Posts tagged saving money

Economic Interior Design

Jun11
2010 Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

decorating

When it comes to the costs of improving your home, most would assume that interior design is not an area worth considering right now. Interior designers are expensive to hire and they choose uppity items that are way out of your economic means, right? Not necessarily. Most interior designers understand that people are pocket-pinching right now, and they know the best techniques and places to shop to help you find the most affordable items. Hiring an interior designer might even save you money in the long run.

If however you’re looking to update your home without professional help, here are some tips that were gathered right from the mouths of interior designers. The goal of decorating right now, according to one designer quoted in the 2010 issue of Home & Design Magazine, is to “go into what we call the soul of the home.” This means updating the items in the house that you find most important or sentimental, while also saving money and being more environmentally conscious.

Repurposing and reupholstering items that you already have is the most popular method of design right now. This allows you to keep pieces that hold meaning and memories, to reuse a worn piece rather than throw it out, and to update the look of your piece at a low cost.

Another popular designing tip right now is to decorate with neutral colors. Some interior designers consider this the number one tip for home designing, because neutral colors never go out of style. Ten years from now, your neutral décor will still look fresh and chic. So when you go to paint, use no or low VOC pain in tans, chocolates, grays or eggplant shades, including dark purples, plums and mauves. If you are updating your countertops or floors, you should use neutral colors and renewable materials, such as bamboo or cork. When you reupholster your furniture, use neutral colors as well.

When do you embrace current trends? Since trends are always changing, a popular rule of thumb that interior designers recommend is that you paint and update permanent items in neutral colors, and then you accessorize with trendy colors. For example, turquoise is the current color for spring and summer of 2010, so home designers should accessorize with turquoise artwork, curtains, dishware, throw pillows and any item that you can easily switch out and replace with a new trendy color down the road. Also, metal art and animal prints are both popular accents right now, which also both coincide with neutral décor.

There is always a way to update your interior design and keep up with current trends while still saving money in the process!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , ,

Energy Efficient for Summer: Ceiling Fans

May07
2009 1 Comment Written by Carrie

ceilingfan

Whether you’ve been enjoying warm weather for months now in Florida or are still waiting for the beginnings of hot sunshine in Wisconsin, one thing’s for sure: we all love air-conditioning during summer, don’t we?

Yet the thing we often forget to consider is how much goes into producing electricity for everyone in America to use this comfort! A 2000 article in Sierra Magazine gave the following stats:

  • Each year, one-sixth of the United State’s electricity consumption is attributed to air conditioners.
  • 70% of the nation’s acid rain comes from the electricity generation by fossil fuels (11.6% due to air-conditioning).
  • 29% of the nation’s greenhouse gases come from the electricity generation by fossil fuels (4.8% due to air-conditioning).
  • Coal-fired power plants produce harmful gases such as:
    – Nitrogen Oxide (smog and acid rain)
    – Sulfur Dioxide (acid rain)
    – Mercury (contaminates waterways)
    – Carbon Dioxide (global-warming gas)

Installing ceiling fans will not only be more energy efficient, but by doing so, you will also save money on your utility bills! And you can still control your new cooling system with the push of a button or the pull of a chain.

Q: Why should I use a ceiling fan instead of air-conditioning?
A: There are a ton of reasons! Here are the top three:

  • Ceiling fans are quiet. You don’t hear anything when you turn it on or off, or even when it is running constantly.
  • Ceiling fans save energy. They only use 50-75 watts of power. That is the same as a light bulb and less than one-tenth of the power it takes to run a medium-sized air conditioner.
  • Ceiling fans save money. Running a fan costs almost $25 less per month than it does to run an air conditioner.

Q: How are ceiling fans beneficial in the summer?
A: Although a ceiling fan will not lower the temperature in your home, it will make a room feel cooler. When you open doors and windows, warm air is circulated from inside the room to the outside of your home. This action can make you feel up to eight degrees cooler! Inside tip: During the summer, run your ceiling fan in a counter-clockwise direction for maximum efficiency to lower electricity costs and to conserve energy.

Q: What kind of ceiling fan should I buy?
A: Energy Star ceiling fans are a good choice. According to the company website, Energy Star ceiling fans can save you up to $15 per year on your electrical bill, and they are fifty percent more efficient than conventional fans!

Q: What size ceiling fan should I buy?
A: It is a grave mistake to install a huge fan in a big room or a tiny fan in a large room. Not only will it look awkward, but you might not get enough airflow.

  • Large rooms (15-by-15+): Use a fan with a blade span of 50 – 56 inches.
  • Medium rooms (12-by-12): Use a fan with a blade span of 42 – 44 inches.
  • Small rooms (8-by-8): Use a fan with a blade span of 32 inches.

Q: Where should I install a ceiling fan?
A: You should install ceiling fans in the rooms that get the most use. Once you choose the rooms, you should hang your ceiling fan in the center of the room, 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. If the blades are too close to the ceiling, the air will not circulate.

Check out some more energy-saving and green-living tips here on the Buy Owner Blog!

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , ,

4 Ways to Save Money on Your New Home

Dec02
2008 2 Comments Written by Shanna

After you’ve saved up for, bought and moved into the home of your dreams, it’s time to celebrate. You did it! And while you enjoy your new place, setting it up the way you want, decorating, furnishing and entertaining, you will face one additional experience that comes with home ownership: Bills. In fact, you might be surprised to see how fast extra costs add up. What can you do?

Savvy homeowners know there are always ways to save; you just have to do a little research. Consider these simple steps you can take that will mean more money in your pocket!

1. Go green: Saving energy isn’t just good for the environment; it’s good for your pocketbook. Here are some specific ways to take that will cut down on wasted energy and lower the costs of maintaining your home:

• Set the hot water heater to between 110 and 120 degrees F.
• Install ceiling fans throughout.
• Get a programmable thermostat.
• Choose lower-wattage bulbs for lamps.
• Have a professional seal/insulate leaky ducts.
• Fix leaky faucets or running toilets. (A constantly running toilet uses over 8,000 gallons of water annually!)

2. Revaluate your appliances: Along the lines of going green, take a look at your current appliances and compare them with more efficient models. While buying energy-efficient appliances might not seem the fastest way to save money, it could add up to considerably lowered energy costs over time.

3. Get discounted home insurance: Many companies offer lower rates to customers who own dual policies, so buy insurance for your car and your home at the same place, and you’ll likely see savings. Other cost-cutting ideas include installing a security system and smoke detectors and shop around amongst insurance agencies.

4. Replace your windows: As with appliances, choosing the right type of windows can mean big savings over time. If your home doesn’t already have them, look into high-efficiency low-E (low-emissivity) glass, which reduces heat transfer.

Sometimes the smallest steps, put into practice consistently, mean the biggest savings. It pays to evaluate your options and find out how you can cut costs!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , ,

Saving Money to Buy a New Home

Nov18
2008 1 Comment Written by Shanna

Congratulations! If you’re considering buying a new home, now is a fantastic time to do it! Choosing to invest in the American Dream is an exciting decision, but, as you probably know, it’s also a big responsibility. In fact, for most people, purchasing a home will be the single largest investment they’ll ever make. That’s why it’s critically important to know a little bit about what you’re doing before you get started.

First things first: Where are you going to get the money to buy a new home? Saving up for a house down-payment can seem daunting, but with some savvy planning, it’s possible. In order to know the goal you’re working towards, though, you need to know what price range you’re looking at.

Take a look at this article for tips on shopping for a new home. Even when you’re not quite ready to move, narrowing down the location and type of home you’re wanting will allow you to compare prices better. Then you can come up with a price range for your target down-payment goal. Most experts agree you should be prepared to put down 20% of a home’s selling price when you purchase it. The more you can put down, the less you need to borrow (and pay interest on), so it makes sense to save up.

OK, so you know how much money you need. How can you save up?

Take a look at how much you already have saved compared to your goal amount. Then, it’s time to reevaluate your spending habits and see what you can do to accelerate savings.

Here are some ideas for savvy savings:

Cut back on unnecessary purchases: After you pay for the basics (rent, other bills, insurance, food, transportation, etc.), where does your money go? If you’re like most Americans, it goes towards little luxuries like eating out, magazine subscriptions, entertainment, new clothes, coffee, etc. Evaluate what things are needed and what things could be cut down. Remember, the decision to buy a home is a big one, and it may require sacrificing short-term pleasures in pursuit of long-term ones.

Look for additional sources of income: Beyond cutting your expenses, finding ways to increase your cash inflow is the best way to put away more money into savings. Brainstorm to see what additional income sources you can come up with!

Use all the information above to create a plan that works for you, and you should be able to estimate a timeline of savings, knowing approximately when you’ll be ready to purchase.

To stay motivated, keep your eye on the goal: browse the for-sale-by-owner listings at BuyOwner.com!

Posted in Buying Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , , , , , , ,

3 Water-Saving Home Improvements

Jan11
2008 1 Comment Written by Shanna

Water FaucetIn our society, running water is a given. Probably the only time we give it any thought is when something goes wrong or when we get the monthly water bill. It’s a necessity, so we have to pay for it. But do we have to pay so much?

In actuality, there are a number of easy things you can do to reduce your water bill.

1. Get Everything in Working Order

Leaks – Did you know a dripping faucet can waste up to 20 gallons of water per day? One or more leaks-in the sink, the shower, or the tub-can really add up over time. By regularly inspecting your faucets, you’ll decrease your chances of leakage.

If you do find a leak, try replacing the washers. Older, often-used washers begin to let water leak; replacing them renews their efficiency. Or for a leaky toilet, replace the flange in the tank (the little piece that lifts when you flush) and make sure it fits snugly.

Insulation – Did you know insulating your pipes will make water heat faster and mean you’ll waste less water, waiting for it to heat up.

2. Simplify Your Water Use

Make this your mantra: waste not; want not. Try not to ever put water down the drain that could be used for something else. For example, cooled vegetable water can feed house plants.

Overall, see if you can find ways to use water less frequently: only do full loads of clothes or dishes; turn off the sink when you’re brushing your teeth; don’t boil a whole pot of water for one cup of tea. Avoid disposing of tissues in the toilet, where you’ll need to flush; just use a trash can instead.

Do whatever you can to minimize the amount of water you expend.

3. Upgrade

Replacing fixtures doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a few cost-effective improvements that justify their cost incredibly quickly!

Showerhead: Looking for a way to lessen the amount of water used in your daily shower? Consider a low-flow showerhead! It reduces the amount of water used; some models even offer pause buttons to allow you to stop the flow while shampooing.

A water-saving toilet uses half the water that a normal one does in flushing. Older toilets use five gallons per flush; newer ones often reduce this to 1.6 gallons per flush. When you multiply that by uses per day, per week, per month, this can add up to big savings!

Posted in Green Living, Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged , ,

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