Affordable Upgrades for Your Starter Home

You’ve just moved into your starter home—congratulations! But spare cash is limited, and you are eager to show your new home off.

Start with a few cosmetic changes, advise the money editors at Bankrate.com, who offer five easy upgrade projects that can help spruce up a tired living space for a few hundred dollars or less:

1. Start with a power wash. It won’t cost much, but having your home’s exterior professionally power-washed will give it a fresh, bright look—and since curb appeal counts, make sure the lawn is edged, hedges are trimmed and weeds are pulled.
2. Freshen the front door. A new fiberglass door can cost $1,000 or more, but you can get a snazzy new look by simply painting the old door and/or replacing any worn-looking hardware. (While you’re at it, you might replace a tired-looking mailbox.)
3. Paint the interior. For a minimal investment, fresh paint makes any room look cleaner and brighter. It’s your space now, so cover those interior walls with the neutral shades or bolder colors that appeal to you.
4. Improve the lighting. Replace old ceiling fixtures with inexpensive new designs from the home store that may cost less than you imagined. While you’re there, check out modestly priced DIY track lighting, spotlights and accent lights that can brighten and modernize any room.
5. Spruce up the kitchen. Short of replacing cabinets or countertops, you can give your kitchen a new look on a limited budget by painting the existing woodwork and/or changing outdated door and drawer pulls. If your kitchen appliances don’t match, check with the manufacturer about ordering new doors or face panels.
6. Buff up the bath. Adding a pedestal sink can radically and economically change the look of an older bathroom. While you’re thinking economically, you can install a new toilet for less than $200. It will not only look good, but today’s low-flush models will save you money on the water bill.
7. Expand your storage space. Older homes are notoriously short on closet space. A quick trip to the home store can net you a variety of inexpensive closet organizers that may not add much to the look of your home, but will save you from crying over too-cramped closets.

Smart Money Moves to Start New Year

The holiday rush is over, and reality sets in. It’s a New Year with new possibilities. For those who’ve resolved to improve their financial health, Forbes Magazine suggests starting the year with five simple but critical strategies:

Take stock of holiday spending – If you went over budget, take a good, hard look at the damage and make concrete plans to correct it. Will you spend your holiday bonus to pay down debt instead of buying that new set of golf clubs? Can you rein in current spending and free up dollars to pay off a credit card balance?

Assess what you did right – Maybe you paid off a student loan or your largest credit card balance in 2016. Perhaps you managed to set aside some money toward a down payment on a home. Take a moment to pat yourself on the back for what you did right last year financially.  

Make a plan – Now that you feel good about what you accomplished, take the time to plan for 2017. Start by setting realistic new goals and mapping out a plan. Then take steps to achieve your goals, such as setting up an automatic savings deposit or opening a vacation account. If you didn’t accomplish all you wanted last year, this is the time to figure out why and make plans to turn that around.

File necessary quarterly taxes – It’s easy to get distracted while boxing up ornaments and exchanging Christmas sweaters. But if you’re self-employed or own a small business, remember that quarterly taxes need to be paid on or before the IRS deadline of Jan. 17.

Have a family financial chat – It can be tough to achieve financial harmony unless the whole family is onboard. Make sure everyone knows what the goals are this year, and toss around suggestions on the best ways to save, spend, and enjoy.

Start the New Year With a 'First Day' Hike

If you’re looking for a healthy, inspiring way to kick off 2020, trade in your New Year’s Eve dancing shoes for a good pair of hiking boots and participate in a First Day Hike.

On Jan. 1, 2020, state parks in all 50 states—from Maine to California—will be offering free guided hikes. First Day Hikes, which began more than 25 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation in Massachusetts, are led by park staff members and volunteers who have expert knowledge of their respective locales.

While the distance and difficulty of the trails vary from park to park, First Day Hikes are designed to benefit the entire family, so the activity is something your entire household and friends can participate in—perfect for starting the new year with a strong sense of togetherness and community. Hikers can choose guided hikes that fit their comfort levels, including mountain and hill climbing, walks along lakes, exploring trails that wind through forests and wildlife expeditions.

A First Day Hike also allows you to begin the new year by spending time in nature and tapping into the many health benefits of the outdoors.
 
According to Lewis Ledford, executive director of the National Association of State Park Directors, "Recent research is confirming the benefits of spending just 30 minutes a week in nature, and what better way to start a new healthy habit for 2020 than taking advantage of hikes being offered in state parks across the nation. Our hope is that this event will stimulate a passion for the outdoors and a desire to explore our local treasures throughout the entire year."

No matter where you live or what your climate, whether it be snow in the North and across the Rockies, or mild temperatures across the South and Southwest, First Day Hikes offer you the chance to appreciate the unique beauty of your region.