Let’s talk about the art of making do with what you have, and what this is exactly. Older generations were experts at ‘making do & mend.’ They didn’t just throw something away because a button fell off, a seam came undone or something wasn’t working all of a sudden. They didn’t constantly buy cheap made in China crap or the latest and greatest thing their neighbor had.
Before the consumeristic credit card debt-ridden world we now live in, people paid cash for things. They weren’t so consumer-driven, and if they needed something, they paid cash. This also meant that they couldn’t and didn’t constantly buy things. They had constraints on them.
So what did they do? They FIXED things and used what they had on hand already. THEY MADE DO WITH WHAT THEY HAD. What a novel thought, right?
Somehow along the way, we’ve gotten lazy, unskilled, and wasteful. We’ve lost so much of this mindset and these skills.
Missing button? Throw it away. Seam came undone? Throw it away. Tired of what you have? Throw it away. In our throw away culture, we’ve gotten incredibly wasteful.
So much of this is our modern culture of consumerism. We buy cheap goods from China, made with cheap materials and cheap labor. Instead of a few quality items, we prefer to buy lots of cheap items. We think we need the latest clothes, shoes, Iphone, trend etc… And then when they wear out, we toss ‘em out. Which of course they wear out quickly. They’re total garbage.
But what if, instead of buying mass-produced crap, we made do with what we had, bought less, and bought things that actually lasted? What if we found a way to utilize what we already have and make it work for us?
Novel idea I know right?
Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers had skills. Real skills. Skills that saved them money, gave them a sense of accomplishment and helped with the economics of their household. They learned to be content with what they have. If they wanted something different, they found frugal ways to change it.
I think these are valuable lessons we can absolutely follow. I for one, am working on implementing them in my own household and getting better.
Why I’m Focusing On The Art of Making Do
My husband and I have a love of travel and a desire to share and instill that in our kids. We have four kids. So any travel is not cheap. For a number of years we’ve been talking about traveling to France, which requires a budget and savings.
Some of our budget is fairly strict and those Amazon purchases add up fast! I’m trying not to buy things and to make do with what I have. So what does that actually look like? I’m glad you asked!
So How Do You Make Do?
First, if you’re going to make do, that means you look around at what you have!
This can look like:
- Shopping your home and moving items from one room or area to another
- Repurposing things such as old linens, blankets, baskets, boards etc…
- Shop a family member’s house (with their permission of course) that maybe has excess stuff sitting in a garage or basement that is perfect for what you have.
- Look for alternative methods to achieve what you want
- Trade with a friend
- Painting something
Shop Your Home
Shopping your home can be as simple as rearranging and moving things. When I want a fresh look, instead of spending money I’ll rearrange an area. Maybe a tablecloth can get thrown over an end table. Perhaps a sheet can be draped over a chair or couch as a slipcover. Move around picture frames, take sleeves off books. All those little things can freshen up a space.
Repurpose
Similar to shopping our house, is repurposing what you have. Recently, I wanted some curtains for a window in our basement. It has been on my list to get curtains since we moved in, but I didn’t want to drop even $30 or $40 bucks on a set.
What I did have was leftover burlap fabric, purchased for a couple of bucks at a yard sale. At one point I had used it as a skirt around a kitchen buffet….a DIY project kinda gone wrong. But I’d salvaged the fabric after the piece was scrapped.
This burlap I then used for basement curtains, plus hall curtains and some outdoor pillow covers.
Maybe you have decorative tablecloths or napkins you never use that can be pinned up as curtains or to cover up something ugly. Look for old sheets, blankets or even old shirts you can repurpose.
Paint It!
Paint is by far the most versatile tool. It can transform ANYTHING. I’ve painted upholstery, walls of course, lamps, mirrors, frames, etc…
We’ve been meaning to add a shelf or two to our basement for our books. Not wanting to spend anything, I did have two brackets from Ikea I’d purchased previously and not used. I found some scrap wood in the garage, painted it black and voila! A shelf.
Many a yardsale find has been transformed via paint. Often times you or a friend may have paint lying around you can use. Otherwise, a $4 paint sample from the hardware store can go a surprisingly long way.
Shopping A Friend or Family Member’s House or Trading With A Friend
This can be a great way to make do with what you both have. Maybe you both have lamps or wall decor you’re tired of and want to trade. Perhaps they have a vase they’re thinking of getting rid of. Maybe they have some unused items in their garage, basement or attic you can go through. The possibilities are endless!
Just ask. The answer is always no unless you ask! Take it one step further and host a home furnishings exchange with friends.
Get Creative & Use Alternative Methods
Consider what else can serve your purpose. When we moved into our home and needed end tables for our basement couch, I utilized vintage suitcases stacked one atop another in place of a coffee table.
For our entry table, I repurposed a side table and put a basket next to it. I needed a craft supply organizer, so I used my tiered produce basket that didn’t work for our new home’s kitchen design. Laundry room storage…I utilized my kitchen hosier.
I VERY much want a clothesline. A beautiful wooden one with corbels. Not happening this year. Instead, I used what I had, and got creative. I use my drying rack and I strung up a clothesline between two trees using a rope I already had.
It Won’t Be Perfect
As I make do with what I have, it’s not always perfect. It’s not the most stylish, it’s not something your friends will ooh and ahhh over, but it works. It can still be pleasing, it can still be nice. Making do can help your family’s budget, help reduce waste, and help you hone your creativity. I like to think my grandma’s and great-grandma’s would be proud.
So friend, when you’re feeling the desire or urge to change things up, or if you’re on a super tight nonexistent budget do what our grandmas did and make do!
Wishing you creativity and frugality.
Kaitlyn