Comments on: Contest #2: Good Things Come To Those Who Do It Themselves

By: vdenisew

vdenisew — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:49:41 +0000

I found an inexpensive way to make bath salts by purchasing Epsom salts and then adding 15-20 drops of essential oils and even a couple drops food coloring. A little food coloring goes a long way and a small amount will not color the skin. Get creative and layer your colors!

You can also make your own soaps by purchasing glycerin in the craft store, melt down in the microwave, add a little essential oil (and color if you like), pour into plastic mold and voile….your own inexpensive bar soap. Both make great gifts.

Finally, on a recent trip to Cancun for my 20th wedding anniversary, my husband bought me several lasso necklaces made from glass seed beads. I received so many compliments on my necklaces that I decided to try and re-create more for myself in different colors. It is tedious stringing seed beads, but the end results are so worth the effort.

By: Laura

Laura — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 04:05:56 +0000

Being that I’m highly allergic to paying retail prices especially on furniture…almost every piece of furniture in my home came from http://www.craigslist.com. The best part? Some other bitch already paid for the delivery and the financing of it…and I get to enjoy it inexpensively until I get the desire to change themes myself. My house looks good and it’s exciting to wait for just the perfect piece to come along. I get a lot of decorating ideas too. Instead of buying the red framed mirror for $125–I’ll paint my own mirror for just a few dollars.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:39:40 +0000

I love when I create something that is both sexy and practical. ; )

When I found little jars of essences at a gift shop I sniffed away until found one that was such a delightful “earthy jasmine” scent. So…. I bought a small spray bottle, tipped in about 10 drops of the natural essence, then filled it to the top with distilled water (buy cheap by the gallon in a supermarket).

Now, my natural room spray is not only so inexpensive but is such a nice, fresh, natural scent – - a bit of feng shui space clearing with just a few spirts! Lovely!

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:54:36 +0000

I haven’t been to a hair salon in about two years and my hair looks better than ever. I discovered forum.blackhairmedia.com where professional stylists mingle with do it yourselfer’s, and I’ve now learned how to do my own relaxers, promote healthy hair growth (my natural hair is midback length now), and install my own sew-in weaves. You can also learn these techniques by watching videos on youtube. I’ve saved HUNDREDS of dollars a year by avoiding expensive hair salons. Black women, we do NOT have to be a slave to bad stylists who take our money and hours of our time (however, if you do find a good, concientious stylist, hold onto them!!).

Also, I recently set up a home spa of sorts, consisting of a foot bath and paraffin wax station ($6.50 from Walmart), and treat myself to a relaxing bubble bath/pamper session weekly. It keeps me sane, and costs practically nothing.

Also, I make my own custom bubble bath solutions and creamy soaps by getting unscented shampoo from the dollar store and adding in lovely smelling essential oils. I make the bars of soap by visiting the craft store and getting glycerin, pouring it into molds with essential/fragrant oils, and letting it sit. It’s also a really cool gift for friends!

Finally- I do my own at home microdermabrasion facial treatments using a little bit of baking soda combined with warm water. It clears the skin, it’s safe, and when you follow the treatment with some vitamin E oil on the face, it’s the best way I’ve found to combat acne.

Hope that helps!

By: Phoebe P.

Phoebe P. — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:12:34 +0000

Having been fortunate enough to get lots of hand-me-downs, I believe in continuing the handing down of my sons clothing. However, there are always a few pieces that are sentimental. So, I’ve been saving just a few pieces that have a story behind them and when I have enough, I will piece them together to make them into a quilt for him. When I buy fabric for a quilt, it costs $90, but I think I’ll only need $25 worth and the rest will be the priceless stories of his childhood.

By: Lana Olivas

Lana Olivas — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:48:19 +0000

When the food in the freezer is running out, I take out and cook all the different foods.For example….a hand full of fries, chicken, beef,pork.Keep in mind I have 4 kids. We have fry nite. Make fries, with the beef make meatballs,chicken bake with b-b-q sause,pork cook with verde sause. My kids love it a Buffet at home all their favorite foods and our freezer is empty, but the Best part, I didnt throw food away! Our food has too last and it does. I really try not to throw any food away! Hell I work hard to buy that food! I am on a Budget!

By: Yvette Woodall

Yvette Woodall — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:39:15 +0000

I would love the reicipe for the laundry soap Judi.. My email is yvettewoodall@yahoo.com and thanks in advance!

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:15:46 +0000

I make my own greeting cards, home-baked pies (sweet & savory), and pack me & the kids chocolate lunch bunches for weekday fun:)

By: Jacqueline Fluent Downs

Jacqueline Fluent Downs — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:55:03 +0000

Paint is a girl’s best DIY friend! There is sooo much you can do with a can of spray paint, or left over paint from a previous project. Since I couldn’t afford a new dishwasher, I spray painted my old white dishwasher black to match the rest of my appliances. It looked so good, people thought I got a new dishwasher! All for the price of a can of spray paint. I also love the look of oil rubbed bronze. I have found a spray paint that will give me the look that I like without the added cost. Most recently, I painted my mudroom floor in a checker board pattern with paint I already had from a previous project and “mistake” paint that I had purchased in the wrong finish. The result was fantastic, and many of my friends thought it was tile! That project not only used paint I already had, but only cost me the price of a quart of polyurathane!!! I have found that paint gives me the chance to reuse and repurpose many things in my home while saving a ton of $$.

By: Judi

Judi — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:26:16 +0000

I hate the fact I was spending 40.00 a month on cheap laundry soap. Went online found a way to make it and love it, clean smell works well and ends up costing me about 2 cents a load. I usually make two batches at a time so I only do the actually “cooking and making” every couple months. If anyone wants the receipe let me know. It is easy and takes about 15 mins to make a gallon