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Home Staging Tips and Ideas – Improve the Value of Your Home

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March 12, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

House Staging Tips and Ideas – Looking to improve the value of your home before it goes on the market? Use these house staging tips to highlight your home’s strengths and downplay its weaknesses.

We definitely could have used some of these house staging tips before we last moved! Staging a house can be done by a professional, but these house staging tips will show you just how easily you can do it yourself on a budget.

When you are looking to sell your home, you want to make sure it has the best value before arriving on the market. On the other hand, most people are reluctant to spend their money on a house they are preparing to leave — and for good reason! These simple house staging tips and ideas will improve the value of your home before a sale by highlighting your home’s strengths and downplaying its weaknesses. Not planning on moving? You can still get plenty of use out of the house staging tips. Try them out over a weekend for a simple redecorating project to make your home look its best.

How much does staging a house cost?

Before hiring a professional to do the job for you, you should know that it’ll set you back a considerable amount to do so. Professional house staging can cost up to $600 for the consultation alone, then up to $600 again per staged room. And that’s just their fee per month! So, if your home takes months to sell, you’ll have to fork over a lot of dough. But don’t worry — follow these house staging tips to create the same beautiful results without spending a fortune.

Home Staging Checklist

Before you begin, download our ultimate house staging checklist. It’s got everything you need to make your home look its best and up its value!

You’ll want to have this handy guide by your side when staging and decluttering your home. It’s got everything you need to prepare your home for potential buyers on a budget to help you sell faster and at the best price. Getting ready to move? Print out our Moving Binder Checklist! (Hint: look for a hidden coupon code when you get both the moving binder and the home staging checklist.)

Home Staging Checklist Printable

More Home Tips & Ideas

Visit these related posts.

Home Staging Tips and Ideas

When selling your home, first impressions are everything! Make your front door look brand new with this front door house staging home improvement project. All you need is a little time and Howard Products SunShield Outdoor Furniture Wax with UV Protection!

Take the low cost peel & stick wallpaper challenge. How to Wallpaper Built in Shelves as low as $45 – The Easy Way!

Get rid of that bedroom clutter! This one’s great for everyone, whether you’re staging a house or just looking to simplify your living space. | Celebrating Everyday Life

Stow those unsightly cords away for under $10 with these burlap cord covers. We used a tan and white extension cord to blend in with the bag in case of any “peek-a-boo” slips (it’s not necessary, but it’s a great brand and so affordable!).

This is a tip everyone should use to protect their home’s value, house staging or not! These are the best nail on furniture glides to protect that beautiful wood flooring. They are super durable and won’t fall off your furniture.

Upgrade your outdated yellow railing. I’m a huge fan of darker wood accents for house staging or general home improvement — they instantly make any home look more modern. You can paint your banister for under $25 using General Finishes Java Gel. Make sure to tape off your white spindles with green Frog Tape to keep them white!

If your handrail is backed up against a wall, use this easy house staging construction paper hack to protect your walls from stray paint.

Aesthetics are everything when it comes to staging a house! Have you heard of Vignette Styling? Every home could use these beautiful house decorating tips. This is a must try! | Blesser House

A little paint goes a long way when it comes to staging a house. Refresh your entryway by painting the inside of your front door. Even though I’m not staging a house anytime soon, I’ve got to try this simple makeover! | How to Nest for Less

Looking to decorate an empty bedroom? Create this DIY Headboard and Make-Believe Bed. We did this in my father’s home before selling and it saved a lot of money by eliminating the need for professional house staging. | DIY Home Staging Tips

Your family photos are great for your house, but potential buyers might not appreciate them when envisioning their own space. Swap them out with mirrors and simple decor. Mirrors brighten up a room, and let buyers picture your home as their own. | Source Unknown

Need help choosing the best paint colors for staging a house? Check out these top 3 paint colors for house staging from a home expert. The major takeaway is to keep things neutral. | Provident Home Design

Repair your worn-out baseboards with this simple caulk house staging trick. I was surprised how easy this is to do yourself, and so cheap too! | Craving Some Creativity

Roll your towels like a 5-star hotel for a relaxing bathroom vignette. This simple bathroom house staging trick gives your bathroom that extra luxurious touch. | The White Rabbit

If you take anything away from these house staging tips, it’s that you need flowers to upgrade the look of your space! However, florists aren’t cheap, and it wouldn’t be smart to spend a fortune on arrangements that will die eventually. Get thrifty and use shrubbery for your house staging floral arrangements. Your yard has everything you need! | DIY Home Staging Tips

Couches are an important part of house staging. Try these Sofa Styling Tips to make your living room look chic and cozy. Pillows make all the difference between a drab space and a lively one! | Source Unknown

Ebony and ivory comprise the ultimate color scheme for house staging. Upgrade cheap materials into classy home decor. All you need is a can of spray paint to modernize your space! | DIY Home Staging Tips

Upgrade your bathroom, frugal style. Fresh caulk takes worn out fixtures and makes them look clean and modern. Take some tips from YouTube or a friend who’s familiar with caulk. | In My Own Style

Don’t buy a new countertop just to sell it with your house later! Save that money to renovate your new home. You can easily resurface a laminate counter for house staging with concrete. More and more potential buyers are looking for concrete countertops these days, too. I love this industrial gray color! | A Beautiful Mess

I don’t know about you, but our air vents have seen better days. Make your air vents look brand new with this house staging trick and a can of spray paint. I need to try this one! | The Frugal Homemaker

Have you ever heard of using two shower curtains instead of one? I was surprised to see how much it can elevate your bathroom’s look! Placing them higher up creates an illusion of higher ceilings, too. | Beck Design Blog

Solve your countertop clutter by placing items and decor on these DIY glass window shelves. I love displaying fresh herbs this way. Just make sure your items don’t block the view. | Pretty Handy Girl

Details are everything when it comes to staging a house. Upgrade your air grille with a more appealing option. I didn’t know air grilles could be so cute! | Friendly Home

A copper pipe is all you need to reinvent your window. Try this one out, whether you’re house staging or just redecorating. It’s an awesome touch for the kitchen or bathroom. | The Handmade Home

You don’t need to buy a whole new ceiling fan. Just upgrade it with this house staging hack! | The Real Tits McGee

A dull ceiling light gets an impressive transformation with a lampshade in this house staging hack. | Young House Love

Always wanted to redo your kitchen cabinets? Follow this house staging tutorial to learn how to paint them for a new look. | Little Dekonings

Curtain placement is everything! Hang your curtains higher and wider to create the illusion of a larger window. This is a fabulous house staging hack. | How Does She

Need some home inspiration? Take a look at these Fixer Upper Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Moving? Take a look at these Moving Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest.

If you’ve got a big move in your future, make sure to download our Moving Binder Printable. Pin to Pinterest.

A porch is the first thing people see. Find ideas on this Front Porch Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Also, make sure the curb appeal is amazing! We’ve got some great ideas on these Curb Appeal Hacks to Increase Your Home Value. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs

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March 5, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Easter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Recipe, Social Media

Ready for the bunny to visit? Enjoy these Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs with marshmallows before he comes. Dip these hot cocoa bombs in warm milk and out pops mini fruit flavored marshmallows. Just like bunny tails, only rainbow style!

Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs

So we all know that hot cocoa bombs are all the rage right now. If you look on Pinterest, you will see so many different kinds, colors, and themes. We decided to get really creative recently and came up with some Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs!

These sweet treats are beautiful with all their bright colors. They are {almost} too pretty to eat, especially with those Spring themed sprinkles on top.

And they are delicious when dropped into a cup of warm milk. Rather than using your normal white marshmalllows, we filled our chocolate bombs with colorful, fruit-flavored marshmallows. It’s an extra treat, if you aren’t expecting that flavor.

Make a batch of these Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs for your kiddo’s Easter basket, or send them to school for a special treat for the teachers.

The best thing about these bombs is that they can be made any time of year, not just at Easter. You could make them for a unicorn themed party even!

Make sure you take a look at our other Hot Chocolate Bombs Recipes while you are here!

Hot Chocolate Bombs for Easter

Makes 6 bombs
Prep time: 30 minutes
Setting time: 4 hours

Ingredients

1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips
1 packet instant cocoa mix
1 cup mini fruit flavored (rainbow) marshmallows
¼ cup Spring sprinkles (mine are Great Value brand from Wal-Mart)
6 cups hot milk to make the bombs
Round Silicon Mold (or follow our tips for having No Silicon Mold.)

Easter Sprinkles

They are a variety of Spring and Easter Sprinkles you can use. We used Great Value brand from Wal-Mart, but look at these other options.

Easter Sprinkles (sprinkles with bunny heads and carrot shapes)
Sprinklefetti Easter Sprinkle Mix Pastel (sprinkles and sixlets in a metallic pastel coloring)
Easter Sprinkle Mix for Baking (A mix of sprinkles, sixlets and adorable Easter bunny heads)
The Gourmet Baking Company Easter Egg Sprinkles ( A mix of green, yellow, pink, white sprinkles with red, purple, blue, green and orange egg-shaped sprinkles. Also mixed with pink, green, and white sixlets)
The Gourmet Baking Company Easter Baskets (looks like sprinkles grass and Easter egg candies)
Easter Ducks Flowers Bunny Head Edible Confetti Sprinkles

Take a look at all of the Spring Sprinkles varieties here.

Save this recipe for later. Print your recipe and add it to your recipe box or recipe binder! This is my favorite Recipe Binder – I get tired of printing the same recipe over and over. A binder keeps me organized and gives me a place to store my recipes.

Easter Hot Chocolate Bombs

Author: Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

1 12-ounce package white chocolate chips
1 packet instant cocoa mix
1 cup mini fruit flavored (rainbow) marshmallows
¼ cup Spring sprinkles (mine are Great Value brand from Wal-Mart)
6 cups hot milk to make the bombs

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

First, place the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted.
Put a spoonful of melted chocolate inside one cup on the silicone mold and use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the mold. Continue this process until all the molds are coated.
Set the remaining chocolate aside for sealing and decorating the bombs.
Allow the chocolate to set completely, around 2 to 3 hours. You can speed up the process by placing the chocolate in the refrigerator.
When the chocolate is set, remove each of the chocolate pieces from the mold. Add a small amount of instant hot cocoa mix to half the pieces and top the hot cocoa mix with marshmallows.
Reheat the chocolate in 15 second intervals until melted. Pick up an empty chocolate piece and dip the edges into the melted chocolate. Carefully place it on top of a filled piece and lightly press it into place. Use your finger to smooth melted chocolate around the seam. Continue until all the chocolate bombs are sealed.
Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the bombs and decorate with Spring sprinkles.
Allow the chocolate decorations to set before using, around 1 hour.
To make the hot chocolate bombs, place the bomb in the bottom of a mug. Pour one cup of hot milk over the top of the bomb to melt the chocolate. When the chocolate is completely melted, stir to combine.

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Our Pinterest community and I would love to see how this worked out for you. Share your final Easter Chocolate Bombs Recipe. Leave a comment and/or add a photo here on Pinterest!

Directions

First, place the white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate chips are fully melted.

Put a spoonful of melted chocolate inside one cup on the silicone mold and use the back of the spoon to spread the chocolate up the sides of the mold. Continue this process until all the molds are coated.

Set the remaining chocolate aside for sealing and decorating the bombs.

Allow the chocolate to set completely, around 2 to 3 hours. You can speed up the process by placing the chocolate in the refrigerator.

When the chocolate is set, remove each of the chocolate pieces from the mold. Add a small amount of instant hot cocoa mix to half the pieces and top the hot cocoa mix with marshmallows.

Reheat the chocolate in 15 second intervals until melted. Pick up an empty chocolate piece and dip the edges into the melted chocolate. Carefully place it on top of a filled piece and lightly press it into place. Use your finger to smooth melted chocolate around the seam. Continue until all the chocolate bombs are sealed.

Drizzle the chocolate over the top of the bombs and decorate with Spring sprinkles.

Allow the chocolate decorations to set before using, around 1 hour.

To make the Easter hot chocolate bombs, place the bomb in the bottom of a mug. Pour one cup of hot milk over the top of the bomb to melt the chocolate. When the chocolate is completely melted, stir to combine.

Also take a look at The Best Hot Chocolate Bombs on the web! Pin to Pinterest.

One alternative is to fill your Hot Chocolate Bombs with M&Ms and attach our M&M Easter Poem. It makes a really cute Easter Gift idea. Pin to Pinterest.

Moving Binder Printables & Moving Organization Tips

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March 2, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Printable, Social Media

Reading for a move? Download this Moving Binder Printable on Frugal Coupon Living. Printable budget checklist, change of address checklist, box labels, thank you notes and more.

Moving Binder Printables & Moving Organization Tips

In the past two years my family and I have moved – TWICE. One was a cross country move (with movers), the second was moving four houses down (on the same street) while six months pregnant. I {almost} prefer the cross-country move! There was nothing pretty about me walking up and down the street with a huge belly and a load of boxes (yes, protective readers, I know carrying boxes when pregnant is a no-no and I am happy to report, we had a healthy baby boy this past October.) Regardless, I learned my lesson that hot summer, with the worse abdominal cramping. We settled in our new home, though, and with a young baby at home, I am ignoring the boxes in the corner that never got unpacked… because that just happens.

Shop Moving Binder Printables + Digital Downloads

Staging your home? Look at these Home Staging Tips and Tricks. In our store, look for a coupon code to combine the Moving Binder and this Home Staging Checklist – prepare your home for potential buyers. Sell higher, sell faster!

Home Staging Checklist Printable

Moving Binder Printables

When moving, I discovered the key to having sanity while moving is being organized. Because of my own need, I created a Moving Binder Printable, just for you! Enjoy it and personalize it for your home!

Inside the Moving Moving Binder Organizer

I ordered a 1 inch white 3-ring notebook. I love the ones that have the clear slip outside. This was my bible for moving (lowercase b – wink). For this printable you can get a 1 inch, 1.5 inch or 2 inch binder as I included a spine for all three sizes (then again, go as large as you want and just use a smaller spine printable!

This printable Moving Binder includes 26 pages of content to keep you organized. Many sections have multiple pages.

1.) Cover Page and Spine Title

We made this cover page bright so it is easy to find in the clutter. I recommend, however, always keeping it in the same place in your home so it isn’t lost. Typically the kitchen counter is best.

2.) Important Dates Calendar

Print out as many as you need. We have left the dates open so you can personalize the number and months to your schedule. Add the moving date, moving truck arrival date, home closing date, bill due dates, etc.

3.) To Buy Chart

Organize your purchases with a list of where you bought the item, the budgeted amount and how much you spent. This can be more purchases bigger and smaller! Add these 3-ring binder envelope organizers to store receipts in case returns or claims are needed.

4.) Essential Basket Checklist

When you move you need a basket that has all your supplies. This includes a box cutter, sticky notes, packing tape, scissors, permanent markers, tool kit, etc. I provide a checklist and keep some areas blank for you to add your own content.

5.) Car Inventory Checklist

You also want to include some items in the car – things that do not get stuck on the moving truck. Get cleaning and laundry supplies, pet food, perishable groceries, 7 days of clothing, etc.

6.) Box Inventory

Label each box with a number, the room where it is going and what is inside (this part is optional, but for some boxes you will really care!) If you are moving your entire house, you will need many pages of this document.

7.) Moving Budget Checklist

This checklist includes the cost of moving supplies as well as opening and closing utilities accounts.

8.) Change of Address Checklist

You will appreciate this resource. We list all the places you want to notify for changing and updating your address.

9.) Utility Service Information

This includes the name of the company, account numbers, cost, etc. This would be a good resource/page to print multiples. It also allows you and your spouse to communicate on one page without the question – did you do this? Or what’s that password agian?

10.) Move-in Cleaning Checklist

If time permits, even if just a day, we provided a checklist to clean your new home BEFORE you move in. Trust me, you will thank me later. This also provides a deep clean before furniture and boxes get in the way. Use it for your old home and your new home.

11.) Donation Tracker

For taxes, keep track of all your donations and the value.

12.) Thank You Notes

Thank those that help you move!

13.) Color Codes Box Labels

We have created a color coded label for each area of the home. We left some blank for your personalized use. We also included labels for fragile boxes! The white circles provided allow you to number the boxes. For example Master Bedroom 1, Master Bedroom 2, Master Bedroom 3…

For all of these sections, you can print as much as you need! If you have a really large donation list, print two or more pages of the donation tracker.

Essential Moving Basket

I told you above I included a essential moving basket checklist. Have a small basket in which you keep sharpie markers (for marking on boxes), packing tape, scotch tape, a box cutter, tool kit, paper towels, scissors, something to write with and your moving binder. This will be your best friend when packing boxes and unpacking boxes. Do not forget this basket!

Shop Moving Binder Printables + Digital DownloadsYou can also sign up for our free printables by entering your email address.

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

I personally prefer to have my printables professionally printed at Staples. I can save on printer ink and get quality paper. All of these are fine for your home printer, but below are directions if you would like to do the same.

How to Print at Staples

Please follow the steps below to print your printables at Staples. You can also follow this video tutorial.

Have your PDF, Word Document or printable saved to a folder on your computer.
Sign in or create a Staples account.
Return to the Staples Printing Service Page.
Scroll down to Self-Service printing.
Go to Start Project.
Go to Documents Printing.
Select Browse.
Select the Buy Now Button under color.
In the left column, choose add file(s).
Select upload files (to upload a file from your computer).
Add more files or select the blue upload button.
Select done.
Give your job a name in the top left column.
Choose color or B&W.
Make sure your project is single sided. (You can choose double sided if you need.)
Choose the correct orientation of your project – landscape or portrait.
I changed my media to 8.5×11 67 lb card/coverstock (I prefer a card stock feel over printer paper feel. It makes the paper very durable and sturdy.)
Save your product to Staples or select add to cart on the bottom right.
Proceed to checkout.

You can choose to ship to your home or to pick up at your local store. Pay online and show your invoice when you pick up (I just show the order number on my phone at pick-up.) The order invoice will arrive in your email inbox.

Moving is hard! There are a few posts you will want to read and save to get you organized.

Moving Organization Tips

For tips and tricks and all things boxing, be sure to take a look at our Moving Hacks and Tips. Pin to Pinterest to Organize yourself online.

Before you sell, look at these Home Staging Tips and Ideas including our Home Staging Checklist. Pin to Pinterest.

Need to alert people to a new address. We also created a Free Moving Printable – We’ve Moved! Make sure you also Pin this to Pinterest too!

Copycat Chipotle Lime Rice with Cilantro Recipe

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March 2, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Frugal Living, Pinterest, Recipe, Restaurant, Summer

Copycat Chipotle Lime Rice with Cilantro
Pin to Pinterest

Love making copycat recipes at home. This one is one of my FAVORITE sides at a restaurant. Make a Copycat Chipotle Lime Rice with a dash of Cilantro in your own kitchen. Pairing with tacos would be the ultimate meal!

Before you begin, take a look at these other amazing recipes.

Copycat Chipotle Lime Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup Basmati Rice
2 cup Water
1 tbsp Vegetable Oil
1 Bay Leaf
2 tsp finely chopped Cilantro
2 tbsp of Lime Juice
1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

Directions:

Rinse rice until water runs clear.
Sautee rice in oil for 3 minutes over medium heat.
Add bay leaf and water and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer covered for 20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
Turn off heat and let rice sit covered for 15 minutes.
Mix salt and lime juice until salt is dissolved.
Remove bay leaf from rice.
Spread juice mixture and cilantro over rice and fluff with fork to distribute.

Pin to Pinterest

Don’t miss these fun Chiplote Recipes:

Check out these other Copycat Recipes!

Follow all Recipes on Frugal Coupon Living as well as FCLAsh on Pinterest.

18 Super Cute DIY Valentines Crafts for Kids

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February 25, 2021 by Frugal Coupon Living Writers Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Education, Facebook, Free, Instagram, Kids, Pinterest, Seasonal, Social Media, Valentine's Day

Whether you’re looking for classroom activities, handmade Valentines ideas for kids, or some at-home crafting inspiration, every kid will love these 18 super cute DIY Valentine crafts. Each of these DIY Valentine crafts is simple enough for every age to enjoy. Use supplies from around the home or make a trip to your local arts and crafts store. Get ready for a whole lot of Valentine’s Day fun!

18 Super Cute DIY Valentine Crafts for Kids

As both a mom and a former teacher, I love to hunt for activities that work great in the classroom and at home. When it comes to holidays, I always make time for some extra themed arts and crafts in our schedule. My kids love getting creative, and I appreciate having some time to get creative myself. The thought of February alone gets me excited about Valentine’s ideas for kids and all the cute DIY Valentine crafts to be made!

Whether you’re a room parent who helps out in your child’s classroom, a youth group leader, a homeschool parent, or just a crafting fanatic, these adorable Valentine’s ideas for kids are just as fun for you to make as they are for your little ones. All you need are some standard craft supplies and a little bit of time to make Valentine’s Day extra sweet this year. Let me know if you try any of these DIY Valentine crafts and enjoy!

Can you believe this adorable marbling effect is created with shaving cream? These DIY Valentine crafts just need some paint and a few household supplies. See more on Hello, Wonderful on how to make this Shaving Cream Heart Art.

Hello, Wonderful took your average paper chain to the next level with this sweet Rainbow Heart Wreath! Doesn’t it remind you of colorful conversation hearts? Add colorful pompoms and ribbon to make this craft extra special. Your kids can keep them hanging in their room all year round!

Looking for DIY Valentine crafts for younger kids? Even your littlest ones can create this painted heart flower. These make an adorable, framed print you can keep for years. Add this to your list of Valentine’s ideas for kids at the elementary level.

Take finger painting to a whole new level! All you need is a canvas, masking tape, and finger paint for this fun Valentine Art project. Can you believe how professional it looks for a kid’s craft? I’d love to have this hanging in my home!

This Paper Plate Stitched Heart isn’t just a great aesthetic addition to these cute DIY Valentine crafts. It also helps little kids practice their hand-eye coordination as they thread the needle through each of the punched holes. Talk about a win-win!

On the hunt for Valentine’s ideas for kids that will suit any age? Kids from toddlers to tweens will be obsessed with these Hersey’s Kisses Bling Rings. They’ll want a few for themselves, and some to give away to their friends! Teachers can make these to give away to their class as a treat, too.

Bee mine! These Buzzy Bumble Bee DIY Valentine crafts are made with just paper and glue. They are just as cute as they are simple to make!

Let kids practice their scissors skills with these Valentine Caterpillars. They can pick their favorite colors to customize their caterpillars however they like. Too cute!

Who else has kids that LOVE slime? Slime has come back in a big way recently, but I don’t predict it will ever go out of style. It’s one of my go-to activities for family fun, so it had to make the list of these Valentine’s ideas for kids. Adding glitter hearts to the mix makes it a perfect DIY Valentine craft. Make your own Glitter Valentine Slime!

Recycle in style! I love DIY Valentine crafts that use regular old household objects like toilet paper rolls, including this Heart Stamper. Use this heart stamp to create art, wrapping paper, gift bags, and more!

Make this Very Strawberry Valentine’s Craft with your kids using craft paper, scissors, and glue. Everything except for the eyes and mouth is heart shaped. I love DIY Valentine crafts like this!

Have kids who love unicorns? Let them make this Valentine Unicorn Craft from Glued to My Craft. Pick up some craft foam, googly eyes, and yarn for this one. The head is heart-shaped!

Need DIY Valentine crafts for the pizza lovers in your life? I’m in love with this Heart Pizza Pie Valentine because, well, who doesn’t love pizza!

Recycled Valentine’s ideas for kids are a win in my book! Wash and save your empty cans, peel off the labels, and paint them to create these Valentine Windsocks to hang in your tree. They would look great hanging from a porch as well.

Too cute! These googly-eyed Love Bugs are made with yarn and pipe cleaners. You’ll never guess what the inside of the Love Bugs is made out of!

More super cute DIY Valentine crafts made from paper! Check out this tuxedo adorned Penguin Craft. It has a heart face, heart beak, and heart feet! You could make a whole heart inspired Valentine’s Day zoo with these paper Valentine’s ideas for kids.

Let your little love bugs have some much fun creating their own Valentine Love Bug. All you will need is a little bit of glue, a toilet paper roll, and a few other basic craft supplies.

Little Pink and Red Foxes are next up in our animal Valentine’s ideas for kids lineup! Your kids will love this adorable fox craft.

What a throwback! Did you make one of these accordion Heart Men when you were in elementary school? I did. Pass on the tradition to your kids this year and make these DIY Valentine crafts with them!

Even More Valentine’s Day Ideas On Frugal Coupon Living

Making your own Valentines can be simply adorable with these 28 Printable Valentines for Kids Pin to Pinterest

Here is a great collection of Free Printables for Valentines Day. There is sure to be something you will just love. Pin it to Pinterest

These are some sweet Kids and Teen Valentine Book ideas that are so much fun to personalize for each of your kids. Pin to Pinterest

Older Home Improvement Hacks and DIY Renovations

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February 25, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Facebook, Hacks, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Need to spruce up your current home? Looking for DIY home improvement ideas? No need for pricey home renovation. Take a look at these Older Home Improvement Ideas and budget-friendly DIY Home Improvement Renovations you can do all on your own!

Older Home Improvement Hacks

My family’s current home is just outside the District of Columbia, in Northern Virginia. The majority of homes here are fairly old, and some are straight-up historic. I’m not saying they are as old as the historic DC monuments, but they are pretty close (I’m kidding… mostly.) I can name some friends that are living in 50-year-old homes, and some even have 100-year-old homes. Several of the old homes out here are in such bad shape that they end up getting scrapped altogether. While our home isn’t quite as old as some, I’ve made it a point to preserve it as best I can so that it stands the test of time.

DIY Renovations

While I was hunting for a home here, I always had my Pinterest house goals and home improvement ideas in mind. Since most of the homes I was shown were older, I tried to envision the DIY home improvement renovations and upgrades that I’d implement. I wanted my post-renovation home to be a comfortable and beautiful space for my family of 7, but the renovations would also ultimately play a part in making an adequate profit on any future sale we might have. Pinterest quickly became my best friend for DIY Home Improvement Ideas, and I soon gathered an impressive “to-do” list of renovation inspiration.

This list started as my personal Pinterest vault of DIY home improvement goals. Since my board is hidden, I wanted to share it with all of you here! I hope you try out these DIY Home Improvement Hacks along with me to improve our collective home project by project, weekend by weekend. Without further ado, here are my favorite Pinterest home improvement ideas!

More DIY Home Improvement Ideas

Visit these related posts.

Older Home Improvement Ideas and Hacks

Cassidy is my favorite when it comes to home improvement ideas. This $60 Carpet to Hardwood Stairs Home Improvement Hack is definitely on my home improvement to-do list!

I’ve found that the outlets in older homes always tend to be in the most inconvenient places. Hide all of those unsightly cords for under $10 with this burlap cord cover home improvement idea. We used a tan and white extension cord in our home in case of any peek-a-boo showing (though not necessary, I love this brand of cord and it is so affordable!)

It turns out, 50-year-old air grilles get pretty dirty! This DIY Home Improvement Air Vent Idea lends a clean, vintage look to any home, old or new.

I am doing this bathroom DIY home improvement idea ASAP! Repaint your bathroom tiles and add a beautiful touch with stencils! Repaint your builder grade beige tiles with this Home Improvement Tutorial. All the items you need are listed in the Hometalk post.

You need less than $50 to makeover your bathroom vanity with this easy DIY home improvement hack. Find the tutorial on DIY Vanity Makeover.

Old home cords lying around all over the place? Instead of spending your money on an electrification or having to learn to cut into the wall yourself, opt for this Quarter Round Cord Hack from Home Depot. It’s so easy to snake your cords through the baseboards to hide them without tearing up your walls.

An updated banister and painted stair rail makes your staircase pop with a colorful accent. Paint the spindles white and the handrail black for a modern, clean look. It won’t take up loads of your time, either! Add a seagrass rug runner for chic bonus points.

Tired of your outdated yellow oak railing? You can also use General Finishes Java Gel to paint your banister for under $25. Win! Just tape around the edges with Green Frog Tape to protect your white spindles.

These were included in our home staging tips, too! If you’re painting in a tight space or up against a wall, try this hack. Tape construction paper on the wall to protect it from any stray paint. While we’re on the subject, download our home staging checklist! There are some great tips that can serve as home renovation ideas, too.

A bucket of paint and new hardware are all you need to switch up the warmth of your hallways. Painting gray interior doors gives your interior a cool, sleek look.

Vintage green bathrooms are actually beautiful — when styled the right way. If you’re not blessed with one from the get-go, here’s your sign to create it yourself. Don’t worry if you don’t have extra money lying around — this DIY home renovation project won’t break the bank. Joanna Gaines has blessed us with three ways to style green tile until you want to paint or replace it.

Fireplaces are another classic feature of older homes. I prefer an automatic fireplace, but my husband is partial to wood-burning ones. Most of these old homes favor his preferences, so I hunted down this White Wash Brick Fireplace Tutorial.

Our old cabinets could definitely use a refresh. In some spots, you can see where years of wear, tear, and layers of paint have accumulated. Upgrade Bathroom Cabinets with this Simple Home improvement Idea. Gorilla Wood Glue, wood pedestals, and scrap wood totally revamp these cabinets in this DIY home improvement tutorial!

Plantation shutters are my ultimate window goals, but I don’t have the budget for them yet. Still, I needed a way to redo our old window treatments. My house’s window curtains from 1960 were still in our home when we moved in — yikes! For a budget-friendly DIY home improvement upgrade, I went with budget friendly window treatments – light and airy IKEA white drapes, black curtain rods and natural bamboo shades.

I think we can all agree that popcorn ceilings are just awful. If you’re sick and tired of looking at your popcorn ceilings but can’t afford a total makeover, follow this tutorial to find out how to Easily Hide a Popcorn Ceiling. Bella Tucker’s entire kitchen and living space was done for under $500 with Styrofoam Ceiling Tiles. Take your ceilings from drab to fab!

This DIY home improvement project turns your outdated bathroom into your dream spa oasis. Paint Bathroom Tile with a Rust-Oleum Tile Transformation kit. Pink Little Notebook walks you through the entire process.

Full kitchen renovation landing outside your budget? Just follow these steps to replace and reface your kitchen cabinet doors with solid wood doors. This DIY home improvement project completely upgrades the entire look of your kitchen without the steep price of renovation!

Did you know you can update your garage door by staining it? I’m in love with how this DIY home improvement project looks. So easy, so cheap! We recommended this Minwax Gel Stain.

Shutters can completely transform a home’s curb appeal. You can easily paint yours to refurbish the look of your home. Don’t have shutters, but still want the look? You can make your own home shutters with this tutorial.

This easy DIY home improvement project is so simple, but makes all the difference in the world. Replace all old switches with new style switches.

Ever wondered what those fake kitchen drawers were even for? Here’s one answer! Add towel bars to any of your fake kitchen drawers under the sink. That unused space becomes useful with this DIY home improvement tutorial!

Update the outdated half wall for added aesthetics AND extra storage space. Turn your half wall into a built-in bookcase with this DIY home improvement tutorial!

Guess what? You Can Tile Over Linoleum. Our is from 1960, so this is definitely on our to-do list. If you’re not ready to get all the way down to the concrete floors, this is a good fix for you.

These updated shower fixtures turn outdated fixtures new without the plumbing work. Total price? Just $35 for this cheap DIY home improvement hack!

Are you moving? Take a look at our Moving Binder to get you organized! Pin to Pinterest.

These Fixer Upper Farmhouse Style Ideas will transform your home. Pin to Pinterest.

Also get inspired by the lady we love, Joanna Gaines, with these DIY Fixer Upper Ideas. Pin to Pinterest.

Inspire Your Joanna Gaines – DIY Fixer Upper Ideas

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February 25, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Home Improvement, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Inspire Your Joanna Gaines with DIY farmhouse decor! Get these cheap farmhouse decor ideas inspired by Fixer Upper on Frugal Coupon Living. Transform your home into a farmhouse dream with these simple do it yourself ideas.

Inspire Your Joanna Gaines – DIY Fixer Upper Ideas

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Who else can’t get enough of HGTV? I get sucked in every time I turn to the channel, ESPECIALLY if it’s my favorite show, Fixer Upper! Chip and Joanna Gaines are adorable, fun to watch, and I’m admittedly head over heels for Joanna’s farmhouse-chic decor style. I sometimes catch myself fangirling over the hosts, but Joanna’s decorating skills are my favorite part of the show by far. If you love Fixer Upper as much as me, you’ve got to take a look at these DIY farmhouse decor ideas for your home.

Rustic, farmhouse, shabby-chic home decor is all the rage thanks to my favorite HGTV host, Joanna Gaines. Wondering how you can turn your space into the Pinterest farmhouse aesthetic of your dreams on a budget? We have gathered the best creative and crafty DIY Fixer Upper Ideas for all of your DIY farmhouse decor projects and cheap farmhouse decor inspiration needs. You will feel so proud being able to tell your family and guests, “No seriously, I did that myself!”

Floating Shelves

To start the party, I have to say this — you’re not Joanna Gaines yet if you don’t have Floating Shelves in your home. She loves to put them in the kitchens she designs, and they always look incredible. You can make these DIY farmhouse decor shelves so easily and on the cheap! We love this tutorial from Shanty 2 Chic. They have some other amazing farmhouse tutorials – take some time to browse their site for even more cheap farmhouse decor inspiration!

DIY Farmhouse Decor Thrift Store Finds

Farmhouse aesthetic pottery doesn’t have to break the bank. Head to your local thrift store ASAP and grab older pottery, dishes, etc and spray paint to get your desired look for the low just like Sincerely Sara D. This is so smart, and I love an easy painting project especially when it comes to cheap farmhouse decor. Just look for fun and creative shapes when you’re hunting for your pieces!

Green Wreath Distressed Window Frame

This one’s a must, and a showstopper on your mantle. Simply lay a Green Wreath over a Distressed Window Frame like The Sweet Survival did. Once I saw this, I had to make one for my home! It has that perfect shabby-chic look.

DIY Shiplap Tutorial

If you know your Fixer Upper vocabulary, you know what I’m talking about when I say SHIPLAP! Check out this DIY Shiplap Tutorial from The Mountain View Cottage, even if you have no clue what a shiplap even is. And yes, you can dress up a nursery with DIY farmhouse decor, too!

Tobacco Basket DIY

Make Your Own Tobacco Basket with this easy DIY farmhouse decor tutorial on Craft Berry Bush. I had no idea you could make this cheap farmhouse decor on your own. Put it on your coffee table, fill it with aesthetic objects, or hang it on your wall!

DIY Farmhouse Table

Okay, NOW we’re talking. I can’t believe that Honey Bear Lane shared a way to create your own Farmhouse Table for under $100! We definitely need this for our family. Not only is it beautiful, but it has space to fit the whole family!

DIY Barn Door Tutorial

It doesn’t get more classically farmhouse than this DIY Barn Door from Jenna Sue Design. This DIY farmhouse decor idea is so great for separating an area from the rest of the home, like a laundry room!

Upcycled Farmhouse Table

I’m seriously loving this Upcycled Farmhouse Table. The details are adorable, and it looks way too expensive to be cheap farmhouse decor. Check out that chalk paint!

DIY Farmhouse Message Board

This DIY Farmhouse Message Board looks harder to create than it is. I found this tutorial on Seeking Lavender Lane. Not only is it the perfect farmhouse accent, but functional as well!

DIY Shutter Mirror

Take an Old Shutter and Turn It Into a DIY Farmhouse Decor Mirror, as shown by Love Grows Wild! Mirrors are one of my favorite additions to any room. They definitely help open up and brighten a space!

DIY Succulents Centerpiece

The expert herself blessed us with this DIY Succulents Centerpiece (Magnolia Farms). Succulents are the perfect plant to use for a DIY farmhouse decor craft, since they’re as easy to care for as they are gorgeous!

Rustic Arrow Wood Art

Follow your arrow wherever it points! Canary Street Crafts shows us how to create this fun Rustic Arrow Wood Art Craft. This is definitely a cheap farmhouse decor option, and you can even use upcycled wood to save extra.

Herb Chalk Paint Terracotta Pots

Grow your own herb garden for fresh herbs whenever you need them! I’m obsessed with these Herb Chalk Paint Terracotta Pots from Rustic and Woven. The typewriter font on the pots is a special touch that makes this DIY farmhouse decor really stand out.

Distressed Mason Jars

Have fun Distressing Mason Jars with the family with this idea on It All Started with Paint. My sister actually made these and they turned out beautiful! I love mason jar crafts because they’re cheap and perfect for that farmhouse look.

DIY Farmhouse Bench

Talk about cheap farmhouse decor! Create your own Farmhouse Bench for under $25 with these directions on Cherished Bliss. This little nook is adorable and functional. Storage space for the win!

Add Character to Your Kitchen Island

This before and after is mind-blowing! Add Character to a Kitchen Island with this DIY tutorial on Remodelaholic. I’m obsessed with the color they used. Amazing job, guys!

DIY Chalk Paint

Save money on paint with DIY Chalk Paint! You’ll want to have this on hand for many of the DIY farmhouse decor projects.

Lay Subway Tile the Right Way

Did you know there is actually a Wrong and Right Way to Lay Subway Tile? Most DIY farmhouse decor makeovers involve subway tile, so you’ll want to bookmark this info for later. I got this chart from Ramblings from the Burbs. Who knew?!

Faux Wood Beams

Beams are that extra special touch that sometimes get overlooked when it comes to DIY farmhouse decor. Check out How to Install Faux Wood Beams from Jenna Sue Design. This looks crazy easy and would be a welcome addition in many of our homes!

Farmhouse Chalkboard Tutorial

No house is complete without a good calendar! Save this Farmhouse Chalkboard Tutorial from Sincerely Sara D. This calendar is so beautiful and great for keeping the family on track.

DIY Industrial Pendant Light

Take a stab at this DIY Industrial Pendant Lights from Two Feet First. I love the shape of the lights in this DIY farmhouse decor project. It’s all about the special touches!

Magnolia Market Paint Chart

You’ll need the perfect background for all of your new DIY farmhouse decor! Magnolia Market has a Paint Line — there’s a color for every kind of home. I love this helpful chart. Now I want to repaint my whole house!

Have an older home? Save these Older Home Improvement Hacks. Pin to Pinterest.

You might also love these DIY Fixer Upper Farmhouse Style Ideas– Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy these Weekend DIY Farmhouse Projects. Pin to Pinterest.

Don’t forget our Joanna Gaines Inspired Earrings – Pin to Pinterest.

Also enjoy our Curb Appeal Hacks to Increase Your Home Value. Pin to Pinterest.

Borax Uses for Kids | 15 Easy Borax Recipes

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February 25, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Social Media

Uses of Borax Powder for Kids | 15 Easy Borax Recipes

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Did you know that before I became a full-time blogger, I was actually a 5th grade teacher? Surprise! Frugal Coupon Living was born while I was on maternity leave after I had my first child. Before I knew it, Frugal Coupon Living had totally taken off. It was amazing to see the success of my blog unfold, but it also meant that I never made it back into the classroom that I loved.

Even though I had moved onto blogging, my desire to teach never left me. I still miss it sometimes! While I can’t officially return to the classroom, I have kids now, and they basically have become my own personal classroom. With that being said, I am always on the hunt for engaging, cool kids’ science experiments for them to try. If you are anything like me, I am here to tell you that making science fun at home is easier than you think!

One ingredient is a constant in many that I’ve found over the years: borax! I had fun putting together these Borax Uses for Kids. Make crystals (geodes), flubber, slime, bouncy balls, and more. Borax slime has become super popular recently. I have a feeling that some of you have already gotten requests from your little ones to make borax slime at home! If you have yet to make borax slime with your kids, this is your sign to whip some up.

Read on for a quick and simple explanation of borax. Plus, 15 easy and cool kids’ science experiments including borax slime that you can do with your children in the simplest terms possible! Have fun cooking these cool kids’ science experiments up and enjoy!

What is borax, anyways?

Borax or sodium borate is a boron compound (a chemical element, atomic number 5). Typical Borax is a white substance made of colorless crystals that dissolve easily in water.

What are some uses of borax powder?

Borax is typically used in households as a cleaning product. It can be used for a wide variety of household messes, including as stain remover, all-purpose cleaning spray, and even as a weed killer! It has been a staple in frugal households for years, not just because of all of the uses of borax powder, but how cheap it is, too! Because of this, there’s a good chance that you already have some borax in your cleaning supplies cabinet, ready to be used for something a little more fun: science!

Borax is the unexpected secret ingredient to making kid-approved science concoctions like borax slime, borax crystals, and even borax bouncy balls! How neat is that? You and your kids will be amazed that a humble cleaning product can totally transform ordinary ingredients. Not only that, but the other ingredients needed to make these cool kids’ science experiments might already be lying around your house, too!

Borax Slime and Balls: What happened?

Glue has an ingredient called polyvinyl acetate, which is a liquid polymer. The borax links the polyvinyl acetate molecules to each other, creating one large, flexible polymer. In bouncy balls, adding the cornstarch helps to bind the molecules together so that they hold their shape better. Keep in mind, these homemade bouncing balls will lose their elasticity over time.

Borax Crystals: What happened?

A crystal is a natural solid made up of a repeated pattern of molecules connected together. Crystals can form through the slow cooling of a material. Molecules of hot water move apart, making room for the borax crystals to dissolve. When no more of the solution can be dissolved, you have reached saturation. As this solution cools, the water molecules move closer together again. Now there’s less room for the solution to hold onto as much of the dissolved borax. Crystals begin to form and build on one another as the water lets go of the excess and evaporates.

Ready to get started? Here are the best uses of borax powder I’ve uncovered to create cool kids’ science experiments! Prepare for all of the borax slime, flubber, and floam!