For a year now, you’ve heard me talk about saving money in a variety of ways from where to get a cheap will to where to print coupons online to how to make your own gifts. Now, let’s talk about the times you might need to spend a little more in the short-term to save in the long run.
Six examples come to mind immediately:
1) Car Maintenance: Know your warning lights. Listen to your car. You don’t have to be a car whisperer to know when something starts squealing, grinding or knocking in a way it didn’t before. If you get it checked out, you are more likely to have the car much longer. Also, keep up with annual maintenance checks. Small tune-ups catch budding problems that can become something much worse. Know your optimal tire pressure and when tires need to be replaced.
2) Caulk: Check the seams around your entire house. A little caulk around your doors and windows will keep the moisture from seeping in and rotting your frames. Caulking at the edge of your bathtub and kitchen sink will prevent water from running under floors and surfaces. You may prevent major leakage through a second floor ceiling, not to mention mold build-up.
3) Basement flooding prevention: If your basement collects unwanted water, look at the ground around your house. Does it slope away from the house or lead water right back in? You may want to consider having the grading changed. Also, does your drain pipe extend far enough out from the house? And, have you considered a French drain that drains away from the house? Do you have a sump pump installed and is it working properly? Some steps aren’t as simple as others but having a warm dry basement creates valuable living and storage space and will certainly help when you go to resale.
For the next three examples and the rest of this article, head over to DIYFrugal where Sarah is gathering lots of money saving resources just for YOU! (What do you think of the new look? It is still a work in progress but we are cleaning up over there!)
Philaburban Mom 