Let’s Go Solar.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\nDeduct your interest payments on your taxes. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n28. Deduct Your Mortgage Interest Payments on Your Taxes<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen it’s time to file your taxes, make sure you remember to include all of the interest that was paid towards your mortgage. This can be deducted from your overall income, and it may mean that you pay less towards your taxes at the end of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nIf you never go to the gym, it may be time to cancel your membership. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n27. Cancel Your Unused Monthly Memberships<\/span><\/h2>\nMonthly membership subscriptions can be tempting, especially if your favorite show is only available on Netflix or Hulu. But did you know that Netflix allows you to “pause” your subscription? They will hold on to all of your favorite shows for you while you’re on a break. And if you are done watching a show on a particular service, why not save some money by canceling it until the new season comes back again? Same goes with the gym, makeup sample boxes, and any other monthly memberships you are subscribed to.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYou can take ordinary furniture and upcycle it into funky styles. Credit: Pinterest<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n26. Repurpose Your Old Items Instead of Buying New<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you are getting tired of your old furniture, consider giving it an update instead of buying new pieces. Try sanding and painting your wood furniture, and replacing the knobs. For cheaper particle board furniture from IKEA or metal pieces, try spray paint and adhesive stickers. Pinterest is a great place to get inspired for furniture rehab.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nHomegoods sells almost everything for your house. Credit: Asbury Park Press<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n25. Buy Your Kitchen Goods at Discount Outlets<\/span><\/h2>\nDiscount stores like Marshall’s and Homegoods have great deals on high-quality kitchen items that will last much longer than cheap items from stores like Walmart. Outlet malls may have good deals on brands like Correll as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nCredit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n24. Fix Carpet Dents With Ice Cubes<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you want your carpets to last a long time, it’s good to get them cleaned every so often. But if you notice any annoying dents, all you really need is a few ice cubes. Let them melt into the carpet, and then use your fingers to fluff up the fibers. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYour HVAC system needs to be maintained every once in a while. Credit: Entrepreneur.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n23. Maintain Your HVAC System<\/span><\/h2>\nChange the filters, and consider paying for a maintenance package, so that professionals can check your HVAC system once a year or every two years. This will guarantee that your system will be tuned up as time goes on, which will prevent you from having to replace a larger part in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nBuying in bulk is only worth the money if you buy non-perishable items. Credit: Business Insider<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n22. Buy (The Right Things) In Bulk<\/span><\/h2>\nWhen some people get a membership to a big box store like BJ’s, Costco, or Sam’s Club, they go hog wild and buy everything they could possibly need in jumbo size. Before you go shopping, ask yourself if it is actually possible for you and your family to consume these food items before they expire. It’s best to stick with non-perishable items like toilet paper and laundry detergent.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nIf you landscape with perennials, they will grow back every year. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n21. Landscape With Perennials<\/span><\/h2>\nPerennial plants grow back every single year, which means that you only have to pay for them once, and they will come back every season. Just a few examples of great perennial flowers are daffodils, phlox, and hydrangeas. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYou can find free stuff on Craigslist. Credit: Young Adult Money<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n20. Check Out the “Free” Section on Craigslist<\/span><\/h2>\nUnder the “for sale” category, there is a “free” section full of stuff that people just want to get rid of. You can find literally anything you might need for your house in the “free” section, from furniture to landscaping materials. Keep in mind that in the spring and summer, you will find much more listed than the colder months. <\/span><\/p>\nIn most cases, people will leave their address and request that anyone can pick up the item off the front lawn. The only catch is that you will have to pick it up and bring it home by yourself. So this really only works for someone who had a pickup truck and friends to help them lift heavy things. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYou can cut down on space and spending too much on clothes by creating a capsule wardrobe. Credit: PhillyVoice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n19. Try Out Your Own Version of a “Capsule Wardrobe”<\/span><\/h2>\nA lot of people wish that they had a huge walk-in closet like Keeping Up With the Kardashians<\/em>. But in reality, most people open their closet door, and have a feeling that they “don’t have anything to wear”, even though they have dozens of different outfits to choose from. <\/span><\/p>\nIf this sounds like you, start out by going through your closet and donating any pieces that are damaged, no longer fit, or you simply do not look good in anymore. Once you have narrowed it down to only your favorite pieces, it becomes easier to find clothes without the urge to buy new ones. If it is difficult to access all of your clothes, consider buying a closet organizational system if you feel that it will help you save money in the long run. And if you really do need to buy more clothes for work, search Pinterest for “Capsule Wardrobe” for inspiration on how people use just a few pieces to mix and match into dozens of different outfits. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nAt Dollar Tree, you can find just about anything you need for only $1. Credit: DollarTree.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n18. Buy Household Items at Dollar Tree<\/span><\/h2>\nEverything at Dollar Tree only costs $1, and you would be shocked by just how much they have to offer. You can get cleaning supplies, kitchen items, picture frames, and so much more.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nCoupons can save you hundreds of dollars every year. Credit: Reuters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n17. Start Using Coupons<\/span><\/h2>\nA lot of people don’t seem to think that coupons are worth their time, but if you start to imagine that a $5 coupon is like a 5-dollar-bill, you will realize that it really is like getting free money. Using a coupon may only save you a few dollars, but if you learn how to combine them with sales, you can start getting some household essential items for less than $1, or even free. Start getting your Sunday newspaper, or visit Coupons.com to see if you can print a coupon before you go to a store. Check out websites like TheKrazyCouponLady, where they explain which coupons to use every week.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nGroupon can save you tons of money on all kinds of things. Credit: MoneyCrashers.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n16. Check Groupon In Your Local Area<\/span><\/h2>\nGroupon.com is best known for local restaurants and entertainment, but it also has a section for services that may help improve your home. You may be surprised that you will find coupons for things you already pay for, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nMost generic house cleaning products are just as good as name brands. Credit: CampaignAsia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n15. Stop Using Name Brands<\/span><\/h2>\nFor most household items, name brand products are just as good as popular brands. In many cases, they contain the exact same ingredients, as well. If you’re having trouble finding a store brand, remember to look down. The cheapest items are usually hidden on the bottom shelves in places like Walmart and most grocery stores.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nHaving your septic system cleaned every year can help keep it lasting for years. Credit: The Family Handyman<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n14. Maintain Your Septic System<\/span><\/h2>\nSeptic systems should be flushed at least once a year, but most people do not bother to do it that often. Make sure you are using septic-safe toilet paper, and schedule maintenance to be sure it continues to work properly. If you put it off for too long, and something goes wrong, the cost to repair or replace a septic system is thousands of dollars, so it’s best to not let it get out of hand.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYou can find great things at thrift stores. Credit: GoodwillAZ.org<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n13. Shop At Thrift Stores<\/span><\/h2>\nSome people get grossed out by the idea of shopping at a thrift store, but there are actually so many new and barely-used items that get donated all the time. For the best deals, drive to a more affluent area and check out their Goodwill. You are more likely to score a great deal on furniture, art, and other household supplies.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nYou can save hundreds of dollars by making your own art. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n12. Make Your Own Art<\/span><\/h2>\nHanging art in your home gives it a lot of character, and it’s a way to express your individuality. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most expensive accessories to buy. Maybe you have seen a painting, and you think, “I can do that!” Well…Maybe you can! Craft stores sell blank canvases and paint. If you’re a talented artist (or if you find a great tutorial on Pinterest) you can make your own replica of artwork you want for roughly $20. You can also print your own posters at Walmart, but they will not print anything that is copyright protected.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nDon’t buy things just because you are comparing yourself to your friends. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n11. Don’t Try to Keep Up With The Joneses<\/span><\/h2>\nAt some point as a homeowner, you may feel tempted to “Keep up with the Joneses”, or buy something just because your neighbor has it, or because you are trying to flex and look more successful than they are. Buying things out of jealousy usually leads to debt. So just try to focus on what you really need.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nCeiling fans can help regulate the temperature in a room. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n10. Install Ceiling Fans<\/span><\/h2>\nUsing ceiling fans help to circulate both hot and cold air, so it will reduce the cost of your energy bill at any time of year. In the summer, run your fan counterclockwise to have cool air blowing through the room. In the winter, reverse it so that it runs clockwise. Hot air rises, so the fan will help to push the warm air down into the rest of the room.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nSun block curtains can help keep your home cool. Credit: HighEndCurtains.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n9. Install Sun-Blocking Shades<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you have large windows that get very hot in the summer time, consider installing thick sun-blocking curtains. This will significantly cool down your home, and it will also help block the light if you need to sleep in the morning.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nRegulating shower temperature can help save money. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n8. Adjust Your Shower Temperature<\/span><\/h2>\nYour water heater should have a temperature gauge. Turn it down to about 120 degrees. In the summer time, if it is hot enough outside to have a cooler shower, you should make it a bit colder. If your shower is so hot that it steams up your mirror, then your air conditioner will have to work harder to cool down the bathroom once you open the door.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\nAir drying can save energy by skipping the dryer. Credit: Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n7. Hang Your Clothes to Dry<\/span><\/h2>\nUsing a clothes dryer takes up a huge amount of energy. Not everyone has the ability to hang their clothes out to dry, but if you can, you should try it. There are also clothes drying racks that you can use indoors.<\/span><\/p>\n