The recessionista’s guide to: Do-it-yourself

As any recessionista can tell you, when times get tough, smart cookies save money by tackling basic repairs, home maintenance and improvements themselves. Remember though: the flipside of this is knowing your limitations and acknowledging that sometimes (when plumbing repairs or electric issues come up, for instance) it’s better to have a pro do the job right the first time ’round.

Here are 10 recession-busting DIYs that even the most basic to intermediate DIYers can put on their to-do lists. Save money now and improve your home’s property value for the future!

1 Install a closet organizer. First de-clutter and purge; go through your closet and categorize what can be donated, what can be kept, and finally, stained or irrevocably torn items that need to be junked. (Eco tip: tear unwanted cotton garments into cleaning rags.) Next, install a closet organization system that will allow you to see your entire wardrobe at a glance with rods, drawers, hooks and cubbies. Try Lowe’s Closetmaid Closet Designer tool, or if a freestanding wardrobe is your plan, IKEA’s Pax closet planner.

2 Attend a free Home Depot Do-It-Herself clinic. The big-box home improvement retailer offers special in-store workshops geared specifically at women, including topics like installing locks and deadbolts, yard improvement and bathroom projects, among others. Visit diy.homedepot.ca for upcoming workshops.

3 Wash your own windows. Cleaning your living room, dining room and kitchen windows inside and out (including the screens) will give the social areas of your house a cleaner, brighter look. But you don’t have to hire a pro. Learn how to remove the screens and panes and you can get them spic and span with sudsy water, sponges and a squeegee. If your second floor windows need cleaning, hire a pro (carrying window panes down a ladder can be very dangerous) but you’ll have saved yourself a bundle by taking care of the main floor yourself.

4 Swap out your air filters. Furnace and air conditioning filters often suffer neglect because homeowners forget to replace them. That’s a mistake because clean filters help a furnace or air conditioner function more efficiently, saving you money on your energy bill. Clean regular filters and replace disposable filters seasonally, and then monthly during their busy season -- winter for furnaces, summer for air conditioning. That’s especially important if anyone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, and/or you have furry pets.

5 Patch holes in your walls. If you switched up the artwork on your walls, or inherited a room with lots of old nail holes, patching them up is an easy move, if you’ve got leftover matching wall paint or are planning to repaint the room. Just use a spatula and cover the holes with Poly-Fil. When dry, gently sand, dust off, and either roll over the white spot with leftover wall paint, or start painting if a fresh coat is on the agenda.