People Who Are Either Brilliantly Frugal Or Questionably Cheap
In the words of one bright and musical 18-year-old (here's looking at you, Olivia), it's brutal out here. Everything costs money, and very often, things cost more money than they're worth.
That's why these people came up with clever DIY solutions to help themselves save money. Why pay someone else to do something when you can do it yourself? Sometimes it works out...and sometimes it really doesn't.
Map Wrapping Paper
Reddit user saxamaphone710 posted this photo online along with the caption:
"I work at a travel agency, and when we have to 'destroy' our outdated maps, I reuse them as wrapping paper."
It All Melted
This person accidentally left a bottle of gummy vitamins in their hot car and they all melted into one giant vitamin.
Their plan is to take little bites out of the giant gummy so they still get their money's worth.
Use The Whole Tube
When you don't have a device like this, you end up wasting a whole bunch of toothpaste.
This Reddit user got his toothpaste squeezer from his aunt who also appreciates a good bargain.
No More Paper Towels
One Reddit user swapped paper towels for cotton shop towels. "I bought 150 off Amazon for about $30."
"They have been life-changing for staying frugal and eco-conscious! I keep a 'garbage can' in my kitchen to separate these out and wash when full with hot water, detergent, and bleach."
Saved An Old Sweater
Reddit user Librashell posted this photo online and wrote, "Dad doesn't toss his hoodies when the zippers break. Buttons made from a broken broom handle and loops from p-cord."
Apparently this is an upgrade from the duct tape he used to use.
A Makeshift Bookshelf
This person picked up some free empty wine crates from a local liquor store and turned them into bookshelves.
Bookshelves can be pretty expensive, so I think this is a great book storage solution.
Conserve Your Oil
This Reddit user saves any unused oil after an oil change. Eventually, he has enough for a sort of free oil change.
It takes some extra time, but it does save you cash in the end.
Homemade Mustard
This Reddit user is a huge fan of gourmet mustard, but he doesn't like how expensive whole grain mustard can be at the grocery store.
He decided to make his own mustard mostly out of ingredients that he already had at home.
A Reusable Swiffer Pad
This person made a reusable Swiffer pad. They have four pets and figured this would be a way to save on buying the dusting pads.
It could also double as a mop if you use it wet.
Recycled Soap
This person posted a photo of her father-in-law's soap bar which is made up of a bunch of tiny unusable pieces of other soap bars.
Some things just shouldn't be recycled. I think soap is one of those things.
Make It Musical
People certainly like to get creative when it comes to DIY wrapping paper.
Sheet music could be great if you use someone's favorite song, or are gifting it to a musician.
Cut Up Your Dishwasher Pods
If you're looking to save on washing dishes, you can do what this person does and cut up the detergent tablets.
It'll save you money in the long run. Let's just hope your dishes come out clean every time.
A Coffee Carrier
This person runs a small café and realized that you can turn old cartons into coffee carriers.
This is such a great way to recycle materials and not have to awkwardly try to open a door while carrying two cups of coffee.
A Pallet Table
This person made a dining room table out of a couple of old shipping pallets that someone had left on the side of the road.
I love this table so much! They did a fantastic job staining it.
Refill Those Single-Use Pepper Grinders
It's crazy how much plastic we waste by throwing away those "single-use" pepper grinders sold at grocery stores.
If you can get them pried open then you can refill them.
Save Your Present Bags
Why throw away a used present bag when you can reuse it to give someone else a present?
Just make sure you get the right occasion and don't accidentally wish your spouse a happy birthday on your anniversary.
Too Much HGTV?
It's pretty obvious how this went down. An over-confident DIYer who has a vision. He was humming as soon as he walked into the hardware store to pick up the supplies.
The humming quickly stops as soon as he realized that he's in too far and there's no turning back on this project. Hours later, his wife finds him sobbing on the ground, she wants to say that it'll be okay, but by the looks of the sink, she knows that it never will.
Hunny, Strap In
If you're going to buy a $1,000 dollar box spring and mattress set it's probably worth it to pay for the shipping as well.
Perhaps this man doesn't agree, but the life of your wife I think has a little more merit than the extra cash it would take to get the mattress shipped to your place.
Great For Pet Mice
Even though Adam might not be too happy about the size of this rug, I know his pet mice certainly are.
They've been shopping around for a rug to put in their living room to cover some of the fodder that currently inhabits it.
Are Barbecues Really That Expensive?
You walk into the backyard of your friend's house and you see them cooking hot dogs on this, what do you do?
Would you immediately leave or would you stick around until everyone starts getting fed and then fake sick? Either way, those dogs aren't entering my mouth.
Stay Chill, My Friends
This "pool" is all fun and games until our friend Pete here starts losing circulation to his head. He looks like a deformed Skittle.
I wouldn't even know what this would feel like? I think a better use of money would be to buy a small kiddie pool that doesn't come with the risk of drowning in a humiliating way.
When You Need A Light, You Need A Light
These hangers can barely hold up a maxi dress, not to mention be the reliable base for light in your house.
Exposed light bulbs are dangerous, exposed light bulbs on a hanger are even more so. At least put a caution pylon down.
A Makeshift Paint Spout
If you forgot to pick up an easy pour spout for the paint can, don't worry!
If you have painter's tape around you can use it to make one until the next time you're at the hardware store.
I Never Know What To Do With These Department Store Hangers!
I usually just end up throwing them out because who wants junk lying around?
But if they can be used to keep my chips crisp, then I'll be hanging onto those bad boys.
"I Have Scissors And A Chair"
When you go for a cheap haircut, sometimes it feels like you've been attacked with scissors.
The trust you put in a hairdresser is unmatched which is why you want to make sure you go to a good one.
The Cheap Furniture Starter Kit
These instructions even admit that you'll need to have a potent drink handy to counteract the frustrations that lay ahead.
For anyone who has ever had to build cheap furniture, you know the struggle.
Warm Up Your Lunch Right At Your Desk
Computer batteries heat up quickly, so why not put all of that thermal energy to good use?
Just make sure your batteries are super clean before you attempt this, or better yet, wrap your sandwich in tin foil.
Pulled A Few Strings To Fix This Leak
If I'm not certain, I think this is what field surgeons used to clog some battle wounds. Tampons are basically bullet-proof, or at the very least, leak proof.
The great thing about this is that they're easy to remove AND dispose of.
Ripen Your Avocados Quickly
If you would like to eat some avocados but all the ones you have in your house aren't ripe enough yet, try this.
Place them over a heating vent to speed up the process.
No More Buying Replacement Remotes
This mom was tired of having her children and husband misplace the television remote in the house, so she taped it to this piece of wood and deemed it the "remote stick."
I mean, the remote hasn't been lost since.