Each summer, my husband and I find ourselves paging wistfully through home improvement magazines and wandering through the aisles of the local hardware superstore. Since we are old house enthusiasts, we certainly always have projects that we could (and should) be working on in our 1940 Cape Cod. But for right now, we need to focus on the less glamorous aspect of home improvement—the projects that will help our bottom line. Here are some of the home improvement projects that ultimately save homeowners money:
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It’s not easy for me to save money when I’m bored. As many times as my mother told me to find something to clean when I don’t have anything else to do, I’m sorry to say that I never really fell into that habit and tend to want to go out and have fun when I have some down-time.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to go out and have a good time. In fact, a bit of recreation can help you be more disciplined in other areas as you won’t feel deprived. The key is to plan ahead and find ways to have fun without busting your entertainment budget.
Here are a six of my favorite free and low-cost ways to enjoy my free time.
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You’re starting out and you need new cookware. Pots and pans can cost a pretty penny, unless you know what you are looking for. Let’s look at the basics and the best choices.
What You NEED
The average kitchen really doesn’t need much when it comes down to brass tacks. Six pots or pans will cover all your needs, if you purchase good quality equipment. This is one time where spending more will cost you less in the long run, as a good pan can last a lifetime.
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As retirement approaches for Boomers across the country (including my own parents), these future men and women of leisure face a big question: Where should they live out their golden years?
For some, this question is a no-brainer. Staying in the same house that has long-since been paid off, is in close proximity to children and grandchildren, and holds a lifetime of memories simply makes sense. For others, however, this question is much thornier. What if your house is not paid off? What if it’s too big for the two of you? What if your children have moved to a different part of the country? What then?
There are certainly pros and cons to each course of action, depending on your situation. Here is a breakdown of what might make the most fiscal sense for you:
Why you might want to stay:
I have five kids, but at times, I certainly don’t have five times the budget for them. This doesn’t mean that I’m negligent, but I’ve quickly learned throughout the years that spending money on kids has a risky return. Take toys, for instance. The hot toys this year will certainly not be the hot thing next year. If paying $70 for a robotic dinosaur this Christmas seems like a good idea, consider what your kids spend most of their time doing. If you can truly envision them spending hours upon hours with a toy that does all the work for them, you (with a few exceptions) are in denial, have a freaky kid, or don’t know much about your kid at all.
Studies and practical life experience have taught me that “open-ended” toys are truly where it’s at. While I have four little boys who consider themselves to be best friends, even when they play alone, it’s important to pick a good toy. Surprisingly, their favorite toys are super-affordable and don’t usually come from the toy shelf at our big box store. Here are their top picks (in no particular order):
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I’ve seen it hundreds of times in business: someone has started a new venture and thrown every dime he can scrape up into it. But it’s not successful. So the entrepreneur goes looking for more money, more cash that he can use to make the business work.
In some cases, that approach can work out. Occasionally, a business needs just a little more money to get from the point where it’s just an idea to the point where it’s actually bringing in cash. More often than not, though, it’s just throwing good money after bad. The number of ideas that will kick over and start working just by adding more investments isn’t all that high.
It’s not a situation limited to businesses, either. Putting more money into a car that’s already on its last legs, getting more plumbing books to help repair a problem created by trying to repair an entirely different problem, and all sorts of situations can turn into money sinks.
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