What are some things you make instead of buy?

[lorraineb]

I was talking with friends and, as is common, the topic of shopping came up. The were talking about the scent that cleaners leave and I mentioned that I had learned to make my own vinegar and water cleaners from this forum. They all seemed appalled that I would make it instead of buy something which was a bit shocking. I didn't even get around to mention the other things I make instead of buy since coming here.

What are some of the things that you make yourself instead of buying a brand at the store?

[hamchan]

Dish cloths. They cost very little to make, don't take long, and I prefer the homemade ones to store bought. I make my own potstickers instead of buying them frozen. I make a lot of foods from scratch, actually, instead of using mixes and pre-made. Salad dressing, frosting, spaghetti sauce, pizza (sometimes, though I usually keep a frozen one on hand for something quick and easy) , macaroni and cheese, soups and chilis. I just like the finished product a lot more. I don't even know if it's really cheaper that way.

I make a lot of gifts as well. I'm pretty crafty. I have made lots of afghans. Not necessarily cheaper either depending on the cost of supplies. My daughter made her own dollhouse out of cardboard boxes, duct tape, and various other trash and recycle items and fabric scraps. The duct tape was about $25 total. I often will make something when I cannot find exactly what I'm looking for to buy at a reasonable price. It's not so much to save money as it it to just get exactly what I want.

[roxymoxie14]

Homemade cleaning agents!

I make my own carpet cleaner - half white vinegar and half 3% hydrogen peroxide and it works wonders! I get a ton of ideas off of Pinterest.

I also make a lot of crafts including gel candles that I got into a few years ago. I love it. It's therapy!

[Blessed]

Pet food, coffee creamer, dishwasher soap, dry shampoo.

[snafu]

I was making bread until it was affecting our waists and making it hard to button jeans. Bread machines are always on sale dirt cheap at our Thrift stores. It's fun to experiment and the product is delicious for very little effort. I've been making detergent and D/W soap since I saw it on You Tube, only because the product works so much better than Tide or Cascade.

We have a family tradition of making gifts for each other. Years ago grandmother put it in our heads that anyone could go buy a gift but you added love by making something yourself. The hardest part is thinking up something new to make. When Infinity scarves were 1st popular I made about a dozen in a weekend. I like to sew and made up duvet covers for quilts/blankets with co ordinating drapes. It's a fun project but expensive. Love ideas on Pinterest, they're addicting.

[snafu]

sorry, dbl post

[AggieLife]

The making of food has been somewhat mentioned already, but I make my lunch!

I would assume many people on this forum do make their own lunch for obvious reasons. While it may take a little more time, it is well worth the 5 minutes to prepare your own lunch and save a few bucks every day.

[Permanent Temp]

Organizers for the house. I while back I was trying to figure out what I could do to get out kitchen organized. It's small and we are in an apartment so I didn't want to spend a ton of money on organizers that may or may not work out once we finally get to move into a house.

I made a cardboard insert for that dead space in the pantry (its closed in on 3 sides so you can't really see it.) And I took some of those cardboard holders they have for cat food from my work since they were just going to throw them out anyway. Also when we have boxes for our dishwasher tabs etc I tend to hold on to them an use them for organizers for other products such as our sponges etc.

6 pack beer holders are pretty versatile too. One is holding condiments in the fridge and another is holding crescent rolls.

I guess that's more like re purposing, but it still beats spending 10+ on a dedicated organizer for these things. I just keep finding purposes for things we'd other wise toss out.

[skip17py]

I make my own spinner rigs for walleye fishing. Not only is it cheaper to make, but you can use better materials.

[hamchan]

I just keep finding purposes for things we'd other wise toss out.

I do a lot of that too! Getting rid of things when you live in the city and have no car is tough, so I try to find new uses for old things as much as possible. I'm currently working on converting an unused fish tank stand to a bookcase, and a coffee table into a bench to sit on.

[LendingWire]

Food is the main one, I would say. You should cook most of your meal and buy food in bulk or grow your own food if you're really dedicated to saving. More than making things, re purposing things is really the way to go. Things like old clothes can be used for dish rags or patches for newer clothes. One time me and my friends used some old wood to build a table with for the place we used to hang out. Old wood is super useful and you can use it for so much even if you're not great as a handyman.

[gogirlanime]

-Laundry detergent (bar soap flakes, borax, washing soda)
-Facial serum (MSM powder, DMAE powder, Hyaluronic acid powder, essential oils, water)
-Food from scratch
-Dish soap (bar soap, borax, washing soda, water)
-Sunblock (lotion, zinc oxide powder, powdered mica foundation)
-Hair lightener (honey, cinnamon, water)
-Heater (candle trick, look it up)
-Heat bags (dry rice in socks, nuked in the microwave)
-Soda (with Sodastream)
-Dehumidifier (Dollar Store cat litter anywhere I can hide it, flower pots, under sinks, etc)
-Eye make-up remover (olive oil)
-Deodorant (essential oil, baking soda, coconut oil)
-Carpet cleaner (white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide)

[FrankWhite]

I make my own:

- Hair rinse
- Toothpaste
- Herbal Tea Bags

[Daniel88]

Mainly food but great suggestions from all!

[youshallliveinoverflow]

I typically never eat out. The cost of eating out does not make sense to me. I eat most meals at home. This is a tremendous savings for me.