The September 2009 issue of Molly’s Money-Saving Digest covers a topic that is at the top of my mind recently: Frugal Decorating. After moving into our first home last October, I thought I could live with the décor for a couple of years. Now that we’ve lived here for almost a year, I’m ready to begin making this house truly ours. However, like most single-income families, our redecorating budget is slimmer than the string beans growing in my neighbor’s garden. Not only that, but my experience in decorating is even slimmer. My parents moved on average about once a year. Eventually, my mom gave up decorating and didn’t even unpack her nick-nacks each move. For the first ten years of our marriage, we lived in rented apartments, where I either wasn’t motivated, or allowed, to change anything. While our home is in pristine condition, it’s been in that same condition for too many years! Frugal decorating, here we come!
This is the first “Molly’s Digest” that I’ve had the fun of reviewing. While the cost is reasonable, any extra spending money I have has been going into the redecorating budget. However, I’m willing to spend a little if it will save me a lot in the end. I think this $4.95 will be well-spent.
This issue contains many before and after pictures for inspiration, as well as step by step photos for projects. For this visual learner, photos are essential. I also appreciate the encouragement to be more frugal with my grocery spending, through coupons. Although I have used coupons in the past, I am not that consistent with truly shopping the sales and using coupons well.
She also includes a list of links to blogs that she mentions, so I can add that to my online to do list. I’ve found that I waste too much time on the Internet if I don’t have a specific list of tasks that I need to do while there. Having a printed list makes it easy to stay on task. The direction for keeping a decorating binder will probably be the most helpful to me. When I get impatient with the length of time redecorating is taking, I can look back at the binder and see what we’ve accomplished and what the big goal is. I’m sure this will help me avoid buyer’s remorse, and I will be much happier with my own before and after pictures.
Thankfully, most of our house just needs a little facelift, rather than reconstruction. I can’t wait to really dip into the ideas contained within this digest and create a cozy, beautiful home. My only frustration is that this comes right at the beginning of our school year. I’ll have to set it aside, otherwise I’m going to be so inspired that our summer break is going to last into the fall!
