How many things do you make?

Okay, before the post today, can I ask a favor? I want to know what you want.
Please tell me. Takes 5 mins. Tops.

Today I want to tell you how you can get by with less. Because on a nonprofit salary, you have to get creative.

In this downturn, think about what you can make for your volunteer rewards, or your nonprofit staff meetings. Would you like to make bagels? How about Salsa and Guacamole?

And while you’re looking for a nonprofit job, think about all of the things you can make yourself!

Thank you to Blisstree for the incredible list! 100 Things You Can Make Yourself

Applesauce
Spaghetti sauce(I have the best recipe for this, and it also goes well on pizza!)
Barbecue sauce
Maple syrup
Jelly
Peanut butter
Mayonnaise
Bacon
Guacamole(This is so easy and best fresh, it’s a wonder anyone buys it in the store!)
Pesto
Salsa
Mango salsa
Vanilla extract(this is so easy! Two vanilla beans and some vodka, leave it in a cupboard!)
Hummus
Coffee
Tofu
Gravy
Chocolate kisses
Cupcake
(Never pay for another $2.50 or $5.00 cupcake!)
Stuffing
Rootbeer
Ginger Ale
Pancake mix
Pudding pops
Ice cream
Chicken Nuggets
Pizza
(This is easy too. And tastes so much better than storebought! You can even skip the dough and cut a piece of french bread in half!)
Pasta
Pickles(My friend Kristin knows how to do this. I wish I knew!)
Wine(Stomping grapes is really fun. Try it sometime!)
Beer
Whiskey(I knew a guy who blew himself up with a homemade whiskey still. Better not try this one.)
Dog treats
Playdough
Fingerpaint
Bubbles
Books
All purpose household cleaner(My friend Sabrina is really good with instructions about this. Something to do with vinegar and baking soda?)
Soap
Shampoo
Hair conditioner
Moisturizer(You would not believe how easy it is to get moisturized with coconut butter only. You don’t need the fancy packaging or additives, plus, you’ll smell like a macaroon all day! (YUM!))
Mouthwash
Baskets(I remember my aunt sitting in the lake, weaving baskets underwater.)
Incense
Paper(if you have a wire hanger, elmer’s glue, pantyhose and some old newspaper, you can do this!)
Rubber stamps
Jewelry(My cousin just sent me earrings she made herself! Thanks Joy!)
Curtains
Rugs
Candles
Camera(My friend Andrew is always trying to get me to make a pinhole camera. Apparently you can make one quite easily out of a cereal box!)
CD Cases
Bookshelves
Tables
Stool
Sweater
Skirt
Poncho
Coat
Blouse
Shorts
Gloves(My friend Ealasaid makes the prettiest gloves)
Socks
Tree fort
Back yard shed
Gazebo
Windmill
Birdhouse
Compost
Biodiesel
Solar power generator
House
Snowshoes
Sun clock
Bread(This is really fun, and MFK Fisher has one of the best bread recipes I’ve ever found)

Piroshkis
Pretzels
Donuts
Sausages
Bagels
(I have a fabulous recipe for bagels, once you make them you will eat them pretty much within 48 hours, even though it uses 15 cups of flour!)
A pinata(Childhood fun, it’s so easy, just blow up a balloon, soak strips of newspaper in plaster mix, put on, wait for it to dry, then paint! (Cut hole and put in candy too!))
Crayons
Gnocchi (I have an easy recipe for ricotta gnocchi)

A guitar
4th of July sparklers
A lava lamp
Tortillas
Kimchi
A hula hoop
A loofah
Cheese
3D glasses
A Kite
An igloo
Modeling clay
Crossword puzzles
Cuff links