Money Saving Tips for New Homeowners

[DruannB]

I've noticed several suggestions on how to cut down on utility bills. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to save money in general once you are a full-time resident?

[manaboutown]

Eat at home rather than in restaurants, retain only one car and use a golf cart around TV. Consider renting your home out during the high season.

[graciegirl]

Eat at home rather than in restaurants, retain only one car and use a golf cart around TV. Consider renting your home out during the high season.

What he said. Play nine holes of golf rather than Championship courses. Shop for food at Aldi's and Walmart. Clean your own home and cut your own lawn if you can. Although I consider lawn cutting here a huge bargain. It is the weeding and trimming that is expensive.

There are so many things that you can do that are free if you are a card carrying Villager.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I would still be frugal. I was just raised that way. Not much chance of me winning the lottery. I have never bought a ticket.

[Bogie Shooter]

I've noticed several suggestions on how to cut down on utility bills. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to save money in general once you are a full-time resident?

In general.................the same things you did in Findlay Ohio.

[asianthree]

It's the championship courses that will get you into trouble with your money. Learn to play the executives and get a the trail fee

[Walter123]

I've noticed several suggestions on how to cut down on utility bills. Does anyone else have any suggestions on how to save money in general once you are a full-time resident?

Living in Florida is much different than living in Ohio and so are the expenses.
The beauty of this place is you can do as much or as little as you want. The best way to save money is to buy a smaller house with little property, you'll most likely downsize eventually anyway. Buy pre-owned if that suits you.

[Walter123]

It's the championship courses that will get you into trouble with your money. Learn to play the executives and get a the trail fee

Better yet, don't pay the $140 annual trail fee and walk the executive courses if you can. I ride on the executive courses maybe 10 - 15 times in the summer so it costs $60 vs $140 per year. The cart fee is included in the price on the champion courses. In the winter when the champion courses go way up you can also play off site at half the rate.

[NotGolfer]

What everyone here said! My 1st thought was...don't have such large houses (to heat, cool and maintain)! Don't have personal pools (we have many here that are part of the amenities)...as they're expensive to maintain. When we downsized our home up north we downsized the way we were living as well. We're comfortable w/o losing a whole lot! But guess it's all a matter of perspective!

[DruannB]

Thanks everyone! Any advice on whether vinyl is cheaper to cool than stucco? Or vice versa? I do realize I will have to paint stucco, but how often down in Florida?

[sailor47]

Well there you go...stucco is always going to be more expensive up front. I am not sure but I believe it is more costly to heat and cool as the block retains heat in the summer and cold in the winter, check with the builders not realestate brokers, they want to up scale the house cost. But in addition to that those houses are usually higher end/more costly. They will need painting from time to time and will eventually crack and need repair.

[raynan]

I would suggest you sign up for all the email lists you can find for the different country clubs and stores in the area. There are several that give coupons, free meals for birthdays, anniversaries etc. Not all country clubs have email lists but Bonifay, Evans Prairie, Hemingways are some. Invest in the Daily Sun. Specials are listed daily and many coupons. Some stores and restaurants Publix, Beef O'Bradys, Bob Evans, Ricciardis etc.

[Ohiogirl]

What he said. Play nine holes of golf rather than Championship courses. Shop for food at Aldi's and Walmart. Clean your own home and cut your own lawn if you can. Although I consider lawn cutting here a huge bargain. It is the weeding and trimming that is expensive.

There are so many things that you can do that are free if you are a card carrying Villager.

If I won the lottery tomorrow I would still be frugal. I was just raised that way. Not much chance of me winning the lottery. I have never bought a ticket.

Gracie nailed it. For other entertainment, start monthly game nights in your neighborhood (i.e. Mexican Train, card games, gourmet dinner night, board games night, etc.).

[pbkmaine]

Set your air conditioning at 75 or above in summer and heat at 65 or below in winter. Buy clothes at the wonderful thrift stores in the area. Buy furniture on this site or at thrift or consignment shops. Use the library rather than buying books. Paint rather than remodel. Avail yourself of the wonderful knowledge all around you, on this site and from your neighbors, in hiring help and solving problems.

[kaydee]

Don't try to keep up with the neighbors with the upgrades & home improvements. Learn to be happy with what you can afford.

[DruannB]

Luckily John and I can do most home improvement projects. We try to avoid electrical. Not crazy about getting zapped. Which restaurants offer the best bang for your buck? And I'll stop asking questions after that one.

[lynxville]

I have owned two homes in Florida and one had vinyl siding and the other stucco. By far the stucco home is safer, easier to maintain, and easier to heat and cool. Vinyl always grew mildew and had to be power washed and was sweating wet in the morning, easily damaged by lawn maintenance people.

[casita37]

Be sure you buy a house you like just the way it is. Amazing how many people buy houses (talking about resales) and immediately start making huge changes. We have 3 in our area that have recently put on additions that are bigger than our whole house. Another just pulled out all the nice landscaping and started over. To each his own. Apparently they can afford it, and it is good for the local economy. The new landscaping IS really nice! :)

[JoMar]

Well there you go...stucco is always going to be more expensive up front. I am not sure but I believe it is more costly to heat and cool as the block retains heat in the summer and cold in the winter, check with the builders not realestate brokers, they want to up scale the house cost. But in addition to that those houses are usually higher end/more costly. They will need painting from time to time and will eventually crack and need repair.

But they look good......:smiley:

[GeoGeo]

To save some money we have started fixing things ourselves. We both have zero abilities. You would laugh to watch us attempting to use a screwdriver or wrench. But I check out YouTube and other websites for advise and have been able to save many $$$. Also, we keep our a/c on 78 or 79 in the summer. Keep blinds closed on the west side of the house in the afternoon to reduce the heat gain. Check with your neighbors to see if anyone is a retired plumber, electrician, who might be able to help you fix something or could do it for a better price.

[LvmyPug2]

I agree with all the suggestions and would add to watch your water consumption as we have found water costs are higher here. Make sure your sprinklers are set for the right amount of time/frequency, landscape with plants that require less water, don't let the faucets run while you brush your teeth, etc. If you are looking to do upgrades on your home, check outside of the Villages for vendors. We saved over $600 by buying tile for our kitchen backsplash from a tile store in Jacksonville (we have family there so we were driving there anyway) and then hiring an installer who lives near the Villages.

[BobnBev]

I agree with all the suggestions and would add to watch your water consumption as we have found water costs are higher here. Make sure your sprinklers are set for the right amount of time/frequency, landscape with plants that require less water, don't let the faucets run while you brush your teeth, etc. If you are looking to do upgrades on your home, check outside of the Villages for vendors. We saved over $600 by buying tile for our kitchen backsplash from a tile store in Jacksonville (we have family there so we were driving there anyway) and then hiring an installer who lives near the Villages.

Also, make sure your sprinklers are watering the grass and plants. Not the road and driveway. It's amazing how many sprinklers are poorly aimed.

[MSGirl]

Block homes actually keep your home cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter. Better insulator than wood/vinyl! And less fear of termite damage... Which is very costly in itself!

[e-flyer]

All the previously listed items above, plus do your homework, check out locations, and buy the home you want initially, so you don't end up moving three or four times like most folks. Don't get caught up in keeping up with the Jone's (adding rooms, pools, wild landscaping, etc.). Rock walls, paver driveways and palm trees look great, but can be expensive and a "pita" to maintain.