Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It: The D.I.Y. Guide to the Good Life

by Billee Sharp, Anneli Rufus (Foreword)

In this D.I.Y. guide to the good life, readers learn how to edit their lives, since in the long run, less is more — pedal now or paddle later! Readers and their families can live more joyfully and far more creatively, all on a dime. The best things in life are free — or very nearly free — and author Billee Sharp shares her freecycling, budget-savvy, barter-better wisdom. Based on a sensible foundation of global responsibility and foresight for the next seven generations, Billee Sharp's philosophy is compelling. From the radical common sense introduction to the practical how-tos and yummy recipes, Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It is a step-by-step handbook to revolutionizing spending habits and reclaiming quality of life in the process. Learn how to start a community garden and to seed share, ditch the grass and raise organic veggies in the front lawn, eco-clean the house with lemons and lavender cure minor maladies from the kitchen cabinet, organize a trade-for-what-you-want free flea market, and cook meals for pennies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Food, Cookbooks, Reference, Frugal

216 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2006

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm... reading the beginning implies a sort of hippy or New Age-y sort of vibe... I do better with a pioneer spirit. We'll see; it's not a big book.
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Done. So much is wrong with this book I don't know where to start. Lots of tips, but most of them are the same ones we see over and over again in women's magazines and on home-making blogs. Many of them fail under false economy - essential oils are not cheap, for example. No useful illustrations. Most suggestions are just mentions: how to make a rag rug is one short paragraph w/ no picture. You really are better off going online for assorted focused lists and how-tos.

The *only* thing I got was a very simple 'cake' recipe. I tried it because, what the heck, I have some Craisins I need to use up, and we've not had a dessert in a while.

Australian Cake

1 cup flour
1 cup sugar (brown or white) [I used a mix]
2 Tablespoons flaked coconut
1-2 cups mixed dried fruit [I used about 1 2/3 cup Craisins]
1 ounce melted butter
1 egg

Mix first four, then add and mix in last two. Press into small shallow ovenware. [I used a large pie dish that I sprayed with canned oil.] Bake at 325 for 25 minutes. [I used my toaster oven]

I thought it was awfully sweet, and dry on top, but undercooked on the bottom, and messy. A tiny bit like a scone, a tiny bit like the top of a muffin. But two members of my family loved it and begged me to keep the recipe. Maybe I'll use less fruit next time. Dried apricots might be lovely.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good, basic information for living a greener, less expensive lifestyle while still living a good lifestyle.

[Rachel Kramer Bussel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure whether I, who loves microwaveable meals and am not very handy, would find this book helpful, but I was very happy to discover that you don't need to be a whiz around the house to utilize Billee Sharp's tips. She's got everything for natural remedies for aches, pains and colds (the essential oils section is wonderful!) as well as easy recipes and tips on making your own sea salt scrubs, household cleaners and more. She breaks down the art of budgeting (yes, I consider it an art) and provides simple steps so that you can start almost anywhere in your home and do a little here or there. Her tips on utilizing the gift economy and details on how to score free entertainment and repurpose all sorts of items are practical and simple, and helped me see the topic a little differently. Rather than feeling like I have to overhaul my entire way of life to live more simply, I can take small steps toward using items I already have (like weights - there's even a prison workout in here!) and making the most of new purchases.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is packed full of money-saving tips and ideas, such as turning a stained shirt into a master piece with tie-dye. You gotta love that there are even a couple of pages dedicated to the fix-it essential-Duct tape.
Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It, The D.I.Y. Guide to the Good Life is a great little book for anyone who wants to save money, or save the planet.

[Linda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sanctimonious & touts the wonders of essential oils. Earns a spot on shelf Loathsome.

[Grace Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the DIY attitude of this book, and the idea that we don't need to constantly buy new stuff! There's some great information in there. I loved the lists of website resources and recipes, frugal ideas and craft instructions. My only criticism is that some of the instructions for crafts and cooking were a bit hard to follow.

[Priestess Enshrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tips and ideas. I marked my copy up so I could easily return to the things I plan to do.