Dear James: A dark spot is forming on the ceiling below my master bathroom with a tile floor. My newer house is just past the warranty. Where should I look for the water leak? —Amy F. Dear Amy: It seems like problems always occur just after the new house warranty expires. The basic plumbing is…
Minimize Paint Blistering With Proper Techniques
Dear James: My house has wood siding, which I painted last year. Most of it looks good, but it blistered in some spots and is getting worse. What is the best way to repair it? —Dwight R. Dear Dwight: Blistering can look very bad and generally will get much worse and more widespread over time….
When Replacing Hardwood Floors, Identify the Root Problems
Dear James: The old hardwood floors in my parents’ house are a mess. I would like to repair them and use as much of the original wood as possible. Do you have any advice? —Nichole S. Dear Nichole: As beautiful as a well-maintained vintage hardwood floor looks, it can look really bad from buckling, cupping,…
6 DIY Hygiene Hacks
Personal care manufacturers have convinced us we need fancy formulated products to look our best. But we don’t. It’s no secret that chemicals are used widely in household and personal care items. From phthalates and petroleum to detergents and fragrances-what we put on our skin is as important as we put inside it. By making our own personal care products, we decrease…
Sweet and Savory Ideas for Homemade Food Gifts to Make for Your Loved Ones
The best gifts are homemade from the heart. For Belinda Smith-Sullivan, a chef, author, and food entrepreneur in Trenton, South Carolina, “if I really want to show someone how important they are to me, I show that in the form of a handmade food gift.” Growing up, her family was “of very modest means, and…
Split a Large Room in 2 With a Room Divider
Dear James: With the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to split a big room with a wall to make a home office. How do I build a wall that will be reasonably quiet so I can concentrate? —Gerry H. Dear Gerry: Your situation is a common one today, and who knows for how long and how…
Homemade Stain Remover for Laundry and Carpet
I’m excited to tell you how to make a fabulous, if not magical, homemade stain remover. This stain remover recipe is so easy and cheap to make. And, wow, does it perform! Unlike some other homemade laundry stain and detergent products you’ll find here at Everyday Cheapskate, this one is also a homemade stain remover…
A DIY Gift Basket: Homemade Mulled Wine
During this season of giving, keep your gifts rich and real with homemade and locally sourced products, foraged decorations, and repurposed items. A gift need not be pricey or fancy, and when it’s homemade, it conveys a personal, meaningful touch. Look to your community and Mother Nature for inspiration. There’s an abundance of natural gifts…
Mom of 2 Creates an Incredible Outdoor Playhouse From Scratch for Her Kids Saving $5,330
A savvy mother turned to DIY to build an outdoor playhouse from scratch for her two kids after refusing to spend 5000 pounds (approx. US$6,650) to purchase a new one. Primary school teacher Gemma Bertolotto, 37, from Aberdeenshire in Scotland, initially wanted to buy her son, Stefano, 5, and daughter, Sofia, 2, a playhouse but…
Choosing the Best Paneling Type for a Room
Dear James: We have a storage room, and the drywall is pretty beaten up. I want to put paneling over the drywall. What panel choice is good, and how can I install over the drywall? —Randall K. Dear Randall: The walls in a storage room can get damaged from hauling things in and out, and…
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