"I've absolutely seen insurance payouts for loss claims originally calculated at under $7,000 increase to over $100,000 when people file their claims this way."

"To expand on planned maintenance tracking, you can make a fresh Google calendar, and put the date of change on there as a repeating event. Water Filter Hose

I’ve been slowly moving all my maintenance stuff to its own calendar called 'House Maint' so I can easily look back and forward for planning."

"Likewise, if you're in a place like Texas where the houses aren't built to take cold, you can cut off the water and open the taps to keep the pipes from freezing and splitting."

"I'd add that most of these are online or available in electronic format (PDF), so download it, and keep it on your phone or in the cloud."

"In addition, I also recommend a power washer. Even a cheap one can make a world of difference to decks, fences, walkways, sidewalks, your house itself, and with a few extra tools, even your cars. It's one of the higher payoff chores as far as cosmetic improvement. And it's actually kinda fun."

"If you ever need more, it will make your life so much easier."

"For example, if I was writing up the shower in my bathroom, I'd report:

• ⁠Designer Shower Curtain - $35 • ⁠Matching Shower Curtain Liner for Designer Shower Curtain - $15 • ⁠Shower Curtain Rings x20 - $15 • ⁠Stainless Steel Soap Dispenser for Shower - $35 • ⁠Natural Sponge Loofah - from Whole Foods - $15 • ⁠Natural Sponge Loofah for Back - from Whole Foods - $19 • ⁠Holder for Loofahs - $20 • ⁠Bars of soap - from Lush - $12 each (qty: 4) • ⁠Bath bomb - from Lush - $12 • ⁠High end shampoo - from salon - $40 • ⁠High end conditioner from salon - $40 • ⁠Refining pore mask - from salon - $55

I could probably keep thinking, and bring it up to about $400 for the contents of my shower. Nothing there is 'unreasonable,' nothing there is clearly out of place, and nothing seems obviously fake. Most people writing claims for a total loss wouldn't even bother with the shower since it's just some used soap and sponges. And they'd be losing out on $400.

"I've absolutely seen insurance payouts for loss claims originally calculated at under $7,000 increase to over $100,000 when people file their claims this way.""

"Cleaning the gutters is easy enough on a single story — just use a ladder and a hose. As for the roof, set money aside to replace or repair it about every 10 years. They don't last forever, and leaks will destroy a home quicker than you think."

"Water can ruin structures and turn a couple tens or hundreds of dollars of patch work or fixing into thousands of dollars of water damage and plumbing repair or mold remediation."

"Get a dehumidifier if your basement or garage are damp. Don't let any part of your house be damp. Water is the enemy."

"Also, change the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months or so."

Tarpaulin Fabric "If you live in snow country, invest in a good snowblower. Your back will thank you later in life. You will also save money over the long run rather than paying someone."