Photograph Credit: MorgueFile (Pambenn)

My husband Paul keeps up our yard. I remember when our old lawnmower quit about 5 years ago, and we began shopping for a new one. After looking and researching the features needed to keep our property maintained, we purchased a push lawnmower from Wal-mart for around $175.

During the summer months, Paul mows the yard about once a week. With a little maintenance each spring and fall, our 5-year-old lawnmower operates correctly and cuts the grass in one pass.

I was reminded this morning, while watching my neighbor mow his yard, that routine maintenance on a lawnmower really helps to save time. With his lawnmower, my neighbor was making several passes before all the blades of grass were cut. Going over the same area numerous times was wasting his time.

Remember that routine maintenance will require investing time and money. You might need a Saturday morning to change the oil, fill up the gas, and sharpen the blades. But using your time wisely to maintain your lawnmower should save you money (for a new one), energy (numerous passes over one area) and time (one pass around the yard).

How has maintaining your lawn equipment saved you money, energy, and time?