100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home

100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home isn’t just a catchy idea—it’s a mindset shift. Once you realize how many everyday products can be made faster, cheaper, healthier, and better at home, shopping habits change forever. You stop reflexively tossing items in the cart and start asking:

Can I make this myself?
Will homemade taste better?
Is there a simpler, less processed version?
Could this save me real money?

This guide delivers over 100 practical DIY swaps—foods, personal care, cleaning products, gifts, décor, pet treats, pantry staples, and more. You’ll find step-by-step style guidance, real-life tips, and cost-saving insights designed to keep you reading to the very end.

Light-bulb moments ahead.

Table of Contents

Why make instead of buy?

Before diving into the list of 100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home, it helps to know why this lifestyle works so well.

You control ingredients (fewer additives, preservatives, and fillers)
You save serious money over time
You reduce plastic and packaging waste
It’s deeply satisfying and creative
Kids learn practical life skills by helping
You build resilience and self-reliance
Homemade items often taste and perform better

This isn’t about perfection or going “off-grid.” It’s about choosing homemade when it’s easy and logical—and enjoying it.

100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home

Below are grouped categories so you can skim, save, or jump right into the area that inspires you most.

You don’t need to make everything. Start with two or three easy wins, feel the momentum, and build from there.

🥖 Food & Pantry Staples

These are some of the easiest wins. Store-bought often equals expensive + bland. Homemade equals flavor + savings.

1–25 Pantry & everyday kitchen staples

Bread (no-knead or sourdough)
Pizza dough
Tortillas
Pasta
Breadcrumbs
Croutons
Granola
Oat flour
Almond flour
Pancake mix
Waffle batter
Muffin mix
Instant oatmeal packets
Seasoned rice mixes
Taco seasoning
Chili seasoning
Ranch seasoning
Stir-fry sauce
Bread crumbs
Vanilla extract
Nut butter
Jam & fruit preserves
Applesauce
Trail mix
Energy bars

Tip: Most seasoning packets are just salt + sugar + common spices. Making them yourself takes under 2 minutes.

🧂 Sauces, Condiments & Spreads

Store versions are pricey and full of mystery ingredients. Homemade tastes like real food.

26–45 Condiments to make yourself

Ketchup
Mustard
Mayonnaise
Aioli
BBQ sauce
Salad dressings
Italian dressing mix
Honey mustard
Tartar sauce
Soy sauce alternative
Teriyaki sauce
Sweet chili sauce
Salsa
Pico de gallo
Guacamole
Hummus
Pesto
Garlic butter
Cream cheese spreads
Herb-infused oils

🍪 Snacks & Sweets

Snacks are one of the most marked-up grocery items. Make them at home and skip the excess sugar and packaging.

46–65 Snacks to stop buying

Popcorn seasoning
Kettle corn
Potato wedges
Sweet potato chips
Baked chips
Crackers
Pretzels
Fruit leather
Chocolate syrup
Hot cocoa mix
Protein bites
Frozen yogurt bark
Brownie mix
Cake mix
Icing
Cookie dough balls
Ice pops
Granola bars
Trail mix
Caramel sauce

🥤 Drinks to DIY

Bottled drinks are convenient—but they drain wallets fast.

66–80 Drinks to make instead of buying

Cold brew coffee
Iced tea
Kombucha
Smoothie packs
Lemonade
Flavored water
Electrolyte sports drink
Chai concentrate
Hot chocolate mix
Milkshakes
Protein shakes
Fruit juice blends
Herbal tea blends
Simple syrups
Mocktail mixes

🧼 Natural Cleaning Products

This is one of the biggest money savers in 100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home. Commercial cleaners = perfume + dye + water + marketing.

81–95 Cleaning staples you can make yourself

All-purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner
Floor cleaner
Disinfecting spray (for non-porous surfaces)
Bathroom cleaner
Toilet fizzers
Drain fresheners
Furniture polish
Dish soap alternative
Dishwasher powder
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Dryer sheets (reusable)
Stain remover spray
Air freshener spray

Note: Keep cleaners labeled and out of reach of kids & pets. Avoid mixing vinegar and bleach.

🧴 Beauty & Personal Care

Personal care is one of the most heavily marked-up industries. Homemade = simple ingredients + transparency.

96–115 Personal care you can DIY

Lip balm
Lip scrub
Body scrub
Body butter
Lotion bars
Body wash
Whipped soap
Shaving cream
Beard oil
Hair masks
Leave-in conditioner
Dry shampoo
Sea salt spray
Perfume rollers
Face mist
Face masks
Clay masks
Bath salts
Bath bombs
Foot soak

Reminder: Patch test skincare. Everyone’s skin responds differently.

🍼 Baby & Kids

Gentle, simple, and affordable.

116–125 Kid-friendly DIYs

Baby wipes
Baby food purées
Sensory bins
Play dough
Slime
Kinetic sand
Bubble solution
Reusable snack pouches
Homemade popsicles
Reward charts & printables

🐾 Pet Essentials to Make at Home

Yes, pets love DIY too.

126–135 Pet items you can make

Dog treats
Frozen dog pops
Cat treats
Pet shampoo
Pet bed covers
Tug toys
Rope toys
Treat puzzles
Scratching posts
Pet paw balm

Consult a vet when changing treats or diet—some foods are unsafe for pets.

🏡 Home & Lifestyle DIYs

This is where creativity and savings really stack up.

136–160 Household items to make

Candles
Wax melts
Reed diffusers
Room spray
Drawer sachets
Fire starters
Reusable cloth napkins
Paper towel alternatives
Unpaper towels
Napkin rings
Coasters
Wall art
Picture frames
Macrame décor
Cushion covers
Table runners
Placemats
Storage baskets
Labels
Gift wrap
Greeting cards
Photo books
Ornaments
Wreaths
Party decorations

🌱 Garden & Outdoor DIY

Even small spaces benefit.

161–175 Outdoor make-it-yourself ideas

Compost
Herb planters
Seed starters
Raised beds
Bug repellent spray (natural options)
Bird feeders
Garden markers
Potting soil blends
Fertilizer tea
Rain barrel setup
Fire pit seating
Wind chimes
Citronella candles
Outdoor cushions
Plant cloches

🧶 Clothing, Repairs & Reusables

Repairing and reusing beats replacing.

176–190 Clothing & textile DIYs

Hemming pants
Repairing seams
Patching jeans
Turning shirts into rags
Reusable grocery bags
Upcycled T-shirts
No-sew headbands
Aprons from old jeans
Reusable makeup wipes
Reusable cotton rounds
Heat packs
Draft stoppers
Scrunchies
Reusable sandwich wraps
Reusable produce bags

🎁 Gifts You Can Make Instead of Buying

These feel more meaningful than store-bought.

191–210 Heartfelt DIY gifts

Photo frames
Memory jars
Personalized mugs
Sugar scrubs
Spice blends
Hot chocolate gift jars
Cookie mix jars
Candles
Knitted scarves
Recipe books
Handmade jewelry
Keychains
Coasters
Calendars
Bath salts
Beard care kits
Tea sampler sets
Spice rubs
Personalized prints
Sourdough starter gift

How to get started without overwhelm

Start small.

Pick 3–5 items from the 100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home list.
Choose easy wins (cleaners, seasonings, snacks).
Keep basic DIY staples: vinegar, baking soda, oils, flour, salt, citrus.
Reuse glass jars.
Label everything clearly.
Track savings—motivation multiplies fast.

Common questions (and honest answers)

Is making things at home actually cheaper?

Usually—yes. Especially cleaners, snacks, bread, yogurt, and condiments. Some projects save time more than cash. Both benefits count.

Does it take a lot of time?

Many of the 100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home take under 10 minutes. Batch making is the secret weapon.

What about safety?

Label containers
Avoid mixing chemicals
Patch-test skincare
Research pet food ingredients

What if I fail at first?

Great—now you’re learning.

Want a takeaway plan?

Here’s a simple starter roadmap:

Week 1: cleaners + spice mixes
Week 2: snacks + bread
Week 3: condiments
Week 4: personal care

By the end of a month, you’ll already feel the shift—in your budget, your home, and your mindset.

Final thoughts: A small decision that compounds

Adopting 100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home isn’t about deprivation. It’s about choice, creativity, savings, health, and confidence.

Today it’s tortillas.
Then laundry soap.
Then bread that makes the whole kitchen smell like heaven.

Over time, the habit becomes identity:

“I can make that.”

And that’s powerful.

100+ Things to Stop Buying and Start Making at Home

Why make instead of buy?