How To Save Money

How to paint a refrigerator

May 11, 2018 by Tanya 10 Comments

Oh friend, I cannot tell you how fun this before and after were.

I always have a running list of things I want when thrifting and junking.

Do you keep a similar list?

Right now mine looks like this (probably pared down due to recent deep cleaning and getting rid of stuff we don’t need)

Good quality white curtains
2 side chairs that need minimum work
Entry way table
Anything that looks remotely close to Ironstone
Pedestal base for new dining room table

There are little things too but those seem to be the items top of mind for upcoming projects.

And, this weekend I was able to take one off the “list” a refrigerator for my office at work! [Read more…]

Filed Under: DIY, How To Save Money, Spray Paint 101

7 things you should buy at thrift stores

February 8, 2017 by Tanya 8 Comments

Walking around my home with my coffee recently I realized that I have more second hand items than not.

If you have followed twelveOeight for a while or you are new here (yay thank you everyone for your love and support!) you will probably see that my PASSION is to turn nothing into something fabulous.

So…I began thinking that it would be fun to do a series on what a 30 year veteran of thrifting does to score those finds.

When Macklemore came out with Thrift Shop a few years ago, I instantly loved the song, and him (ok there may be a secret crush going on too hee hee) and listen to his music often. While we don’t pop any tags lol, we do believe that paying full price or spending $50 on a t-shirt is getting swindled by an industry. Not only that but look at how full our landfills would be if everyone just discarded their furniture, home goods, clothes etc… when they no longer wanted them.

YES!!! This is where it gets good. One come up coming at you.

I can remember the first yard sale in my neighborhood as a kid. My family were not thrifters, in fact I was an only child for 15 years and my Mom loved her some Nordstrom. So I was accustomed to all that came with having a Mom and Grandma to hang out with who LOVED to shop.

I watched the neighbors set up their tables, then out came box after box full of dishes and lamps, and paintings, and some furniture. After I could take it no longer (I am pretty sure this is the test for a lover of all things thrift. Watch your heart rate and how fast you grab your wallet when you see a yard sale or new thrift shop.) I had to see what they were doing. [Read more…]

Filed Under: DIY, How To Save Money, Thrifty Living

10 budget friendly Christmas DIY’s

November 10, 2016 by Tanya 14 Comments

We are going to make a day of it this year, with warm boots, mittens and lots of cocoa to find our tree.

I cannot wait.

Like, literally. So in the meantime Santa’s little dress workshop can still be full of Christmas cheer and working on lots of projects while I wait for late November and tree-finding day to arrive.

This is my favorite time of year (I know I say that about every season) so I guess I love celebrating and decorating and that is why Christmas brings back so many memories. And makes me want to get to creating every chance I have.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas projects for a little inspiration and hopefully a few thrifty ideas to begin the season with excitement and joy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, Food Gifts, How To Save Money

How to make liquid Castile Soap

February 13, 2015 by Tanya 26 Comments

I am far, far from being being completely green in our home yet.

Making some changes as far as how I purchase the things we need, and in what quantities to avoid
extra packaging has helped. I implemented a better recycling routine recently and am seeing a huge
difference already in how much garbage we have once the recycling is all removed.

That is shocking actually!

I am phasing out many of the cleaners and detergents we have used for a long time.

We all have allergies and sensitive skin, and so much of what is in the giant jugs of detergent and
soap is mostly fragrance and water anyways.

One thing I fell in love with a few years ago was Dr. Bronners Pure Castile Soap, but found myself
going through it quickly, and those little bottles were pretty spendy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: DIY, Homemade Cleaning Supplies, How To Save Money, Thrifty Living, Tips & ideas for the home, Uncategorized

Day #8: DIY Anthro Inspired Rope Basket

January 17, 2015 by Tanya 12 Comments

Making a basket out of rope couldn’t be easier when the base happens to be a $1 mesh garbage can from
the dollar store. I found mine at Dollar Tree.

Using up a few different types and widths of rope I had on hand, some paint and a few other items from
the craft hoard, I came up with this fun, bright footed basket.

Now the hard part is trying to figure out where I am going to use it. So far it looks cool by my fireplace,
at the foot of the stairs, with a plant in it, and full of toys.

Oy, the options! Like most things it will probably be moved around and used in many roles over time.

But for today, I will show you how fast this rope basket came together, lets craft! [Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, home decor, How To Save Money, Modern Decor, Thrifty Living

Day 7: How to Make Pretty Retro Pot Holders

January 16, 2015 by Tanya 10 Comments

Hello crafty friends!

I hope this finds you enjoying your January and hopefully enjoying our 31 day challenge
to make, organize, decorate and cook our way thru the month with a No/Low Spend plan!

Of course, the winter bugs have arrived at casa twelveOeight, so it seems as though it has
taken me 12 days to get through 7 ideas and projects.
Oh well. With any luck you are reading this and 7 things in 14 days is the most you can
do right now as well. Then we are perfectly aligned and there is peace in the land.

I love to upcycle, like…anything.
One of the reasons why I cannot fit even a teeny car in my garage is my love of a good
upcycle. [Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, DIY, fabric, How To Save Money, sewing, Thrifty Living

Day 6: How to Make Your Own Cake Mix (gluten free option too!)

January 13, 2015 by Tanya 5 Comments

Hello friends! I am really excited to share one of my favorite make-your-own-mix recipes today
for Chocolate Cake Mix, with a gluten free option too!

There have been many times I have opened my pantry to find one last cake mix on hand, and with
a sigh of relief I can whip up a quick dessert without having to run to the store in a pinch.

But a few years ago, when I realized that gluten and I were not besties after all, I began to make
my own cake mix, and will never go back!

Cake mix is very easy to make ahead and keep on hand, and saves money on the food budget too. [Read more…]

Filed Under: DIY, Gluten Free Recipes, How To Save Money, make your own mixes, Recipes, Thrifty Living

No spend month: Day 1 Getting started (it’s all about that pantry)

December 29, 2014 by Tanya 10 Comments

Welcome to our very first No Spend Challenge!

I am so excited to be doing this, and if you are reading this for the first time, let me tell you what this will not be.

This is not a 31 day exercise in making you feel like a financial failure, because you are not!
This is not a way for me to make money, it’s a fun challenge we can do together to purge, save & use what we have.
This challenge is not designed to make you feel deprived but liberated by changing a few simple things that will make
a big impact.

I know we are probably not going to pay off all of our debt, set aside our retirement and win a Nobel Peace Prize
in the next month.

But we can make some positive changes, that are small and attainable, that we all have time for.
One thing a day, added together makes an impact.

If I learn how to make a few more recipes from scratch or bust out my slow cooker another night or two per week,
I may not save $500 that month. But I might in a year, and that is a lot! [Read more…]

Filed Under: DIY, Free Stuff, How To Save Money, Thrifty Living, Tips & ideas for the home

No Spend January 2015 Challenge! Who is with me?

December 21, 2014 by Tanya 11 Comments

Ok, I know it’s technically not the new year yet, but I had to tell you about something I have been working on.

As I have prepared for Christmas, wrapped gifts, made lists, and baked the days away, I realized how much stuff I have.
Not only how blessed I am, but how self-sufficient I could probably be if I was to just put a hold on spending and
use what I have for a month.

Regular recurring obligations, as well as food, gas etc… are still in the budget.

What am I taking out? For a few weeks, stops for chai, trips to the craft store (I know), and anything I don’t need.

While shopping and thrifting are a huge source of fun for me (I am probably not super alone in this) I love to save money
and get a great deal. So, I am going to do a fun giveaway at the end of the month to share the love!

How to make your own cleaning supplies

October 31, 2014 by Tanya 5 Comments

So my friend Haley and I had a chance to share some of our absolute favorite ways to recycle, DIY
and upcycle our way around our homes with a wonderful group of women. We have a MOMS group
that is a co-op designed to support, uplift and encourage mothers in a comfortable setting. We take
turns cooking, and working in the child care area so everyone in our group has a chance to get a
break, not share their food with a 2 year old. And take away something they can use. [Read more…]