Budget Breakdown: The Biggest Saves and Splurges of 2021

In renovating an 800-square-foot cabin in Arnold, California, San Francisco couple Tom McElroy and Scott Turco saved on costs by doing much of the work themselves. But one strategic splurge was the addition of new windows and sliding doors that connect the living room to the exterior. "We centered them in the room and relocated the front deck to align with them," says Tom. "It made a huge difference in light, views, and the feeling of expanding the living space."