Doing it yourself can get it done and save you some money!

It’s funny how when we are children that we are always looking for ways to spend our money and when we become adults, the situation changes and we are always looking for ways to instead save our money. One factor that would seemingly make both situations easier to experience would be if we had more money.

Whether or not that is the case, money management is an important skill that everyone should learn, because one can be just as irresponsible with a little bit of money as one can be with a lot.

Learning simple skills like sewing, cooking and being able to pound a hammer are some great ways to increase your knowledge and skill-base and help you keep more money in your pocket.

There is no need for you to be highly skilled in any of these areas, but just knowing some of the basics will save you time and often a good deal of money. You may not ever bake and cook with the flair and ease of ThePioneer Woman, construct and create like homemaker Ana White or decorate like homeschool mom Karin Katherine, but you can learn enough to make you a contender.

Some basic do-it-yourself skills that you can learn are:

How to…hem a pair of pants, a skirt a dress or anything that needs shortening or lengthening.

· I grew up sewing, but that does not mean that I am always eager to drag my sewing machine out of the closet to set up shop. Having a hand needle easily accessible and some thread has saved many clothes from donation and kept them in our closets for use as well as me away from the store to buy new clothing. Go through your closet and find items that need simple mending; buttons missing, threads dangling, etc. Learn how to use a needle, thread and some scissors and that will give you more use of that piece of clothing instead of tossing it out or having to send it out to be repaired.

How to…make five of your favorite meals that you always find yourself eating out.

· I love the convenience of eating out as well as my meal favorites at different restaurants. I Googled recipes for those favorites and was able to find recipes, that when prepared, tasted just as good, if not better than the meals I use to have when eating out. Learn how to make some of your favorite meals and more and stay at home for dinner.

How to…make five treats that you absolutely love.

· I started cooking more when paying too much for some totally delicious Snickerdoodle cookies form Whole Foods no longer fit into my budget. Again, along with a Snickerdoodle recipe, I also found recipes for other dessert favorites like peach cobbler, chocolate cupcakes and pumpkin pie. Learn how to make those special desserts and eat them more affordably whenever you want to, in moderation.

How to…decorate your home more affordably.

· I know what looks good, but getting from point A to point Z without spending a lot of money is beyond me. This is one time that I will encourage you to spend time surfing the Internet. There are just too many do-it-yourself projects with step-by-step instructions to be found online for you not to be able to find something that fits your skill level, time and budget. With online locations like Young House Love and the mass do-it-yourself Pinterest board, you can learn how to do and make just about anything when it comes to home design and still be able to afford to pay the mortgage.

Although Jennifer now lives in Small Town, USA on the southern part of the map, she will always remain a California girl. She is a Christian, wife and homeschool mother, who has been blessed with three beautiful children (a.k.a. the ‘Wild Bunch’). Her homeschool style is still being determined and Jennifer is just thankful that she and her children are able to stay-at-home and learn together. Jennifer is a writer, who enjoys reading (as do her children), running, too much time on the computer, sewing and taking lots and lots of pictures (just ask her children). She is also a lover of food and can be found in her kitchen whipping up something delicious and vegetarian. Oh, she never forgets dessert. You can keep up with all think Jennifer at her blog,

Milk & Honey Mommy.

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