Hi Taylor: I’ve got about $2,000 set aside for home improvements and I’m trying to figure out the best way to spend it. I want all sorts of things like a new TV and a new couch, but I wonder if something like new windows or some sort of structural work could be a better choice in the long run. Any thoughts about the best way to put my money to work? — Marcia
Hey Marcia: I’ve got all sorts of thoughts on this issue, though I haven’t seen your home so you’ll have to forgive any ideas that seem terrible.
Furniture and renovations can make for excellent improvements and upgrades; you just have to make the right choice for your living situation.1111
1. Buy furniture you’ll keep. A $2,000 couch can seem like an extravagant purchase, but spending that money so you won’t have to buy a replacement for a few decades makes a lot of sense in the long run. If you don’t plan to stay in your current home for too much longer, I’d say think about an improvement that you can take with you, such as a couch or a nice carpet. TVs and other electronics become dated pretty quickly and don’t retain value, so I’d hold off there.
2. Give a small space a makeover. A couple grand can really do a number on a bathroom or entryway. You can buy nice granite countertops, paint the walls, get a nice mirror, and even replace a sink basin for that money. The bathroom is a funny room since it’s out of the way but always in use, so spending a little on these improvements will have a bigger impact on your day-to-day life than you might expect. If you aren’t sure where to begin with this kind of renovation, head to one of the big hardware stores and start looking at what they have on display. It shouldn’t take long for inspiration to strike.
3. Change up your lighting. If you own your home, new lights will make things look better and help increase the value. Using dimmable track lighting or modern pendants and chandeliers, you can drastically change the aesthetic of a room without knocking out a wall or ripping up the floorboards. New bulbs and fixtures can also leave you with a more efficient setup, cutting back on your utility bills and further increasing the resale value of your home.
As long as you don’t go with a total impulse buy, spending on home improvements is a great investment. Take a tour of your home and figure out which room you’re most interested in redoing, and go for it!
Disclosure: Information presented is for educational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. To submit a question to be answered in this column, please send it via email to Question@GoFarWithKovar.com, or via USPS to Taylor Kovar, 415 S 1st St, Suite 300, Lufkin, TX 75901.
