30 Down-and-Dirty Tricks for Big DIY Savings

Silence squeaky wood floors by sprinkling on talcum powder. Use a paintbrush to work the powder into the joints between boards and sweep away any excess. For tight spots you can use powdered graphite that's squeezed from a tube.

Cost: $5 for a large container of talcum powder or a small tube of graphite powder.

Savings: Starting at $50 an hour to hire a carpenter to make repairs.

Bonus: If you go with graphite, it's also good for keeping locks lubricated.