27 Things I Make Instead of Buy to Save Money

Are you looking for ways to save money? You're not alone! It can be tough to keep up with when you have surprise expenses.

 By changing some of our daily habits, my family started to make some of our household items instead of buy them to help use reduce waste, save money, and frankly because it can be more convenient.

I added the items on this list bit by bit over the years. Please do not think you have to make everything all at once! Sometimes I don’t have to make more of something because I made a bit too much the first time and we are still going through it (looking at you Must Can All the Jam! bender a few years ago.) Other times, it’s a one and done kind of thing like sewing on a button, and sometimes I buy the item instead of making it (like yogurt) because I’m too busy with other life things to keep up with the supply and demand.  

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 In other words, this is a list of money saving ideas and options, not absolutes. 

 Growing up I was a Kool Aid kid. I didn’t drink a lot of pop then and now even less since I found most of it contains my food allergen. Ice water became my drink of choice. Instead of buying bottled water, I have a water filter under the sink similar to this water filtration system . I use it to refill reusable water bottles and put them in the fridge for convenience. (Disclosure: I am including affiliate links for your convenience.)

I insulated the reusable water bottles I already had with insulating reusable bottle covers you can buy here . They have a bunch of cute covers to fit many sizes, shapes, and brands of reusable water bottles. 

Instead of buying taco seasoning, I make my own using my Best Taco Seasoning in the World Recipe here. It tastes so much better because you can adjust the ingredient amounts to your taste.

 

I am already prepared for Taco Tuesday

 Instead of paper towels all the time, I use old bath towels I cut down and ran a simple stitch around the edges to keep them from fraying. The towels are more absorbent for mopping up counter top spills than paper towels. Truthfully, I still keep paper towels on hand to clean pet messes and really icky stuff but a roll lasts a long time. 

I make my own laundry HE detergent because I couldn't find one I liked in a store. It takes 15 minutes to make enough to last 4-6 months and works great for washing all types of clothes. You can read my Make DIY Laundry Detergent for Cheap! recipe here.  Your mileage may vary on this one depending up the type of water and washing machine you have.

Some of the photos in this post are courtesy of my DIY blog Condo Blues.

 I make a 1 part vinegar 3 parts water kitchen counter cleaner that won’t damage my counters because they are laminate. Vinegar will damage natural stone and tile grout so once we replace the counter tops like have in the bathrooms, I’ll be buying all purpose kitchen cleaner again. 

I also can jam and make liquid and bar soap as hobbies. Depending upon the ingredients you use to make these items vs sales/coupons/Ibotta rebates for ready made (you can learn more about Ibotta here ) this tip may not save you as much money making it as buying it on sale. 

 If I’m going to go to the trouble of making jam, it’s going to be something fancier than I can buy. My Cranberry Pineapple Jam Recipe here is one example. 

 I mend our clothes and make alterations when needed. I’m short and almost never in my life bought a pair of pants, skirt, or dress I didn’t have hem. Fortunately this is a one and done item that doesn’t make very long to do. 

I even do some home renovations, like installing new toilets, light fixtures, insulating the garage, etc. The secret to my success is knowing what I can and cannot safely fix which I learned at my father’s knee, the school of Hand Me That, Hold This. 

 

Replacing a ripped window screen is fiddly but still simple, and much cheaper than hiring someone to do the exact same thing! You can learn How to Fix a Ripped Screen in a Door or Window the Quick and Easy Way here.

 I grow some of my own herbs, use this exact Nesco dehydrator to dry them for winter. I use them make my own mint tea mixes but when it comes to any other type of tea, I buy it.

I also like to use fresh herbs to flavor my tea like my Lavender Iced Tea recipe here.

I made cloth face cleaning pads for home use (you can read my How to Make Removable Makeup Remover Pads tutorial on my DIY blog Condo Blues here.)  When I’m traveling or in a show and don't have access to a real sink, I use these makeup eraser towels  and follow that up by with these makeup remover towelettes .

 I make my own season salt and infused sugar for baking. You can read my Infused Lavender Sugar recipe here. 

 I even make emergency candles by pouring the last burn of my purchased jar candles into an old candle jar with a wick. (You can buy candle wicks here ) If it’s a scented candle, I’ll often time the last burn to when I have time to pour the leftover candle wax into my wax warmer to enjoy the scent a little bit longer. Once the wax in the warmer loses its scent, it adds a layer to the blackout candle.  

 

After getting stuck in a multi day blackout with a ton of spent candles I swore I was going to melt into new candles and not having any candles to burn for light, I  started making what we call Ugly Candles. They are not pretty. They sometimes burn weird because they have layers of different wax types but are nice to have on hand when the lights go out. 

 I make garden fertilizer by composting. 

Instead of buying expensive eyeglass cleaning spray, I make my own. You can learn How to Make Eyeglass cleaning spray here.

 I make my own trail mix (read my Allergy Free Trail Mix Recipe here ), hummus (give my Best Ever Black Bean Hummus recipe a try here), and dog treats (read Lacey’s favorite Dried Carrot Dog Treat Recipe here. ) 

I use vinegar as fabric softener and use washed tennis balls as dryer balls to replace fabric softener. 

I make my own oatmeal packets and cold brew coffee for travel. Traveling with my food allergy makes breakfast sometimes hard to buy when I travel out of my bubble. 

 It is more convenient to make moisturizing makeup brush cleaner to treat my brush bristles right because I usually already have on hand everything I need to make it. You can read on my DIY blog Condo Blues How to Clean Makeup Brushes and Sponges Naturally here .

And of course, I make my own breakfast, lunch, and dinner at home most days. Truthfully I’d rather buy meals when I’m out and about but the food allergy makes that difficult sometimes. It’s easier to pack safe food (even though it can be a pain) than risk getting sick. 

What do you make instead of buy to save money? 

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