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As you watch the snow melt and buds begin to bloom, you can understand why spring is a time of rebirth. For many of us, this translates into a need to refresh our spaces. We swing open the windows and let the warm breeze clear out the bad humors as we tend to the clutter that built up over winter.
Your annual spring clean will bring calm, order, and maybe even the fresh scent of lemon to your home. But that’s not all it might do! Choosing your seasonal chores carefully can have a positive impact on your finances. Keep reading to learn how your spring cleaning habits can help your budget.
Check for pests
Humans aren’t the only ones who like to retreat to their homes during the winter. Most of the animal kingdom slows down during the coldest months with plenty of creatures going into hibernation or torpor.
Check to make sure you don’t have any unwanted roommates by looking through your basement and attic. If you don’t come across any critters, you’ll definitely spot their nest and droppings.
You should also check your entire house for bugs. Even insects like to find a hidey hole and wait out Old Man Winter, and your home has plenty of nooks and crannies just large enough for the small ant or termite.
While a common kitchen ant will score points on gross factor, they won’t cause structural damage to your home. Termites, on the other hand, may. They chew through wood, leaving rotting or hollow beams in their wake. Other signs you might have an infestation include:
- Clicking noises in the wall — it may be the sound of termites munching through wood
- Galleries or the tunnels termites leave behind in wood
- Dark powder, wood shavings, or other debris near the floor
If you find any of the above during your sweep, you should call a local pest control company. They’ll be able to confirm if these signs indicate a true infestation. The average homeowner spends $526 on treatments. However, large-scale fumigation may cost as much as $2,500.
Unfortunately, most basic insurance policies won’t cover these treatments, which means you’ll have to pay out of pocket to get rid of your unwanted guests. If your savings fall short, a payday loan can help you take immediate action.
Due back by your next payday, a payday loan may be challenging to pay back in such a short time. Luckily, there are different terms for short term loans if you know where to look. Online lenders offering installment loans allow a more flexible repayment plan that spans several weeks in case you’re approved.
Prune your trees, bushes, and shrubs
The spring is the perfect time to pull out the pruning shears and take a good hard look at your yard. After a long growing period in the summer followed by a harsh winter, your shrubs and trees may need a little TLC. Regular, springtime pruning will help reshape unwieldy plants and encourage healthy growth.
It’s also a prime opportunity to check your trees for diseases or structural issues. Stunted growth can be a clue that there’s something wrong. Some other signs indicating an issue include:
- Large chunks of cankers or peeling bark
- Excessive fungus, especially powdery mildew on leaves
- Leaf discoloration, deformities, or holes
You should also check to make sure no low-hanging branches pose a danger to your home. In your visual sweep, look for any limbs that dangle precariously near your home. Strong gusts and storm systems can rip it clear off the tree. If it falls on your house, it could leave behind expensive damage.
Luckily, most homeowners insurance will cover damage from falling trees. However, you’ll save yourself a lot of time and worry by nipping these issues in the bud — pun intended!
A thorough spring clean will involve more than just clearing out the cobwebs and polishing the floors. You’ll need to do a full inspection of your property to make sure it’s ready for another year ahead. Do these chores now and you might save yourself a lot of money, so don’t delay!
