We’re excited to share that True Value invited us to join their DIY blog squad, and we’re thrilled to be included.
It still feels a little unreal—we’re happily pinching ourselves. The squad includes some talented creators, and we’re honored to be in such good company. Meet the other members of the group:
- All Bower Power
- The Lettered Cottage
- Bungalow 23
- The Handyguys Podcast
With this opportunity, we’ve been brainstorming which home improvement projects to tackle. We already have a few planned jobs—like finishing our basement—and expect to take on several smaller, spontaneous updates as well. The plan is to document a series of DIY projects over the next few months, using a $1,000 True Value gift card to source materials and tools.
That budget is a great way to focus our efforts and see how far we can stretch a modest home improvement allowance. We’ll be sharing project selection, step-by-step progress, shopping choices, and honest lessons learned along the way. Expect practical, realistic DIY guidance people can replicate at home, from choosing the right materials to avoiding common pitfalls.
Before getting started, we visited a nearby True Value and were impressed by the selection of supplies and helpful staff. They had a wide range of materials—paint, hardware, power tools, lighting, and more—so it was easy to find what we needed for different kinds of projects. Even better, the store welcomed our dog, Burger, which made the shopping trip feel relaxed and friendly.
As we begin this series, our goals are to complete meaningful upgrades, stay within budget, and offer clear, actionable advice. We’ll show how to plan projects, prioritize tasks, and balance aesthetics with function. Whether it’s a weekend refresh, a small room makeover, or a clever storage solution, we’ll explain each step so readers can tackle similar projects with confidence.
We also want to celebrate the DIY community and its creativity—everyone has projects that went great and ones that went sideways. True Value’s DIY Drama contest highlights that reality: they’re offering a $5,000 grand prize for the best story about a home improvement project that didn’t go as planned. Sharing those experiences helps others learn what to avoid and how to recover from setbacks.
We’ve had our share of missteps—like a string lantern experiment that didn’t turn out exactly as hoped—but those moments often lead to better ideas and more creative solutions. We’ll be transparent about both successes and failures so readers can get a realistic sense of what DIY involves and how to adapt when things don’t go perfectly.
Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll document the projects we choose, explain material decisions made at True Value, and provide step-by-step instructions, cost breakdowns, and tips to avoid common mistakes. Our aim is to inspire and equip readers to take on projects that improve their homes while staying within a sensible budget.
Disclosure: True Value selected us as one of five bloggers for their DIY Squad and provided funds for materials and compensated us for our time. We will report honestly about our experiences and our opinions are entirely our own.
Stay tuned for project reveals, shopping insights, and honest updates on how far that $1,000 gift card will go. We can’t wait to share the ideas we have planned and the lessons we’ll learn along the way.