You don’t have to cut corners to cut costs. These simple projects and maintenance tasks will help you achieve the thing we love most about DIY: saving money!
14 Money-Saving Secrets Every Homeowner Should Know
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Install Timers and Smart Thermostats
A water heater timer allows you to program when your water heater activates and deactivates during a 24-hour period, based on your home’s usage habits.
“Many people don’t know that your water heater is one of the biggest hidden energy and money drains in your home,” says consumer savings expert Melissa Cid. “A water heater timer is affordable and fairly easy to install. Most now also have WiFi and Bluetooth, which makes any old water heater suddenly smart!”
Similarly, installing a programmable thermostat is a sure bet for saving energy, to the tune of 10% to 15% annually in colder states.
“It’s especially effective for those with erratic schedules or empty homes during work hours,” says Turkin. He’s seen customers in Colorado and Michigan save upward of $300 a year, but it won’t be that dramatic in homes that are occupied during the day, like with retirees or telecommuters, or in climates where temperature changes are smaller.
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Drive Slower To Save Money on Gas
Speed kills your gas mileage and your wallet. While aerodynamic drag is a minor concern in city driving, it really kills your gas mileage at highway speeds.
“Traveling at a slower pace is an under-appreciated money saver, particularly when the price of gasoline surges,” says Turkin. “One customer who had a 40-minute drive to work did just that and documented a monthly gas savings of roughly $30 to $40, which over a year works out to almost $500.”
In fact, increasing your speed from 55 to 65 increases drag by 36 percent. If you do a lot of highway driving, getting to your destination a few minutes early could cost you an extra $510 a year. Keep it closer to 55 mph and use your cruise control — it will pay off.
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Rent Tools
Many DIY projects require special tools, such as jackhammers, hammer drills and carpet cleaners. Instead of purchasing tools that you will use infrequently, try renting or borrowing them.
“One of the more surprisingly effective ways I’ve seen homeowners save money is by adopting hyper-local tool-sharing systems, whether through neighborhood Facebook groups or organized co-ops,” says Turkin. “For example, one client saved over $400 in one year by borrowing a pressure washer, lawn aerator and a post hole digger from neighbors instead of renting. It’s the kind of small lifestyle adjustment that is worth it without grand sacrifice.”
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Save More on Groceries
Apps like TopCashback or Quidco let you earn money back on everyday shopping, and if your grocery store offers fuel perks, those can really add up. “Just don’t fall into the trap of spending more just chasing rewards,” says financial specialist Paul Gillooly. “Stick to what you genuinely need.”
Also, before you go to the grocery store, plan out your meals and buy what you can in bulk. When you get home, cook extra-large meals in advance, then freeze them for hassle-free eating on a busy night.
“Not only does this cut down on takeout and food waste, but buying staples like rice, beans and meats in bulk can drop your grocery bill by 20% or more,” says Turkin. “I’ve seen single parents save $250 a month just by pre-planning meals and freezing portions.”
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Repurpose Used Furniture
Many older furniture pieces were manufactured using higher-quality materials than today’s offerings. Whether you plan to refurbish it or break down the piece for materials, this practice can really provide you with an opportunity to save a few bucks.
“One client re-faced their original hardwood cabinet doors and used them again in their laundry room,” says Turkin. “They saved themselves the expense of $800 new cabinetry and achieved a custom look for under $100 in paint and hardware.”
This is an especially effective cost-saver since the cost of hardwoods and exotics such as cherry, oak, maple and teak has risen steadily over the years. And refinishing furniture makes it look new again. “Some sanding and a new paint job, and there goes another tired table or set of chairs into the sunset of a younger and happier life,” says Gillooly.
Salvaging used or leftover building materials is another great way to save a few dollars. Visit a nearby construction site and speak to the project supervisor. Often, they will allow you to dumpster dive for discarded materials. This is good for your wallet and the environment by keeping them out of the landfill. In addition, used materials often have a unique patina, which could add extra appeal to your project.
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Keep Up on Tire Maintenance
Keeping your tires inflated to the recommended pressure increases your gas mileage and extends the life of your tires. Check tires monthly with a tire pressure gauge and keep them inflated to the recommended air pressure (on the decal pasted to the driver’s door or pillar).
Also, keeping your car aligned can save about $140 per year. If your car tires are bowed out of alignment by just .017 inch, it’s the equivalent of dragging your tire sideways for 102 miles for every 20,000 miles you drive. That’ll cost you $150 a year in wasted gas, plus wear out your tires faster.
Here’s an easy way to check your alignment without taking your car into the shop. Buy a tread depth gauge ($2) and measure the tread depth on both edges of each tire (rear tires too). If one side of the tire is worn more than the other, your car needs to be aligned. An alignment costs about $80, so you’ll still save $140 the first year alone.
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Audit Your Subscriptions
Review three months of your bank and credit card statements, and cancel anything you don’t use at least weekly. That includes gym memberships, streaming services and other subscriptions.
“I have customers come to me with well over $200 a month spent on redundant streaming services, unused gym memberships and paid apps that they forgot about,” says Turkin. “That’s $2,400 a year they could be putting toward paying down mortgage principal or emergency savings.”
Another savings blind spot is reviewing your homeowners and auto policies once a year. “I saved one family in Arizona $780 a year by having them switch insurers after being loyal to a single company for more than a decade,” says Turkin.
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Make Your Own Household Cleaners
You can help the environment and save a few bucks by making your own household cleaners. “In addition to being a reduction in contact with toxins, making your own multi-purpose cleaner using vinegar, baking soda and essential oils can be as little as $0.50 per bottle compared to $3 to $6 for other products,” says Turkin. “In families with children or allergies, it is also a health benefit.”
For instance, instead of using store-bought glass cleaner, mix two cups of water with half a cup of vinegar to create your own. Another easy formula for all-purpose cleaning is mixing 4 tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water.
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Weatherstripping To Lower Utility Bills
If you can see light creeping beneath exterior doors, air is also escaping. Grab a few packages of self-adhesive rubber foam weatherstripping and go to town, sealing any and all doors that lead outside. It’s also helpful to caulk any places where drafts might be sneaking in, which will also help keep out pests.
“In older houses, like pre-1980 construction, it’s common to lose up to 30% of heat and cooling by way of gaps,” says Turkin. “For one client in Chicago, we did an energy audit before they refinanced, and sealing the hot spots reduced their energy bill from $220 to $165 a month during winter, which was around a $660 annual saving.”
This can also save you money on your air-conditioning bill in the summer. However, if you live in a mild climate, you might not see such dramatic savings. “And if a home has major structural issues, sealing gaps is just a Band-Aid until you reach more detailed work, says Turkin.
While you’re at it, use some of that caulk to touch up gaps in old molding and around the bathroom and fit draft excluders under doors during the wintertime. “It’s super-simple to do, cost-effective and highly efficient,” says Gillooly.
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Install a Clothes Line
A simple clothesline allows you to dry your clothes for free using the sun’s power instead of expensive electricity. Electric clothes dryers can really put a dent in your pocketbook, especially if you have a large household.
While a clothesline requires some manual labor to hang clothes, you will enjoy a fresh, natural smell in your laundry and a reduced utility bill.
Also, instead of purchasing rags for painting, cleaning or dusting, make your own for free using old T-shirts and other unused garments. A few minutes with a pair of scissors or utility knife is all it takes to convert unwanted clothing into useful rags.
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Install a Ductless Mini Split HVAC System
When it is time to replace your HVAC system, consider switching to a ductless mini split. The super-efficient systems require less labor during installation, do not require air ducts and allow you to cool/heat your home in zones instead of the entire house. This can have a profound effect on your energy costs in a good way.
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Grow Your Own Vegetables
Growing vegetables at home can be a great activity that is fun for the entire family. You don’t have to rent a plow and tractor to grow a few tomatoes in your backyard. Many vegetables — tomatoes, squash, radishes, etc. — are easy to grow in containers.
This garden practice utilizes containers such as a simple wooden box or even five-gallon buckets for planting vessels. Aside from the fun you will have growing your own vegetables, the next time you need a tomato, you will save time, money and gas when you can just pick it from your own garden.
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Basic Car Maintenance
You can perform routine maintenance on your automobile to cut the costs of repair and upkeep. All that is required is some basic knowledge, some common hand tools and a little elbow grease. It is not that difficult to change your oil, change an air filter, replace wiper blades or swap out a burnt turning-signal bulb.
A great place to start is by replacing a broken or missing spoiler or under-engine splash guard, as those can cause aerodynamic drag that reduces your gas mileage. Contact a junkyard to find a replacement air dam and engine splash guards.
Folks who are just not mechanically inclined can take advantage of free services offered by many auto parts dealers. Many retailers will install wiper blades, batteries and even air filters for free if you purchase the items directly from their store.
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Switch to Energy Star Products
According to energystar.gov, folks saved upwards of $30 million on their utility bills and helped to reduce greenhouse gases by using Energy Star-rated products. These super-efficient products include CFL and LED light bulbs, household appliances, building materials such as windows and doors and HVAC equipment among many others. Not only is switching to Energy Star products one of the best frugal living tips, but it also allows you to take advantage of their energy savings.
And speaking of appliances, turn them off instead of leaving them in standby mode. “This is useful in homes with older appliances,” says Gillooly. “Newer ones, however, tend to optimally use power better than most during standby.
About the Experts
- Leon Turkin is a mortgage broker, financial expert and CEO of Turkin Mortgage. He also specializes in helping clients save on monthly expenses.
- Paul Gillooly is a financial specialist and the director of Dot Dot Loans. For the past decade, he has been offering clients guidance on improving financial management and building better credit scores.
- Melissa Cid is a consumer savings expert for MySavings.com, where she helps people save money with budgeting, coupons and deal-shopping.
