In partnership with

Welcome back, fellow parent

Everyone is officially on summer break right?! I definitely miss having a long break every year, not sure how you’re feeling.

With school officially out and the days a bit longer, it’s the perfect time to tackle some DIY projects.

Each of the below is kid friendly and will hopefully keep them entertained while also saving you some money.

Let’s dive in.

#1: Home Improvement / Maintenance

Y’all know I love a good home improvement project, it’s a great way to increase the value of your home.

It’s also a fantastic way to save money - professionals charge quite a bit for everything nowadays. It can also be fun for your kids.

My daughter helps me with most projects (unless it’s too dangerous). Does it take 3-5x as long to finish the project? Of course! But she likely won’t want to hang out with me forever, so I’ll happily take the trade-off. Plus, I know it’s good for her development.

Keep in mind your personal skillset. If you aren’t a professional electrician, it’s cool to watch a video and swap out a ceiling fan, but I wouldn’t recommend rewiring anything major.

Here’s a short list of easy DIY home maintenance projects you can do on your own. Trust me, it can save you thousands. Most of these are outside, which is a huge perk since the weather is nicer.

• Exterior Painting and Staining

• Landscaping and Gardening

• Deck and Patio Upgrades

• Roof and Gutter Maintenance

• Window and Door Replacement

• Insulation and Ventilation

I hesitated to put the last one above as it all depends on your home. Insulation and ventilation projects are extremely important and depending on the insulation, can cause serious skin irritation. Probably should leave the kids out of that project. Likely a good idea to call a professional.

#2: Homemade Cleaning Products

This is one of my favorites and is something we’ve been messing around with for the past few years. Commercial cleaning products are not only expensive (thank you inflation), but they also contain harsh chemicals.

Making your own cleaning supplies is an excellent way to save money and ensure a safer home environment for your kids.

Three to start with:

• All-Purpose Cleaner: Super easy and your kids can help with both measuring and mixing. Grab a bowl or a bucket and mix equal parts water and vinegar. Add in a few drops of lemon essential oil (or whatever your favorite scent is) and all done!

• Kitchen Cleaner: Staple in our household. Simply add water to baking soda to get out any deep stains. If it’s really bad, consider mixing in a bit of vinegar.

• Disinfectant Spray: I haven’t tried this one specifically, but you can dilute rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide with water. Kids can help label the bottles and use them under supervision.

Here’s a list of a few more ideas to consider.

If you’d rather not mess around with this yourself, click on the below message from today’s sponsor for an alternative.

Ever Wondered Why Your Gym Clothes Never Smell 100% Clean?

It’s because activewear uses tightly woven synthetic fabrics to wick away sweat while you workout.

Unfortunately, traditional detergents use fabric softeners that can coat over sweat, dead skin, & bacteria trapping them inside these fabrics.

So once your body starts heating up… the smell inevitably returns.

ACTIVE solves this by using a scientifically formulated, all natural enzyme blend to break down these trapped contaminants once and for all!

Finally a solution to your smelly Activewear!

Solve Your Stink Today!

#3: Clothes and Accessories

I’ll have to admit, this is not my skill set but I want to learn.

My wife is a whiz when it comes to a needle and thread. I honestly couldn’t put a price tag on how much she’s saved our family over the last decade, let’s just say it’s been quite a bit.

As with everything else, clothing costs are on the rise. And it may just be me, but has anyone else noticed how quality has gone down as well?

Here are a few DIY projects to try when it comes to clothes:

• Hemming and Patching: Once you get the basics down on sowing - you can patch up your shirts and shorts to extend their shelf-life and add a bit of a personal touch to your clothes. Plus it just costs a needle and thread, which is a fraction of the cost of purchasing new clothes. Bonus if you can teach your kids to patch their own clothes.

• Upcycling: This has become very popular over the past several years. For example, you can turn an old T-shirt into a tote bag or bracelet. Have fun with it and get the kids involved. Even if it doesn’t work out, at least it’ll be a fun activity for them that doesn’t require a screen.

• Tie-Dye: Did you know that tie-dye is still cool? It’s considered a classic for a reason. Rejuvenate old white shirts while having fun as a family. Pro tip: do this outside. It can be a crazy mess if you attempt indoors.

These activities are fun, educational, and a great way to refresh your kids' wardrobe without spending much.

#4: Gardening and Growing Your Own Food

Do you have a green thumb? If so, you can cut down your grocery bill by growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

This is something I’m getting better at. I love gardening, it’s one of the few chores I look forward to. But my specialty is trees - and flowers depending on how hardy they are. I’m learning more about growing fruit and have two blueberry plants in the works.

This is also my daughter’s favorite activity and she helps me each week with watering, planting, and weeding. Again, takes much longer with her, but the memories are priceless.

Four ideas to try when it comes to gardening:

• Container Gardening

• Raised Beds

• Hydroponic Gardening (if you prefer to be indoors)

• Community Gardens

Not only does gardening save money, but it also promotes healthy eating habits and outdoor activity.

I hope this list gave you a few good ideas for this summer. Happy DIY-ing!

Additional Reading 🤑

Here are a few other newsletters that I’ve been reading lately. They’re all super interesting and cover various topics. Enjoy!

Community Spotlight 🙌

Today’s Community Spotlight is dedicated to Vikki!

Vikki is an elementary and special education teacher who provides tutoring to children through the virtual learning program, Outschool.

If you’re looking for a great way to help bridge the education gap this summer, click below to learn more about what’s being offered on the platform. You can find options ranging from basic math courses to full summer camps and enrichment clubs.

When signing up, make sure to support one of your fellow parents by using the referral code MrsVikk20. You’ll receive $20 off your first course and Vikki will receive a small commission as well.

It’s a win-win!

Thank You for Reading

Thanks again for reading. Drop me a note with what’s on your mind, I’m here to help.

Talk soon,

The Dollar Dad

P.S. If you’re considering starting a newsletter or blog this year, I’d highly recommend Beehiiv (use my link for 20% off any paid plan for 3 months). Drop me a note if you need help getting started or growing your business.

P.S.S. As a heads up, the above link for Beehiiv is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase using the above link, I’ll receive a commission at no extra cost to you.