| Top Ten Tips.....1. Consider buying an old, | | | | "repossessed" furniture at warehouse |
| inexpensive house & modernizing it | | | | sales.32. Buy unpainted furniture and finish |
| yourself.2. Check firms that build the | | | | it yourself.33. Try to buy wholesale. Some |
| house's exterior and you do the inside | | | | manufacturers have, "wholesale outlets". |
| work.3. Give thought to living in a mobile | | | | |
| home or modular housing.4. You can save | | | | 34. Consider working a swap with friends, |
| substantially by learning how to conserve | | | | relatives, neighbors.How to buy furniture, |
| home energy.5. Insulate your home yourself & | | | | appliances, and furnishings |
| you may be entitled to a large tax credit.6. | | | | intelligently.......35. Before you buy, ask |
| Use solar energy in your home & reduce | | | | yourself, "Do I really need it?"36. Shop |
| conventional energy expenses.7. Pay property | | | | around before you decide. Become an expert |
| insurance premiums annually for substantial | | | | comparison shopper.37. Ask around. Talk to |
| savings.8. Moving costs may be tax | | | | others and ask their experiences, |
| deductible, if it was done for business | | | | suggestions.38. Go to the local library and |
| reasons.9. If necessary, add extra rooms | | | | read. Check out recent articles on the |
| instead of looking for a larger house.10. | | | | subject.39. Is the merchant reliable in case |
| Keep your home in good condition. It will | | | | you have any problems later?40. Never sign |
| insure top money when selling.How to save on | | | | contracts or agreements until you know what |
| home repair bills.....11. Practice | | | | you are signing.41. If you buy on credit, |
| preventable maintenance. Take good care of | | | | keep a written record of your spending in |
| what you have.12. Get an illustrated manual | | | | your wallet.42. Use charge cards only if you |
| & learn to repair most common problems | | | | pay bills before interest is added.43. Buy |
| yourself.13. When needed, ask friends & | | | | only low-energy, high efficiency |
| neighbors whom they recommend for repair | | | | appliances.44. See if you can "make do" with |
| work.14. Always get competitive bids for | | | | what you have.45. When ordering carpeting, |
| larger repair jobs.15. Before hiring a firm, | | | | ask for broadloom remnants and save about |
| ask for names of their customers you can | | | | half.46. Make some items yourself, such as |
| contact.16. If a loan is required for | | | | curtains, draperies, bedspreads, etc.47. Buy |
| repairs, shop round for lowest interest | | | | radios and TV's during January & May |
| rates.17. Borrow money for the shortest | | | | sales.48. February & June are good times to |
| period possible.18. Use reputable firms. | | | | buy bedding, floor covering, and |
| Check with Better Business Bureau if | | | | furniture.49. Shop March & July for good |
| necessary.19. Establish a good trusting | | | | buys on washers and dryers.50. Buy rugs |
| relationship with a reliable repair | | | | during August and October sales.51. Stock up |
| service.20. Get a signed cost estimate | | | | on household linens during the months of |
| before repair work is started.Where to find | | | | January, May & August.52. March is a good |
| the best home bargains.....21. Discount | | | | month to buy a house, right after school |
| stores.22. Auctions.23. Catalog stores.24. | | | | vacation starts.53. Buy a kitchen range, |
| Garage sales.25. Flea markets.26. Thrift | | | | paint & wallpaper during April sales.54. |
| stores.27. Classified ads. (You'll get a | | | | March is a good month to select a new air |
| better bargain from private owner, than from | | | | conditioner.55. January sales are good for |
| a store).28. Sales and clearances of | | | | buying small appliances, blankets, quilts.56. |
| reputable stores.29. Look for "floor | | | | Buy house wares in Feb., Sept.; china & |
| samples" and "demonstrator's models30. Shop | | | | glassware in March & Sept.57. Buy fabrics in |
| for discontinued models and "slightly | | | | Jan. & October; storm windows in June & July. |
| damaged" merchandise.31. Buy "unclaimed" and | | | | |