So it’s a new year. Even if you don’t want to think about “change,” plenty of people around you have change on their mind, whether it’s “get a new job” or “finally lose the weight.” If you’re a homeowner, here are three New Year’s resolutions to be made (and hopefully carried out) this new year:
1- De-clutter the house. Yes, this will take some work. No, it doesn’t have to all be done in one day. Over the next year, every couple weeks, take some time out of your busy schedule to go through piles of papers, boxes of stuff, and closets of clothes and do some de-cluttering of your house. Throw out junk and donate good stuff to others who will use it more than you ever did. Decide on some dates to hold a garage sale when the weather’s nice.
2- Cut energy use and do some home improvements… This is the year when you can replace your older, less efficient appliances with newer, energy-efficient ones. It’s also a good time to consider making positive home improvements. Plan what you’d like to accomplish this year, such as replacing your windows with ones that save you money on your heating and cooling bills and/or replacing the roof so that you no longer have leaks, drafty areas, and–yikes– water damage. Your keyword for 2017 is “efficient.” Make your house better and more energy efficient.
3- Prepare for problems. Do you have a home emergency preparedness kit? You should get a bag together of supplies you might need if the power were to go off for an extended period of time. In this bag, keep stuff such as batteries, flashlights, toilet paper, duct tape, and a first-aid kit. Fill up some jugs with water and keep them stored in the cupboard “just in case.”
As we start a new year, it’s a good time to make a mental checklist of what you’d like to accomplish in and around your home for 2017. Best of luck accomplishing your goals!
