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.
There are absolutely times when you need to call a professional. I’m not messing around with electricity I don’t understand, climbing onto a roof, or taking apart something that could turn a small problem into a very expensive one. I know my limits. But I’m also not paying someone to come to my house before…
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…
Opening Every year it happens. The first cold snap arrives, and suddenly everyone is buying weather stripping, furnace filters, and space heaters at the same time. The problem? You’re paying more, competing with everyone else, and trying to fix drafts while your house is already cold. Mid to late summer is actually one of the…
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:…
Finding a good contractor these days is about as easy as finding a polite teenager or an honest cable bill. Between the no-shows, the “I can start in six months” crowd, and the ones who want a second mortgage just to hang drywall, it’s enough to make you reach for your own toolbox. So that’s…
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…
The cold months are coming, and with them comes the dreaded heat bill. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to choose between being warm and going broke. With some smart strategies—and maybe a little sweat equity—you can stay cozy while keeping your heating costs in check. Heat the Space You’re In Instead of cranking…
