The following is a guest post:
Everyone should be allowed to make practical improvements to their home without being worried about blowing their monthly budget. To do this, it may take some leg work to ensure you’re purchasing quality items but at a discounted price. it’s important, as you do not want to forgo quality for price. No one wants to constantly spend money to replace bad items, so shop for practical items that will last a long time. While frugal does mean being conservative with your money, it doesn’t mean you can’t make worthwhile investments in quality items for your home. Here are some practical items you need in your home that can also be inexpensive if you apply the right tactics.
Alarm System
Whether you’re renting an apartment or you own your house, a professional alarm system is a good addition because feeling safe in your home should be highly prioritized. Home security is a practical buy not only because it helps keep you safe, but because it helps prevent break-ins. Think about it, if you were to lose some of your belongings during a robbery, you would have to replace what you’ve lost, costing you a lot of money. Renters insurance will cover some things you lose, but it may not cover everything, so having some extra security in place to help deter break-ins is a good asset. Home alarm systems can range in price and can get really expensive, so look around and wait for times during the year when there tend to be sales. Some insurers even provide discounts if you have one, which could result in long-term savings.
Quality Mattress
We spend one-third of our lives in bed, so a good mattress is crucial. Moodiness, back pain, and high blood pressure can all result from a lack of quality sleep. The thing most people fail to realize is that you do not have to go out and purchase the most expensive bed you can find in a bid to get a better night’s rest. You can buy one of the most expensive, designer mattresses out there, but if it doesn’t fit your body’s needs then you’ll end up throwing it out later. An inexpensive mattress can be just as good as an expensive one because a higher price doesn’t always mean better quality. However, keep in mind that you want your mattress to last and support you for years, so don’t buy the cheapest one you can find because you may come to regret it. Avoid buying the first mattress you come across. Browse around discount furniture stores and test the beds you like so you can make sure you’re picking the best bed for the best price.
Washer and Dryer
A washer and dryer are good investments if you do a lot of laundry. Not to mention, considering the alternative, the amount of money that you would spend at a laundromat would eventually turn out to be more than the cost of your washer and dryer since these machines tend to last years. By doing things like regularly cleaning your lint trap and not overloading your washing machine, they could last you over ten years. As with most things, the more you use appliances the quicker they are to get run down, so make sure you purchase a good quality washer and dryer since you will use these machines frequently. Consider signing up for a free cashback site because they often have coupons or give you cashback when purchasing big appliances and other household items.
Good Windows
Whether you’re using your air conditioner during the summer or heat during the winter, we’ve all gotten a utility bill that was higher than we wanted it to be. Although a lot of things can influence your bill, one of the main factors contributing to this in a household, are the windows. As the temperature drops, faulty windows allow heat to slowly escape your home making your heating system work overtime and your heat bill increase. The same goes for the summer. The cold air for the AC seeps through your windows making your home never truly feel cool. To prevent this, invest in a few energy-efficient windows made with specific glass to push heat out in the summer and keep it in during winter. Replacing some old windows in your home can get pricey, so to offset the cost of replacing your windows, only buy a few a time. Replacing even a few unsecured windows can make all the difference in your utility bill. In the long run, updated windows will save you money and instead of cringing at the sight of your heat bill, you can relax knowing that you’re covered.
While all of these items on the list can be considered “pricey,” utilizing coupons, sales, and discounts can help offset some of the cost and pacify your frugal heart.