35 Money-Saving Household Habits
Adopt a few of these home tips to find a bit more cash each month.
Your house gives you so much: security, pride, and shelter. With all that on the line, it’s easy to assume the costs of keeping it up just are what they are. But wait. There are plenty of expenses that are simply a waste.
Here’s how to save money each month without putting a dime of home value at risk.
#1 Clean Your Lightbulbs
#2 Keep Your Fridge Full
#3 Switch Your Bulbs to LEDs
#4 Use Power Strips
#5 Use a Toaster Oven When Possible
#6 Set Your Water Heater to 120 Degrees
#7 Insulate Your Water Heater
#8 Wash Clothes in Cold Water
#9 Use the Right Dryer Cycle
#10 Use Homemade Cleaners
#11 Cut Back on Laundry Detergent
#12 Ditch Disposable Sweeper and Mop Head
#13 Stop Buying Dryer Sheets
#14 Cut Scouring Pads in Half
#15 Don’t Rinse Dishes… READ MORE
Simple Home Hacks to Save Money
Spend smart, spend less, and save more. Save over $500 a year with these simple ways to save money around the house.
Change Furnace Filter
Keeping your furnace (gas or electric) tuned up has two big benefits: It makes the furnace run efficiently and it prolongs the furnace’s life span. And you can perform the annual tune-up yourself in about three hours. Change the filter every month of the heating season (or year-round if the filter is also used for A/C). Be sure you insert the new one so it faces the right way. The filter protects the blower and its motor; a clogged filter makes the motor work harder and use more power.
Use Every Last Drop of Leftover Paint
Don’t throw your leftover paint away! Mix it up and save it for a primer later. I have several rental properties that seem like they’re always in need of repainting. Instead of throwing out leftover paint, only having to buy more later, I put it to use…
8 Home Repairs You Can’t Afford to Put Off
During preparations for her nightly baths, Laura Starrett noticed the water pressure wasn’t as strong as it once was. She had also received an alert from her utility company that she had used more water that month than she had before.
“Then I realized I’d left my sprinklers on and they were running every day, so I thought that’s why I got an alert that I was using a lot of water,” said the recently retired homeowner in Jacksonville, Florida.
So she turned the sprinklers off.
Then Starrett got another alert saying her water bill was going to be $1,000. A plumber came out, listened to the pipes, and heard the water running. Turns out, a backyard pipe was leaking.
“You just hope it will go away,” Starrett said. “But I knew there had to be something because your water just doesn’t just disappear.”
8 Home Repairs You Can’t Afford to Put Off
1. Anything Involving Water
2. Anything Involving Electricity
3. Pests… READ MORE
Ralene Nelson, REALTOR®
JUST LISTED – 700 Michelbook Ln. Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,579sqft/5,693sqft lot
$455,000 – Beautiful Atherton model, located in the Active Adult Community of Trilogy. Corner lot, 2 bedroom/2 bath home, with beautiful wood flooring, carpet in bedrooms & den. The kitchen has an island with granite counters, oak cabinets, some with glass fronts to show off your china, & gas range. Lots of counter space for the chef & has a pantry. The great room has built-in custom cabinets, a gas fireplace & overlooks the backyard. 65-inch mounted TV conveys with sale. Den also has built-in cabinets. The primary bedroom overlooks the backyard, the bath has double sinks & large walk-in closet. Fenced & private backyard with a roomy patio with all-weather cover. These features make a cozy spot to enjoy the outdoors with your favorite beverage. The backyard is also wired for a hot tub. 2 car extended garage provides extra space for your future golf cart. This home is equipped with a water softener & water filter system. The development provides you with 2 swimming pools (indoor & outdoor) & spas, a BBQ area, tennis/pickle ball courts, bocce ball courts, billiards, a new gym, computer room, plus a cafe & restaurant & clubs galore to enjoy. You won’t be disappointed. Refrigerator, washer/dryer & upright freezer convey. READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:30 – 3:30 pm
FOR SALE – 1392 Lichen Ct, Concord
4 bed/3 bath/1,761sqft/7,980sqft lot
$950,000 – Look no further, as you enter this beautiful move-in ready home, you know this is the one, & it is located in a well-established neighborhood & close to shopping. Double front doors welcome you to this cheerful home that includes 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths, and features a bedroom & bath on the main floor. This is perfect for a nanny or family member living with you. The home has new interior paint and new LVT plank flooring/carpet throughout. The kitchen was refreshed with open space with newer cabinets, granite tile counters, a sink, a built-in oven/electric cooktop, a garden window & sliding door to the patio. The chef will be delighted with the walk-in pantry. The kitchen/den features a mobile prepping block with storage. Also, the upstairs hall bath was remodeled to include a new tub/shower & tile floor. The majority of light fixtures are new & fireplace has a pellet stove insert. RV/boat parking, storage shed & backyard can accommodate a swimming pool/spa. The backyard has a few fruit trees & room for a garden/play area. Room for a large BBQ with all your family & friends. This home has so much potential for the next homeowner. Solar leased 3/2020 for 25 yrs. Don’t miss out!! READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE – Sunday 1:30 – 3:30pm
NEW PRICE – 307 Birch Ridge Dr, Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,154sqft/4,321sqft Lot
NEW PRICE $415,000 – Updated Carmel model, in the active adult community of Trilogy. Just bring your furniture to this lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bath home with prepaid solar. Sellers have just finished with new interior paint, laminate flooring w/wider baseboards throughout, & painted cabinets. The kitchen has white cabinets, granite counters, an electric stove top, stainless appliances & 2 pantries. The primary bedroom closet has a built-in organizer & 2nd bath has a walk-in tub w/shower over. The laundry room has additional storage, & a 55-gal hot water heater. Shutters throughout make this a very cozy home. Fenced backyard for your pet and patio with all-weather cover. This makes for a cozy backyard and you are within walking distance to the dog park & path around the lake. Water softener & reverse osmosis. This community offers many amenities & social clubs, such as tennis, bocce ball courts, pickleball, a beautiful gym overlooking the golf course, 2 swimming pools & spas, billiards, & computer room. Have coffee or lunch in the cafe & lunch/dinner at the Monarch Restaurant. Various clubs such as cycling, RV, dancing, drama & more. Refrigerator, washer/dryer convey with sale. READ MORE
OPEN HOUSE – Saturday 12:00 – 2:30pm
FOR SALE – 181 Cedar Ridge Dr. Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,433sqft
$540,000 – Look no further!! This Clipper model is like a new home, completely renovated, from new sheet rock to all new cabinets throughout, new baths, laminate flooring, quartz counters, appliances, and new interior & exterior paint. Located on the 11th fairway, bring some patio furniture & enjoy the scenery. This model provides a living room/dining room & a nook/great room. Trilogy provides so many amenities, including 2 swimming pools/spas, bocce courts, billiards, tennis courts, pickleball, gym & more. READ MORE
FOR SALE – 295 Sage Meadows Drio Vista
3bed/3.5bath/2,367sqft/6,669sqft lotF
$559,000 – Calistoga model, with private courtyard, located on a corner lot. New interior paint (including garage) & tile/grout cleaned, gives this home a fresh look. Island kitchen with granite tile, black appliances, w/5 burner gas stove top & maple cabinets. Open floor plan makes this a great home for entertaining & the fireplace makes it cozy. Large master bedroom has bay window, upgraded tile in bath (walk in shower & tub). Den has been enclosed as well as another room, so this could be 4 bedrooms. One can be your den, other can be your craft/sewing room. 2nd bedroom has full bath, with courtyard entrance. Laundry room has sink, cabinets & folding space. Full patio & fencing secures this backyard for your family pet. Trilogy offers many amenities, from tennis, bocce, billards, pickle ball, golf, 2 pools & spas and even playground for grandchildren. Just bring your furniture & make new friends.READ MORE
FOR SALE – 731 Turnberry Ter Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1410 sqft
$410,000 – NO BONDS-Spinnaker model with private backyard. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath home feels like a very relaxing cottage for a retirement home. The patio provides a quiet place for morning coffee & afternoon beverage. Den has built-in book/curio shelves & bay window. The Master bedroom has a bay window, which creates room for a sitting area. New hot water heater. Enjoy amenities such as golf, tennis, bocce, pools/spas & a new gym, and more. READ MORE
FOR SALE – 710 Pinehurst Dr. Rio Vista
2bed/2bath/2,065sqft/5,345sqft lot
NEW PRICE $445,900 – Solar owned & No Bonds!! Can’t get much better, this Hatteras model located in the Rio Vista Active Adult Community, Trilogy, offers drought-resistant landscaping & cozy backyard. Start the day with coffee on the patio & watch the sunset on the front porch. This home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths with blinds throughout. The home has a living room/dining room combo and a family room/kitchen with tile floors in the kitchen/nook. Full patio with cover & is very private. The laundry room has a sink, washer/dryer convey with the sale, as well as refrigerators. Walking distance to Delta clubhouse, pro shop & Monarch Restaurant. Trilogy offers 2 swimming pools/spas, a cafe & restaurant, tennis courts, bocce ball courts, pickle ball, billiards & more. Just bring your furniture and enjoy your retirement life. READ MORE
PENDING SALE – 689 Waterwood Dr, Rio Vista
2 bed/2 bath/1,837sqft/5,436sqft lot
Breathtaking views as you step into this beautiful home, located on the 11th green & pond. Popular Reflect model with quartz counters, white cabinets, 5 burner gas stove top & refrigerator are included. Tile floors with carpet in bedrooms. A double-sided gas fireplace makes for a cozy den & living room. The primary bath has double sinks with a walk-in shower with w/bench seating. Shutters throughout the home. Walk out either slider onto the covered patio that is the full length of the home. Small piece of turf for your pet, low maintenance landscape (front & back) & fenced. The backyard is lovely & a great place for a BBQ. Washer/dryer are included & there’s a laundry tub in the garage. Prepaid solar lease, transferrable to the buyer for the remaining years of the lease. Just bring your furniture and enjoy all the amenities, such as 2 swimming pools/spas, bocce ball courts, tennis & pickle ball courts, horseshoes, billiards, a library, a computer room, etc. So many activities to enjoy, you can be as busy as you want or idle. There is a club for just about all your hobbies. READ MORE
Events in Northern California this Weekend
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival In Sacramento
Through Sun, Mar 19, 12 AM
1600 Exposition Blvd, Sacramento, CA
The 16th anniversary of the Sacramento Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival will be held at Cal Expo Building C & D at 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento from Thursday, March 16 through Saturday, March 18. Event hours are Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Festival features nearly 180 booths with a wide variety of supplies, notions, patterns, and techniques in the areas of quilting, sewing, needle arts, stenciling, embossing, crystals, fabric crafts, and more. Many booths will feature new cutting-edge products that are new to the market. The show sponsor, Meissner Sewing Center, will be doing multiple daily giveaways at their block of booths. Meissner Sewing Center will also be giving away a free $1,000 sewing machine announced at 3 p.m. on Saturday before closing.
Admission is $10, good for all three days. READ MORE
Hairspray, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy
March 17, 18, 19
SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St., Sacramento
You Can’t Stop the Beat! HAIRSPRAY, Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960’s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world?
Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including “Welcome to the 60’s,” “Good Morning Baltimore” and “You Can’t Stop the Beat,” HAIRSPRAY is “fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!” (The New York Times).
This all-new touring production reunites Broadway’s award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O’Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring HAIRSPRAY to a new generation of theater audiences.
Don’t miss this “exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy” (The New Yorker). BUY TICKETS
39th St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Dublin
Saturday, March 18, and Sunday, March 19, 2023, 10am-5pm both days
Dublin Civic Center, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin
Experience the Emerald Isle without a passport at the 39th St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! You’ll find three stages of Irish music and dance; over 250 vendors, including an Irish marketplace; an Irish Tea Cottage featuring musical accompaniment; carnival rides; plenty of delicious Irish food and drink, plus other festival favorites; and a leprechaun and roaming bagpiper!
St. Patrick’s Day Party with Blame the Whiskey
Sat, Mar 18, 12:00 – 9:30 PM
True Symmetry Brewing Company, 315 Marina Center, Suisun City, CA
Come party with us!!! Blame The Whiskey will be playing 6:30-9:30 pm.
$5.00 cover
Food by our neighbors at La GuaGua
1. Corned beef and Cabbage sliders on a sweet Hawaiian pretzel roll
2. Corned beef and cabbage egg rolls with mustard sauce
3. Corned beef and cabbage with colcannon (mashed potatoes)
Irish potato candy (dessert)
READ MORE