Becoming a homeowner entails responsibility that you've never experienced before. Learning how to maintain a home without going over your budget is a skill and practice that takes time. Here are a few tips to help get you up to speed.

1. Clean Out the Gutters

Clearing out the gutters prevents water from getting into your roof's flashing. It doesn't take a whole lot of time or money, either. Just take a ladder and climb up there. Removing debris is usually easier when you've got a small hand tool.

2. Test Your Water Pressure

A hydrostatic test pump is a great tool to have in handy to test the water system in any home or building. Hook it up to your water system to see how your water pressure performs. Performing a simple routine check-up can help you with spotting where issues may develop can help you prevent them from worsening and save you money in the long run.

3. Prune the Shrubs

Grabbing a pair of shears to cut the hedges won't take long at all. Try to cut them in concentric circles, so they're more aesthetic. Take your time while cutting them, and it can be rather enjoyable.

4. Install Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are a great way to insulate your room from the outdoors. Installing doesn't take much effort, so you can do it pretty fast. Buy the highest-rated curtains you can find. The higher their rating, the better they are at blocking out the heat. Close them during the hot summer days to keep your house cool and save on utility bills.

5. Replace Your Air Filters

Another common area homeowners don't remember to maintain would be their air filters. Everyone's home has a set of air filters, connect to its HVAC system. You should be replacing them at least twice a year to ensure proper functioning. Otherwise, debris could block them, limiting air circulation.

6. Refuel the Furnace

Some furnaces use electricity to generate heat in the home. Others need natural gas to control a home's temp. If you've got a gas furnace, make sure you're refueling it in time for winter. That should give you time to test whether it'll work once it's cold.

7. Tighten Loose Fixtures

A small leak can actually cost you a lot more than you'd think. Not only does the water add to utilities, but it can also create damage. Water damage can diminish a home's value because it's an expensive repair. Tightly screwing all your fixtures into their places should help limit any leaking.

8. Use CFL Lightbulbs

You'll have to replace your lightbulbs relatively often once you're a homeowner. Next time, try replacing them with some CFLs. They're more efficient, and they've got long lifespans, too. Replacing your bulbs with CFLs could reduce your electricity bill by as much as 20% as well. Total savings depend on how much electricity costs in your area. And, how much you're using them will also impact your savings.

9. Clear the Downspouts

Letting debris accumulate in the downspouts can affect your home's drainage. Plus, it will create blockages in the gutters, too. Make sure to clear out the downspouts each time you're clearing the gutters. Otherwise, you're missing half the point. A clear downspout diverts water away from your home. When they're clogged, they're not able to shunt water away. So, water begins building around the base of your house, potentially causing damage.

10. Aerate the Lawn

A beautiful lawn is a sign someone really cares about their property. Create a beautiful lawn around your home by aerating the grass. Aeration helps grass get all the nutrients it needs to thrive. It's usually easier to aerate toward the end of winter. If you do it around then, you'll notice a major difference by spring. Your lawn will probably become the most beautiful it has ever been.

Maintaining a Home on a Budget

Being a homeowner isn't something that's going to always be cheap. However, you can limit your expenses by performing preventative maintenance. By doing that, you'll limit the number of serious repairs you've got to make. Those are what end up costing you the most, usually. Serious repairs don't have to happen. And, you can prevent them with regular maintenance.