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