Ep 11: Cheap or Quality | Home Edition | When to Save on Your Materials

We are coming full circle! Our very first episode was a deep dive into Cheap vs. Quality tools, and today we are returning to that concept to tackle home products and DIY materials. From the "science" of top-shelf paint to the nightmare of peel-and-stick wallpaper, we’re breaking down where to invest and where you can actually afford to save.The reno industry is flooded with "beginner-friendly" products that are actually designed to fail. We discuss why your "bargain" flooring might be unclicking itself as you speak and why Arly almost lost a finger trying to use a miter saw as a handheld tool.Episode Highlights:The Big Win: We officially won the Saint Johns Business Incubator Challenge! We’re sharing the "Shark Tank" style presentation experience and how this win is funding our upcoming in-person DIY classes.Paint Science: Why Sherwin Williams is the "top-shelf vodka" of the paint world and why cheap "barn paint" requires 12 coats just to look decent.Flooring & Levelers: A stern warning on why "liquid floor leveler" is a marketing gimmick that can end up leaking into your basement if you aren't careful.Wallpaper Wisdom: Why we emphatically say NO to peel-and-stick or pre-pasted wallpaper. If it doesn't feel like a heavy placemat, don't put it on your walls.Lumber 101: The difference between "wet" and "dry" lumber and why you should carry a moisture meter to the hardware store to avoid buying a "pretzel" board.The "Cheek Test": How to pick a quality paintbrush by testing it against your face—if it's soft enough for foundation, it’s good enough for your trim.Village Vision: We are officially partnering with a local Girl Scout troop to teach young girls how to build, and we're dreaming up a weekend-long "Handyma’am Intensive" for this fall.Resources & Mentions:Podcast Rec: The Marvelous Middle Age with Nicole Studt.The "Weird" Rec: Tooth and Claw (Animal attack stories for the brave).Dedicated to: Emily’s mother-in-law, Jeanne, a badass cancer survivor who reminds us all to lead with "vulnerable badassery".Get in Touch: Email us at [email protected] to suggest future "Cheap vs. Quality" topics.Join the Village!​Web:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ myhandymaam.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​Socials:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @howtohandymaam⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠​⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/howtohandymaam