I have a confession: I haven't been feeling very creative lately. I've been working on projects behind-the-scenes, but I haven't felt that same creative spark and excitement. I've felt stuck and absorbed in other things, particularly family matters. It made me wonder if you've felt this way at times, too? What can we do to reignite our creativity? Listen in as I share personal stories on why I think we temporarily lose our creativity and how we can try to bring it back. Want to share your tho...

I talk a lot about power tools, but I often don't mention all the hand tools that are most important for your DIY toolbox! Join me and listener, Elizabeth, who is a former shop teacher, as we talk about all the hand tools that you should put on your list to invest in for your workshop!Want to share your thoughts on this episode or have a question we didn't answer? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.MENTIONED & RESOURCESBEFOER & AFTER Bathroom Makeover! (Yo...

In this episode, my friend and I discuss how I got started with Thrift Diving, the evolution of my brand, and the challenges and rewards of running a DIY blog and YouTube channel. From thrift store finds to major brand partnerships, we cover it all. I'm chatting in this episode with Laura Rudder, a loyal Thrift Diving reader turned dear friend. Laura originally interviewed me about personal topics in Episodes #113 and #114, and now she's back to dive deep into the business side of Thrif...

It's hard to believe, but you can get almost anything done if you focus on it for 5 minutes at a time. I've been using this strategy this week to knock out some of my most stressful "MUST DOs" that I have been ignoring. But I'm finding that by setting a time for 5 minutes at a time, and "habit stacking" the chore with something that I am already doing, I've been able to make a ton of progress--all in 5 minutes increments! Listen to see how you can use this strategy to knock out your "To Do" l...

As we approach mid-2024, I've been wrestling with late-night anxieties about unmet goals, unfinished DIY projects, health and family concerns, and more. Today, I share with you why I haven't been posting much, including why things feel like their moving at the pace of molasses! :)As I share with you my personal thoughts that reads more like a journal entry, I'd love to know if you have (or are!) struggling with some of these concerns, too! Share your own story and thoughts by reaching out to ...

When we spend too much time around something (or someone!) we stop noticing all the things that make them special and unique, and we start taking it for granted. The same can be true for our home, as well. After living in your home for awhile, you stop noticing and appreciating all the things that you originally loved about your space. You start taking it for granted. Let's talk about how we can fall in love with our home again, and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money! MENTIONED Are You...

I know that home maintenance sucks, and it would be nice to hire someone else to take care of all of it for you. But most of us can't afford that or don't have the expertise. But there are some things we can do ourselves and we should do right now! Including: Cleaning your dryer vent.Changing your HVAC filter.Checking for leaks and using leak detectors.Getting an annual termite inspection.Getting an annual roof inspectionGutter cleaning and why it's so importantChecking smoke...

We're  going behind-the-scenes to hear the complete story of that epic bathroom makeover that I just finished in my best girlfriend's bathroom! What makes this an inspiring episode is that my friend and I get vulernable about what it was really like to tackle a DIY project together. She lacked interest and confidence because she was a "DIY newbie," and I lacked confidence because I had never done a project in someone else's house before (only my own house). Listen as she and I share the...

I love hearing from other women who decided to make the leap and buy a "she shed" to  turn it into a workshop! Reader and fellow DIYer  in the Thrift Diving community, Diane Dains, did that very thing: she bought a huge 16' x 28' shed to use as a workshop, but she decided that she would finish off the interior herself. She even hired an electrician to be her "teacher" to oversee her interior wiring (and she had never done interior wiring before!)  Listen to this conversation about all the...

In this episode, I dive into an exciting new challenge: renovating a friend's bathroom. This project is an exciting new path from my usual DIY projects in my own 1973 home! I partnered with BathWorks for this extensive makeover, facing unexpected challenges like COVID interruptions and the challenge of coordinating such a big project in such a small space! This project has been stressful, but soooo rewarding--from refinishing the tub and tile to choosing the right paint colors, to...

I'm sharing my personal journey of giving back with Habitat for Humanity. I reflect on my early desire to volunteer, the challenges of balancing work and family, and the fulfilling experience of joining Habitat. As a crew leader, I contribute to building homes for low-income families and highlight the impactful programs supporting new homeowners. I also share my participation in a fall festival, where I painted and donated a desk that was later sold for $175, contributing to Habitat's...

This is my favorite time of year! I love setting goals for the new year. Last year, though, I didn't set goals, but rather, set "themes" for how I wanted my life to go in 2023: FlowConnectionSimplicityIn this episode, I share with you how those goals went for 2023 and what I'll be focusing on for 2024! I want to hear what YOUR goals are, too! Send me an email ([email protected]) or DM me @ ThriftDiving on Instagram to share your goals with me! Subscribe to my email list for 5...

I tend to DIY everything in my life, even my health and workouts in order to lose weight and get mentally stronger. I told you in a recent episode that I am doing the 75 Hard Challenge, which is a mental toughness challenge that requires you to do the following things every single day for 75 days, and if you miss ANY of these daily, then you must start over at Day 1: Read 10 pages in a non-fiction self-improvement bookTwo workouts each day, 45 minutes each, one of which must be...

Not everyone is a DIY'er....and not everyone can afford thousands of dollars to rip out their bathroom and start over! So I'm teaming up with a good friend who has wanted to make over her bathroom for YEARS, but she has felt stuck: it's too expensive to gut her bathroom, and she has zero confidence on how to do a makeover like this on her own. So I'm teaming up with her to make over her entire bathroom with paint, power tools, and thrift stores! And the whole process is being captured on...

‘Twas the night before thrifting, when all through the house Not an outfit needed washing, not even a blouse; The laundry was folded by the dryer with care, In hopes that tomorrow I’ll buy more things to wear; My husband was nestled all snug in our bed, Asleep after accusing that I’m hoarding again; And my boys in their jammies, asleep in a snap, “Finally! I’m free!” I whisper and clap, When out in the garage there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Down...

If you're a DIYer, then you'll want to buy a paint sprayer for your DIY toolbox, but what kind should you buy? There are 3 types, but for DIY projects, there are only two you really should consider: an HVLP paint sprayer and an airless paint sprayer. I'll share with you in this episode for which projects (and!) why you should consider one over the other (or buying both!) Send me an email ([email protected]) or DM me @ ThriftDiving on Instagram if you've got a question! PRODUCTS...

Last month I asked you on YouTube to ask me ANYTHING, and today, I answered them! Got a burning question about DIY or something person? Send me an email ([email protected]) or DM me @ ThriftDiving on Instagram to get your question included in the next "Ask Me Anything"! What is your routine to keep you motivated, healthy, and cute? Brutally honest, what are the pros and cons of your job?Is it best to spray paint the cabinet doors or use a roller?I am in the market for a small,...

In this episode, I share with you how the tenant that just moved out of my rental townhouse caused me to spend over $8,000 on new carpet due to dog urine, including other damage that she left behind without telling me. In this episode, I'll share with you: Tips on the best place to get affordable new carpet and how much cheaper and faster it was to get installed instead of using Lowe's carpet installers.How and why we bought a rental property in the first place.Who's going to be renting the...

Several years ago I decided to go back to school for a Carpentry program at my local community college. I learned so many things but these 20 things about construction, building trades, and more were the most surprising bits of information learned!  Which one did you find most surprising? Also, please take a moment to leave a review for The Thrift Diving podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!   Read the blog post that goes with this post HERE. Click to send me an email or send the email to...

Don't believe furniture paint brands that claim you can always skip sanding and priming before painting. I think that's a gimmick to get more people to think their product is the easiest to use for painting furniture. In truth, there are times when you CAN skip sanding and priming, and there are time when you MUST sand and prime first. In this episode, we will talk about when you can jump right into painting wood and projects, and when you have to do more prep work! Projects Mentioned My...

We tell ourselves that if we just had the time to declutter a room, we would get it done this weekend....right?? The problem isn't time, though. The problem is that we don't want to face the unpleasant emotions surrounding the decluttering: self-doubt, boredom, confusion, and frustration. We just don't know where to start, either! Well, committing to 60 minutes per day, it is possible to tackle an overwhelming declutter project in a space. Listen in as I share with you how I'm decluttering my...

Not every project is as easy as DIYers make them appear to be! Sometimes they're quite scary because you're afraid you'll ruin it....you're afraid you don't know what to do... you're afraid that you'll not know where to start...And all of these fears can prevent you from taking a step forward to complete your DIY projects! In this video, I'll share with you the 5 projects that scared me to death and almost never got done because I was sooooo afraid I would ruin them! Let's talk about them!...

It's been 2 years since I bought my 16' x 26' "she shed" for my backyard that I use for office space and a creative workshop! What are the things I regret now that I've been using the shed for 2 years? What are the things I absolutely would do again in a heartbeat? Let's talk about it!  Email me [email protected]! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE PROJECTS MENTIONED I Ran My Own Electrical Wiring in My Shed - (YouTube - Part 1 of 2)I Ran My Own Electrical Wiring (PART 2 of 2)Pouring a...

It's been a few weeks since I uploaded a new episode, but there is good reason!  In today's episode, I share with you where I have been and what I have been working on behind the scenes! What have you been up to?! Send me an email and share your own updates! Email me [email protected]! PROJECTS MENTIONED How to Refinish Your Shower with PaintHalf Bathroom Makeover with Stencils!5 Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover TipsCreate Your Own Floral Wall ArtMake a DIY Shower CurtainPAGEANT VIDEO...