If you’re new here:  On Fridays I share a few frugal things I did during the week.  Then in the comments you to share a frugal thing or two you did during the week.  If you are a blogger feel free to link to your Frugal Friday post in the comments and we’ll come check it out.

Happy Friday! In this edition of Frugal Friday, I’m going to list the hacks we did in the boy’s bedroom to save money and how much they saved.  If I already have the tutorial on the blog, I’ll link to it.

1. DIY Headboards: $15 each (original $149.95 each)  Savings: $275

2. DIY Picture Frame: $12 (purchased around $150) Savings $138

3. DIY Trofast Toy Organzier: Ikea doesn’t sell this size or color but if they did it would be around $50.  It cost me around $30 to make and not much more time than assembling one from the box. Savings $40 I used this tutorial and adjusted it for our size preference.  This is the FIRST wood thing I made without help and I’m a little proud of myself.

4. DIY Sawhorse Desk: This cost around $44 to make.  I can have one made here for $250.  Savings $206 I used this tutorial but replaced the top with a slab hollow core door.

5.  Electrical Conduit Curtain Rods and Ikea BETYDLIG Brackets.   The large window used a 10 foot conduit pipe for $1.99 and the two smaller windows used 5 foot pieces for $1.65.  All together the widow hardware was $15.65 for the 3 windows.  Traditional hardware would have been $40 a window.  Savings $104.35

6. Burlap ribbon valances: I wanted bamboo window shades for looks only.  Bamboo shades are see-through at night so we use roller shades for privacy.  I like the warmth and texture of bamboo shades and wanted something to hide the top of our roller shades and the gap between the top of the window and the ceiling.  The large window shade would be around $70 and the two smaller ones $30 each.  Instead I thumbtacked up 2 layers of burlap decorator mesh ribbon for $20.   Savings of $110  Click here to find out why I hang my curtains so high.

7. Restored Night Stands: I found this pair of nightstands on craigslist for $30 (for the pair.) They had been abused with spray stone textured paint and tiles that were improperly installed then ripped off.  I sanded off the texture and gave them a fresh coat of paint, pried off the old tops and made new stained wooden tops for them, and replaced the hardware with handles leftover from our kitchen contractor packs.  I spent an extra $15 in wood and supplies, so $45 total for the pair.  New nightstands like these are $125 each. Savings: $205

8. Switched from Ikea Duvet Covers to Target Clearance covers:  Target’s were $18 each, Ikea’s were $50.   Savings $64

9.  Spray painted black lamps green.  Old Time Pottery had nicely shaped lamps with the right kind of shade for $30, but they only came in black.  The inspiration lamps from Amazon were $107.09 for the pair.  Savings $42

10.  Bought the sofa on Craigslist instead of Ikea: Ikea’s prices are great, but if I can save a bit more I’m on it.  A motivated seller had his Ektorp Loveseat on CL for $30 because the cover was ripped and it had cat hair on it.  New they are $375.  I bought a new cover for $39 and that problem was solved.  Savings $306

The other big savings were: keeping their original beds and flooring; removing the popcorn ceiling ourselves; and painting ourselves.  Savings $3,000.  Without counting those, we saved $1,490.35 on the furnishings. Not bad for a little bit of elbow grease.

It’s your turn. Inspire us with some of your frugal activities this week.