Homes require a lot of maintenance and it can be expensive, so it makes sense to start saving. If the roof on your house is going to have to be replaced in 10 years and will cost $15,000, you’ll need to save $125 per month to cover the cost. Water heaters and dishwashers tend to last about 10 to 15 years, while HVAC systems can fail without warning. There’s no landlord to call when something breaks, so it’s smart to start budgeting for repairs and maintenance.