ARTICLE: 10 weekend ‘Do-It-Yourself’ tips to save money

“Do It Yourself,” or DIY, is the term used to describe the process of making, constructing, repairing, or altering something without the assistance of a professional or buying a pre-made item.

The do-it-yourself method is well-liked for a variety of chores, such as crafts, gardening, house renovations, and even self-care.

With the help of several online groups, videos, and tutorials, DIY has grown in popularity as a movement that offers direction and inspiration to individuals who want to do tasks by themselves.

In this article we explore some do-it-yourself tips you can use this weekend to save yourself and family some cash.

1. Tips for Grocery Shopping

• Meal Planning: To prevent impulsive purchases and minimise food wastage, plan your meals for the coming week.
• Bulk Buying: Invest in non-perishables like pasta, rice, and canned products in large quantities.
• DIY Cleaning Products: Combine baking soda, vinegar, and essential oils to create your own cleaning solutions.

2. Household Upkeep

• Replace Leaky Faucets: A leaky tap can raise your water consumption and water bill. Use a wrench and a new washer to fix it yourself.
• Clean or Replace Air Filters: To increase efficiency and lower energy expenses, clean or replace the filters in your HVAC system.
• Weatherproofing: To reduce the expense of heating and cooling, caulk or weatherstripping should be used to seal the cracks around windows and doors.

3. Gardening

• Establish a Vegetable Garden to reduce the cost of food by growing your own fruits, veggies, or herbs.
• Compost: To generate free, nutrient-rich soil for your garden, start a compost bin.

4. Efficiency in Energy Use

• Install LED Bulbs: To save electricity, swap out your incandescent bulbs with LED ones.
• Unplug Devices: To cut down on phantom energy usage, unplug appliances and electronics when not in use.
• Install a programmable thermostat to save money on heating and cooling expenses by adjusting the temperature when you’re not home
5. Do It Yourself Interior Design
• Repurpose Old Furniture: Repurpose old furniture by painting it a new colour or adding new upholstery.
• Make Your Own Art: You can make wall art or decorations at home with items you already own.
• Repurpose Jars and Containers: Create fashionable storage options out of vintage containers or glass jars.

6. Car Maintenance

• Inspect Tire Pressure: Gas mileage is increased by properly inflated tires.
• Change Your Own Oil: To save paying a mechanic, change your own oil if you feel comfortable doing so.
• Clean Your Car: Detailing and washing your car at home might help you save money.

7. Clothing

• Mend Clothes: Rather of purchasing new clothing, mend minor rips, sew on buttons or hem trousers yourself.
• DIY Fashion: To give worn-out clothing a new lease on life, embellish it with embroidery, patches, or fabric dye.

8. Entertainment

• Organise a Movie Night: Rather than going out, have a marathon of films at home using food you already have.
• Game Night: For free entertainment, spend time with friends and family playing card or board games.
• Investigate Free Local Events: See what free parks, hiking trails, or community events are available where you live.

9. Cooking

• Cook at Home: Prepare meals at home rather than ordering takeaway. To save time and money during the week, try batch cooking.
• Bake Your Own Bread: Compared to purchasing bread from a store, baking bread at home can be more affordable and fulfilling.
• Prepare Your Own Snacks: Rather than purchasing prepackaged snacks, make your own trail mix or granola bars.

10. Grooming and Personal Care

• Do-it-yourself beauty treatments: Use organic products like avocado, yoghurt, and honey to make your own face masks, scrubs, and hair treatments.
• Cut Your Own Hair: If it makes you feel better, cut your own hair or give your family members short haircuts.