The Thrift Diving Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to Get Almost ANYTHING Done in 5 Minutes - #144 May 20, 2024

Show notes

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" list! Want to share your thoughts on this episode? Email me serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.

MENTIONED

This Is Why I Haven't Been Posting Much - #143

RESOURCES (contains affiliate links)

Habit Stacking - (Amazon)
Atomic Habits - (Amazon)

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WANT TO LEARN TO USE POWER TOOLS? I'm creating an online power tools 101 course to help you get over the fear and intimidating of using tools to become empowered with power tools! Sign up here for more info! https://thriftdiving.com/tools
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This Is Why I Haven't Been Posting Much - #143 May 11, 2024

Show notes

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 serena@ thriftdiving.com or on Instagram @ThriftDiving.
Now that I've gotten over this hump, it's time to start creating, inspiring, and teaching again! Let's gooooo!

MENTIONED

What It's Like For a Newbie to Do Their First DIY Room Makeover - #140
When a Blogger Loses Her Job - (blog post)
Getting to Know the REAL Serena (PART 1) - #113
Getting to Know the REAL Serena (PART 2) - #114
Join the WAIT LIST for my Power Tools 101 Course!

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How to Fall In Love With Your Home Again - #142 Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

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 Embarrassed of Your House, Too? (blog post)
The Story of Thrift Diving - (Podcast Episode #1)
Painting My Kitchen Cabinets White (blog post)

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Do These 7 Home Maintenance Tasks NOW! - #141 Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

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 inspection
Gutter cleaning and why it's so important
Checking smoke detectors!

RESOURCES

WATCH on YOUTUBE - 7 Most Important Home Maintenance Tasks
LISTEN: Podcast on termites! - Episode #9

MENTIONED

Order your filters from Filterbuy HERE. (affiliate link)
Dryer vent cleaning tool - Home Depot (look at the video on this page and you'll see my product video listed on the product page!) :)
Drain tool with metal 3-prong tool I mentioned
Leak detectors (Leak Bug brand)
"Smart" leak detector - Amazon
3. Leak detectors - Leak Bugs - https://amzn.to/49MJpXD
Fire blankets - Home Depot

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What It's Really Like for a "Newbie" to Do Their First Room Makeover - #140 Feb 18, 2024

Show notes

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 inside scoop on navigating this project to turn out as amazing as it did, and how we filled our "confidence buckets" for what we are capable of achieving!
//LINKS//

See the "BEFORE" and "AFTER" pictures.
HomeStyler - The online platform to create a free 3D model of your room online.
Pfister Colfax sink faucets
Pfister Colfax shower faucet handle
Edmundo - For all your stone needs for your home improvement projects, contact Edmundo (E & C Granite and Stone at 301-968-5738)
3 themes I talked about for the beginning of last year, 2023. - Episode #97

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Finishing the Interior of a "She Shed" Workshop! (w/Guest Diane Dains) - #139 Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

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 things to keep in mind when finishing off your own shed interior, including tips and tricks, and most importantly, how to speak up for yourself when dealing with contractors who think they know more than you do. Great episode you don't want to miss!
See pictures of Diane's shed here on Instagram!
Follow Diane on Instagram and Facebook for updates!
Want to see pictures of my epic bathroom makeover? Sign up for my email list to see "Sneak Peek" photos!
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This Bathroom Makeover Brought Me Closer to My Best Friend - #138 Jan 24, 2024

Show notes

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 reconnecting my friendship with my friend! The process wasn't just about the physical transformation of the space but also about strengthening my friendship and pushing personal boundaries in DIY.

I wrap up the episode by reflecting on the emotional journey and how we can all learn from this project that stepping out of your comfort zone is not an option, but mandatory, in order to move forward.

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I Was Too Poor to Volunteer...Until Now! - #137 Jan 21, 2024

Show notes

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 fundraising. Join me in exploring passions and embracing meaningful callings!
Read this blog post HERE!
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I'm Doing the 75 Hard MENTAL TOUGHNESS Challenge! - #135 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

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 book
Two workouts each day, 45 minutes each, one of which must be outdoors.
Follow a diet, any diet. But no cheat meals, and NO alcohol!
Drink 1 gallon of water daily.
Take daily progress pictures of your body.

I'm on Day 54 as of the publishing of this episode! It's not always been easy. In this episode, I'm sharing with you how the challenge is going so far, along with some health challenges I recently faced that caused me to question if I am doing the right thing or not for my health.

Send me an email (serena@thriftdiving.com) or DM me @ ThriftDiving on Instagram if you've got a question!
RESOURCES

Read more about the 75 Hard Challenge HERE.

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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I'm Making Over THIS Outdated Bathroom in a Friend's House! - #134 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

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 camera. Listen as I share with you behind-the-scenes details about this epic bathroom makeover! Click here to see the "BEFORE" of the bathroom I'm making over in my friend's house!
Send me an email (serena@thriftdiving.com) or DM me @ ThriftDiving on Instagram if you've got a question!

Subscribe to my email list for 5 ebooks, printable, and checklists: https://thriftdiving.com/subscribe

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