to assume that if the equipment comes free/cheap, I'll have to sign at least a three year deal. I'm not sure what I will do.

Dryer Safety

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:57:00 +0000

I recently read this article about cleaning your dryer vent, and it made me realize a couple of things:

1) I haven't cleaned out the vent in three years, and
2) the vent I have in place is regarded as the riskiest type that could lead to a fire.

Being the paranoid sort I am, I immediately went out to purchase a vent that was at least a step above the foil vent I currently have. I ended up buying a semi-rigid metal vent that has yet to be installed, because I may be reconfiguring the laundry room, thus needing a vent of different size (and possibly upgrading to the recommended heavy metal vent). But I did clean out the existing vent, and even shortened it so that there is much less area for lint to become trapped, which I hope will lessen the threat of fire.

Crown Moulding Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Thirfty Homeowner) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Overall, the mouldings look good. I had to join the pieces on all four walls, and only on one of them is it noticeable. However, there are gaps on various areas of the walls and ceilings, due to non-square angles and warps in the walls and ceilings. A few areas could be fixed with caulk, but some are just wide, unless I first insert shims or something. I think Ill leave as is.

So was it worth the $80 I spent? Upon first glance, I think it really does make the room seem nicer. Will I get $80 more when I sell the house because of this? I doubt it, but maybe it is a nice touch that makes a potential buyer more comfortable.