DIY

Cut pieces of 5/4 decking board to create custom climbing holds.

The rounded sides provide grip for fingers and feet, avoiding the cost of buying pre-made rocks.

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Use hand saws for cutting lumber like 2x4s or 4x4s instead of power tools.

They are cheap, require no power, and produce the same end result despite taking longer.

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Configure two filters in a V-shape triangle on a box fan and seal gaps with cardboard to reduce airflow drag on the motor, but do not leave it unattended.

It helps preserve your fan motor.

• You still shouldn't leave it unattended.

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Buy a home repair book to learn skills for future maintenance tasks.

Knowing how to handle necessary repairs will help pay off the cost of the book quickly.

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Ask IKEA customer service for free replacement small parts like dowels, pegs, or screws if needed.

They have given them for free when asked at the desk.

• Not 100% certain this always works, but it has happened a few times.

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Seal fiber board trim on roofs to prevent it from absorbing water like a sponge.

One person fixed leaking trim by painting it with sealant.

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Buy your own drywall repair tools to save money on single fixes, as they are inexpensive and durable.

The cost of the tools is less than paying for a professional to fix just one area.

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If you are comfortable with basic plumbing, you can install a bidet yourself using simple tools.

If you have experience swapping a toilet seat or attaching a hose to a faucet, you likely have the skills needed for this task.

3 people, independently

Replace damaged mirrors by gluing a new piece directly onto the existing frame.

A new mirror piece from a hardware store is inexpensive.

• Requires sanding and aggressive glue.

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Install an oven vent that exhausts to the outside.

to prevent heating up the house while cooking in hot months

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Address safety hazards like unlatched cabinets and shelves without railings if converting a used school bus into a home.

Contents would dump at the first corner.

• Risk of police harassment regarding parking.

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Cut in edges by hand with a high-quality angled brush instead of using tape.

Tape often creates serrated edges when removed, whereas cutting by hand produces a beautiful, neat line without special tools.

• Regular painters may find this easier; those who do not paint regularly might struggle to make clean lines without tape.

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Attach the hardware bag to a furniture leg using zip ties instead of tape.

Tape may pull off when moving or storing.

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• Attach the bag containing hardware to the furniture with painter's tape or similar non-damaging adhesive during disassembly.1

Make your own beeswax wraps by dipping fabric in melted beeswax.

It is a cheap and easy process.

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Use discounted remnants and leftovers for flooring and carpet in small homes.

Small spaces allow you to use materials most people pass up.

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Discard cheap, included furniture tools and use high-quality personal tools to prevent stripping screws.

Cheap tools are likely to strip screws on first use.

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• Discard the poorly gauged tools included with furniture and use a proper basic tool set instead.2

Replace structurally compromised wood rather than trying to harden it, especially for items supporting weight.

Safety beats saving money when the item is holding someone up.

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Buy knee pads or cushions instead of using protective packaging foam to protect your knees during assembly.

Dropping significant weight on the foam can damage it, making returns difficult.

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Use twine to tie logs and sticks together when building a hut instead of grass.

using grass is insane

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When disassembling furniture for moving, place all nuts, bolts, and fasteners in a bag and tape it to one of the legs.

Prevents losing parts during reassembly.

3 people, independently

Salvage fabric from old clothing to sew new items.

No money is lost if the sewing is imperfect.

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Clamp glued joints, even using painter's tape, to ensure they set properly.

Wood glue takes about 30 minutes to set enough to handle carefully.

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Note the correct wrench or socket size in an inconspicuous place on the furniture if an odd size from your toolkit is needed.

This saves trouble later.

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Seal pallet wood before use to prevent rot, as it is typically untreated.

Untreated pallet wood is subject to rot.

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Use canvas drop cloths instead of plastic ones to prevent them from blowing away in a breeze.

Plastic moves with the slightest breeze.

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Install 1-inch L-brackets on major joints of squeaky or unstable bed frames.

This eliminates noise and increases stability.

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• Add center bracing to bed frames.1

Place silica gel packets in tackle boxes to absorb moisture from wet baits and prevent rust on hooks and hardware.

Wet baits can cause other lures to become soggy or rusty.

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Roll clear packaging tape into a loop on your workbench and affix screws to it as you remove them to keep them sorted and secure.

It prevents knocking over trays and sending parts flying, especially if you have cats.

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Cover bare metal bed frame legs with pool noodles to prevent stubbed toes.

It prevents injuries for children and elderly family members.

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Sort hardware first by type, then by size, to speed up the organization process.

Breaking the task down into simpler steps allows for quicker sorting.

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Use real wood instead of MDF or particle board when building shelves.

Particle board deteriorates rapidly and cannot withstand even slight moisture.

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Hide the necessary tightening tool inside the stuffing of a chair if its legs constantly come loose.

It allows easy access to tighten the legs when needed.

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Loosen all screws during furniture assembly and only tighten them fully after every screw is in place.

You may not be able to access half the screws once you are halfway through assembly.

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Use planks instead of solid sheets for bed foundations to provide support while allowing air circulation.

An airy bottom helps carry away moisture.

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Store manuals and tools in clear, adhesive-backed shipping pouches (like FedEx or UPS envelopes) taped to the furniture.

They are clear, resealable, and prevent damage to pages caused by direct taping.

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Use wide-rimmed grommets rather than narrow ones when reinforcing cloth shower curtains.

Wide-rimmed grommets grab more fabric and are more durable.

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Create a portable heat source by filling a cloth bag or tube sock with rice or non-poppable corn kernels, sewing/tieing it shut, and microwaving it.

3 people, independently

Do not assemble furniture while hungry or drunk.

Tomorrow is another day.

one person who lived it

Use masking or painter's tape instead of duct tape for attaching items to furniture, as it removes easily without residue.

It comes off easy later and leaves less goo.

2 people, independently

Place a block of wood under the center of an IKEA Hemnes dresser if the adjustable support leg is missing to prevent sagging.

drawers didn't slide smoothly until bolstered

one person who lived it

Use an electric dehumidifier instead of DIY salt methods for damp basements.

Dehumidifiers are not expensive and avoid the constant need to refill salt.

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Scope out Buy Nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace free listings, and Craigslist to find furniture and containers for free.

The majority of items can be obtained this way.

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Seal gaps around sinks and between backsplashes and vinyl-covered counters with white caulk to prevent moisture from getting underneath.

Moisture can get under the covering if gaps are not sealed; transparent caulk tends to become cloudy and brown looks dated.

one person who lived it

Install resilient vinyl planks over existing basement surfaces for a low-cost, waterproof solution.

It looks good, is waterproof, and can be laid over whatever surface exists.

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Consider replacing windows with walls in older homes to improve efficiency, add wall space, reduce noise, and improve security.

Replacing a window with a wall provides more efficiency than even the most efficient window.

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Use larger silica gel pouches in unheated shops to prevent condensation from causing rust on tools.

Condensation in unheated spaces gets tools.

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Use hot glue instead of factory adhesive when attaching felt pads.

Factory adhesive is described as garbage.

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Recognize that repairing earth-sheltered walls likely requires excavation, structural repair, and reapplication of earth, leaving the structure vulnerable to collapse during the process.

The structure is easily compromised during repair.

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Install gutter guards during initial construction.

to save time cleaning leaves later

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If you need to repair minor furniture inlay damage, cut replacement pieces from a dog bone using a bandsaw and sand them to profile.

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Consider the true opportunity cost before committing to DIY projects, factoring in time, effort, enjoyment, and output quality.

Not factoring in time can deceive you about money saved; your free time has value distinct from paid work.

• DIY can be superior in quality and enjoyable.
• When low on money, DIY is one of the best ways to set yourself up for success.

one person who lived it

Avoid living in a tiny house if you have a family, as the space may be insufficient for multiple people.

Tiny houses are described as fine for people but inadequate when others are added.

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Check if new paint colors clash with existing wall colors to maintain room harmony.

Clashing colors can throw off the aesthetic.

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Investigate hidden problems in cheap homes, such as severe market misjudgments or structural issues, especially if there is a significant price drop.

A large price drop may indicate that someone misjudged the market or that severe problems are hiding behind attractive photos.

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Watch several YouTube tutorials before starting DIY projects like applying contact paper to cut down on mistakes.

Watching videos helps reduce errors during the project.

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Ensure access to basic utilities like water lines and sewage systems for functional living.

Lacking these makes living non-functional, denying luxuries like hot showers and proper sanitation.

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View frugality as a mindset or philosophy rather than a necessity reserved only for those who are poor.

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Wrap rollers and pans in plastic bags and refrigerate to pause painting between coats.

Prevents drying and saves cleaning time between coats.

• Do not do this with brushes.

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Build a focal wall using free pallets of different ages to get varied wood colors.

Store-bought boards were considered too expensive and unappealing.

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Skip priming most surfaces if using modern paint/primer combos and performing proper surface prep.

Modern combinations allow for a single coat application after cleaning.

• Proper surface prep, such as cleaning, is required.

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Apply spray-can texture to match existing wall finishes and hide repair imperfections.

A smooth patch will stand out more quickly to the eye; texture helps conceal the repair.

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Apply a thick enough first coat of polyurethane to ensure enough coverage.

A thin coat may absorb into the wood, causing you to sand into the wood rather than the finish even with light pressure.

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Avoid cheap spray paint.

It has terrible coverage.

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Invest in quality primer to get better paint results.

Using cheap materials can lead to terrible-looking jobs that are difficult to fix.

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Understand that higher grit sandpaper is less aggressive and removes material much slower than lower grit, rather than being more durable.

Lower grit (e.g., 60) cuts through material quickly, while higher grit (e.g., 5,000) takes many strokes to remove an undetectable amount.

one person who lived it

If you lack information about existing wall colors, bring a tiny piece of the wall to Sherwin Williams for color matching.

It helps when sellers do not leave color information.

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Remove water stains from wood by placing a rag over the spot and massaging it with a heated iron through the fabric.

This method was reported to work by someone who worked in furniture restoration.

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Paint ceilings first, then walls, then trim to allow overlapping without rework.

Painting ceiling edges onto walls allows wall paint to cover them; painting walls before trim allows trim paint to cover wall overlaps.

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If you lack the materials for a proper paint removal job on metal cabinets, consider buying a new cheap cabinet instead.

It is often cheaper than doing it yourself properly.

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Use a sander to speed up refinishing work and listen to an audiobook or podcast while you do it.

Sanding takes a long time, and audio entertainment helps pass the time.

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Apply a coat of paint to update the appearance of old items.

People often underestimate how much paint can improve appearances.

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Paint mass-produced veneer furniture rather than attempting to strip and sand it.

Veneer cannot be stripped and sanded ; dents and chips are permanent blemishes that painting can cover.

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Use semi-gloss paint in kitchens and bathrooms.

Shiny surfaces are cleanable.

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Use a sanding block with light pressure for delicate finishing work instead of an electric sander.

Electric sanders can be too aggressive.

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Apply dark stain to damaged wood pieces to hide imperfections.

Dark stain hides imperfections well.

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Use Fusion Mineral Paint or Miss Lillian's paint for furniture refinishing.

These paints help prevent peeling around drawers.

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If you struggle with outdated brass chandeliers, try spray painting them instead of replacing them.

One person reported loving the result so much they couldn't imagine spending money on a replacement.

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• Spray paint existing bathroom lighting fixtures instead of buying new ones, using high-quality spray paint and thorough taping.1

Use linseed oil, tung oil, or mineral oil for furniture restoration instead of vegetable oils.

These oils are refined in a way that slows the process of going rancid.

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If you have ugly legacy metal trash cans, try decoupaging them to improve their appearance.

It can earn compliments on the result.

one person who lived it

Rub vegetable oil into wood scratches with a cloth as an alternative to walnut meat.

same result

one person who lived it

Use auto-paint spray cans for refinishing metal cabinets.

One opinion suggests this yields the best results.

one person who lived it

Use Zinsser Bullseye 123 Primer and Minwax Polycrylic finish to redo particle board or laminate furniture.

product goes a long way and heavy traffic furniture stays in perfect condition years later

• a little more expensive than I'd like
• minimal sanding needed

one person who lived it

Try Rust-Oleum hammered metal finish spray paint for a textured look that is forgiving on flawed surfaces.

The texture makes the end result more interesting than a flat surface and covers flaws well.

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Remove wall-mounted cabinets from the wall before stripping paint or repairing them.

Stripping and repair techniques work better on horizontal surfaces.

one person who lived it

If you perform tiling often, investigate Schluter products as an underlayment alternative to hardy board.

They are considered nicer and better than hardy board.

one person who lived it

Consider Benjamin Moore Aura or Sherwin Williams SuperPaint for high-quality interior results.

Experienced painters consider these brands to make the best products.

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Paint your own canvases using inexpensive supplies to fill your home with unique art.

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Sand back painted furniture to reveal original wood or undercoats for a distressed look.

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Use oxalic acid to remove rust from old metal items like horseshoes and axe heads.

it eating rust

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Soak orange peels in vinegar inside a large mason jar on a windowsill, then strain the liquid into a spray bottle for a scented cleaner.

Makes it smell nice.

one person who lived it

Soak brass handles in vinegar to remove rust, then polish with steel wool.

Vinegar is acidic and eats away at rust; steel wool shines the metal.

one person who lived it

Use Folex cleaner designed for carpets on hard floors to treat stains.

It works surprisingly well on hard floors despite being intended for carpet.

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Remove rust completely before painting metal surfaces to prevent it from returning.

Rust grows and will come back if not removed before painting.

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Sprinkle mica randomly on wet concrete mixed with dye to create a natural stone-like appearance for walkways.

It looks really natural.

one person who lived it

Be aware that mixing mistinted paints often results in brown shades.

Most returns are from customers rejecting specific tints of popular colors.

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