You Don't Have to Spend a Lot.....

To get a lot. It's true, it really really is. 

Our budget doesn't allow for vacations {we've never had one}, so we invite everyone over and cook out or go hiking in our own back yard.

Our idea of fine dining out is actually going IN to McDonalds and sitting down to eat our food there.

If you are on a miniscule budget you probably know this feeling...you just have to make the most of what you have. 

It's budget break down time here, you may have seen it before. But I just want to show that it can be done with a teensy tiny almost non existent budget, because I am sure some of you might be like me and get frustrated every time you see an amazing room and hear that they did it on the small budget of $800. 

*GASP* Not me, no way can I afford $800 on a room!

Living Room

Ok I did make a splurge here, my first annual spring yard sale made almost $1,000 so I spent $200 on the rug from Home Goods. It was a gift to myself! But I think I made up for it with these other prices...

The dress form in the corner came from a lot I purchased for $200. I kept two and sold the others for a total of $600. Soooo definitely made the money back there.

Vintage chairs~Goodwill Outlet $8 each!!!!

French Sofa~Goodwill Outlet $17!

Chandelier~Craigslist $25

Italian Marble topped coffee table~$10 on Craigslist

Brass and Glass end table~$5 Goodwill

Mirror above mantle~$14 from Salvation Army

Fireplace Mantle~I think it was under $30 at a yard sale?

Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic curtains~4 panels for $50 from Craigslist {I saved $50 on them instead of buying new from Target}

Kitchen:

Kitchen island~FREE. It's a cabinet I found in the trash

Marble top~$50 from Craigslist, but it came with an iron base I sold for $20 so I actually only paid $30 for the marble.

Chandelier~$2 yard sale find

1959 GE Stove~FREE from Craigslist

China Cabinet~$30 from Ebay

Mirror above stove~$2 yard sale

Total of $64 for this look!

Ruffled quilt~Home Goods $50 {this was a splurge for me}

Nightstands~Goodwill Outlet $10 for both

Shabby Chic Headboard~$25 at a yard sale

Mirrors and Cherub lamp~All under $3 each at yard sales

Rug~Piece of fluffy fabric from JoAnn's with a 50% off coupon $5

I sold the previous bed frame to make the money to re-do this room. It sold for $150 which gave me PLENTY to buy the new items to make it look like this.

Tips on decorating a room:

If there is something you love but can not afford, sell something you already have that you don't love.

Craigslist, Ebay, and The Goodwill Outlet are my best friends!

Don't be afraid to bargain. Even thrift stores are sometimes willing to go down on their price.

Sometimes Craigslisters are wanting to get rid of a piece so badly that they are happy to deliver. This is helpful if you don't have a vehicle large enough. Never be afraid to ask.

Paint is a cure all for almost any kind of ugly. 

Reuse and Repurpose! 

Some of my favorite finds have been things people discarded in their trash.

Linking to:

Craft O Maniac

 Dittle Dattle

Singing Three Little Birds
The DIY Show Off 
Under the Table and Dreaming 
Boogie Board Cottage 
Between Naps on the Porch 
Keeping it Simple 
You Are Talking Too Much 
Mod vintage Life 
Coastal Charm 
Type A 
Not Just a Housewife 
A Diamond in the Stuff 
A Bowl Full of Lemons 
Very Merry Vintage Style 
Savvy Southern Style 
Primp 
A Little Knick Knack 
Romantic Home 
Chic on a Shoestring 
The Shabby Nest 
Finding Fabulous