Homemade vs. Store-Bought: When DIY Saves You Money (and When It Doesn’t)

Making things from scratch sounds like a great way to save money, but is it always worth it?

While some DIY projects can slash costs and even improve quality, others end up costing more in time, effort, and ingredients than just buying the store-bought version.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought

Before diving into the world of homemade everything, here’s a breakdown of when DIY actually saves money—and when it’s better to stick with store-bought.

When DIY Saves You Money

Some homemade alternatives are cheaper, healthier, and often more effective than what you’d buy in the store.

These are the things worth making yourself.

Cleaning Products

Store-bought cleaners are packed with chemicals, fragrances, and a hefty price tag. Most DIY versions use a few simple ingredients that cost pennies per batch.

✔ Worth making: All-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, laundry detergent, and fabric softener.
✔ Why? Vinegar, baking soda, and Castile soap clean just as well—without the high cost or harsh chemicals.

Bread and Baked Goods

Making bread at home can be significantly cheaper than buying artisanal loaves, especially if your family goes through a lot of it.

✔ Worth making: Basic sandwich bread, muffins, pizza dough, and cookies.
✔ Why? A loaf of homemade bread costs around $1 compared to $4–$6 at the store.

Broth and Stock

Instead of buying pricey cartons of broth, make your own using kitchen scraps—it’s practically free.

✔ Worth making: Chicken, beef, or vegetable broth.
✔ Why? Store-bought broth costs around $3–$5 per quart, while homemade is made from scraps you’d otherwise throw away.

Meal Prepped Freezer Meals

Pre-made frozen meals and takeout add up fast. Spending a little time prepping meals ahead saves a ton of money over ordering food when you’re too tired to cook.

✔ Worth making: Casseroles, soups, slow cooker meals, and pre-marinated meats.
✔ Why? Store-bought frozen meals cost $7–$15 each, while homemade versions often cost half that price.

Spice Blends and Seasoning Mixes

Why pay extra for pre-mixed spices when you probably already have the ingredients in your pantry?

✔ Worth making: Taco seasoning, ranch mix, Italian seasoning, and dry rubs.
✔ Why? Pre-made packets cost around $1–$3, but making your own costs a few cents per batch.

When Store-Bought Is the Better Deal

Some things aren’t worth the time, effort, or cost of making from scratch. In these cases, store-bought is often cheaper, more convenient, and just as good.

💡 Want to try your hand at homemade seasonings?

Cheese and Dairy Products

Homemade cheese and yogurt sound fun, but unless you’re making large batches regularly, the cost of milk, special cultures, and equipment outweighs the savings.

✔ Better to buy: Cheese, butter, and yogurt.
✔ Why? Store-bought cheese is often cheaper and lasts longer. Homemade versions require expensive ingredients and time-consuming steps.

Canned Beans vs. Dry Beans

Cooking beans from scratch is technically cheaper, but the time and energy costs of soaking and cooking them can cancel out the savings—especially with affordable canned options available.

✔ Better to buy: Canned beans unless you regularly cook large batches of dried beans.
✔ Why? Canned beans cost about $1 per can, while dried beans cost less per serving but require hours of soaking and cooking.

Pasta

Homemade pasta is delicious, but unless you’re making it in bulk, it’s not a money-saver.

✔ Better to buy: Most dry pastas.
✔ Why? A box of pasta costs $1–$2, while homemade versions require eggs, flour, and a lot of hands-on effort.

Some Beauty and Personal Care Products

DIY beauty products can be fun, but some require expensive ingredients, have a short shelf life, and don’t always work as well as store-bought.

✔ Better to buy: Shampoo, conditioner, sunscreen, and some lotions.
✔ Why? Store-bought versions are shelf-stable and lab-tested for safety and effectiveness.

Household Cleaners: Worth Making or Better to Buy?

Cleaning products are some of the easiest and cheapest DIY swaps, but not all homemade versions work as well as store-bought.

Here’s when it makes sense to DIY and when it’s better to grab a bottle from the store.

Worth Making: All-Purpose Cleaner

Most store-bought all-purpose cleaners are just water, fragrance, and chemicals—but a DIY version can be just as effective for pennies.

✔ DIY Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon dish soap
• 10 drops essential oil (optional)

💡 Why It’s Worth Making: Costs under $1 per bottle, compared to $3–$5 for store brands. It’s also non-toxic and works on most surfaces (except marble and granite).

Worth Making: DIY Laundry Detergent

Store-bought laundry detergent is expensive and full of fillers that don’t actually clean clothes. A simple homemade version lasts longer and costs a fraction of the price.

✔ DIY Ingredients:

• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 bar grated Castile or Fels-Naptha soap

💡 Why It’s Worth Making: Costs about $0.05 per load, compared to $0.25–$0.50 per load for name-brand detergents.

Curious about homemade laundry tablets?
Combine equal parts grated soap, washing soda, and Borax. Stir in ½ to ¾ cup of white vinegar, and if you want a boost of freshness, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil—lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus all work great.

The mixture should feel like damp sand—moldable, but not soggy. Press into ice cube trays or silicone molds, let them dry for 24 hours, and store in an airtight jar. These little tablets pack a punch and last for months.

Better to Buy: Disinfectants & Germ Killers

Homemade cleaners work well for everyday messes, but they don’t kill bacteria and viruses as effectively as commercial disinfectants.

✔ Better to buy: Bleach-based disinfectants, antibacterial sprays, and sanitizing wipes.
✔ Why? DIY versions don’t meet hospital-grade disinfecting standards, which are needed for killing strong bacteria and viruses.

Worth Making: Glass Cleaner

Store-bought glass cleaners often leave streaks due to unnecessary additives. A simple homemade version works better and costs way less.

✔ DIY Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (helps prevent streaking)

💡 Why It’s Worth Making: Works just as well as Windex but costs pennies to make.

Final Thoughts: Balance DIY and Store-Bought for Maximum Savings

Not everything is worth making from scratch, but a few smart swaps can lead to big savings.

✔ Make at home: Cleaning products, bread, broth, freezer meals, and spice blends.
✔ Better to buy: Cheese, canned beans, pasta, and some personal care items.

The key? Focus on DIY projects that save money without adding stress. Choose what works for your budget, your time, and your lifestyle.

📌 Have you found a DIY swap that saves you money? Or one that wasn’t worth the hassle? Let’s chat in the comments!