These days most people consider home improvement projects a good investment. With the rising costs of homes across the country, the average homeowner is perfectly willing to put money into improving their house with the expectation that they will make their money back, or possibly turn a profit, when the house is sold. All too often, however, a simple remodeling project turns into an expensive overhaul that goes far beyond the initial budget. Here are some tips for making sure your remodel goes as originally planned:
- Clearly define what you want to do ? Many homeowners start a remodeling project by decided the part of the house they want to remodel, then calling a contractor over to iron out the details. Rest assured, the contractor will have as many grand (and expensive) ideas as you ask from him. It's important to figure out specifically what you want to do before calling a contractor. Not sure what you want to do to a room? Search the net for ideas ? there are countless sites dedicated to home remodeling ideas.
- Separate remodeling money from personal money ? The best way to avoid the lure of that granite countertop or cherry wood cabinets when you don't really have the money for them is to actually save up the money and keep it in a separate account or location. Make a rule that you may only pay for remodeling from this money.
- When making choices keep resale in mind ? Keeping a strict budget will almost certainly require you to make some decisions on what you can and can't afford. When deciding what to cut and what to keep, always lean toward the improvements that will increase the overall resale value of the house. For example, heated bathroom floors are a selling point for a home, while an elaborate vintage vanity is probably not. Try to imagine a short classified ad for your house ? is the new improvement something that you would mention? If not, it may be something you could consider not doing immediately.
The bottom line when you budget a home remodeling project is to strictly control the money being spent by controlling the project itself. By limiting the project to just those items that give you the biggest bang for the buck, the project will not only be an enjoyable upgrade, but also a profitable investment as well.
The internet is a valuable source that most families can't live without. From researching essay papers to curriculum, anything you need to search for is available online for free and right in the convenience of your own home. Online auctions are a great way to purchase used curriculum programs and books. A trip to your local library will probably fit most of your needs. Not only do you get to borrow books for free but it makes a fun family outing. Before heading off, make a list of the books and topics you need to borrow so you don't forget what's needed.
If you are a member of a home school group, suggest starting a swap meet or book sale of used curriculum and other teaching aids. This is a great way to buy good material for reasonable prices as well as selling some material you no longer use. Do you know someone that has a book or program you would like to use? If they're not using it, then ask them if they wouldn't mind you borrowing it. If you have a book or program that they could use, consider either trading or just borrowing from each other for a short time.
Look in your local paper for garage sales and yard sales that have books and craft supplies. Be creative while looking around, something you may not normally think about using could be perfect for a certain craft or science project.
Field trips can be a great change of pace when home school gets repetitive. Often museums are free or cost a minimal amount to tour. Some of your local businesses may be willing for a small group to tour their premises. This is a great way for children to see first hand how certain businesses are operated. Be sure to call them first to make arrangements.
Curriculum will be your most expensive part of home schooling and one of the most important. Before purchasing your curriculum consider the following: Does it fit your religious beliefs and your family's moral standards? Does it fit your teaching style as well as your children's learning style? Is the program designed to be used with multiple children or upcoming children? Will additional material need to be purchased for it to work with more then one child? Will it be become outdated in a year or two or will it last numerous years? Could you buy it used or substitute it with a similar but less expensive program? Is the program truly needed or could you get by without it? Check out curriculum review websites to see what works for other home school families. By finding out why or why not certain programs work for other families, it may help you decide if the program is right for your family. Home schooling can be budget friendly by taking the time to research programs and by buying only what programs your family actually needs.
Both Steven Carlson & Michael Russell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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