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Budgets Made Easy

50 Things You Can Make Instead of Buying to Save Money

Budgeting· Saving Money

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I am not an extremely frugal person, but I do like to find ways to save money without making myself crazy.

Here is a list of things that I (or my friends) will make instead of buying to save money!

Keep in mind that some of these things will require different skills. But I hope you still get an idea or two to help you save a little money.

I think we can all benefit from saving a few bucks right now.

A woman's hand reaches into a wallet next to a computer keyboard, retrieving a few dollar bills.
Table of Contents show

In the Kitchen

  1. Bread (no-knead, sourdough, or sandwich)
  2. Granola or granola bars
  3. Salad dressings
  4. Coffee syrups (vanilla, caramel, etc.)
  5. Iced coffee or cold brew
A cup of coffee sits on a wooden counter next to a French press, a small creamer, a plate of croissants, and a tablet.

  1. Spice blends (taco, Italian, pumpkin spice) – I NEVER buy taco seasoning.
  2. Pancake or waffle mix – I premix the dry ingredients and store in a air tight container.
  3. Freezer meals – I freeze everything!
  4. Smoothies and smoothie packs
  5. Yogurt
Three plastic containers of frozen food, sit stacked on a wooden table surrounded by various vegetables and cooking ingredients.
  1. Snack bags (I’ve also switched to reusable bags)
  2. Nut butters (peanut, almond, etc.)
  3. Broth or stock from scraps
  4. Hummus
  5. Croutons
A wooden spoon scoops up croutons from a dark pan.

  1. Pizza dough and sauce
  2. Pasta sauces (marinara, Alfredo) – I freeze them in batches
  3. Popsicles or frozen treats – my kids love making these themselves
  4. Flavored butters – my favorite is garlic and herb
  5. Trail mix or snack mixes
A plate of creamy pasta, alongside a smaller plate of pasta in tomato sauce. A fork and spoon rest on a gray napkin next to the main dish.

Home & Cleaning

  1. All-purpose cleaner (vinegar + essential oils)
  2. Laundry detergent – I don’t do this as often anymore because I didn’t like the smells
  3. Fabric softener or dryer sheets (I mainly just don’t use fabric softner)
  4. Weed Killer (vinegar + dish soap)
  5. Air fresheners (baking soda + oils)
A collection of natural cleaning supplies, a wooden brush, lemon halves, and pink cleaning gloves, all arranged on a white background with colorful cleaning cloths.
  1. Candles
  2. Room sprays
  3. Bug repellents (personally I didn’t find these effective)
  4. Reusable cleaning cloths from old T-shirts
  5. Deodorizing carpet powder
A woman’s hand lights a candle with a match. A stack of books is seen at the back.

Personal Care

  1. Body scrubs (sugar + oil)
  2. Face masks (honey, oats, yogurt)
  3. Lip balm
  4. Bath salts
  5. Hair masks
A glass jar of bath salts sits on the edge of a bathtub. The jar has a label that reads "SELF-CARE" and the cork lid is next to it.
  1. Makeup remover
  2. Shaving cream – I use conditioner, it’s just like shave butter.
  3. Hand soap
  4. Toothpaste
  5. Perfume or body spray
Close-up view of hands using a large knife to cut a block of lavender-colored soap into smaller bars.

Everyday Life

  1. Greeting cards
  2. Gifts and gift baskets
  3. Home décor (wreaths, centerpieces)
  4. Plant holders or upcycled planters
  5. Cloth napkins
A flat lay image shows a blank sheet of white paper surrounded by art supplies like tubes of paint, paintbrushes, and a floral bookmark.
  1. Tote bags from old clothes
  2. Jewelry
  3. Kids’ costumes or dress-up clothes
  4. Reusable food wraps (beeswax wraps) and bags – these are my favorite!
  5. Calendars or planners (printable or digital)
A mother helps her young son put on a cardboard dinosaur mask. His brother watches from the side as they work on a costume project at a kitchen table.

What do you like to make instead of buy?

About Ashley

Hi, I am Ashley Patrick, personal finance expert, and founder of Budgets Made Easy. I help busy moms pay off debt simple strategies so they can stress less and live the life they want. I was able to pay off $45,000 in just 17 months including $25,000 in student loans in just 10 months.I am a Master Financial Coach and help people like you manage their budgets so they can live the life they want. I have been featured on Fox Business, Yahoo! Finance, USA TODAY, MSN, CNBC, Business Insider, NerdWallet, and many others.

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