Seasonal

Tech the Halls: Smart Home Gadgets for a Stress-Free Holiday Season

The holidays are a time for joy, family, and celebration, but they also bring added responsibilities. Between decorating, hosting, and just keeping up with your daily routines, your home can quickly start to feel more like a neverending to-do list rather than your haven.

That’s where smart home technology comes in. It can help you streamline holiday tasks to focus on what matters most—spending time with loved ones and enjoying the season’s magic.

And there are more upsides to upgrading your home tech: doing so can also enhance the overall value and appeal of your property. Current research indicates that 77% of today’s home buyers are interested in smart homes, which results in an up to 5% increase in a property’s resale value! In general, estimates indicate that sellers who invest in smart home technologies realize a 50% return.1

So whether you’re thinking about selling in the near future or just want to enjoy your home to the fullest this season, adding smart gadgets is an investment that pays off. Read on for some of the best smart home solutions to simplify your holidays (and just maybe make your home more marketable down the road, too).

Entertaining Made Easy

Tech the Halls - Entertaining Made Easy
Tech the Halls – Entertaining Made Easy

Spending time with friends and family is the highlight of the holiday season—but entertaining can be a lot of work. These tools can help turn any gathering into a celebration to remember without all of the fuss.

1. Make Cooking Easier with Digital Recipe Access

Holiday cooking often means late nights and multiple trips to the store. Instead of juggling old recipe cards, let smart-home displays keep you organized with easy menu planning and grocery lists.

High-end: Google Nest Hub Max
This smart display offers an easy-to-use recipe mode with step-by-step guidance from the Google Assistant. It’s like having a sous chef right on your countertop.

Mid-range: LG – 27″ Smart webOS TV with Countertop Design
This smart TV can be perched on your kitchen counter or mounted on the wall to watch cooking shows, pull up your favorite recipes, or cast content from your mobile device.

Budget pick: Amazon Echo Show 8
With a Food Network integration and recipe assistance, this countertop model offers plenty of features in a less-expensive package.

2. Set the Mood with Smart Lighting

The right ambiance can elevate any gathering. Control colors, brightness, and temperatures remotely with these smart lighting options.

High-end: Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box
Watching a holiday movie? Sync your smart lightbulbs to adapt their colors to what’s on the screen for the ultimate festive movie experience.

Mid-range: Lutron Caseta Wireless Bridge
Use this small internet-controlled device to set up automations for your smart bulbs, so you can dim all your lights at once with a swipe on your smartphone.

Budget-friendly: Govee Lightbulbs
Just getting started with smart bulbs? This affordable option allows you to control color and brightness using your Alexa or Google Home device.

3. Amplify Your Holiday Spirit with Smart Speakers

From carols to party playlists, music sets the tone for the holidays. These smart speakers will get everyone in the mood to sing along.

High-end: Bose Smart Speaker 500
This powerful speaker delivers room-filling sound—and Google Assistant and Alexa are both built-in.

Mid-range: Amazon Echo Studio
The best device for Amazon loyalists who care about sound, music comes through loud and clear on this speaker.

Budget-friendly: Google Nest Mini
This diminutive speaker gives you voice-controlled playback at an entry-level price.

Traditions With A Twist

Decorating your home and popping on a holiday film gets everyone in the holiday spirit. These tech solutions make things easier and give you more time to enjoy the fun.

1. Watch Holiday Favorites in Style

Level up your holiday movie traditions with smart projectors that turn any room in your home—or even your backyard—into a movie theater.

High-end: Epson Home Cinema LS1100
This 4K projector is a serious investment, but it delivers cinema-quality performance and a laser light source that won’t require replacement bulbs. It’s also easy to set up and adjust.

Mid-range: Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen Smart Portable Projector
Use this feature-packed, battery-powered projector nearly anywhere—it’s designed to level and focus your video automatically and to scale to the size of your space.

Budget-friendly: Vankyo Performance V700W
This 1080p projector offers a bright picture, high-quality audio, and the portability to move it from room to room (plus outside). You can cast from your mobile device or plug in a computer or USB.

2. Shine Bright with Smart Plugs

Tired of clambering behind furniture to get to a hard-to-reach plug for your decorations? Invest in smart plugs, and you can control all of your electrified holiday decor (plus anything else you might plug in!) easily from your phone.

High-end: Meross Smart Power Strip
This smart power strip includes four AC outlets plus two USB C and one USB A port. It’s compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, and each outlet can be operated individually.

Mid-range: Enbrighten Wifi Smart 2-Outlet Plug
This smart plug turns one wall outlet into two smart outlets. Control the plug using an app or with Google or Alexa voice assistants.

Budget-friendly: Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini
These inexpensive plugs are designed to take up minimal wall space yet offer plenty of features. Plus, they’re compatible with Google and Amazon home ecosystems.

3. Create a Winter Wonderland with Smart Outdoor Lighting

Whether you want to wow the neighborhood with an eye-catching display or simply add a touch of outdoor holiday charm, setting up lights doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Smart outdoor lighting makes it simple to illuminate your home’s exterior with minimal effort or planning.

High-end: Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights
Install these permanent outdoor lights on your home and celebrate year-round with app-controlled color and effects options for every holiday you can think of.

Mid-range: Twinkly Icicle Lights
Drape your home in any color you can think of with these easy-to-use, app-controlled icicle-style lights. True to the name, there are plenty of twinkling options to choose from!

Budget-friendly: Brizled Smart Christmas Lights
String up these indoor-outdoor lights wherever you’d like to enjoy customizable colors and effects, or sync the bulbs with music for a truly eye-catching outdoor display.

Simplified Home Management

Tech the Halls - Make Life Easier and Free Up More Time for Family Fun
Tech the Halls – Make Life Easier and Free Up More Time for Family Fun

There’s plenty to manage at the holidays as it is—make things easier for yourself by automating some basic home tasks and functions. Less time spent on tedious chores means more time making memories with your family.

1. Keep Your Home Spotless with Robot Vacuums

The holidays can create a lot of mess — stay on top of it with smart vacuums that clean up all of those cookie crumbs and bits of wrapping paper for you.

High-end: Roomba Combo J9 Plus
Say goodbye to vacuuming and mopping with this high-tech robot, which comes complete with AI obstacle avoidance to keep it from banging into your furniture.

Mid-range: Roborock Q5 Max+
This powerful robot vacuum is highly customizable—use the app to set up cleaning preferences like a second pass through high-traffic rooms or to block off areas you’d like left alone. Plus, it empties its own bin!

Budget-friendly: Shark Ion
This robot vacuum may not come with all the bells and whistles, but it does a great job keeping dirt and pet hair off the floor. You can control it with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant in addition to a dedicated app.

2. Manage Deliveries and Greet Guests with Smart Doorbells

The holidays tend to bring a lot more people than usual to your door. Keep track of who’s coming and going, and keep your home safe with smart video doorbells.

High-end: Eufy Dual+ Security Video Doorbell
This large video doorbell offers a much wider field of view than most competitors, plus high resolution and night vision. It’s compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices and can be set up wired or wireless.

Mid-range: Google Nest Doorbell Camera
This sleek doorbell camera is easy to set up and control from a distance and offers fast notifications and the ability to respond by voice or with preset messages. Advanced features include package detection and facial recognition.

Budget-friendly: Arlo Video Doorbell
This doorbell offers a wide field of view, high-resolution images, and the ability to zoom in, and is compatible with multiple smart-device ecosystems. However, some of its features, like recordings, require a monthly subscription.

3. Protect Your Home While You Travel

Unfortunately, the holidays tend to bring higher rates of home break-ins. Whether you’re traveling or staying local, these tech solutions can help keep your home and family safe.

High-end: Ring Alarm Pro
Ring is well-known for video doorbells, but they also offer full home security systems, complete with professional monitoring (for a monthly fee). With high-performing devices and a built-in router to ensure working wifi, this system lets you keep an eye on things no matter where you are.

Mid-range: Abode Smart Security Kit
This kit is designed to work with all of the major smart home ecosystems, allowing you to connect as many devices as you’d like for a seamless experience. It includes a hub device, a door/window sensor, and a motion sensor, and you can easily add on from there to customize a system to your needs.

Budget-friendly: August WiFi Smart Lock
Lots of visitors coming and going this holiday season? This smart lock upgrades your existing deadbolt, allowing you to give access to trusted family and friends. Best of all, it attaches to the lock on the inside of your door, so it won’t impact your curb appeal or draw unwanted attention.

Enjoy A Better Holiday Season With Smart Home Tech

Ken and Libby Guthrie, Guthrie Group Homes, Knoxville TN
Ken and Libby Guthrie, Guthrie Group Homes, Knoxville TN Real Estate

Incorporating smart home technology can help make this holiday season more relaxing—and it can also be a great investment that adds value to your property in the long run. From energy-efficient lighting to reassuring security systems, these gadgets do more than just make life easier; they enhance your home’s appeal to future buyers.

If you’re curious about how upgrading your home’s tech might impact its value, we’d love to help. Reach out for a free consultation to learn more about the latest trends in smart home technology and how it can align with your real estate goals. Whether you’re looking to sell soon or simply upgrade your lifestyle, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Sources
1. National Association of Realtors – https://www.nar.realtor/blogs/emerging-technology/smart-homes-can-help-you-grow-your-business-heres-how

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Seasonal

5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Home

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. But for many families with festive plans and hectic schedules, it’s also the most wasteful.

According to one survey, for example, 60% of respondents admitted to throwing away more than usual during the holiday months as they filled up their trash bins with uneaten food, wrapping paper, gift bags, and commercial packaging.1

The reality is, Americans routinely toss about 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than at any other time of year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.2 In fact, we throw away so much ribbon during the holidays—around 38,000 miles’ worth—that the discarded material could easily run more than one and a half times around the Earth.3

As our holiday schedules grow busier, many of us also forget to take simple steps at home to shrink our carbon footprints or prepare for a more energy-efficient winter.

Luckily, it’s not that hard to shift our habits and plan for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly celebration. Here are five ideas for ringing in the holidays this year without overstressing Mother Nature.

1. Prep Your Home for Winter

Depending on the amount of time and resources you have available, you could cut your carbon emissions significantly this season just by winterizing your home.

Investing in a more sustainable way to warm up your surroundings—such as a geothermal heat pump or solar heating—could be especially impactful if your current HVAC is underperforming and you can afford a more expensive system.4 Replacing old appliances or things like chronically leaking windows with newer, more energy-efficient solutions can also save you money over the long term.5 Plus, you may be able to claim a federal energy-efficient tax credit for up to 30% of your investment.6

You don’t necessarily have to spend a lot upfront, though, to prep your home for winter. Even simple tweaks—such as sealing windows and doors or upgrading to more energy-efficient window coverings—can lower your energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint.7

Incorporating environmentally healthier habits into your routine can also make a meaningful difference. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, for example, dialing back your thermostat by as little as seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can trim up to 10% from your bills.8

Consider a home energy assessment to help you pinpoint what needs fixing. Depending on your comfort level, you can audit your home’s energy efficiency yourself with the help of the Department of Energy’s DIY Guide.9 Or you can hire a professional, such as a home energy auditor or weatherization contractor.10 Call us for a recommendation or personal referral.

You May Also Enjoy ->

Our Top 10 Christmas Movies of All Time

2. Decorate Sustainably

Decking your home’s halls is one of the most jolly seasonal activities of all. There’s something special about gathering ’round with friends and family and relaxing in the comforting glow of a festively decorated space.

But since so much of the holiday-themed decor that’s sold in stores is notoriously disposable, it can be a challenge to spruce up your home sustainably. Cheaply produced and rarely recyclable, store-bought decorations are often made with plastic, styrofoam, and other environmentally unfriendly materials that can crowd landfills for generations.2

Luckily, you don’t have to trade style for sustainability when making your holiday decor. Thrifting is still in vogue, so consider crafting new and on-trend decorations out of secondhand finds or upcycling items already in your closet.

For example, you could transform an ill-fitting sweater into a holiday-themed pillow, turn teacups into candles, or turn leftover shipping boxes into creative decorations. Alternatively, natural decor foraged from your yard—such as dried leaves, flowers, pine cones, and branches—can make for especially beautiful wreaths and centerpieces.

If you do purchase store-bought decor, proactively look for the most environmentally friendly options. LED lights are now ubiquitous in stores and use far less energy than incandescent versions.11 Similarly, if you celebrate with a Christmas tree, think twice about choosing an artificial option. Plastic trees may be reusable, but natural trees are generally thought to have a smaller carbon footprint.1

5 Ideas for an Eco-Friendly Holiday at Hom
Cut Back on Holiday Shopping

3. Cut Back on Holiday Shopping

Shopping online or at the mall may be convenient, but it can be costly for the environment. The greenhouse emissions from shipping and transportation alone add up fast, as do the emissions that are produced when an item is first made. According to the online consignment and thrift store thredUp, 4.5 billion pounds of carbon emissions could be saved if every American bought just one used item instead of new this year.12

Splurging on brand-new products also makes it more likely that the gently used but still functional items that you’ve got at home will wind up in the trash.

Rather than buy new, check vintage stores and consignment shops for unique gifts that you and your recipient can both feel good about. According to research by thredUp, most people are open to receiving gently used presents, especially if they’re socially conscious members of Gen Z.12 Alternatively, consider regifting items that you haven’t used, upcycling something you own, or try crafting gifts by hand.

Giving away special experiences, such as concert tickets or community memberships, may also be a more eco-friendly option. So is donating to a favorite charity in a gift recipient’s name or offering gifts of time, such as promising to help a loved one clean out their garage or fill their freezer with home-cooked meals.

Research shows that gift recipients often value thoughtful gifts with sentimental value, especially if they’re homemade, nostalgic, or will provide them with a unique experience.13

And if you prefer to buy something tangible, look to local businesses that source or manufacture their goods nearby. Craft fairs and community markets are a great place to start. Or, give us a call, and we’d be happy to share a list of our favorite local stores, depending on the type of gift and your budget. We make an effort to patronize the independently-owned shops and restaurants around town and would love to share our recommendations.

You May Also Enjoy ->

Top 10 Christmas Songs of All Time

4. Green Your Holiday Dinner

Do you hail from a family of passionate carnivores? If so, trading your meat for a vegetarian option may seem like a step too far—especially for a holiday dinner.

But swapping your meat for beans isn’t the only way to “’green” your holiday meal. For example, you can consciously source your meat from ethical sellers, prioritize local producers for seasonal sides, and serve enough filling vegetables to satisfy a large portion of your appetite.14

You can also minimize food waste by planning ahead so that you don’t cook more than necessary. Check out the Natural Resources Defense Council’s dinner party “Guest-Imator” to help you narrow down how much food you and your guests will actually need.15 In addition, consider using the USDA’s FoodKeeper App to help track safety recalls and set up calendar reminders for expired food.16

Once you’re finished eating, clear the table immediately and either freeze the leftovers you’d like to keep or send guests home with reusable containers. Or, if you have untouched food that’s still whole or in unopened packaging, take it to a local food bank or homeless shelter. We’d be happy to share a list of options in our area.

Donate or Recycle What You Can
Donate or Recycle What You Can

5. Donate or Recycle What You Can

Once the festivities are over, the real work on behalf of Mother Nature begins. This is the time when taking a few minutes at the end of your holiday celebration to swiftly collect wrapping paper and ribbons, unwanted packaging, and other discarded items can make a real environmental difference by reducing what you send to landfills. Your goal should be to reuse what you can and compost or recycle what’s left over.

For example, if you upgrade any electronic gadgets over the holidays, you can conserve resources and limit pollution by donating or properly recycling your old versions. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that recycling a million laptop computers could help save the energy equivalent of 3,500 homes’ annual usage of electricity.16 Similarly, the EPA says that recycling one million phones can help salvage 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium.17

It can also help to reimagine new ways to make old traditions more eco-friendly. For instance, if lighting candles is part of your holiday celebration, consider choosing beeswax candles this year instead of the typical paraffin wax, which is a petroleum derivative. Not only are they cleaner-burning and less toxic, but the leftover wax is biodegradable and can be composted, unlike traditional candle wax.18

There are also plenty of earth-friendly ways to dispose of a natural Christmas tree without kicking it to the curb. Trees that are sent to landfills release a potent greenhouse gas called methane.19 So, it’s important to properly dispose of a live tree, if you have one, so it can be recycled or composted. If you’re not sure how, reach out for a list of local options.

The Bottomline

Guthrie Group Homes, Knoxville TN
Ken Guthrie and Libby Guthrie – Guthrie Group Homes, Knoxville TN

We can still celebrate a fun and festive season without draining our community’s resources or sending leftovers to the landfill. And remember, we’re here to lend a helping hand, now or in the new year. This is the perfect time to strategize your next move or set some real estate resolutions with personalized guidance from an expert. Reach out today to schedule a free consultation.

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.

Sources:

  1. Eco Watch
  2. Architectural Digest
  3. The New York Times
  4. Environmental Protection Agency
  5. U.S. Department of Energy
  6. IRS
  7. Energy Star
  8. U.S. Department of Energy
  9. U.S. Department of Energy
  10. Kiplinger
  11. U.S. Department of Energy
  12. Thred Up
  13. The Conversation
  14. Popular Science
  15. Natural Resources Defense Council
  16. USDA
  17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  18. CanICompostIt.com
  19. CNN

 

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Seasonal

How To Stretch Your Budget in a Holiday Season of Inflation

Home for the Holidays

You don’t have to break the bank to celebrate the holidays in style—even in this season of inflation. Prices may be higher on everything from food to gifts to decorations, but there are still plenty of opportunities to eke out extra savings.

For example, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you can save a couple of hundred dollars a year just by sealing your home and boosting its insulation.1

Other small fixes—such as swapping old light bulbs for LEDs and plugging electronics into a powerstrip—can boost your yearly savings enough to pay off some of your holiday budget.

And thanks to a pandemic-era boom in online shopping, it is easier than ever to find deals on new and pre-owned furniture, thrifted gifts, DIY decor, and more.

Even secondhand stalwarts like Goodwill have joined the digital fray, making it a cinch to score gently-used treasures at extra-low prices.2

You won’t be the only one bargain-hunting your way to a more financially-stable New Year.

Multiple surveys have found that inflation is not only chilling people’s spending, it’s also prompting shoppers to search for better deals and creative ways to reduce their bills.3

Here are some strategies you can use to boost your holiday budget by trimming household expenses:

Hunt for Deals on Groceries

If you’re finding it harder than it used to be to serve your family dinner on a budget, you’re not alone.

With the U.S. food-at-home index (a measure of grocery price inflation) at a 43-year high, many families struggle to control the costs of food staples, such as meat, dairy, produce, and grains.4

That’s made pulling off holiday gatherings especially stressful lately. But don’t despair: Even with inflation, retailers are still giving motivated shoppers plenty of opportunities to whittle down their bills.

The key is to pay attention to the cost of each item on your shopping list—not just the most expensive—and look for easy swaps and discounts.

For example, try buying non-perishable items in bulk, especially when they’re on sale and only in-season produce.

Or trade name-brand goods for less expensive options from a store’s private label. As you tap into your inner bargain hunter, you could be surprised by what you save when you’re more mindful of your selections.

And unlike in the old days, you no longer have to clip your way through paper flyers to snag a bargain.

Instead, you can save both time and money by scouting for deals online, digitally clipping coupons, and earning cash back through special apps and browsers.

For example, coupon aggregation sites, like Coupons.com, and shopping apps—such as Checkout 51 and Ibotta—make it easy to score discounts and cashback on a variety of purchases, including groceries.

Also, check to see if your neighborhood grocer posts their weekly flyers online. If you’re hosting a holiday party, the markdowns you find can help you narrow your food and recipe choices, based on what’s currently on sale.

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Prep Your Home for Holiday Guests With Pre-Owned Finds

You don’t have to sacrifice style for the sake of preserving your holiday budget either.

If you’re expecting company this year and would like to add some festive flair to your home, you can do so inexpensively—especially if you’re willing to decorate with items that are secondhand.

Thrifting is back in vogue, with an increasing number of shoppers preferring pre-owned furniture and home goods.

A recent study found that the “re-commerce” market grew almost 15% last year, which was twice the pace of general retail.5

Plus, buying used isn’t just a great way to save money, it also helps the environment by keeping reusable items out of landfills.

Fortunately, it’s become easier to score secondhand deals online. For example, you can scout consumer marketplaces on Facebook, Craigslist, and OfferUp.

Or you can take advantage of neighborhood freecycles and “Buy Nothing” groups. And a number of thrift shops now have e-commerce sites, including major chains, like Goodwill.

If you’re handy with a paintbrush or have some basic carpentry skills, you can also modernize some of your existing furniture by upcycling it yourself.

Or, if you enjoy crafting, search through your own recycling or sewing bin for raw materials to make one-of-a-kind decorations.

Don’t stress yourself out, though, if you don’t have the time or money to dress your home the way you hoped.

“A house doesn’t have to be perfect or completely done for it to feel festive or inviting,” designer Justina Blakeney noted in an interview with the Washington Post. “These are family and friends, and they are not judging you.”6

4 Money Saving Apps
4 Money-Saving Apps

Trying to save on household essentials? Use these apps to keep a few extra dollars in your pocket, while getting what you need.

📱 Ibotta: Shop at participating stores, then scan your receipts to get cash back.
📱 Fetch Rewards: Upload store and restaurant receipts to earn rewards.
📱 Checkout51: Get cash back on gas and select products.
📱 ShopSavvy: Compare and track prices across retailers to score the best deal.

Forgo Major Renovations in Favor of DIY Home Improvements

Holidays are always a tricky time to undergo big renovations. But with ongoing worker and material shortages, now is an especially bad time to commit.

Inflated costs can add thousands to your reno budget –—and unnecessary stress to your holiday.

Instead of suffering through an ill-timed remodel, you’re better off saving this time of year for simpler, less expensive projects you can do yourself.

One winter-perfect upgrade to consider: Build a DIY fire pit so that you and your guests can roast marshmallows and relax in the cozy comfort of your backyard.

You can also add some extra ambiance by hanging energy-efficient LED outdoor string lights that change from white to colorful. These are festive enough for the holidays, but also versatile enough to use year-round.

Or, if you’d rather curl up by an indoor fire, channel your DIY energy into a fireplace upgrade.

Adding a wooden beam to the top of your mantel can add an extra layer of coziness. Alternatively, re-tiling or painting your fireplace surround can lend contemporary flair.

Just be sure to stick to DIY projects that you know you can do a quality job on—especially if your changes will be difficult to reverse.

Feel free to reach out for a free assessment to find out how your planned renovations could impact your home’s resale value.

Invest in Home Maintenance Projects That Cut Your Utility Bills

You can save money by completing basic home maintenance tasks, such as swapping your furnace filter and updating your lightbulbs.

But if you really want to lower your bills this winter, consider projects that make your home more energy efficient.

According to the EPA, 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S. are under-insulated, which wastes energy and money.7

Luckily, there are plenty of DIY insulation projects that you can complete in just a few days. For example, the EPA offers guides on how to:

  • Insulate your attic or basement crawl space
  • Weatherstrip doors and windows
  • Seal areas around the house that may be leaking air, including electrical outlets and fireplaces

The savings you get from these projects can really add up. The EPA estimates that sealing and insulating your ducts can make your HVAC system up to 20% more efficient.8

And thanks to new provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act, you can also save a bundle this year by investing in certain energy-efficient upgrades and claiming a tax credit.9

Be sure to check with us about any local rebates and incentives that may be available, too, before getting started on a project.

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Use Expense Tracking to Boost Your Holiday Budget

To avoid overextending yourself during the holidays, one of the best things you can do is track your income and expenses.

If your monthly budget is usually tight, you may need to make some adjustments to free up cash for holiday expenditures.

For example, here’s a sample budget worksheet that we created.

Start by adding in your expenses: Under the “Typical” column, you can list your standard expenses, and under the “Adjusted” column, list any areas where you could cut back on spending.

Then consider how your standard wages may be adjusted this month by extra shifts, additional tips, or an end-of-year bonus.

By decreasing your spending and/or increasing your income, you can build some room in your budget for holiday gifts and gatherings.

HOUSEHOLD BUDGET WORKSHEET
   Typical  Adjusted  Difference (+/-)
 HOUSING
 Mortgage/taxes/insurance or Rent
 Utilities (electricity, water, gas, trash)
 Phone, internet, cable
 Home maintenance and repairs
 FOOD
 Groceries
 Restaurants
 TRANSPORTATION
 Car payment/insurance
 Gas, maintenance, repairs
 OTHER
 Health insurance
 Clothing and personal care
 Childcare
 Entertainment
 Charitable contributions
 Savings, retirement, college fund
 INCOME
 Salary/wages
 Bonus, tips, other.
 MONTHLY TOTALS
 Total Adjusted Income
 Total Adjusted Expenses
 EXTRA SAVINGS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY BUDGET

Feel free to utilize this worksheet as a template that you can personalize to your needs, or ask us for a PDF copy that you can print out and use right away.

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WE’RE HERE TO HELP

Guthrie Group Homes Real Estate

We would love to help you meet your financial goals now and in the year ahead.

Whether you want to find lower-cost alternatives for home renovations, maintenance, or services, we are happy to provide our insights and referrals.

And if you’re saving up to buy a new home, we can help with that, too.

This is the perfect time to score a great deal because only the most motivated homebuyers and sellers are active in the market right now.

So reach out to schedule a free consultation. We can fill you in on some of the exciting programs and incentives we’re seeing that help make homeownership more affordable.

Sources:

  1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  2. USA Today
  3. Retail Dive
  4. NBC News
  5. CNBC
  6. Washington Post
  7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  8. Energy Star
  9. The White House

 

The above references an opinion and is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be financial, legal, or tax advice. Consult the appropriate professionals for advice regarding your individual needs.

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