Earmarking your New Year’s resolutions for a better, more organized home might be a more realistic endeavor than say, becoming a millionaire. Even if you already have your annual tenacities in mind, you may want to add a few home-related goals to your list before getting too far into 2018.
Consider the following seven resolutions every new homeowner should prioritize over the coming months.
Declutter
Disorganization tends to cause apathy, wreaking havoc on your personal or career goals for 2018. Who has time to even think about working more efficiently with a mound of papers stacked up on the floors of their home office space? Decluttering gives you more space to do the things you love, forces you to make key decisions about what’s most important to you and saves money in the long run by encouraging minimalism. If you decide to sell some of the décor items that no longer suit your style or needs, you may even make money off your clean-up efforts. Apps like OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace may provide the financial motivation needed to get systematized for the year ahead.
Start an emergency fund
Many first-time home buyers focus solely on their set monthly payments and not the other costs associated with homeownership. You may have enough in your bank account to cover your mortgage, taxes, and insurance – but what if something in your home breaks? When the furnace decides to stop working, you won’t have a landlord to call and foot the bill. Creating an emergency house fund – ideally, 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses – to cover unanticipated repairs (in addition to your recurring mortgage costs) will not only provide peace of mind for the year ahead but keep your finances in check when life’s inevitable complications materialize.
Treat yourself
Have your eye on a Restoration Hardware sofa but considering purchasing the next best knock-off from Wayfair? The odds of being totally satisfied with the cheaper alternative are pretty low, especially for those homeowners who have an eye for design and longevity. Sometimes, big-ticket staple furnishings are worth the wait, even if you’re stuck with an eyesore hand-me-down for a few more months. Otherwise, you risk upgrading to a not-so-perfect piece that you’ll be itching to replace sooner rather than later, wasting more money when all is said and done. The good news is that many big retailers dedicate the month of January for launching new collections, resulting in deep discounts on the items released just last year.
Finish what you started
You’ve been meaning to paint the bathroom for months, but the holidays really put a dent in your DIY timeline. Don’t stress – now is the perfect time to pull out the paint brushes again. Tackle the projects you put on the back burner before you start planning for other renovations. Remember, some projects should be left to the professionals, particularly when it comes to electric and plumbing. You can still save substantially by handling the cosmetic details, like paint and décor, yourself.
Prioritize home safety & security
Cleaning out dryer lint and sealing windows aren’t the most glamorous aspects of homeownership, but non-cosmetic upgrades are usually imperative. Before investing in new quartz countertops, make sure that the other less obvious home mechanisms are in proper working order. Clothes dryers are one of the most common sources of house fires, so cleaning out the vent is a precaution that could save you (and your neighbors) from a life-threatening and financially draining mishap. Similar to cleaning dryer vents, sealing drafty windows by replacing worn weather stripping helps save energy and potentially shaves a few bucks off your gas or electric bill. Other home maintenance must-dos include preventing bathroom mold by squeegeeing shower walls and running fans to minimize moisture buildup, running your dishwasher with vinegar to rinse away hard-water lime buildup and upgrading your door locks to prevent home burglaries or break-ins. Finally, don’t forget to change your furnace filters every month. This helps your HVAC system run more efficiently and helps extend its life span considerably.
Is 2018 the year you fully attain happiness at home? Whether your goal is to make your space more aesthetically appealing or minimize your utility usage, set your priorities now and make a concerted effort to achieve those goals before the year is up.
