Home Upgrades on a Tight Budget: Renting, Trading, Shopping Around

In part one of this multi-part blog series, we looked at some of the ways homeowners go about upgrading their homes even if they have limited funds. It doesn’t necessarily take a fortune or even a significant amount of money to make some important upgrades to a given home — it just takes some know-how.

At 1st Choice Money Center, home upgrades are just one of many reasons why clients come to us for quick cash infusions in the form of personal loans, title loans and many other quality loans for people with bad credit. What are some other methods or themes you might consider if you’re looking to upgrade your space and don’t have a huge budget? Here are a few.

home upgrades tight budget

Borrowing and Renting

Where possible, instead of purchasing an item outright for your home, see if you can borrow it or rent it instead. This could be everything from lawn care equipment to larger tools or appliances you need for a one-time project.

The sharing economy has made this easier in recent years with companies such as Airbnb, but even beyond that there are plenty of ways to get items you need without necessarily owning them. For example, some companies will deliver and pick up large appliances for a fee.

You can also rent storage space as needed rather than purchasing a shed or other storage unit, which could be perfect if you’re in the middle of a decluttering project or are simply trying to find more space in your home.

Consider Trades

Especially if you have friends or acquaintances who work in home remodeling or upgrade industries, but even if not, it’s worth considering trade-offs for services or goods.

For example, if you’re good at mowing lawns but terrible at painting, see if you can work out a trade with someone who’s good at painting and could use help with their yard work. This could also be a great opportunity to build community and get to know your neighbors better.

The key is to be creative and to think outside the box when it comes to how you might acquire goods or services for your home without necessarily spending cash. By employing some of these methods, you can upgrade your home on a tight budget.

Shop Around

For any product or service you’re considering, it’s important to do your research and shop around before making a purchase. This is especially true when it comes to home improvement items and services.

There are often multiple options available for similar products, so take the time to compare prices and reviews before making a decision. In some cases, you may be able to find a cheaper or more effective option by doing a little bit of extra research.

The same goes for services such as home repairs or renovations. Get multiple quotes from different contractors before making a decision, and be sure to ask about any discounts that might be available.

For more on how to perform home upgrades even if you don’t have a large budget, or to learn about any of our installment loans or other quality short-term loans, speak to the team at 1st Choice Money Center today.