50 Simple Hacks Homeowners Can Use to Save Money

It’s great to be able to own your home, but remodeling and repairs don’t come cheap. The cost of living continues to rise, and home maintenance isn’t as affordable as it used to be. But, don’t worry, if you want to reduce the cost of home maintenance in the long run, you can use this list of 50 smart things all homeowners should do to save money.

1. Use Kool Aid to Clean Your Toilet

You’ve probably got a few packets of Kool Aid stuffed in a drawer somewhere, right? Next time you need to clean your toilet, use that instead of smelly, toxic toilet cleaners. Lemon and orange flavors work best as the citric acid is what’s needed to make your toilet bowl shine.

For best results, sprinkle Kool Aid into your toilet bowl before you go to bed and lightly scrub it with a brush. Let it sit all night, and the next morning all of the stains will have disappeared!

2. Remove Stains from Your Carpet with Vinegar

Vinegar might smell and taste nasty, but it can work miracles when used as a cleaner. It works on many surfaces, including removing stubborn stains like coffee and red wine from rugs and carpets.

After a spill, simply pour some vinegar into a spray bottle and use it on the surface of the stain. Let the vinegar soak in a for a few minutes and then blot away the liquid and the stain will disappear.

3. Get a $3,120 Per Year Mortgage Reduction

Homeowners are surprised to learn this free program can offer them up to $3,120 per year in mortgage savings!

Still unknown to many is a brilliant mortgage program called the Freddie Mac’s Enhanced Relief Refinance (FMERR) that could benefit Americans and reduce their payments by as much as $3,120 per year! You could bet the banks aren’t too thrilled about losing all that profit and might secretly hope homeowners don’t find out before time runs out.

This program could end at any given time in 2019,but the good news is that once you’re in, you’re in. If lowering your payments, paying off your mortgage faster, and even taking some cash out would help you, it’s vital you act now and see if you could qualify for this free enhanced relief refinance program.

4. Clean Your Home with Coca Cola

The acid inside each bottle of Coca Cola makes it an excellent household cleaner. There’s no need to pay extra for expensive cleaning products when you can get the same results from a bottle of Coca Cola! You can use it for a variety of household chores, here are the top 5:

1. Remove grease stains from clothing and fabric

2. Clean a toilet; pour around bowl, leave for a while, flush clean

3. Clean tile grout; pour onto kitchen floor, leave for a few minutes, wipe up.

4. Descale your kettle

5. Prevent your sink from clogging by pouring Coke into it

5. Homeowners Age 50+ Are Entitled to a Free Senior Discounts Club Membership

Senior Discounts Club membership gives you access to huge discounts, deals, coupons and more.

Join for free now to get the latest deals on healthcare, home appliances, electronics, groceries, restaurant discounts and much more. Unlike AARP, membership to Senior Discounts Club is completely free (no strings attached).

When you sign-up for a free account you will get member-exclusive offers, unlimited access to deals, daily e-mail newsletter sent to your inbox with the latest discounts and deals. You can also personalize your experience and be the first to know about the latest deals from your favorite stores and restaurants.

6. Use an Ice Cube to Fix Dents in Your Carpet

Moving the furniture in your home can really refresh a room, but those dents in your carpet made by heavy furniture, like your sofa, just aren’t attractive! Luckily, you can remedy these ugly dents using an ice cube.

Simply place an ice cube on top of the indented carpet and let it melt, then once the carpet is wet use your fingers to brush the fibers upright. This is a really easy way to fix this problem before any permanent damage is done.

7. Owe More Than $20,000 in Credit Card Debt? Use This Brilliant Debt Payoff Plan

Owe a lot of money in a credit card debt? This is what credit companies don’t want you to find out:

If you owe more than $20,000 in credit card debt, this proven debt relief program Freedom Debt Relief can reduce the amount of money you owe. You can resolve your debt with no requirement of loans and thus become debt free in just 24 – 48months. If you’ve been struggling to pay your credit card debt, then click here to find out how you can become debt-free!

8. Use Vinegar or Lemon to Clean Your Greasy Microwave

All you need to get a fresh-smelling, clean microwave is to put ½ cup of water and ½ cup of vinegar into a microwave-safe bowl and turn the device on until it steams. Then, let the steam break down stains and dried-on food and wipe it clean. Out of vinegar? You can use half a lemon placed inside a bowl of 1 ¼ cups of water instead.

9. Never Pay For Home Repairs Out-of-Pocket Again

Unexpected home repairs can be catastrophic to the finances of most homeowners who are on a fixed monthly budget. Your home insurance will not cover your refrigerator, stove or washing machine breaking down unexpectedly. Same goes for your heater in the winter or AC unit in the summer, if it breaks, you have to pay the heavy repair bill.

The good news is that there is now a new Home Warranty Program available for homeowners that can help protect you from unexpected home repair bills & save you thousands on repairs. Appliances, AC’s, heaters, roofing repairs, etc. – they are all covered under the program. If they cannot fix it, they will replace it, its simple + saving homeowners thousands.

10. Grow Your Own Herbs

It’s easy and cheap to grow your own herbs on a small windowsill or in pots in your yard. With prices are the grocery store climbing, it’s a better alternative to buy a pack of seeds than expensive jars of seasonings.

11. Clean Your Bathtub with a Drill

Cleaning years of grime off your bathtub is no easy task unless you own a cordless drill and a foam polishing ball attachment (these are easily found at most auto repair shops in the wash/wax section).  All you need to do is add some bathtub cleaner and let the rotating ball works its magic.

12. Air Conditioning on a Budget – Enjoy Cool Air Without Spending Thousands

In the hot summer months, the temperature in your home can be too much to bear. But as far as you know – there’s no such thing as affordable and effective air conditioning… All those old-fashioned units are expensive, take up a lot of space, use a ton of electricity, and you can NEVER get the right temperature.

Luckily, there’s this simple solution that protects you from both – high temperatures and sky-high electric bills. It’s called AirCool– a personal, portable air conditioner!

It creates the perfect local microclimate anywhere you go, whether you just want respite as you watch TV in your living room, or you’re trying to relax poolside but the heat is too intense. The best part – it provides you with effective air conditioning on a budget!

It’s super easy to use – just plug it into any room in your house via a plug or USB port, and it immediately cools the air surrounding it.

13. Turn Your Water Heater Down to 120 Degrees Fahrenheit

If your water heater is above 120 degrees Fahrenheit (55 degrees Celsius), turn it down because that’s hot enough to scald a child or yourself! Also, it’s a waste of energy and money.

14. Use a Clothing Rack or Clothes Line to Dry Your Clothes

It might be convenient, but your clothes dryer can make the cost of your utility bill soar! If you’re willing to wait for your clothes to dry, you can save money by hanging them on a clothing rack or outdoor clothing line.

Even if you only hang 20% of your load to dry, that’s still 20% less energy you will be using than before. But, an outdoor clothing line on a windy day works even better and you’ll save a ton of cash!

15. Plan Your Meals

Planning out a meal schedule for the week and creating a list of the ingredients you need is the best time and money saving technique you can use when grocery shopping. It’s also good for your health, as you won’t be tempted by takeout as often.

Choose a time, like Sunday afternoon, to plan your week of meals and go shopping for ingredients. You can even meal prep some lunches and dinners, so you won’t need to go to the store later on in the week. Buying ingredients in bulk is a great idea, too!

16. Install LED or CFL Lightbulbs

As well as being energy-saving, LED and CFL bulbs last a lot longer than regular incandescent light bulbs. It’s a good idea to install them in places where they will be used for long periods like kitchens and living rooms.

While CFL bulbs are cheaper, LED bulbs perform better and have become a lot cheaper in recent years making them well worth the investment.

17. New Home Windows Upgrade Service Saves Homeowners a Fortune

Homeowners should never pay full price for windows. In the past replacing windows could cost a fortune. Worse yet, failing to not replace old windows could be catastrophic – causing water leaks, mold and mildew, and increased heating and AC bills.

Savvy homeowners understand that replacing windows is a home improvement investment that not only increases appeal, but can also put money back in the homeowners pocket with lowered heat and AC bills.

Thanks to this brilliant windows comparison site, homeowners no longer have to pay an arm and a leg for new windows, but can instead get them at the best price! The website gets the top licensed and insured vendors in your area to compete for your business – allowing the consumer to secure the best available price without hassle.

Additionally, by adding new windows, you may secure discounts, local promotion and financing options – which could lead to paying $0 down. Every homeowners should check to see what they qualify for – especially those with windows that are more than 8 years old.

18. Cancel Unused Memberships & Subscriptions

How many subscriptions do you have that you don’t regularly use? From magazines to gym memberships, you could be wasting $100s every month. Go through your bank statement and see what you are paying for every month, then cancel the services you don’t use often. You might be surprised by how much you can save.

19. Clear All Room Vents of Dust & Obstructions

If any of the vents in your home are covered or blocked by anything, this causes your heating and cooling systems to work overtime. After uncovering your vents, check inside for dust bunnies and brush them out. Clear vents improve airflow, reducing the amount of energy usage which will make your bill shrink.

20. Save $1,000s on Car Repairs & Never Get Ripped Off By a Mechanic Again

If you’ve ever gone to your local auto repair shop for an oil change, but instead left with a huge bill for god knows what then this is the device for you. Often mechanics can take advantage of car owners, especially elderly and women, for their lack of knowledge by tricking them into changing parts and making ‘fixes’ that are not needed.

But, by using Fixd, you’ll never pay more for car maintenance than you need to again. If you see the mysterious “check engine” light come on, Fixd will be able to tell you exactly what’s wrong with your car.

If your car was built after 1996, then Fixd can instantly diagnose any problems it might have. This means that next time something goes wrong, the mechanic won’t be able to trick you. It’s super-easy to use that even the least tech-savvy people can do it.

21. Buy Rechargeable Batteries & a Charger

Plenty of devices in your home are powered by batteries, but how much do you actually spend on them? It’s probably more than you’d like to admit. Cut your costs by using rechargeable batteries instead.

22. Get Your Newspaper Delivered on Sunday

Sunday papers are always filled with store coupons. The amount you can save at groceries stores and other retailers will pay for the cost of the newspaper tenfold.

23. Heat Your Home Fast and Easy Without Spending Thousands

You spend a ton of money every year on heating your home – even rooms you don’t use on a regular basis. The problem is, your heating system is working overtime to ensure every part of your home is toasty warm.

So, stop shivering during the winter, worried about your electricity bill. Get one of these revolutionary devices to heat the parts of you home you actually use!

HeatSave is most likely the most effective portable heater you’ll ever see. It simply plugs into a power outlet and provides you with a steady stream of heat, without using up too much of your electricity.

Plus, the smart timer function turns the heater off once it heated up the room to the desired temperature and saves your money by running only when really necessary!

24. Switch to Cloth Napkins

If you regularly use paper napkins, you can save money by making the switch to cloth napkins. All-cotton napkins are available for cheap at a retailer like Amazon and the best part is you only need to pay for them once! Choose cotton instead of linen and you won’t need to iron them either.

25. Pay Your Bills Online

Never want to pay a late charge again? Get organized and pay your bills online. This will save you stamps and checks, as well as the stress of receiving emails and phone calls from various companies.

26. BreatheGreen – All-Natural Charcoal Activated Air Freshener That Eliminates Odors For Good

The magic of activated charcoal continues to amaze even scientists. Discover new ways to use its already-proven purifying power. Imagine never having to spray a bottle again. New Charcoal bags are a simple trick to remove foul smells around your apartment or house. BreatheGreen is now having a package deal: the more you get, the more you can save.

27. Organize & Use Your Pantry

If you know what’s already in your pantry when you head to the grocery store, you won’t need to buy as much food and you’ll end up saving money. It’s also a great idea to plan dishes around items that are expiring soon. This a good way to use leftover foods and reduce food waste.

28. Remove Odors & Dirt from Your Mattress with Vodka

Even though you might change your bedsheets often, your mattress can still get dirty from sweat, dust and dead skin. To keep it clean and smelling fresh, mix your favorite essential oil with some vodka in a spray bottle and use it on the mattress. Once dry, all that lingers will be the smell of the oil.

29. Keep Your Shower Curtain Fresher for Longer

If you use a plastic shower curtain, you know that it becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew over time. But, with this hack, you can keep your shower curtain fresher for longer. Keep your eye out for early signs of mold and dirt and when you spot a buildup, simply trim the bottom of the curtain to keep the grime at bay.

30. Join Store Loyalty Programs

Many retailers, supermarkets, and pharmacies offer loyalty cards to their customers. Point schemes and money-off discounts can really add up and save you plenty of money in the long run. Also, you can get up to 25% off just for being part of the program.

31. Fill Your Car with Cheaper Gas

Before you head to any gas station to fuel up, check out gas price websites like Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gas in town. However, if the cheapest gas station is on the other side of town it might not work out the best price for you, so plan accordingly.

32. Pest Patrol – Rid Your Home Of Bugs And Mice (Chemical-Free)

The Pest Patrol emits ultrasonic waves that are silent to humans and pets but make your home unbearable to insects and vermin. Plug this device into your wall socket and you’ll get rid of bugs and mice forever.

Really, it’s just that simple! It’s a chemical-free, easy-to-use, and cost-effective solution if you have mice or bug problems in your home. Check it out now.

33. Flush Less Water

If you don’t own a dual-flush toilet, you’re probably wasting a lot of water and raising the cost of your water bill. Reduce your water wastage by adding a brick or full plastic bottle of water to the toilet tank. The extra weight will raise the tank’s float arm quicker, meaning you’ll need less water to fill up the tank.

34. Buy in Season or Frozen Vegetables

Exotic and out-of-season vegetables cost more than locally-grown, in-season produce. Shop seasonal fruit and vegetables to save money or choose frozen. Frozen vegetables are usually cheaper and still full of nutrients.

35. Earn Money for Recycling

Did you know that you can earn money for recycling your waste? Companies like Recyclebank work with waste haulers to give you rewards for regular recycling. Benefits include coupons for local restaurants, supermarket gift certificates, and free magazines.

36. Wash Your Clothes Using Cold Water

Most laundry detergents clean your clothes just as well in cold water as they do hot. To save energy and cut the cost of your utility bill, wash your clothes with cold water.

37. Plug Your Electronics into Power Strips

Leaving plugs in the sockets when not using your electronics could be costing you $100 every year. This is called standby energy drain and can be avoided by using power strips. Simply plug your electronics into a power strip and switch it off when not in use. This is far quicker and easier than unplugging individual items.

38. Create a Household Budget

Creating a spending budget is an extremely helpful way to see where you can cut back on spending. Pull up your income and outgoings from the past month and see what you spend money on. To cut back, create a weekly budget for groceries and another for ‘spending money’. Don’t go over these limits and remember to save the money you have left over.

39. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

It’s very simple to make your own cleaning products from things you’ve already got in your kitchen cupboards. Ingredients like lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar are great for making household cleaners. If you never need to buy brand name cleaners again, you could save a whole bunch of money!

40. Use Solar Lighting in Your Yard

Solar lighting is a fairly inexpensive way to light your yard or front walk after dark. Many stores sell solar lights that you can push into the lawn to illuminate your garden path. This is a much cheaper option than getting a professionally wired light that may get left on all night.

41. Zip Up Your Pants & Jackets Before Washing Them

Always make sure to zip up pants and jackets with metal zips before throwing them into the washer or dryer. The teeth of the zip can tear expensive, delicate clothing that could get caught on the zip when inside the washer. Remember this tip and there will be no need to replace damaged lace or knit items.

42. Use Your Crock-Pot as a Humidifier

Yes, you can use your crock-pot to cook delicious, low-cost meals but it also has another surprising use! It makes a great humidifier during the winter. A crock-pot filled with water and left on low with the lid off will add humidity to the air making it feel warmer. It costs hardly anything to operate and your electric heater system won’t need to work as hard.

43. Start a Drippings Jar

There’s nothing more annoying than being unable to get the last bit of your favorite condiments out of a jar. Instead of letting it go to waste, shake a little apple cider vinegar inside the bottle or jar and pour it into a wide-mouthed jar.

Repeat this with every sauce, jam, or condiment you use up and you’ll have your own delicious mystery sauce drippings jar!

44. Use Wool Balls in the Dryer

Don’t waste money on fabric softener and dryer sheets – use wool balls instead and save even more money by making your own. All you need is some woolen yarn and an old pair of pantyhose, just Google ‘wool balls’ for instructions. The wool balls will help your clothes dry faster and keep everything nice and soft.

45. Choose Store Brands Instead of Name Brands

It’s always far cheaper to purchase store-brand products than their name-brand counterparts when grocery shopping. But exactly how much can you save? According to a Consumer Reports survey, you will save around 25% on every item, which totals $1,100 per year for a family of four!

46. Plant Some Trees

Trees and other beautiful landscaping can increase your home’s value, but that’s not all they are good for. When carefully positioned, trees can act as a windbreak and reduce your energy costs by roughly 25%.

47. Save Rainwater

If you grow flowers, vegetables, or just want to keep your lawn green, it’s a good idea to install rain barrels and use the rain as a free water supply. It’s eco-friendly and can cut your water bill significantly. Also, lots of municipal governments offer tax and other incentives to encourage homeowners to collect rainwater.

48. Cut Sponges in Half & They Will Last Twice as Long

If you really need to cut down on spending, try this simple hack. Cut kitchen sponges in half to get twice the amount of cleaning ability out of them. Unfortunately, sponges required frequent replacement, but now you won’t need to buy a new pack as often.

49. Create a Slow-Drip Watering Device for Your Garden from a Plastic Bottle

To save water and the environment, you can create a DIY slow-drip watering system for your plants, flowers, and vegetable garden using a plastic water bottle and some left-over fabric. Simply fill a perforated water bottle with absorbent socks or strips of denim and plant it next to young seedlings to create a constant water supply.

50. Get Rid of Tough Stains and Repel Insects with WD-40

This multi-functional product can be used to fix just about anything. From carpet cleaning to roach extermination – whatever the job, you’ve found the solution!

Here are the top 6:

1. Exterminate Roaches and Repel Insects: Not many people know that, but WD-40 works great as a roach and insect repellent! Simply spray it on your windowsills, door frames, and screens. Caution: We do not recommend this method if you have children at home. Wear a mask and be careful not to inhale any fumes as you spray WD-4O.

2. Easily Wipe Away Tea Stains: However hard you rub, removing tea stains with a wet sponge won’t work. Luckily, WD-40 can help you there. Simply spray a small amount of WD-40 on a damp cloth or sponge and easily wipe off the stain!

3. Loosen Zippers: Stubborn zippers can easily damage your clothing. Plus, you shouldn’t struggle each time you’re trying to zip up your jacket, pants, or a backpack! WD-40 is possibly the easiest solution that works every time. All you need to do is spray it on and pull the zipper up and down a few times. To avoid getting WD-40 on your fabrics, apply it with an artist’s brush.

4. Remove Stickers from Glass: You probably tried removing stickers with soap and water. It takes too long, and usually the effect is far from perfect. To achieve the results you want, spray WD-40 on the sticker, wait a few minutes, and use a non-scratch spatula to scrape the sticker off. That’s it!

5. Clean Carpet Stains: Don’t throw away a good carpet just because you’ve got ink (or any other tough stain) on it. Just spray it with WD-40, wait a few minutes and use a sponge with warm, soapy water to get the stain out. It won’t take long and your carpet will look just like new!

6. Winterproof Boots and Shoes: Here’s one of the WD-40 uses very few people know of. Coating your winter boots with WD-40 makes them waterproof! To clean salt stains, you can also spray a small amount of WD-40 onto your shoes and wipe with a clean rag. Your boots and shoes will become more durable, and will keep you warm and dry during the cold winter months.

Bonus #1: Make Your Own Dryer Laundry Sheet

It’s true that commercial dryer sheets make clothing fresher and softer, but why pay the expense when you can make your own? Create an all-natural equivalent by dipping clean, cut-up fabric in a solution made of vinegar and essential oils. Make a whole batch and store them in an airtight container, ready for wash day.

Bonus #2: Use Old Pantyhose to Polish Furniture

Don’t throw out your old pantyhose, repurpose them as a duster instead. Old hosiery is great for polishing surfaces, lamps, and other dingy furniture around your home. This method requires no expensive commercial cleaners or chemicals either!