by Susan Paige
The internet is full of DIY projects that claim to save you money, but how many of them actually do? As quirky and as fun as the projects are, the cost for setting up the projects can often come to more than simply buying a pre-made item in the first place. What’s more, there are a lot of DIY projects out there that don’t end up being quite as useful as we hope they are and frankly, an unnecessary effort. However, for those of us on a tight budget, knowing how to save money is a must. Payday loans direct lenders could offer relief in a financial emergency, but what about saving money in everyday life? We’ve pulled together a list of DIY that will actually save you money and prove useful too!
Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is a cost that can add up over time, especially if you’re aiming for brands that don’t use a host of potentially harmful chemicals. Thankfully, there are plenty of recipes out there so that you can make your very own detergent and with completely natural and non-toxic ingredients in most cases. Better yet, you can find a base recipe that works for you and from there, go on to add your own choice of essential oils to get the smell that you love most!
Hang Up A Clothesline
Perhaps the simplest DIY of all, hanging up a clothes line could save you hundreds a year on drying costs. A standard washing line and pegs shouldn’t cost you very much at all, or if you have a little more cash to splash, you could invest in one that is retractable to leave your garden open for play if you have children. Alternatively, you could invest in a clothes horse if you don’t have a garden or for cost effective drying during wet weather.
Homemade Latte
If you’re a coffee fan and you know a lot of your money goes into this great-tasting caffeine-filled beverage, now might be the time to start learning how to make your own. Of course, no cup of instant coffee will ever quite match up to the great taste of a shop-bought latte, but what about making your own latte instead? There are thousands of recipes online that don’t require a coffee machine to make and you can even add your own flavourings through honey, syrups, cinnamon or chocolate!
Make Your Own Multi-Purpose Cleaner
If you go through a lot of cleaner in your home, it might be time to start making your own. Commercial cleaners can be cheap to buy, but the cheapest do tend to be the most harmful to our health and to the things they are cleaning. Safer alternatives are always your best bet, however shop bought versions can often come with a high price tag. With a mix of water, vinegar and essential oils, you can have an entirely natural and good-for-you cleaner that won’t leave you worrying about harmful chemicals.
DIY projects can be fun and the projects above even come with the added bonus in that they are useful. Whether you choose to make your own cleaning solutions or you want to learn how to make your own latte, you could be saving money in no time.
Using pale shingles, particularly if you live down south, will reduce the solar heat your roof absorbs, reducing the need for air-conditioning. Up north, the cooling benefit is offset somewhat by the loss of solar warming in the winter.