Why buy it when you can make it, fix it or fake it From sewing hacks, and home made pancake mis to thrifty home upgrades and closet makeovers, this is DIY for the delightfully frugal.
I know. It’s still summer. The garden is producing, there are cucumbers taking over my refrigerator, and nobody particularly wants to think about heating oil. But I am. Because heating season is coming whether I think about it or not, and I’d much rather spend a little money and time now than watch the heat…
There are plenty of things in a household that truly need replacing eventually. A shirt with holes, towels that have become thin and scratchy, sneakers with no tread left—those have done their job. But a surprising amount of clothing gets tossed because of one stain. A grease spot on a favorite shirt. Tomato sauce on…
Before you run out and buy more, check what already fits. If your child has long-sleeved shirts that still fit through the body but are too warm for summer, you can turn them into short-sleeved or sleeveless play shirts. This is especially useful for shirts that are already a little worn or stained. They were…
Summer utility bills have a way of sneaking up on you. One minute you’re opening windows, enjoying fresh air, and thinking you’re practically living off the land. The next minute it’s humid, sticky, your hair has surrendered, and the electric bill arrives looking like it paid for someone else’s vacation. And let me just say…
There’s a lot of talk these days about rising costs—and it’s true, things are expensive. But one of the biggest ways we’ve kept our budget under control over the years is simple: We do a lot ourselves. Not perfectly. Not professionally. But consistently. Here are some of the things we handle instead of hiring out:…
By Dagne | The Real FrugalistStretching the dollar like I stretch my yoga pants. Halloween doesn’t have to suck the life out of your budget. Between candy, costumes, and décor, the stores will gladly take your paycheck—but you don’t have to hand it over. With a little creativity (and a touch of glue-gun magic), you…
Let’s talk hair—because these luscious locks (or frizzy mop depending on the day) don’t manage themselves. And salon prices? Highway robbery with a complimentary scalp massage. No, thank you. Around here, we’ve learned to keep our hair game strong without letting it shear our wallets. First up: Mr. Frugalist, a true DIY trailblazer. He learned…
From the kitchen to the gift list, here’s what got the boot—and why I don’t miss a single one of these money guzzlers. Listen, I’ve spent enough years digging through couch cushions to know exactly where our money likes to sneak off to. And once you start paying attention, you realize you’re basically hemorrhaging cash…
Let’s talk about fertilizer. The store-bought stuff can be fussy, overpriced, and smells suspiciously like expired seaweed smoothies. And while your plants might appreciate it, your wallet sure doesn’t. Luckily, you don’t need to mortgage the flower bed to keep your garden lush and happy. In fact, you can whip up a magical mix right…
You know those big-name baking mixes that come in a box, smiling at you from the shelf like they’re about to do you a favor? Yeah, those. They’re convenient, sure, but they’re also sneakily draining your grocery budget like a slow leak in your flour canister. Let’s get real: you do have a mixing bowl…
