That Makes Cents: Winter yard prep

Here are a few tips to save your yard and your money.

Protect your plants. Clear out old leaves and branches and put down a good mulch to keep them warm. Do it yourself, and you'll save as much as $75.

Cut off any dead tree branches with pruning shears or a small saw to keep the tree healthy and your house safe.

Dave Lupberger, ServiceMagic.com Home Improvement Expert
"Those are the things that can snap. And the larger the branch, the more damage it might cause."

But never remove more than a third of the tree's branches. By trimming yourself, you can save at least $100 per tree.

Clean out those gutters.

Dave Lupberger, ServiceMagic.com Home Improvement Expert
"If there's leaves and branches you're just going to scoop it out."

The do-it yourself savings are between $75 and $150.

And finally, put away those hoses and turn off outdoor faucets.

Dave Lupberger, ServiceMagic.com Home Improvement Expert
"If that's not turned off and water freezes in the faucet, that's a plumber coming out and that could be a $100, $200."

And that makes cents.

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