Among the many joys of having a steady income because of a job is the ability to create a haven for yourself. Your home is a place of comfort and safety. After a long day of toiling, you can be whatever you want to be once you get home.

Because of this, you may be inclined to continuously beautify and invest in your living space. After all, it is your sanctuary. The problem is, such an effort can take its toll on your finances.

A lot of women, in particular, admit to their guilt of spending too much on their home.

Even the most financially savvy of them claim to stumble when it comes to sales of home goods. They simply cannot turn away from anything that can make their house more stylish and, therefore, a delight to live in. From candles to drapes, furniture, and other decorative pieces, they have no issue “snarfing” them up for their abode.

But if you cannot risk busting more money than you need to for your home because of other financial accountabilities or new money values that you have learned, there are ways to invest in your home better. Six are listed below:

1. Always think long term

Avoid burning your money on trendy pieces. Style-wise, they do not offer longevity. They will just date your home and you will only grow to regret spending money on them.

If you will be doling out a considerable amount of money – say, on pieces of furniture, go for classic pieces. These are not only timeless and versatile; they tend to be easier to repair as well. For example, simple couches are always much easier to reupholster than kitschy designs which often require special materials.

2. Upgrade what you already have

Most of the time, you do not need new items. You just need some contact paper, paint, a staple gun, and other repair materials and tools.

Elevating your home’s look can be cheaper than you initially intended to be if you work with what you already have. If your home already has a theme, like the Italian-inspired interiors of Portofino South’s houses, you can easily curate furniture and decoration pieces to work on that given style. The worn-out appearance of your couches, the paint peeling on your bed, the hard dining chairs you own – you can make them better by taking the DIY route in improving their appearance.

Take a lesson from interior designers who always say that sprucing up the look of your home and furnishings is often just a matter of buying a can of paint and different hardware from the home depot.

3. Direct money toward “fixing” tools

Having the necessary basic tools on hand will make repairs and other home maintenance efforts easier and cheap.

Aside from keeping the basic hammer, nails, screwdrivers, pliers and various types of screws, get yourself a good drill kit, a heavy duty pair of scissors and a staple gun to help keep your home in proper working order.

4. Use your credit card’s cashback rewards program

The best cashback credit cards can actually help you cover new purchases you need for your new home. So, if you want to invest in your home the smart way, use your credit card wisely as well.

Make sure that you generate enough points for your other purchases or payments. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can actually start acquiring the tools and materials you need for your DIY home improvement projects.

5. Go on bargain hunts

Prices can also vary for the same home goods. Therefore, dedicate some time to conduct a research on the items that you want or need to buy. Most of the time, different places carry them and you will find discrepancies in the prices.

Also, do not overlook second-hand stores. A lot of great furniture and home implements such as plyboards, beams, tables, and others are available there, and at much more affordable prices.

Lastly, hit up yard sales where the merchandise is often dirt-cheap. You will find a lot of items here that you can spruce up easily and without spending too much.

6. Be willing to spend more for essential and non-DIY work

This is an important tip from building contractors. If work needs to be done on your home for improved function, safety and comfort, better leave it to the pros. The initial cost may seem too much but it will be money well spent if the job is done right.

You actually can save more money this way because you can avoid the unnecessary duplicate cost for the do-over. If the cost is too much for the job, consider taking out a personal loan for the renovation. This will allow you to get to the work right away and pay for it in a more convenient fashion.

By taking a smart approach, creating a lovely home does not need to deplete your financial resources.