Plug your home's money leaks

Keeping your household running lean can put real dollars in your pocket

 

It's no secret that home values have been falling, but you can do yourself a favor and stop losing sleep over it. Remember that real estate has real value, even if your home won't fetch the inflated price it might have two years ago. So if you're trying to sell your house now, although it might take longer and you might get less money, you'll probably also pay less for your new home. And historically, housing prices tend to rebound, even if it takes some time for the market to recover.

In the meantime, try to enjoy your home and protect your wallet from unnecessary home-related costs during these difficult times. One way to do that is to stay on top of maintenance and make sure you aren't paying more to live in your house than is necessary. Read on for ways to reduce your housing expenditures.