Big Purchases, backyard makeover and FREAKING OUT - Duplex Diaries | Ep.6

[@BudgetGirl]

DISCUSS: Do you buy new or used appliances? And have you ever panic-called a professional for something as DUMB as a loose nut? *head shakes at self* Thanks for watching!

[@rwind656]

How about, the appliance was unplugged or there was a circuit breaker or reset button you didn't know existed on that garbage disposal? Lol The money is painful and that hopefully is a learning experience.

[@heartintheozarks503]

fellow texan, near to Galveston. About an hour from you. Here our grass is Sod rectangles. pricey usually about $2 a rectangle. the type of grass that grows best in the region is called Saint Augustine. The houston garden center gets the plugs in from time to time, home depot and lowes and other shops. The grassnis heavy!! be aware that buying 20 plugs will weigh down your car. This might be the area where you want to call a lawn guy, to bring it, install it and then get it growing. Grass goes into hybernation usually Nov- Early Feb. not good to plant then. so Now in next 2 weeks or late Feb Good luck!!

[@heartintheozarks503]

Also, the dirt is not just dirt but sand as well, the St Augustine thrives in the sandy soil. So you may want to put a layer of sand down...

[@jungwhat]

We definitely look used first before resorting to new. However, when we moved to our apt and looked for a washer and dryer, we couldn't find one thay didnt have a dryer sheet smell in the dryer. Im super sensitive to fragrance so we opted new for my sake and wellbeing. 😅 We already bought many things 2nd hand so it wasnt as painful of a purchase.

[@titalinda8515]

Yes, I bought two used refrigerators and one lasted 10 years and the other is still working very well. They were two identical small fridges that I installed side by side. Once the water in my washer was not working, no matter how many times I turned it on and off, it did not work, so I called a technician, what was wrong? The hose was twisted, which impeded the passing of the water into the washer. It cost me about 60.00. They should have charged me more for being so stupid!!,!,.....😂😂😂

[@kaysueleppert3369]

Perhaps someone has mentioned this, but paint is something that follows the old rule - you get what you pay for. If you buy a more expensive paint, it will save you time and money in the long run. We love Benjamin Moore paint.

[@devilshorses]

For your grass...grab/purchase/rent a roller its a heavy water filled roller that you roll over your grass and it will help even it out. You want it higher by your house and grade it to your fence, pulling the water from the foundation. Topsoil works with the raking while grass is growing. But you want to put hay over the new grass so it is shaded and won't die. Also...grab a 5 dollar sprinkler and a timer to keep the ground wet for the seeds to soak.

[@christyd2896]

Thank you! Thank you! You just saved me a call to the plumber. While connecting a new washer, the faucet was leaking. I had just watched this video, so I tightened the nut you showed us and no more leak! Honestly, if I hadn't just watched this video I would have picked up the phone to the plumber. Thank you for your dedication to saving us all money. Love your content and you are awesome!

[@BudgetGirl]

So Glad it helped! thanks for sharing and commenting!

[@gubbie2u]

Sarah, have you considered sod? It'sa small yard, and may be worth it to just put down sod in that back yard!

[@beckbabej]

I agree, you can get a palette for about $100. Sod is the answer!

[@deboramorrissey7442]

Sod is more expensive initially, but it is easier to get your yard growing faster and MUCH easier than dirt and seeding. You might still have to put down dirt (which I recommend you get from a landscape company that delivers) and then put down the sod (watch a youtube video) and keep it watered. Yard will look so much better with less frustration.

[@robine916]

Grow new grass in cooler weather. (Even here in New England, it's easier to start a new lawn in the Fall. ) Keep the soil moistened 2-3x a day until it sprouts (no need for deep watering until it geminates). Water a bit deeper after it sprouts, 1-2x day. Once it is "mowing height" (it wont be thick yet, lol) water deeply 1-2x week to encourage a deep root system that helps it survive the heat. (You can water less when it rains!) When it is time for your forever home, and you are buying appliances, do not buy from a big box store. We learned the hard way that buying from small appliance stores, or directly from the company (ie GE, etc) you will get a better quality item, as opposed to the ones made "special" for the box store. (they last longer!). :D

[@BudgetGirl]

excellent tips! thanks so much robin!

[@margaretbedwell58]

Good to know about purchasing the appliances Robin. I am teetering on a new fridge and I will definitely be looking at the smaller appliance stores. I appreciate the timely information.

[@robine916]

@@margaretbedwell58 We recently had to replace a 2 year old fridge bought at Lowes, which had itself replaced a 3 year old one from Home Depot! Luckily, someone passed on this enlightening info! Good luck!

[@margaretbedwell58]

@@robine916 Thank you so much.

[@mariaolker]

Yes! Needs to be cooler for grass to grow.

[@bonitajordan6825]

Sarah and Jacob - If your washer hoses are plastic or rubber as supplied by the manufacturer you may want to invest in the braided metal ones. They don’t crack and leak. It’s a relatively inexpensive upgrade. I didn’t paint the closets in my home when I purchased it five years ago which I’ve regretted ever since. That’s the first item on my winter chore priority list. White ceiling paint works very well. I’m also adding battery powered lights from the Dollar Tree to the three bedroom closets. I’ve really enjoyed watching your Duplex series. You and Jacob make a great team. 👍🏻🥰🇨🇦

[@Sari5708iraS]

Agree with you about painting closets! Once there filled up with clothes you’ll never want to take everything out to paint them. But you’ll see it daily and kick yourself for not doing it before 🤣

[@jeffgunter8507]

Working with packed dirt is very hard and you will likely not ever get grass to grow. Topsoil added to packed dirt will just wash away or pool in low areas. May I suggest a pitchfork or aerator tool. Punch holes a few inches deep and loosen the soil over the whole yard. Follow with a thin layer of compost or topsoil mix. Now you will have a good base to plant seed or sod. Good Luck!!! Having lived in the same house for 43 years I had forgotten how difficult getting a yard started is.

[@BudgetGirl]

thank you for those tips jeff! Its very frusteratin but i really appreciate how willing everyone here is to offer solutions!

[@fofita17]

Always buy new appliances. I don’t want to deal with headaches with things breaking down super fast after spending $$$ on them. Granted, new appliances break too, but there’s usually a 1 year warranty , and I’ve purchased extended warranties for the fridge, stove and washer/dryer since those are the expensive ones.

[@deesjourney213]

We have never had good luck with seed for grass. Either the birds eat it or the rain washes it away. Also, We are in South Florida so the sun likes to burn it to a crisp also, lol. Sod is the answer. I love your video series though! It is so fun to watch people DIY. Also, great job on the appliances. When you said your budget was $1000 for all of them I was not very optimistic but you nailed it girl!

[@BudgetGirl]

Good to know! and I tried my best while prioritizing the best product. :-)

[@Kangaroojumper]

Not sure if it's helpful now but this is what I would do. Paint the fence to freshen the yard up Plant out lawn thyme (it's drought tolerant and the bees love it) than use some pavers and make a little sitting area for a small table and a couple of nice chairs. Im assuming this is going to be a rental in the end so you don't want gardens and lots of maintenance in the yard .

[@eSusan12]

One thing to check once a year are all the water shut off valves (and in the rental). If you don’t have one on the new fridge definitely add one. Also add a filter to the ice maker.

[@BudgetGirl]

excellent tips, i'll do that!

[@chantellicopter]

We redid our backyard last year, corrected the slope, added a patio and a garden. Mind you it's a bit bigger than yours but we started out with no experience! I watched a lot of KZbin videos and articles online to learn how. The soil against your foundation isn't the problem, you need to have a proper slope. Check your area to see what the slope should be but I believe ours was 2 inches every 10 feet. It doesn't need to be exact but you need that water running away from your foundation! Rent a rototiller machine and break up the soil in the whole yard and then run a string line for your slope. Rake it out and then do your grass seed now that it's a bit cooler out. Also, keep your dog off the grass for 6 months, their nails will rip up the new grass! I would also look into your eaves and see if they are in good shape. Good luck!

[@daniellem5175]

Congrats on getting such good deals on your appliances! I really like the sleeper sofa. Love that you are doing so much stuff yourself...it gives me inspiration to try things too. For your yard though, if the grass seed doesn't grow , I agree with some other that sod may be worth it. Great video, looking forward to the next one!!

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks so much!!

[@joanmilano5302]

You are one hard worker!!

[@firesign4297]

😳 And I was complaining about changing cabinet....KNOBS!😳🤣 👍👍🤗

[@joaquimrodriguez8961]

Rent out a rotor tiller , smooth it out with the rake . Then you throw on your top soil. Than , you can lay down some grass sod. If you wish. ( Of course you'll have to buy the sod. And a water hose sprinkler. water down for about one hour. And your done.

[@DeborahTrying]

You are goals!! If I were to have the option, I would love to go down the route that you have towards financial success. Knowing that I’d my mother in law was going to come with my husband, a duplex was out of the question where I am. Your choice for buying second hand on appliances you’d only enjoy for a few years was truly the right idea. For my forever home, I splurged on new appliances because I honestly didn’t know much else and didn’t want to deal with anything that could potentially pop up. You are totally rocking this duplex diaries series and I love seeing your enthusiasm! :D

[@AnitasDreams]

Best advise on the lawn would be to consult a local nursery for advise on the type of grass or plantings for your climate. i'm in Ohio so I don't know if Texas even gets snow but my Dad used to sow his grass seed in winter when a snow was on the ground. As it melts the seed goes into the ground along with the moisture from the melting snow. It actually works great.

[@mompuff6857]

I’m so so proud of you!! You truly are amazing!! 🙌🏻🦋💜

[@kara.oz.]

LOVE your videos, girl! Arkansas viewer here 😀

[@lindap9079]

When your King Dollar tools break (and they will), invest in quality yard tools. As a homeowner you will always be needing them. Quality tools can make a job so much easier. Learn what makes a quality tool, so you know what you are looking for. Then keep an eye out for them at thrift stores and yard sales.

[@walkingexercise5375]

Great job! Love this series! Question: I saw your post on Instagram about progress not perfection with your September goals recap and your October goals, could you make a video about your process of setting these small goals? Thanks!

[@livinwiththeedges8283]

I also love how efficient the layout is of this duplex. No wasted space in hallways etc. perfect for a rental.

[@BudgetGirl]

I agree! I wish the bedrooms were a TAD bigger, and there is kinda of some wasted space between the kitchen and the backyard, but i think its a good layout overall and works really well living in it. It also feels very spacious on the kitchen and living half.

[@freedominabudget]

This was so fun!! My favorite Duplex Diaries so far!!

[@BudgetGirl]

thanks for hanging out in the premiere!

[@kikihammond5326]

You definitely need to make sure your yard slopes away from your house. Since it is such a small yard, you can do it on you own. Get a sod cutter (it sort of looks like a shovel), get up all the grass, bring in soil, and then use a 2x4 to slope it away from your house. It should slope away on all sides including both units. There's math formula forr the sloping, but I think it's like next to the house it should be 2" higher than 3' away (I may be completely wrong, so check on that). You can check the height by stringing a line across the house and your high point and go down from there. Then I'd just throw down sod because it won't take very much sod with such a small yard.

[@BudgetGirl]

i will look into this, thanks so much for the suggestion!

[@theshivelys]

This was such a fun video! We have been landscaping our 5000 sqft yard since April and its been a journey!! We are finally almost done leveling the main area for grass so that we can get curbing in!! Only 1640 sqft will be grass though and we are definitely doing SOD. Seed would of course be cheaper but our dog is very active and she would kill the grass if we tried to go that route. So I vote SOD too! It kind of alleviates the hassles that come with seed and its more durable. Especially when you live in AZ with 118 degree summers!

[@ageisonlyanumber8334]

Fall is the best time to plant grass and any other plant, so try again if you have not already. Great to see it all coming together!

[@annewatson4786]

Love watching these -you can tell you and Jacob put in so much work-thanks for letting us be included in your journey-

[@dayna537]

for your grass, if it's not taking the seed you are putting down try hydroseed or sod. we had the exact same problem at our house with the seed not taking. we eventually decided to hydroseed as it was the cheaper option for us and it looks great now

[@HumbleVoyager]

Thanks for the video, BG! I've not purchased used appliances before. We've owned our home for over 37 years and so as you can imagine, we've had a few appliance replacements. Experience has taught me that brand matters. I would definitely consider used as long as it is a Whirlpool, KitchenAid or other American brand appliance. I'll never again purchase another LG appliance...ever...NEVER!

[@BudgetGirl]

i feel like everyone has a brand that did them dirty and are now dead to them! :-) thanks so much for watching!

[@savannahgene7535]

I’m so happy for you. I started watching all your videos from the start and am so excited for this new journey. :’)

[@BudgetGirl]

Thank you so much!! good luck, you got this! one step at a time!

[@sarahhaberacker7835]

I would use some peel and stick wallpaper for the closets. Pretty patterns and no mess!

[@teenanelson8832]

I live in Spring, Tx. The best grass for our area is St. Augustine.

[@margaretbedwell58]

Your couch purchase was a steal...it is really high end looking. That works great for an office and guest room combined. No sense taking up a whole room for guests when it might be only a half dozen times a year it is used for that. The only suggestion I would make in regards to the washer, is the metal type hot water hose connection. I couldn't tell from the video if that is what you have. If a hose breaks, 90% of the time it will be the hot water one. I am excited for your move. Y'all have a Blessed day.

[@BudgetGirl]

thanks! I agree on the office. The pull out seemed to be a good solution and its working great!

[@bonniehosmer2021]

when I bought my house my dad told me to go to the dollar tree get Sun powder laundry detergent. Plant the seeds -grass, fertilizer and mix all three in a spreader and repeat every 3 months. if your washer is where you can put the drain on the grass and move it all over the yard just have to extend the hose. my dad used a sprinker to let him know what stage the laundry was at. It worked! My Neighbors were always asking me what I was going.

[@Sari5708iraS]

Gree up in Fl my mom did the same thing with her washer water. Everything but a bleach cycle got to water the lawn

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@elenacala]

I did something like that with our washer too, we all have have crazy first time home owner stories! Breathe, your doing well. And I sometimes buy used, and sometimes new. We bought a new fridge but we're saved and bought it with cash. We bought our washer and dryer used and it's still going 10 years strong.

[@BudgetGirl]

That is awesome!

[@debmorehead1118]

I would hire the lawn work out and have them put sod in. It is worth the money.

[@tarrabrown3506]

I absolutely loved this video 💜💜. I found myself smiling as I watched. I’m so excited for you and this new chapter. I’ve followed your journey since right before you moved to Mena. Can’t wait to see more abs learn from your experiences. And tip w grass with the grass, as you till the soil and add seed cover w straw/hay. That’s what the landscapers do on the property I work at.

[@BudgetGirl]

Thank you so much!!

[@kathussey4472]

Can you do a video on thrift shopping for clothes as a plus size woman? I have always had trouble finding clothes for cheap except at the actual stores in their clearance section.

[@kirstenmanzi5822]

Great video! I enjoy watching your “Duplex Diaries” series and seeing the progress you are making house hacking.

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you like them!

[@rakelh]

Love it! I can't wait to see the next episode! Paver tips (from a fellow DIYer who learned along the way): they are a lot of work, but will last for years and years if done properly. Foundation foundation foundation! You have to build the proper foundation or they will settle, crack and look terrible. This means digging down 6-8 inches. (It'll be easier to rent a tiller and do the whole backyard like someone else suggested.) Then you can just scoop out the loose dirt instead manually digging with a shovel... After that start with a layer of gravel and followed by a layer of sand. At least a few inches of each depending on how big they are. The pavers sit directly on the sand, so it's really important to have a long level while placing them to keep the slope consistant. It's a bit finicky, but so satisfying when done. We put pavers as an extension from our patio and a small retaining wall for our raised garden bed 5 years ago. It was a ton of hard work (mainly because said retaining wall is 52ft long), but they are both still going strong! We saved thousands of dollars doing it ourselves instead of hiring a landscape company. Good luck on your home ownership adventures! You're doing great so far!

[@rakelh]

PS make sure you get paver sand, NOT sandbox sand. There is a huge difference. It's cheaper to buy it from a landscape supply company than by the bag from a big box store. You'll also need a tamper to pack the sand down.

[@BudgetGirl]

wow that is so impressive and sounds beautiful!

[@dianemalek436]

I think if you have stains on the walls there is a special paint that hides them.

[@ravenwilliams8851]

My thoughts on the yard right off: It looks like because you don't have any gutters that ditch area is probably caused by the force of the runoff from you roof. If you live underneath a pine tree I recommend forgoing the gutters all together because it is hard to keep up with sweeping the roof off and avoiding conglomerations of pine straw where water can sit and start to wear down the tar under your shingles (been there done that don't recommend it for your pocketbook.). I would dig out a little trench so drainage can occur and filling it with some nice rocks either gravel or river stones. You can dress it up with some nice potted plants or even plant some water friendly bushes along the area (make sure there roots don's travel because you are pretty close to you foundation). I know you already put in hours of work but in the long term helping the water travel in the direction you want will be better for your dirt health.

[@ravenwilliams8851]

Also try pricing out with a local nursing home if it would be more cost beneficial to get a load of dirt or gravel/rocks. It's not always a better deal, but if you end up doing similar things to both yards then It might be more cost efficient. They can also help you come up with a game plan with which plants will do best in you region/yard conditions, and may even have a dirt test you can get to know what your soil may be missing to grow grass efficiently.

[@BudgetGirl]

a french drain is on the list of potential solutions! Thank you for your thoughts on the gutter, i had not thought of that!

[@1myedwards]

A nugget of advice now that you're a new landlord, and that is to not be cheap with your fixtures and appliances. I grew up in rentals and was a renter until 10 years ago (I'm in my 50s). Saving money on those things is great, but remember human beings will one day call this place their home. Rental income will be more steady when the tenant can rent a home they feel safe in and feel good about living in. Don't think: Oh, I can ot enjoy this for a couple of years so I'm not going to buy a new one. Consider instead, you will by good quality items for less so they will last for many years. 😉 That will save you money in the long run.

[@donnaterry9073]

I love your energy Ideas and channel. You sweet girl where is your help with the yard. Good for you .

[@BudgetGirl]

I hire a neighbor who has his own business to mow, i've gotten a lot of new options from smart commenters!

[@donnellboone7442]

Great video Sarah!! You and Jacob are very hard workers. After all of that hard work,l would have eaten out at Denny's. Looking forward to the next video!!

[@LisaVanGemert]

Hi! I love these!!! I'm ready for the housewarming party! Washing machine: that's SUPER common when they're moved. Lot's of people have that happen, so don't feel badly. Okay, the lawn. Best KZbin lawn channel is the Lawn Care Nut. However, here's the bad news: seed in Texas is just expensive bird food. To be successful without wanting to put out every strand of your hair, use sod. If you want to use plugs you can (with St. Augustine), but sod's best. If you really need to save money, you can patchwork it, leaving gaps. It spreads via runners, so it will fill in. HOWEVER, weeds can fill in, too, so it's a toss-up. The space isn't that large; I'd just sod it. Pro tip: prep the soil, lay the sod, tamp it down, water well for three weeks with no mowing and no walking on it. You really can't do it at this time of year. You'll need to wait until Spring. If you're worried about mud, seriuosly just get a cheap piece of used astroturf and throw it over the spot for the winter. :-) - Love, Aunt Lisa

[@BudgetGirl]

great tips lisa, i'm glad its not just my incompetence! thanks as always for watching!

[@kaleigh4081]

Friends of ours used sod for their yard and had too much. They put it on FB and sold it that day (has to go down quickly). So maybe next spring, if you keep your eye out, you could find some on FB, too.

[@kaleigh4081]

Glad to see some more of the inspirational renovations! Can't wait to hear what you name the new business.

[@BudgetGirl]

thanks for watching!

[@nhunter6506]

Awesome work! Dave Ramsey has a link to an appliance repair site for DIYers that includes how to videos (sorry can’t remember name but he does endorsements or them on his channel also). I know that grass seed can’t dry out during germination and you have your hot climate to deal with. It’s pretty fragile when it’s new also. Good luck!!

[@mytinykitchen8862]

so proud of all your accomplishments since your debt free scream. you go girl!

[@kathybohannoncreativelyble3484]

Enjoying your videos! Always so encouraging!

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you like them!

[@livinwiththeedges8283]

Side by side fridges are perfect for a couple or small family. Tougher for a large family so perfect for you! Looks beautiful too.

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks so much! 😊It's bigger than we need actually but I wont complain about that! I absolutely love it. I've only ever had the traditional freezer top fridges before and this is such an upgrade.... crushed ice!!!

[@bonnyroggenbauer6518]

This is exciting! Happy for you! When we moved in our house, all the pipes were leaking water underneath the sink cabinets. It was actually new construction too! My hubby said they used cheap crap. First day, we had to replace all that.

[@BudgetGirl]

Oh wow! I'm so sorry you had to deal with that!

[@Sari5708iraS]

Couldn’t see it in the video, but think about putting a washer pan under your washer. Fridges can last fooooorever! Mine came with the house and went thru abuse by many renters. It was tan and rusty and the coils were caked with dust. Gave it an extreme clean and we ended up painting the whole thing with a beautiful teal latex paint. 6 years of ownership later and it still looks cheery! When It finally dies, I’ll probably end up at the local scratch and dent place. Also!!! Here in GA we have small liquidator places (search them on FB) we call them half price Home Depot’s they get all the Home Depot returns and close outs and sell the items for 1/2 of what HD sells them for on the website. You can find ppl on FB market place who paint commercial buildings who always have extra paint to sell. All different colors. And of course Habit for humanity restores have tons of building materials/light fixtures/a/c filters

[@BudgetGirl]

the liquidator place sounds incredible! And i love our restore but it was closed due to a flood... i'm grabbing stuff there now though! thanks so much for watching!

[@susanvelez6534]

Great job👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼! I can't wait to see the home tour darling👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙋🏻

[@jackiekolb2187]

Totally different climate where I'm at in MI, but we've had the most success with grass in cooler weather (spring/fall) and if you add some straw on top of the seeds. It helps keep the moisture in and after you water it. A big bag of it was only like $15 at the home improvement store.

[@marykekana2419]

From what I know you must cut the grass extremely short to almost root level, then cover it with fertilizer, water only after sunset everyday till it sprouts again.

[@cinderwhite]

I binge watched Monty Don's various shows before I tore up and replanted the frontyard. I later found out I needed a permit, but luckily I avoided thousands of dollars in fines and penalties from the city and HOA. 😂

[@lindaburnside3832]

Price-wise for your van rental, you probably came out the same as a Home Depot truck rental. I have rented vans from Home Depot many times. You get the first 75 minutes for $19.99 and it's $5 per 15 minutes after that. There is no mileage cost. It only works out well if you can do whatever you're going to do quickly.

[@lorainemacdonald517]

Nice couch!

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks!

[@TracysPlans]

Nice refrigerator but you are going to end up not liking it. Side-by-sides have the worst space. The new ones with freezers on the bottom have a better use of space.

[@BudgetGirl]

We love it so far, its much bigger than our old standard fridge and we have plenty of room. If we had a large family, I could see it being nicer to have something more space efficient, but for just two of us, this is far more room than we need. :-)

[@pama.6410]

Great video Sarah! I said "Oh, oh" when you thought the lawn would be established in one month. It takes a long time, a year or more I think. Here in New England we seed in the Spring or the Fall and have to water 3 times a day for two weeks at least. Then water once a day for a week and then every other day for another week or until grass is up. Right now would probably be a great time for you to seed again. Water early morning and early evening if you can't do the mid day watering. It is amazing to see how much you and Jason have tackled. Great deal on the washer and dryer. I don't trust anything like that being second hand so I save by buying the basic models of washer and dryer and fridge. We got a new washer and dryer for about 325. during a sale. Our fridge is a basic freezer on top and no water or ice machine, but we don't live in the heat you live in, where that might be more of a necessity. It was around $500., I think, also during a sale, both were at Home Depot about 3-5 years ago. No problems with them but I did buy the warranties on everything good for 3 years. May have mentioned this before, but a lot of people use a ramp to get into their shed with a lawn mower because lifting it every time gets old very fast. May want to fix the ramp but wouldn't want to eliminate it. So encouraging to see how fast you have tackled a lot of home repairs and great to hear your thinking on why you do what you do. I learn a lot!! LOVE the sofa. THAT sure is a great 2nd hand buy. That is beautiful. Great shopping! P.S. Would like to have a video on how covid is affecting your job and if your colleges are in session or if everything is remote. PPS. Jason seems a bit unhappy in this vid. Hope your communication is good. All the best.

[@2Cambell]

OMG! This summer was very inconsistent weather-wise and I know you had to really put in the work to get a respectable backyard!!! 🎆🏆🧨 Kudos, because I'm not sure I would have done anything more than fill in the holes. Btw, I like the appliance bargains and the sleeper sofa, but your green chair catches my eye!

[@BudgetGirl]

Yes! Thank you!

[@rose77778888]

My best grass tip is, just have enough for your dogs. Plant the rest in food.

[@rwind656]

May I suggest you have someone on as a guest for discussion program about appliance repairs, DIY resources, strategies for buying a good appliance? Older appliances used to last 25 years and have very short life spans now. Cheaper plastics in fittings like refrigerator drawers, and inappropriate uses of electronics cause premature failure. When I go to replace appliances now, there are many times no good choices, as I grew up expecting my appliances to last 25 or 30 years with proper care and DIY repairs. I actually have my new fridge from the first house we bought 40 years ago. It has had the defrost timer repaired very inexpensively three times through the years. Other than that it is intact. My new fancy refrigerator started failing after 3 years with broken plastic runners for the drawers. It has not been trouble-free. Our range in our first house used to have a mechanical delay timer. Nothing ever failed. Our newer oven with electronic controls failed. It is a very tough environment for electronics. And all of these appliances going after a few years to our landfills are causing a major problem.

[@BudgetGirl]

that's a great idea! I'll seriously consider it!

[@rwind656]

@@BudgetGirl , just think it would help if the expert guest had a DIY and budget saving perspective. So many will think or want us to believe that the homeowner can't fix something themselves, instead of wanting to enable them to fix what they can -- if they want to try. (The Expert Syndrome, lol.) I have encouraged a single friend of mine to make several repairs as otherwise she had to take off work for one or more days waiting on repairman to come to her rural home and pay more than she could afford. Service contracts are a good idea for some major appliances like perhaps your HVAC, but can be a real boondoggle with others where you end up paying for the repair over and over or the service charges over and over for things that you could have done yourself. With the help on the internet and places online to order pieces, there are even more repairs that can be made by the homeowner. Most anyone should be able to replace a defrost timer or clean out a hidden filter on their front loading washing machine, or replace washers in a leaky faucet, if they know the symptoms to look for, for instance. Just food for thought.

[@AndrewMKerr]

Loving the series!

[@liliamrodriguez3020]

Great video thanks

[@kaitlinobrien243]

Fabulous 💖 well done! Love from Ireland ☘️☘️☘️

[@Handbagqueen23]

Have you thought of pre grown turf? Its possibly easier for a beginner

[@susan5301]

Can't wait to see the move in video!

[@ellengriffith1585]

So far since watching your progress on your home I don’t think I would do anything different. I noticed the colour of your living room is very similar to the colour I picked for my own kitchen walls.

[@BudgetGirl]

Oh thank you!

[@NikishaGR]

Even here in canada it's recommended to grass seed in the fall

[@donnajones9006]

We always buy used washers and dryers. New ones are too costly.

[@BudgetGirl]

I was intimidated at first but the cost different is nuts! And the ones I got work perfectly!

[@paulaspruell910]

I found out last year, when my 11 year old washing machine died, that w/dryers nowadays are built to last but ten years 🙀🙀🙀. Seems terrible wasteful to me, not to mention aggravating 😝

[@bessieoriotis5104]

Keep going. You sure have more energy than me!

[@BudgetGirl]

I cut out all the parts where I laid on the ground exhausted :-D

[@cindycolston2970]

Sara, Prepper Princess used artificial turf for her backyard it looks great she lives in Arizona she says all you do is rinse it off you should check out her channel😊😊

[@KWMc1952]

That's a good idea. I watched the video and it looks just like real grass.

[@ROSELINEartcreation]

You are a beautiful motivational young lady , keep up with the great job yeeeee

[@BudgetGirl]

Thank you so much!!

[@auroraperez3559]

I’m so happy for you...

[@BudgetGirl]

thank you so much!

[@elizabethtimm381]

Love the viedo

[@aggiemom333]

I recommend st augustine grass but you probably won't be able to find any until next spring

[@margaretbedwell58]

My Dad had St. Augustine, and while it makes a beautiful lawn, it prefers a fair amount of shade, and it is so hard to walk on it because it is so thick and tall. I love it for the beauty though.

[@aggiemom333]

@@margaretbedwell58 in Texas, st augustine sod loves the sun. Its really the best for our area

[@margaretbedwell58]

@@aggiemom333 that's amazing Sandy. When I lived in Texas, it seems it was found in the shadier yards . Maybe it was just where I lived. I love to look at it, hate to mow it. Ha haha.

[@sharonreinblatt9790]

I wouldn’t worry about the color of the closets. When the lights are off, it looks white to me. Why fix what ain’t broken?

[@Shesirie]

Hi Budget Girl. Catching up on your videos. I need to get a w/d and if I could buy one got 200 as a single Mom on tight budget, that would be amazing. FB marketplace did not come to mind at all till your video. Thank you. What were the checks you made before purchasing the w/d?

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Be careful buying used.it may have bedbugs,and trust me,you do not want that hell.so,i highly advise you dismantle and really clean any appliances,etc.you get used,to be safe.not saying everyone is dirty,but bedbugs are infamous hitchhikers,and once you get infested,you have to burn everything,pay pest control,etc.its expensive as hell

[@teapurveyor]

It is extremely unlikely that they would infest the fridge. They prefer hiding places near sleeping areas and are generally not found more than 6' away from beds or couches.

[@JenniferLong2]

Cockroaches are another big concern!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

@@teapurveyor hate to say it,they go for anyplace. Electronics,clothing,furniture,appliances,vehicles.

[@BudgetGirl]

I'm fortunate that everything was VERY clean and I definitely did my own cleaning and inspected for bugs. the pull out couch actually still had the factory plastic over the mattress and was in really great condition. The fridge and laundry set had a couple cobwebs on the bottoms but i bleached and scrubbed a bunch. :-)

[@bonniemiles7957]

Keep some teflon tape in your plumbing bag of tricks.

[@BudgetGirl]

Good idea!!

[@emilyroberson4110]

Do you have gutters? It would probably help with the water drainage. We held off for a while at our old house but it really wasn't that much in the grand scheme (less than $1000 for the entire 2300 sqft 1 story house)

[@BudgetGirl]

that is the current potential solution!

[@ResourcesWithMarie]

Great Video.

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@beckbabej]

Everything is looking great! One tiny Frugal tip, your existing car insurance will cover you when you're in a rental.

[@BudgetGirl]

I don't think mine did but i will absolutely check for next time!

[@lovefaith6139]

Hey 👋 Budgetgirl. New subscriber Great video. Thanks for sharing. GOD Bless

[@BudgetGirl]

Thanks for subbing!

[@rochellethundercloud346]

Ask what type of grass is best suited for texas heat

[@margaretbedwell58]

Most people have Bermuda grass. It is very drought tolerant once established. I know people on the east coast hate it, I now live on the east coast, but Texas is different.

[@lydiabudgetsmore622]

I had such a horrible experience with American Home Shield Warranty. Is that who you have? They took 7.5 weeks to fix my AC and it cost me $1700. The repair only lasted 6 months. They also sent a plumber to my house to fix my shower and he asked to see my feet! I found out my neighbor had the same guy but he touched her feet!

[@BudgetGirl]

ewwww. thats horrible and yes that is the company i have (i'm not affiliated), but that hasn't been my experience. i've had them come for plumbing multiple times and a few other things, and all of the service people they've sent have been awesome. I also haven't had to pay for anything above my $75 service request. The only time i was unhappy was on the day of my move, the Ac went out again and they couldn't get someone there for like 4 days. Obviously that wasn't ok, so i called a local company and paid out of pocket, but worth it to move in to a cool house in summer.

[@karynb7781]

We have an app here called 'nextdoor' and there's AmaZing used deals on all things furniture and appliances, lighting, vanities, etc. I've used it 100x! -joking- but it's great. Our grass is 4yr old on a veryrocky lot and every stinkin' yr it tries to die. Neighbors have inground sprinklers...I hate to do it, but I 'might'??? Ugh!

[@BudgetGirl]

good luck! and i haven't tried next door but i've heard of it!

[@cherylbraithwaite8397]

Your doing a great job 👍😀🌸 Is Jacob shy, he doesn’t talk much

[@alop08]

Best duplex diaries everrr ! Thanks for sharing

[@BudgetGirl]

Wow, thank you!

[@purplegrrl711]

We killed grass at least three times thinking of making it garden beds lol

[@BudgetGirl]

I'm not above it at this point! I may need to install a gutter or french drain as its a certain area that keeps getting drowned.

[@irenek2k20]

Did you get a home inspection before buying home?

[@BudgetGirl]

I did! And they said the AC was in perfect condition!

[@irenek2k20]

Did you not have car insurance to cover the truck rental liability?

[@BudgetGirl]

It only covered partial and I thought $10 was a small fee to pay for the extra coverage.

[@Sari5708iraS]

Sometimes your different CC’s can also have car rental coverage as a perk

[@ehmann91]

Hi! What type of mortgage did you get for this property?

[@BudgetGirl]

Hi Kelly, I got an fha loan. there is a link in the description box to an article on my website where i break down all the numbers, options i had, etc!

[@ehmann91]

I will check it out! Thanks for your quick response! 🙂

[@valeriesfascination1941]

What happened with the baby birds?

[@BudgetGirl]

At least two made it as i watched them fly off. the third left the nest and i never saw it again! I had an update in DD2 i think

[@emilasmith4279]

You are rockin it! I bet hubby to be loves how you find great deals for less! Been there done that with small issues that cost me a handful of $ to get someone in to fix. Even long term home owners still run into that!! Just part of the “education”. Hugs!

[@BudgetGirl]

So true!