DIY

Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes

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This article is part of a Don't Throw It Out! series on how to preserve fresh foods and avoid food waste. Do you want to can food at home, but are put off by the cost? For around $15, you pull together most of the essential equipment by using equipment you probably already own. Below we list a … [Read more...] about Preserve food with cheap canning equipment and free recipes

16 post-summer uses for pool noodles and other summer clearance items

The bargainista part of me just loves all those end-of-season sales. I get bargain-priced holiday wrap, Halloween decorations and more. Summer's end brings similar deals — you know what I mean if you've ever walked through the pool/outdoor area of any Target, Walmart, Christmas Tree Shop, … [Read more...] about 16 post-summer uses for pool noodles and other summer clearance items

Keep the kids cool with DIY ice pops

It may be mid-summer, but for many, the hottest days of summer are just beginning. You want the kids to get outdoors and be active, but running around can build up a thirst. Ice pops are a great way to cool off and keep hydrated. Still, with some brands costing nearly $5 for a box of six, … [Read more...] about Keep the kids cool with DIY ice pops

How to build and grow your own salad table

Do you love vegetables and salad, but can't plant a regular garden? A salad table is a portable, waist-high table just deep enough to grow salad greens, herbs and other shallow-rooted plants and vegetables. The shallow wooden box frame has a large surface area and a mesh bottom that allows water to … [Read more...] about How to build and grow your own salad table

D-I-Y home office organization

My home office often looks more like a kindergarten classroom with paper, pens, markers and more strewn around. I have visions of a perfectly organized space with a spot for everything and everything in its spot. But to get from the kindergarten-like chaos to the Martha Stewart-like organization, … [Read more...] about D-I-Y home office organization

How to make your own laundry detergent

When our family started living frugally, we looked at all aspects of our daily life to find ways we could cut back. One money-saver I never considered was homemade laundry detergent because I didn't think anything but the store-bought kind worked. Boy, was I wrong. So I came up with a recipe … [Read more...] about How to make your own laundry detergent

Make dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

Here's a project that will help you save on electricity from your dryer and eliminate the need for fabric softener. Wool dryer balls are simple to make and can cut your drying time by 25 to 50 percent by separating clothing and allowing warm air to circulate more evenly. By soaking up some of the … [Read more...] about Make dryer balls, a cheapskate’s fabric softener

How to save thousands around the house

We are all looking for ways to save money in this day and age, especially if you are a homeowner. Homes and their regular upkeep and maintenance can easily drain your wallet. In this busy world, there can still be ways to DIY that doesn't consume every second of your free time but still saves … [Read more...] about How to save thousands around the house

3 cheap, eco-friendly cleaning products for everything

You don’t need to buy a cupboard full of expensive cleaning products. Just three ingredients clean almost everything in your house. Using vinegar, baking soda and Borax, you can make your own all-purpose spray cleaner, cleanser, drain cleaner and disinfectant. Here’s our handy list of … [Read more...] about 3 cheap, eco-friendly cleaning products for everything

Auto Zone’s Loan-A-Tool service offers free tool rentals

Tools can be very expensive. Unless it's part of your trade, it's often not cost-effective for "do-it-yourself-ers" to buy tools for quick repair jobs around the house or on a car. Thanks to Auto Zone's Loan-A-Tool, there's no more need to pay for tools you need temporarily. Using the FREE service … [Read more...] about Auto Zone’s Loan-A-Tool service offers free tool rentals

Easy DIY Valentines (some edible) for kids

Things have changed since I grew up, but at least one thing is still the same — kids passing out Valentines to their classmates. When I was a kid, we went to the drugstore or card store, bought a box of paper Valentines with our favorite cartoon character, addressed and signed them and we were good … [Read more...] about Easy DIY Valentines (some edible) for kids

7 cool things to do with used Christmas cards

Every year before Christmas, our mailbox fills with holiday cards from family and friends. I hang them on the refrigerator or banister during the season for display, but once the holiday decorations come down, I’m always looking for something to do with the cards. Recycling is a better option than … [Read more...] about 7 cool things to do with used Christmas cards