{"id":492,"date":"2015-12-22T13:45:33","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T13:45:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/?p=492"},"modified":"2015-12-20T13:56:28","modified_gmt":"2015-12-20T13:56:28","slug":"7-one-and-done-resolutions-to-start-the-new-year-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/7-one-and-done-resolutions-to-start-the-new-year-right\/","title":{"rendered":"7 One-and-Done Resolutions to Start the New Year Right"},"content":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Courtney Craig<\/a><\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>

What are your New Year’s resolutions for your home?<\/p><\/div>\n

Forget resolving to make lifestyle changes that you\u2019ll abandon by February. We\u2019ve got New Year\u2019s resolutions for your home that you can achieve in one step.<\/p>\n

Resolution #1: Use less energy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Install a programmable thermostat.<\/p>\n

The bulk of your energy costs in 2013 will be spent heating and cooling your home. Put a dent in that bill with a thermostat that\u2019ll keep your house comfortable when you\u2019re home to enjoy it, and saves energy when you\u2019re not. You\u2019ll spend less than $100 for a basic model, and can save as much as $180 per year.<\/p>\n

Resolution #2: Save water.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Get a rain barrel.<\/p>\n

Irrigate your lawn for free with a rain barrel, which can save 1,300 gallons of water and lower your water bill by about $35 per month in the summer. You\u2019ll spend $35-$200 on a commercial barrel, or you can save more money by making one yourself from castoff food-grade containers. A 55-gallon syrup drum is about $10.<\/p>\n

Resolution #3: Decrease your chances of a home fire.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Schedule a chimney inspection.<\/p>\n

Creosote, birds\u2019 nests, and other debris can clog your chimney, causing a home fire risk, but an inspection will sweep those problems away. A level-one inspection, in which the inspector will look for damage and remove obstructions, will cost anywhere from $79-$200.<\/p>\n

Resolution #4: Beef up your home security.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Install outdoor motion sensor lights.<\/p>\n

These lights, which plug into ordinary wall outlets, provide a security boost by illuminating your home\u2019s exterior when anything moves outside. They take minutes to install and cost anywhere from $13-$105.<\/p>\n

Resolution #5: Make the most of your storage space.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Pitch everything you haven\u2019t used in a year.<\/p>\n

The first step in gaining storage space is decluttering. We\u2019ve got ideas for how to responsibly get rid of hazardous materials, old technology, kids\u2019 stuff, books, and more. Bonus: It won\u2019t cost you a penny.<\/p>\n

Resolution #6: Save money on your insurance premiums.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Assess your home owners policy.<\/p>\n

First determine what kind of coverage you have now, then assess how much you really need. If you\u2019re able to raise your deductible, you\u2019ll pay a lower premium per month.<\/p>\n

Resolution #7: Prepare your family in case of a disaster.<\/strong><\/p>\n

One-step solution: Make an evacuation and communication plan.<\/p>\n

If disaster strikes in 2013, you\u2019ll be ready: Document your escape routes, designate a meeting place in case family members are scattered, and assign a \u201ccommunication commander\u201d who will relay messages between loved ones. Don\u2019t forget to include your pets!<\/p>\n

What are your New Year\u2019s resolutions for your home?<\/em><\/p>\n

Visit HouseLogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS\u00ae.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By\u00a0Courtney Craig Forget resolving to make lifestyle changes that you\u2019ll abandon by February. We\u2019ve got New Year\u2019s resolutions for your home that you can achieve in one step. Resolution #1: Use less energy. One-step solution: Install a programmable thermostat. The … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-moving-ahead-misc"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=492"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":494,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/492\/revisions\/494"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/movingaheadcommunications.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}