The fall marks a special time of year when you want nothing more than to retreat indoors — preferably with something warm and sweet while you ignore the world around you.
Except, as a homeowner, you can’t afford to start your wintertime hibernation early. Autumn is your last chance to prepare for winter’s harsh conditions and make sure your home is ready for anything.
Unfortunately, a tight budget might lead you to believe you can’t afford these essential seasonal chores on your own. Before you borrow money, check out the tips below. They might help you prep your budget for winter projects.
Get to Know Your Budget Better
How much flexibility does your tight budget have, exactly? You won’t know the answer to this question until you sit down and update your budget.
Put aside some time to look through the past three months of spending. Include everything — from important rent and line of credit payments to less essential spending on clothes and entertainment.
Tracking every expense — no matter how big or small — gives you a greater understanding of how much cash you’ll have on any given month.
This is how much you have on hand for your projects.
If it’s less than you were expecting, you might be tempted to get a personal line of credit to help.
A financial institution like CreditFresh recommends holding off. Something like a CreditFresh Line of Credit by CBW Bank is designed for unexpected emergency expenses, and your yearly winterization tasks are expected seasonal chores.
Cut out Bad Spending Habits
If your disappointed with how much cash you have, take another look at your budget. If you’re like many people, you have bad spending habits that waste your money.
Taking advantage of Black Friday deals, going for drinks every weekend, and paying only the minimum on your personal line of credit may not seem like much compared to an expensive holiday. But these small things add up!
Find out what expense or experiences you’re willing to live without and strike them from your budget. The money you save here can go towards winterization chores.
Find out What You Can Do Yourself
Although your list of chores may be long, the items on your list are usually straightforward. You’ll likely be able to take a DIY approach for most of them — even if you’re a first-time homeowner.
If you aren’t sure if you’re ready for the task, check out these websites. They’re fantastic resources for ambitious homeowners ready to take their next reno into their own hands.
Borrow Tools
One of the biggest hurdles to becoming a DIY master is your gear. Taking on even the most basic chores can be a challenge if you don’t have the tools you need.
But tools are expensive.
Keep your costs low by asking friends, family, and your neighbors to see if they’re willing to lend you the tool you need. Depending on where you live, you may also be able to rent tools you need from a local tool library just as you would a book from your local branch.
Don’t Put off Important Chores
The year starts to wind down in the fall, but it isn’t over yet. Don’t sleep on your chores before the winter hits. Taking on important winterization tasks will help you enjoy the coldest season from a warm and cozy home.
