Do It Yourself Decorating

Budget & Finance

To Finance or Not to Finance

Working within a budget may sound depressing, but it doesn't have to be. Budgeting is simply a part of the planning process. Read my article on Budgeting For Your Project.

All it takes is a little planning and responsible shopping and you can have a home to be proud of without having to take the rest of your life to pay it off! There are lots of articles on budgeting, but not many on decorating within a budget.

Truthfully there isn't that much to be said about it other than what you'll find below. I give you my take on it in the "Work with a Budget" article.

Even if you work with a designer or decorator, they are going to want to know what your budget is. So you just as well be prepared.

~ Making a Budget - This brief but comprehensive article has you answer some important questions, like how much of the work can you do yourself, what are things going to cost, and what exactly do you want to do. It uses a kitchen and a bathroom as an example on a pie chart to show percentages for costs.

~ Planning a Redecorate

~ How to Work with a Budget while decorating, whether you're spending $200 on your dorm room at college or $20,000 on your master bedroom in your $500,000 home.

Financing

Financing debt is a hole that's hard to climb out of, so I don't recommend it. But let's face it, there are times we need it now, and there are times we want it now and we finance. The expense may go on a credit card, a signature loan, or home equity loan or a multitude of other forms of financing.

If your budget determines that you must finance, my favorite form of financing is the no payments no interest. Read the small print to determine the details. But if you use this, make yourself budget the monthly payments any way. It may be your best intentions of having the money to pay it off by the due date, but frequently that just doesn't happen. And that is exactly what the finance company is counting on.

Oh, and did I mention, you can decorate within a budget?

~ Home Improvement Financing Options - If you are looking for Home Improvement Financing Options for your home improvement project, then be assured that you are not alone.

~ Be Careful With Home Equity Loans

~ Still Reasons to Refinance in 2004

~ Insurance - Have you even considered insurance for that home improvement remodeling project in process, or for the new addition after the fact? Here you'll find information and tips regarding Homeowner Insurance for home improvement remodeling projects and payment protection advice for your home improvement financing loan.