11 Things to Stop Buying and Start Making
In 1950, the average grocery store carried just 3,000 products. Today? About 50,000. But what’s even more surprising is how many of our daily purchases were considered bizarre luxuries 75 years ago.
I’m not suggesting we turn back the clock entirely. But there are some items our grandmothers would be puzzled to see us buying. Things that are cheaper, better, and surprisingly simple to make at home.
Granola
This is a fortune to buy, and so cheap to make. And MUCH better!
Lip Balm
Melt 2 parts beeswax, 2 parts coconut oil, 1 part shea butter. Add a few drops of essential oil if desired.
Apple Syrup
Use this instead of maple syrup on your waffles and pancakes. Uses scraps so it costs you hardly anything but your time.
Laundry Stain Remover
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part blue Dawn dish soap. Store in dark bottle (light degrades peroxide). The most effective stain treatment I’ve found – even on set-in stains.
Bar Dish Soap
A homemade bar soap that leaves dishes sparkling clean.
Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain, follow with 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover drain, let fizz 15 minutes. Flush with boiling water. Monthly maintenance prevents clogs without harsh chemicals. This doesn’t work well if your drain is already clogged, but it’s great for prevention.
Pizza Sauce
From the kitchens of Italian grandmothers to your modern home, this timeless pizza sauce recipe is perfect for canning.
Window & Glass Cleaner
Mix 2 cups water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. The secret ingredient your great-grandmother knew about? A tablespoon of cornstarch – it prevents streaking.
Chicken/Vegetable Stock
Save vegetable scraps and chicken bones in a freezer bag. When full, simmer with water and herbs for 4-6 hours. Free, zero-waste, and far more flavorful than boxed.
Paste Cleaner (like Soft Scrub)
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with just enough liquid castile soap to form a paste. Optional: 5 drops tea tree or lemon oil. The consistency of cake frosting works best. Far gentler on porcelain than commercial alternatives.
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Basic ranch: Mix 1/4 cup dried parsley, 1 tbsp dried dill, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt.Â
Apple Cider Vinegar
A homemade vinegar that turns apple scraps into a useful pantry staple. Makes 1 gallon.
Herbal Tea
Dry mint, lemon balm, or chamomile from your garden. Mix and store in jars. Especially good: 2 parts chamomile, 1 part lavender, 1 part mint for an evening blend.
Refrigerator Pickles
The crispest and most delicious refrigerator pickles with garlic, dill, and a hint of spice. This recipe makes a small batch and is ready in just a few minutes. No canning required.
Vanilla Extract
Split 3-4 vanilla beans lengthwise, submerge in 8 oz vodka. Store in a dark place for 3-6 months. Infinitely cheaper than store-bought and gets better with age.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, peels from 2-3 citrus fruits. Let sit 2 weeks. Strain. Natural, effective, and pennies per bottle.
White Sandwich Bread
Bread on a budget. No expensive ingredients, nothing weird you have to buy, and you'll get a loaf that your family and your bank account will love.
When you start making things instead of buying them, something interesting happens. You start looking at store shelves differently. You start seeing possibilities instead of products – just like Grandma did.
Start small. Try just one thing from this list. Maybe make some vanilla extract for your Christmas baking, or mix up that cleaning spray that costs next to nothing. Once you make one thing yourself, you’ll probably start wondering what else you could make instead of buy
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
Such a great list! I already make a lot of these. I can’t wait until apple time. I’m definitely making the cider vinegar and syrup.