The Frugal Files: DIY Challenge: Do It Yourself Decor

Hey there frugalicious ones!! I’m so excited about this week’s topic because it’s one of my favorite things to do since purchasing a house. It’s still May, so Belles, we are doing it our way, DIY style!! Last week we learned how to create natural, healthy, homemade products for our hair and our bodies. I hope you have given yourselves daily mini spa days since then.

It’s still Spring cleaning time and sometimes we get bored with what we currently see. Let’s do some DIY home makeovers within your budget!! Thumbing through a catalog will have us believe we can’t afford to do something new in our homes, but it’s so not the case. We can decorate, not really on a dime, but for just a few dollars.

I’m sharing tips I’ve learned and implemented, so you can change up your room too. Let’s start with your Living Room. When I wanted to change up my room, it was really a matter of rearranging the furniture, so I suggest you do the same. Change it around to create a new look. Then, just like when we wear our trusty black dresses, let’s jazz it up with accessories. Try these ideas on for size:

-         Set a vase and picture next to a lamp

-         Add or change an area rug under your coffee table

-         Move a floor lamp from one space to another corner

-         Add new pillows to your sofa or love seat

-         Place a chess board to the middle of your coffee table

Have trinkets you don’t know where to put? Add them as decoration on your mantle or tables in the room. It adds a personal touch.

For the Dining Room, sometimes adding a rug or a tablecloth changes the entire look of the room. That’s great for the center, but try out these accents:

-         adding a storage box to an empty corner

-         placing an artificial tree in one of the corners

-         keeping your table set with a bowl of fruit and chargers

Don’t have a home office? Use a portion of your dining room by getting a corner desk with shelves. It can match the décor of the overall room, but it is a space of its own. Add a cork Vision Board to this “office” and you are ready to realize your goals, from home.

Often, we have miscellaneous items like table vases, artificial flowers, books, frames and baskets just sitting around the house. Be creative and put them in places you never imagined. For instance, cover a chair stool with a long scarf or piece of fabric, and it doubles as a plant stand. Bookcase a little bare? Use it to showcase your library books, a miscellaneous painting or even your vintage magazines.

Thrifting is great to use in our re-décor efforts. First, be on the look out for anyone decluttering on Freecycle. If folks are giving away home décor, ask for it. You can also place your WANT there and if they have it, may give it to you. I’ve personally gotten great decorations from my local freecycle including wicker, frames and candles.

When that’s not enough, head to the thrift shops. Just walking around will get your creative decorating juices flowing. If you venture to Savers, take a donation of your items as you’ll get a coupon, along with your tax deduction slip. $3.00 off of $10.00 spent will come in handy. There you can find items to spruce up your place:

-         a unique clock that would look perfect on your kitchen wall

-         wooden bowls to accent a table

-         faux fruit to use for decoration (I have pears and grapes)

-         frames or shadow boxes to put your favorite artwork set in

-         glasses, vases, and wind chimes galore can be found here

Lastly, if you’re willing to spend more, head to Craigslist. Here you just might find rare finds for less. Perhaps placing a standing globe in your living room or den to fill an open space. Maybe a bathroom rug set to help you spruce up your facilities without painting. If you must paint, check out Home Depot’s Oops Paint. If you’re not picky about color, then take advantage of someone else’s mistake and pay less for your paint.

There’s always a way to redecorate for less. You know your personality and your style, so who can do it better than you? Do it yourself!! Enjoy your week!!

Frugalicious Diva
Follow me on Twitter at @FrugaliciousDva

The Frugal Files: Springing Ahead in our Budgets

Hey frugal folks!! It's March!!

We've seen snow, but it's almost time to Spring ahead in the time change, so we should get ready for Spring and make a financial change too!! Are you on track with your initial goals for 2012? We're at the end of the first quarter, so if you're off the path, it's a great time to saddle back up to finish this period. It's almost time for the next few goals.

I've been learning about couponing and getting FREE items!! However, I still haven't gotten a grasp on teaching it locally or getting my church's pantry fully stocked. I am creating a specific goal plan and putting it in place this month. See, we all have work to do.

For March, I thought we'd focus on Spring cleaning, so topics will include budgeting, credit reports, paying off debt. Don't worry, I'll still be blogging about couponing on my personal blog at Frugalicious Diva Then, in April, Belle Noir has a surprise in store for you, so stay tuned!!

If you've been following this blog weekly, then you know I've always thrown around the "B" word. You know, BUDGET!! What did you think? LOL Anyway, if you were reading then you know it's not a word to be feared and it's not a word meant to deprive us of what we want out of life. It's an assistant of sorts. It helps to guide us around as we maneuver our money. Sometimes it says we can't have everything at once, but it allows for us to have what we want with just a little creativity, patience and compromise.

I realized I always talked about creating a budget for ourselves, but never really expounded on how to take on such a task. Over the years, I have met with individuals looking to get their money in check. I personalized budget sheets and guided them through the physical and emotional process of using what they have and sticking to their budget. So, let's begin this class. I'll begin by describing the type of budget sheet I personally use. It's easy and I have committed to using it. I've tracked my spending since 2006, so it's safe to say, I know where my money is and where it's going.

The simple rules are write down your goals, everything you earn and everything you spend. My budget sheet is two sided. The first side is the Projected Monthly Budget side and requires a little bit of prep work on your part. It may be a little difficult the first 1-2 months, but it will get easier as you continue, if you're committed. This side is broken up into four boxes:

#1: Expected Income

Here you list what you anticipate earning or receiving for the month. There's a space for your Current Balance, so you'll know the amount with which you're starting off the month. Then there's other spaces for Employment, Business Income (if applicable) and two other "streams" of income. These can be spaces for gifts, another business, sales, etc. The Frugalicious Diva is about wealth, so multiple streams of income is a must!!

#2: Fixed Income

This area is for your Housing and Debt amount you expect to pay this month, including categories such as Rent/Mortgage, Utilities, Phones, Credit Cards, Car Maintenance/Insurance, Layaways and Auto draft savings plans like Mutual or Emergency Funds. Whatever applies to your household that you MUST pay monthly will go here. For those of you who pay tithes at church, this is where that category goes.

#3: Variable Expenses

These are expenses you may or may not have every month, but if you do, the amount vary based on your needs for the items. Here is where you'll place items like Groceries, Dining Out (which should be separated), Clothing, Gas for your Car, Toiletries and Entertainment. In light of our couponing efforts, the amount we spend for groceries/food should decrease since we're getting items for less and cooking more, as we have food at home. There are usually "Other" boxes for extras. In those months you know there are birthdays, you're taking a trip or attending a special function, you can budget your amount here.

#4: Totals

Total Expected Income (#1) - Total Payments (#2 + #3) = Ending Balance

If your ending balance is over $100, then adjust your payments. Perhaps you can save more or, better yet, pay more on one of your debts. My advice is to leave about $50 in the Ending Balance box, just in case of incidentals. If there are none and you stick with your budget, you can carry that amount over to the next month. Again, if there's extra, consider paying off more debt next month.

The back is the Actual Budget; where the rubber meets the road. This is what you ACTUALLY spend and every category from the front is on the back, waiting to be filled in. At the end of the month, tabulate the amounts across and down; the ending numbers should match. The result is your Actual Total Saved/Lost. After evaluating your budget sheet, go back to the Projected side #4 and in the Comments, write how you can improve for next month.

See, it's not bad at all. You can find a slew of budget sheets online, but I would love to share mine with you. if you want a copy of it, feel free to email me at FrugaliciousDiva@yahoo.com. I can also be reached on Facebook: Frugalicious Diva and be sure to connect with me on Twitter at @FrugaliciousDva

Enjoy and Happy Budgeting!!

Frugalicious Diva