Day Two- The Frugal Homeowner

It's easy to be a Frugal Homeowner. There is just so much that you can do to live less expensively, so here we go!

Don't buy too much home-

The first thing that you'll want to do is to make sure that the home that you're buying, or if you own a home now, is within your means. Your housing payment, including taxes and insurance, shouldn't exceed 28-30% of your gross monthly income. If buying a home, the price shouldn't be more than 2-2.5 times your gross annual income.

Properly Insulate

Whether you're in a warm or cold climate, insulation is a money saver! In a warm climate, it keeps the air cool are when it's hot out, and in the cold climate, it keeps it warm when it's cold! Insulation can be expensive, but PAYS BIG in the long run! You can save hundreds every year in heating and cooling expense!

Check the Temperature

I'm pretty frugal when it comes to heating in the winter. Me and my bank account are pretty comfortable at 68 degrees fahrenheit. Yes, this is cool for many when to them 72 degrees fahrenheit is right on the edge of freezing! Wear a sweater (see yesterdays post in this series about getting a generic brand sweater!)

Turn of the lights, please

It's a colossal waste of money and energy when lighting an unoccupied room. Turn off the lights, please!

Speaking of lights..

Fluorescent bulbs are where its at! No, you won't find these at the dollar stores so shop around for the best price. While more expensive than regular incandescent light bulbs, they last much, much longer and use far less electricity.

Use renewable energy

You've seen the outdoor furnaces? Did you know that they can replace a oil fired heating system, and do so with a renewable energy source? These furnaces will heat your home with wood or corn. Both renewable, but far less expensive the petroleum products. And, burning corn is good for the farmers!

Whatever system you use, have it checked

Whether you're using oil, wood or corn to heat with, have your system checked at least annually. Doing so will keep it in good running order and help prevent expensive surprises! The same applies for those readers that don't heat, but instead cool; have your cooling system checked for the same reason.

Cable Television

Expensive and not necessary. Some argue that TV is a must, especially as a tool to stay on top of what is happening locally, nationally, and world-wide. If you're reading this, then you have access to the Internet and can keep on top of it pretty well by checking the news websites. Television is not good to those who want to live Frugal Defined. The cable bill is expensive, and the ongoing bombardment of advertising does nothing for anyone other than the advertisers. Unplug and disconnect from the cable or, at the very least, unsubscribe from the premium package that charges you for an impossible number of channels that you never seem to watch anyway!

What ways are you defining frugal in your home? Your comments are welcomed and appreciated!

Tomorrow, Frugal Banking.