Three Ways to Reduce the Stress of Home Ownership

Many people dream of owning a home but few realize the amount of stress that comes with the responsibility of home ownership. Since stress can aggravate illness and even bring about stress-relate ailments such as fatigue, depression and headaches it's a good idea to do what you can to reduce the amount of stress in your life. Luckily, there are three major sources of stress when it comes to home ownership which can be reduced by following these simple tips.

1. Plan For The Worst But Hope For The Best
Homes are subject to all sorts of problems. From roof repairs to simple carpet cleaning, it can seem like the list of things to do never ends. Take the time now to set up a special savings account specifically designed for home repairs. Work a set monthly payment into your household budget and put that money into this special account. The best way to prevent anyone from dipping into this fund is to not get an ATM card for the account so that you have to go into the bank during their open hours in order to access the money. This will make you think twice before withdrawing any funds. As you begin to use that money for needed improvement, take Before and After photos. It's amazing what a difference it can make to see these expensive projects side by side. This will not only keep you motivated to continue saving money for needed improvements it will also serve as a reminder about how much you've done.

2. Make Spring Cleaning Profitable
No matter how large or small your household, everyone accumulates stuff. Books, CDs, thrift store finds … they all add up and take up space. Spring cleaning is a great time to clear out this stuff as you begin to de-clutter closets, cupboards and rooms. Some items can be donated to charity or local organizations that help people in need. Other items should be researched online to see if you can sell them. Depending on the quality of the item, you can easily make a few hundred dollars during your Spring Cleaning Season.

3. Always Have An Action Plan
The worst part about any household emergency is the initial moment of panic when you wonder 'What should I do now?' Spend an afternoon going over the major emergencies and disasters which could happen and draw up an action plan for each of them. Major household issues which leave even the most seasoned homeowner struggling for answers include roofing issues, water leaks, plumbing emergencies, water damage after storms and burglary. Consider each of these scenarios in turn and develop a list of actions you can take immediately as well as numbers and information you will need to have on hand in order to handle the crisis smoothly. Keep your notebook in a secure place and the moment disaster does strike, you'll be able to grab it and know what to do as well as having all the relevant information handy and ready to go.

Home ownership is an amazing experience. There are times when you wouldn't trade it for the world, and times when you wistfully remember the responsibility-free life you had when you lived in a small apartment tucked into a busy city center. But, at the end of the day, a home is what you make it and doing what you can to reduce the stress home ownership can bring will go a long way in making your house a home.