Home Improvement on a Budget....Can be done and should be done even in the market we are in now , especially her ein Florida. I have seen to many Homes that were upgraded why over the top of where their neighborhood was. A lot of homeowners got caught up in the rising markets of 2004,2005, 2006 and 2007, thinking that the bubble would never bust. Several ways to keep Home Improvement on a budget are:
*Stay on one project at time,  
*Do some research on that project
*Get ideas by visiting Open Houses and your local Home Improvemnet store
*Get Ideas on line
*Keep your project relative to the overall value of your home (Dont put a $55,000 kitchen in a $200,000 Home.)
* If there is any chance of you selling within 5 years do the projects that will get you the most value, Kitchen, baths, Closet organizers...Dont spend $5000 reorganizing your garage if your planning on selling soon. Never had anyone turn down a Home because of a garage clutter.

Planning and staying on Project is the best way to make your Home Improvemnets come in on Budget.