Spring At Last
It has been a long, dark, and cold winter full of storms and poor weather. It feels like every time a storm passes, we are only granted a brief reprieve before another bigger storm front moves in. However, mid-March is in full force and days are starting to get longer and the average temperature has started to increase. We might still have a few major weather events in front of us, but the worst of the cold seems to have passed.
Daylight
The shortest day of the year is known as the winter solstice and was on December 21st of 2021. Ever since that date we have slowly gotten more daylight every day and without most of us even noticing, the average time of the sunset has gotten significantly later. We are fortunate to have daylight well past 6pm and daylight savings time is here. On March 13th, we change our clocks and suddenly sunset will be well past 7pm every day. This will be a drastic change for us all. It will also be a good change. Sunlight brings warmth and comfort and the long days let us know that winter is now past, and spring is on the horizon. That being said, do not get too excited too fast. We still might have one or two large storms in front of us so remember not to pack away all your winter gear just yet.
Shopping Experience
With the new season on the horizon come a new shopping season. Most stores have already began putting out their spring collections and winter coats have been replaced by shorts and swim suits, ice melt and snow blowers have been replaced by outdoor furniture collections, and garden centers have begun to stock up for their big shopping season. That being said, do not rush to buy too early. Now is the time you should be window shopping and setting priories. It is still early to set up for summer, but it is the best time to plan. What are your must haves for the year and what are luxuries you may save for the future? Outdoor furniture and major landscaping projects are expensive and should be done properly. This means taking the time to shop out options and begin to plan on what to get when. Doing this will help ensure you stick to your budget and get the most bang for your buck.
Being Modest and Smart
Most of us do not have excess money laying around to redo our yards, get new outdoor furniture, update spring and summer clothing collections, and to buy whatever other spring seasonal item we may want. Financing is a way to get more then you can currently afford but it comes at a price. Eventually everything must be paid for. The best way to ensure we get everything we need is to be thoughtful, plan well, and be modest when possible. Everyone wants nice, top of the line, things but sometimes cheaper options can be just as good. It depends on the project and the planning. If a major home improvement project is on the horizon for you in 2022, the time is now to plan. Start thinking about what key items need to be purchased and then considered what accessories are needed and where money can be saved. Will a guest really notice the difference between a $100 flowerpot and a $40 one? Everyone has different design preferences and if you take the time to think about what you like you can come up with ways to trim the budget. The worst thing any of us can do is go to a design center with no plan in mind. That is the easiest way to run up a large bill without even noticing it.
Designers & Personal Shoppers
Many people are afraid to hire a designer or personal shopper because we believe that it will be expensive, and we can save money by making all the decisions themselves. In some cases, this might be true, but in others hiring someone to help might save you money in the long run. First, time is money, and a designer can save you a lot of time. Second, a professional will know where to spend big and where to save. They are trained to sell but they are also trained to work on a budget. Be upfront with any design consultant about budget and they will likely be able to deliver a great look at a reasonable price. Finally, do not have sticker shock. Inflation has hit the economy hard recently and everything is more expensive. Listen to professionals and understand what you are buying so you can have confidence in your purchase. Any reputable design consultant or personal shopper should have multiple options for any design or style with varying price points.
With spring comes the feeling of warmth and comfort. Days are longer and many of us will venture out of our homes more often. We will shop, we will start home improvement projects, and we will spend money. Just make sure to come up with a plan now. If we set enough time aside and make quality decisions odds are we will end up happy with whatever we end up purchasing.