Avoid these Beginner Homeowner MISTAKES - Ways I've screwed up ALREADY

[@BudgetGirl]

DISCUSS: What lessons have you learned the hard way? in homeownership or otherwise? And any tips on fighting with my internet company? I have the rage. grr.

[@kirstenmanzi8939]

A lesson I learned the hard way was also concerning my washer/dryer! The dial broke for my dryer. I called a company to come out. Turns out it was the dial that was broken. It cost about $100. After he left, I googled my dryer name and broken dial, and a KZbin video popped up stating it's common for the knobs to break, and you can order a new one through Sears for about $8 and easily replace yourself. OUCH. Taught me to google before I call a repair company! You live and you learn. :)

[@beckbabej]

With mine you have to escalate to a specialist to unlock certain deals. Also, it may be cheaper to stop your service and then restart as a "new" customer to get certain start up deals. Different state, different company, but hey, maybe.

[@cheyannemanderson]

I completely canceled my internet a few years ago because I was paying $100 and it was going down every other day. They wouldn’t lower my bill and multiple service reps couldn’t fix the issue. 3 months later I signed back up and it was only $35 a month for the same speed. And the mystery issue was resolved 🙄🙄🙄

[@arescue]

If you decide to plant outside, perhaps fruit trees, be sure to find out how big they will get. Roots can grow underneath your house and destroy plumbing, foundation, or gas lines/power lines.

[@falltravels4049]

The same day we moved into our home 30 years ago, the water heater went out. We were exhausted and thought the home warranty that we had would probably just blow us off. But the previous owner had also purchased a home warranty through American Shield and they replaced the water heater immediately. Great to hear good things about the company today.

[@lookn4answrs]

Thank you for sharing your wins & fails. Really enjoyed it :)

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@johnriggs7994]

You should be so proud of yourself. You are doing it girl! If I was there I would give you a pat on the back, a big hug, and buy you a drink to celebrate all of your wins! You've got this. By the way I like the paint colors you chose for your new place. The main bathroom looks 100% better.

[@BudgetGirl]

Thank you so much!

[@kirstenmanzi8939]

One of the reasons I like my home security is because I have fire monitoring included in mine. So if my smoke alarms go off and I'm not home to punch in a code, the info will go to the fire department (and maybe police department?). Not sure but I think it also gets me a small discount on homeowners insurance (in addition to peace of mind :)). If you ever wanted a security system in the future, if you shopped around, probably can do better than $40 a month. :)

[@clutterfreewithkb]

Hatchback for the win is so true! I put a kitchen table and 5 chairs in the back of my hatchback with the seats folded down! Woohoo!!!!

[@BudgetGirl]

Right on!

[@1myedwards]

You will be okay. There are a whole lot of videos on this platform where you can learn how to do almost anything. Just be the kind of landlord who cares and you will always win. Stay business minded, yet tenant focused. Tenant who love their home is money in your pockets.

[@stephaniemiersch]

OMG, I love how you just casually mentioned: "This is Texas, so we gave guns". So far removed from my reality here in Québec, Canada. I don't know anyone who owns a firearm here unless they are a hunter!

[@swaninlondon]

100% - I'm in Australia and I literally had to skip back to make sure I heard what I thought I heard! So strange to hear!

[@BudgetGirl]

I totally get it! If they declared personal firearms illegal tomorrow, id hand mine in (my fam would probably not to be honest), but there is a knife to a gun fight mentality of "if everyone around me has guns, and I don't, am I going to be okay if something bad happens (robbery, looting, etc)?" -- I'd rather have one and potentially be better off than without, than the opposite. I sincerely hope I never have to even worry about realiatically needing it. But I do know how to use it, clean it, fire it, safety, etc. Just in case.

[@garmstrong4872]

Your washer story reminded me of something that happened to my aunt - she bought a brand new TV. She got home, unboxed and set it up. However it wouldn't turn on. She changed the batteries in the remote and still nothing. She called the store and the cable company. Nothing. Finally after multiple calls to the store she demanded they bring her a new set and take "this blanket-y blank" one back. The store sent a technician who came in the house looked at the TV, reached down and plugged it in.

[@beckbabej]

$75 for the $300 toilet, $75 for the loose nut, you're still ahead $150. Forgive yourself! :) Pretty sweater, it really suits you.

[@BudgetGirl]

ooh excellent math there! I also came out ahead with the other calls by far! thanks!

[@jarehares]

Plus, you learned about plumbing. So, no real loss.

[@nhunter6506]

“Bungee cords and prayer y’all”....(flips hair) lol. You are doing SUCH a great job young lady!!!!

[@BudgetGirl]

thank you so much, and thank you for appreciating my sense of humor!

[@StephanieJoRountree]

I think you're doing a great job, even with the small fails. Love this series.

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@carableu]

So much to learn when you buy a home!

[@firstname7470]

Enjoyed your wins and losses. I had AHS when I bought my home because the seller paid for it. After about 2 weeks, we noticed a huge puddle of water and instantly blamed the cats. It happened a few more times and I realized it was every time we ran the dishwasher. I paid my $75 thinking there was something wrong with the unit. The tech came out, fiddled with a few things, then announced that it was the rubber seal around the unit and all he did was straighten it out.

[@BudgetGirl]

Well i'm glad it wasn't more serious!

[@bonitajordan6825]

As a single senior with no dog or gun (🇨🇦) living in a beach community I was advised to get a security system when I purchased my home. A number of homes nearby have been burgled but not mine. Luckily the police caught the gang involved right in the midst of robbing yet another home. I will call my cable company today to negotiate my bill! Thanks for that tip Sarah. I’ve started using Facebook market place before I have to buy anything for my home. Not one of the bedroom doors in my home are the same size so I did buy a custom door for my bedroom with a full pebbled glass insert. My bedroom/bathroom hallway is quite narrow and was very dark until the new door was added. The snow load where I live can be considerable so I’ve decided not to have a Velux skylight installed. Killz is the best product ever to cover dark paint. You are doing so well on your home ownership game. 👍🏻

[@BudgetGirl]

good luck on negotiation! and yes on buying off fb marketplace!

[@shellymayler1385]

I got a king size mattress in my Toyota Corolla with the trunk closed🤣🤣

[@MoneyHoneyRachel]

This is awesome Sarah!

[@kaylaparham2890]

My big sister!! So proud of you love 😘❤️

[@BudgetGirl]

Hey Lil!

[@siobhancostello4847]

Rori is literally the best alarm system a home can have.

[@BudgetGirl]

She sounds terrifying!

[@Dee-ir7jw]

Also, put up multiple Beware of Dog signs and leave a VERY large dog water bowl outside as well. We did this many years ago when we lived in a questionable neighborhood. All of the houses on our block were broken into but we weren't. And our place was probably the easiest and most private to break into. Bad rental so the signs and dog bowl were the best we could do.

[@elbiaperez9947]

I have enjoyed your home series and love how genuine and honest you are.

[@Gi-cx5vn]

There is a plastic tool you can buy at Home Depot or Lowes that unclogs drains beautifully. Ours is called a Zip It. It costs under 3.00 and it works every time! I'm not kidding! And, they last forever.

[@HumbleVoyager]

You are doing great and all will be fine in the end. Each situation is a learning experience. I wish you the best! I too, live in Texas. The biggest fail I can remember is not understanding that the county line runs right through the middle of our house and that I'd be paying taxes to two counties and that they would each bill us for 100% of the taxes for their county! It took us more than 5 years to figure out what was happening, because the taxes were paid by the mortgage company. When we finally went to battle with the counties, they claimed there is a statute of limitations and would only refund the over payment for 5 years. HUGE nightmare!! It is a fail I will never forget. After 37+ years in this house, I watch the county tax bills like a hawk!

[@BudgetGirl]

that is insane! i'm so glad you got it fixed. i'd be pulling my hair out!

[@HumbleVoyager]

@@BudgetGirl Insane is a good word for it.

[@lindaburnside3832]

i have a Blink camera set up on my front door. I love it! When I am working on the 2nd floor, i can never heard anybody at the front door, but thanks to my camera, I know when I have a package, when someone comes and goes and when a bird or a bee stops by.

[@BudgetGirl]

i really like being able to see what's at the front door on the inside monitor too! Often it beeps due to kids or cars but its nice!

[@liliamrodriguez3020]

Great video thanks

[@BudgetGirl]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hannahsurbaugh9180]

Suddenlink is the WORST!!! Their business model is highway robbery, seriously, can you imagine having a business where you could unilaterally change the cost, without notice, and it's actually legal? I hate suddenlink.

[@ShaveCave]

Duplex Diaries! Good name for the series!!

[@aydinasivertsen8139]

We bought our first house almost the same time you did, and I feel like we had sooo many frugal fails during this period🤦🏻‍♀️. I am just trying to forgive myself 😁. You are doing a great job, “just keep swimming” and learning!

[@BudgetGirl]

thank you, you too!

[@jillpruett4772]

That nut tightening sounds like my problem with dashboard lights not working on my old car - light knob not turned correctly.

[@MoodyGem]

i don’t think telling weirdos not to come will deter them. It’s sad that we live in a world where people are that crazy smdh

[@mollymay509]

loving this content!! keep it up!

[@BudgetGirl]

Thank you! Will do!

[@LouiseT2405]

We have made so many mistakes in our first year of home ownership!

[@savannahkinser7756]

I will say our ring alarm system has been our best purchase! We got the door camera after I had a weird interaction with some random guy (who was acting like he was on drugs). Got the doorbell on black Friday and then bought the alarm system about a year later. We pay annually and it comes out to about $9 a month. You can also opt for no monitoring/ response for free (the professional monitoring also allows you to look back at all the videos)

[@MoneySmartFamily]

Great job Budget Girl!

[@stickyteal5241]

I got a 28" bathroom door in my ALTIMA lol AND I got the trunk closed. I was literally eating the steering wheel on the ride home. but $35 and risk of dying beats the $179 for a new one lmao.

[@BudgetGirl]

Bahahaa. I feel like we have the same energy

[@jenniferwebster405]

Love this series, super interesting, lots to learn as I watch, and great initiative.

[@MoodyGem]

Yay you!! It’s wonderful you were able to accomplish so much

[@kristinastevenson6546]

Ugh we have the same situation in IL where we live. Only one internet servicer for our area which is Comcast. It’s so ridiculous how they make it seem like they can’t reduce the costs.

[@terrikim4992]

You are doing great! You are a beginner. The bedroom is clean, bright and pretty.

[@BudgetGirl]

thank you terri!

[@chevysnfirst]

To negotiate, make changes or get your bill lower, always ask for loyalty or retention department. I would say call between 8am- 6pm your time for that department. Tech support is 24/7 , but they can only add to bill , not lower it. You will always need to speak with loyalty or retention.

[@BudgetGirl]

good tip, thanks!

[@chevysnfirst]

I "may or may not " be in that field. Lol its no fun. But loyalty is definitely the department that needs to be spoken with. Listen to the phone options and don't be so quick to choose tech option first. Listen for the option to remove services or make changes ( bingo) thats the prompt you need to choose to get to them.

[@barbaracarbone4658]

Hi... You are an awesome newbie!! You're doing great. It's such a good feeling of accomplishment when you fix something by yourself and save money, too!! ... Oh those internet people... they're a nightmare. Just keep calling like you're doing. Good luck. Thanks for sharing.....What are kilts for painting?

[@BudgetGirl]

Hi barbara, it's KILZ - its a painting primer product.

[@barbaracarbone4658]

@@BudgetGirl Ok.. thanks

[@susan5301]

Your gonna be an old pro before you know it! Your doing a great job!!

[@BudgetGirl]

I hope so!

[@sunnysunshine6271]

Uuuhhh....your tenants give me anxiety already. Been a landlady for over 25 years and that doesn't sound good. Wish you luck!

[@BudgetGirl]

;-) you ain't wrong!

[@sunnysunshine6271]

@@BudgetGirl Make sure to read up on rental/housing laws, so you're prepared. I wanted to be in the rental business 25 yrs ago, but the tenants I had over the years cured me from that idea. I sold the worst place (inner city) last month with a good profit, enough to pay my house mortgage off. Will be debt free next month and have that burden off my back. When you're too nice, you only attract riff raff. Be cold, professional and run background checks, otherwise they will take you for a ride. It's sad that we have to be like this, but there are a lot of liars and fraudsters out there with zero respect for your property.

[@cocodakilla]

@@sunnysunshine6271 yes always do work references like letting agents do. They should have a good work history

[@BudgetGirl]

@@cocodakilla i inherited these tenants with the house.

[@cstarv]

I left American Homeshield. they are good for little things but a big expense they will patch and patch to avoid replacing it.

[@carolinebeck807]

Don't feel bad about paying $75 to tighten a nut. We paid $240 for a plumbing company to fix a main line water leak and all he did was tighten the fitting.

[@jazziered142]

You can have the Kiltz tinted to your paint color too.... I have done that before.

[@margaretbedwell58]

That's good to know, never heard that.

[@Natalie_11188]

From the look of your console you had Vivint- I have Vivint and sometimes my sneezes OR if the remote falls out of bed in the middle of the night it will set off the glass break.😂😂😂😂 $40 is worth it for my family situation, but I understand that you and Jacob didn’t get use out of it.

[@kathyegbert6532]

You’re doing an awesome job. Thanks for the great information! I feel bad about not mentioning the Kilz. My husband’s a builder. I should have picked up on what you were struggling with. 😕

[@KAMoseley]

Whew chile, I used to work for Sudden Link in East Tx, Twas Trash lol

[@brendamitchell5752]

Hey BG. I don't know what your tenant legislation is over there, but in Australia, if the tenant damages something (such as screws and twist ties in the garbage disposal) it can be charged to the tenant if you call out a tradie. Maybe look into what happens there, so that you may be able to refer to this in future if necessary.

[@DieFrauimrosaBademantel]

here in Germany you can put in the contract they will be charged with 150 Euro if it something broken because of usage... this way People take more care

[@caragregg323]

Lady Balls!! My new favorite phrase.

[@teresanorris4769]

I pay $125 for just internet in west Texas. Suddenlink is my nemesis. 😡

[@BudgetGirl]

ughhhhhhh. that is INSANE.

[@longashl]

Thats crazy I pay $70. I live in Houston

[@teresanorris4769]

It’s not even fast but we live outside of town and don’t have an option. We had another company come by and offer slower internet for $10 less.

[@teresanorris4769]

We live in Amarillo.

[@DaltonsFriendswood]

You can even get your kilz tinted your paint color!

[@CassieDavis613]

Talk to the internet company's retention department.

[@jillpruett4772]

I live in Wyoming. We moved here to get away from the crap on the west coast (Portland OR area). People in Cheyenne know better than to do that. Harmful to your health.

[@emilasmith4279]

Overall not bad fails considering all the stuff you’ve won on! Have a sit down w renter and do a contract resign complete with expectations. /Whaaaaaaattttt? You have guns?! Complete shocker. Would never have guessed that from you!! Hugs from Ohio

[@BudgetGirl]

I used to be a nighttime crime reporter, i carried for safety. and i'm legally obligated to enforce the lease they had when i bought the property.

[@emilasmith4279]

Ohhhh that makes more sense about gun. Good point about lease obligation. Take care!

[@thecac2040]

I need lady balls too. I need to make the call for my internet/phone soon...the year special rate I had is almost up. Glad to know I am not the only procrastinator. :o)

[@ashleymcdaniel6188]

Way to go on the door!

[@emptynester547]

Do your tenants know about your KZbin channel?

[@BudgetGirl]

yup. they found out at some point. i didn't tell them. small world.

[@emptynester547]

@@BudgetGirl They’re going to give you problems after problem,

[@meganparker8703]

LOL! This is Texas. We have guns. That’s why I don’t have a security system here in Houston either (although my apartment is not exactly robbing material). I keep my baby on my nightstand while sleeping just in case