By Gates Dearen
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When it comes to getting off on the right foot in the new year, many people make a list of resolutions that are designed to help us improve ourselves. Whether you’re committed to losing a little weight, exercising more often, just eating better or upgrading your lifestyle, chances are you made a list of new year’s resolutions to which you plan to adhere.. While new year’s resolutions are a great way to remind yourself to make a conscious effort to improve your life, the hardest part is sticking to them.
Sure, you may want slim down, but how long do you really think you’re going to use that gym membership before you realize that pumping iron isn’t fun. Heck, working out usually entails not only toiling in the gym, but aching the day after. That’s probably why gym memberships are one of the most purchased and least used items at this time of year. If there were only a way to buy the membership and have someone else do the workouts, we’d all have abs of steel, right? Unfortunately, as anyone who has ever joined a gym knows, no pain no gain.
Making new year’s resolutions is easy, but keeping them is hard. Especially the kind that involves making a change in lifestyle to accomplish. However, the concept does have merit. That’s why I want to take time to point out in today’s blog that personal goals are not the only kind of resolutions that can or should be made. When it comes to improving one’s lifestyle, there are other areas worthy of consideration.
Your home, for instance. While many people dream of living in a bigger home, they forget that “bigger” requires more expense and attention. Not only do you have to save enough to make the purchase, you need to sell your existing home and then move everything you own into your new home. That’s a lot of work. Maybe the better plan is to simply improve the home you already own?
What Makes You Happy?
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While some people think that bigger is better, this isn’t always the case. A bigger home means higher utility bills, increased maintenance and more to clean. Perhaps an equally satisfying, and more cost-effective route, would be to assess your current home and make improvements that won’t just make you happier, they’ll also increase the value of your home.
When it comes to feathering your nest, there are numerous projects that can make your existing home much more habitable and comfortable. Here are a few of the most popular:
1. Upgrade your kitchen – If you like to cook, upgrading or remodeling your kitchen can be a great way to enhance the enjoyment of your existing home. While a complete remodel can range anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000, the value it adds to your home could be worth it. However, if you have champagne tastes on a beer budget, upgrading as opposed to remodeling could be the way to go. Swapping out old appliances for new or replacing those old worn out kitchen cabinets can make your culinary expertise shine for only a few thousand dollars.
2. Bedroom or bathroom redo – Redoing a bedroom or bathroom is another way to enhance your enjoyment without breaking the bank. You’d be surprised at how much more enjoyment you can get by turning an unused bedroom into an office or game room or how much better you will like getting up in the morning if you turn your bathroom into an in-home spa. The costs of redoing a bathroom are usually far less than that of a kitchen.
3. Turn your home into a smart home – If you haven’t noticed, home automation has come a long way in the past few years. Today you can enhance your family’s TV viewing enjoyment by upgrading your home’s entertainment system or you can add whole new levels of automation by purchasing smart appliances, voice-activated controllers (such as Alexa and Google Home), perhaps even wireless video systems that not only allow you to check your home when you’re away, but also function as a hi-tech security system.
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4. Add a deck, porch or a patio – While many people dream of owning a pool, a far less expensive addition is an outdoor deck, patio or covered porch. Unlike a pool that will only be used for part of the year, adding a porch, deck or patio is an improvement that can be enjoyed all year. Today, you can also add outdoor gas grills, pizza ovens, fire pits and smokers that can help you unleash your inner chef in the great outdoors.
5. Replace your windows and doors – While most people usually don’t put windows and doors at the top of their home resolutions improvements list, perhaps they should. When it comes to increasing the enjoyment of your home, new windows and doors can make a great contribution. Not only will they make your existing home have more eye appeal and be far more secure, they will also save you money on your utility bills every month. Depending on the scope of the project, replacement windows can be designed to open a room by providing a panoramic view of your yard and by enhancing the natural light your home receives. They can also reduce wear and tear on your furnishings since today’s modern windows can significantly reduce harmful UV rays that may fade drapes, furniture, and carpets exposed to direct sunlight.
What’s even better about committing to accomplishing these resolutions for your home is that once completed, you’ll receive years of enjoyment without ever having to do even one sit-up. In fact, keeping this new year’s resolution will be the gift that keeps on rewarding you for many years to come.
If you’re ready to consider replacing your windows, and or doors, contact us at HomeRite Windows and Doors by calling (904) 296-2515 or visit our showroom at 4801 Executive Park Court, Building 200, Suite 207, Jacksonville; FL 32216.
Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. He and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. They strive to match homeowners with the right windows and doors for their homes and budgets. They make the home improvement process pleasant with first-rate, energy-efficient products, affordable pricing, and award-winning installers who employ the best practices and who always treat customers and their property with the utmost respect.
Once you own a home, there is nothing that makes you happy like a couple of upgrades that save you money. That's what my new windows did for me! ;D
ReplyDeleteIt's always easier to keep your resolutions when someone else does the heavy lifting.
ReplyDelete