Now that you’ve been self quarantined at home for like 753 days are you seeing things you’d like to change? Maybe remodel your bathroom?? Hummmm? One of the best things you can do for yourself is to start saving money specifically to pay for the remodel. I’m always going to encourage my friends to use cash versus borrowing. To that end, I’ve put together a list of fresh money-saving ideas.
I was introduced to saving money back in 1978 at the age of 9 years old. My Daddy went on strike and my mother was a stay at home mom. I have the clearest memory of the three of us sitting down to the kitchen table (I’m not really sure why I was involved as a 9-year-old – I think I was just super nosey) and Mom and Dad first made a list of all the things they spend money on – and then marked off the things they could live without. And then they made a second list of ideas to bring money in. Which started with Mom getting a job outside of the home and Dad doing odd jobs to bring in cash. Honestly, this was one of the very best lessons of my entire life. They showed up so big for me and for themselves that day. I’ve been mindful of saving money ever since!
In this spirit of showing up for yourself and your family, if there is a project you want to accomplish in your home why not sit down at your kitchen table with a blank piece of paper and a pen. Invite your children to take part. What ways can you brainstorm to save money?
Here is my list, I hope you find it helpful and inspirational!
- Sell stuff! We all have too much stuff in our homes, right? Sell it and put the money you make in a special savings account for your remodel. I sell things on Facebook marketplace all the time! Bonus: Your home will be much easier to clean and keep looking nice if you sell the clutter!!
- Ask for gift cards to Home Depot or Lowe’s for your birthday, Christmas, and anniversaries. Bonus: You won’t get something you don’t need or worse, don’t like!
- Stop eating out. I do love a good chicken chimichanga, but for us to take our family of 5 to our favorite Mexican restaurant, it costs around $80, including the servers tip. We can go to the grocery and buy the ingredients for a meal for $20. Take the $60 difference and add it to your remodel fund. Bonus: The food is much healthier! Super bonus: Make meal prep and clean up a family affair.
- Take your lunch to work and school. Eating lunch out every day could easily cost you anywhere from $10 to $20 per day by the end of the week, you can have one hundred dollars saved up! If there are 2 of you eating out each day, you could turn that savings into $200 per week! Cha-ching! Bonus: Eating Healthy!! Super bonus: Maybe shed a few pounds?!
- Look really hard at your entertainment package on your television. Some of us are paying more than $150 per month for entertainment. You don’t have to cancel the service entirely, although a case could be made for that. Downgrade your package to a more manageable amount and put the difference into your special remodel fund. Bonus: Instead of sitting and watching TV every night, plan your remodel, plan things you can sell, go for a walk, play board games with your family. In short, there are a lot of things you can do that are free. Bonus: more exercise, more family time, more LIFE.
- Put a moratorium on buying all drinks with calories: soft drinks, energy drinks, alcohol. Drink water instead (out of the tap if you are lucky enough to live in a place that has good water). Tuck your weekly savings away. Bonus: lose weight and be healthier!
- Downgrade your car. Is it possible that you could sell your car and buy a cheaper one? It may be worth it if you plan to sell your home, and you want to get a premium. Bonus: Save money on property taxes and insurance.
- Look for free/cheap alternatives to your annual or semi-annual family vacay. Bonus: Learn more about your local history and culture.
- Stop shopping. No kidding. Have a goal to remodel in 6 months? Then don’t buy anything (other than food, guys. You have to eat!) for 6 months. No clothes, no shoes, no household goodies. Bored on Saturday afternoon? Instead of hitting the mall, hit a hiking trail, or volunteer for a food kitchen. Bonus: Feeling good and feeling good about yourself.
- Do you have a particular skill you could sell? For example, are you a good writer and you enjoy it? There are websites, such as Upwork, where you can contract with people who need your skills and are willing to pay you for a few hours of your time. Don’t have a special skill? Maybe get one! If you are good at drawing and enjoy it, try looking into some graphic design programs, learn to use them, and put yourself out there! Bonus: Do something that brings you enjoyment and cash.
Wrap Up
I’m committed to educating homeowners on the process of remodeling their home and I believe saving money is the most responsible way to achieve your remodeling goals.
If you found value in the information I’ve given here and you’d like more, you should sign up for my email; it’s one sure way you can ask me remodel questions directly! Yes, directly. People subscribed to my email list can hit reply to their weekly email from me and ask me any remodel question they want!
Be sure to follow us on Facebook @Sanctuary Homes, Instagram at @sanctuaryhomes, and Pinterest at Sanctuary Homes. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME!! Chow for now!