By Jerri Perry
In this age of convenience, you can buy or pay to do almost anything. However, in many cases, you save money when you make or do these things at home. Additionally, you feel a greater sense of ownership when you create something. For instance, a quilt that you buy from the quilt store will have much less personal value than one you make on your own from old clothing or other cloth scraps.
One of the reasons that people usually give for buying instead of making things is that they do not have the time it would take to make them. This is a valid point. However, if you consider the money that can be saved by making things on your own, the extra time may be worthwhile. Here are a few things to consider making or doing at home rather than paying for.
1. Making your own food. There are so many benefits to cooking at home as opposed to eating out. You can feed four or five people at home for the price of one meal out. The food you make at home is almost inevitably healthier than food purchased from restaurants. Eating at home will not only help you save money, it will help you lose weight. And if you plan ahead, cooking in bulk, and freeze the extra food, you can do it conveniently and quickly when you need to.
2. Clothing. In the olden days, almost everyone wore homemade clothing most of the time. However, making our own clothes is a skill that most people have lost. If you can already knit or sew, you are ahead of the game. If not, you can learn. Knowing how to make you own clothes will not only save you money, it will help you develop a more unique look. While four other people are wearing the same shirt from H&M, you will have a unique outfit.
3. Make your own jewelry. Jewelry in stores (aside from high-end jewelry containing precious gems) is often simply made from items you can find in craft stores and bead shops. But your own materials, and make jewelry for yourself. It can be fun and it will save you money. If you get really good, you could even sell your jewelry to others.
4. Picture Frames. In department stores and home goods emporiums, you often pay twenty dollars or more for one picture frame. However, you can make them on your own. Buy some matte or wood frames for cheap, and paint them or attach objects that mean something to you.
5. Run or walk outside instead of at the gym. Gym memberships are often a waste of money. If you use all of the weight lifting equipment and other fancy machines, it might be worthwhile. However, many people only use the elliptical or the treadmill. Instead of paying for this, just walk or run in a park or in your neighborhood, especially during the summer months. You will save money and you will feel better.
These are a few ideas of things to make or do in your home. There are many, many more. Obviously, you won't have time to always make everything yourself. You have to pick and choose. For instance, make one weekend meal at home instead of going out. Learn to quilt and stay out of the quilt store, even if you still buy all of your clothes. You will be surprised at the money you save, and every little bit helps.
One of the reasons that people usually give for buying instead of making things is that they do not have the time it would take to make them. This is a valid point. However, if you consider the money that can be saved by making things on your own, the extra time may be worthwhile. Here are a few things to consider making or doing at home rather than paying for.
1. Making your own food. There are so many benefits to cooking at home as opposed to eating out. You can feed four or five people at home for the price of one meal out. The food you make at home is almost inevitably healthier than food purchased from restaurants. Eating at home will not only help you save money, it will help you lose weight. And if you plan ahead, cooking in bulk, and freeze the extra food, you can do it conveniently and quickly when you need to.
2. Clothing. In the olden days, almost everyone wore homemade clothing most of the time. However, making our own clothes is a skill that most people have lost. If you can already knit or sew, you are ahead of the game. If not, you can learn. Knowing how to make you own clothes will not only save you money, it will help you develop a more unique look. While four other people are wearing the same shirt from H&M, you will have a unique outfit.
3. Make your own jewelry. Jewelry in stores (aside from high-end jewelry containing precious gems) is often simply made from items you can find in craft stores and bead shops. But your own materials, and make jewelry for yourself. It can be fun and it will save you money. If you get really good, you could even sell your jewelry to others.
4. Picture Frames. In department stores and home goods emporiums, you often pay twenty dollars or more for one picture frame. However, you can make them on your own. Buy some matte or wood frames for cheap, and paint them or attach objects that mean something to you.
5. Run or walk outside instead of at the gym. Gym memberships are often a waste of money. If you use all of the weight lifting equipment and other fancy machines, it might be worthwhile. However, many people only use the elliptical or the treadmill. Instead of paying for this, just walk or run in a park or in your neighborhood, especially during the summer months. You will save money and you will feel better.
These are a few ideas of things to make or do in your home. There are many, many more. Obviously, you won't have time to always make everything yourself. You have to pick and choose. For instance, make one weekend meal at home instead of going out. Learn to quilt and stay out of the quilt store, even if you still buy all of your clothes. You will be surprised at the money you save, and every little bit helps.