10 Ways to Save on Your Home & Garden

How to cut costs on your home, garden and pet care needs

AARP Bulletin, July 3, 2018

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1. Raise your deductible

Boosting the deductible on a homeowners policy from $500 to $1,000 could save you 25 percent, according to the Insurance Information Institute, or $307 off an average $1,228 policy.
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2. Clean windows cheap

Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for a solution that leaves windows sparkling. Some experts also add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Save $4.50 or more by not buying window cleaner at the store.
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3. Skip dryer sheets

Instead, cut a sponge in half and soak the pieces in a container holding 1 cup fabric softener and 2 cups water. Wring and toss one into each dryer load. Replace liquid every 3 months. Save: $8 per 80 loads.
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4. Mulch for free

Google your county name and “free mulch” to see if it (or free compost) is offered. Save $3.66 per 2 cubic feet of mulch or $4.97 per cubic foot of compost.
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5. Get cheap cables

Expensive electronics cables don’t carry signals better than cheap ones, which hold up fine for home use. Get a $10 HDMI cable, not a $30 one, and save $20.
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6. Use the same insurer

Companies often charge up to 15 percent less if you buy both home and auto policies from them. You can save over $100 a year on insurance costs.
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7. Use generic pet meds

Yes, they exist! For example, Heartgard Plus costs $43 to treat a large dog for six months. HeartShade Plus, a generic version, has the same active ingredients for $20. Save $23.
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8. Groom your own pup

You can spend $70 at a dog groomer. Plus you have to make an appointment and take the time to go there. Learn to do it yourself—YouTube has instructions for many breeds.
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9. Get a puppy at a rescue shelter

Rescue a dog for $300 or less (sometimes free). A purebred Labrador retriever can cost $1,500. Save at least a $1,000 on your new best friend.
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10. Get it fixed for free.

At Repair Café events nationwide, volunteers help fix a variety of household items that folks can’t fix themselves. Go to RepairCafe.org to find an event near you. You could save $100 by fixing that old lamp.