5 Items New Homeowners Should Never Waste Money On
Written by
J. Arky
Edited by
Levi Leidy
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If you just bought a new home, congratulations! There are plenty of reasons to celebrate this milestone. You are probably ready to unpack your personal items and fill the house up with everything that makes it a home. However, one thing you do not want to do is spend more money on unnecessary things that will not fill your house with joy or usefulness.
GOBankingRates asked a few home experts about which items new homeowners should never waste money on. Here’s what they had to say.
Top-of-the-Line Kitchen Gadgets
“From my personal experience flipping homes, I’ve seen so many new homeowners fall into the trap of buying all the high-end kitchen gadgets right after they move in,” shared Austin Glanzer, owner of 717HomeBuyers.
Glanzer noted that it can be tempting to want the best blenders, mixers and espresso machines, but the truth is you probably don’t need the most expensive versions to get the job done.
“Start with quality, mid-range appliances,” Glanzer said. “I’ve done this myself in the homes I’ve flipped, and it’s saved hundreds while still giving the kitchen a modern, functional feel that buyers love.”
Lavish Gardening Products and Services
Brian Smith, owner of Cedar Cash Home Buyers, suggested that new homeowners should be careful about jumping into extravagant landscaping projects right away.
“It’s really easy to want to go all-out on your yard, especially if you’re moving into a place with a lot of outdoor space, but those big projects can cost thousands of dollars,” Smith said. “A better strategy is to start with basic, affordable lawn care or DIY projects. You can save a lot of money upfront and still create a beautiful yard over time as you learn more about the space.”
High-End Furniture and Decor
James Heller, owner of the Atlas Portfolio, pointed out that splurging on high-end furniture and decor right after moving in can be a huge budget-killer.
“It’s so easy to get caught up in wanting your home to be perfect from day one,” Heller said. “But buying top-tier pieces before you’ve fully settled can drain your budget fast.”
Instead, Heller advised starting with affordable options and upgrading over time as your finances allow. This way, you can save thousands and still create a stylish space that reflects your personality without rushing into big purchases.
Brand New Appliances
Integrity House Buyers owner Anthony Warren is a big believer in not rushing to replace all your appliances the minute you move in.
“Unless something’s broken, there’s no need to spend thousands on brand-new appliances right away,” Warren said.
That’s because many new homeowners feel pressured to replace everything, but in reality, you can get a few more years out of existing appliances and wait until it’s really necessary to upgrade. This approach easily saves thousands and gives you more flexibility to handle other expenses that come with moving into a new home.
Service Contracts
On that note, Steven Kibbel, senior editor at InternationalMoneyTransfer.com, recommended skipping any service contracts.
“Most appliances sold in stores come with an extended warranty that consumers tend to purchase as well,” Kibbel said. “While this may sound […] like a wise decision, one realizes that most warranties will fall unused since the appliance will hardly break down during the warranted time.”
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