Last updated April 16th, 2024 at 03:57 pm
This post is sponsored by First Service Credit Union.
You did it – you planned and saved and you were finally able to sign on the dotted line! Your dream of owning a house came true – and now it’s time to make that house a home. But BOY mortgages are expensive and now there’s not as much money to go around. How do you invest in home improvement without costing an arm and a leg? Some simple updates include painting, replacing or updating doors, adding new backsplash, making DIY artwork, or swapping out your lighting.
Here are a few suggestions on how to save for those home improvement projects:
Make a PLAN
It’s important to plan and prioritize – just like with any project. When we bought our house the place had been completely gutted and was brand new inside. That being said, we still made a long list of things we wanted to change or things that needed updated, etc. Even if you buy a newer home, chances are you aren’t going to love *every* corner of that house so make of list of everything you want to change.
Make a BUDGET
Once you have your wishlist and your priorities, you can begin to budget. No matter how big or small your projects are, it’s important to know how much you plan to spend on each one. Of course, few things ever go according to plan so keeping that in mind and adding some extra cash for wiggle room or mistakes will save you a lot of headache later!
Decide to BUY or DIY
You know I’d be the first person to recommend a DIY, but depending on your current situation – it may make more sense to hire out or to purchase. I encourage you to always get a free estimate for the work and to weigh the pros and cons of doing it yourself. More often than not, it’s going to be cheaper to DIY but if there’s something outside your skill zone or you don’t feel you can do it safely – always hire out!
Use a free checking account with debit REWARDS
Another great way to save and also MAKE MONEY is by using a free checking account with debit rewards! I opened a free checking account at First Service Credit Union – you can become a member and open your account easily online. They’ll even double your points in the first six months if you setup a monthly direct deposit of $500 or more and use the promo code DOUBLEMYPOINTS when you open your account. I love that I can earn points without having to charge to a credit card! You’ll earn points every time you use your debit card on all those trips to the hardware store (or anywhere you use your card!). You can then redeem your points and reinvest in your home improvement projects! It’s a win win!
Don’t forget to PIN for later!
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