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57
Ways To Reduce Housing & Home Expenses
1.
Consider buying an old, inexpensive house &
modernizing it yourself.
2.
Check firms that build the house's exterior
and you
do the inside work.
3.
Give thought to living in a mobile home or modular
housing.
4.
You can save substantially by learning how to
conserve home energy.
5.
Insulate your home yourself & you may be entitled
to
a large tax credit.
6.
Use solar energy in your home & reduce conventional
energy expenses.
7.
Pay property insurance premiums annually for
substantial savings.
8.
Moving costs may be tax deductible, if it was
done
for business reasons.
9.
If necessary, add extra rooms instead of looking
for
a larger house.
10.
Keep your home in good condition. It will insure
top
money when selling.
How
to save on home repair bills......
11.
Practice preventable maintenance. Take good
care of
what you have.
12.
Get an illustrated manual & learn to repair
most
common problems yourself.
13.
When needed, ask friends & neighbors whom they
recommend for repair work.
14.
Always get competitive bids for larger repair
jobs.
15.
Before hiring a firm, ask for names of their
customers you can contact.
16.
If a loan is required for repairs, shop round
for
lowest interest rates.
17.
Borrow money for the shortest period possible.
18.
Use reputable firms. Check with Better Business
Bureau if necessary.
19.
Establish a good trusting relationship with
a
reliable repair service.
20.
Get a signed cost estimate before repair work
is
started.
Where
to find the best home bargains.....
21.
Discount stores.
22.
Auctions.
23.
Catalog stores.
24.
Garage sales.
25.
Flea markets.
26.
Thrift stores.
27.
Classified ads. (You'll get a better bargain
from
private owner, than from a store).
28.
Sales and clearances of reputable stores.
29.
Look for "floor samples" and "demonstrator's
models
30.
Shop for discontinued models and "slightly damaged"
merchandise.
31.
Buy "unclaimed" and "repossessed" furniture
at
warehouse sales.
32.
Buy unpainted furniture and finish it yourself.
33.
Try to buy wholesale. Some manufacturers have
"wholesale
outlets".
34.
Consider working a swap with friends, relatives,
neighbors.
How
to buy furniture, appliances, furnishings
intelligently........
35.
Before you buy, ask yourself, "Do I really need
it?"
36.
Shop around before you decide. Become an expert
comparison shopper.
37.
Ask around. Talk to others and ask their
experiences, suggestions.
38.
Go to the local library and read. Check out
recent
articles on the subject.
39.
Is the merchant reliable in case you have any
problems later?
40.
Never sign contracts or agreements until you
know
what you are signing.
41.
If you buy on credit, keep a written record
of your
spending in your wallet.
42.
Use charge cards only if you pay bills before
interest is added.
43.
Buy only low-energy, high efficiency appliances.
44.
See if you can "make do" with what you have.
45.
When ordering carpeting, ask for broadloom remnants
and save about half.
46.
Make some items yourself, such as curtains,
draperies, bedspreads, etc.
47.
Buy radios and TV's during January & May sales.
48.
February & June are good times to buy bedding,
floor
covering, furniture.
49.
Shop March & July for good buys on washers and
dryers.
50.
Buy rugs during August and October sales.
51.
Stock up on household linens during the months
of
January, May & August.
52.
March is a good month to buy a house, right
after
school vacation starts.
53.
Buy a kitchen range, paint & wallpaper during
April
sales.
54.
March is a good month to select a new air
conditioner.
55.
January sales are good for buying small appliances,
blankets, quilts.
56.
Buy housewares in Feb., Sept.; china & glassware
in
March & Sept.
57.
Buy fabrics in Jan. & October; storm windows
in June
&
July.
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