Today is your last chance to win!

Today is your last chance to win “Fix it, Make it, Grow it, Bake it: the DIY Guide to the Good Life,” by Billee Sharp. Not that I want to give it away. Win my review copy below.

Sharp tackles extreme thriftiness, shares a detox bath recipe, promotes bartering over buying, and that’s only half the book! I got sucked into her tips for unsticking wood drawers, making sourdough starter, and constructing your own Christmas tree decorations. You can read the 263-page book front to back, or flip to a specific topic, using it more as a reference.

Sharp’s directions are simple and easy to follow. What astounds me is the breadth of her expertise. She has suggestions and ideas for every aspect of home and life. Make no mistake, Sharp is a hard core do-it-yourselfer.

But you don’t need to convert to enjoy this book. You can learn and create new habits as much as you are open to.

To win my review copy, comment with a DIY project that you have been putting off, and why. So far, 51 people have entered the contest, so your chances are good! Or buy a copy from Amazon for $12.44 (orig. $15.95). Comment by tonight, Thursday Sept. 29, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST to be eligible to win. A winner will be announced Friday!

Comment to win this book!

This is one book that, quite frankly, I don’t want to give away. But hogging “Fix it, Make it, Grow it, Bake it: the DIY Guide to the Good Life,” by Billee Sharp would be cruel. (See how to win it below).

In 263 pages spread across seven chapters, Sharp tackles extreme thriftiness, shares a detox bath recipe, promotes bartering over buying, and that’s only half the book! I got sucked into her tipS for unsticking wood drawers, making sourdough starter, and constructing your own Christmas tree decorations.

Sharp’s directions are

simple and easy to follow. What astounds me is the breadth of her expertise. She has suggestions and ideas for every aspect of home and life. Make no mistake, Sharp is a hard core do-it-yourselfer.

But you don’t need to convert to enjoy this book. Sharp explains her philosophy in the book’s intro:

I’m not suggesting that everybody needs to ditch the SUV and begin a macrame plant-holder business, but I do think that simple doing what makes you happy will reap the best rewards…My greatest hope is that this book empowers you to think creatively and to create the life that you really want…Herein you will find all my “trade secrets”; tips and tools for how you can live better than ever on less. In working toward creating the good life for my family and friends, I have found much joy, greater peace of mind, and true enjoyment from the simple pleasures in life. I am reminded of the old Native American saying, “Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture your heart.”

Amen!

To win my review copy, comment with a DIY project that you have been putting off, and why. Or buy a copy from Amazon for $12.44 (orig. $15.95). Comment by Thursday Sept. 29, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST to be eligible to win. A winner will be announced Friday!

Internet TV at home is a DIY reality!

I’m hearing a lot about services that, for a fee, let you play computer videos, like Hulu and YouTube, on your TV. Is this a necessary expense? How hard is it to do yourself? I talked to Shawn DuBravac, a head honcho at the Consumer Electronic Association, and learned that, for many TVs, you can buy a cable for about $45 that will eliminate the need for a pricey service. This interview has been edited and condensed.

How hard is it to stream videos from your computer to your TV?  If you want to play YouTube videos on a television, you have to have some type of computer object connected to that television: a browser in essence.

What is an Internet TV? About 20% of televisions are Internet-enabled. If you have one of those televisions you really don’t need to do anything.

What about a non-Internet TV that has an HDMI input? If you have an HDMI port, then all you have to do is

get a computer with a video card and an HDMI port and then you run a single HDMI cable between the two.

How common are the HDMI inputs? A large screen television over $1,000 probably has Internet capabilities. Most televisions circa 2005 started to integrate HDMI.

And all HD TVs have HDMI inputs? Yes.

How hard would you rate this project doing it yourself? With an Internet television, it’s zero. You just have to flip to the YouTube channel. If you’ve got an older television, it’s a 10. I’ve done it. I’ve hooked a computer up to a television that didn’t have HDMI, it was a circa 1999. It’s not impossible, but for the average person they’re not going to be able to deal with it. You have to get the right video card, and do all this other stuff. If your television is made out of wood, do not try this at home. If it has any wood or if it has the appearance of wood on it, you are not going to be happy.

What is the advantage of a service that does it for you, like Apple TV? Apple TV lets you access iTunes and you can buy movies and you used to be able to buy TV shows. You can push things from iPads and iPods and things like that. If you have a computer hooked up to your television, it’s just a regular old computer and anything you can do on that computer, you can do on the television. You’ve turned the monitor into a bigger television.

Is Internet connectivity a feature that TVs will soon all come with – like cameras on cell phones? Possibly. Larger TVs and screen sizes? Yes. Smaller televisions? Debatable. I just flipped to Best Buy’s website. Smart TVs is what they call them. Total televisions for sale, 180. Under the Smart TV category, they have 92. 51% of the TVs they are offering are some degree of smart. Last year, through the first half 2010, 7% of the televisions being sold were smart. In the first half of 2011 , it was 20%. Internet connectivity is a very large trend. Everything is increasingly being connected to the Internet.

Is there a website you recommend to walk people through connecting their TV to the Internet? We have a site called DigitalTips.org that will walk you through a couple different devices.

locomomo / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

My father is a fan of cheap haircuts and seldom pays more than $7 to get his hair cut every two weeks. This weekend he got a free cut by me after realizing electric razors are not so expensive.

While running errands this weekend we ended up at Target, were he bought an electric razor that cost $20. We did the math and he has been paying

$14 a month and $168 per year to tame his hair. I’ve never seen anyone grow hair as fast as he does. He was sold.

“We’ll be saving money,” he said.

I’ve told you about some of the ways I save money on shampoo, but that’s as far as I would go. I wouldn’t give myself a haircut. I’m simply not that frugal. In fact, my last haircut, which included shampoo and blow drying, initially cost $40, but I talked my stylist down to $18. Let’s just say she got a really good tip.

I’ve been known to cut my sister’s bangs if they are falling over her eyes, but my dad’s locks were a bit more challenging. What if I messed up his hair?

My father instructed me on what to do and I read the razor directions.

“Start with the longest one and don’t cut my ears offs,” he teased.

I didn’t. It was fun discovering another frugal ability of mine. I’m pretty good! My new skill may even bring in some cash as I’ve told a couple of friends I can cut their hair for $5. They’re thinking about it.

soulshine20_05/Flickr

Spring and gardening on are my brain, even though today my world is covered in gray fog. I can’t see more than a few hundred feet out my window! A short article in the Spring issue of freshHOME takes the mystery our of making a mosaic pot for flowers, veggies, or cat grass! Making a mosaic pot costs about $20, requires 1.5 hours plus however long it takes you to gather supplies (see list below), and is a relatively low skill project. Let’s get started!

Supplies you need

Tile, old china you can break into pieces, smooth stones, glass beads (thrift stores are a great place to find cool plates)

Cloth

Hammer

Chalk

Terra cotta pot (whatever size suits you)

Nipper (to shape pieces, optional)

Polymer-fortified thin-set mortar (pick up at any hardware store)

Butter knife

Sanded grout (hardware store)

Gloves

Wire brush

Directions

Wrap your tile, dishes, and glass in a cloth and smash it a hammer until you have enough pieces of desired size. Lay out your design and chalk it onto the pot. Use a nipper to shape pieces, if you wish. Mix the mortar with water until it forms a paste the consistency of peanut butter. Grab the butter knife and spread mortar on each piece and stick it to the pot according to your design. Leave about 1/4 inch between pieces for grout. Stick the big pieces on first, then do the smaller pieces. Let dry overnight.

The next day, mix more mortar with water until you get that peanut buttery consistency. Put on your gloves and apply lots of mortar onto the pot’s surface. Rub the grout into the empty spaces, then wipe off the extra with a damp cloth. Use the wire brush to remove grout from the stones, then go over with a damp cloth to get rid of the brush marks. Depending on how fast the mortar dries, you may want to apply a section, go back and clean off the extra mortar, then move on and apply more mortar to a new section of your pot. Let dry a few days before making it home to a plant.

For mosaic designs and inspiration, check out MosaicMaddness.org.

Hygiene Matters / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

Bargain Babe recently shared her dirty little secret about washing her hair every three to four days and asked if we would change our habits to save money. I did. Not washing my hair for one day makes me look like a greasy mess. Jealous of Bargain Babe and the readers who commented on how they can go for days without a washing, I sought solutions.� Here�s what I found:

1.���� Dry shampoo � I am obsessed with dry shampoo. At the drug store I found Pssst, an aerosol dry shampoo. On the can was a bright red sticker that read: try me for free. With that in mind, I couldn�t pass it up and bought it. I�m now waiting for my full refund of $6.49 to arrive in the mail. The spray is simple and convenient to use. It doesn�t have a fragrance and if done correctly, it won�t leave any white residue in your hair. I�ve heard it�s hard to find in some places, but I easily found it online. On that same trip, I noticed another dry shampoo product from Tresemme. The product has a fragrance and claims to neutralize odor while leaving your hair fresh and oil-free. I haven�t tried their spray, but will as soon as I run out of Pssst. A bottle will set you back $5.99.

2.���� Cornstarch and Baby power � These products are relatively inexpensive and can easily be purchased at the grocery store. I�ve tried using baby power in my hair but since I�m a brunette I have a hard time working in the white powder into my hair without making it look ashy.� Also, the combination of loose powder and rushing in the morning to get out the door can be disastrous, especially if you are wearing black. The powder will get on the floor, and your clothes too.

3.���� Bumble and Bumble � Like Bargain Babe, I also like Bumble and Bumble products, but I am not a fan of their price tag. I�ve heard friends rave about their hair powder because it conveniently comes in different colors.�� The powder comes in a spray 4.4 ounce bottle that costs $35. Ouch. That�s the only drawback I�ve heard about this product. I won�t be buying this any time soon, but do look forward to trying it out as soon as a friend stocks up.

So I�m washing my hair every other day and not only is it helping me maintain my inexpensive hair color, but I�ve also managed to cut back on shampoo, but I�ll be spending money on dry shampoo. Is it worth it? What do you do to tame your hair when you skip a wash?

Stay on top of the latest strategies, coupons, and inspiration to save money everyday with BargainBabe.com’s email list.

justj0000lie /Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

The season is changing and so will many women’s hair color, but the cost doesn�t have to make you want to pull your locks out. Many of us are heading back to school or the office and are craving a fresh look. Here are some tips for inexpensive hair color and care. A previous post covered how to get a cheap hair cut.

Highlights � I speak from personal experience: don�t do this at home or risk looking like a skunk. Instead, have a friend recommend a professional and get highlights done at a salon. For touch ups, you can use a similar color from the drugstore and do it at home. You can also try the natural method and spritz your hair with lemon juice so your hair naturally lightens with the help of the sun.

All-over hair color � Skip the salon color and do-it-yourself. There are some great drugstore hair color brands that will run you $10 to $15 compared to $40 to $45 plus tip at a salon. When you do your own hair color, save a bit of the color in a bottle for touch-ups and when your roots start growing out, dip a clean mascara wand into the bottle and brush the dye onto your roots. Don’t forget to rub petroleum jelly on your forehead and ears before you begin the coloring process to avoid stained skin. If you prefer to get your hair colored at a salon, make friends with your stylist and have them save you a bit of color for touch ups.

Remember that hair color is an investment so avoid over washing your hair if you want to protect and keep it vibrant. To clean your tresses and maintain the color, use a mild shampoo intended for color-treated hair. Avoid blow-drying your hair too much, as it damages the hair and your color may turn brassy. The best advice to avoiding the cost and commitment of color is to go natural.

norwichnuts/Flickr

I spent $11.47 on three items at the grocery store yesterday, including a $6.29 tub of hummus. Arg! Some foods are so expensive. I vowed to reconsider making my own hummus, which I eat a ton of. But food processors are also expensive (and I abhor cleaning all those parts) so I’m skeptical that making it myself is actually cheaper.

How does the cost break down over one year?

Store bought hummus costs $6.29 per week = $327.08 per year.

Homemade hummus =� chickpeas ($1.19 bag) + olive oil (approx. $.87 worth) + lemons (approx $.35 each) + garlic (approx. $.15 worth) + sesame oil (approx. $.05 worth) + spices (approx. $.15 worth) = $2.76 for one batch = $143.52 per year + the cost of the food processor, which I’m willing to spend $60 on. (That should get me a pretty hefty processor at Macy’s, where they are on sale by 40% off today.)

That brings the total cost of homemade hummus for one year to $203.52. I’m going to get myself a food processor!!!!

As for the time it takes, I consider both options equal. I have to go to a special store to get hummus, which takes me a good 30 minutes. If I make a double batch of hummus every other week, it will take me an hour.

Here is my friend Kristin’s delicious hummus recipe that I based the costs on.

2 – 15 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (I buy them dry and follow directions on the bag)

1/2 c extra virgin olive oil, or more as needed

juice of 1/2 a lemon

2 cloves garlic

1 1/2 t salt

1/2 dark Asian sesame oil

1 t ground cumin

1/4 t Cayenne pepper

12-15 grinds black pepper

How do you make hummus? I know there are a lot of variations out there.

UPDATE: Readers shared lots of tips and recipe suggestions.

Laura said:

Yes, I agree to make your own. I�d go for the Cuisinart processor, get the basic model with the bar on the bottom.Also, the sesame paste is a key ingredient�you can get it at Cambridge Farms Market on the NE corner of Whitsett and Burbank Blvd. in N. Hollywood. You can cut a bit of the oil if you want and add a spoon or two of water to get the right consistency.

BRB said:

just started making my own hummus and falafel, we had never really eaten either before, but with the food processor it is so cheap and easy it really is ridiculous what they charge for it. I add curry to mine for a really great curried hummus.

Monica said:

We only make hummus at home and LOVE IT! We do buy the canned chickpeas to save the time of cooking them. We have found a new hummus jalapeno recipe that is amazing! A food processor is a must in our kitchen, I make our kids baby food and typically drain the processor in around 12 months from purchase time. Any recommendation on a great food processor that can handle daily use?

Audry suggested I check Tuesday Morning before running out to Macy’s and Tommy said Walmart has processors for $50. Christine recommended the Healthmaster Blender, which is pricey at $200 but apparently is easy to clean and has many other functions. Many readers suggested I� buy hummus from Trader Joe’s, which is cheaper than my local grocery store.

meddygarnet/Flickr

There was a cool story about doing home improvement on your own versus hiring someone in the latest Real Simple (April). The story was strangely skewed toward hiring someone to do the job, however, and missed the benefits of doing projects yourself.

First, the story says, consider three factors before making a decision.

1. Peer pressure. Whatever your family and friends do, you are more likely to do. So if everyone you know colors their hair at home, you will feel pressure to eschew the salon. Similarly, if your family has always hired contractors instead of doing it yourself (DIY), you’ll probably hire, too. Follow your gut and make the decision that is right for you, regardless.

2. Your positive attitude. People assume their DIY project will go well but often underestimate the time and skill it takes.

3. Your perspective on your free time. People believe they have more time than they really do. (What??? I don’t know anyone whose schedule isn’t jam packed.) We have a hard time measuring time and “are willing to take more risks with it” than we are with money, the story says.

Then Real Simple suggests you answer four questions. Can I realistically pull this project off? (i.e. learn the required skills?) What kind of time commitment is really involved? (Double estimates from a contractor.) How much will this task cost to complete myself? (Supplies + calculate your hourly rate.) And lastly, how much will I really enjoy the process?

I wager that doing home improvement projects yourself (which is a lot like growing your own food) has many benefits that the story missed…

1. The enjoyment of learning how to do something challenging that you didn’t think you were capable of.

2. The money saved over time from learning new skills. Snake a toilet once, and you’ll never fork over $200 to a plumber again.

3. The confidence from pulling a project off. What an accomplishment!

An important part of the DIY v. hire debate is determining how much your time is worth. See the post below to calculate your hourly rate!

Two months ago I decided to make my own curtains as part of a project to re-decorate my bedroom. When a coupon for 50 percent off at Jo-Anns fabric store landed in my inbox, I was raring to go. I even had a few dollars on a gift�card to apply.

I arrived at the store and was delighted to see nearly everything was on sale by 40 – 50 percent off. I could save my coupon for a regular-priced bolt of material and get other items at a steep discount, too.

I carefully searched the aisles of fabric for the perfect material and discovered wonderful terry cloth for towels that you can buy at a fraction of what the finished product costs at Macy’s or Target. Bath sheets for $5.99 a yard? Sign me up! I also spotted fuzzy flannel for $4.99 a yard. New sheets in no time!

Then I came upon the most steeply marked down fabrics in the store: the discount rack. Some of the material was down right fugly, other pieces were damaged. One bolt was irresistible. For $12.50�(orig. $24.99),�I could buy one yard of heaven – a cream-colored piece of suede-lined,�fuzzy sherpa goodness. My plan was to turn the material into two pillow coverings.�(Pillow insides�were 50 percent off, sealing the deal). �

I purchased the sherpa material along with 11 yards of brown suede (40 percent off)�to make curtains. I ran out of brown thread shortly after starting the curtains so I turned my attention to the pillows. I made as few cuts as possible (reducing my chances of error) and got to work sewing a cozy three-sided enclosure for my pillow, top. On the fourth side I sewed on three buttons, above right�(simpler than a zipper, I reasoned).

The material was difficult to work with because it�is�very thick and the fuzz got caught in the string many times. I didn’t run out of thread, but I did run out of time so the project stretched from Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Overall I spent $25.50 (and forgot to use my gift card ) to buy two pillows and the pillow cover material. I devoted five hours over three days to completing one pillow.

A waste of time? Me thinks not.�The process was very entertaining and I renewed my appreciation for sewers, quilters, and knitters. As for making towels and sheets? I may just wait for a great sale at Target.

Sewing lessons:

• Measure thrice, cut once
• If you don’t have pins to hold material in place, needles will do
• You can undo a lot of stitches, but it’s a total pain in the a**
• Sewing straight lines is actually very difficult
• Lumps mean it was made with love