With 2016 mere days away, while we know you aren’t sitting around and twiddling your thumbs, trying to think of the resolutions you’ll make for the year ahead. Though we encourage healthy habits and a clean lifestyle choices, we challenge you to consider something new.
Instead of pledging to drop pounds or quit smoking, why not direct your attention to something more tangible – taking care of your home.
Going green, trimming the fat, and practice better spending habits are all personal resolutions you may consider for your life, but can also be applied to your new year home maintenance routine.
Get Eco-Friendly
Solar panels and compost heaps aside, turning your home into an eco-friendly retreat isn’t as difficult as it might seem. Thanks to modern technology, it’s a lot easier to “go green” today than it may have been even five years ago.
We’ve outlined 5 ways to be more environmentally friendly in your home, but here are a few more simple ways to reduce your carbon footprint this year:
Turn off the lights when you leave the room. This tip has been hanging around for years because it works. But for those homeowners and their absent minded loved ones who have a tendency to forget, you can install motion sensors that detect movement when a person enters a room, and when there is no activity after a certain set period of time.
Hang your clothes to dry. Though you should probably do this more often anyway (your clothes will last longer), regularly skipping the tumble dry will save you money and energy in the long run.
Seal up leaks and holes. A home that leaks is a home that is hard to heat and hard to cool. Start by ensuring that your doors and windows are properly sealed, and move on from there.
Clear The Clutter
They say it’s hard to see the forest for the trees, and you may be having a hard time appreciating your home for all the things and stuff you’ve accumulated over time.
This year, and every year, set aside some time spring clean – especially the oft forgotten attic and basements where stuff tends to hide – and throw out or give away anything you don’t need, want, or use.
Once the clutter is cleared and the space organized, really think twice about what you bring in to replace it. You should only fill your home with those things that make you happy, and you know will be used regularly.
Build A Better Home Improvement Budget
Owning a home means you will inevitably come across things that need fixing or things you want upgraded and updated. Want or need, rather than dig into your savings to pay for new renovations or improvements, figure out how long you can live without it and budget accordingly. You may have to wait a month or five to get that new kitchen but not worrying how you’re going to pay for it is worth it.
Creating a budget at the beginning of the year will also help prevent you from going overboard with spending, and encourage you to put money aside for any major emergencies or replacements you may come across in the future.
