The average 21st-century person lives a fast-paced life with convenience at their fingertips. Think about it – traveling is so much quicker now where you can cross countries in hours, supermarket shelves are overflowing with exciting pre-made products, you can attend global meetings from your home, and shop for just about anything while sitting on your couch with only your smartphone.
Convenience is not a luxury anymore; it’s demanded in nearly every aspect of our economy. While it makes our lives easier on so many levels, have you stopped to think just how much convenience costs you? Of course, there is a dollar amount to consider. When you make a list, you might be surprised to learn how much you spend on takeout, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, and anything else that comes with the ‘convenience’ price tag.
We’re all guilty of giving in to the cost of convenience, and it has slowly burnt a hole in our wallets without even realizing it. In this article, we look at some ways you can save money simply by turning to DIY (Do-It-Yourself). Remember, this isn’t a choice many people make because it can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and tiring. But when you consider how much money it can help you save, it makes the effort worthwhile. Plus, there is a power in doing things for yourself that cannot be matched!
Here are some tips on how to cut down the cost of convenience and save money on DIY:
Get Quality Tools
DIY projects require top-quality tools to ensure they last longer and are more efficient. For example, if your little girl asks for a dollhouse, you can build it up yourself. Sure, this will take a lot of time, and you might want to go to a toy shop and get one fast, but when you do it yourself, it can be a lot cheaper and a much more satisfying experience.
DIY Maintenance
The money we spend on electricians and plumbers adds to quite a significant sum. Regularly maintaining the systems and appliances in your house can help save money that would otherwise have to go into costly repairs.
Wait for Shopping Deals
Walking into a convenience store and picking things off the aisle is easy, but you can save much money by waiting for the right moment. Watching for deals and seasonal discounts when shopping can help you save 20-40% on the original price of most items.
Make Your Own Cleaning Liquids
Commercial cleaning products are seemingly inexpensive, but when you make your own, you’d be surprised to learn how cheap it can be! All you need are basic ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, and voila – you have your cleaning product!
DIY Beauty & Personal Care Products
Did you know you can make soap, lotion, and shampoo yourself? Not only will it be a fraction of the price of store-bought ones, but it will also be free from harsh chemicals. And the fact that you can customize it to your liking makes it all the more exciting!
Cook from Scratch
While it’s tempting to order out, the takeout bills can really rack up your food-related expenses for the month. You could prepare the same meal at home for less than half the price, and it will be a whole lot healthier than the processed and pre-packaged ones.
Make Your Own Gifts
You can make your own gifts for birthdays or other special occasions and pack them yourself. Taking the time out to do DIY gifts shows the care and attention behind that gift, making it all the more special to both parties.
DIY Lunchbox Items
Parents are tempted to stuff pre-packaged snacks in school lunchboxes because it’s convenient. But it comes with a hefty price tag too. A study found that parents can save about $400 a year if they ditch pre-packaged snacks for homemade ones.
Shop for Second-hand Goods
There is no shame in going to a second-hand store and picking some items because you can find some real gems for a seriously discounted price. In fact, it’s a great money-saving alternative. Moreover, you can also find ways to reuse or repurpose things you already have.
Learn To Sew
Getting your clothes custom-tailored is expensive. Thankfully, sewing is an easy art to learn, and if you can sew, you can make your own clothes and other household items, such as curtains and pillow covers.
Bottom Line
There is no denying that there are lazy days and times when convenience is worth the money because let’s face it – it’s so much easier to pay someone else to sew your clothes or repair something without you having to tire yourself.
But if you are on a budget, DIY-ing is an excellent option. Sure, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but the goal of DIY is to try out new skills, save money and achieve a sense of accomplishment. In fact, many people undertake DIY projects as a hobby and rewarding past-time.
If you’re someone who would much rather roll up your sleeves and wash a pile of dishes by hand than load the dishwasher or cook food at home food instead of ordering from out, then you are well prepared to ditch the cost of convenience and save hidden costs that add up to a considerable sum by the end of the month.
