The New Homeowner's Guide to Success
"Ninety-nine percent of all failures come from people who have a habit of making excuses."
— George Washington Carver
This quote reigns so true! In my own life, I am learning that circumstances do not determine joy, it's determined by how you look at life and that excuses are like an infectious disease, sapping success and joy. So, let's toss out the excuses, look clearly at ourselves and become people of action.
Here is a quick list of helpful tips for new homeowners. Whether you are a first time buyer or a seasoned homeowner moving into your newest real estate conquest, these tidbits of wisdom are sure to make you a raving success in your new abode.
Show Your Garbage Disposal Some Lovin'
It's best to avoid jamming a large amount of food scraps like potato peels down the disposal as a general rule of thumb, but even if you are careful, it is inevitable that from time to time the disposal will give off an unpleasant odor. Get rid of the smell easily one of two ways:
1. Cut up a lemon and throw the chunks down the disposal. Lemon is naturally antibacterial and will give your drain a nice, clean scent.
2. Freeze vinegar in an icecube tray. When frozen, pour a couple cubes into the disposal. The blades with cut up the frozen vinegar, which will clean them as well as well as the drain.
Change Those Filters
Dust and dirt can be left from previous owners or construction workers, clogging your furnace and HVAC filters. This can cause your heating and cooling systems to run less efficiently, which in turn makes for higher energy costs for you, not to mention polluted air. To check and change filters, turn off your systems and inspect them for dark grime and dirt. If they need replacing, you can make a quick run to a local hardware store or Target. You can easily remove the old filter and slide in the new.
Let There be Light
It is a really good idea to change out standard light bulbs with LEDs or CFLs. These bulbs can save you a ton in energy costs down the road, and they have significantly longer lives than incandescent bulbs.
Get Creative with Decor
You just moved into your new home, and there is a lot of new space to fill. Perhaps some of the furniture pieces you had previously don't fit the new archetecture, or maybe you just made a size upgrade and have a lot of empty space to fill. Either way, furniture and home decor can be one of the biggest expenses for new homeowners. Advice: do not rack up new credit card bills on furniture. Make do with what you can in the beginning and slowly add quality pieces as the budget allows. You can also get creative by refurbishing garage sale or estate sale deals.
Landscaping 101
Adding curb appeal to your new home through tasteful landscaping will not-only add aesthetic pleasure but also increase re-salability and value of your home. The downside: $$$. Landscaping can really add up, so either budget for these lawn improvements or find a home that already has mature, nice landscaping.
Tips courtesy of houzz.com, thesimpledollar.com, hrblock.com and hgtv.com