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Chocolate hazelnut spread -

Making chocolate hazelnut butter at home is so easy! All you need to do is roast the hazelnuts and blend with melted chocolate and vanilla extract. Leave the palm oil behind.

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Croutons -

The packaged croutons might be tasty, but they’re loaded with unhealthy ingredients and they’re surprisingly high in calories. You can make your own and use up stale bread by chopping it into pieces, mixing in oil and whatever herbs and spices you’d like, then just baking them in the oven.

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Hummus -

It’s a mystery why people are intimidated by making their own hummus at home. Blend chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon, and spices of your choosing, and you’ll get so much more bang for your buck.

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Tortillas -

Masa harina (maize flour) or regular flour, water, oil, and a bit of salt are all you need to make your own tortillas at home, so ditch the plastic-wrapped stuff with all those extra preservatives and ingredients.

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Pickles -

Really anything that you want to eat pickled is much easier than you think. They require a basic brine made of water, vinegar, and customizable seasonings like dill and garlic. They can be ready in as little as one hour, and they last for weeks.

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Peanut butter -

It’s one ingredient, no hydrogenated oils, and you can customize it with sweetener or salt. No excuses!

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Granola bars -

Nut butter, vanilla extract, oats, maple syrup or honey, chocolate chips, seeds of your choice—it's that easy. You could mix and bake all of that faster than you could look up all those different ingredients in store-bought granola bars.

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Pancake mix -

It’s tempting to “just add water,” but the homemade version is too easy to make, and it leaves out all those questionable ingredients. But if you’re tied to the make-ahead part, you can still do that with flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt, then add buttermilk and an egg when you’re hungry.

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Spaghetti sauce -

Sure, the jar might be fast, but making your own sauce is as easy as cooking a can of crushed tomatoes with Italian herbs and perhaps some chili flakes. You’ll find you’re cutting down on cost and calories.

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All-purpose cleaner -

From scrubbing the kitchen to the bathroom, inside the oven to the tub drain, a simple combination of white vinegar and baking soda form the easiest, cheapest base for a disinfectant that also won’t harm the environment. You can add tea tree, lavender, or lemon essential oil for the smell and further disinfectant.

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Salsa -

The flavors of fresh tomato, onion, lime, and herbs and aromatics simply cannot be replicated in the stuff that comes out of jars.

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Garlic bread -

It’s actually kind of funny to see frozen garlic bread in grocery stores when it’s so simple to slather on garlic butter, herbs, and cheese onto fresh bread and toss it into the oven.

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Perfume -

Have you noticed that almost everyone knows someone with an intolerable perfume, and yet no one thinks it’s their own? Well, avoid the paranoia and switch to a much less expensive option that relies on inoffensive essential oils and a carrier oil (like jojoba, sweet almond, coconut, or grape seed).

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Pesto -

This will not only save you a ton of money, but it will taste better than any store-bought version, and it’s so easy! Just blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, and some salt and pepper.

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Pizza -

Save money and ditch those sad frozen pizzas! It's easier than you think to make restaurant-quality pizza in your own oven. Just prepare the dough early enough to let it rise, but all you need is all-purpose flour, olive oil, active dry yeast, sugar, and water.

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Oat flour -

If you are still buying oat flour, you might as well just throw your cash to the wind. All you have to do is blend rolled oats, but the pre-blended stuff costs a lot more in the store.

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Dryer sheets -

Reusable sheets cost next to nothing to make, and you can save money on the first load. Plus, you can make your own scents, avoid harsh chemicals on your skin, and help the environment. Dunk squares of old fabric or towels in a mixture of vinegar and essential oil—don’t worry, the vinegar smell won’t last—and let them dry. Pair with wool balls to reduce static.

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Cookies -

The stuff at the store will never beat the simple, warm, gooey cookies that make your home smell amazing. All it takes is flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and baking soda for your base. Plus, you can modify ingredients to meet your dietary needs!

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Taco seasoning -

It’s so easy to grab a sachet, but you’re loading up on huge amounts of sodium that way. Take control and make your own simple mix with spices you probably already have: chili powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, oregano, onion powder, and crushed chili flakes if you like it hot.

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Deodorant -

We’ve all heard about the harmful effects of the aluminum and toxins in store-bought deodorant, so why continue when it’s so easy to make at home with ingredients like coconut oil, baking soda, beeswax, and essential oils?

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Popsicles - Cut the added sugars and make your own with healthier ingredients like yogurt and blended fruit. This is great to start off healthier habits with kids too.

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Dog/cat treats -

Good quality pet food in general can be quite pricey, but instead of cheaping out on the unhealthy stuff, try your hand at making your own treats. Many recipes require five ingredients or less, most of which you already probably have!

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Honey mustard -

The squeezable containers and the jarred stuff are tempting for their convenience, but this condiment is one that tastes much better homemade. So good, in fact, that it certainly won’t be left to go bad in your fridge door.

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Lip balm -

This stuff can be extremely pricey, especially when you consider that most of the raw ingredients like beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and peppermint oil can cost the same amount as one chapstick, but yield plenty more.

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Flavored oatmeal -

Instant oatmeal is loaded with unnecessary sugars and unhealthy ingredients. Make your own at home with peanut butter and bananas, or apples and cinnamon. It'll taste way better, and you won't be looking for your next sugar fix after.

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Guacamole -

Store-bought guacamole with its weirdly bright green color will never taste as good as the homemade thing. Make it yourself with fresh, simple ingredients, and you’ll never go back.

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Bath bombs - Bath bombs have become ridiculously expensive, especially when you consider how easy they are to make at home, and all the various ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.

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Salad dressings -

You wouldn’t expect it, but most salad dressings are loaded with chemicals, sugar, and sodium, and can basically cancel out the reason why you’re having a salad to begin with. Making your own vinaigrettes and even ranch dressing is easier than you think!

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Body scrub -

Sugar, salt, and coffee grounds provide the perfect texture for exfoliation. Try a rosemary lemon salt body scrub, or vanilla brown sugar lip scrub, or coffee coconut face scrub. You’ll save so much money and your skin will love you.

Sources: (Taste of Home) (Homestead Survival Site) (The Hippy Homemaker) (Wise Bread)

See also: Here's all the science on the latest skincare crazes

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