Home Improvement

How to organize your life with pegboard

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I recently decided to organize my garage using pegboard. Before I began, I looked at pegboard organization ideas and wow, was I surprised at how much can be done with some simple, inexpensive pegboard. No matter what room you want to get into shape, pegboard can help, and it’s cheap. We’ve found … [Read more...] about How to organize your life with pegboard

Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age

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Perhaps you’ve inherited your grandparents’ house. Or, maybe the best house you could find was a 1950s place that looked like your grandparents’ house. You may actually be lucky. A house built in the 1950s can be easily and fairly inexpensively remodeled into a home that looks like … [Read more...] about Projects to bring your 1950s house into the modern age

Free or low-cost home security strategies

You want to keep your home safe from thieves, but you don't want to spend a fortune doing so because, frankly, you don't have a fortune worth stealing. Technology has significantly brought down the cost of home security systems and home surveillance cameras, many of which you can install … [Read more...] about Free or low-cost home security strategies

Got clutter? Donate and save on taxes

Most people will agree that clutter is bad. It takes up valuable space in your home, is difficult to clean around, and makes it hard for you to keep organized and find things. Cleaning out your household and clothing clutter can earn you money if you choose to sell it, but that can take time and … [Read more...] about Got clutter? Donate and save on taxes

Get organized using containers you already own

Ever want to get organized but the thought of spending money on containers talked you right out of it? Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing book and her Netflix show is a hot topic, but the cost of containers might stop you from taking … [Read more...] about Get organized using containers you already own

17 tips to save water, reduce bill in summer

Much of the nation still is suffering from drought. (The areas that aren’t flooding, that is.) Water has become our most precious resource in some places, especially out West. But unless you have your own well (which is not, by the way, always a guaranteed source of water), it might be smart to … [Read more...] about 17 tips to save water, reduce bill in summer

Downsize your clutter and build wealth

Are you ready to downsize and save money? I contacted downsizing expert, Monica Friel, owner of Chaos to Order, to help use tackle the clutter situation. How much do you have to get rid of Ms. Friel's recommendation is to start by understanding how much you have to get rid of. If you are … [Read more...] about Downsize your clutter and build wealth

Why your home renovation won’t be like the TV shows

We've all seen the home renovation shows where the nice young couple buys a decrepit home with a kitchen so ugly even 1960 wouldn't take it back. In 30 or 60 minutes, that ugly house becomes a veritable dream home, with every detail perfect, down to the color-coordinated stand mixer and coffee maker … [Read more...] about Why your home renovation won’t be like the TV shows

14 home improvements that save on your heating bill

Winter is definitely here, and for many that means high utility bills to heat their homes. While you can’t do anything about the chilly weather, you can take steps to make your home more energy efficient and pay less for heating. To start, the U.S. Department of Energy has a do-it-yourself … [Read more...] about 14 home improvements that save on your heating bill

Plan for needed home repairs

A major home repair can tax any budget. But you don’t have to be surprised when something in your home goes kaput. It’s possible to know, more or less, how long most home components are likely to last and plan for their replacement. Plus, knowing the life span of appliances and home fixtures can … [Read more...] about Plan for needed home repairs

How to pay for major home improvements

Do you want to improve your home? We all do. Your list may include renovating the kitchen, addding a deck, changing outdated light fixtures, building an addition, update the heating and cooling systems or other projects. All those things sound great but they cost home. Home improvements can be … [Read more...] about How to pay for major home improvements

Save water and money by fixing leaks around the house

Earth may be known as the "water planet" but even though about 70 percent of its surface is covered by water, less than one percent is available for human use according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Water supplies are finite, and we can all help protect this critical and precious … [Read more...] about Save water and money by fixing leaks around the house

How to renovate your home to age in place

On his 59th birthday, Robert Criner's house burned down. While planning the rebuild, he thought about what elements would make life easier for him and his wife as they get older. Like many baby boomers who remodel, he wants an attractive house that doesn't scream "old people live here," while … [Read more...] about How to renovate your home to age in place

How I got rid of ants and saved $790

Several years ago, a tree on our property became infested with ants. When the insects found their way into the house, we called an exterminator who offered to eradicate the ants for $800. Then we called our Cooperative Extension agent, who recommended a sugar and baking soda solution that cost less … [Read more...] about How I got rid of ants and saved $790

How to choose a water heater: conventional or tankless?

When Grayson Bell moved into a new home in Raleigh, North Carolina, he planned to replace his 27-year-old water heater. The founder of personal finance blog DebtRoundup.com, Bell thought he could save money by installing a tankless water heater. But after consulting more than a dozen plumbers, he … [Read more...] about How to choose a water heater: conventional or tankless?