I was paging through the current issue of Woman’s Day magazine this past weekend when I saw a frugal decorating idea I just had to try. This pictorial suggested that you color coordinate books on a book shelf so that you create your own color palette without opening a can of paint. Of course, this is an incredibly frugal idea, because it involves using things you already own–namely books and your bookshelves.

Once I decided to tackle this project, I had a blast doing a quasi scavenger hunt through the house for books with spines in these five colors: blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Then I started clustering the books by color–a shelf each on two adjacent book shelves. In addition to matching the spines, in cases where I didn’t have enough books to fill out a shelf, I found housewares and other decorative objects that matched from elsewhere in the house and placed them on the shelves beside the books.

I’m pretty pleased with the end result, as you can see below. On the left is the “before” and on the right is the “after.”

My frugality has helped me to become a DIYer–that’s a do-it-yourselfer. Instead of paying someone to lay a patio or demo our upstairs bathroom, my husband and I did it ourselves. I also handle my own gardening and lawn mowing (when I had a lawn), and I’ve learned how to make my own laundry detergent. (FYI, that DIY laundry detergent page continues to be the most popular on this blog.)

While DIY is a great way to save money and learn some new skills, I’ve found out the hard way that sometimes with do it yourself, you should think don’t do it yourself. The New York Times recently ran a story called “Even to Save Cash, Don’t Try This at Home.” It was an article about homeowners who attempted to save money by trying DIY plumbing or car repairs. Good idea in theory, terrible idea in reality. Not only did these folks screw things up so badly, but then they ended up paying twice as much to fix the original problem and then the havoc they’d wreaked.

Sadly, this is exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago. I had come up with this hare-brained scheme to make tie-dyed t-shirts for my daughter’s basketball team. I wanted to make these shirts because the girls didn’t have any alternate jerseys. I figured with cheap shirts from the craft store, some rubber bands and tie dye, plus iron-on numbers to use on the back of the shirt, how hard could it be to make these shirts?

Pretty hard, as it turned out. Have you heard of Murphy’s Law? Yeah, well that pretty much summed up my tie-dye t-shirt project.

In addition to ruining the initial set of shirts, first with the iron-on numbers (which, by the way, don’t adhere to fabric after it’s been tie-dyed) and then with numbers that I used a stencil and spray fabric paint to apply (it looked like a graffiti artist gone bad), I just wouldn’t accept defeat and kept trying to come up with better ways to get those damn numbers on the shirt.

So I tie-dyed a second set of shirts (spent $20 extra for more shirts and tie-dye) and then used computer paper to print out a new set of iron-on numbers. (The original iron-on numbers where store bought.) I never got the chance to try out the computer-generated iron-on numbers, because I melted the paper in my laser printer. Then because I didn’t learn, I tried to use my desktop copier to print them out, and I melted the paper in that machine, too.

At this point, I’d ruined the following:

• Six t-shirts
• An HP LaserJet printer
• A Xerox desktop copier

But wait, the devastation didn’t end there. Because I ended up having to dye another set of shirts, I got impatient and put two pots on the stove so I could boil two batches at once. Guess what? Once you use tie dye in a pot you can’t use them to cook anymore. So in addition to the two expensive pieces of office equipment and the shirts I’d ruined, now I could add to my disaster list the following:

• Pasta pot
• Stock pot

In the end I brought the t-shirts to a professional printing shop for the numbers. For $6 a shirt, this professional was able to put the numbers on in about five minutes.

Why didn’t I call the pros in after the first screw up? Because I really thought that in my attempt to do things DIY, I would save money. But my DIY became a DIY don’t. I’ve yet to tally up all of the damage, at least as far as my office equipment is concerned. And I’m not sure I want to know.

But the next time you’re considering trying something DIY and things start to go wrong? Cut your losses and call in the pros.

They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words, but who wants to write when it’s a holiday? That’s why in today’s blog posting, it’s all about the pictures–of our green-and-frugal renovation, so far. With this many photos I’d say that’s a couple thousand words, would you? Enjoy. Happy Memorial Day.

Can you believe Memorial Day weekend is here? I can’t, but with Memorial Day comes something so great I can almost taste it–farmers’ markets, farm stands and my CSA farm are all open for business. That means that, now more than ever, it’s easier for you to shop locally for your food.

With this notion of shopping locally in mind, here are eight tips on how to fill your fridge this Memorial Day weekend–and all summer long–with the freshest food possible. (Note: these tips are courtesy of FruitandVeggieGuru.com, a website with tips and recipes on all kinds of fruits and vegetables, ranging from apples to zucchini.)

1. Ask before you buy.
Some farmers’ markets have stalls where vendors can offload their overstocked, distressed or supermarket-rejected produce, which they’ve purchased from local wholesalers who unload it cheaply to sellers for fruit and vegetable stands. While you can get good deals from these sellers, they are not a source for fresh local produce. You want to ask first if this person actually grew the produce he or she is selling, or if that person is just a reseller. When in doubt, stick with the farmers only.

2. Shop early in the day for selection.
When the first-of-season blueberries or peaches or honey crisp apples (yum, my favorite!) arrive, they often disappear from market tables before noon. Even less time-sensitive foods like pickling cucumbers might be gone if you wait until late in the day to pick them up. Remember: just like the early bird and the worm, the early shopper gets the best choice on farm-fresh produce.

3. Let the produce du jour guide your meal planning.
Since farmers’ market selections come from just 100 or 200 miles away, the local climate dictates what you’ll find on any given day. That means you’ll get leafy greens, herbs and sprouts early in the season, and you’ll have to wait for items like corn, berries and tomatoes. Build your menus around produce availability to take full advantage of the season’s bounty. That’s one of the reasons I love my new CSA: each week they post recipes on the farm’s website, and these recipes specifically include the produce that was picked–and we picked up–that week.

4. Buy for value.
At a farm stand, foods like corn, green beans, herbs, squashes, cucumbers and fresh peas may be less expensive than their store-bought cousins. Tomatoes are also a good value. However, many other items may be pricier than your neighborhood grocer because small farmers lack economies of scale, use more expensive heirloom seeds, and care for their crops by hand rather than machine. The reward: you’ll get peak-of-season taste that is hard to find at your neighborhood grocer.

5. Understand the history of heirloom produce.
Local farmers typically use heirloom seed stock passed down through generations without human engineering. Often, fruits and vegetables grown from these seed varieties have more flavor than grocery store produce bred from seeds developed for their high yield, ability to withstand long-distance travel, and/or tolerance to drought and frost.

6. Look for organic growers.
You’ll usually find a few organic farmers that offer foods that are grown and processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, hormones, antibiotics, germ-killing irradiation, and most pesticides and fertilizers. But don’t expect to find “certified organic” goods. Many smaller producers are not big enough to justify the expense of getting inspected and certified under the National Organic Program. So when you’re at a farmer’s stall at the market, question him or her about the farm’s use of chemicals and pesticides, and then make your purchasing decision accordingly.

7. Ask when produce was picked.
The sugars in foods like peas and corn turn to starch quickly after picking, so be sure you know when they came out of the fields. Some vendors pick fresh in the morning, while others pick the night before because they have to drive two or three hours to set up for a 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. market. A 12-hour pick-to-market difference is no big deal, but tell the farmer “no deal” if it turns out that produce was picked a few days ago.

8. Befriend the farmers.
Remember, the people you’re buying from are most likely the people who grow the food. They can steer you to the best buys of the day, teach you about foods you might not be familiar with (how often do you buy fennel or celeriac?), and perhaps reserve something special for you the following week. Besides, part of the enjoyment of farmers market shopping is that it’s personal.

To find a farmers’ market nearest you, visit the Local Harvest website, which has a directory of not only farmers’ markets but also food co-ops and CSAs.

Every Memorial Day thousands of families hit the road for a getaway.  When you travel with pets, it’s important to take the time to make additional preparations. These can make the difference between a stress-free holiday and a trip filled with anxiety for you and your pet.

Here are 10 pet travel tips, courtesy of PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance, for you to keep in mind as you leash up your cat or dog, and hit the road.

1. Take updated vaccinations / medical records with you on the trip.
2. Carry a copy of your veterinarian’s business card or phone number.
3. Pack any medications (including heartworm prevention), especially if your pet will be due for a dose when you’re away. (I do my dog’s heartworm and flea/tick medicines on the 1st of every month.)
4. Make sure your pet’s collar has updated I.D. information.
5. Have a leash and harness easily accessible.
6. Pack containers of water for rest stops; plan to stop at least every two hours with your dog or cat (keep a litter box and litter supplies with you).
7. Have an adequate supply of pet food in a watertight container.
8. Never leave your pet in the car, especially when it’s hot out.
9. Secure your pet inside the car when in motion. This could be by using a special doggie seat belt or keeping your cat in a carrier that you’ve bungee-corded to the backseat.
10. Look for pet-friendly hotels and call ahead to make reservations. The AAA Pet Book includes information on 13,000 pet-friendly lodging options nationwide.

Which hot dog tastes the best? I just found that Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks recently beat the leading beef franks from Ball Park and Hebrew National in a national taste test. And to celebrate today, May 20th, Oscar Mayer is giving away up to $1 million worth of franks online.

Starting at 9 a.m. EDT, simply log on to the Oscar Mayer website for a free coupon for a whole pack of Oscar Mayer Jumbo Beef Franks.

Considering we just had Oscar Mayer franks for dinner last night (with beans, of course) and used up our stash, I could definitely use a free pack of hot dogs. How about you?

There’s no denying that saving money is a hot topic these days. I know that most people read this blog to find out ways that they can cut down on what they spend yet still enjoy their day-to-day life. Today, though, I’d like to suggest we flip that notion on its head. Instead of focusing on saving yourself money, how about challenging yourself to find two ways that you can do something for someone else to help them cut down their spending.

What do I mean?

Take five minutes today and do an inventory of your “stuff.” Can you figure out a way to bless someone else with something you no longer need, use or want? Do you have boxes sitting in your basement, attic or garage for that “someday” garage sale?

Here are three ways I’m sharing the wealth this week:

* Putting books up on PaperBack Swap. These books came from a shelving unit in my younger daughter’s bedroom that we’d cleaned out this past weekend. She’s outgrown the books, and now I’m sending those books out to someone else for free (to them). Granted, by giving away my books, I earn points on PaperBackSwap to get free books. But I’ll just consider that a kind of book-loving karma.

* Giving away items on Freecycle. Recently, we went to my mother in law’s house for Sunday dinner (as we often do). When I brought something out to the trash, I noticed a large items sitting next to the trash can. It was a dining room table pad that my mother in law was throwing out. I’ll admit that the pad was beat up and torn in places, and that’s why she decided to buy a new one. But these pads are designed to go under tablecloths so I had a feeling that someone else might benefit from this used table pad. After getting her permission to snatch it from the trash and taking it home, I finally got around to putting the table pad up as an offer on Freecycle yesterday. Someone is coming by tomorrow to get it.

* Making in-kind donations to good causes. Once again my kids have managed to grow out of their clothing, and now I’ve got three bags of perfectly good girls pants, shirts and dresses and no one to wear them. So tomorrow I’m bringing these three bags over to the local church-run thrift store. Even though it’s called a thrift store, they actually give the clothes away to indigent families that need them. Sure, I’ll get a tax write-off for my donation, but more importantly, I’ll be allowing some girls out there to enjoy some decent clothing for which we no longer have a need.

How are you going to share the wealth today?

We’re already two weeks into the 2nd annual May Blog-a-Thon, in which 41 freelance writers are working hard to write at least one blog post a day in the month of May. (See the special May Blog-a-thon Blogroll for links.)

I’ve decided to highlight a handful of the participating blogs that I thought readers of Suddenly Frugal would enjoy reading.

• Bike With Jackie talked about art in public spaces, a way to get a little culture for free.
• Cities on the Cheap is the place to go for free and affordable things to do and stuff to get. I check it daily, along with the Cities on the Cheap network of cities near me or where I might be visiting. Other Cities on the Cheap blogs participating in this Blog-a-Thon include Miami on the Cheap and Sonoma on the Cheap.
• Over at Horrible Sanity, Danielle waxes poetic about home-brewed hazelnut coffee. Sounds like my morning addiction!
• The Martha and Me blog is all about trying to attain Martha Stewart “good things” in real life. It’s a fun read.
• The Green Soul Guide talks about the benefits of farmers’ markets (the one in my town started up again last week–yeah!)
• Western Gardeners offers advice on planting a shade garden.
• Since I know that a lot of my readers are also bloggers, you might enjoy this post on Word Count–Freelancing in the Digital Age on the well-dressed blog post. Basically, what makes a blog post worth reading. (Hope it describes most of my posts.)

The backhoe showed up in our driveway last week as our home renovation finally got underway. After months spent getting a survey of our land, then architects drawings, then building permits, then brainstorming meetings with our builder, our renovation is a go.

What are we having done? Primarily we are replacing the retaining walls in our backyard, but we’re also putting a 40′ X 12′, two-story addition put on the back of the house. This will allow us to break free of our 10′ X 10′ circa 1960s kitchen and finally have a dining room that fits a dining-room table. In addition, it will give us the mudroom and entrance out to the pool that this house desperately needs.

One of our goals when we embraced frugality two years ago was to save up for this renovation. Now that we’ve attained those finanical goals, we are continuing to be pennywise with other areas of the renovation. In addition, whenever possible, we are trying to make the greenest choices. Here are some of the ways that we’re acting both green and frugal during the renovation process:

• Composting landscaping scraps. Our builder let us know that it costs him money to haul away any rubbish from our renovation. Since he needs to clear out a lot of greenery in order to make room for building, we’re saving him (and us) money by having him compost the landscaping scraps. We have a wooded area across the street from our house, and any branches and greenery that aren’t reusable are getting tossed there. If there are any plants that could be reused, I’m either keeping them for replanting in the front yard or giving them away on Freecycle.
• Earning interest on our renovation money. Last fall we took a big chunk of the change we’d set aside for our renovation and put it in a six-month, interest-bearing CD. We figured if we didn’t need the money right away, why would we keep it sitting in our regular bank account as liquid? Instead I researched CD rates at all of the local banks and found one offering close to 4% for a six-month CD. I just got a letter telling me that the CD, which matures shortly, has already earned more than $800 in interest. I can’t wait to see how much money we’ll have when the CD matures fully. I know we’ll be able to use this extra “found” money in the renovation somehow.
• Making a few extra bucks on clutter. Part of the renovation will involve demolishing the back wall of our house’s second story and breaking through to my daughters’ bathroom and one of my daughter’s rooms. In preparation for that, we’ve been clearing out as much clutter from those rooms as possible. When I find something of value that I think I can make a few bucks on, I’m setting it aside so I can put an ad up on Craigslist. In addition to selling items, we now have an entire bookshelf of chapter books that my 6th grader hasn’t been interested in reading for years, and last night I put those books up for a “swap” on PaperBackSwap.com. While this doesn’t actually put any money in my pocket per se, you earn credits for free books on PaperBackSwap when you give your old books away. So now I can use the free books I can get off PaperBackSwap to supplement my book habit when borrowing from the library isn’t an option.
• Giving stuff away on Freecycle. With all of this clutter we’ve been combing through, we’ve been dividing the stuff we find into different categories: items we can sell (see the previous bullet point), donate to charity or give away on Freecycle. As you know from my earlier Suddenly Frugal Seal of Approval for Freecycle post, I can’t get enough of this notion of keeping items out of the trash stream by giving them away to others. So as we clear out clutter to prep the house for the renovation, I will continue to set aside items that I think someone else will want via Freecyle. Eventually, when we renovate our kitchen, I plan to give away our kitchen cabinets on Freecycle as well. We can’t reuse them here, and I definitely don’t want them going to the dump.
• Collecting loose change. I recently read a survey from Coinstar, the folks behind those machines you find in banks and supermarkets that count your change for you. This survey said that the average home has $90 worth of loose change floating around. I believe it. Just in moving furniture around this weekend upstairs, plus a little bit of cushion diving on the furniture downstairs, and checking the dryer for any “money laundering,” I uncovered $33 in crumpled bills and at least $10 in change. I try to collect loose change at least twice a year, and I’m always surprised at how much extra cash I feel like I end up with in my wallet. Next time I go to the bank, I plan to deposit this “extra” money in our renovation fund.

What are some other ways you might recommend that we think and act green and frugally during our renovation?