Basic Tools Every Couple Needs for the House

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by Elle · 12 comments

My husband and I have a little collection that we’re proud of owning- our tools. As we taken on little projects around the house and with the cars, we’ve slowly grown it. That allows us to create a set of tools that we use regularly without spending money on tools we’d rarely need.

Get Some Tools!

Before we were married both my husband and I helped our families with little projects here and there that make a house a home. I wouldn’t call us experts, but it’s nice to know that we had a bit of practice under our belt.

I’d recommend couples to have a basic tool kit for themselves. It’s not only very helpful in saving money. It can help you fix up your home the way you want it, but it gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Essential Handy Tools for the House

wrench set tools for couplesIf you’re looking at picking up tools for fixing up the house, here some tools that have worked well for us.

  • Power Drill: This is our most used tool. We’ve assemble much furniture with it including the crib for our baby girl.
  • Wrench Set: This set has been extremely helpful for me recently with assembling the bike.
  • Screw Drivers: Small projects are a cinch with the right screwdriver.
  • Tape Measure/Level: Hanging pictures and art is pretty quick and easy with a level. Having a tape measure can also help you space them properly.
  • Pliers: Grab both pump and needle nosed pliers.They’re useful for quick toilet repairs and cutting wire.
  • Tool box: Besides keeping your tolls in one spot, if you kids tool boxes can keep them from grabbing them unsupervised.
  • Hammer (and nails): So basic, yet so necessary. Don’t go cheap on the hammer. My first one broke and I learned my lesson.
  • Goggles and gloves: Safety is important when doing projects, so having these items can be extremely useful.

Each family will probably add a few tools in their collection based on their needs, but those listed above can give you the most bang for your buck. I would add also getting a ladder, but for some couples it might not be necessary so I didn’t put it on the essential list.

If you’re getting married soon or you’re planning on having a house warming party, then you should consider adding tools to your gift list.

Thoughts on Tools

How many of have home projects that you take on time to time? What’s in your tool box? What do you use the most and the least?

For those looking for more advanced projects and repairs, you should check out Mr. Money Mustache.

Photo Credit:  Charles & Hudson and exfordy

About Elle
Elle helps families at Couple Money achieve financial freedom by sharing tips for reducing debt, increase income, and building net worth. Learn how to live on one income and have fun with the second..

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  • http://twitter.com/Brian_Alt BrianAlt

    I would add a stud finder, screws with matching anchors, and (at the risk of being rude) the Hitachi Magic Wand.

    • http://couplemoney.com Elle Martinez

      Thanks Brian for sharing your list!

  • Dmitry I

    I thought I had a good arsenal of tools until we started renovations on our new place. A good set of drill bits very important as well as good padded pair of gloves. Also a lot of tape, blue white silver…

    • http://couplemoney.com Elle Martinez

      Thanks for mentioning the drill bits Dmitry. We have a very small collection (what came with the set), but they are very handy.

  • jeff @ sustainable life blog

    I’m on the side of dmirty – I had enough tools until I started the renovations. A set of nice drill bits (for drilling holes and screwing in things) is very handy, as is a circular saw. There are plenty more of things that i’ve bought during the reno process but were more for specialized projects that I ended up using multiple times (like a 90 degree drill and a reciprocating saw) but those are sort of expensive (though have been totally worth it). This is a good beginning stash though elle

    • http://couplemoney.com Elle Martinez

      Very nice Jeff – what has been your favorite renovation project so far?

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  • Mike Collins – Wealthy Turtle

    My buddy who rents is always amazed at the number of tools I have in my garage, but when you’re a homeowner for 10 years you slowly build up a collection of tools as you move from one project to the next.

    • http://couplemoney.com Elle Martinez

      Same here Mike. We’re definitely not DIY experts, but as we’ve done projects our little tool collection has grown.

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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Karen-Kinnane/1058152521 Karen Kinnane

    You can assemble a lot of your tool arsenal from estate, yard and tag sales for pennies on the dollar. Look for a drop forged hammer which is cast with hammer head and handle in one piece of steel and then a wrapping or rubber handle is applied. That said our hammer collection is all the old style with hickory handles and cast heads, The hammers are over sixty years old and as long as you check occasionally that the wedge which secures head to handle is snug, you will be fine. The hickory handles are satisfying to the touch when you use them and the hammers are great for the ecology as they are serving their second and third generation of owners. New battery operated tools are best bought directly from a store as they have come down in price so much that it doesn’t pay to buy old tools with cords unless you do a lot of bench work where a constrant stream of electrical power to the drill is more efficient than using battery powered. A quick cruise through a bunch of yard sales one weekend will supply you with lots of useful tools at amazingly low prices. For good hand tools you’re looking for the estates of WWII vets and now their sons, tool men all from a time when people did it themselves. Newer homes and younger people don’t tend to have as good a selection of tools offered at their sales, as the custom of building it yourself or doing it yourself is not so widespread as it was fifty or more years ago. The older, American made tools are better crafted than the modern “Made in China” tools which people have picked up at Walmart. By buying used hand tools you get much better quality, save the environment, improve America’s balance of trade, and get a bargain!

    • http://couplemoney.com Elle Martinez

      Thanks so much Karen for sharing your tips on snagging deals on high quality tools!

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