If you’ve been made redundant, home improvements might be the last thing on your mind. However, if you’re one of the lucky ones and find yourself in a position where you have received a large lump-sum and are confident that you will (or have already!) found a new job, you might want to consider investing your pay-out in home improvements.

In much the same way as using savings can provide additional benefits, so can using redundancy lump sums.

You might use the pay-out you received to install insulation, double glazing or solar panels to help reduce your energy bills. Alternatively, you might consider some other home or garden improvement in order to boost the value of your home.

The key point as always is to explore all the options and make the right choice for you.

It’s also true that getting your home and garden in to tip-top condition can help clear your mind following redundancy. Time out of work can prove a great opportunity to start (and finish!) those chores in and around the home that normally take months or evey years to complete.

Whether it’s spring cleaning the house, re-decorating the lounge, painting the bathroom, overhauling the garden or finally getting round to fixing leaking taps or squeaky hinges, home and garden improvements can help provide you with something constructive to do while you consider your options.