Chic on a Shoestring Decorating: 31 Days of Decorating on a Shoestring Budget Day 13, Trade Services


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31 Days of Decorating on a Shoestring Budget Day 13, Trade Services

Hi there!  How was your Saturday?  It rained like crazy here so we stayed inside and got some things done.  Mr. Chic painted my big boy's bedroom (Hooray, Mr. Chic!) a lovely gray.  I'll be sharing more about his room makeover after the 31 day series is over.  It's going to be industrial chic. (oooh, that sounds fancy... it will probably end up just industrial.)

Anyway, welcome back to my 31 day series of decorating your home on a shoestring budget. I'm so glad you're here!  You can catch up on previous posts here:

  • Day 1:  Take a risk
  • Day 2:  Do it yourself (DIY)
  • Day 3  Where to get cheap paint
  • Day 4:  Use coupons
  • Day 5:  Print your own art
  • Day 6:  Painting brand new stuff
  • Day 7:  Slipcovers
  • Day 8:  Window Treatments
  • Day 9:  The Dollar Store
  • Day 10: Nature
  • Day 11: Ebay
  • Day 12: Have a Garage Sale

  • Day 13:  Trade Services

    What does that even mean?

    Well, to decorate your home on a shoestring budget, you've gotta be creative and use what you've got to get the job done.  This can be done several different ways....

    Say you want to paint 3 year old Junior's room but Junior wants to "help" you.  You can't paint Junior's room when he is asleep in it and that's usually when you get most of your work done.  What's a mommy to do?  

    Call a friend and ask her to trade some babysitting time.  She takes Junior  for 2 or 3 hours one afternoon and  you can paint his whole room all by yourself.  It will be amazing how much you can get done when you're alone in your house. :)  

    The trade-off is you will babysit for her next week.  Worth it?  Definitely.

    source

    Do you know how to sew?  Does one of your friends love to sew?  Do you like to paint or your friend really likes to paint?  Or stencil walls?  Or cook?  Or have a knack for decorating?  

    Trade skills with your friend!  Maybe your pal that's great at sewing will sew you some new curtains and pillows (you buy the fabric) if you paint her bedroom (she buys the paint).  Maybe your friend will cook you a few dinners for your sewing skills.  Maybe your friend will give you her nursery bedding for if you make her some freezer meals.  I am currently going to help my photographer with some decorating for a free family photo shoot.  

    Talk to your friends, see what they need and find out what they're good at if you don't know already.  In this economy most people are on a budget or trying to save a buck.  Help each other out and trade services, you'll be glad you did! :)  

    2 comments :

    1. I'm loving your series. So many great, doable and simple tips I can use. Looking forward to the rest.

      ReplyDelete
    2. This is such a great idea - especially when the trade is baby sitting. Another child or 2 keeps mine occupied and when I am the one sending my little one to my (free) sitter I get so much done. I have finished many projects this way.

      ReplyDelete

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