Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Caroline McGraw of A wish come clear.
There are a lot of things you’ll never know until you try. Below are 5 areas I thought belonged to the experts…until I gave them a shot. I’d realized that thinking, “I can’t do that” was just a default mental setting for me when it came to these 5 things.
Once I changed my thinking from, “I can’t” to “I bet I can…” I made progress.
Read on to learn how you, too, can:
1. Haggle (or, know what you are willing to pay!)
I recently took my wedding dress to be (organically) dry-cleaned. I wanted to spend $50. I was quoted a price of $185, though my dress is a straight-cut sheath. Needless to say, I walked to another dry cleaner. They had a price of $175. I asked if they would go lower, given my simple dress. I bonded with the (newly-engaged) cashier, and told her I had $50. The cashier spoke with the manager, and quoted…$45. With tax, I spent $48.
State what you have and what you need and shop around. Be friendly, and find common ground wherever possible.
Savings: $137 (from what I’d have paid if I’d settled.)
2. Re-purpose and repair rather than buy new.
Repairing an item can be much less costly (for you and for the environment!) than buying new. Scout out thrift stores; you may be surprised!
I found a fantastic Ann Taylor jacket at a thrift store. It was exactly my size, and it retailed for $75-$85, new. Here, it was priced $18. Yet as I admired it I saw that it was missing a button. (I’m careful to check thrift-store pieces.) I knew I could handle the repair, so I went to the cashier, pointed out the flaw, and paid $2.
Try thrift or consignment shops before buying new. Leverage your capabilities (such as sewing) to save.
Savings: $73-$83 off retail; $16 off thrift-store. The jacket always gets compliments.
3. Cut your own hair.
I wish I’d realized it sooner: my haircut is basic (long layers), so I can cut it myself. Seeing my husband cut his own hair inspired me to try. I just needed to get good instructions before taking the plunge.
Choose a simple cut, and do the thing you think you cannot do (just make sure you have sharp scissors.)
Savings: $50 every 3-4 months, approximately $200-$250/year, plus the time it takes to make an appointment, travel and wait for the hairdresser (mine was always late.)
4. Make and use your own personal care products.
Baking soda can do it all. As such, I’ve lessened my ‘need’ for specialty products and reconsidered cosmetics. For now, my look is simply this: moisturizer with SPF, tweezed brows, curled lashes, a touch of lipstick (or tinted Burt’s Bees balm), a little concealer and vanilla extract for ‘perfume’.
You don’t need tons of makeup to look beautiful, and you can care for yourself (and the planet!) with less. There is elegance and class in going low-maintenance.
Savings: approximately $20 every few months, $60-80/year
5. Be content with one.
One bathing suit. One purse. One shelf of books. A one-bedroom apartment. As a wise woman once said, Less is not nothing.
If you choose wisely, you will select items of greater durability and value. There is no need for excess when one well-chosen thing can do the job.
Savings: $100-$5000+/year ($5000+ would get my husband and me a two-bedroom apartment here in DC!)
Total savings: $650 – $5650.
That money could do good elsewhere: paying your debt, appreciating in your Roth IRA or supporting your favorite charity.
I challenge you: what DIY could you try today? What could you do differently?
I’ll let you in on a secret—it’s an amazing feeling to do something new for yourself. This feeling could take you to new, unexpected places. Realize that you are more capable than you think, and enjoy the savings along the way.
Read more from Caroline at A wish come clear or subscribe to her blog.
Please share your creative time and money saving DIYs in the comments or ask Caroline questions about her recommendations.
New to Be More With Less? Read more about what to expect, and this post with links to important posts and reader favorites.
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My dh & I are major DIYers. We do all the things on your list (well, only my dh does #3, I am too chicken to try and cut my wildly wavy and unpredictable hair since most hairdressers can’t seem to do it right, lol). I’ve recently gotten into making a lot of my own personal care products and not only does it save money, it is fun, plus you know exactly what you’re putting on your body. We bought a nearly 100 yr old fixer upper of a house in a great walkable neighbourhood a few years ago, so we’ve gotten pretty good at a lot of DIY home repairs, too. It’s really satisfying to look around and see what we’ve been able to accomplish all on our own.
I really like your last sentence, Karen. Also, the house sounds wonderful.
I’ve never been terribly mechanical so I often avoided automotive challenges. But when I got an oil change for my scooter at the dealer and forked over $75 for it I decided I’d try it at home and have successfully done it ever since then. (I still take my aging car to my mechanic for oil changes though because I trust him to locate the half dozen other problems that I have found since the previous oil change)
Brave! hats off 🙂
I’ve started making my own household cleaners, laundry detergent and shaving cream. Then I attended all of the DIY classes at Home Depot on the weekends. I have learned how to tile, lay wood floors, basic plumbing and basic electrical work. It is so much more satisfying when you can finish a project by yourself.
Note to self: check out Home Depot! 🙂 That’s impressive, and I’d imagine v. satisfying, as you said.
“Be content with one… Less is not nothing” Such wise words! When I went from living in a mindset of scarcity (I had to hold onto everything because who knew when I’d get the chance/money to purchase a new one) to one of gratitude (happy to have anything) life became much better. Instead of a dozen purses that didn’t really meet my needs, I now have one great one that I love and works in all occasions, and I am grateful.
Well said, Kat. It is a great shift in perspective.
2Kat~
Yes! I know this feeling…”what if I need/want/miss it?” Or, “I don’t like it *now* but what if I change my mind?” It conflicts with my desire to simplify, but at least I’m not adding too much to the clutter; it’s all about the things I’ve held onto for years.
I agree it is definitely our mindset that makes the difference!
Oh man, I’m trying to decide if I could risk cutting my own hair. My backup plan when traveling for a year was going to just be to let it grow really long, rather than spend the money and take the risk on an unknown stylist!
I’ve received many comments about the hair-cutting suggestion, and something I thought of while reading your comment was that a stylist can be a “backup plan.” I’d encourage people to read up on DIY haircuts, start small (with less than an inch of hair to cut) and give it a shot — keeping in mind that, for most, a “backup” hairstylist is but a phone call away should something unforeseen occur!
Best wishes on your travels!
I search everywhere I go for thrift stores…what fun to get a steal on something being resold. I put my hair in a ponytail and wacked it off for the first time…came out great. Have done my own bangs for years. I use vinegar for cleaning and especially as my fabric softener. I add water to the end of the shampoo bottles, etc. and now contemplating selling everything I own and buying a cheap park model in warm AZ as an early retirement with my hubbie. Each year I get rid of more and more….makes such great sense. Thanks for this wonderful reminder! CJ
You are very welcome, CJ! I like your suggestions, too.
I have been coloring my own hair for over a year now, and I would love to try cutting it, but very nervous about that! I have a young friend who is going to cosmetology school, so I have her do it!
I am trying to get more comfortable with the One thing idea. It would make things so much easier!
We do repurpose and reuse as much as possible. We also have several cars in our household. We live in the country wit 2 kids going to community college, so we have 4 used cars. Luckily hubby and son are both awesome at fixing them when the break down, plus doing routine maintenance!
Bernice
The world really IS at our fingertips!
I hear you, Bernice – it’s funny, I’ve always been scared to try coloring mine 🙂 Sounds like you have a good solution with your friend. Here’s to sharing our skills to help others simplify.
Those are some very cool things to try. I’ve made soap, candles, and lotions before and I love doing things myself. I even fixed a leak in our roof before by climbing up on the roof with a tube of caulking.
I would be nervous about cutting the back of my hair as well. I did cut my sisters hair recently. She wanted layers cut in her hair and on a whim she asked me if I’d do it. I have never cut a girl’s hair before so I got on YouTube and watched a couple tutorials. I was scared out of my mind but it looked great. So maybe get a friend and experiment on each other. 🙂
Great article!
Thank you, Faith! 🙂 I definitely ‘started small’ cutting less than an inch of hair on the first try.
I just checked out your site, and look forward to reading more!
Great list
I’m a big fan of #2. I can’t stand to throw things away, but rather repair and restore them to new. Often times its more work, but I save a lot of money and save things from the landfill.
Ben…
Amen to that!
i love your suggestions!
🙂 Thank you Adrienne! I appreciate the affirmation.
Inspiring list! Thrift store finds are my favorite! Especially for a fashion lover, who leans towards retro, and is trying to reconcile her of the industry of consumption and exploitation. There is nothing like finding a one-of-a-kind piece in a thrift shop, knowing it has a story and will have another story through you. I also cut & color my hair, make cards and gifts, and the past 2 Christmas seasons I have been to ‘art exchanges’, where we exchange pieces of art we have made, instead of (better than) gifts.
hi Leah – Agreed! I like the creativity of reconciling your love of fashion with sustainability and re-purposing. Thanks for the ideas.
I love this post and have been thinking about this topic a lot lately. I’m in the process of knitting my first sweater and very excited to see how it turns out. I wear sweaters all the time and have been disappointed in the poor quality lately–it seems like after a few months of wearing they are pilled or falling apart. I’m hoping that if I get good enough I can eventually stop buying cheaply made knitwear (that are usually made in sweatshops in the third world!). I also want to start making my own bread. Such simple ingredients and yet most people just buy from the store. It’s all about quality, and homemade seems to be best in many cases!
I too was surprised that you cut your own hair (!), but I have longish hair and I used to cut my bangs all the time so maybe I will give it a go next time I’m due for a trim, and if I fail I could always get a cute bob hah!
I’m really interested in making my own personal skin care stuff, but am nervous that I will break out or something. I feel like years of using the harsh face stuff packed with chemicals has made my face addicted…maybe one day I will be able to wean myself from benzoyl peroxide.
My favorite tip is the last one–it’s just so true, and I am getting better with holding out/saving for the one *perfect* bag/boots/sunglasses/etc. instead of buying a bunch of cheaper ones.
Keep up the good work!
Kate, thank you for this thoughtful reply! I’m impressed that you’re thinking of knitting a sweater.
In terms of the personal skin care, Tammy Strobel at RowdyKittens has several good posts on the topic that helped me feel like I could give it a go.
I agree – one quality item is worth many sub-par ones!
I love this post the suggestions are great. I’m currently (very slowly) learning to sew so that I can repair/alter more of my clothes- I have really short legs so I always have to get my trousers taken up even if they are from the petit section so learning to do it myself will definately save some money.
I also really like the suggestion of using vanilla extract as i perfume as Vanilla is my most favourite smell in the whole world. Do you use it straight or mix it with a base?
Keep up the good work
hi Emma, thanks for writing! I’m glad you love the post. Best wishes with the sewing.
Ah yes, the vanilla extract — I actually got the idea from a novel, Anne Lamott’s “Imperfect Birds.” The protagonist, Rosie, wears it, and I thought, what a great idea. Currently I don’t mix it with anything; I just dab a small amount onto my wrists and neck, blending with my hands so there’s no visible spot on my skin.
Hope it works well for you!
I wrote about number 3 this week. Here’s what I said about minimalist hair styling:
http://www.gipplaster.com/2011/02/15/minimalist-musings-on-doin-your-do-or-hairstyles-of-the-poor-and-satisfied/
Nice post!
Gip
Thanks Gip! A good resource, and a call to re-think haircare.
Fun post. And I think the title is correct, most of these things are things we are “too scared to try.” I’ll admit, I’m too scared to try cutting my own hair.
However, I am some 46 days deep into being content with one (dress for one year) and make-do and mending as needed. About six months ago I was absolutely scared of doing this, now I’m thrilled to be engaging something I so desperately wanted for myself.
hi Kristy- Thanks for reading, and congrats on your ‘being content with one’ challenge! I felt a similar exhilaration in writing this post – remembering the small choices that represented deep, necessary change.
Baking soda works wonderfully as deodorant and shampoo, although I need to mix it with coconut oil for my arm pits, because it burns sometimes.
Indeed! Thanks for the tip. Baking soda can do so much.
For those interested in a baking-soda based deodorant stick, check out: http://www.armandhammer.com/Products/arm-and-hammer-essentials-natural-deodorant.aspx
It works well, and is a good substitute for baking soda itself (if you’re traveling, going to the gym, etc.)
I absolutely LOVE your little secret:
“I’ll let you in on a secret—it’s an amazing feeling to do something new for yourself. This feeling could take you to new, unexpected places. Realize that you are more capable than you think, and enjoy the savings along the way.”
My husband and I have been slowly selling and downsizing our lives. My family thinks we have a “cute” (aka small) house. We smile and mention how much we save in heating/cooling bills. I once had someone make fun of my car because it is a Saturn sedan. I smile and mention how much in gas money it saves and how it still gets me from point A to B. The list goes on…
The best part was the feeling I got yesterday when I made healthy and awesome Flaxseed Oat Bran Muffins. No bag or boxed mix for me. It was the first time I ever made such a healthy treat – shredding the carrots and apples by hand – using utensils that were locked in the back of drawers and actually breaking out my baking apron. I made them and I now have 18 healthy muffins that cost me only a fraction of what I would have paid in the store. It was a DIY dream and I’m still on cloud 9.
It is a long journey to get back to basics but it is so freeing. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Shannon, good to hear from you! I can sense the exhilaration in your words. There is a quiet satisfaction gained in knowing you have enough for YOUR needs. The muffins sound delicious. Funny how, in this age of amazing modernization, getting back to basics and DIYs can be a great thrill 🙂 Best wishes on your journey!
When I grew up, my grandfather told me that my grandmother could make 2$ with 1$. It was a very nice compliment of her skills as a homemaker and I paid attention to her magic. Today I know that she didn’t have to be frugal ans make her own clothing or fix everything herself because my engineer grandfather made a lot of money and he was also VERY handy with a hammer. So being able to take care of one’s self is a virtue in my book and I hope to pass it on to my daughter.
One thing that is often overlooked is: DIY is entertaining! So while you are entertaining yourself you also save money on the entertainment that you would consumer were you not busy having fun DIYing 🙂
Well said, Marie! There’s fun to be had in DIY, and it can bring people closer together, too (i.e. borrowing, lending a hand with others’ projects.) Thanks for sharing!
I like the comment on minimal skin care. The added bonus is less chemicals ingested by our bodies. I think that simple can sometimes carry a powerful punch. My daily routine is mixing a dab of moisturizer with SPF (brands purchased at Whole Foods), with a squirt of olive oil (yes, olive oil) from DHC, and a drop of therapeutic grade Tea Tree Oil by Young Living. I mistreated my skin when I was in my teen and when the damage started to show up in my early 30’s I started getting serious about being good to my skin and trying to heal the damage.
If whole, organic foods are good for our body’s health, it only makes since that our skin would react the same way to pure, natural ingredients.
Agreed, Elaine. Thanks for sharing your skin-care ‘recipe.’ I’ve been wanting to try incorporating olive oil into my skin-care routine, and you’ve given me the boost I needed. Thank you for your comment!
I’ve heard olive oil makes acne worse, so if you get acne it might be best to use something different.
I already do many of these things, but I want to thank you for the vanilla idea. I did that all through my teenage years (before dates I would take a bath with powdered milk and vanilla extract.) When I became an adult and switched to perfume, but my wife is allergic to perfume, so I haven’t been able to wear any for the last 10 years. I will be going back to vanilla!
You’re most welcome, Heidi! Here’s to going back to basics and enjoying the delightful scent of vanilla.
Organic dry cleaning? I’m pretty sure the word “organic” means either (a) organic chemistry, like hydrocarbons (or the toxic chemicals they use in dry cleaning) or (b) grown without the use of pesticides. I’m curious: what do they mean by “organic dry cleaning”?
“Less is not nothing” is a great tip. I always try to go too far with whatever I’m interested in (minimalism) and I’ve started to realize that it’s ok to have stuff if the net result is it makes your life better.
Great question, Layla! Many dry-cleaning stores label themselves ‘organic’ and still use
the same (toxic) chemicals. I should have clarified: After doing a bunch of research, I took my dress to a Green Earth Cleaner (see http://www.greenearthcleaning.com/ for info and locations.) They use a non-toxic, non-hazardous process that doesn’t pollute the earth or contaminate our bodies!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂