The Thrift Diving Podcast

In this episode, Eric Rochow, from Garden Fork , is teaching us how to get our gardens ready for the Fall. If you're a newbie to gardening, there are some guaranteed tips to help you have a successful garden this fall. He's also share the proper way to prepare and plant a garden bed.  Catch Eric on the Garden Fork YouTube channel .  Got a question or feedback? Email me: serena@thriftdivi...

Upholstering furniture isn't rocket science. But there are definitely tips and techniques that the professionals use that beginners just don't know. In this episode, I'll share with you 10 upholstery tips that will set you up for success if you're a beginner upholsterer, as these tips were shared with me by my own upholstery teacher!   Want to read the blog post that goes with...

Do you feel overwhelmed when you think about doing your next room makeover? It doesn't have to be that hard! Today I'll walk you through the questions to ask yourself to get the creative juices flowing, and help you plan what needs to happen and when, what tools and materials you'll need, and how to make sure you complete it on time. If you're inspired after listening and want...

It's easy to get discouraged when you're working on projects: things take longer than expected, the project is not moving quickly enough, or people are disappointing you. But there are 6 questions you can ask yourself to get yourself back on track and feeling more encouraged about how to move your project forward.    Got a question or feedback? Email me: serena@thriftdiving.com . Remembe...

If you've ever thought about quitting your "day job" and doing something creative and crafty, then this episode is for you. I chatted with Wendy Conklin, owner of Chair Whimsy, who took an upholstery class in 2012 that changed her life: she quit her job and started doing custom upholstered chairs for clients in vibrant, happy colors! She shares so many tips for success when making t...

 My home was looking very tired and worn out! If you've been wanting to update a few things on your home's exterior, here are 5+ things you can easily do in a weekend! To read the blog post that goes with this podcast, and to see the DIY stenciled projects mentioned in the podcast, read the blog post HERE . Got a question or feedback? Email me: serena@thriftdiving.com . Remember to follo...

I absolutely love using stencils! They bring charm to boring pieces of painted furniture, walls, and more. But where can you find larger, chic stencils and what are some tips for using and cleaning them? To read the blog post that goes with this podcast, and to see the DIY stenciled projects mentioned in the podcast, read the blog post HERE . Got a question or feedback? Email me: serena@thriftdivi...

It used to be that the only options we had for stripping wood furniture and re-staining it was to use toxic products. But over the past several years, finally some companies have started listening to what we want: safe, eco-friendly products that can be used indoors, clean up easily with soap and water, and won't hurt us. Let's talk about how to strip wood furniture using some of my favo...

A lot has happened over these past 20 podcast episodes! But what happened after each episode? Did I take action on the information I learned? How about you? Let's talk about what actions I took after each episode and what the updates are! Want to share your own lessons learned and actions? Just email me: serena@thriftdiving.com . Remember to follow me on Instagram @ThriftDiving to stay connec...

I finally finished my custom walk-in closet makeover! My goodness, it took a long time, but I learned some things along the way that made a huge difference in how my project turned out and how much time it took. If you're getting into woodworking, here are some helpful tips that I learned or thought were most important in this DIY closet journey. Do you have a favorite woodworking tips? Email...

Most people know that bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers, and content creators make  money, but how?? In this podcast, let's talk about the 9 ways that creators use that platforms to earn a living! Follow me on Instagram @ThriftDiving to stay connected! Links and Products Mentioned (may include affiliate links) Adsense Amazon Affiliate Program Impact Radius Gen. Video ShareaSale CJ HBO John O...

Have you ever felt like you're not as creative as your favorite DIY blogger or YouTuber? Do you struggle to come up with ideas for how to upcycle or repurpose your thrift store finds? Here are 10 questions that you can ask that will cause you to come up with tons of ideas! Download the free repurposing worksheet to keep track of all the new ideas you'll come up with after listening to th...

Have you ever wanted to try a DIY project that you've never attempted before? Whether it's building a closet organizer or painting a piece of furniture, starting a new project can be absolutely intimidating! Not to mention frustrating when things don't go as planned or as quickly as you had hoped. In this episode, let's chat about 10 tips that will help you overcome the fear of...

It's thrift store, yard sale, and garage sale season! Here are 7 lessons I have learned at the thrift store--things you should keep in mind as the resume some of our favorite thrift diving activities while on the hunt for goodies this summer!  What are your favorite lessons learned when buying used and vintage? Let's chat about it! !!NEW!! Shop Thrift Diving's new merch store! Shop...

Did you know that bleach doesn't kill mold? Did you also know that each home as 5-10 locations where mold can grow? Mold could be threatening the indoor air quality in your home and could be making you sick, even if you had water intrusion or a flood years ago. Learn about common "mold myths" and how to protect yourself and your family. In this episode, I deep dive into the topic of...

In many parts of the nation, homes are flying off the market, with bidding wars. It's insane! Because of the competition, you might be at risk when buying in a seller's market. What can you do to protect yourself and to help find the right house? If you're selling in this market, we'll also share some tips on what to easily fix up in order to get top dollar. For more info about...

Have you always wanted to get a "she shed" in your backyard? Then this episode is for you! There are some important questions you must ask yourself before you jump into the "she shed" crave. We're talking about foundations, locations for a "she shed", and extra costs you may not have considered when buying a "she shed" for your backyard. (And for you me...

Are you new to using power tools and not sure what to buy for your DIY toolbox? We're going to talk about them in Episode #12 of The Thrift Diving Podcast! Each of the tools have important accessories, too, which you can find down below. We'll talk about the tools you need to get started with power tools, the brands I recommend, safety, tips, and more! Show Notes: Read more about how to...

Are you a beginner at painting furniture and reupholstering furniture? This episode is for you! In this podcast episode, we're going to cover how to get started with painting your very first piece of furniture, and upholstering it! We'll answer the questions: What paint should you use? Do you need to sand or prime first? What tools and supplies do you need to get started? Grab your paint...

Choosing paint colors is one of the hardest parts of doing room makeovers! I feel your pain. In this episode, I'm talking about some tips for choosing the right paint colors and giving you permission to select the colors that speak to YOU! Got a question about choosing paint colors? Email me! serena@thriftdiving.com Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://t...

If you think your home is safe from termites, bed bugs, or carpet beetles, think again! In this episode, we're talking to Rory McCarty, owner of Bug Boys, a pest control company that services the Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania area, to find out how to prevent and treat these nasty pests that can wreck havoc in and around your home! Find Rory at Bug Boys Pest Control . Em...

DIY and home improvement isn't just about fixing up your own home or working in your garage on your own projects. It can actually be a great segue into making money on the side by finding good deals on old properties, fixing them up, and renting them for monthly income. You can also start a side business making extra money selling things you make. Consulting (for a fee or free) is also a poss...

The hardest part of thrifting is knowing how to create a cohesive look with different styles that you find at the thrift store. Learn how to buy the right things from the thrift store, along with some tips for pulling it all together, with guest Jamala (AKA Kim) Wallace from the blog VivaLaVintageForYourHome.com and on Instagram . Subscribe to Thrift Diving's blog for 5 freebie ebooks, printa...

Whether you own your home or you're a renter, you're at risk if you haven't read or looked at your home insurance (or renter's insurance) policy. And if it's been years since you got that policy, you could be even more at risk. In today's episode, Sa El from SimplyInsurance.com breaks down the top surprising things most people don't know about their home insuranc...

Husband and wife Adam and Chelsea Gibson knew very little about DIY or carpentry, but successfully taught themselves how to upcycle an old school bus into a tiny house, which they now use to travel with their kids! Listen to their amazing story, full of struggles, successes, and determination! Support the show WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to...