The Thrift Diving Podcast

People think that journaling has to be writing pages and pages of long paragraphs, but it doesn't have to be! While that's how I personally love to journal, for you it can be whatever you would like it to be. And it doesn't have to be a deep dive into your emotions. You can journal to document your home and its transformation, including documenting your DIY projects! Journaling is a...

In this episode, we're taking  an honest look at our spending habits, exploring the reality of where our money is going, and how it affects our lives. From tracking expenses to discovering unexpected expenditures, we're taking a deep dive into our financial realities. And it's pretty shocking. Join me as I examine our relationship with money and share with you how I learned to make...

I thought we were done with avocado green toilets and powder blue vanities, but apparently, the 70's are back when it comes to bathroom design! Last week I attended the National Hardware Show (NHS), International Builder's Show (IBS), and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Let's recap some of the highlights, including the 70's bathroom displays. Watch m...

I ran into Demetric West by accident and found out she is a rug weaver! I decided to sit down and pick her brain on how she got started, why she loves thrift stores for finding materials for weaving, and what tools and materials you need for this hobby! What's most inspiring is how she pulled from her childhood experiences to rediscover a passion for weaving. If you're someone who is fee...

In today's special #100th episode, I sat down with Matt Ellison, Director of Marketing for EstateSales.net. He and I talked about building your own backyard shed, must-haves for a successful day of estate sale shopping, how to score valuable finds at estate sales, and more! Be sure to listen to the end of the episode for a special chance to win for my 100th episode giveaway! Got a question? E...

January is the next best time to clean out your closet and drawers (December is the best because you can donate them and get a tax deduction!). Half of the month is already over, and if you're like me, you're still cleaning and decluttering your home. One of the most cluttered spaces is where you store your clothing. It's time to let it go! Here are 7 categories of clothing (or 7 ty...

This past weekend I went to a woodworking show in Baltimore, MD and learned some game-changer sanding and finishing tips from a professional finisher named Bill Bush from Lake Shore Hardwoods. These tips will definitely help you get more professional results! Pssst!....Want to join my 30-Day DIY "Money Makeover" Challenge? We're starting January 10, 2023 ! Space is limited to 10 cha...

I have always loved this time of year, when people reflect on what they achieved (or didn't) and what they will achieve next year. But honestly...a lot of time, it feels like a bummer to realize you didn't actually achieve any of those specific goals. I have decided that instead of beating myself up about what I did or didn't achieve in 2022 (and instead of setting specific goals in...

Today's episode is sponsored by GoodwillFinds.com - a new secondhand marketplace where you can find great values on top quality clothing, tools, jewelry, home items and one-of-a-kind gifts online from select Goodwills across the country, all without having to leave home!  And, in addition to great values, you can feel great about shopping on the site as all of the net proceeds fund local Good...

Today's episode is sponsored by GoodwillFinds.com - a new secondhand marketplace where you can find great values on top quality clothing, tools, jewelry, home items and one-of-a-kind gifts online from select Goodwills across the country, all without having to leave home!  And, in addition to great values, you can feel great about shopping on the site as all of the net proceeds fund local Good...

Today's episode is sponsored by GoodwillFinds.com  - a new secondhand marketplace where you can find great values on top quality clothing, tools, jewelry, home items and one-of-a-kind gifts online from select Goodwills across the country, all without having to leave home!  And, in addition to great values, you can feel great about shopping on the site as all of the net proceeds fund local Goo...

Guess what?! Farmhouse decor is outdated. Gray is being replaced by bold colors. And minimalism has been kicked to the curb! While I'm definitely not someone who follows trends, I decided to find out what "the experts" are saying is outdated in 2022 and won't see much of in 2023. Are your favorite decorating trends on this list? (Psst--many of my favorites are on this list!). L...

Sometimes my DIY projects get a lot of flack and are controversial because I skipped a step, did something unconventional, used a certain product (or simply because some people just love to complain, right??). However, what happened to these 7 most controversial projects once the camera stopped rolling? Were the "naysayers" right that the project would end in failure, or did they turn ou...

When you're feeling unsettled, down, or restless on the inside, it feels impossible to tap into your creativity to tackle your next DIY project or room makeover. How do we work through these negative feelings to start bringing more positive feelings into our life so that we can start living the creative life we want? In this episode, I talk with Rachel Jimenez from Money Hacking Mama for advi...

"Cozy" is a buzzword we use to describe everything from warm, soft sweaters...to quaint neighborhoods... to a fresh, new comforter for a bedroom makeover...to holiday lights on a cold winter night. But in the book Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World  by Isabel Gillies, she redefines what is meant by "cozy." In this episode, I share intimate thoughts about why I hav...

Don’t let anyone tell you that they don’t have any DIY fears because they’d be lying to you. The truth is that DIY is wrought with fear because there are so many things that can go wrong. Last time I checked, HGTV magazine doesn’t tell you that part when you see its brightly colored collections of prettiness splashed all over the pages. Everything looks doable. Easy. Affordable. But what about whe...

Fall is here! I don't know about you, but I don't use my outdoor space much. Fall is a great time to get out to your yard, though. The bugs are disappearing, the temperatures are cooling, but aren't freezing yet. And it's a cozy time to sit around an outdoor fire with friends and family! Why not build your own cozy DIY fall fire pit? Here are some tips for creating your own.  ...

Have you wondered whether you should paint a piece of wood furniture? We all have that questionable piece of furniture that we think we would like to paint, but we're not sure if it will be ruined or not. Here are my guidelines for when to paint furniture and when you should step away from the paint brush! Click to send me an email to share your thoughts with me on this episode! Connect with...

I can’t start this episode without acknowledging the people who recently lost their homes or have damage to their home from Hurricane Ian in FL or the Carolinas. Right now there are people who are lamenting about their home, when there are other people who don’t even have a home, due to a recent loss because of that Hurricane, or for any other matter, even financial. So I do understand that this c...

Imagine that you decided you were going to put all of your possessions into storage (and I do mean ALL of them), except for ONE outfit….maybe a sleeping bag, a tent, a bit of food….And that literally everything that you’d use for the next 5 months, you had to carry on your back for 12 hours a day. Krista Edwards (founder of Ready to Roth blog and podcast), did that very thing: she left her job, ho...

Don't you love repurposing things for your DIY projects, too?? It's been a while since I've been able to repurpose something because I've been so busy working on getting my "she shed" completely! I wanted to talk about some of my favorite repurposing ideas so I can inspire you (and myself!) to incorporate some fun ideas into your next project! What are your favorite t...

This week I spent time at the FinCon 2022 financial blogging conference in Orlando, Florida and walked away understanding more about what Thrift Diving does well and what I would do differently if I were starting a blog and YouTube channel from scratch. I walked away from FinCon feeling motivated, inspired, and energized, ready to tackle the more valuable projects that I have been shying away from...

How do we move forward with our DIY projects, decorating our house (or even the choices we make with our appearance!) without worrying how it's perceived by others? In today's episode, you're going to talk about the poignant experiences that happened this week to me and how I came to the realization that we must embrace our authentic self, no matter whether its the decisions we make...

If you've tried to do a DIY project or home improvement project, you probably have noticed the massive delays with sourcing materials, tools, and products (or even being able to find a contractor to do the work)! Today we're talking about some tips on navigating these massive delays in DIY and home improvement projects post-COVID. Click to send me an email or send the email to serena@thr...

This week I pulled out spray paint for a metal file cabinet makeover I'm refinishing and I was experiencing some runs in the paint. It reminded me that working with spray paint has a set of tips and tricks for getting better results so that you get a smooth surface, less runs, and better adhesion. In this episode, I'll share with you why I don't prefer to use spray paint, but when I...