Asking your friends and family to help you pay for an important repair by having them send you money using Remitly is always an option, but you don’t want to have to ask for other people’s help every time something goes wrong at home!

Instead, build up a little cash in your bank account with DIY home tips that will help you save money. That way, the next time something goes wrong at home, you’ve got the cash set aside to fix it!

Get Creative About How to Reduce Your Energy Bills

There are probably already things you’re doing to reduce your energy bills. A few popular ideas include using LED light bulbs and adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees, but there’s a lot more you can do if you are willing to get a bit more creative about it!

Other ways you can save energy include:

• Closing closet doors so you don’t pay to heat and cool those areas
• Strategically planting trees to provide your home with shade
• Signing up for the utility company’s time-of-use plan, if available

Think about the appliances you use that need a lot of energy to operate too. Hang your clothes to dry outside and use a toaster oven, instead of the actual oven, the next time you’re cooking dinner.

Go High-Tech

High-tech devices are designed to make our lives easier, but they also come with features that can help you save money. A popular example is the smart programmable thermostat that can learn the habits of your family and adjust the temperature in your home accordingly.

There are other great high-tech solutions that can help you save money too! Light dimmers can help you adjust light levels to save energy, and smart plugs can allow you to cut power to appliances and devices without the need to unplug them.

Many apps actually allow you to track your home’s energy usage. That way, you can see what’s normal for your home and adjust your behaviors when usage is higher than usual.

Avoid Going to the Store When It’s Time to Clean

When it’s time to clean, your first instinct is probably to head to the grocery store to pick up cleaning solutions and paper towels. However, you probably already have everything you need at home!

For example, did you know you can make your own cleaners out of common household items? A mix of vinegar and water makes a great all-purpose cleaner, while a mixture of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide is a great spot treatment for stains on clothing. Not only will these recipes help you save money, they’re healthier for your family too because they don’t contain harmful chemicals.

If you really want to save money, you have to stop buying paper towels and one-use disinfecting wipes. Instead, tear up old T-shirts or buy a pack of low-cost wash rags and reuse them every time you have to clean.

Rent Instead of Buy

Planning a DIY remodel and need to buy a tile saw? Or maybe you want to start your own garden, which means spending money on a tiller? Don’t!

Some things are worth purchasing because you use them all the time, but if you will only use a particular tool during a single home improvement project, or you only plan on using the tool once or twice a year, you can save a lot of money by renting it. You’ll save a lot of space too, because you won’t have to find a place to store it!

Think Maintenance Instead of Repair

Repairs are expensive. It’s a lot more cost-effective to focus on doing what you can to maintain your home instead of waiting for something to go wrong.

A few maintenance ideas include:

• Changing the HVAC filter every three to six months
• Cleaning the hoses in your washer and dryer
• Using a hair and debris catcher in the bathtub
• Cleaning the outdoor air conditioning unit every year
• Cleaning the coils under the refrigerator every year
• Removing debris and flushing gutters at least once a year
• Checking your roof for damage annually

Even if you pay a professional to help, you’ll still save. For example, it costs much less to hire an HVAC technician to come in for a tune-up than it does to replace an entire unit because it can’t be repaired.

Maintaining a home takes time, but that doesn’t mean it has to cost a lot of money! With these DIY tips, you can keep your home running and save money at the same time.

…………..