Have no fear- we’ve compiled a list of 10 simple and creative costumes made from things you probably have lying around the house.  This way, you can make some fantastic looking costumes without spending a ton of money. Plus, many of these costumes are so simple that event the kids can help make them.

Check out the list we created- it’s got everything you need to make 10 great costumes you and your kids will love. Each costume is broken down into an individual supply list, to make it even easier for you. Check it out:

Spring the costume list!

10 Last Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids
- Super hero boy
- Witch
- Cat burglar
- Cotton candy
- Bunch of Grapes
- Pirate
- String bean
- House painter
- Fairy
- Crayon

Does making homemade Halloween costumes for the kids help simplify my life? You betcha

“I’d always dreamed of creating an office in a closet…The idea was retro, fun, and would create a little nook behind a closed door where I could work from home (and hide all the miscellany associated with getting creative stuff done).”

With telecommuting (aka working from home) growing in popularity, frugal professionals are in search of  inexpensive home office solutions. If you live in an apartment or just don’t have a ton of space, why not try making a closet office? Store all your office supplies in one place, and then close it up when you’re done working!

Spring the supply list!
- desk
- mesh organizers
- filing systems (binders etc)
- blackboard paint
- magnetic primer
- paint brushes/rollers
- magnets
- storage ottoman

I can’t wait to create a “cloffice” space of my own. I’m particularly excited about the blackboard paint!

Image Source: Shoestring

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly alternative to the traditional PVC dryer ball, you should try making your own! I love this DIY wool dryer ball project from Good Mama. They’re simple to make, colorful and very useful.

Spring the supply list!
You’ll Need:
-100 percent wool yarn (use scraps!)
-Old pantyhose or a sock
-Cotton or acrylic yarn, or string
-Scissors
-Small crochet hook
-Measuring tape

Check out Good Mama’s original post for full instructions!

Does my DIY dryer ball simplify my life? I’ll let you know- I haven’t made it yet!

Quick Tip: Surprising uses for olive oil from The Daily Green.

“Olive oil is more than a cartoon character, a historic symbol of peace and glory, or a food staple of the much-vaunted Mediterranean diet. It is actually tremendously useful stuff, finding applications in personal care, home improvement, green cleaning, natural remedies, and other areas.”

I agree! Although I usually just use olive oil to saute vegetables and toss into pasta to keep it from sticking, there are definitely a lot of non-food related uses on this list. My favorites:

- Taking a sip of olive oil to curb snoring
- Feeding some olive oil (subtly) to your cat to improve its health
- Putting a little olive oil by your ear to cure an earache

Spring the whole list!

Image Source: The Daily Green

Check out this book: How to Live Well and Save Money by Sharon Harvey Rosenberg, The Frugal Duchess.

In the book, she shares stories of living life for less as well as advice on how to do so. She also writes some of her tips on Wisebread, like quick and easy wardrobe fixes.

“At work, parties or other formal occasions, wardrobe malfunctions can be expensive. Sudden downpours, popped buttons and scuffed shoes can lead to quick-fix shopping sprees or expensive repair bills. But the annual ritual of preparing for hurricane season and other household emergencies has taught me to develop a survival kit for fashion emergencies.”

These are fantastic tips for being prepared to fix any kind of wardrobe malfunction. I love the idea of using a marker to fix scuff marks on shoes, and I always carry a rain jacket and umbrella in my purse in case of a sudden downpour.

Will this book and advice simplify my life? Definitely. I’ll always be prepared and I could use some more help on living for less!

Check out these DIY stain removal tips from Gal’s Guide.  You’ll be happy to have them as a reference the next time you have a spill.  I’ve made a list of everything you need to remove practically every type of stain. Take a look at the list & put together a little kit to make sure you’re prepared!

Stain Removal Must Haves: Spring the list!
- dish washing detergent
- white vinegar
- salt
- ammonia
- an iron
- sponge
- paper towels
- shampoo
- laundry detergent
- baking soda
- unseasoned meat tenderizer
- club soda
- salt
- lemon

Does creating a stain removal kit simplify my life? Yup. Now I’ll be prepared for the next inevitable wine spill!

If you’re like me, you probably have that go-to polish color that you love wearing on your finger or toes, so why not buy it and bring it with you to the nail salon?

Why you should just bite the bullet & buy the bottle:
1. You’ll save time by not scouring the salon’s often overwhelming selection of colors
2. You won’t have to use nail polish that’s been sitting around for an indeterminable amount of time
3. You can make quick fixes to your nails when they inevitably chip
4. If you can’t get to the nail salon, you can always do an at-home manicure. Hey, you’ll save even more money this way!

My most recent nail polish obsession: OPI’s DC Cherry Blossoms
Spring the product!

Does bringing my own nail polish to the salon simplify my life? Totally! Now, I can fix chips easily and inexpensively. Plus, who needs a weekly manicure when your nails still look great after two weeks with a little DIY touch up?

1. Homemade Facial Mask: What girl doesn’t love a good mask? I have dry skin, especially during the winter, and this mask has done wonders for me this season! Not only is my skin moisturized, but it’s also super smooth. If you have oily skin, you may want to try to use fat free/lowfat yogurt instead.

DIY Orange and Yogurt Facial Mask
Source: Beautiful with brains
Ingredients:
Juice of 1/4 an orange
1 tbsp of yogurt

Directions:
Mix the two ingredients
Apply to face, wait 15 min
Wash off

2. Homemade Pore Strips: I really love Biore blackhead strips. They do a great job of cleaning out my pores. However at $8 a pop, they were just the occasional treat for my face. I was so excited when I found out how to make my own pore strips at a fraction of the cost!

DIY Pore Cleansing Strips
Source: various websites
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
1-1.5 teaspoon milk

Directions:
Mix and heat for 10 sec. in the microwave.
Apply to nose and let it sit and dry for approximately 15 minutes.
Peel it off!
Note:  I recommend first steaming your face over a bowl of hot water. After using the strips, close your pores by applying toner. I recommend Dickinson witch hazel.

Have these DIY beauty products simplified my life? Not really, they’ve definitely saved me some money!

Image Source: Martha Stewart

Quick Idea: DIY compact firewood tote from Martha Stewart

“Fashion a compact firewood tote from a 22-by-42-inch piece of canvas, 1/2-inch grommets, and two 30-inch lengths of rope.”

Consider modifying the instructions to make it your own custom size. Now if  could only get back all of the time I’ve wasted looking for the perfect firewood tote at my favorite stores…

Just collect your supplies & get started.  Spring the shopping list!

“Eliminate stray notes and pieces of paper by writing important to-do tasks on an erasable board near the door.”

While this may not be the place to keep a grocery list, it would definitely help remind me to take out the trash in the morning, or to pack a specific book for work in my bag.