Homemaking Hacks: A Thrifty Start - How We Made Our House a Home on a Budget

A Thrifty Start: How We Made Our House a Home on a Budget

Being thrifty isn’t just a habit in the Reinbold household—it’s how we built our home from the ground up. When we bought our house just six days after I graduated college, we had barely enough for a down payment, let alone furniture. But that didn’t stop us.

For two months straight, we spent every evening after work painting, cleaning, and tackling the many repairs that come with a 1950s home. We ate cheap takeout or frozen meals, sitting on two camp chairs with our workbench as a makeshift table. Then, at the end of each night, we’d head back to our parents' houses to sleep, only to do it all over again the next day. Looking back, I cherish those nights—they were exhausting but so rewarding.

But then came the mattress conundrum. The house was finally move-in ready for my fiancé (I stayed with my parents until we got married), but we had no money for furniture. So, we prayed and hit every thrift store, Facebook Marketplace deal, and free page we could find. And let me tell you—God provided.

Almost immediately, we walked into our local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and there it was: a brand-new king-sized mattress, still wrapped in plastic, for just $500. It was the first of many answered prayers. Soon after, I found end tables and coffee tables in my local Buy Nothing group (if you haven’t joined your community’s page—DO IT). My dad came across a dining room table and chair set for free, and family members gifted us a guestroom bed they no longer needed. Piece by piece, our home came together—not with expensive, brand-new furniture, but through the Lord’s provision and a thrifty mindset.

I am not exaggerating when I say that thrifting has made it possible for us to have a home. And that’s why I’ll always be passionate about it. Because sometimes, all it takes is a little faith, patience, and a good eye for a deal to turn a house into a home.

If you're skeptical about getting started or have trouble seeing the potential in thrifted items, get inspired! Build a Pinterest board, follow realistic and relatable content creators (hey, graceful.collective on Instagram!), and start envisioning what you want. Then, go shopping! Visit your local thrift stores frequently, and follow them on social media—many post new arrivals online. Explore thrift shops when you’re traveling or out of town, and make yard sales part of your weekend plans. Treat it like a hobby, and in time, I’m confident you’ll thrift your way to a beautiful home, too!