Energy costs are on the rise, and with winter around the corner, now’s a good time to figure out what small changes you can make to keep that energy bill in check.

Your household budget doesn’t have to be complicated. A functional household budget simply accounts for money that comes in and money that goes out. That can be as simple as dedicating 50 percent of your money toward needs, 30 percent toward wants, and 20 percent for savings or debt repayment.

It takes a lot of work to make a house a home. You may want to upgrade your kitchen, build a patio, or install hardwood floors. How to budget after buying a house to make that work – and to keep up with your bills and maintenance – can be a delicate balancing act.