Posts tagged: budget
Bold Kitchen Makeover on a Budget
By DIY Maven
In two days, this perfectly acceptable kitchen went from bland to BAM.
What won't you give up in this economy?
By DIY Maven
MWT has drawn a line in the sand. We will continue to shop for groceries at the co-op even though we could save 20% of our grocery expenses by going to our local food super store. I've decided I don't need any new clothes any time soon. Books are a different story. (Gotta have my books.) I'll be passing on any new DVDs, except maybe when the 2nd season of The Big Bang Theory comes out. (I'll play a game of Rock, Paper, Lizard, Scissors, Spock with MWT to decide.) » READ MORE
How To Unload and Clean Up ($$$) at Your Garage Sale
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Image: NY Times
Hasn't everyone hosted a garage sale that netted only about $200 at the end of the day? You spend endless hours preparing to clear out, clean up (monetarily) and end up drained and disappointed. There's a new way to move your old junk once you open your garage door for business and Tipnut sets up a surefire strategy to » READ MORE
The Little House That Could
By TijuanaTaxi
Meet my first house. It's a little house that's been slightly neglected over the years by the previous owners. When my realtor showed me the house, I immediately knew that this was a serious contender amongst the other fifty properties I'd seen. Upon taking a closer look (and smell), I also knew that this little house was going to be become a second job. Besides the fact that this little house would take a lot in the 'labor of love dept', was » READ MORE
2 Easy DIY Wall Decorating Ideas
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Checking in with ApartmentTherapy-Chicago this morning, these two walls by decorator Lindsay Segal, screamed "DIY ME!" Quick, easy and cheap--take a short stretch of wall, give it some bold horizontal stripes to make the statement, and then add some monochromatic pieces in front of it. Wow! The second one requires my favorite activity---thrifting. » READ MORE
Five Easy Ways To Update Your Sofa
By ModHomeEcTeacher
The itch to switch things up is beginning to overwhelm me. The urge hits with the first fresh smell of Spring, the first crisp Fall day and the day after New Year's Day. With the back door open and a warm breeze blowing this morning, I simply have to change the visual landscape of my living room. Today I'm looking at my trusty gray sofa. The fabric has worn » READ MORE
10 Tips to Refresh Your Space Affordably
By ModHomeEcTeacher
Let me ask you this-How many interior design books are too many? A billion! Luckily, I have plenty of built-ins to hold my library of inspiration. Soon to be released, Downtown Chic: Designing Your Home from Wreck to Ravishing, by Cortney and Robert Novogratz of Manhattan design firm Sixx Design is now TOPS on my list. (I mean, look at this cover!) Mixing vintage with modern style to achieve their signature look "Vintage Nouveaux", they are regaled for turning meager and modest into modern and marvelous. To whet your appetite for an entire book of their expertise, here are 10 of their tips for updating your decor affordably with » READ MORE
Make Cut Flowers Last Longer
By lilybeeFresh flowers in the middle of winter are an undeniable luxury. In these tough economic times if you're springing for the luxuries, you want them to last. And hey, isn't there a big, pink, flower-giving holiday coming up? (I'm looking at you sweetie.)
Here are a few tips to keep the pretties pretty for longer:
1. Get rid of leaves. Vamoose any leaves that will be below the water-line as submerged foliage encourages bacteria growth. Which i » READ MORE
DIY low budget eco Christmas Tree
By intouchoz
Who says a Christmas tree has to be pine or spruce - or even green for that matter? Use your imagination and create a Christmas tree that is unique.
Rather than buying an artificial tree or a fresh tree that will end up on the sidewalk come January 1, opt to take a walk in the backyard or nature for your own unique tree.
When it comes to decorating that tree, making ornaments and garlands from gingerbread, Christmas cards, popcorn and cranberri » READ MORE
How To: Make Recycled Inside Out Pillows
By ModHomeEcTeacher
My Recycled Inside Out Throw Pillow ensemble are handily made out of shirts, jackets or skirts that either button up the front or have a long zipper closure. The beauty of this is that there's no need to handstitch a pillow closed or insert a zipper or add buttons or buttonholes. Look for modern patterns and stylish color combinations while shopping for "vintage" and I mean CHEAP used apparel that you can easily transform.
The o » READ MORE
Curbly Recession Busters: What your Grandparents knew.
By lilybeeLeafing through a copy of The Home Front - The Best of Good Housekeeping 1939-1945 is something of a revelation. The British magazine's wartime editions reminded me that our grandparents, especially those who lived in Europe during that time, knew a few things about privation, making do and surviving an unimaginably difficult time.
Advice like 'Don't forget your gas mask' and 'Save your coupons' inspire pride that our little island and the » READ MORE
Lighting Bling Two Ways
By DIY MavenWe all know lighting can be the cherry on the top of a well-designed room. If we have the cash, we can splurge on a juicy bing, if not, we might have to settle for a maraschino. But having to go with a less-than-fresh cherry doesn’t me we have to compromise our vision. If there is a high ticket option out there, you can bet there is a similar budget-friendly look-a-like as well. Case in point:
13 Budget Friendly Headboard Ideas.
By ChrisjobNothing makes a second hand mattress and box spring on a basic mattress frame sit within its own dreamy location like a proper headboard. A bed is an expensive investment, sometimes out of the reach of many. So tuck your bed into its locale with these 13 budget friendly headboard ideas.
- Hang a decorative quilt or tapestry panel.
- Hang a large framed mirror or framed picture.
- Hang an old door sideways.
- Attach a narrow shelf to the wall abo » READ MORE
5 Easy Ideas for Updating Your Kitchen
By TheHome
Don’t allow a slim wallet to get in the way of your home improvement
goals. By making simple and cost- effective changes to your kitchen,
you will have the satisfaction of adding some pizzazz and value to your
home, while creating a renewed and refreshed environment.
"Prioritize items of importance when making your home improvement purchases," said John Kasberger, senior vice president of merchandising for kitchen and bath at Lowe’s. "Kee » READ MORE
10 Ways to Craft on a Budget
By DIY Maven
Although I’m easily seduced by yarn, glue and paper punches and such, I do live by a few craft-buying money-saving rules. Daphne’s list of ten things to keep in mind when crafting on a budget pretty much sums up my approach.
- Consider buying kits. They give you just what you need without overbuying.
- Don’t buy patterns; get them free off the internet. Daphne suggests knitty.com, Sew Mama Sew, Purl Soho, Flickr (for embroidery patterns) » READ MORE
8 Ways to Save Money on Your Summer Vacation
By DIY Maven
How can we relax on our summer vacations knowing the debt we might be accumulating while doing so? According to LifeHackery, with a little planning, we can have it all; a much needed getaway with less economic stress.
1. Saving money on amusement park vacations includes going on weekdays, buying tickets on-line and going later in the day.
2. Save money on air travel by searching for last-minute fares.
3. Consider traveling by rail or bus.
4. » READ MORE
20 Recipes for Homemade Art Supplies
By DIY Maven
From glitter to sidewalk chalk, to edible peanut butter play dough, to disappearing paint and multi-colored crayons, this list covers just about every artistic medium known to kid-dom. A great way to stretch a dollar and spur creativity, this page is defiantly worth a bookmark!
'Cesco in Sidewalk Chalk' by Sakurako Kitsa, via Flickr.
"Lite Green" Ottoman Made From Repurposed Wooden Spool
By ModHomeEcTeacher 
Trying to furnish your new digs on a shoestring? This fabulous ottoman/hassock can be made for next to nothing. Go to a hardware store that sells electrical wire off of a wooden spool and ask for a discarded spool. Next, go to a fabric store and buy a cool fabric remnant that will cover your ottoman. Hint: Upholstery fabric is 54" wide. If you have a twenty inch round (diameter) o » READ MORE
How to Make a DIY Spray Paint T-Shirt
By threadbangerThis week on Thread Heads, we take a look back at our first episode with a fun T-Shirt stencil and spray paint job. If you have any cool DIY projects like this one, send them in! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes!
First, with some poster board, trace a few designs. We picked crosses.
Carefully cut out the shapes.
Using a plain white T, you can make your own color by using some rit dye and boiling water.
On one side of » READ MORE
How to Make a Fake Hand
By indymogulPreviously on Indy Mogul, we showed you how to make a fake head for your indie filmmaking needs. This week we have the recipe for a fake hand! We are always looking for new projects like these at Indy Mogul, so send in your ideas! And don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes.
Shopping List
- 16 lbs. plaster of paris.
(8 lbs for the top half, 8 for the bottom. ) - BFX ballistics gel.
(Check out this Weekend Extra for more details.) - Liquid lat » READ MORE
