DIY Savings: Simple Fixes That Keep Cash in Your Pocket

Small home fixes and life hacks can save hundreds every year—and you don’t need to be Bob Vila to do them.

1. Learn the YouTube repair trick.Before paying a pro, search your problem online. Most minor issues—running toilets, squeaky doors—have 5-minute tutorials.

2. Embrace reusable everything.Replace paper towels with cloth rags, dryer sheets with wool balls, and bottled water with a filter pitcher. It’s eco-friendly and wallet-friendly.

3. Grow something edible.Even one tomato plant or herb pot offsets grocery runs. Fresh basil = fancy meals for free.

4. Make your own cleaning products.Vinegar, baking soda, and lemon clean almost anything for pennies. Skip the $6 “miracle spray.”

5. Maintain, don’t replace.Oil wooden furniture, clean fridge coils, rotate tires—basic care extends lifespan and saves big.

DIY doesn’t mean doing everything yourself; it means trying simple fixes first. You’ll build confidence, keep cash, and maybe even find a new hobby.