A FAMILY saved £36k by learning to do jobs rather than paying others – including cutting hair, fixing their own dishwasher and re-decorating their kitchen – using DIY online tutorials.
Natalie Smith, 35, from Dymchurch, Kent, is a self-confessed “frugal” mum – and loves a DIY project to save some cash.
Natalie Smith with husband Jason and kids Finn and Lola in Snowdon[/caption]
The savvy mum says she and her family save “a few thousand pounds” every year[/caption]
She learned to cut her family’s hair, fix their own dishwasher and re-decorate their own kitchen using DIY online tutorials[/caption]
After she and husband Jason Smith, 35, moved into their first home 12 years ago they began tackling tasks themselves to save cash – learning the skills others have, so they wouldn’t have to pay out.
Now it’s a way of life for Jason and their two children – Finn, 14, and Lola, 12.
Over a decade on, they reckon they may have saved as much as £36k from their savvy savings.
When a new job needs doing full-time blogger Natalie and Jason, a web developer, hop on Google and watch YouTube tutorials, refusing to pay a professional to do any job they can learn to do themselves.
Natalie watched countless YouTube videos to teach her to cut Jason and Finn’s hair like a pro.
After purchasing the right clippers, combs and scissors, she had made the money back in just one month.
Rather than paying a kitchen fitter thousands to re-paint their kitchen cupboards, she used online how-to guides and YouTube tutorials to teach herself how to clean, sand, prime and paint them.
Jason learned to fix their oven and dishwasher when the appliances broke down – when the family were faced with costly repair jobs.
Natalie learned how to clean her own windows. After taking initial advice from DIY websites, she “made it up as she went along” using water, dishwasher rinse-aid and a squeegee – which she reckons saves her £20 a month alone.
Natalie said: “It definitely saves us a few thousand every year.
“We only ever pay for work we can’t do ourselves.
“When we first bought the house we were completely skint so we had to fill it with second-hand bits and DIY everything.
“It was the case of making it nice but spending as little as possible.”
When it came to redecorating the kitchen, Natalie and Jason took on the challenge of DIY-ing it as much as possible.
We definitely save thousands a year – doing monthly haircuts and cleaning our own windows saves £720 a year alone
Natalie Smith, 35
She said: “Before I painted the kitchen cupboards, I Googled about the prep – sugar soap clean, filling, sanding, and finding the right primer for the type of wood.
“I looked at tutorial blogs and videos to work out which paints would be the most durable and what rollers and equipment I would need too.
“Afterwards, it all looked brand new again.”
Alongside that, the savvy-minded mum loves to snap up a second-hand bargain from Facebook Marketplace, which she can then upcycle herself, if needed, using her newly-developed DIY skills.
She said: “The sideboard in our kitchen was free and I repainted it.
“Our dining table is solid oak and was immaculate £150 from Facebook Marketplace.
Jason learned to fix their oven and dishwasher when the appliances broke down[/caption]
They free up money to go into a travel fund so they can take trips away as a family[/caption]
Natalie said Jason tackled some of the most daunting tasks[/caption]
“When our things look tired I sand and revarnish or repaint them.”
Natalie said Jason tackled some of the most daunting tasks – such as replacing the heating element in the oven by watching a step-by-step YouTube tutorial.
Another included fixing the dishwasher by following another tutorial – and ordering the correct new parts based on advice from the videos rather than paying a specialist to come to the home.
Similarly, whenever they have issues with their drains, they tackle the issue themselves after buying a kit online and learning the technique.
And they’d never dream of bringing in a professional to tidy up the driveway, fences and patio when Jason can whip out his jet washer.
Natalie estimates they save “a few thousand pounds a year” by DIY-ing as much as possible.
And in doing so, they free up money to go into a travel fund so they can take trips away as a family.
She added: “I just think it’s all about making small changes. Obviously, money is extremely tight for a lot of people. We’ve been there so we know.
“But I do think just trying to save where you can – it can make life more affordable.
“We definitely save thousands a year – doing monthly haircuts and cleaning our own windows saves £720 a year alone.”
Top Hacks for Holidaying with Kids
IF you’ve got plans to go on holiday with your little ones this summer, here’s some advice to take on board.
Plan Ahead:
- Book accommodations with family-friendly amenities.
- Research kid-friendly attractions and activities.
- Make travel arrangements that accommodate your children’s schedules.
Pack Smart:
- Create a packing checklist to ensure you don’t forget essentials.
- Pack a mix of familiar and new toys to keep kids entertained.
- Bring snacks, extra clothes, and emergency supplies in your carry-on.
Travel Comfort:
- Use neck pillows and blankets for a more comfortable journey.
- Download movies, games, and music on tablets or phones.
- Schedule travel during nap times or overnight to maximise sleep.
Stay Organized:
- Use packing cubes to keep clothes and items sorted.
- Keep important documents, like passports and tickets, in a dedicated folder.
- Utilise apps for itinerary management and navigation.
Engage and Entertain:
- Plan interactive activities like scavenger hunts or travel journals.
- Explore local parks, playgrounds, and kid-friendly museums.
- Involve kids in trip planning to get them excited and engaged.
Maintain Routine:
- Stick to regular meal and sleep times as much as possible.
- Bring along comfort items, like favorite blankets or stuffed animals.
- Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation.
Stay Flexible:
- Be prepared to adjust plans based on your children’s needs and moods.
- Embrace the unexpected and make the most of impromptu moments.
- Keep a positive attitude to set the tone for a fun and memorable trip.
These hacks can help make your holiday with kids smoother, more enjoyable, and will ensure that you return home with wonderful memories!
