Inexpensive Home Decorating Tips

Moving can be an expensive process. Paying movers, purchasing new furniture and appliances, and storage fees are just some of the costs associated with moving. Decorating a new home can also be expensive. Instead of breaking the bank, liven up your home on a budget with the following inexpensive decorating ideas:

• Cover up flaws instead of repairing or correcting them. For instance, place a rug over a marred floor or use a tapestry to cover a rough wall. This can be less inexpensive than finishing walls and floors.


• Add some greenery. Plants will quickly liven a room. Many plants are long lasting, easy to take care of, and a cheap fix to decorate your home.


• Replace old lamp shades. Lamp shades come in a variety of textures and colors. An even cheaper way to replace a lamp shade is to buy a plain lamp shade and decorate it yourself.


• Repaint old cabinets instead of purchasing new ones. A new coat of paint will freshen the look of your old cabinets. Go to your local paint supply or home improvement store for tips on how to paint cabinet surfaces.


• Make your own wall art. Use stencil patterns, decals, and borders to cheaply create wall art.


• Add fabric to a room. Combining different styles and patterns of fabric for window treatments and accessories can be a fun and cheap way to decorate a room.


• Paint! Painting old furniture, walls, and accessories can create dramatic changes to your home at low price.

Decorating your new home doesn't need to be expensive. Look online for cheap ideas and don't be scared to decorate yourself. Get creative and you can decorate your home cheaply and easily.

Deadline Approaching for First-Time Home Buyers Credit

Thinking about purchasing your first home? The federal government is offering up an $8,000 tax credit for qualified first-time home buyers. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorizes this tax credit for purchases made on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. For purposes of the tax credit, the date of purchase is when closing occurs and the title to the property transfers to the home owner. A tax credit is different from a tax deduction. This tax credit is an actual reduction in the taxes the homeowner owes. In addition, the tax credit may be claimed even if the homeowner owes little or no federal income tax.

To see if you qualify, click here, and you can read more information at the IRS website.

Treat Your Movers Right

If you have hired movers to do the heavy lifting for you, then you will want to reward them for their hard work, assuming that they did the job well. Tipping is customary for good service, so you should add that into your moving budget. Here are some suggestions for tipping your movers:

• Refresh and refuel: If it's a hot day, make sure you have plenty of cold drinks on hand for your movers, as well as coffee and snacks. If your move takes up most of the day, you should provide lunch such as pizza or another quick bite to keep your movers in a good mood.


• If there are just one or two movers helping you, be generous with your tip since they will probably be working hard. Take into account the weather, stairs, heavy items, etc. A $40 tip for one mover or $60 (to split by two) is considered appropriate.


• If you have several movers handling your move, a $20 per mover tip is the norm. Hand over all of the tip money to the lead mover so that he can divide it at the end of the move.

When it Rains, It Pours: Moving in Bad Weather

Moving is usually a hassle even when the sun is shining, so if you find a dark cloud over your home on moving day, you may feel extra stressed. Whether you are dealing with pouring rain, high winds, sleet, snow, or other forms of messy weather, unless it's a hurricane or a tornado, chances are moving in a storm is worth the effort. Here are some tips for moving during bad weather:

• If rain is in the forecast, cover furniture (such as items made from fabric, wood, and other untreated materials) with plastic sheets or tarps. This will ensure that your furniture is protected from moisture and dirt.


• Make a walkway out of your old home and into your new home by taping down either rugs or cardboard. Do not put plastic sheeting on the floor as this is very slippery when wet.


• Make your movers comfortable. If there is heavy rain, offer your movers clean towels to dry off. If the weather is especially cold, try to have the heat on in your new home. Hot drinks such as coffee and tea are a nice gesture too.


• Avoid getting cardboard boxes wet, as water disintegrates the cardboard. Carry boxes from the bottom and watch out for unexpected tears.

Smaller Houses on the Rise

For the first time in 15 years, the median square footage of new homes shrunk this year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, homes built in the first three months of this year were 7 percent smaller than in the same period last year. Could this be a sign that America's affinity for McMansions is on the decline? Perhaps due to a desire to be more eco-friendly and reduce carbon footprints, or simply because the recession is causing homeowners to cut costs, this trend could result in a shift in attitude of quality over quantity. This means more homeowners may find themselves making better use of the space that they do have, such as converting basements into entertainment rooms and attics into home offices. Smaller homes also have lower energy costs and are selling quicker in the current housing market. Is a smaller home the right fit for you? Here are some things to look for if you are in the market for a smaller home:

• A flexible, open floor plan--combining the kitchen, living room, and family room into one great room is a growing trend.


• Lots of windows will boost your mood and make the house feel bigger.


• High ceilings--adding just an extra foot will make a standard 8-foot ceiling feel taller.


• Outdoor living space--making use of patios, porches, and other exterior spaces will give you more room to gather or escape.


• Smart storage--clutter looks worse in smaller homes, so be sure to have clever built-ins and other ways of organizing and hiding your stuff.

Are You Ready for Your First Place? Costs to Consider

As spring graduates (hopefully) secure employment, one of the next major steps on the road to adulthood is to acquire a place of one's own. Are you ready to handle the responsibilities of renting an apartment or house, or should you stay in Mom and Dad's basement for a few more months? Here are some costs to consider before you sign a lease:

• Move-in deposit: Most landlords require first and last month's rent (and/or a security deposit), and if you found the place through a broker, a broker's fee (usually equal to one month's rent) will probably apply as well. This means you may need at least three times the rent just to move in. To be safe, you will also want to have three months' rent in your savings in case you lose your job or in case of any sort of emergency.


• Hook-up fees: If you have never had an account with a utility company before, they may require initial fees for setting up your service. Ask whether or not the apartments you are considering include utilities with the rent or not, as this can be a cost-saver for apartments in colder climates.


• Parking: If you are planning on bringing a car with you, you will want to ask if parking is free or not. In dense cities, parking rules may apply, and in some cases, you may need to pay for a parking permit.


• The bare necessities: Even if you are moving into a furnished apartment, there will be many items you will need to make your house a home. Pots and pans, dishes, flatware, appliances, shelving, fixtures, towels, bedding, garbage cans--the list goes on and on. If you can't afford to buy new, utilize friends and family who may have perfectly useful items collecting dust in storage, check out free listings on sites such as Craigslist.org, or shop at second-hand stores and flea markets for bargain deals.

Tips for Moving Your Child to a New School

If you have moved your family to a new location this summer, chances are you also have the double duty of introducing your child to a new school. The transition can put stress on your child's temperament, but with some understanding and careful planning, you can encourage your child to embrace the change. Here are some tips:

• Practice the route to school: Children will be reassured to know the exact trip that they will be taking by schoolbus, car, or on foot ahead of time. Point out attractions along the way to help your child get familiar with the area.


• Visit the school before the first day: Most schools are open during the late summer for teacher preparation, so call the school in advance to see if a visit is possible. Be sure to check out the areas that your kids will be most interested in, such as classrooms, the gym, cafeteria, and playground/sports fields.


• If possible, introduce your child to his/her new teacher: Even a simple hello will help your child feel more comfortable about starting a new school.


• Meet other school-aged children in the neighborhood: Encouraging your kids to meet new peers at places such as the local park or community center will increase their chances of making friends that will also be attending their new school. Talk to other parents about getting the neighborhood kids together at your home or the local play area.