8 things I made instead of bought and saved over $200

You don’t always need to run to the store or hit “add to cart” when you need something. A lot of the time, you’ve already got the supplies, or you can throw something together with what’s sitting in the shed, garage, or junk drawer.

I started paying attention to what I was spending on convenience and realized I could cut a lot of it out with a little effort. These were all things I made myself—nothing fancy—and each one saved me a decent chunk of change.

Raised Garden Beds

Instead of buying premade garden beds for $80+ a pop, I used scrap wood and leftover screws to build my own. They’re not Pinterest-perfect, but they’re solid and get the job done. I even used cardboard and yard clippings to layer the bottom.

This saved me well over $150 between materials and delivery costs. Plus, building them myself let me size them exactly how I wanted for the space I had, without trying to force something prefab into place.

Fire Starters

Instead of buying fire starter packs or lighter cubes, I made my own using dryer lint, leftover candle wax, and paper egg cartons. It took maybe 10 minutes total, and they burn hotter and longer than the store-bought ones.

These work great for both our backyard firepit and camping trips. A box of fire starters runs about $10–15, and we go through them fast, so this one added up quick in savings.

Wall Art Prints

Framed prints and downloadable art add up fast, especially when you want a full gallery wall. I made my own using Canva and free graphics from public domain sites, then printed them with my regular printer on cardstock.

I already had the frames, so it cost me nothing. What would’ve been $60 or more in Etsy downloads turned into a $0 refresh that still looks put-together and finished.

Baby Wipes

When we ran low on wipes and couldn’t get to the store, I made my own with paper towels, coconut oil, baby wash, and water. Cut the roll in half, soaked it in a sealed container, and they worked like a charm.

Buying wipes for a month easily runs $20–30, and this version worked well in a pinch. I wouldn’t do it forever, but it saved me when I needed it and didn’t cost anything extra.

Curtain Rods

Those $30 rods from the store add up fast when you’re trying to hang curtains in every room. I made mine with wooden dowels, spray paint I already had, and basic brackets from the garage.

They look nearly identical to the store-bought ones and have held up for years. I saved around $100 doing the whole house this way, especially since I didn’t have to buy matching finials or extra hardware.

Wood Stain

I needed to freshen up a small shelf but didn’t want to buy an entire can of stain. I mixed vinegar, steel wool, and strong tea to create a DIY stain that aged the wood nicely without the chemicals or expense.

It worked better than I expected and gave the wood a more natural, weathered tone. This saved me at least $12 on stain and let me skip the cleanup hassle that usually comes with oil-based products.

Hanging Planters

Instead of buying trendy hanging planters, I made mine with some rope, small pots I already had, and a few knots. They hang from ceiling hooks and look like something you’d find on a home decor blog.

You can easily pay $25 or more per planter in-store. I made three for $0 using what I had on hand. It was fast, and they’re still up today—no issues at all.

Drawer Organizers

Those adjustable drawer dividers cost more than they should, especially for junk drawers or kitchen tools. I used extra cardboard from shipping boxes to make my own, cut to fit and secured with hot glue.

They don’t move around like the plastic ones do, and I could size each section exactly how I needed. I’ve done this in four drawers now and saved probably $40 without spending a dime.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.