DIY savings
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Build curtain rods from wood purchased at a hardware store to save money compared to buying durable pre-made rods.
One person built them for $12 instead of spending $60 on durable ones.
one person who lived it
Make hanging air plant holders using thrift store coasters and twine.
Hanging air plant holders are often expensive.
one person who lived it
Wrap fraying cable ends with heat-shrink tubing and apply heat with a heat gun, lighter, or hair dryer to create stiff strain relief.
The cooled tubing becomes stiff and acts as a strain relief, potentially preventing breakage.
- A hair dryer works but is slower.
one person who lived it
Prime and paint garage walls to seal in dust and improve cleanliness and hygiene.
It seals in dust and crap, keeping it much cleaner and hygienic.
one person who lived it
Sand wood pieces to remove splinters and use wood filler on screw holes for a smooth surface.
Splinters are not suitable for bedroom furniture.
one person who lived it
Buy plant holders from local nurseries or greenhouses.
Owners may sell them cheaply because they buy in bulk.
one person who lived it
Create wall-mounted brush holders using two hooks spaced about 2 inches apart to cradle the brush handle and save space.
It saves space compared to pinching mechanisms.
one person who lived it
Avoid using rubber cement for paper modeling due to harmful fumes.
The fumes are not good for your brain cells.
one person who lived it
Ensure the cauldron used for boiling has a thick bottom to avoid danger.
A thin bottom can be dangerous.
one person who lived it
10 more on this
Save money on home studio setups by thrifting furniture and building custom equipment like desks and absorbers.
One person saved thousands of dollars using this approach.
one person who lived it
Make macrame plant holders yourself using cheap cotton rope.
It is frugal and free DIY tutorials are available online.
one person who lived it
Acquire DIY tools gradually by purchasing only what is needed for specific projects rather than buying a full set at once.
- Buying all tools at once would be very expensive.
3 people, independently
Consider turning an Amazon Firestick into a game machine to use with a DIY arcade controller, though this has not been tested.
It is suspected to work easily.
- The method has not been tested.
one person who lived it
Invest in a gas-spring desk arm mount for ergonomic monitor positioning.
VESA is your friend
one person who lived it
Use cheap rocks from a dollar store placed in jars as an alternative to floral foam for holding makeup brushes.
It is considered a better option.
one person who lived it
Edit photos of DIY projects to remove identifiable home features to protect privacy.
People are creeps.
one person who lived it
Place floral foam or other brush holders inside a container you already own to hide the material and contain dust.
It hides the foam, contains the mess, and improves aesthetics.
one person who lived it
Test organization ideas with cardboard prototypes before spending money on permanent solutions.
Only buy the nicer item if you use the prototype consistently.
2 people, independently
Hang ceramic containers on heaters to act as inexpensive humidifiers.
They are cheaper than electric humidifiers and look good.
one person who lived it