• About
  • Mortgage Basics
  • $40K Challenge
  • Aunt Doris
  • Grandfather Says
  • Privacy
  • Archives

Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

6 Ways to Secure Your Home on a Budget

By Tex Freitag

Securing your home is essential for your safety, but you may be finding it difficult to get started. Some systems can be expensive, and while they are worth it, not everyone has that kind of money upfront. Luckily, there are some other affordable tips that can still be very effective.

With that in mind, here are some great ways to secure your home on a budget. Let’s get started!

Put up fake signage

When intruders go scouting for homes, they try and look for the best possible target. If you want an easy way to deter them away, consider putting up some fake signage. They only cost a few dollars each and work like a charm. It could be something like “Beware of the dog” or “Smile you’re on camera.” There are many different options out there.

Clean up your yard

Did you know that cleaning up your yard is another way to make your home less of a target? By pruning your bushes and throwing away any garbage, intruders won’t have anywhere to hide and will tend to avoid your property. Alongside this, neighbors and individuals passing by will also be able to keep an eye on your home.

Secure your sliding doors

Sliding doors can be an easy break-in point, but you don’t have to invest in state-of-the-art locks to secure them. Just place a wooden or metal rod in the sliding track, and it won’t open from the outside. It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.

Install an affordable alarm system

Alarms are one of the best ways to scare off intruders. Obviously, if you want the best alarm system, you’re going to need to spend some money. However, there are also many cheap options out there. While they won’t have 24/7 monitoring and high-tech video cameras, they will get the job done until you can afford an upgrade.

Update your locks

If you’ve recently moved into a new house and apartment, the first thing you want to do is update and change your locks. This way, you know that nobody has access and they are in good working condition. You might also consider putting on a door chain as an extra level of precaution. You can learn how to install one here.

Keep your valuables hidden

There are many things to consider when safely storing valuables in your home, but the number one thing is to make sure that they are hidden effectively. There is no point putting them in a safe that is easily visible from your bedroom window! Find unique places where nobody would think to look. It could be somewhere like an empty can or inside a vent. Just make sure you keep track of where you put everything! The last thing you want is to move out and leave behind a precious diamond ring.

And that’s it! Hopefully, you’ll use at least a few of these tips to help you secure your home on a budget.

So … what do you think? Do you have any other ideas to share?

Photo Credit: stock photo

3 Comments March 17, 2021

Comments

  1. 1

    Gee says

    I have lots of ideas but – I’m not gonna put them on the internet. 😀

    Reply
    • 2

      Len Penzo says

      I completely understand that POV, Gee!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Starting a Business? Then You Need to Read This … – Len Penzo dot Com says:
    March 30, 2021 at 4:20 am

    […] If you are starting your own business, you are most likely trying to draw quite the bit of attention towards yourself in order to make the public aware of what you’re selling and who you are. This is a good idea — but it can cause security issues, since many people associate business owners with people who have a lot of money. Of course, that increases your business’ odds of being a robbery target — so it is important to update your security-system. The good news is there are more than a few ways to secure your business on a budget. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Question of the Week:

Should you be allowed to opt out of Social Security?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Recent Posts

  • 5 Investment Strategies To Help You Save For Retirement
  • 22 Smart Money Tips Everyone Can Learn by Playing Doctor
  • Black Coffee: Playing a Losing Game
  • Can Scheduling a Spring Tune-Up Save You Money?
  • The High Cost of CBD Oil: Why Is It So Expensive?
  • Understanding Slips and Trips: How Not to Get Caught Out
  • Here’s How Solar Power Can Save You Money
  • 5 Reasons Why Gold Is The Best Metal To Invest In
  • 8 Smart Alternatives to Wasting Your Money on a Lavish Wedding
  • 9 Ways to Use Your Money After the Mortgage is Paid Off

Disclaimer

This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and the content herein should not be mistaken for professional financial advice. In fact, making investment decisions based on information published here, or any other website for that matter, is more than unwise; it is folly. This website accepts advertising in the form of monetary and other compensation; as such, topics of discussion are occasionally influenced by these advertisers. Sometimes, an article may also include affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, this blog earns a commission if you click through and make a purchase (for example, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases). Remember, you and you alone are responsible for the decisions you make in life, so please contact an independent financial professional for advice regarding your unique personal situation.

Sign up for the weekly Len Penzo dot Com newsletter
Len Penzo dot Com Delivered Weekly
Join more than 30,000 readers and fans who enjoy personal finance and macroeconomics with an offbeat twist!
Invalid email address
Thanks for subscribing!

Popular Now:

  1. 1. The 7 Most Popular Ways to Commit Financial Suicide
  2. 2. 25 Examples of Shrinkflation That No Longer Fool Consumers
  3. 3. The 10 Worst Things I Ever Bought
  4. 4. 7 Perplexing Money Questions Without a Good Answer
  5. 5. My Cola Taste Test: Is Coke Really Better Than Pepsi?
  6. 6. Planning a Wedding? Here Are 9 Ways to Ensure You’ll Pay Too Much
  7. 7. Economic Collapse 101: How to Prepare for Water Supply Disruptions
  8. 8. A Simple Test to Know If It’s Better to Rent or Buy a Home
  9. 9. The Big Secret the Banking Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know
  10. 10. 4 Good Reasons Why Some Quarters Are Painted Red

All-Time Most Popular:

  1. 1. 19 Things Your Suburban Millionaire Neighbor Won’t Tell You
  2. 2. Dear Friend: Here Are 41 Reasons Why I’m NOT Lending You the Money
  3. 3. Why Your Expensive Luxury Car Doesn’t Impress Smart People
  4. 4. If You Can’t Live on $40,000 Annually It’s Your Own Fault
  5. 5. 21 Reasons Why Corner Lots Are for Suckers
  6. 6. 4 Smart Reasons Why College Isn’t for Everyone
  7. 7. 18 Fast Facts About Social Security Numbers
  8. 8. My Ketchup Taste Test: Upset! Guess Which Brand Topped Heinz
  9. 9. Why I Prefer a Spreadsheet to Track Expenses and Manage My Finances
  10. 10. Here’s a Simple Trick for Getting Credit Card Interest Charges Waived

Copyright © 2021 Len Penzo dot Com · All Rights Reserved · Designed by Nuts and Bolts Media

© Len Penzo dot Com 2008–2021