A new year means a new start! Time to make resolutions and what better than to incorporate your resolutions to include your house and home. Here are a few suggestions for the new year.
1. Smoke Alarms & Carbon Monoxide Detectors - Keeping Your Loved Safe
Make New Year's Day your target for testing your smoke alarms and detectors to ensure they will all work properly, have new batteries, and they will be your best defense in case of fire. Provincial, state and federal regulations vary, so familiarize yourself with requirements for your area - how many you should have, and where they should be placed in your home. See Creative Way to Test Smoke Alarms for an easy testing method, and more about Smoke AlarmsKnown as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that can be present in your home and the only way to know is with a carbon monoxide detector. Read When You Should Have a Carbon Monoxide Detector in Your Home if you're not sure if you need one.
2. Household Emergency Kit - Prepare A Disaster Kit
Make disaster planning top priority this year. Assemble a household emergency kit for your family. Have one already? Check that it is still intact and sufficient for your family's changing needs. For examples of what your kit should contain, see: Household Essentials for Emergencies. This is also a good time to check that your first aid kit is in order, and that your spare flashlight batteries are adequate and charged.Read Which Type of Battery Should Be Used in Flashlights for tips on battery use.
3. New Product Registrations, Parts Lists & Asset Inventory
- Register your new appliances online or by mail.
- 10 Reasons to Read Your Product Manuals
- File new product parts lists and warranty information for future reference.
- After the Purchase
- Send for any product rebates available.
- Compile or update your asset inventory of your home furnishings and housewares. This list can come in very handy should you ever need to provide it for insurance purposes. Start it with this Basic Housewares listing.
4. Save Energy This Year - Energy Saving Tips for Your Appliances
With energy bills that keep rising, we need to look at ways of cutting these costs while still enjoying the benefits appliances bring to our home. Find great ways to cut energy cuts in these tips.Replacing large appliances? Watch for the Energy Star qualified rating for maximum energy savings.
Other helpful resources:
Appliance Buying Tips
Standby Refrigerators & Improving Their Efficiency
Old Appliance Donation & Disposal Options
5. Re-Gifting - Plan Now for Easy Re-Gifting
Recycling a duplicate or unwanted gift that cannot be returned or exchanged, can certainly save you money downstream. Here are some tips to keep in mind:- Ensure that the original packaging remains intact and in 'like new' condition - store it carefully.
- Add a temporary tag of who gave it to you, just as a reminder - never re-gift to the same person.
- Always rewrap it in new gift wrapping.
- Never re-gift an out-of-style product or one that has missing parts or instructions.
6. Take Stock & Use Your Appliances
Appliances stored away can soon become forgotten. Take stock and evaluate your needs. Starting a diet? That food scale will come in handy, as well as the non-stick skillet or wok. Products like bread makers, slowcookers and pressure cookers are great time-savers. And when was the last time you used your bundt pan to make a delicious coffee cake? No longer any use for that large-quantity appliance? Consider donating it to a large family or charitable organization.Bundt Basics
Slowcooker Tips & Resources
Breadmaker Tips & Resources
7. Optimize Your Appliance Features - Use Appliances to Full Potential
We typically use only a fraction of features on today's appliances. Programmable and preset controls on your oven range or coffee maker can be great time-savers. The pre-soak option on your washer may save you having to re-wash stained clothing. And the 'moisture sensor' option on your dryer can cut drying time. Get the most out of your appliances.5 Time-Saving Features We Often Overlook
Not sure what features your appliances have? A good reason to read your product manual.
8. Retirement Planning? Include a Plan to Update or Replace Aging Appliances
Replacing housewares on a limited budget will be difficult, especially if your large appliances are all aging and will require replacing in the next few years. Begin now to slowly replace or update your appliances and kitchenware.If planning on downsizing your home, choose housewares carefully to minimize on space, maximize on quality, and meet your specific needs for the future, while you can still manage the expense.
Baby Boomers & Downsizing Appliance Strategy
9. Care & Maintenance for Improved Appliance Performance
Start a maintenance program for your appliances; here's some examples:- Change filters on furnaces, vacuums and air cleaners.
- Check seals on freezers, cooking ranges and refrigerators.
- Vacuum condenser coils at the back of refrigerators.
- Clean your coffeemaker with a special solution or vinegar.
- Are there noticeable safety issues with your older appliances?
- Are the electrical cords in good shape or should appliances be replaced?
- Defrost freezers for increased performance.
- How to Change Your Humidifier Wick Filter
- Changing furnace filters regularly for optimum efficiency.
- HE Front-Load Washers & Preventing Mold Issues
- Cleaning the Dryer Filter for Safety & Efficiency
10. Plan Ahead For Gift Giving - Take Advantage of Sales
Save money and plan for the gifts you'll need in this new year by buying discounted items during the 'after holidays' sales. This is also the time to save on holiday wrapping paper, party supplies and decorations.Gift Ideas
Be a Smart Shopper and Save on Your Gift Budget
Unique Wedding Gifts
