Saving money isn’t always the easiest thing to do when you’ve got a constant stream of bills coming in from one month to the next. And you know what the worst part of it all really is? It’s that you’ve got multiple bills spread across different dates in the month. So while you’re paying a house payment at the beginning of the month (which is a huge chunk of your income right there), you’ve also got utilities and phone bills due in the middle of the month. It seems like it’s nonstop sometimes, doesn’t it? But when you’re able to save money on some of those bills, that’s when savings can start to increase in dividends. Not only are you able to put money away from each paycheck to start with; you’re also able to put even more away since one or two of your bills are lower. So, how is it done? Let’s start with your energy bills and how you can save around the year. Heating When it’s winter time and you’re cold, there’s no better way to save money on your heating than to have a fireplace. While not all homeowners have this luxury, those that do are better off using their fireplace or wood stove in one room and trying to hang out in that room exclusively. While it won’t heat the entire house, you’ll be saving quite a bit of money just keeping specific rooms in your home heated via fire. Cooling And on the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s keeping cool in the dog days of summer. What better way to keep cool than to have your windows open to allow for drafts to come through and cool the air in your home? While having fans can help to circulate the flow, they’ll also be eating into some of your electricity, which doesn’t necessarily keep your energy bills low like you’re intending to. So rely on airflow and even think about strategically opening certain windows in your house and keeping others closed to maximize the flow of air. Water Let’s be honest, Americans overuse on their water at home way too much. Whether it’s showering for too long, taking baths more often than showering, leaving the sink running while brushing your teeth, or even flushing the toilet far too many times in a day, we’re extremely inefficient with our water usage. Try to cut back on any of those I just named and you’ll be surprised to see you could save over $100 a year on water bills.
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Windows make for absolutely perfect display areas in your home. It’s no wonder you see so many homemakers showcasing something of theirs in a huge, beautiful bay window. And everything always just seems so perfectly placed, well thought out, and almost as if the window was specifically made to hold those very items. It’s one of the reasons I find myself wanting a house with a bay window a few years down the road. Whether you use it for a reading nook, make it your cat’s own personal space, or decorate it with something you enjoy collecting, it’s a great place to personalize and make your own so that you can show off your personality and make your home extra cute. If you’re struggling for ideas on what you should put in your own window displays, look no further than our compiled ideas below. Teas/Coffees There are quite a few people out there that claim to be tea and coffee enthusiasts. What better way to walk the walk than putting on display all of your different teas or coffees? You can even include different pots (decorative or functional), cute place mats, different mugs you have, and even other specialized items that go along with your collection. Perhaps you have a french press machine that’s more for display than it is using. Maybe you’ve got a legit matcha set for your favorite Japanese style tea. Mini library Okay, maybe library isn’t the word. But a window display full of books sounds like a dream come true to me. Bay windows often have little shelves going up the sides, so putting your favorite mystery thrillers, cookbooks, manuals, and self improvement books in these slots would be perfect for the display. Throw down a little pad or two on the bay window seat for a comfy place to sit and read your books. Plants This is probably my personal favorite on this list. No matter what house plants you own and what pots they’re in, there’s no better place for a collection of greenery than right by a window. They get the sunlight they need and you get the perfect place to showcase your collection of rare, beautiful, and weird plants. I myself already have a window display of all my succulents. I could only wish that it was a bay window instead! Some day when I own my own house and can afford to put in a bay window, you better believe I’ll have all my succulents on display right there.
When you decide to sell your home, you begin thinking about all the elements of your house that you’ve never really thought about before. Is the kitchen painted the right color? Does the landscaping need to be done differently? Is our decorating style a turn-off for a potential buyer? One of the things you should be thinking about is your windows. They let light into your home, insulate it from the heat or cold and even provide safety to you and your family. All that to say, they’re pretty important. As you think about selling your home, first consider the state of the windows themselves. If you live in an older home, you may have equally old windows. Old windows don’t insulate as well as modern windows and, depending on how old they are or how often they are used, they can sometimes be difficult to open as well. If you have old windows, evaluate whether or not a buyer will view those windows as a drawback, whether for safety, efficiency or functionality reasons. If so, you may want to consider upgrading your windows. In fact, putting new windows in a home is one of the best investments you can make in regards to the return you will see for your money! If your windows are new, or at least not a drawback, look at their cleanliness. While many homeowners are pretty good about cleaning the inside of their windows, most are not as diligent about cleaning the outside of the windows. As you put your home on the market, clean the outside glass as well. Lastly, and almost most importantly, clean out the tracks on the inside of the window. The tracks your windows run on, whether verticle or horizontal, can be magnets for dust and grime. And, even though it seems like a small thing, dirty window tracks can make potential buyers concerned that your home isn’t as well taken care of as it actually is. Lastly, focus on how much light your windows are letting in. It’s no secret that home buyers like homes with lots of natural light. While you can’t do anything with the sun or the location of the windows to impact the light they let in, you can make sure that your windows are not being unnecessarily blocked by shades, curtains or furniture. If possible, rearrange furniture or open up curtains or blinds to let as much light in as possible.
Selling a home can be an overwhelming experience and there’s so much to update and focus on. Hopefully this list helps you identify how to take care of your windows when you put your home on the market! |
Vaughn Belt
Author, Renovation Expert, Traveler, Blogger ArchivesCategories |