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One of the most exciting moments of anyone's life is buying their first home. However, after you wind down from the whirlwind of closing and cross that threshold for the first time, reality often sets in. For many new homeowners, it can be challenging to make a house feel like a home and, in an effort to quickly do so, many spend too much money unnecessarily.

With a little advance planning, you can make your new house a home without breaking the bank. Here, a few important tips to follow:

Furniture

Many first-time home buyers are coming into homeownership without suitable furniture—leftovers from their college dorm or parents' basement won't cut it in their first home. According to a study from the National Association of Home Builders, furnishings represent a substantial investment, with home buyers spending about $5,300 on furnishings during the first year after buying a home. Space out your home furnishing purchases—you don't need to choose it all at once—and focus on the most necessary pieces first, such as a bed, living room sofa and dining room table.

Windows

If this is your first home, chances are you suddenly have a lot more windows to worry about…and ultimately enjoy! Again, don't feel pressured to choose window treatments for every window in every room all at once. First, choose the areas where privacy is a must and work down the list from there over the coming months. In the meantime, enjoy the light and openness from uncovered windows and take your time deciding what type of window treatment will truly work best for each room.

Yard

This may also be your first experience in having a yard you are responsible for. Invest in a few key garden tools, such as hedge trimmers, a sprinkler, and possibly a lawn mower. Or check with your new neighbors to see if there is a resident teenager who will mow your lawn for a nominal fee. No need to invest big money in expensive landscaping services at first. Just focus on keeping your yard uncluttered and neat.

Appliances

While your first instinct might be to go out and get that huge flat screen TV you finally have room for, pause a moment to consider what other appliances need to take priority, such as a refrigerator, stove, or washer/dryer. While many existing homes usually come with appliances, a home buyer needs to take inventory as to whether or not they will need to purchase these big ticket items.

Tools

There is no more landlord to call when a home maintenance issue arises, so make sure you're equipped to handle minor issues on your own. Otherwise, you'll wind up spending unnecessary dollars on service providers. Many home improvement stores have tool sets you can purchase, but make sure it includes a hammer, screw drivers, pliers, wrenches, a tape measure and a staple gun.

-Steve Breihan