74th Penny Pinching Party

2 weeks ago we bought our dream home and we still have not moved in yet. When you own 2 houses, there is no hurry I guess. We are trying the FSBO route first and hope to sell our house fast. Until we sell our old house I am on super thrifty mode.

Before moving into the new (old, but new to us) house, I wanted to paint the kids bedrooms. They all wanted new bedspreads to go with their new rooms. I was able to paint all 3 rooms and get new bedding for just the cost of paint. I had already gotten my 3 year old son's bedding at Target last year when they were clearancing out their robot themed bedding. I got a full bedspread with matching sheets for under $20! I will need to do a little sewing to make the bedding fit a twin size bed, but then I will have extra fabric for decorating. I got my oldest son's bedding last year on clearance at Bed Bath & Beyond. I got a quilt from Nautica for under $20 (normal price was over $100). I got my daughter's Bobby Jack bedding from Amazon for free thanks to Swag Bucks.

My oldest son was very upset about moving until I had him paint his own room. Now he has more of a vested interest in the new house and is excited about his new room that he painted by himself. Yay!

This is a picture of my 3 year old son's new robot room in progress. It was pink, but is a beautiful blue now. The combination of the pink and blue here reminded me of my high-school days when I loved dusty rose and light blue. I can't imagine loving those 2 colors now and was happy to finish up this room.

As for these kitchen cabinets I took all of your advise from the 72nd Penny Pinching Party to heart. I had posted that I was going to paint them an off-white color before moving in.

Theresa said:

I love the look of the cabinets the way they are! I have painted cabinets... white, as a matter of fact, and I can tell you they are no joy. They show all the dirt, and around the knobs and handles - omg! Then after you've cleaned them for a couple of years the paint starts to come off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If I were you, I'd give them a good wood soap cleaning and enjoy your cabinets - as is.

Ms. Givens said:

Love your idea. Go with dark brown.
I want to paint mine and they are only 4 years old but they show fingerprints and it bugs me.

I have to agree that light colored cabinets show the dirt more and painted cabinets wear from cleaning. I was worried about those issues so I appreciate the good and honest advise. I cleaned them up with soap and will live with them as is until I can afford to do the job right. They are still really nice cabinets and have some years of use left in them.

I will post more pictures as I get moved in. My decorating budget right now is $0, until I sell my old house. I am my most creative when I have to be thrifty, so it will be fun.

Now share what great thrifty things you have been up to!