Home Improvement – Money Crashers

12 Best Places to Donate Used Furniture to Charity

Sarah Graves — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 13:16:00 +0000

Whether you’re moving, downsizing, or in need of a home refresh, it may be time to say goodbye to your old furniture. And that means figuring out what to do with it. Fortunately, there are plenty of charities and nonprofit organizations that will happily take it off your hands if it’s in good condition. You

The post 12 Best Places to Donate Used Furniture to Charity appeared first on Money Crashers.

Renting vs. Buying a House – How to Make a Decision, Pros & Cons

Brian Martucci — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:20:00 +0000

Given the hefty upfront costs associated with purchasing a home, most young people begin their independent lives renting an apartment. As they build careers, save money, and start families, many choose to buy a home. On the other end of the age spectrum, homeowners nearing retirement may choose to sell their family homes, downsize, and become renters once

The post Renting vs. Buying a House – How to Make a Decision, Pros & Cons appeared first on Money Crashers.

16 Home Improvement Projects That Help Reduce Homeownership Costs

Brian Martucci — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +0000

The age-old debate over the relative merits of renting or buying a home rages on. It’s doubtful that a definitive settlement is on the horizon. There are simply too many variables at play and too many unique factors affecting individual homeowners’ situations. But one thing is for sure: renting and homeownership both come with their fair share

The post 16 Home Improvement Projects That Help Reduce Homeownership Costs appeared first on Money Crashers.

Buying an Old House? – Common Problems, Hidden Costs & Benefits

Brian Martucci — Sat, 27 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Older homes tend to feature a charm and character you just can’t find in new construction homes. But they also offer their share of problems. If you’re considering buying an older home, read on to learn the problems you might encounter, how to solve them, and why it might be worth doing so.

The post Buying an Old House? – Common Problems, Hidden Costs & Benefits appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Have a Successful Garage Sale – Ultimate Guide

Brian Martucci — Sat, 29 Apr 2023 20:30:00 +0000

Planning and pulling off a profitable garage sale doesn't require a marketing degree or MBA. You'll earn more and stress less when you follow this straightforward four-step process for garage sale success.

The post How to Have a Successful Garage Sale – Ultimate Guide appeared first on Money Crashers.

What Is the Tiny House Movement – Plans, Resources, Pros & Cons

Amy Livingston — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 20:47:00 +0000

As a rule, Americans like their houses big. The United States Census Bureau reports that in the year 2014, the average size of a new house in the U.S. was more than 2,400 square feet. American houses have more than twice as much space as British, Italian, or Japanese houses, and three times as much as those in Russia or China,

The post What Is the Tiny House Movement – Plans, Resources, Pros & Cons appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Buy a Fixer-Upper House – 6 Step Guide

Amy Livingston — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:00:00 +0000

It can be hard to find a house in your price range. One way around this problem is to buy a fixer-upper home. However, a fixer-upper isn’t guaranteed to be a money-saver. You need to choose the right house and get a realistic estimate of how much it will cost you in total.

The post How to Buy a Fixer-Upper House – 6 Step Guide appeared first on Money Crashers.

Buying a Foreclosed Home – Where to Purchase, Pros and Cons

G. Brian Davis — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 17:00:03 +0000

Buyers can still sometimes score a deal with foreclosures, but foreclosed properties come with their own unique risks and drawbacks as well. Learn about how buying foreclosed homes works, the considerations you should make as a buyer, and the pros and cons of buying foreclosures.

The post Buying a Foreclosed Home – Where to Purchase, Pros and Cons appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Save Money With Your High-Speed Internet Service Provider

Amy Livingston — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:00:12 +0000

You can’t do much to fix America’s Internet system, but you can at least reduce the price you pay to connect to it. Plenty of strategies can get your Internet bill down to a reasonable rate. Stop overpaying for Internet access and try one or more of these tactics.

The post How to Save Money With Your High-Speed Internet Service Provider appeared first on Money Crashers.

Ways to Save Money by Conserving Water (Indoors & Outdoors)

Amy Livingston — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:00:09 +0000

By trimming your household water use, you can cut your water bill to keep more money in your pocket and possibly help fend off the next drought in your area. And in many cases, it takes only a few simple changes to save the planet and your dollars at the same time.

The post Ways to Save Money by Conserving Water (Indoors & Outdoors) appeared first on Money Crashers.

8 Ways to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel or Renovation

Amy Livingston — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:17 +0000

Remodeling a bathroom is one of the costliest home improvement projects, sometimes costing tens of thousands of dollars. But some homeowners have redone their bathrooms for as little as $1,000. And these tips can help you save just as much money on your bathroom renovations.

The post 8 Ways to Save Money on a Bathroom Remodel or Renovation appeared first on Money Crashers.

Do It Yourself (DIY) or Hire a Contractor for Home Improvement Projects?

Amy Livingston — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 12:00:08 +0000

When you buy a fixer-upper, you can expect to spend many thousands of dollars on home improvement projects. And for most of these jobs, labor accounts for a big chunk of the cost. Thus, supplying your own labor for a home repair or remodel can save you a big chunk of change. But should you?

The post Do It Yourself (DIY) or Hire a Contractor for Home Improvement Projects? appeared first on Money Crashers.

DIY vs. Professional Home Security Systems – An Honest Comparison

Brian Martucci — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 21:00:42 +0000

According to a study by the FBI, about 1.4 million break-ins occurred in the U.S. in 2017. Despite this, fewer than 20% of U.S. homes had any sort of home security system installed in 2015, according to data from the National Council for Home Safety and Security — although the proportion of protected homes is expected to

The post DIY vs. Professional Home Security Systems – An Honest Comparison appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Negotiate Lower Prices With Contractors to Save Money

G. Brian Davis — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 23:32:21 +0000

When it comes to hiring a contractor for home repairs or renovations, getting a reasonable price for quality work finished on schedule doesn’t have to be a nightmare. The tricks are preparation and negotiation. These tips for negotiating with contractors will ensure you never get overcharged again.

The post How to Negotiate Lower Prices With Contractors to Save Money appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Shop at Reuse Centers & Architectural Salvage Stores to Save on Home Improvement

Amy Livingston — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:00:56 +0000

One way to cut home improvement costs is to shop at reuse centers and architectural salvage stores, which sell salvage and surplus home construction materials at a fraction of their retail cost. The savings can be substantial. But it’s not right for everyone.

The post How to Shop at Reuse Centers & Architectural Salvage Stores to Save on Home Improvement appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Sell Your Stuff on Craigslist Successfully

G. Brian Davis — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 13:00:55 +0000

Selling used items on Craigslist isn’t as simple as snapping a blurry photo with your smartphone and throwing the listing online. There are rules for success that help you get the most out of your old stuff. Here are some Craigslist selling tips for how to sell your stuff successfully on Craigslist.

The post How to Sell Your Stuff on Craigslist Successfully appeared first on Money Crashers.

Green Energy Tax Credits for Home Improvement & Energy Efficiency

Brian Martucci — Mon, 29 Mar 2021 15:15:52 +0000

Minor efficiency upgrades are a fast, easy, and effective way to save money on utilities. But they don't permanently improve your home's ability to retain warm or cool air. Fortunately, these government tax credits and incentives can offset the cost of residential green energy projects.

The post Green Energy Tax Credits for Home Improvement & Energy Efficiency appeared first on Money Crashers.

5 Home Vegetable Garden Ideas & Types You Can Start on a Budget

Amy Livingston — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 20:30:40 +0000

A home produce garden can have many benefits for your health and wallet. It offers a chance to save money on groceries while enjoying homegrown flavor and freshness. But the cost, space, and time requirements of gardening turn off some people. Fortunately, each of these problems has a solution.

The post 5 Home Vegetable Garden Ideas & Types You Can Start on a Budget appeared first on Money Crashers.

How to Get a Home Energy-Efficiency Audit & Assessment – Cost & Options

Brian Martucci — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 15:50:54 +0000

Energy costs can really impact household budgets, but a home energy audit can lower your monthly bill. Doing a DIY audit is easy, or you can hire a professional to do it for you. Find out how to do your own home energy audit, how to save on a professional audit, and which you should choose.

The post How to Get a Home Energy-Efficiency Audit & Assessment – Cost & Options appeared first on Money Crashers.

Home Generator Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best for Your Needs

Amy Livingston — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 14:21:36 +0000

A power outage is a nuisance at best. At worst, a blackout can pose an actual danger to life and limb. A backup power generator is the ideal solution. It provides emergency power so you can keep all your vital systems online. To get the right generator for you, read this guide to buying generators.

The post Home Generator Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best for Your Needs appeared first on Money Crashers.