These easy home hardening projects can protect your home from the elements — and may even lower your home insurance premium.

Welcome to New Homeowner Bootcamp, Family Handyman’s essential guide for navigating the challenges of homeownership, from little-known post-purchase tasks to money-saving maintenance and upgrades.

A partial shopping list might include: a pair of jeans ($6), a button-down shirt ($4), a small kitchen appliance ($8), a set of drinking glasses ($5), a paperback book ($1), a picture frame ($3), a ...